Metalhead tube amp advices ;).

[fr33man1]

Hello here. I thought I'd drop my amplification quest round here since they are very knowledgeable people on tone on those boards ;).

I had a french hand made hi gain half stack but it had some reliability issues and kept going back to the conceptor (lost lot money to wrap it and send it back and forth through ups) so i ended up by solding it..

I love metal tones, with warm rich, low end and good low midrange push, not fond of shrills or high frequencies. I intend to play some C std tunes ( in flames, arch enemy machine head) on my custom explorer and some stuff for my band on drop C with a studio les paul fitted with emg (that might be taken off for some cold sweats ;)).

I tried out laney gh50l, too shrill on my ex V30 cab, same for the peavey XXX ( a lot of gain but on my bareknuckled sg that i forgot to mention it wastn tight at all but very loose and mushy) and those did not satisfy me.

I sold all that gear and Im know in front of the dilemna . What to choose ? I love 5150 tones but im afraid that it would be a one trick pony and clean sound 'less'.

I looked up on the web and found some used mesa mark III but i bet those arent enough gainy to pull out modern metal tones in vein of KSE or Machine head even with extra cab and some boost..

Saw a tremo verb dual rectifier combo not too expensive but Im afraid not being able to keep up with the other guy mesa on 4*12.

Im adding at least that those amps ( mainly mesa boogies) are very expensive in france even used they are bout 1500 bucks for a dual rectifier and even more for a roadster serie.

ps : i got a trade for a roadster dual rectifier head against my sg and $$ really dunno what to choose so if some friendly bkp users could gave me keys or some advices it would be a pleasure.

Oh and by the way happy new year ;).  8)

[Dmoney]

What french amp did you have?

was it a name of sound?
http://www.nos-amps.com/sections.php?op=listarticles&secid=7

I'm not sure what to suggest in terms of amps really. i can't think.
5150 with an adjustable bias mod is meant to have better cleans, and nicer distortion.
I actually did this to a 6505 but I swapped it shortly after for a guitar.

[Stevepage]

If you love the 5150 sound but want a decent clean sound. Then look into Randall. The T2 or V2.

I myself have the T2, compared it to a 6505 and while the 6505 was very aggressive, the T2 had that same bark but has a very nice clean tone too.

Midi switching channels, FX loop, boost mode on the overdrive channel.

Works very well with V30's too.

[fr33man1]

i had indeed a name of sound.

i might try the machine head rig, 5150 + marshall v30 4*12 cab and hook up a TS9 between. Im just afraid the 5150 having a rectifier low mid flavour with those fizzy frequencies.

[Prawnik]

Also, experiment with different speakers or cabs. In my experience, V30s make almost everything very shrill and harsh (can you tell that I am allergic to V30s?)

[LazyNinja]

Saw a tremo verb dual rectifier combo not too expensive but Im afraid not being able to keep up with the other guy mesa on 4*12.

That's the first time I heard anyone being worried about Tremoverb not being loud enough :?

[fr33man1]

its more in term of stage presence adding its an open back model so it wont have a huge bass response ;).

[schantist]

If you're into the 5150 growl, make sure you check out the Laboga Mr. Hektor.
Same flavor distortion-wise, but comes with a more than useable clean channel.

[BigK]

its more in term of stage presence adding its an open back model so it wont have a huge bass response ;).

You will be able to plug a 4x12 or two into it as well if your worried about bass response. the open back will help you hear yourself better anyway.

 Maybe look into engls, Ive got a powerball its got great cleans and an awesome high gain side. or maybe the new fireball 100?

[schantist]

Maybe look into engls, Ive got a powerball its got great cleans and an awesome high gain side. or maybe the new fireball 100?

Another PB owner, good to know...
but the trademark Engl sound is way too "sleek" for someone who's into 5150-ish raw mayhem distortion
(still, Engl = undisputed greatness; used to own an adjustable bias-modded 5150 as well)

[fr33man1]

I tried the XXX lately (at it at home) , way to bright and loose...plus the active eq was painful to tweak..

Im a machine head tone freak so I bet 5150 will get me no problem in the same ballpark, adding my budget is in euros about 1100 for both head and cab. I found a cheap engl cab v30 loaded for 300 € near me so thats already done.

Adding I have also found an engl blackmore in my locale but I never played one. Already played a fireball and yes it was great. cool distorted tones, not too generic sounding, just good distorted tone that followed whatever I was playing. No one trick pony to my taste but as always, testing in a shop is not a real gig test so you can have surprises when cranked. (XXX lately was a shrill frequencies factory when pushed up..)

I tried the hector in shop too but on a good laboga 4*12 with V30 and pushed a bit the volume since theyre a cool shop. It was nice too but not really crushing, sounded like a tight and clean rectifier to me which isnt bad.

So my remaining options with the money I want to spend are 5150 or blackmore + engl cab or mesa boogie mark III combo with a cab.

[Alex]

All the bands you listed are using 5150s. If you want a nice clean sound, I'd suggest going for the 5150 II/6505+.
I wished I had the II/+ version instead of my old 5150.

Somewhat close to that sound IMO are some of the Kranks and the new Marshall JVM series.
The Rectifier IMO goes in a different direction - not the bands you stated.

[hunter]

I would check out:

Used Marshall 2203 early 80s, ideally w/ vertical inputs. Or 2204, here the vertical/horizontal makes virtually no difference. This with a TS and a boost will give you great dirty cleans, crunch and face melting metal.

Diezel VH4. Works great for 5150ish drive sounds, especially if boosted.

Steavens Poundcake (boosted) - well too rare probably, I mention it anyways coz I have one and love it, switching functions so versatile, like no other amp I know, sound wise maybe in the ballpark between Marshall and Diezel

Bogner Ueberschall. The other guy in my metal band has it and it sounds amazing. Cleans are just Ok though.

EVH5153? I played one and it was pretty mean, great dirty cleans also and a switchable loop.

Maybe wait what the verdict is on the new Mesa Dual Recto that will be introduced on Namm (tomorrow) - rumour has it's got the sound of the first series.

A H&K Triamp MkII might fit your book, I just sold mine, but it's a great amp nevertheless. Can be had cheap on German ebay.

VHT (Fryette) are great amps, too.

I don't like the Engl sound, but that's personal preference.

For purchasing I would recommend you to stay away from buying in France (unless you find a bargain).

Buy US and UK amps in UK.
Buy German amps in Germany.

Best prices, and hey, it's the EU, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

[fr33man1]

thanks for the infos hunter ;). indeed france is pain to find good gear for good prices. I cant spend alot on an halfstack , i have 1100 euros , can extend to 1200 or a bit more next month but its pretty limited in my locale.

Got lot of engl amps but even if I find them seriously metal and tight theres something lacking, sort of build in mojo or soul, its a bit dry sounding to my tastes. But when youre on a budget id rather have a reliable engl than nothing at all.

Currently I could get an old triamp MKI , i know its some sonic beast with unlimited sounds facilities but Im scared about the 13 tubes to pay the day they get broken or washed out.

Im still hesitating to get a 5150 mkI or not. its pretty awesome, tight, huge sounding and it has that trademark growl in the sound  I just like on many bands I stated. Plus i can get it for 700 euros used.  :?

[hunter]

What about this one?
http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Marshall-JCM800-2203KK~ID~7327.asp

Pretty smashing deal and I'm sure the amp kills for metal.

Just need to find one of the UK forumites to reship it to you.