1200-1300 for a new amp suggestions?

[Audioholic]

if you are looking for something like an RM4, into poweramp. Then I think the modular world is going to be out of your price range. Used RT-2/50, maybe 650-700 on the low side. Used RM4, maybe 400 bucks on the Low side. Then you have to spring for modules, which the good stock ones and modded ones will be about 200 a peice, not to mention you will have to get a rack to carry all of this stuff.

Or you could just go for a Randall Modular head. Going the rack modular route is pretty cool, had that once. I loved running my efx in stereo, sounded killer and as JKD pointed out, there are a few stock modules that are pretty nice. Not sure how the Randall heads compare. But having 4 modules over 2 is a nice thing. I think the Randall 100 watt head is pretty heavy

In the end however, I found I liked what a head did for me better, just felt more like home. Not to mention it was a more compact rig. Going modular and rack is a money pit, either wanting to get your modules modded, or buying new ones. Fun, at least for a while.

 

[droptrd]

check out a laney GH100TI - silky smoothe for days!

not sure on their price though, and i believe they are 1 channel. but you wont need to boost it at all. that amplifier sounds great though. will never forget that silky smoothe tone

check out any of paul gilberts mid-racerx days - especially the album with godzilla. laney tone sounds right up your alley

Those Laney's are nice but I need at least 2 channels for what I'm doing.

I'm really leaning towards the Stiletto at this point. The build quality of the 5150 III just has me to sketched out which is a shame because I think it's a solid amp. The JVM is cool and is way better for a lot of tones live, but I kind of dig how the Stiletto has it's own thing going on, it's not just like a Marshall. More like boogies take on a Marshall.

Those stilettos are bad ass. Very hard to tweak until you start to understand the amp. I just sold mine a few months ago. I really miss it even though im very happy with my current amp.

 

[Mailman1971]

...Going modular and rack is a money pit, either wanting to get your modules modded, or buying new ones. Fun, at least for a while.

+100 on this!
I loved the MTS amps. But.......I had SOOO MUCH $$$$ Tied up in the modules it was crazy!
VERY VERY ADDICTING. Seems easy to say..."I will get a couple and call it good."
But when you see the potential of all the possibilites of that amp....it never ends.
Just my 2 cents on them. Great amps....but gets pricey VERY QUICK.

 

[nevusofota]

FWIW, I bought a 5150 III when they first came out (one of the first 500 made). Its been my number one ever since. I have not had one single problem with it. I hear a lot of talk about the build quality/reliability of this amp and it always shocks me. Maybe I just got lucky, , or maybe we only hear about the problems. People are dying to knock an amp made in Mexico.

 

[Rogue]

A used Renegade and a used Blackstar HT-Dist pedal will give a very cool three channel amp (with very cool features) and should give you $300+ left over for goodies to tweak your sound.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Marshall based, Quick Rod all the way.

 

[TWPietz37]

I'm surprised no one was mentioned the Shiva yet. I think it would be right up your alley.

Tyler

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I'm surprised no one was mentioned the Shiva yet. I think it would be right up your alley.

Tyler

Or this!!

 

[irondeth21]

I'm surprised no one was mentioned the Shiva yet. I think it would be right up your alley.

Tyler

I loved the Shiva I played, actually loved every Bogner I played (XTC and Uber too) but I felt like the shiva left me a little more to be desired with the gain levels. Cleans were amazing and I got a really nice crunch though.

 

[irondeth21]

Marshall based, Quick Rod all the way.

Yeah the quickrod is killer, I got a great EVH type tone out of the one I had, pretty killer modern rock tones too. Kinda lacked the fluid feel though I'm looking for with leads.

I think I'm going to try a Stiletto Ace next as it seems to be closest to what I'm looking for. I'm hoping it will work out for me and I'll keep it for a year or so until I have some more scratch saved up for a SLO or XTC. Worse comes to worse I can always sell the mesa and look for something else in that range again.

 

[glpg80]

not to pitch a sale or anything, but im currently working on a prototype out of the business im starting called ACI that is based on tight punch character/low end of a 5150, that can get aggressive like a krank but still have marshall/SLO bloodlines thats switchable to taste, and it will also have my own version of the bite and hair controls that the hulk mod utilizes, and is 5150 III influenced with how it plays solo's.

this isnt a copy of anything - its taking quite a long time to design from scratch.

its basically a 2 channel amplifier, the clean channel is either really clean, or really voxy - the clean channel will be simillar to alot of the old 80's carvins.

if this sounds up your alley later on, PM for more details. ive got a chunk wrote up about it describing its features.

 

[BIGKAHUNA]

Either of these fit the bill - the Stiletto has better cleans and a more fluid lead tone IMO

 

[kriswatts]

Marshall JVM. I actually much prefer the 205H: this thing is a 50 watt badass and incredibly versatile. I will sound like an advertisement here, but it really FEELS like you've got the history of Marshall Amplification at your fingertips (flame away...?)! This is coming from someone that has played and owned vintage and modern Marshalls for years.

There are a ton of reasons to go with a Marshall. For me - the reliability is huge - especially if you can get a sweet deal on something new with a warranty. I played Randall MTS for a few years - and it broke down a ton. They WILL eventually break down. The sound was AWESOME - probably the closest I've come to my 'dream' sound, but it was in the shop a ton and finally just blew up (literally) the day before leaving for a short tour. At the end, my tech literally was like "dude, I love you but I will NEVER work on these amps again" because really (you've got to understand) they are built sort of like a computer internally. Certainly the Randalls have awesome features and the Brahma is amazing. Actually any of the custom or modded modules sounded amazing. Still, if you are playing out a lot or travelling it can be a drag (potentially). As a studio amp, an MTS system would be amazing.

I like that my JVM sounds incredible, is super reliable, incredibly versatile, and if I'm doing a one off gig, or a festival gig I can get my sound instantly (because most backlines will feature Marshall or can get one easily).

I went with the JVM after considering custom amps (Steamboat), Mesa (Stiletto and ElectraDyne), Marshall Kit amps, Orange Rockerverb, etc. I LOVED the idea of the Mesa ElectraDyne, but was disappointed by the gain sounds. Go figure.

Love the JVM and never regretted it!

Best of luck - let us know what you go with!

 

[TWPietz37]

If the Shiva didn't have quite enough gain I would consider boosting it. It will definitely get you in the ball park of the Ecstasy and should be pretty easy to trade for a 101b once you have the extra kwan.

Just my .02

Tyler

 

[Death by Uberschall]

The new Shivas have more gain.

 

[meanstreet]

I had similar needs to what you describe and had been playing a 6505+. I switched to the 5150 III two years ago and still absolutely love the amp and it does exactly what I want/need it to do. It covers a lot of ground for me and I get nothing but compliments on the tone. To date I've played over 100 shows with it and never once had a problem.

 

[Bishop5150]

I've been using the 5150 III for about a year now and I love it. I used an original 5150 since 93'. I've done about 50 gigs with the 5150 III now and have had no problems. It's got a got a great clean tone. I can get a nice Marshall tone out of the second channel and channel three is great for leads. It's got a great effects loop as well.

 

[Mailman1971]

For that price......personally I would snag up a 5150 III.....