Help picking Marshall-esque metal amp - Cameron alternative

[ironcity]

I've never owned a high gain amp, but am ready to buy one. Tone I'm most interested in is best exemplified by Megadeth's United Abominations album - especially Gears of War and Blessed Are the Dead. I may be way off, but I think it's also a pissed-off Marshall tone. Don't want to start anything here, but I think the Cameron CCV might be just what I want - played one briefly at NY Amp show, but don't really want to wait as long as it seems it will take to get one. Splawn is an obvious candidate, but the QR and Nitro have gotten mixed reviews (midrange thing that can't be dialed out on QR, and "boomy" bass and low-mids on Nitro). Definitely considering the ENGL Blackmore, OD100SE+, VHT Sig:X. Am I on the right track? Will spend $3500 if necessary.

 

[Juggernaut]

I'll cast my vote for the VHT.

 

[umm...]

I've never owned a high gain amp, but am ready to buy one. Tone I'm most interested in is best exemplified by Megadeth's United Abominations album - especially Gears of War and Blessed Are the Dead. I may be way off, but I think it's also a pissed-off Marshall tone. Don't want to start anything here, but I think the Cameron CCV might be just what I want - played one briefly at NY Amp show, but don't really want to wait as long as it seems it will take to get one. Splawn is an obvious candidate, but the QR and Nitro have gotten mixed reviews (midrange thing that can't be dialed out on QR, and "boomy" bass and low-mids on Nitro). Definitely considering the ENGL Blackmore, OD100SE+, VHT Sig:X. Am I on the right track? Will spend $3500 if necessary.

This place has clips of most of the amps that you posted, so you can see what you think sounds best.

http://www.netmusicians.org/?section2=amp

I'll cast my vote for the VHT.

Who is the chick in your avatar?

 

[jonny toetags]

I vote Splawn.
Wasn't a fan of the 2 VHT's i had. Sounded nothing to a Marshall to me.

Check out Voodoo Amps also

 

[jaybird]

Another somewhat overlooked line of amps are Conford. I haven't played one but from the clips they sound like a killer pissed off Marshall!

 

[ToneFreak]

Dave Friedman of Rack Systems does an "Angry Hippie" mod for Marshalls that will satisfy both the high gain and Marshall requirements. Give him a call to find out which models.

http://www.racksystemsltd.com

Egnater MOD 50 or MOD 100 would be my next recommendation. Bruce has some great high gain modules. I played one at NAMM... boy, what a treat. I'm not a huge channel switching fan, but Egnater certainly turned me around.

 

[Digital Jams]

Another somewhat overlooked line of amps are Conford. I haven't played one but from the clips they sound like a killer pissed off Marshall!

I love the Cornfords but their voicing imo is not classic marshall as the mids are voiced different.

Nothing wrong with a JVM to get your Marshall fix imo and the new Voodoo stuff sounds awesome as well.

 

[simbasa]

I've never owned a high gain amp, but am ready to buy one. Tone I'm most interested in is best exemplified by Megadeth's United Abominations album - especially Gears of War and Blessed Are the Dead. I may be way off, but I think it's also a pissed-off Marshall tone. Don't want to start anything here, but I think the Cameron CCV might be just what I want - played one briefly at NY Amp show, but don't really want to wait as long as it seems it will take to get one. Splawn is an obvious candidate, but the QR and Nitro have gotten mixed reviews (midrange thing that can't be dialed out on QR, and "boomy" bass and low-mids on Nitro). Definitely considering the ENGL Blackmore, OD100SE+, VHT Sig:X. Am I on the right track? Will spend $3500 if necessary.

Splawn Nitro, Voodoo V-rock off the top of my head. Most of these companies would work with you to get the voicing you want, too.

My Nitro has a quikrod midslope and el34s so it's not as dark as a stock Nitro with kt77s and the 'boomy' low end is really only when on the boosted high gain mode and that can be dialed out easily. For me it's the best Marshall style tone I have ever had. You might want to wait for a CCV if that's the tone you're looking for but don't hold your breath.....it might be awhile.

 

[simbasa]

I vote Splawn.
Wasn't a fan of the 2 VHT's i had. Sounded nothing to a Marshall to me.

Check out Voodoo Amps also

I agree...I had a JVM and a VHT CL50 with el34s at the same time and a/b'ed them. They really sound totally different to me . The Sig X even more so. VHT has it's own thing going on. Splawn is MUCH closer as is Voodoo.

 

[ironcity]

I've never owned a high gain amp, but am ready to buy one. Tone I'm most interested in is best exemplified by Megadeth's United Abominations album - especially Gears of War and Blessed Are the Dead. I may be way off, but I think it's also a pissed-off Marshall tone. Don't want to start anything here, but I think the Cameron CCV might be just what I want - played one briefly at NY Amp show, but don't really want to wait as long as it seems it will take to get one. Splawn is an obvious candidate, but the QR and Nitro have gotten mixed reviews (midrange thing that can't be dialed out on QR, and "boomy" bass and low-mids on Nitro). Definitely considering the ENGL Blackmore, OD100SE+, VHT Sig:X. Am I on the right track? Will spend $3500 if necessary.

Splawn Nitro, Voodoo V-rock off the top of my head. Most of these companies would work with you to get the voicing you want, too.

My Nitro has a quikrod midslope and el34s so it's not as dark as a stock Nitro with kt77s and the 'boomy' low end is really only when on the boosted high gain mode and that can be dialed out easily. For me it's the best Marshall style tone I have ever had. You might want to wait for a CCV if that's the tone you're looking for but don't hold your breath.....it might be awhile.

Thanks! - I'd love to do business with Scott - spoken with him several times, but never quite pulled the trigger. Would you say your Nitro sounds close to the CCV?

 

[simbasa]

I've never owned a high gain amp, but am ready to buy one. Tone I'm most interested in is best exemplified by Megadeth's United Abominations album - especially Gears of War and Blessed Are the Dead. I may be way off, but I think it's also a pissed-off Marshall tone. Don't want to start anything here, but I think the Cameron CCV might be just what I want - played one briefly at NY Amp show, but don't really want to wait as long as it seems it will take to get one. Splawn is an obvious candidate, but the QR and Nitro have gotten mixed reviews (midrange thing that can't be dialed out on QR, and "boomy" bass and low-mids on Nitro). Definitely considering the ENGL Blackmore, OD100SE+, VHT Sig:X. Am I on the right track? Will spend $3500 if necessary.

Splawn Nitro, Voodoo V-rock off the top of my head. Most of these companies would work with you to get the voicing you want, too.

My Nitro has a quikrod midslope and el34s so it's not as dark as a stock Nitro with kt77s and the 'boomy' low end is really only when on the boosted high gain mode and that can be dialed out easily. For me it's the best Marshall style tone I have ever had. You might want to wait for a CCV if that's the tone you're looking for but don't hold your breath.....it might be awhile.

Thanks! - I'd love to do business with Scott - spoken with him several times, but never quite pulled the trigger. Would you say your Nitro sounds close to the CCV?

I think it sounds closer to the CCM on the high gain from clips I have heard. Never heard any other than the Nitro in person though. You should try them if you have a chance because I know J.B. loves the Cameron tones but did not like the Nitro but I believe his was the KT77 version. Mine has plenty of juicy grinding mids. It's everything I ever wanted a hot rodded Marshall to be. The amp is just a beast!!

 

[gravfed]

I have a Blackmore, which I really really like. That said while it certainly has a Marshally vibe, I think it is darker than most of the Marshall/Splawn clips I've heard. I was in the same position as you a few months back and went with the Blackmore due to its versatility and excellent clean channel. I do think a Splawn is closer to that Marshally sound, though.

 

['63-Strat]

http://www.bebo.com/FlashBox.jsp?FlashBoxId=4088404298&



Line 6 and Rocktron...

 

[jonny toetags]

I have a Blackmore, which I really really like. That said while it certainly has a Marshally vibe, I think it is darker than most of the Marshall/Splawn clips I've heard. I was in the same position as you a few months back and went with the Blackmore due to its versatility and excellent clean channel. I do think a Splawn is closer to that Marshally sound, though.

The BM is very close to the modded Marshalls.
Hell...I had my Fireball sounding pretty close also

 

[bartmcartman]

Maybe give a 5150III a whirl as well.

 

[Flizzo]

Peters Gryphon?

 

[ironcity]

Just so I don't miss anything, can I rule out:
Bogner Uber or Xtc
Mako (plex) or Dorado
Diezel (Einstein, Herbert)
Elmwood.......??

 

[ttosh]

Another somewhat overlooked line of amps are Conford. I haven't played one but from the clips they sound like a killer pissed off Marshall!

+10,000

 

[White_Van]

Just so I don't miss anything, can I rule out:
Bogner Uber or Xtc
Mako (plex) or Dorado
Diezel (Einstein, Herbert)
Elmwood.......??

I love my Diezel, but it isn't what you would call a "rodded Marshall". It's voiced differently, much more bass, and has a different character in the mids. Great, great amp and I reccomend you try it, but I don't know if it will be specifically what you are looking for.

 

[TX6Strings]

and "boomy" bass and low-mids on Nitro).

The Nitro can be boomy but if you run it with EL34's and the bass and resonance turned down and it does a great rodded/pissed off Marshall sound. Turn the gain down a bit and it can do a thick, modern JTM sound.