Yet another amp thread

[Dazza1004]

Looking for opinions on some amps, I am playing in a pub band doing all the usual covers although we tend to play a lot of Metallica and similar heavier stuff.

I have a Marshall AVT100 at the moment and without going into specifics it’s just not doing it for me. I would rather go down the head and 2 x 12 route purely because I think it will be easier to transport and will be more flexible with respect to speaker cabs etc.

I am considering

Laney VH100
Marshall JVM (the build quality scares me)
Peavey 5150II (6505+)
2nd hand Genz Benz Diablo – heard one and though it sounded a bit different.

Ideally I would like to stay below the £800 mark if possible as I have real bad guitar gas too.

Opinions on the above welcome along with other suggestions

Ta

[dave_mc]

well, you can get a framus 2x12 for £200... by all accounts, it's decent at least.

i'd look into a laney tt and engl screamer head in addition to what you have listed... can't really think of much else offhand, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, lol.

[Simon D]

I wouldn't worry too much about the build quality of the JVM, it's a British built Marshall. Did very well in a recent Guitarist review too.

The new Blackstar amps look like they could be good value for money, but they aren't out until the end of the summer, and I have no idea how they'll sound.

As far as cabs go, take a look at http://www.myspace.com/zilla_music - British custom cab maker, will build whatever you want for seemingly very decent prices - £275 for a 2x12 with Celestion V30s.

[Dazza1004]

cheers guys,

Simon D, have you got a zilla cab ?. I am seriously considering one.

[LazyNinja]

I have two amps out of your list, El Diablo and VH100R 8)

El Diablo is a great amp because it can achieve both Marshally thrash sounds and Mesa saturation and thud. Probably because of its active EQ and the tube contour control. It's got loads of gain and it works very well with the GB Gflex cab, unsurprisingly. I find that with normal cabs with the gain up it can sound a little muffled. The voicing is different to other typical amps but I personally quite like it. Played it again last night and thought this thing is a monster! :twisted:

VH100R is a more organic sounding amp than the El Diablo, although it doesn't have as much gain (never thought I'd say the Laney doesn't have gain!). It will not do "perfect" Marshall sounds if that's what you are after, in that case get the JVM, but it can get close. If you can imagine a smoother, more rounded, thicker Marshall sound you'd be close. I think the sound of Paul Gilbert, modern Sabbath, and Mastodon are good examples of how Laney VH100R can sound.

I am currently considering selling my El Diablo though, because I just bought a new guitar (not telling what just yet ) and need to get some cash quickly! If you are interested drop me a PM :)

[Simon D]

cheers guys,

Simon D, have you got a zilla cab ?. I am seriously considering one.

I don't have one (yet), but I have been in contact with them for a quote on a custom cab - The Blackstar I'm considering is a 200 watter, but like you I want to run through a 2x12, so I emailed to ask about a 2x12 with 200w power handling. Got back to me very quickly, efficent, polite and very reasonably priced - quite impressive these days! Decided that whatever amp I end up with, it'll probably be a Zilla cab, purely in terms of value for money.

I know that James Healely has/had a zilla cab, might be worth dropping him a PM to see what he thinks.

[Woogie]

Blackstar look nice!! I emailed for rough prices but they wouldn't disclose any info, top secret for sure.

[shaman]

look for a mesa boogie Mark IV-incredibly versatile-nails Metallica-3 channels and SIMULCLASS!!!!