After some idea's on amps

[Dr.Pain]

I'm after some idea's on amps.  I'm after something high gain for metal and my first thought was a 6505+ 1x12 combo.  They retail for about $1000 here in Australia.  I already have a Peavey Vypyr 60, which is good but not really cutting it for high gain.  My thinking is if I get a 6505+ that sometime down the track I get a 412 cab for it.

What else is about for around similar money that works well for metal (death metal through to Iron Maiden style tones)? I'm only playing at home so 60 watts is the limit but it's got to have tubes.

I look forward to reading the responses to this.  :)

[tekbow]

I would look for an original 5150 or 5150 II combo or head. People say there's no difference but there is. Main one being that you should be able to get one cheaper than a new 6505, they sound better, and are better made.

[Dr.Pain]

I did try a 5150 2 by 12 in 1993 or '94 there about's.  It was great which is why I'm looking at the 6505 range.

[tekbow]

Yep, great amps, which is the reason i say buy an original. Should be able to get one cheaper than a brand new 6505+, i also believe the new ones are not built in the US were as the originals are, and from my own ears, I'm convinced the originals sound superior to the 6505 range.

If it were me, i would certainly have a US built head for less money. The sound thing is subjective. If you have a clear enough memory of the 5150 II then i would try a 6505+ and see if it pushes the same buttons as the 5150. The 6505 did not for me, but if it does for you, go for it.

BTW, am absolutely not saying the 6505 is a bad amp, it's not, am saying i prefer the original 5150 to it and usually, in the uk and states, it's cheaper.

[hunter]

If you only need straight up metal kerrang, get a 2203 KK. It was one of the best sounding amps I have owned from Maiden to Mayhem.

If you need a loop and cleans, look elsewhere.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

If you only need straight up metal kerrang, get a 2203 KK. It was one of the best sounding amps I have owned from Maiden to Mayhem.

If you need a loop and cleans, look elsewhere.

+1

[HTH AMPS]

I'm after some idea's on amps.  I'm after something high gain for metal and my first thought was a 6505+ 1x12 combo.  They retail for about $1000 here in Australia.  I already have a Peavey Vypyr 60, which is good but not really cutting it for high gain.  My thinking is if I get a 6505+ that sometime down the track I get a 412 cab for it.

What else is about for around similar money that works well for metal (death metal through to Iron Maiden style tones)? I'm only playing at home so 60 watts is the limit but it's got to have tubes.

I look forward to reading the responses to this.  :)

The 2203KK is a beast, but I'd say not quite death metal (imo).  The 5150 is better for those tones.

OTOH, for Maiden, the 2203KK is the better.

You need to decide which is most important to you.

On a budget, look at the old Laney AOR series, they're hotrodded JCM800s and sound great.  The GH50L is also a badass mofo, very much hotrodded JCM800 territory.

[dave_mc]

^ love the gh50L (I have one), but for out and out brutality/more modern metal, i'd say the 5150/6505 is the way to go. That's not to say i'd prefer a 6505 (i'd probably prefer the laney for the stuff i play), just for that real modern metal tone, the 6505 is pretty much the benchmark.

EDIT: oh right, so after actually reading the intial question (apparently that helps :oops: :lol: ), he says he plays maiden too- the gh50L would be better for that, so good call HTH. Just depends on what you want/need more, the modern br00tz or the 80s rock/metal tones. the laney can definitely do high gain (especially with a boost), but it still has kind of a vintage edge to proceedings- it's not really that really compressed, fluid, refined modern high gain tone that the more modern high gain amps like a 6505 (or even a soldano) have. it's rawer.

[Dr.Pain]

2203KK is a bit out of my price range.  I'm not too worried if I'm not getting exact Maiden tones but to have something that can sound good when rolling back the gain would be nice.  But I want the gain and since I like Carcass, In Flames, Entombed, Fear Factory and others then maybe the 6505+ is the go.  Most used the 5150/6505 series at some point.  It's pretty clear there may not be the magic amp to cover the tones I'd like.

[HTH AMPS]

2203KK is a bit out of my price range.  I'm not too worried if I'm not getting exact Maiden tones but to have something that can sound good when rolling back the gain would be nice.  But I want the gain and since I like Carcass, In Flames, Entombed, Fear Factory and others then maybe the 6505+ is the go.  Most used the 5150/6505 series at some point.  It's pretty clear there may not be the magic amp to cover the tones I'd like.

For the bands you've just named I'd say 5150 all the way.

[Mr. Air]

Maybe you can get your hands on a used Randall RM50 or the likes. Then you'll be able to get 5150 tones as well as jcm800 ones (and a lot of other possibillities).

[dave_mc]

^ that might also be worth considering. i've only tried a few of the modules, but you could get a lot of versatility out of them.

For the bands you've just named I'd say 5150 all the way.

agreed.

[Dmoney]

err, the 5150 low gain input is actually alright. I know Ted Nugent uses it at least. maybe using that will get you a bit of maiden tone

[Dr.Pain]

Thanks for the input.  I'll be getting a 6505+ 112.  I think 120watts will be too big for what I want and also I don't have a cab yet.  The 112 sounds good going through a 412 cab.  I don't gig so 112 should do the job nicely for me.

[GuitarIv]

EVH 5150 III 50 Watt Version, made by Fender. Amazing Amp and sounds awesome even on low volume.