Amp Opinions Needed. Buying new amp, give me your thoughts..

[jabps]

The deal
- has to be below $2k. So either new or used, I want it to come in right at or below that mark. So any of the choices over 2k will definitely be used.
- No Marshalls. I own a JVM410, it's my favorite amp I've ever owned and I've owned alot amps through the years. Not replacing just looking for a different flavor. In fact this will be the first amp I've bought in over a decade, that's how much I like my JVM. If I go that way its going to be something modded like a Hopkins or Monomyth.
Loop - must be excellent.
Volume - needs to have a good master as most my time now is spent at lower volumes.

Of the amps below I've owned Engl and Fryette (Sig, Ultra Lead) in the past.

List as of now:
SigX - I've owned one before. Loved it but it lost out to the JVM years ago. Do I go that route again. It's arguably my second favorite amp I've owned in the past, right next to my original 5150. Would it satisfy the itch?
Engl Artist - It's just really intrigued me for a long while. I like the simplicity.
Engl Powerball II - Owned the original Powerball years ago. Huge difference?
Engl Inferno - Again, very intriguing. Not a fan of the cosmetics but like the layout.
PRS Archon - Pretty much like everything I've heard from it. Loop issue? Wait for the new Tremonti 100?
Dover 50 - I've heard two demo's, JerEvil's play through at Namm and then another on youtube, whatever it is I like it.
EVH EL34 100 - Everyone seems to love this amp. Is it time to get back into the EVH game?
Synergy 50 - On paper seems amazing, especially with some of the new Bogner modules.

Help a brother out. Thoughts, ideas? Any opinion wanted.

 

[311boogieman]

What are you looking to do differently and what kind of music?

 

[stratjacket]

Well, bashfully, I hate to do a shameless plug but since you listed it as a top choice, buy my SigX in the Classified’s and save some cash
I’m in Louisville...

 

[jabps]

What are you looking to do differently and what kind of music?

Really just different flavor and boredom. I love high gain amps but a decent clean as well. I've always played heavy rock and most any amp I've ever owned from Boogies, to Diezels to Framus to Splawn I could make work more or less for the music I played or like to play. But then it's always the nuance that brings you to a particlar amp...or at least IMO. These are really the one's I've just thought alot about lately and I don't want to drop a fortune on say a Friedman. Hope that made sense.

 

[jabps]

Well, bashfully, I hate to do a shameless plug but since you listed it as a top choice, buy my SigX in the Classified’s and save some cash
I’m in Louisville...

Oh, I've noticed. Any idea where to get the backplate? I checked Fryette, no answer.

 

[napalmdeath]

Quick Rod.
Engl Artist has had my attention ever since it came out.
Fireball 100.

 

[stratjacket]

Well, bashfully, I hate to do a shameless plug but since you listed it as a top choice, buy my SigX in the Classified’s and save some cash
I’m in Louisville...

Oh, I've noticed. Any idea where to get the backplate? I checked Fryette, no answer.

No, if Fryette doesn’t answer, I’m not sure.

 

[romanianreaper]

These are really the one's I've just thought alot about lately and I don't want to drop a fortune on say a Friedman. Hope that made sense.

Some great amps you have listed up there as choices man. Real quick deviation, and just a thought here, but I have the Friedman JJ Jr. and absolutely love it. $1499, XLR out, doesn't need cab, sounds close with the bigger JJ, etc. Depending on what you are looking for, could help augment the Marshall tones.

Anyway, back to your amp list. I played a Sig-X years ago when I was living in Hawaii and loved it! Can see why you did that amp. Great tones from that brand. I had an ENGL Fireball years ago as well and again, great stuff there. If I was going the ENGL route, I'd probably get a Blackmore but that's just me. I should have got one years ago and passed on it like an idiot. LOL.

As mentioned, I'd break down how you plan on using it, what type of music, etc. and really focus. If not, you'll end up with an amp that gathers dust next to your JVM. Get something that works with it but does it's own thing.

 

[jabps]

These are really the one's I've just thought alot about lately and I don't want to drop a fortune on say a Friedman. Hope that made sense.

Some great amps you have listed up there as choices man. Real quick deviation, and just a thought here, but I have the Friedman JJ Jr. and absolutely love it. $1499, XLR out, doesn't need cab, sounds close with the bigger JJ, etc. Depending on what you are looking for, could help augment the Marshall tones.

Anyway, back to your amp list. I played a Sig-X years ago when I was living in Hawaii and loved it! Can see why you did that amp. Great tones from that brand. I had an ENGL Fireball years ago as well and again, great stuff there. If I was going the ENGL route, I'd probably get a Blackmore but that's just me. I should have got one years ago and passed on it like an idiot. LOL.

As mentioned, I'd break down how you plan on using it, what type of music, etc. and really focus. If not, you'll end up with an amp that gathers dust next to your JVM. Get something that works with it but does it's own thing.

Yes, I really liked the Sig. Had I not already had the JVM I would have never gotten it and probably still been playing the Sig today. My pause there is, I chose the JVM over it years ago and I tend to really regret selling things I liked but as you said, would it collect dust.

Engl- the Artist and the Blackmore are the two from that line that really intrigue me. I'm leaning Artist because I've seen some good deals out there on them. Maybe the Blackmore is the way to go with the 6L6's. Been awhile since I've had an amp with those.

Btw/ I'd love to have a Friedman, I'll check into the JJ jr. The full heads I've not really considered because I don't want to spend the coin. If I was still gigging, I'd already have tried one to at least keep or scratch it off the list. Thanks man.

 

[4406cuda]

Used Bogner Shiva

 

[jabps]

Used Bogner Shiva

Good friend has one, played through it several times. Fantastic amp. Another friend of mine uses them as well, he tours with Tom Kiefer.

 

[311boogieman]

What are you looking to do differently and what kind of music?

Really just different flavor and boredom. I love high gain amps but a decent clean as well. I've always played heavy rock and most any amp I've ever owned from Boogies, to Diezels to Framus to Splawn I could make work more or less for the music I played or like to play. But then it's always the nuance that brings you to a particlar amp...or at least IMO. These are really the one's I've just thought alot about lately and I don't want to drop a fortune on say a Friedman. Hope that made sense.

Makes sense.

You don't gig anymore you said and you are into heavy rock but not necessarily metal. And a clean channel is important. My only thought is will you want to run your amps together at the same time (like I often do)? If so, I highly suggest your second amp being of something other than a marshall flavor. The JVM can cover a lot of ground as you said. Personally I like Rectos with Marshalls because they are different enough that the differences mix well you know? For example, my Quick Rod and Rectoverb together just scratches that itch every time.

If I had to get rid of one of them it would be a super hard choice.

 

[jabps]

Quick Rod.
Engl Artist has had my attention ever since it came out.
Fireball 100.

Owned two QR's. First one was amazing. True story, losing that amp brought me to the JVM. I lost the first one in a rehearsal space fire. Lost that and two Mojave 4x12's. This was kinda at the tale of end of my last amp flipping phase. That QR, through those Mojaves was glorious. Had just made the full time switch to it, gigs were upcoming and the place burns down lol. And to top it off, the only time I ever left an amp at any rehearsal facility was that night. Guitars and amp were always loaded up at the end of the night, but I left the amp there because we went super late and had an early call time the next day. Boom, gone. I had insurance (which I would recommend to anybody), got it replaced with another exactly like it but it didn't sound the same, not even close. By that time I had purchased my first JVM for a ridiculously low used price and was using my old Marshall 4x12 with it. That first QR had gain for days, very liquid and saturated...the replacement was just stiff and near lifeless. No clue but night and day difference. But yeah, Splawn is always high on the list. Lots of amp at a good value. I've owned 4x12's and 2x12's...good stuff. I'd probably go Nitro if I went that way though.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

Mesa Boogie Trem-O-Verb

Great cleans, great drive sounds that go from pushed to hard rock to metal and everything in between.

I can't speak to its loop, though. Maybe Stephen Sawall or someone else with a TOV can speak to that. I sold mine a while back but miss it dearly and suspect I'll have another at some point.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Quick Rod.
Engl Artist has had my attention ever since it came out.
Fireball 100.

That first QR had gain for days, very liquid and saturated...the replacement was just stiff and near lifeless. No clue but night and day difference. But yeah, Splawn is always high on the list. Lots of amp at a good value. I've owned 4x12's and 2x12's...good stuff. I'd probably go Nitro if I went that way though.

I've read similar posts. Some say their experience with the QR mirrors your's 'stiff and lifeless' while my experience with 2 different QRs (a 2013 drop B+ and the current 2019 straight up QR with no options) matches that of your experience with your first QR. This 2019 has gobs of saturation, sustain, and a very liquid feel if set with higher gain (and that's with low gain preamp tubes in there) OR it can be set much more dry and unforgiving. Disclosure; I am boosting with a Duncan 805 as I don't play any amp straight in.

 

[jabps]

Quick Rod.
Engl Artist has had my attention ever since it came out.
Fireball 100.

That first QR had gain for days, very liquid and saturated...the replacement was just stiff and near lifeless. No clue but night and day difference. But yeah, Splawn is always high on the list. Lots of amp at a good value. I've owned 4x12's and 2x12's...good stuff. I'd probably go Nitro if I went that way though.

I've read similar posts. Some say their experience with the QR mirrors your's 'stiff and lifeless' while my experience with 2 different QRs (a 2013 drop B+ and the current 2019 straight up QR with no options) matches that of your experience with your first QR. This 2019 has gobs of saturation, sustain, and a very liquid feel if set with higher gain (and that's with low gain preamp tubes in there) OR it can be set much more dry and unforgiving. Disclosure; I am boosting with a Duncan 805 as I don't play any amp straight in.

Why the 805, more gain, boost, tighten?

 

[Racerxrated]

I'll suggest a Mesa JP2C or a MultiWatt Triple/Dual, as a contrast to your Marshall. Both used for less than 2K. Both have great features for gigging, good loops and nice clean channels.
VHT stuff is great, my experience is with both the D60/120 and they are almost on par with a Wizard in clarity/push/thump.
Good luck with your quest!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Quick Rod.
Engl Artist has had my attention ever since it came out.
Fireball 100.

That first QR had gain for days, very liquid and saturated...the replacement was just stiff and near lifeless. No clue but night and day difference. But yeah, Splawn is always high on the list. Lots of amp at a good value. I've owned 4x12's and 2x12's...good stuff. I'd probably go Nitro if I went that way though.

I've read similar posts. Some say their experience with the QR mirrors your's 'stiff and lifeless' while my experience with 2 different QRs (a 2013 drop B+ and the current 2019 straight up QR with no options) matches that of your experience with your first QR. This 2019 has gobs of saturation, sustain, and a very liquid feel if set with higher gain (and that's with low gain preamp tubes in there) OR it can be set much more dry and unforgiving. Disclosure; I am boosting with a Duncan 805 as I don't play any amp straight in.

Why the 805, more gain, boost, tighten?

The 805 has sent 10-12 other boosts packing. Just sounds the best to me and has a 3 band eq. The bass knob is great to dial back in some low end after it's cut on the front end and the mids knob actually adds some cool saturation along with the added upper mid grind. My favorite boost.

 

[jabps]

I'll suggest a Mesa JP2C or a MultiWatt Triple/Dual, as a contrast to your Marshall. Both used for less than 2K. Both have great features for gigging, good loops and nice clean channels.
VHT stuff is great, my experience is with both the D60/120 and they are almost on par with a Wizard in clarity/push/thump.
Good luck with your quest!

120 has always interested me. Different feel IMO from the SigX...bigger maybe, like you said pushes more. And also a different texture than the Ultra Lead. I always loved the sound of the Ultra, just not me playing through it but never got to spend much time with the 120. The lack of a loop just always knocked it off my list. Of course now you can get the loop and add it on but not when they first came out years ago to recollection. I believe Steve is putting the version 2 of the Deliverance. Could be interesting.

 

[jabps]

Quick Rod.
Engl Artist has had my attention ever since it came out.
Fireball 100.

That first QR had gain for days, very liquid and saturated...the replacement was just stiff and near lifeless. No clue but night and day difference. But yeah, Splawn is always high on the list. Lots of amp at a good value. I've owned 4x12's and 2x12's...good stuff. I'd probably go Nitro if I went that way though.

I've read similar posts. Some say their experience with the QR mirrors your's 'stiff and lifeless' while my experience with 2 different QRs (a 2013 drop B+ and the current 2019 straight up QR with no options) matches that of your experience with your first QR. This 2019 has gobs of saturation, sustain, and a very liquid feel if set with higher gain (and that's with low gain preamp tubes in there) OR it can be set much more dry and unforgiving. Disclosure; I am boosting with a Duncan 805 as I don't play any amp straight in.

Why the 805, more gain, boost, tighten?

The 805 has sent 10-12 other boosts packing. Just sounds the best to me and has a 3 band eq. The bass knob is great to dial back in some low end after it's cut on the front end and the mids knob actually adds some cool saturation along with the added upper mid grind. My favorite boost.

I gotcha. I like going straight in, I've played around with hitting the front end but just haven't bonded with doing that. So even without the 805 the newer QR's...lots gain, liquid, chewy, feel?