Narrowing down amp choices for 80s-style Metal.

  • Thread starter Thread starter DeathlyFighter
  • Start date Start date

Which amp should I buy?

  • Laney Ironheart

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Laney 30BL

    Votes: 2 11.8%

  • ENGL Screamer 50

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Something else

    Votes: 15 88.2%
  • Total voters
    17
DeathlyFighter said:
Are the current-era of 50 watt DSLs fine?
Click to expand...
They are fine. Just Google Marshall DSL and bias drift. The problem was in the layout and tracing of the bias supply pcb. There are third party replacement boards that fix the issue. But eventually the problem was fixed by Marshall itself around 2005.
 
I have a Crate Stealth 50 also, so I know the tone you're getting from it.

I'm not sure if the ones on your list really fit the 80's metal vibe; well at least the Laney ones. Those bring to mind more of a 70's metal early Black Sabbath tone; especially the 30BL. That one is in the Supergroup camp which is what Iommi used back in the day.

As other's suggested a JSX or XXX is a good choice, but it will be different from your Stealth. They're more American voiced than British voiced. You can add any of the Peavy Ultra series tube amps to this list. You may even be able to find a Peavey VTM in your price range also. The 5150/6505 series amps are great amps as well. These are all 80's metal personified, but American voiced 80's metal.

The British voiced amps will be what you want to match your Stealth, which is hot-rodded Marshall. Probably the best choice in this camp for your price range is a JCM2000/DSL100. If you look you could probably find a TSL for a few dollars more. Do some research on these before buying one. I think it was the early JCM2000 models had issues with bias drift. It was fixed in the later production years though. Someone else may be able to chime in on exactly which ones to stay away from.

Another overlooked option in the hot-rodded Marshall camp which you can get dirt cheap is a Peavey Windsor. The Windsor is a straight up copy of a JCM800 and pretty reliable. Put a Tubescreamer in front and you have 80's thrash metal all day long.
 
japetus said:
Please go try the 5150 Iconic and give it a real shot (just don't mess with the burn button)
Click to expand...
THIS!

That amp, is EASILY the best in your price range. No contest. It doesn't have that 'plastic' thing I can't unhear in any 5153 I've owned...the 50 6L6, 100 Stealth 34/6L6.
Just have to keep the gain back a bit, crank it and it blooms really well. Takes a boost well also.
I've had a bunch of Stealths; they def nail that modded 800 tone. But I wouldn't trust one either on the road.
 
Racerxrated said:
THIS!

That amp, is EASILY the best in your price range. No contest. It doesn't have that 'plastic' thing I can't unhear in any 5153 I've owned...the 50 6L6, 100 Stealth 34/6L6.
Just have to keep the gain back a bit, crank it and it blooms really well. Takes a boost well also.
I've had a bunch of Stealths; they def nail that modded 800 tone. But I wouldn't trust one either on the road.
Click to expand...
LP Freak said:
Good old internet folklore. It‘s unfortunate that the Iconic has had a black cloud over it since that very first shitty clip that was released by EVH.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and try an Iconic again at a music store sometime soon and see what I think this time around. Worst case scenario I might try to just make extra money and "splurge" on a more expensive amp. But I have a lot of other gig-related equipment I need right now.
 
MadAsAHatter said:
I have a Crate Stealth 50 also, so I know the tone you're getting from it.

I'm not sure if the ones on your list really fit the 80's metal vibe; well at least the Laney ones. Those bring to mind more of a 70's metal early Black Sabbath tone; especially the 30BL. That one is in the Supergroup camp which is what Iommi used back in the day.

As other's suggested a JSX or XXX is a good choice, but it will be different from your Stealth. They're more American voiced than British voiced. You can add any of the Peavy Ultra series tube amps to this list. You may even be able to find a Peavey VTM in your price range also. The 5150/6505 series amps are great amps as well. These are all 80's metal personified, but American voiced 80's metal.

The British voiced amps will be what you want to match your Stealth, which is hot-rodded Marshall. Probably the best choice in this camp for your price range is a JCM2000/DSL100. If you look you could probably find a TSL for a few dollars more. Do some research on these before buying one. I think it was the early JCM2000 models had issues with bias drift. It was fixed in the later production years though. Someone else may be able to chime in on exactly which ones to stay away from.

Another overlooked option in the hot-rodded Marshall camp which you can get dirt cheap is a Peavey Windsor. The Windsor is a straight up copy of a JCM800 and pretty reliable. Put a Tubescreamer in front and you have 80's thrash metal all day long.
Click to expand...
It's been a long while but I remember thinking the Ironheart was pretty good for 80s Metal tones, I played some Tokyo Blade riffs through a Ironheart half-stack in a Sam Ash a few years ago and recall being surprised how good it sounded. I'll definitely consider some of the Peaveys. I do recall liking the Windsor I had other than the super ice-picky cabinet.
 
DeathlyFighter said:
Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and try an Iconic again at a music store sometime soon and see what I think this time around. Worst case scenario I might try to just make extra money and "splurge" on a more expensive amp. But I have a lot of other gig-related equipment I need right now.
Click to expand...
I think if you are able to really crank it up, it may surprise you. Not sure if you were able to before. I've played one but at low volume; even then I liked it better than the 5153s I've owned. But after hearing it cranked up at a little amp fest we had, I was sold.
 
Racerxrated said:
I think if you are able to really crank it up, it may surprise you. Not sure if you were able to before. I've played one but at low volume; even then I liked it better than the 5153s I've owned. But after hearing it cranked up at a little amp fest we had, I was sold.
Click to expand...
In your opinion, what about it is better than the regular 5153 amps? I do kinda like the 5153s but they're not my first choice right now.
 
DeathlyFighter said:
In your opinion, what about it is better than the regular 5153 amps? I do kinda like the 5153s but they're not my first choice right now.
Click to expand...
It is more raw and open sounding, with the gain down a bit...cranked it really opens up IMO. Vs the 5153s that are super compressed, 'plastic-y' no matter how you set them, ime. I favor less compressed, more open/raw tones for my taste. Boosted old Marshalls are my thing.
 
Racerxrated said:
It is more raw and open sounding, with the gain down a bit...cranked it really opens up IMO. Vs the 5153s that are super compressed, 'plastic-y' no matter how you set them, ime. I favor less compressed, more open/raw tones for my taste. Boosted old Marshalls are my thing.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's the thing I don't like about most modern high-gain amps. I had a Peavey Ultra 120+ for a while, and it was a good amp but it sounded too compressed for my taste.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top