Adding a new amp to my arsenal.

[leecaster]

how about a bogner twin jet, or uberschall?

I'm definitely considering a shiva. The uberschall is out of my price range but I'll have to look into the twin jet a little more.

I would just get the jcm800 but the thing is... Everyone has a Marshall! I feel like my tone would be no different from millions of other guitars players.

Uberschalls are going used for just a couple hundred more than regular Shivas are. But for the genres you listed as wanting to cover, you'll do a LOT better with the Shiva than you will the Uber (TJ or other). But a regular Shiva doesn't do "metal" very well (even with a pedal) IMO. Now the 20th Anniversary Shiva is a different story (from what I gather). My EL34 Shiva was an awesome, versatile beast. But I wasn't using it for modern, drop-tuned metal. A very midrange heavy amp. And when you dial too much of the mids out, it loses a lot of its character and definition IMO.

The 20th anni shiva seems awesome, especially with those kt88's! I've never had first hand experience with bogner though. Are they well built/reliable? I absolutely love the Orange tone but I'm too scared of them not cutting through a mix. I figure if I run a boost (overdrive on 0) on it through a 4x12 with v30's, I would have a better chance of it getting to cut... Does that seem accurate? Maybe a Rocker 30 would suffice better?

Updated list of possible amps:

Orange Rockerverb 100
Bogner Shiva (regular or 20th)
Soldano (avenger or hot rod)
JCM 800
VHT/Fryette Sig: X (all of those knobs and switches frighten me)

 

[FIREBALL]

avengers are the shit