looking for a good gigable amp head for under 500 used or new. thoughts?

[littleredguitars2]

I'll look into it. Thanks

[ericsabbath]

bugeras are very unreliable
the newer ones have improvements, but are still not reliable enough to keep and gig
one of my best friends is one of the only 2 or 3 amp techs in our city, and there's always a bugera in his room
those new vietnam marshalls are quite ureliable as well

go jet city or randall (the new ones! avoid anything randall from before 2011 or so, unless it's an 80's or early 90's one)
the randall rd45h is absolutely killer and it's $599 new

[Telerocker]

Engl Screamer (used)? Four channels!

[littleredguitars2]

thanks again for the suggestions. i really appreciate it and i like checking out new gear.

[littleredguitars2]

any of you use blackstar amps? i've been curious about them for a while. i'm more of a mesa or peavey style of modern gain type of guy but i'm still wondering about these. they have that UK type of voicing right? do they sound similar to oranges?

[BlankPlank]

I had a Series One 100 for 2 years. If you play rock or blues, brilliant. Metal? Nah. The 104's fixed some of my complaints with it, but I'd still take a Mesa or Peavey over one (although I had a Peavey too, and that's gone too :lol: )
I've not tried the new Blackstar HT Metal amps though.

[Lucas]

any of you use blackstar amps? i've been curious about them for a while. i'm more of a mesa or peavey style of modern gain type of guy but i'm still wondering about these. they have that UK type of voicing right? do they sound similar to oranges?

I was looking at Blackstars a while ago as well, they are made by ex-Mershall employees or something. There`s a rumor that apparently James Hetfield is gonna get his signature Blackstar model. Time will tell...

[littleredguitars2]

i think i've decided to get a Peavey 5150 or 6505. i dont care if either are the "plus" model. i'm trying to sell my bass right now so that'll help towards the sale. i've seen them used around $600-700. and the reviews speak for themselves.

[Dave Sloven]

The 6065+ (5150 II) is a very nice amp, I personally prefer it to the 6065 (5150).  I prefer the separate EQs.  You can set up your clean sound in the rhythm channel and your distorted sound on lead with different EQ, resonance, and presence levels.

If you get it second hand just make sure the footswitch is in good condition.  They are expensive and you will find yourself using it a lot.  Also check that the loop works properly.  You switch that on using the footswitch.

I have also been surprised at the sound of the Peavey cabs, given the bad reviews they sometimes get around the internet. Try it, you might like it, and if you are offered a package deal with the amp and cab together cheap enough I'd say go for it.  They have an oversized cab

[littleredguitars2]

I'll keep those things in mind.  I usually have my eq's similar for clean and lead sections so it may not be a problem. I don't plan to buy another cab right now. Maybe another 2x12 at some point and I can set up an ABY pedal to mix them.  I've been using an egnater 4x12 cab at practice.  Not sure what speakers are in it but my mesa sounds great through it.