Best high gain lunchbox amp?

[jonthomas83]

Hi all,

Currently have a Laney Lionheart tiny 5w head and it sounds superb. I want to compliment it with a great little high gain amp. Wattage doesn't really matter as I'm using a Suhr reactive load into a Torpedo CAB. But I like the options I have on the Laney - DI, Headphones etc, would be nice to have matching features on the other amp too. Most of all though, I'm looking for a great tight heavy tube driven distortion that takes me from classic heavy rock to metal heaven.

Amps I've considered are Mini Rec, Mark V:25, Engl Ironball (the stand out favourite so far, from videos I've seen) and the EVH lunchbox (close second)...out of those, which do people like and are there any I've not considered?

Many thanks

 

[8len8]

Some questions to narrow down the options:

- Budget?
- Tube type (EL84, 6L6, etc)?
- Features (channels, reverb, loop)?

 

[Shredfever]

I have the 5153 Lbx and absolutely love it. The blue channel sounds closer to my original block letter 5150 than any of the incantations since, and cleans up nicely with the vol knob on the guitar. The red channel flat out rips. Super simple controls. I also have a mark v 25, and definitely like it as well. Incredibly versatile, but also very complex controls. For simple plug in and rock, I take the 5150, and I probably generally prefer the sounds from the 5150 as well. Clean channel on the five 25 is amazing though, so it definitely wins there.

 

[Rdodson]

Atma 80s mode cranked. Not really a metal demo but watch to the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRBTKzEmgqU

 

[Faded Abyss]

I like my Jim Root Terror

 

[5150clone]

i played one of those Blackstar HT Metal amps.. the 5w one i think it was. Actually sounded killer! Totally surprised

 

[PBGas]

I tried the 5150 LBX and it was great!

 

[Fuego]

I own an Ironball. It is easily the best lunchbox head out there. I played them all before I bought this little beast.

 

[gtrplr71]

That atma is killer played one at guitar rez awhile back. Like a mini XTC

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

Bogner Atma is my favorite high gainer of all the ones I tried before buying it...It has that "woody" tone I love, but there are probably better "death metal" lunch box amps, I'm sure. I am certainly NOT after that tone at all.

 

[Lampshade1973]

Love my 5153 LBX, both channels are great!

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

Love my 5153 LBX, both channels are great!

The only one I've yet to try, I'm sure it's a monster, by the youtube vids!

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

Wizard MC25

 

[racerevlon]

Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister 36.

 

[Adambomb]

 

[kunos]

I had the LBX for a couple of weeks. Seny it back because the effect loop was not working properly. The amp is awesome, I now have the Friedman Pink Taco but I keep thinking to get another LBX because it was just too good to forget.

 

[DADA]

Another LBX-er here . Small and loud as hell.
Swapped some tubes and now I like it even more.

Happy hunting

 

[ghosty999]

If you want the ability to use internal speakers but also use it as a head I'd recommend the GK250ML. It's solid state but if you pop the top off and adjust the pots you can get it into the extremely high gain territory. 100 Watts in a tiny box and can output to a 2x12 or even 2 4x12s happily. Great at low volume using internal speakers too.

 

[dfrattaroli]

So many great ones out now. I have the Mark V:25 and Pink Taco. They're both insane and totally different. From demo's I've heard, I think I'd try the Atma too.

 

[Wayniac3]

I have a Lionheart and an Ironball. I like them both for different tones.
Tried the EVH LBX - was really impressed at low volume.. didn't really get to play it long. But for the same price used, you can get the 50 which we know sounds great.