High gain amp that doesn't sound harsh?

[Skeeballcore]

I’m hoping to bring my quest for an amp to an end very soon

Tones I’m a fan of :
Latter day Tool
Guns N Roses “Chinese Democracy” tones in general (don’t judge me….I really like the album and it’s got some unique tones imo)
A Perfect Circle – first album
Killswitch Engage – As Daylight Dies and their self titled album

But if I had to sum it up I’d say I’m looking for something that can do higher gain material, but doesn’t sound harsh. That’s the problems I’ve had w/ the Mesas below. A decent clean channel is a plus; good mid-gain sounds are a BIG plus

I’ve had/have
- Mesa 2 channel Dual Rec – not bad, but too fizzy regardless of how I dialed it in and how loud it was, never found a mid-gain tone on it that I cared for, same for below
- Mesa 3 channel Dual Rec – same as above though more tubby than the 2 channel, maybe more fizzy than the 2 channel though
- EVH 5150 III 50w – Definitely has a clearer and more pleasant tone, but it has this “roundness” in the tone that I just cannot dial out. I don’t know if the 100w has the same “problem” but it keeps me from loving the amp. Also kind of lacking in the low end for my tastes
- Peavey 5150/5150II – great for metal, but generally noisy (lots of hiss) and just not as refined as some of the other amps I’ve played and heard; clean channel is usable and mid gain tones were just ok.

Amps I’ve heard/heard of and am interested in:
-VHT/Fryette Pitbull and Sig X
-Diezel Einstein
-Framus
-Orange amps
-Engl Amps
-Bogner (the Shiva cleans are my favorite tone I’ve heard live, but can’t speak for the gain channel)
- maybe a Mesa Mark series but I’m not sure; my Mesa experience has been spotty

The problems are:
- None of these amps are nearby to try. Some of them are even hard to find to buy online it seems.
- I only have $1600 at the very most, $1000-1400 is preferred

So, anyone have any pointers, places I should look, or places I can hear good examples of the amps listed above?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[reverymike]

I think you're describing a Bogner 101b, but then I saw your budget.

 

[Skeeballcore]

I think you're describing a Bogner 101b, but then I saw your budget.

Yep. I'd love one but can't justify that kind of dough

 

[VH4_BigRig]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "harsh"? For me, when I hear that word in relation to amps, I think that they either have treble that is hard on the ears, or lots of high mids that you can't seem to dial out. I associate "harsh" with "too bright" and using that logic the first amps that stick out to me on your list are Orange and Bogner. If 1600 is your budget you might want to give the Orange amps a go first and go from there? Check out Fluff's videos, he's demoed a bunch of high gain amps and might help you get what you're after!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... D3B03C785B

Cheers!

 

[sleewell2]

I love my sig x. I would also recommend the fuchs viper.

 

[maddnotez]

From the amps you listed and the budget I would go with the Sig X.

 

[severinsteel]

Boogie Mark IIc+, Naylor Super Drive, Friedman
Modded Marshalls.

 

[Velvetgeorge]

Use most any of those heads listed and patch a parametric EQ in the loop. Sweep around until you find the harsh frequency and make a deep cut. Then, narrow the width of the cut until only the harsh part is gone.

A graphic EQ can work also, but is limited to fixed frequencies. Fortunately, you will find harshness at the standard freq's: 3.1k, 4k and so on.

george

 

[Elric]

A lot of the examples you cited are highly polished recordings. They almost certainly come down to speaker/cab selection, settings, and WAY more importantly production/recording technique. I'll bet the vast majority of them are triple tracked (or more) with significantly lower gain than you dial on any of your amps when playing alone. There is no excuse for not being able to get a great high gain recording with a good Dual Rect, may not be everyone's exact dream tone but should not be harsh.

But, yeah, since it's your coin, I totally think you should drop another $2K on a boutique tube head; because those four amps you have just don't cut it.

 

[cardinal]

What cab are you using? Those are some nice amps and industry staples that you didn't like...

 

[Skeeballcore]

What cab are you using? Those are some nice amps and industry staples that you didn't like...

Mesa rectifier 2x12 with v30s.

Even in video or sound clips where others play with these amps the same characteristics I don't like shine through to me. So I'm not looking to make what I have sound better as I feel the root tone of the amps is what I find unattractive. I've tried eq's in the loops of the Mesas and Peaveys, not really a big change especially with the Mesas as there is a good bit of tone suck that happens with them when the loop is engaged.

 

[cardinal]

Well, all I can think is to try a Diezel Einstein (VH4 might be better, but not in yor budget). The Diezel tone is inherently polished and if it sounds harsh to you, maybe take up the bass

(BTW I'd also try playing with a nicer 4x12 as I find 2x12s, including the Recto 2x12, to be hollow in the middle with too much top and bottom end. A 4x12 will sound warmer IME).

 

[harsh59]

Maybe a Carvin Legacy III .

 

[K-Roll]

hmmm framus cobra, used?
the new laney iommi sounds good the guys in KSE recently both made a swap and they prefer the more vintage flavor boosted up front. apprantly it retains the fat/high attack character better than using a tight super gainy amp and boosting that one further.

 

[Kelly]

What cab are you using? Those are some nice amps and industry staples that you didn't like...

Mesa rectifier 2x12 with v30s.

There's your problem, especially if they aren't very well broken in. Many people find the V30s harsh.

 

[Rdodson]

Ditto. Swap 1 of those V30s for a CL80. THD used this combo in their top-of-class 2x12 and it was anything but harsh.

What cab are you using? Those are some nice amps and industry staples that you didn't like...

Mesa rectifier 2x12 with v30s.

There's your problem, especially if they aren't very well broken in. Many people find the V30s harsh.

 

[FourT6and2]

I know this is incredibly self-serving, but...

Peters.

I have a two-channel Peters GNL for sale in the classified section. It can do high-gain, low-gain, mid-gain, metal, classic rock, whatever. It can be dialed in harsh or smooth or raw etc. And it's within your price range. The GNL has a unique bark/growl. It has zero fizz. It's quiet. Good master. Solid loop. Better than the Diezels I had. Can get you good tones in the camp of Tool/KSE/APC, etc. without problem.

 

[glip22]

I know this is incredibly self-serving, but...

Peters.

I have a two-channel Peters GNL for sale in the classified section. It can do high-gain, low-gain, mid-gain, metal, classic rock, whatever. It can be dialed in harsh or smooth or raw etc. And it's within your price range. The GNL has a unique bark/growl. It has zero fizz. It's quiet. Good master. Solid loop. Better than the Diezels I had. Can get you good tones in the camp of Tool/KSE/APC, etc. without problem.

1400 for a Peters is a great deal There you go OP. I would jump if I were looking in this price range. James builds some killer PTP quality amps.

 

[Rdodson]

I think those Peters amps are really intriguing. I'd love to hear them in contexts other than metal.

 

[FourT6and2]

I think those Peters amps are really intriguing. I'd love to hear them in contexts other than metal.

No.