BE100/Metroplex/Helios

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fusoid

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I know this has probably been done to death...I am about to pull the trigger on one of these and I keep vacillating because I don't know which of these will more completely cover the tones in my head.

My favorite players are Eric Johnson, Eddie Van Halen, Andy Timmons, Greg Koch, Marco Sfogli, Jeff Beck, Guthrie Govan, Joe Bonamassa, etc...I am old school, basically...I love the plexi sound and love fat lead tones too...I love the '80s hair stuff too, from Ratt and Dokken especially...

I hear the raspy sizzle in the Metroplex and Helios and don't know if the BE100 can do that too...

The BE100 seems fatter sounding...can I dial in the sizzle? I'm leaning towards it but I don't want to miss out on a good plexi sound...or a good modded plexi sound...Will the BE100 do that?

I do have a Mark V and wonder which of these plexi circuits would more readily complement that...

You guys have turned me onto all these top notch amps, so I need some advice from those that have firsthand experience, as I am not in a position to give any of these a test drive...It's down to one of these three...
 
I think that if you want to keep the plexi "sizzle" or upper mid bite go for the Metroplex.

The mids are shifted in the BE for that vox low mid voice... which is cool if you like that.
 
I would also through the SS100 or the Small Box in there as far as Friedman is concerned. Both are a touch more "vintage" flavored.
 
I would like any of those amps but if I had to ultimately choose one it would be the Metroplex. From what I have heard and read it would be right up my alley.
 
The only Friedman you should be considering with your parameters is the Steve Stevens. That would be my first choice from the Friedman side by a mile. Out of the three you mentioned the Metro is more along the lines of what you said you desired and would be my number one suggestion with the Steve Stevens a VERY close second.
 
fusoid":3dj9bh42 said:
I know this has probably been done to death...I am about to pull the trigger on one of these and I keep vacillating because I don't know which of these will more completely cover the tones in my head.

My favorite players are Eric Johnson, Eddie Van Halen, Andy Timmons, Greg Koch, Marco Sfogli, Jeff Beck, Guthrie Govan, Joe Bonamassa, etc...I am old school, basically...I love the plexi sound and love fat lead tones too...I love the '80s hair stuff too, from Ratt and Dokken especially...

I hear the raspy sizzle in the Metroplex and Helios and don't know if the BE100 can do that too...

The BE100 seems fatter sounding...can I dial in the sizzle? I'm leaning towards it but I don't want to miss out on a good plexi sound...or a good modded plexi sound...Will the BE100 do that?

I do have a Mark V and wonder which of these plexi circuits would more readily complement that...

You guys have turned me onto all these top notch amps, so I need some advice from those that have firsthand experience, as I am not in a position to give any of these a test drive...It's down to one of these three...
Click to expand...

I find the BE-100 darker when compared to a Marshall but you can restore some of the sizzle on the BE-100 with the presence and treble controls.
 
I think the BE100 is the most versatile of the three. You can definitely dial the sizzle in, particularly on the BE channel, but it also has the ability to go very high gain with HBE and has a fantastic clean as well. Haven't played the Metroplex though. The Helios sounds awesome but has a very stiff feel to it - the Friedman is the opposite, feels like it's almost playing itself at times.
 
I've had a BE100 and sold it. If you want something that nails what you're talking about... I wholeheartedly recommend the Bray 4550 Deluxe. The regular side is vintage to hot plexi all day long and the "Plus" side can do 80's hair band modded Marshall tones all the way up to just short of modern detuned death metal stuff. Plus, Dave will work with you on the voicing and specs to make sure you get exactly what you want...and for around $1K less than a Friedman. Who else does THAT?
 
Man, you have to be stoked to be deciding which out of these awesome rigs you're gonna get. Good luck...I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
 
Nevermind...the nice folks at Sony were kind enough to block my video. :jerkit:
 
Leotis....Jake should call you up to get his tone back over those EVH's he's using...cuz that sounds tits!

:rock: :rock:
 
buy the metro. george will always take care of you long after the sale.
 
Eddie Van Halen-BE, Joe Bone-plays a Friedman DS but you'd get closer to with a MetroPlex, Guthrie Govan-little more BE, Eric Johnson-MetroPlex.

I'd say from your description I'd chose a BE100 or a Metroplex. Can't comment on the Helios so that may be even better for you.
The BE100 can get the raspy sizzle but is smoother. You CAN'T go by clips though, the feel of the amp will play a big role. BE has the fattest lead and rhythm tones I've heard playing live and if you are more an 80's rocker, well there ya go. Also the BE is the most versatile one of the bunch and you can't dial in a bad tone, and all V30's gives is much more sizzle. Cuts like a knife in my coverband of classic rock better than all my Bogners, Splawns and Mesas I've owned.

Dude, really wish you could try a couple of these amps out. Is there no dealers within a couple hours away? Don't take our word for it. See what happens when you hang around these forums with the guys that have several nice boutique amps! Of course you could also get a real Plexi man and hit it with pedals.
 
I appreciate all the response, guys...they are very helpful...there is a Guitar Center down the street that is now selling the Friedman stuff...

While they don't have any in their showroom, there is a 30 day money back guarantee if I don't like what I bought, etc...

It's down to the Metroplex or the BE100 now...

I am sure I won't be able to give the MP a test drive because I am pretty much homebound, taking care of my aging mother...I can't make a trip anywhere, basically...

I am going by the Lance Keltner video for the most part with the Metroplex, plus your advice...

If I can dial in even a decent semblance of plexi tone with the BE100, I will probably go with that because it does alot of other stuff too...

But, that Metroplex sounds sooo plexi and then some...sheesh...

I do have cabinet choices...If I get the BE100, I'll get the cabinet with it...the 4X12 w/V30s and Greenbacks...but I also have a Marshall cab at home w/4X12 V30s...

If I buy the Metroplex, what cabinet(s) do you guys recommend?
 
crwnedblasphemy":2br141cl said:
Leotis....Jake should call you up to get his tone back over those EVH's he's using...cuz that sounds tits!

:rock: :rock:
Click to expand...

Hahahaha! Thanks!

Sadly, I think Jake sold off all his gear from his Ozzy and Badlands days when he was in the throes of a substance issue during his total recluse period. I've heard that that even included his famous "Whitey" Charvelized Fender.
 
Leotis":35yy2zcr said:
crwnedblasphemy":35yy2zcr said:
Leotis....Jake should call you up to get his tone back over those EVH's he's using...cuz that sounds tits!

:rock: :rock:
Click to expand...

Hahahaha! Thanks!

Sadly, I think Jake sold off all his gear from his Ozzy and Badlands days when he was in the throes of a substance issue during his total recluse period. I've heard that that even included his famous "Whitey" Charvelized Fender.
Click to expand...
Damn that sucks. I heard something about that too..if he had only held onto it and waited to sell. Can you imagine what he'd get if he ebayed some of that stuff?? BTW nice playing/tone! :rock:
 
fusoid":38ysmyuk said:
I appreciate all the response, guys...they are very helpful...there is a Guitar Center down the street that is now selling the Friedman stuff...

While they don't have any in their showroom, there is a 30 day money back guarantee if I don't like what I bought, etc...

It's down to the Metroplex or the BE100 now...

I am sure I won't be able to give the MP a test drive because I am pretty much homebound, taking care of my aging mother...I can't make a trip anywhere, basically...

I am going by the Lance Keltner video for the most part with the Metroplex, plus your advice...

If I can dial in even a decent semblance of plexi tone with the BE100, I will probably go with that because it does alot of other stuff too...

But, that Metroplex sounds sooo plexi and then some...sheesh...

I do have cabinet choices...If I get the BE100, I'll get the cabinet with it...the 4X12 w/V30s and Greenbacks...but I also have a Marshall cab at home w/4X12 V30s...

If I buy the Metroplex, what cabinet(s) do you guys recommend?
Click to expand...
I would pick up some type of greenback cab...G12 65s, or even older well used Marshall cabs with G12T75s....broken in can sound greenbackish to me. Scumbacks are nice for a higher wattage GB. Look on Guitar Center.com under Marshall and if you find a cab that says 'classic' next to it its a GB reissue cab from the 90s. Those are nice. Or the EVH 4x12 has the EVH Heritage GBs in there. Nice cab.
 
Adambomb":3b6kvnq3 said:
Eddie Van Halen-BE, Joe Bone-plays a Friedman DS but you'd get closer to with a MetroPlex, Guthrie Govan-little more BE, Eric Johnson-MetroPlex.

I'd say from your description I'd chose a BE100 or a Metroplex. Can't comment on the Helios so that may be even better for you.
The BE100 can get the raspy sizzle but is smoother. You CAN'T go by clips though, the feel of the amp will play a big role. BE has the fattest lead and rhythm tones I've heard playing live and if you are more an 80's rocker, well there ya go. Also the BE is the most versatile one of the bunch and you can't dial in a bad tone, and all V30's gives is much more sizzle. Cuts like a knife in my coverband of classic rock better than all my Bogners, Splawns and Mesas I've owned.
Click to expand...


This.........
 
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