New Amp Help

[ChrisMetal]

Right guys hopefully you can help, I've decided to buy a new amp instead of a new guitar. Now I'm not sure of the best route to go, whether to buy an amp with good onboard distortion, or get a single channel amp and stick a distortion pedal infront of it(Metal Muff?). I'm leaning towards single channel, with an effects loop for chorus and flanger effects. I like simplicity you see, but i need to get pretty crystal clean sounds from the amp as well as rock solid distortion.

Currently using a AVT150H(which isn't all that bad) but after doing a gig last night and hearing how much better the other bands sounded with all valve amps over mine I want a change.


Cheers
Chris

P.S. I'll probs order on finance so money won't be too much of a problem.

[Twinfan]

What about two amps - one clean one dirty?

Otherwise a good clean amp and pedals is a great way to go.  After many years of dirty Marshalls and no pedals I now use clean Laneys and pedals.

[sgmypod]

yeah kinda agree with that find a great clean amp you like..then put a great distortion pedal in front of it

[Transcend]

Engl Fireball

or a peavey 5150 (6505)

the peaveys cleans arent too great though without a nice chorus.

I know somebody selling a 6505 cheap if your interested let me know its only 3 month old.

[LazyNinja]

Buy maliciousteve's VH100R! £400 is a bargain!! Unless he decided to keep it. Also I saw an ENGL screamer with Z5 switch for £450 free delivery on ebay last night I'm not sure if that's still there.

I don't think you should go single channel because you said you want a crystal clean.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Some single channel amps are very versatile and sound amazing:

Splawn Competition
Roccaforte Hi Gain 80

Those are the first two that spring to mind. They will both do metal with insane amounts of tone!

[Twinfan]

Something with a footswitchable gain might work OK too, but going from clean to metal is not something a lot of amps can do.

The multi channel Laney VH series, as mentioned earlier, could be ideal.

[ChrisMetal]

Ok, I was looking at the VH series of Laney, but I think I'd prefer something a bit more simplistic, What Laney amp and pedals do you use Twinfan? I have a TF300 so I know Laney are quality, but there's nowhere around here where I can try out the Head's. A nice clean on a head with an effects loop for the chorus flange, with Distortion pedal though the input is the way for me to go i think...

So what options are the out there?

[dave_mc]

Some single channel amps are very versatile and sound amazing:

Splawn Competition
Roccaforte Hi Gain 80

Those are the first two that spring to mind. They will both do metal with insane amounts of tone!

I'd add cornford to that- the clean with the guitar's volume rolled down sounded better than it dialled in for clean- and then with the volume up, you have awesome distortion. Soldano avenger is similar (ish).

what type of music do you play?

I'm not sure i agree with the "clean amp with pedals" idea- i'm not saying it doesn't work, but generally speaking, what you want for great cleans (open-backed cab etc.) is the opposite of what you want for a great distortion. It does depend what you need more of, and I'm probably biased as i'd rather put up with mediocre cleans than mediocre distortion, but i'd prefer to sacrifice the cleans to get a better distortion. Especially if you'll be using distortion, say, 80% of the time. And those amps i mentioned (and i assume the ones ben mentioned too, just i haven't tried them so can't recommend them) clean up really well with the guitar volume knob. That cornford hurricane i tried had just about the best cleans AND distortion i've ever heard.

Just be careful with the finance, by the way. If it's 0% and you're sure you can pay it off, fair enough. But unless it's for your job, i certainly wouldn't want to be getting into debt over an amp, of all things.

[ChrisMetal]

I'm head teacher at a guitar school, so its kinda for work as well as personal

Well I would say Distortion is more important to me, as I'm in a Hard rock/ old school thrash. It's difficult to say, we're sorta like G'N'R in my band but I like to have a sound like Megadeth from my amp.

[dave_mc]

the cornford may be a little smooth for that- i'd say the avenger may be a little better for that, it sounds slightly more modern, but it's a lot as it's made in the states.

I'd definitely check out those ones ben (twilight odyssey) mentioned too, i hear great things about those. they're made in the states too, but i think you can order direct which might save some cash.

EDIT: you could maybe even get away with some of the newer marshalls or laney, if you want to save even more.

At the end of the day, there are loads of amps which will do that, at different price ranges, and a lot (if not all) of it is personal preference...

[Twinfan]

What Laney amp and pedals do you use Twinfan?

I'm in a 'DC band and use early 70s Laney Klipp heads with a Z.Vex Box of Rock.

I'm not sure i agree with the "clean amp with pedals" idea- i'm not saying it doesn't work, but generally speaking, what you want for great cleans (open-backed cab etc.) is the opposite of what you want for a great distortion.

We're not talking cabs here Dave, just amps  ;)  And I've found the opposite to be true - a great clean sound is the basis for a great distortion tone...

[ChrisMetal]

yeah I'm looking at just the heads for now, Cabs I'll buy separate, which I'll also need some advise on:P

[sambo]

 And I've found the opposite to be true - a great clean sound is the basis for a great distortion tone...

i'm with dave_mc on this one- but each to his own.

i always have differing EQ settings between clean and distortion- always have done on any amp i've played or owned...

i would personally say that if you want simplicity, then surely a multi-channel (even if its just 2/3 channel) amp, is actually more simple than a single-channel amp with added pedal(s)?

Either way, i prefer having most of my sound coming from the amp itself in general. it means less tweaking is needed, and less hassle. If you buy a single channel amp and then forget your pedal or you lose the power supply or something at a gig, then your pretty screwed.

just my 2 pennies-worth.

[Twinfan]

Maybe I wasn't clear.  What I meant was if an amp has a great clean sound you usually make it have a great distortion sound (which may involve pedals and setting changes).  The reverse I've found to be less true but that's probably pretty obvious.

As Sambo says, there are advantages to having it all in one amp.  You need to try some out and see what works best for you.  Definitely try stuff you wouldn't normally consider too - you might be surprised.