So I'm looking for a new amp.

[Vindication]

I wanted to avoid making a new thread to not clutter up the forum, but I haven't exactly been able to find a "looking for a new amp" thread in which the threadstarter wanted exactly what I do.

I have about USD $550-600 to spend.  I live in America, so American-made amps are going to be cheaper to come by than anything else (I hear there's a lot of markup in Europe; it's not quite as bad here).  I'd like a tube amp.

I mostly play metal.  The amp I want should have adequate cleans, but it doesn't have to be anything spectacular.  I'm not very concerned about the bluesy, low-gain drive - if I want to do that kind of stuff, I can A/B it with a Epi VJ, Fender, Peavey Classic 30, etc.  

What I'm expecting is a rhythm channel that is reminiscent of the hotrodded Marshall sound of the late 70's - late 80's, except with more punch, tightness and clarity.  I'd like the leads to be very precise and clear, so you can make out every note, and still be fluid - I'm talking something like Paul Gilbert or Muhammed Suicmez.  I know Muhammed uses an Engl preamp, but that's out of my price range.  I think Paul Gilbert uses one of the higher end Laneys, but I'm pretty sure that's out of my price range also.

With the help of Dave_MC, I've found a couple that may be to my liking (I, of course, plan on trying as many as I can):
> Used Peavey 5150 combo
> Ashdown Fallen Angel
> Randall RG50TC
> B-52 AT combos (the tube ones)

I've tried the B-52 combos - they were decent, but not exactly what I'm looking for.  I recall trying a 5150 combo a while back and liking it, but I really don't remember the nuances of the amp well enough to go out and buy one without playing it again.  I haven't tried the other two.

Does anybody have any other recommendations for me, or any reinforcement for the ones given already?  It seems that, out of the 4 recommended to me, the 5150 would fit me the most - it'd require new tubes and some tweaking, though.

I'm not too knowledgeable on amps - I know what I want most resembles an Engl, but I'm in high school, and sadly can't afford one for a long time.

EDIT:

TL;DR (for those too lazy to read above)

I need a good metal amp with decent cleans but particularly a hot-rodded Marshall crunch rhythm-wise and a really fluid, articulate, precise lead tone, for about USD $600.

[noodleplugerine]

The Ashdown's meant to be good. It's all tube, and although I've never played one, but Sifu Ben has one, you should ask him.

[Vindication]

The Ashdown's meant to be good. It's all tube, and although I've never played one, but Sifu Ben has one, you should ask him.

Alright...I'll wait for him to look at this.  I've heard WFD over here has a 5150...does he still have it?  I've heard he's knowledgeable about all things high gain :twisted:  I'd love his input in that case.

[Transcend]

I wanted to avoid making a new thread to not clutter up the forum, but I haven't exactly been able to find a "looking for a new amp" thread in which the threadstarter wanted exactly what I do.

I have about USD $550-600 to spend.  I live in America, so American-made amps are going to be cheaper to come by than anything else (I hear there's a lot of markup in Europe; it's not quite as bad here).  I'd like a tube amp.

I mostly play metal.  The amp I want should have adequate cleans, but it doesn't have to be anything spectacular.  I'm not very concerned about the bluesy, low-gain drive - if I want to do that kind of stuff, I can A/B it with a Epi VJ, Fender, Peavey Classic 30, etc.  

What I'm expecting is a rhythm channel that is reminiscent of the hotrodded Marshall sound of the late 70's - late 80's, except with more punch, tightness and clarity.  I'd like the leads to be very precise and clear, so you can make out every note, and still be fluid - I'm talking something like Paul Gilbert or Muhammed Suicmez.  I know Muhammed uses an Engl preamp, but that's out of my price range.  I think Paul Gilbert uses one of the higher end Laneys, but I'm pretty sure that's out of my price range also.

With the help of Dave_MC, I've found a couple that may be to my liking (I, of course, plan on trying as many as I can):
> Used Peavey 5150 combo
> Ashdown Fallen Angel
> Randall RG50TC
> B-52 AT combos (the tube ones)

I've tried the B-52 combos - they were decent, but not exactly what I'm looking for.  I recall trying a 5150 combo a while back and liking it, but I really don't remember the nuances of the amp well enough to go out and buy one without playing it again.  I haven't tried the other two.

Does anybody have any other recommendations for me, or any reinforcement for the ones given already?  It seems that, out of the 4 recommended to me, the 5150 would fit me the most - it'd require new tubes and some tweaking, though.

I'm not too knowledgeable on amps - I know what I want most resembles an Engl, but I'm in high school, and sadly can't afford one for a long time.

EDIT:

TL;DR (for those too lazy to read above)

I need a good metal amp with decent cleans but particularly a hot-rodded Marshall crunch rhythm-wise and a really fluid, articulate, precise lead tone, for about USD $600.

the ashdown will do everything you require but make sure you get the old one without the digital effects for somet reason the dist is a bit buzzy on the ones with the effects

If you lived in uk i know someone seling a fallen angel 60 watt head for £299

[dave_mc]

thanks for mentioning me!

I'm not sure I can help any more... though I'm not sure how "clear" sounding the fallen angel is... it was a bit bassy and nu-metal-ish when I tried it.

:drink:

[Transcend]

thanks for mentioning me!

I'm not sure I can help any more... though I'm not sure how "clear" sounding the fallen angel is... it was a bit bassy and nu-metal-ish when I tried it.

:drink:

that will have been one of the newer ones the older ones have a really sensitive eq you can go from really nice classic rock sounds to balls to the wall metal

[Vindication]

thanks for mentioning me!

I'm not sure I can help any more... though I'm not sure how "clear" sounding the fallen angel is... it was a bit bassy and nu-metal-ish when I tried it.

:drink:

Yeah, one of the main things I'm trying to avoid.  I'd like it to have a really solid low-end chug, but I don't want it to be overly bassy and muddy.

I found an Ashdown dealer pretty close to me; I'll make sure to check it out.

EDIT:

Is there a major difference between the old one and the new one?  How would I be able to tell them apart - what years are "old" and what years are "new"?  Or did you mean the ones with DSP are "new" and the ones without are "old"?

[Transcend]

thanks for mentioning me!

I'm not sure I can help any more... though I'm not sure how "clear" sounding the fallen angel is... it was a bit bassy and nu-metal-ish when I tried it.

:drink:

Yeah, one of the main things I'm trying to avoid.  I'd like it to have a really solid low-end chug, but I don't want it to be overly bassy and muddy.

I found an Ashdown dealer pretty close to me; I'll make sure to check it out.

EDIT:

Is there a major difference between the old one and the new one?  How would I be able to tell them apart - what years are "old" and what years are "new"?  Or did you mean the ones with DSP are "new" and the ones without are "old"?

yeah the newer ones all have the DSP i think they still make them without


i dont get why it affects the tone but it has been same on all the ones with dsp that ive tried

also try the peacemaker 60 but youll need a tubescreamer or something to go with it as the dist channel is somewhat lacking without

[Vindication]

yeah the newer ones all have the DSP i think they still make them without


i dont get why it affects the tone but it has been same on all the ones with dsp that ive tried

also try the peacemaker 60 but youll need a tubescreamer or something to go with it as the dist channel is somewhat lacking without

Do you have any clips of the Fallen Angel?  I've Googled it, but I've been having a lot of trouble finding any.

EDIT:

After searching for a while, I found some - I really didn't like it, but it was one of the "newer" models, plus the recorder didn't have a good mic.

[Transcend]

nope but if you go on

www.myspace.com/thefobialeeds

the song the midas touch was recorded using it for both guitar tracks


its more of a straight out metal song though so dunno if it would be of much use to you

[Transcend]

actually just speaking to him now valediction was also recorded using it too

[Vindication]

actually just speaking to him now valediction was also recorded using it too

There's no song called Valediction on there that I can see.

[Transcend]

he must have taken it off

you can listen to it here

http://www.hategrow.ho8.com/media/The%20Fobia/Valediction.mp3

[Vindication]

he must have taken it off

you can listen to it here

http://www.hategrow.ho8.com/media/The%20Fobia/Valediction.mp3

There isn't really any rhythm playing in there that stood out to me.  I liked the lead tone, but the rhythm tone (on The Midas Touch) wasn't to my liking - I don't know the specifics about it, but there's just something about it that makes me not like it.

[Transcend]

it sounds much better now that the guitarists have nailbombs and warpigs

those were all recorded back in the emg days then again they use engls and peaveys now rather than the fallen angels