looking to buy my first proper amp

[JDC]

I found this forum by accident but you guys sound like you know what your talking about

anyway I'm a metal player, I've been playing for 2 years, but I've been using a guitar amp emulator called guitar rig (it's rubbish) because it saved me having to buy one, anyway I'm now looking to buy a proper amp, preferably tube

I want to play live eventually so I don't know if I should get a small combo or a half stack, I've love to have an ENGL fireball/powerball, I can afford one but I don't know if I'd want to spend all that money

so far I've tried a Marshall TSL and I didn't think it had enough gain, a JVM I'd like to try it again but what I remember is it sounded nice but I don't need 4 channels and for the price I'd rather get the ENGL, and a Randall G3 something or other, that sounded nice as well, not quite as nice as the JVM though, although the salesman was trying every trick in the book so I just left

so anyway basically what I'm asking is should I get something big or small and what would you recommend?

oh and what exactly is this Marshall tone people talk about because I don't think I can hear it

Thanks

PS oh ye and I play a Jackson RR3 downtuned to C if that is any help, I'm going to save up for a Ran guitar after I get an amp though and I like to have a decent clean channel

PSS forgot to ask, when you want to boost for leads, is it best to have backing on a low gain channel and leads on a high gain channel, or is it better to use a pedal? and should the lead have a different EQ or not

[noodleplugerine]

Metal?

Powerball or a 5150.

No other choices imo.

[shaman]

it is a Boogie Mark IV for me-3 channels...NO NEED for a pedal,period

[Metal-Assmoney]

i have a B-52 AT-100 half stack that is easily picked up cheap. its not the best amp in the world but its pretty damn good, especially when the head is 700 and the cab is 400 (USD here). do a full re-tube with JJs and you should be set.

i would say get a head/cab, as you will be a lot happier with it in the end. tube combos are really just $%&#ing heat boxes, to be honest.

if you are looking to buy good cabs for cheap, check out www.avatarspeakers.com top quality cabs for dirt. i think thier cheapest 412 is around $400 USD, and they are made of some damn fine quality parts. excellent tolex, any celestion or eminence speakers you want, 13 ply birch hardwood, and switchraft jacks. dont buy matching cabs as you are getting raped based on the name on the front.

if you can afford it, go for the peavey JSX. its one of the most versatile amps on the planet and the overdrive channels on it are superb for metal. id say that plus an avatar cab with some vintage 30s or hellatone 60s (broken in vintage 30s) = orgasm of awesomeness.

now, if you are on a budjet, a b-52 is the way to go IMO. its the best amp around for under 1000. you can get a re-tube from eurotubes for about 150 and it will make that thing scream.

either way, if you go head and cab, check out avatar cabs, i think you will be surprised.

[Transcend]

i would choose a fireball over a powerball if you want simnplicity

and because it doesnt have all the extra gumph on it the tone is a bit more natural and aggressive.

if your in uk and want a 6505 (new version of 5150) i know someone selling a 3 month old head for 500 perfect condition.

[deg0ey]

i would say get a head/cab, as you will be a lot happier with it in the end. tube combos are really just #$%!& heat boxes, to be honest.

Disagree and a half! I find tube combos are great for when you don't need a half stack (which you really don't in most situations)

[cnotold]

Disagree and a half! I find tube combos are great for when you don't need a half stack (which you really don't in most situations)

i don't feel quite right with combos, it just sounds more focused and squish! even combos will be too loud in a bedroom situation anyways (unless you pick up very small one). plus, isn't playing electric guitar all about the image?  8)

[sambo]

Im wtih deg0ey on this one...

used to have a half-stack and it was a SON OF A BITCH to transport...

i really would recommend a combo, makes gigging SO much easier in my opinion...

[dave_mc]

what type of metal do you play?

what's your preferred budget, and also how much do you have if it's "really worth it"?

[dave_mc]

Metal?

Powerball or a 5150.

No other choices imo.

i disagree with that wholeheartedly.

[Transcend]

if your rich a soldano hot rod or solo 100

:D

[noodleplugerine]

Metal?

Powerball or a 5150.

No other choices imo.

i disagree with that wholeheartedly.

Good to know.

If he has the money I'd say Soldano, VHT and Diezel aswell ofc.

[JDC]

what type of metal do you play?

what's your preferred budget, and also how much do you have if it's "really worth it"?

I play kind of melodic death and thrash, my favourite bands are children of bodom,  arch enemy, slayer and meshuggah

I ain't really got a proper budget but for now let's say £1000 but I've got plenty more saved up

what's a Marshall dsl401 like for gigging?

and is their much difference between a Marshall cab with vintage 30s and an ENGL with vintage 30s? I read the ENGL cab had more bass and sounded more metal, I'm guessing it's because of better wood but is it worth the extra money?

[noodleplugerine]

For more modern bands or darker metal bands I'd invest in some K-100s for a real dark metal sound.

[Metal-Assmoney]

apparently i wasted my breath hear when i went on my tyrade about not buying brand name cabs and that avatar are the best for the value IMHO.