Best sub-$400 tube head? now looking to buy

[Neeklaus]

gonna have a little less than $400 to pick up a new amp. I'd like to get something a) with tubes b) with metal I am looking at getting a Tiny Terror again, it's one of two amps I've ever missed having. also considering Peavey Ultra Plus..... what's your vote?

 

[turmoil]

I've always dug the Peavey Ultra Plus but i've never played a Tiny terror so i can't compare the two. The Ultra Plus definitely has enough gain to do metal of any type and the reverb is decent.

 

[Neeklaus]

cool...i can't remember which tubes can the ultra plus take? only 6L6s?

oh and by the way I don't want to just compare the two amps I listed, ANY sub $400 tube head is open to suggestion.

 

[Bad Brad]

I'd go with the Orange TT

 

[D-Rock]

Blackstar HT-5 maybe ?

5 tube watts is LOUD, but might not keep up in a full, live band setting. I love mine, but use it at home only. Great modern metal tones when boosted.

 

[glpg80]

peavey ultra 120+

/thread

 

[headlessdeadguy]

B52 AT100, XXX

 

[turmoil]

peavey ultra 120+

/thread

i helped my friend score one of these AND a matching 4x12 cab, all for only $350

 

[Neeklaus]

B52 AT100, XXX

any experience with the AT100? does it even come close to a recto sound?

 

[glassjaw7]

Carvin MTS. Sort of a Marshall-like grind with awesome low end. With a boost it rivals my Recto.

 

[Mudder]

I have a Carvin x100b on the way. It would probably need a boost for modern metal, but those seem to be running dirt cheap right now. Killer cleans too.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

B52 AT100, XXX

any experience with the AT100? does it even come close to a recto sound?

My friend used to have a triple recto and now has an AT100, he likes the B52 alot. To me it's been too long since I have heard the triple recto through the same cab, so I can't really A/B them but the AT100 sounds pretty effin good.

 

[Variable]

Another for Peavey Ultra 120. STUPID amounts of gain, can easily do metal.

 

[LedZep77]

The Ultra 120+ is a great choice. I got mine used on HCAF for $280 shipped a few years back. Currently, it's my backup when I am gigging. It's good to know I have a nice sounding, reliable head should my DSL go down. Can't go wrong with the Ultra+ (except the footswitch)

 

[glpg80]

i think they sound awsome personally. i choose my 5150 over it anyday but a very large chunk of Skid Row's slave to the grind album uses a 5150 II and an ultra 120+. you can clearly tell the differences and that ultra 120+ sounds so kick ass.

a decent quality ultra 120+ is one of the amps i would own just to own for the hell of it. for the price and the tone it gets... why not?!

you dont hear much about them anymore to be an all tubed 120W head, but they are awsome

 

[NewWorldMan]

... but a very large chunk of Skid Row's slave to the grind album uses a 5150 II and an ultra 120+....

Slave to the Grind was recorded from '90 to '91. The 5150 II didn't come out until around '99-ish. If I remember correctly, Michael Wagener said SttG was recorded using the same ADA MP-1 (rhythms) as they used on the self-titled album. I could be wrong though, been a while since I read that.

 

[stratotone]

I always thought they used Riveras on Slave to the Grind...

 

[NewWorldMan]

I always thought they used Riveras on Slave to the Grind...

They did, some 120W model (can't remember which). The exact same head was used on Saigon Kick's first album.

 

[Variable]

The Ultra 120+ is a great choice. I got mine used on HCAF for $280 shipped a few years back. Currently, it's my backup when I am gigging. It's good to know I have a nice sounding, reliable head should my DSL go down. Can't go wrong with the Ultra+ (except the footswitch)

I used to own the 60watt 212 combo, and it was great. Even better with the bias mod and proper current going to the tubes You have to mod it if you want to use EL34s, though, as there is a pin on the sockets that needs to be grounded or something, otherwise you cook the EL34s...

Sold it to my old guitarist cheap a while ago just to get him to stop playing through his crappy Marshall Valvestate with a MetalZone That's still his main amp, too!

What a NIGHTMARE of a PCB, though. Not pretty at all...

 

[glpg80]

... but a very large chunk of Skid Row's slave to the grind album uses a 5150 II and an ultra 120+....

Slave to the Grind was recorded from '90 to '91. The 5150 II didn't come out until around '99-ish. If I remember correctly, Michael Wagener said SttG was recorded using the same ADA MP-1 (rhythms) as they used on the self-titled album. I could be wrong though, been a while since I read that.

i could be wrong on the actual album on my part?

maybe im thinking of his live setup for sttg? i know he used his stock wolfgang's but o well - food for thought later on.