Since GAS seems to be the norm around these parts, lets get a civil discussion about amps you bought, traded, acquired etc that just didn't do it for you, and why.
The other thread about constant GAS made me think.
Here goes my list:
Diezel Herbert:
I think it was a great amp, but overall, it had a very sterile sound to it. It just didn't breath properly if thats a good description.
It was a great amp, just not for me.
Diezel VH4S:
A little better in the stiffness department, but once again, the core tone of the amp left me a little uninspired.
Framus Cobra:
Just not my cup of tea. A bit too buzzy and it couldn't be dialed out.
The cleans sucked, and were lifeless to me. And the crunch was kind of solid state sounding.
CAA OD100SE+:
Probably the best clean channel I have ever heard to this day. Mid gains were rally nice and marshallesque.
But the high gain was just not there. It had a real buzzy type of sound that once again couldn't be dialed out even after a few mods and speaker changes.
I'd love to get maybe a PT100 and see if the circuit was designed a little different.
CAA OD50:
Same as above
Peavey 5150 block letter:
Just not my can of bees
No good cleans to be found, and the high gain was a buzzy mess. I have heard great recordings with them, but just not for me.
Mid gain crunch was just not there at all. Better suited for death metal I guess.
Engl Powerball:
Just don't like the sterile sound that Engl offers.
Engl SE E670 EL34:
Same as above, but it was a way better heavy amp. Cleans were passable, but the low and mid gains were lifeless and dull.
High gain was nice, but not worth the price of admission.
Rivera Knucklehead KR100 and K Tre Reverb:
Great cleans, low and mid gain. The high gain was shrill and muddy no matter what speakers or guitar I used.
Did sound great when I used them for high gain with pedals slamming them. But there was something funky going on that also could not be dialed out.
Soldano SLO stock and SLO w all factory mods:
Good sounding amp when cranked to paint peeling volumes. Kind of useless at low volumes.
Great amp for that 80's/90's thing, but overall a big disappointment for the money.
Many amps kill this at half the price for that kind of tone.
Bogner 101B:
Excellent amp for the clean, low and mid gains, but always had a muddy tone. The high gain just farted in my general direction.
Another good amp for pedals to get the high gain out of, but it just didn't do it for me.
Bogner Ubershall:
Total turd right from the get go. I was expecting to be blown away by it's high gain sounds, but it just didn't deliver the clarity and tightness I wanted from it.
Marshall JCM900 SLX:
It was OK at high volumes, but like the SLO, it needed volume to produce the goods.
Marshall Jubilee 100w:
Great amp, but a little limited in it's tones. The good thing is that I bought it when they were not that popular and sold it when they were sought after, so I made a killing on a half stack.
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier(old model
I just do not dig the recto sound. Very muddy and too loose sounding for my taste. Once again, I've heard amazing recordings with them, but I'd have to bet that there was some serious studio magic done with them.
Mesa Boogie Mark 2C+:
Great amp overall. Pretty versatile, but limited in it's tones.
For leads, it was like playing a violin. But there is something about the amp(and most Mark series) that literally gives me a headache after playing through them.
I still have a Mark 3 red Ltd Edition and only keep it for it's collectors value. But I can easily dial in the same exact tones as the Mark 2C+.
I'm sure I will think of a bunch more that I've owned, but it's a start and I'm tired
Post up your experiences with amps that just didn't do it for you.
And maybe Brad and Mailman should not post in this thread
