I don't believe that anything (analog, digital, etc) turned down truly retains that thump, because the thump is due mostly to speakers pushing a lot of air / cabinet resonance, and how ears react to it.
That pretty much nails this argument (and others like it) for me.
Folks like VH that have done great things in the past should get their nods for doing these things. But they, and all associated with them, have seemed to be less about new material and more about drama than anything else, year...
I'd buy my Warmoth strat build I've been thinking about for the past year, a Royer R-121, a Bogner 4-12, and a Fuchs Blackjack MKII.
If I absolutely had to spend 5 grand on a guitar, I'd add a few bucks and get a Froggy Bottom acoustic.
Sparseness of most arrangements.
Guitar / bass note choice relationship. (drums as well)
Lack of secondary guitar parts (in most cases).
Vocals not being overly dominant in the mix.
Bass being more dominant in the mix than usual.
Really good mixes and mastering.
I'd say all these things impact...
Carvin solid state something or other
Peavey something or other
Peavey 5150 combo
Roland Jazz Chorus combo
**10 year or so hiatus**
Line 6 spider something or other
Pod XT Pro
Mesa Recording preamp (for about a day)
Orange Tiny Terror
5150 head
Mesa MK V
Bogner 20thA XTC
short list compared to...
I can't say that's a bad choice at all. Honorable mention goes to Master of Puppets, IMO.
I'll be right back, some dude in a car pulled up and told me I need to kill some Mary chick, and get the priest as well. Pretty random, if I do say so myself.
I've owned 2 basses from them, still have one of them, (the first was sent back).
I think they're a solid company to deal with, and they make good products. I'd buy another axe from them with no hesitation, were I shopping for one.
The style isn't my bag per se, nor is the overall mix, but there's definitely some good playing on your part here. Guitar tone is certainly fitting as well.
And congrats on getting the album done, I'm getting mine mastered now, so certainly know how much effort goes into it all :)