Looking for a brutal high gainer!

[MetalGOD84]

The Original 50 Watter is the most organic of the Bunch. The Stealth 100 is pretty plastic.
My suggestion is: Get a pre 2022 JCM800 2203 and treat it with pedals.

Just curious, why pre-2022 ?

The JCM 800 with aggressive boosts can get very nasty.

 

[311boogieman]

Nice

Orion

 

[Redneckstomp]

Just curious, why pre-2022 ?

The JCM 800 with aggressive boosts can get very nasty.

Maybe the Vietnamese transformer issue.

 

[Smash]

Nice

That sounds SOO 3D and powerful. Gotta grab one of these

 

[peterc52]

Do you have the Uber Ultra? I went back and forth on it for a few weeks doing the love/hate thing. Then I finally A/B'ed it to the Synergy Uberschall module and it was no contest. The Synergy ultimately sent it packing. I had the KT88 version, and it's very possible that I would have liked a different power section better.

its a original revision uber with el34

 

[FourT6and2]

KSR

 

[Brandonrz]

Do you have the Uber Ultra? I went back and forth on it for a few weeks doing the love/hate thing. Then I finally A/B'ed it to the Synergy Uberschall module and it was no contest. The Synergy ultimately sent it packing. I had the KT88 version, and it's very possible that I would have liked a different power section better.

The uber ultra is a bit weird to dial in. The NFB knob and metamorph switching pending where you have the tight mode can definitely make it sound bad. With the right settings totally crushes.

Maybe try a recto with a TC style boost?

 

[311boogieman]

Maybe try a recto with a TC style boost?

@Meeotch said "but wanting a different flavor than Marshall or Mesa"

But good point on Recto

 

[rsm]

 

[Meeotch]

KSR

You're the first to mention KSR. I tried a Gemini a while ago and thought it was cool, kinda dark though. Which KSR would you recommend?

I'm looking for bright, tight, and gobs of gain. I think the Hermansson makes the most sense, but it would be nice to not spend $4k!

 

[FourT6and2]

You're the first to mention KSR. I tried a Gemini a while ago and thought it was cool, kinda dark though. Which KSR would you recommend?

I'm looking for bright, tight, and gobs of gain. I think the Hermansson makes the most sense, but it would be nice to not spend $4k!

Yeah, the Hermansson I tried was super bright and tight. I've never played a Wizard, but from the clips I suppose they're also on the brighter side.

KSR are in the same camp as other SLO derivatives like the Rectifier, 5150, Framus Cobra, etc. But I think they're some of the best sounding variations out there if you want something with that sound. I had an Ares and a Gemini. I guess they could be on the darker side if you dial it in that way, but they can still get plenty bright and tight with gobs of gain. The Hermansson was certainly brighter, though. Too bright for me. But if that's what you're looking for, that's the only thing that comes to mind.

The Hiwatt Super-Hi 50 can get very bright as well. I usually run the mids and treble very low. So if super bright is what you're going for, the Super-Hi might do the trick too. I actually have two of them and might sell one soon.

 

[Simon Dorn]

Just curious, why pre-2022 ?

The JCM 800 with aggressive boosts can get very nasty.

They use their inhouse made in Vietnam Transformers now. They still work i guess. The "Dagnalls" of the last 20 years before were Made in Malta. I'm ok with Dagnalls Made in Malta.

 

[DeathbyButterslax]

The other 5150s aren't better than the original 50 Watters.
Regarding the Engl: If you know one you know all.
I find the EVH Amp line a bit more raw and organic. The Engls are simply too flat soundwise.
You might wanna check out Lenz Amplification.
The Octane is pretty good. Ask @DeathbyButterslax he has mine now.
I think one is for sale here.

Agreed 100%, the Octane is great for brutal especially with a boost. Mids are a little lower than a regular Marshall, and the tightness range is great for dialing in pickups/tunings.

Also can’t go wrong with a Hermansson mod for this

 

[NorCal_Val]

To be honest, I have my high gain tones covered: A couple of Marks (Green Stripe ++ and IVb), a Monomyth Skeleton Key, Headfirst Alta, and a Diezel VH4. But I'm wanting something just over the top, balls to the wall chug machine. My most recent attempt was the Uber Ultra, and it was close but ultimately the voicing was too dark and messy. I'm thinking something maybe in the 5150 realm or an Engl, but I'd love to hear some suggestions. I've tried a lot of amps over the years, too many to list here, but wanting a different flavor than Marshall or Mesa.

This would be kind of a niche amp, possibly lacking in clarity or "warmth" for the sake of ultimate brutality. Part of me is thinking 5150 III 100w Stealth. I owned the original 50w and it was cool but I can relate to the "plasticy" tone that many describe. Maybe the 100w Stealth would deliver what I'm after. I've also owned an Engl Fireball 100, which was the strangest experience. For the first week it was my grail high gainer, and then 2 weeks later it was sold. Maybe I need this new Founder's Edition amp? Thanks!

If you can find one, the Randall Satan 120w is a beast. Tight as fuck, and no OD pedal needed.
Plus, the clean channel is killer.