Best bang for the buck starter tube head?

[moronmountain]

So I haven't been here for awhile, and my nephew is looking for his first tube head. Is the 5150/6505 with an Avatar cab still the best bang for the buck for a guy with limited funds? He plays metal/death/etc. Fwiw he REALLY likes the tone of my VHT UL so he's not a maxed gain/scooped mids guy. I told him to look for a used 5150, but I thought I'd ask here in case anyone had any other suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Heritage Softail]

6506 1x12 combo is $599 at Guitar Center.

 

[moronmountain]

6506 1x12 combo is $599 at Guitar Center.

Thanks. He's looking for a 1/2 stack mostly. He has a Marshall SS version 4x12 cab he can use until he gets something better, so a head is what he's really after.

 

[Ancient Alien]

Check out the Jet City Amplifiers.
They are selling their SLO clone for $100 off this week.
Their amps are really kick ass and cheap.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

5150 + 1960b 4x12 killer rig for less than a grand.

 

[moronmountain]

Check out the Jet City Amplifiers.
They are selling their SLO clone for $100 off this week.
Their amps are really kick ass and cheap.

I didn't see a price list? How much are there before rebate?

Nevermind, I found them on MF.

 

[Ancient Alien]

Check out the Jet City Amplifiers.
They are selling their SLO clone for $100 off this week.
Their amps are really kick ass and cheap.

I didn't see a price list? How much are there before rebate?

$799 before the rebate.
I've played the JCA100H side by side with a real SLO and they were almost identical.

 

[moronmountain]

Check out the Jet City Amplifiers.
They are selling their SLO clone for $100 off this week.
Their amps are really kick ass and cheap.

I didn't see a price list? How much are there before rebate?

$799 before the rebate.
I've played the JCA100H side by side with a real SLO and they were almost identical.

Yeah I'll have to check them out. They actually look pretty cool too. So are they the actual SLO circuit design, but just made with cheaper methods/components?

 

[Motorpud]

As soon as I read the title 1 amp came to mind.....5150 period. The prices on these are just stupid low right now. I've seen at least 10 of them in the last 5 or 6 weeks for around $500-550 and I saw one on the local CL for $450 that was a little beat up but still, good deal IMO. Easily the best bang for the buck amp.

 

[Ancient Alien]

Check out the Jet City Amplifiers.
They are selling their SLO clone for $100 off this week.
Their amps are really kick ass and cheap.

I didn't see a price list? How much are there before rebate?

$799 before the rebate.
I've played the JCA100H side by side with a real SLO and they were almost identical.

Yeah I'll have to check them out. They actually look pretty cool too. So are they the actual SLO circuit design, but just made with cheaper methods/components?

It's Soldanos design. I'm sure manufacturing and parts are cheaper, but to me the truth comes out of the speakers.
I A/B'd the SLO and JCA and liked the JCA better.
It didn't have to be cranked to scream, whereas the SLO did.

 

[moronmountain]

As soon as I read the title 1 amp came to mind.....5150 period. The prices on these are just stupid low right now. I've seen at least 10 of them in the last 5 or 6 weeks for around $500-550 and I saw one on the local CL for $450 that was a little beat up but still, good deal IMO. Easily the best bang for the buck amp.

Yeah that's the advice I normally give out, and that's what I told him as well. I just want to make sure there's not a better deal to be had out there.

 

[moronmountain]

Check out the Jet City Amplifiers.
They are selling their SLO clone for $100 off this week.
Their amps are really kick ass and cheap.

I didn't see a price list? How much are there before rebate?

$799 before the rebate.
I've played the JCA100H side by side with a real SLO and they were almost identical.

Yeah I'll have to check them out. They actually look pretty cool too. So are they the actual SLO circuit design, but just made with cheaper methods/components?

It's Soldanos design. I'm sure manufacturing and parts are cheaper, but to me the truth comes out of the speakers.
I A/B'd the SLO and JCA and liked the JCA better.
It didn't have to be cranked to scream, whereas the SLO did.

Yeah I'm deffinately intrigued. I'll have to take him to GC and see if they have one we can demo. Thanks for the info!

 

[Tawlks]

In England there isn't the same variety as amps, just Laney, Marshall, Orange and Peavey

I'd tell anyone playing hard rock/metal to buy a 5150 and a Marshall either 212 or 412 cab used. Avatar do make better cabs, but at added cost. the SS 412 he has he could sell and get a good Marshall used for a little bit more.

I usually suggest a 212 (which is what I have) for teenagers/younger players because a 412 won't fit inside alot of small cars. (Cars are bigger in America though)

Definately look at Jet City amps. Remember to mention to him (sorry if someone's mentioned above or you knew already) that 5150s sound great at low volume, can do good heavy but not maxed out gain sounds and are very mid-heavy as far as EQing goes.

 

[Vrad]

old 5150 comb... Freaking GREAT amp.

 

[Heritage Softail]

I have an SLO 100. Played thru a Jet City again for a while yesterday when trying out a guitar. I had played JC amps before and didn't really like them. I did not want to spend 3K on an SLO if a Jet City could sound close for 1/4 the price. I wanted to like them. I really really wanted to like them, but did not.

Not sure about the look Jet City was going for. It looks like Toy-R-Us designed the thing. A young person in a band that has any desire to look cool...... I am not thinking they would like that behind them. This is an amp with a good personality maybe?

They sound nothing like an SLO. Not even remotely. Unless the way a Crate sounds like an SLO qualifies. If someone has a decent rig, going to a Jet City would be a move backwards. Band mates would snicker, tone would be average. Soldano makes a few other amps, Avenger, Hot Rod, Lucky 13, and they say they have the SLO cirucit in some form. They do not have the same components. They don't sound the same. The Soldano variants sound close, the ultra cheap Jet City does not come close. It would be marketing suicide to sell and amp for $799 that sounds even 90% like your $3500 amp. Especially noticiable at loud gig level volumes. The SLO comes alive once you get past 3 on the master volume. There is a reason people pay 3K and up for an SLO with a few mods.

For a young metal rocker.... I woudl say avoid Jet City like the plauge, unless you are in the Toys-R-Us cover band playing 'The Barney Song'. It is average at best and looks somewhat silly. Not that I have an opinion......

All Jet City owners please flame on.....

Peavey rocks for the $$$ Any variants of the 5150 based amp are a great bang for the buck.

 

[Motorpud]

I have an SLO 100. Played thru a Jet City again for a while yesterday when trying out a guitar. I had played JC amps before and didn't really like them. I did not want to spend 3K on an SLO if a Jet City could sound close for 1/4 the price. I wanted to like them. I really really wanted to like them, but did not.

Not sure about the look Jet City was going for. It looks like Toy-R-Us designed the thing. A young person in a band that has any desire to look cool...... I am not thinking they would like that behind them. This is an amp with a good personality maybe?

They sound nothing like an SLO. Not even remotely. Unless the way a Crate sounds like an SLO qualifies. If someone has a decent rig, going to a Jet City would be a move backwards. Band mates would snicker, tone would be average. Soldano makes a few other amps, Avenger, Hot Rod, Lucky 13, and they say they have the SLO cirucit in some form. They do not have the same components. They don't sound the same. The Soldano variants sound close, the ultra cheap Jet City does not come close. It would be marketing suicide to sell and amp for $799 that sounds even 90% like your $3500 amp. Especially noticiable at loud gig level volumes. The SLO comes alive once you get past 3 on the master volume. There is a reason people pay 3K and up for an SLO with a few mods.

For a young metal rocker.... I woudl say avoid Jet City like the plauge, unless you are in the Toys-R-Us cover band playing 'The Barney Song'. It is average at best and looks somewhat silly. Not that I have an opinion......

All Jet City owners please flame on.....

Peavey rocks for the $$$ Any variants of the 5150 based amp are a great bang for the buck.

I heard they sucked too but I haven't played one so I wasn't going to say anything

 

[dougiefresh]

Haven't heard one in person, but sounds pretty good to me....

 

[Phrygian]

5150 for sure! My best friend came over yesterday to hear my Herbert and Ultra Lead in person. For shits and giggles I fired up the 5150 to show him it's still no slouch and we're still impressed with the thing.

On the rock/blues side I'd say the best bang for the buck is the Carvin Legacy. You can get them mint for $450 easily. For rock/metal though, definitely snag a 5150!

 

[Audioholic]

blackstar ht-20 perhaps?

 

[strungup]

I would also through the peavey ultra plus out there if the 5150 is a little high price wise. You can get the ultra plus for a few hundred cheaper.

As soon as I read the title 1 amp came to mind.....5150 period. The prices on these are just stupid low right now. I've seen at least 10 of them in the last 5 or 6 weeks for around $500-550 and I saw one on the local CL for $450 that was a little beat up but still, good deal IMO. Easily the best bang for the buck amp.

Yeah that's the advice I normally give out, and that's what I told him as well. I just want to make sure there's not a better deal to be had out there.