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

[OldSkoolNJ]

This is the post M.W. mentions the Rivera amp for Slave to the grind and Saigon Kick..
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end ... -amps.html

 

[Neeklaus]

hmm so i'm a little more interested in the B52 at100 after finding out it's designed by egnater...

anyone have some experience with it?

 

[peaveyT60]

peavey VTM 60/120. ugly, but badass. one of the best peavey has ever done, imho.

 

[iplayloudly]

for what you want, try a peavey XXL head... its not tube, but sounds excellent for the price IMO.

 

[Mailman1971]

hmm so i'm a little more interested in the B52 at100 after finding out it's designed by egnater...

anyone have some experience with it?

I owned one. Sold it to buy the 5150.
It sounded ok. Not bad or not good.
It was LOUD I remember that.
Not much gain on tap.

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

... 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.

Yes to the ADA

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

Yes to the Rivera

 

[liamlw]

sovtek mig

 

[glpg80]

he used 5150II's and ultra120+'s on tour then. i recall seeing the picture of his rack setup. theres pics available of the rack he was using on the internet.

 

[Neeklaus]

for what you want, try a peavey XXL head... its not tube, but sounds excellent for the price IMO.

had 3 of them over the years. GREAT amp

 

[NewWorldMan]

This was the live rig for Sabo way back in the day for the self-titled album:

I think it was Rivera on tour during SttG. The 5150's were used, but not until much later according to an old article I saw (which I wish I could find).

 

[CaseyCor]

sovtek mig

I concur. Been wanting to pick one up as a vehicle to mod.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

This was the live rig for Sabo way back in the day for the self-titled album:

I think it was Rivera on tour during SttG. The 5150's were used, but not until much later according to an old article I saw (which I wish I could find).

I think I have that issue in my closet still, I still have every Guitar world/player magazine from 1988 til the mid 90's
Could never get in to the idea of throwing them out..

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Well I dug out the Magazine it must have been meant to be because it was 3rd from the top in the pile..

I knew it was something involving Rivera amps on Slave To The Grind because that was the reason I checked out Rivera due to the sounds on that album..


This is from the Guitar World August 1991 Issue, Dave the snake and Scotti Hill are also on the cover that month...

GW: Michael is Known for using ADA Pre-amps in the studio. Did you use ADA's, Or something else??

Snake: Jason Bieler, Guitarist from Saigon Kick turned us on to the 120 watt Rivera TBR-1M amps, We used one on our demos
and it was really cool. It's got a great attack and this low end thing that is comparable to James Hetfields Mesa Sound.
We're both using them now..

Scotti: I used the Rivera on the whole album. Even cleaner Strat parts were done using that amp.
I simply turned the guitars volume knob down to the half way mark..

 

[Neeklaus]

lets start this conversation back up. sorta fizzled out on skid row

since I have ~400 bucks to spend on a new tube head I wanna make a good decision!

HIT ME!

 

[glpg80]

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

+1

 

[turmoil]

i dig that video!!
+1 again for that Ultra Plus

 

[JackBootedThug]

holy fuck-i need one.

 

[glpg80]

holy fuck-i need one.

i wasnt joking when i said /thread. for the money the ultra 120+ smokes every other amplifier in its class for the price, is all tubed, and as you can see is competing with a mesa mark III easily

 

[Neeklaus]

holy fuck-i need one.

i wasnt joking when i said /thread. for the money the ultra 120+ smokes every other amplifier in its class for the price, is all tubed, and as you can see is competing with a mesa mark III easily

wow holy shit that amp sounds great.

STEVE!
I'll buy your single recto and you can buy an Ultra plus with the money! COME ON!

 

[JackBootedThug]

nick-i'm going stereo brother!!! i just need a little head and i'm good.