Been away for a few years, looking to buy new amp(s)

[MatrixClaw]

Hey guys,

Years ago, I used to be pretty big on buying and selling gear but I took a break when my first child was born, because I really just didn't have the time to play anymore. Now that we're done having kids and my daughter is old enough to start showing interest in playing, I've started getting excited about music again.

Right now, I own:

• Bias modded Peavey 5150
• Mesa Mark V
• 30w Bogner XTC 101b prototype
• BadCat Cougar 50

My idea is to sell the Mark V and the BadCat. Maybe the Bogner if I can get a good offer for it, but I'm not sure what it'd be worth now that they released the 3534. I've owned 50+ amps over the years and I keep coming back to the 5150 so unless I can find something that truly beats it's lead channel, I'll be keeping that one.

I'm really interested in the lower wattage amps that have been popping up lately (especially since I could sell my amps and buy a few of them to have a decent variety of sounds from) and there's a lot of brands that weren't around when I was still collecting that look interesting. I'm mostly looking for high gain metal amps. My Bogner can cover the low/mid gain well, but if I did sell it, I'd want something that could replace it tonally.

The ones I'm most interested in right now are:

• PRS MT-15 - (I've pretty much settled on buying this because it's so cheap, it's worth at least checking out)
• EVH 5150 III 50W EL-34 - The original 100w was out before I stopped playing and I really liked it, but still preferred the lead channel of my original, I'm intrigued by the EL-34 model, it might be different enough to justify owning both
• Victory Kraken (and Super Kraken) - Not a ton out there about these but I dig the tone of them from what I've heard. I'm not sure if the price difference is worth it for the Super if I don't necessarily need the clean channel?
• Revv G20 - Really cool for recording. Would be nice for playing while the kids are taking naps... Just not super sold on its sound, it doesn't really sound all too unique to me
• Friedman JJ Jr - Always wanted to own a Friedman. I could afford the bigger ones but I'm not sure I want to spend that kinda cash on one amp. Not sure about the EL-84s, though. I've never played an EL-84 amp I liked.

Anything else I should be looking at?

Opinions on the ones I've listed? I'm thinking I'll have ~$2000-2400 to work with, if I don't sell the Bogner.

 

[braintheory]

Definitely try a Dover DA-20. It’s literally the only low wattage high gain amp I’ve been impressed with and I personally think smokes the other ones you’re looking at. It’s one of my favorite high gain amps right now regardless of wattage and sounds very tight, big and loud despite its size and being a 20 watt EL84 amp

 

[311boogieman]

Hey dude.
Long time no see.
Congrats on kids and putting priorities in order.
I've heard great things about all the amps on your list.
I'd be leaning toward the PRS too and also keeping the 5150.
Another consideration would be the Splawn Super Sport or Mini Nitro.
Your old Nitro is what got me interested in Splawn to begin with.
Cheers brother and look forward to seeing you around more.

 

[ClintN667]

I had the JJ jr. It's nice but honestly I didnt stick with it. Really polished and polite for my taste plus I couldnt justify 1500 for it. Ceriatone has a Son of Yeti that a friend of mine just built as a kit and he really digs it. If I was wanting a Marshall type amp I would go with the Splawn Supersport. Having said that everyone I know personally who has gotten an MT15 was really happy with it(the big bottles help). I had the EVH LBX2 and I couldnt get rid of it quick enough.

If you arent stuck on going with an amp I definitely recommend the KSR Ceres pedal preamp. It's really got some mojo to it. The Dover stuff does look interesting but not sure if its miles different from the Kraken. KSR Ares is pretty killer too if you dont need a clean channel. Its basically a single channel amp with two switchable modes which are basically channels.

 

[fek]

I agree on the MT15. I am going to buy one just to have a low watt Recto flavor around.

I bought the EVH EL34 50 watt new and kept it around for a bit. I prefer EL34 power tubes so thought it would be perfect for me. The blue channel was a pretty far departure from the red and after a while I just kept trying to love it instead of actually loving it. Good amp though and do want some version of the 5153 on the shelf again so always have an eye out for a deal.

No experience with Victory or Revv amps but keep hearing and reading more about them. Interested for sure.

I own the JJ Jr. Sounds and feels much bigger than you think it would. The comparison vids that I have seen A/B'ing the Jr with the 100 watt JJ sounded nearly identical to me so I picked one up. Dave always says in the vids to not be afraid to turn the bass up! I have mine at 11:00 but the treble and presence are up to 3:00 to balance out the low end. Master taper on mine goes from quiet to loud pretty quickly so that can be tricky to get right on the fly when playing at lower volumes. Sounds great if not a bit more polished than I am used to coming from bright Marshall's.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

The high gain lunch box has an impulse loader built in. I think it also has an internal load. Check that out. If that's the one I'm thinking of you can do silent jamming. Other than that the prs is a low wattage amp with higher wattage tone.

 

[maddnotez]

The JJ and PRS would be my top 2. Can get both for your budget then maybe sell the one you prefer less.

 

[romanianreaper]

My vote is for the JJ Jr. I wasn't expecting much when I first plugged in because of the EL-84s. I first played thru it at Sweetwater Fest and Dave Friedman was standing right by me. I hit a few chords and sounded as good as any amp I'd had before. I picked one up soon after that and have had mine for almost a year now I believe.

The coolest thing about the JJ Jr. is not needing to plug into a cab and being able to use cab emulated XLR out. I use that on my recordings and sounds killer! Like most people, I would love to have a bigger Friedman but glad I don't have to spend that much to get the Friedman tones.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

PM'd ya.

 

[paulyc]

Jet City 20. Have the psycho Dave mods done to it. Killer little metal amp that sounds like it has big glass in it.

 

[Docster]

Switch up on the el34 and go 6l6

 

[MatrixClaw]

Thanks for the comments guys. Seems like opinions on the JJ Jr are kinda mixed, which is somewhat expected. I'd love to try one, still. I don't know if any shops around here carry them, though (or if they're even open with the pandemic).

Fek mentioned buying the MT-15 as a small Recto replacement. I hadn't really made the connection in tone between the PRS and Recto but I guess it makes sense. I went back and listened to more of it and it does sound like an older 2-channel Recto, which is awesome. They've always been high on my favorite amps I've owned. I think that amp is going to have to be one I pick up, for sure. I am curious about the Archon, though - seems you can get the 50s under $1000... Is it worth the price difference??

Definitely try a Dover DA-20. It’s literally the only low wattage high gain amp I’ve been impressed with and I personally think smokes the other ones you’re looking at. It’s one of my favorite high gain amps right now regardless of wattage and sounds very tight, big and loud despite its size and being a 20 watt EL84 amp

Hmm, I hadn't seen these. Looks just like the Victory amp, but maybe a better clean channel? It's almost the same price as the Super Kraken and looks like they only have one US dealer from what I can tell? Will have to check into it more!

Hey dude.
Long time no see.
Congrats on kids and putting priorities in order.
I've heard great things about all the amps on your list.
I'd be leaning toward the PRS too and also keeping the 5150.
Another consideration would be the Splawn Super Sport or Mini Nitro.
Your old Nitro is what got me interested in Splawn to begin with.
Cheers brother and look forward to seeing you around more.

Hey man! Nice to see you around. Wasn't sure if you were still playing, not many of the old guys from UG are still posting. I hadn't seen the small Nitros, that might be worth a look. I think I'd prefer that amp with EL-34s. The KT88s just added something strange to the voicing to me.

Switch up on the el34 and go 6l6

The Stealth definitely looks cool. More aggressive than the EL-34, but I think I have that covered with my original 5150. I like the idea of the EL-34 model because it sounds different enough from my 5150 and way more versatile, so it could easily replace my Bogner for cleans and mid gain, if I decide to sell it.

 

[braintheory]

The clean channel of the Dover is decent, but not great imo and won’t be too pristine. It looks like that Victory and Fortin Sigil, but thankfully sounds totally different

 

[SFW]

The new Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 40 Deluxe has my attention. The price isn't bad, and they appear to be tone machines.

 

[aftec]

Go Synergy Just use one of the current amps as a poweramp.