Amp Recommendations

[lyonk55]

So I'm selling my Engl Screamer, but I'm not fully sure what it's replacement will be. The kind of sounds I'll be looking to cover are mostly modern rock and metal, more vintage stuff isn't really that important. Things like Muse, Coheed and Cambria, Tool, Mastodon and Metallica, but also more down tuned stuff like In Flames, Soilwork, Carcass, Killswitch Engage and so on.

I've tried out the Peavey 6505+ combo and found it better than the Engl, but want to know what other stuff could work well or better.

Budget wise I could stretch to about £700 if needed.

And guitar wise, I have an Epiphone Prophecy SG with EMG 81/85 and a Cort X-11 with a Nailbomb/Cold Sweat combo (and if I get a good enough deal on the amp, maybe a Les Paul or V type guitar).

Any advice is appreciated guys.

[asianaxeman]

have you tried a decent overdrive pedal in front of your engl screamer together with a BBE sonic maximiser? It will really show you how brutal the screamer can be. In addition, plugging it in to a  combo wise, I can only compare my JVM 215C to the Engl, and to be honest, for the sounds you're looking for like metallica etc the engl will eat the jvm alive. Can't really think about comparable amps for veratility in the price range of the screamer, I remember some hype around about the bogner alchemist?

[lyonk55]

How much would a good overdrive affect the sound of the Screamer, mainly for low tuned stuff (this is the main area that makes me want to change)? Normally I would be tuned to C or B standard with the Epiphone.

Do you think boosting would be better than changing for a 6505 + combo? (Side note, because I got the Screamer cheap, selling for the Peavey would mean I was up nearly £250 , or a dearer amp would be an even swap pretty much)

[asianaxeman]

I use an expensive overdrive, a crowther double hotcake, what you should do is try boosting the screamer by trying it in a store with several different overdrives. Ideally you want something very transparent which won't affect the amps tone. The hotcake does this for me. I don't really like the midboost tube screamers provide, you could check out the wylde overdrive by mxr too (he boosts his jcm 800 with it). I'm telling you mate, you must try the screamer with an overdrive ( maximimum level, minimum gain- sort of like a clean boost. Here's a few clips of my screamer boosted, mainly leads tho sorry. The hotcake tightens up the rhythm sound amazingly, thrash heaven! You should be able to get a decent overdrive for less than £100 if you're on a budget.

Let me know if you want any particular clips done...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Sc6TP1GBk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v01UFf6RYH4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwaRzeUWoLE

[lyonk55]

Sounds really good. The downside is I really can't try anything - the local shops I could take my amp to don't stock many pedals (usually only a few Behringers, etc) and the further afield ones don't stock the Screamer (I have no way to get mine to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

[lyonk55]

About the boosting...I tried the suggestion with a Marshall pedal I forgot I had lying around. Good call asianaxeman, it reallt takes away any flubbiness and gives a really awesome sound, even down in B. I'm going to keep my Screamer at the very least until I've had a chance for a boost to "sink in".

Thanks for the advice!

[asianaxeman]

yeah good job was it a marshall guvnor pedal?

Remember, for more brutality, you could add a bbe sonic stomp to your fx loop, i've had great results with it, tightens it up even more!

[lyonk55]

Yeah, it's a Guv'nor.

[Deadstar]

Sounds really good. The downside is I really can't try anything - the local shops I could take my amp to don't stock many pedals (usually only a few Behringers, etc) and the further afield ones don't stock the Screamer (I have no way to get mine to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

I'm pretty sure Imported instruments in Edinburgh at the Ocean Terminal have Screamers? and possibly guitarguitar in Glasgow in the Trongate do too??

[lyonk55]

I haven't actually heard of Imported Instruments  before, but Guitar Guitar don't. They had one a while back, but the only Engl they have in stock now is the Blackmore sig (don't know which branch)