Don't like 'em, but I need a grab and go hard rock combo

[nevusofota]

What was wrong with the 5150III 50w and the matching 1x12? Sounds like it would be perfect. Very versatile: 3 channels, great fx loop, doesn't need pedals, does clean all the way to high gain, and can also run a 4x12 if needed.

 

[Meathead]

Budda SD18 combo. Nothing sounds better for hard rock and is under 40 lbs. IMO

The Mesa Electra Dyne was also one of my favorite sounding 1x12 combos. But at 90 lbs ...not so much.

Pussy! It's only 85lbs. Seriously though, turning that amp on 4 or 5 and literally it shakes walls! I don't know why this amp is soo dam loud.

One little trick is get a combo you like and place next to it a Mesa 1x12 Thiele with the EVM. Don't put your combo ontop of the Thiele, NEXT to it. Makes for one huge sounding rig. I've tried the Electra Dyne against amps that cost 3 times it's cost and it's won, for me.

The Electra Dyne sounded amazing turned up playing with a drummer. I don't at all miss carrying it around though.
I recently grabbed a used Mesa 2x12 vertical cab to go with a Mesa F30 head I have and I like it lots. The F30 is very underrated. I can get very close to Sykes and Gillis tones out of it and you can find them cheap.

Have you tried a Budda? Great sounding amps that are nice and light as the combos are made of pine. No pedals needed for gain, I actually only have the gain set at around 12:00. That's even enough gain for soloing for me (when the master is at around 10:00).

 

[tallcoolone]

What was wrong with the 5150III 50w and the matching 1x12? Sounds like it would be perfect. Very versatile: 3 channels, great fx loop, doesn't need pedals, does clean all the way to high gain, and can also run a 4x12 if needed.

As I mentioned, I am looking for a "one trip to/from the car" rig. I may have to park a half mile away, then negotiate through a packed crowd of drunks to the stage. Guitar in one hand, complete amp rig in the other.

 

[Meathead]

Right now the Mesa Rectoverb 25 and the Budda Superdrive are looking the best for my situation I think. I think I am going to stumble into a Mesa Subway Rocket this weekend so that might work as well...

The Budda's now ship new with JJ preamp and power tubes. But I think the amp sounds alot better with all Sovtek tubes for preamp and power tubes. That's what the amp was built around when it was designed.
Just a little advise if you try one loaded with JJ's...they make the amp sound a little dull and dark.

 

[mjtripper]

You already have awesome amps
Why not just get a 1x12 or 2x12 cab?

(2) 40 lb pieces is very easy to haul

If you must, you may still be able to find some of those Jet City combos at stupid low prices

Yeah I won't do the Jet City thing, can't get past the "budget" rep. Hear they are pretty cheaply made. Guess I'm a snob LOL.

This is the situation--2 people plus our gear in a small car. Tough parking, maybe 4-5 blocks away, then up stairs to the club. Club is PACKED--no place to "store" my gear and then we have to set up, play and get off stage quickly. Need light, powerful, compact, and capable of doing White Zombie tunes without any pedals.

Jet city construction is just fine, they may be made in China but are well made. Can't help with the image thing.

 

[gibson08]

Right now the Mesa Rectoverb 25 and the Budda Superdrive are looking the best for my situation I think. I think I am going to stumble into a Mesa Subway Rocket this weekend so that might work as well...

Those two are my suggestions, you beat me to it, and that's a 30 on the SuperDrive.

 

[rlord1974]

This is the situation--2 people plus our gear in a small car. Tough parking, maybe 4-5 blocks away, then up stairs to the club. Club is PACKED--no place to "store" my gear and then we have to set up, play and get off stage quickly. Need light, powerful, compact, and capable of doing White Zombie tunes without any pedals.

Based on that description, I would argue that it's not a new amp you need, but a new gig.

 

[guitarrhino]

Fender EC Twinolux. Light for a combo and extremely versatile. Cranked, it's quiet and very reminiscent of a Marshall type of gain. Boost it with a clean boost (Fulltone OCD with the volume cranked and the drive off) and you'll be there. Very big sounding and extremely touch sensitive. For an amp with two AlNiCO speakers, the things is light.

Lastly -- the amp can her set at 20 watts as well.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd get a foldable dolly cart and roll that material
Then a tasergun to make your way through the drunk crowd

 

[nevusofota]

I'd get a foldable dolly cart and roll that material
Then a tasergun to make your way through the drunk crowd

 

[the rossness]

Marshal vintage modern combo

 

[Heritage Softail]

My Maz 38 with a dirt pedal is the grab and go combo. It will bring the thump and has great classic rock blues and dirt. The Triple Wreck Pedal does the Rectifier very well.

There are plenty of YT vids of it doing all sorts of rock.

 

[guitarrhino]

This video is the best demonstration I've seen of players using mediocre gear for amazing tones. It's brand-new from ChicagoMusicExchange. He uses a MIM Fender Strat, a MXR Custom BadA$% Distortion pedal, Cry Baby, and a Vox AC15. This setup right here, as demonstrated in the video, would give you all the hard rock tones you'd need.

 

[thiswaythatway]

This video is the best demonstration I've seen of players using mediocre gear for amazing tones. It's brand-new from ChicagoMusicExchange. He uses a MIM Fender Strat, a MXR Custom BadA$% Distortion pedal, Cry Baby, and a Vox AC15. This setup right here, as demonstrated in the video, would give you all the hard rock tones you'd need.

WOW, I think he's getting an absolute horrible tone there. It sounds like when a pedal has a dead battery in the chain.

 

[guitarrhino]

This video is the best demonstration I've seen of players using mediocre gear for amazing tones. It's brand-new from ChicagoMusicExchange. He uses a MIM Fender Strat, a MXR Custom BadA$% Distortion pedal, Cry Baby, and a Vox AC15. This setup right here, as demonstrated in the video, would give you all the hard rock tones you'd need.

WOW, I think he's getting an absolute horrible tone there. It sounds like when a pedal has a dead battery in the chain.

You're totally in the minority though. Watching this after band practice and everyone agreed the tones were good to decent. I haven't seen that much hate on the 'Tube either. To each their own though. I thought the MXR's distortion sounded a touch harsh, but I doubt it sound that way in a live mix. Funny how we hear things differently. I like my tones more, but I definitely didn't think the video's tones were lacking.

 

[bonedarrell]

I just picked up one of these for the exact same reasons you are looking for. These things are the best sounding high gain one twelve combo I could find. I love mine!

 

[tallcoolone]

Thanks for all the responses--I had to laugh at most of them though. I mean I couldn't have been more clear on the parameters I was looking for and damn if just about everyone ignored most of them lol. Say I am looking for a combo? Half dozen people tell me a head cab is "better" (which I obviously already realize since I have 5 amp heads). Specifically say I want a 40 lb amp? Dozen people recommend 100lb amps. Say I want an amp that can do high gain without pedals? Dozen people tell me to use pedals.

From what I can see, the Budda and the Mesa 25 fit the bill...

 

[King Guitar]

Sent ya a PM, have this and its what you need.

 

[Chris6870]

The Laney Tony Iommi 15 watt combo and the IRT 30 looks very good.

 

[philb]

This video is the best demonstration I've seen of players using mediocre gear for amazing tones. It's brand-new from ChicagoMusicExchange. He uses a MIM Fender Strat, a MXR Custom BadA$% Distortion pedal, Cry Baby, and a Vox AC15. This setup right here, as demonstrated in the video, would give you all the hard rock tones you'd need.

WOW, I think he's getting an absolute horrible tone there. It sounds like when a pedal has a dead battery in the chain.

Agreed, this sounds terrible.