Looking to buy first tube amp

[Icipher]

Hello! This is my first post here. I'm looking for an amp but I'm afraid I'm kind of ignorant as to what to get.

I am wanting to buy my first tube amp. I have a Peavey VIP 2 right now. I bought a 2x12 cabinet off a friend now I need an amp. I've been saving and want to buy a real amp! I'd like to find something around the $1000 mark. I like to play power metal mostly and some thrash and melo death. I love playing stuff like Helloween to Arch Enemy and some Dark Tranquillity. I'm not so good at doing the leads or solos so I do mainly the rhythm parts. I'd like to find an amp thats good for those styles that sounds really powerful and full. If anyone can help I really appreciate it!!

 

[rottingcorpse]

Used 5150/6505. Grab a boost pedal for the front end,and a 10 band graphic eq in the loop. Add a decimator g-string to keep it all silent. All in you will be under a grand for a known great metal tone that is reliable.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Another vote for a 5150/6505. I've been through many many amps with most of them falling in the "boutique" realm, and I just grabbed a 6505 this week and it is simply amazing. Smokes about every amp I've had in the past. It'll do those tones all day and for WELL under $1000 used its a no brainer. Wish I would have listened to those that told me this 15 years ago...hahahaha!

 

[Icipher]

If I'm not mistaken Arch Enemy used to use 5150. No idea what they use anymore tho, I really liked that sound for sure! Does either 5150 or 6505 stand out from each other?

 

[Markedman]

MESA/Boogie Mark V25. Unlimited versatility. IMO the peavey shit is not as good as Boogie shit. You won't need a tone sucking decimater or EQ pedal either.

Resale is 100% when buying M/B used, unless you're like me and buy low, sell high on every M/B I've ever owned.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

Hello! This is my first post here. I'm looking for an amp but I'm afraid I'm kind of ignorant as to what to get.

I am wanting to buy my first tube amp. I have a Peavey VIP 2 right now. I bought a 2x12 cabinet off a friend now I need an amp. I've been saving and want to buy a real amp! I'd like to find something around the $1000 mark. I like to play power metal mostly and some thrash and melo death. I love playing stuff like Helloween to Arch Enemy and some Dark Tranquillity. I'm not so good at doing the leads or solos so I do mainly the rhythm parts. I'd like to find an amp thats good for those styles that sounds really powerful and full. If anyone can help I really appreciate it!!

What 2x12 did you get?

 

[Giga.Blast]

Hello!

Based on your budget and your playing style, the Peavey 6505+ should give you much joy. It is considered by many metalheads amongst you as the quintessential metal amp. New you can get them for $1300, used under $1000 for sure.

Suggestion: As you describe this as your "first real amp" (whichever amp you decide), I strongly recommend that you pair it up with a speaker cab that was specifically designed by the manufacturer for the amp you purchase.

Beware: GAS is imbedded into this website. Surfer discretion is advised!

Good luck!

 

[maddnotez]

Can't go wrong with the 5150 but with what you mentioned and you budget for whatever reason I want to recommend a VHT. You can find a used Deliverance 60 (maybe even a 120 with some luck and patience) around the $1k mark.

Just keep in mind whatever amp you buy to try and budget new tubes. I personally always plan to buy new tubes when buying an amp new or used and if I happen to get lucky without any tube issues after a delivery I am a happy man.

Also a worthy edit. I am not sure what kind of firepower you need but the PRS MT15 is a KILLER cheap metal amp and I would take one over a 5150 for sure and I have owned both. The only problems IMo with that amp are the cleans are kind of meh (same with peavey) and it is tiny. It gets loud but it does not have 100w of headroom and I would not consider it a great amp for power metal. But for the price and your budget you could buy te PRS, a used Crate Stealth and new tubes.

 

[napalmdeath]

MESA/Boogie Mark V25. Unlimited versatility. IMO the peavey shit is not as good as Boogie shit. You won't need a tone sucking decimater or EQ pedal either.

Resale is 100% when buying M/B used, unless you're like me and buy low, sell high on every M/B I've ever owned.

Well, la dee fucking dah....

5150, EVH 50, Peavey Triple XXX, or JSX on the cheap.

 

[glip22]

End the thread. You have the best of the best suggestions for your first tube amp for your style.

 

[skullfxr]

End the thread. You have the best of the best suggestions for your first tube amp for your style.

Straight up this.

 

[Icipher]

I got a Avatar 2x12 with a V30 and a Creamback in it. The 5150 could be good. It sounds great in recordings but how does it sound while just playing in the same room? They sounded a little harsh from some of the videos I saw. I was reading that they are crazy loud too so maybe that 6505 Mini head could be cool? I think it sounds pretty brutal with a good mid range. A Mesa would be nice, but above my budget right now. I'm just looking for a tube amp and not having take out a loan. I did look at that PRS too. Not a bad amp!

 

[Racerxrated]

MESA/Boogie Mark V25. Unlimited versatility. IMO the peavey shit is not as good as Boogie shit. You won't need a tone sucking decimater or EQ pedal either.

Resale is 100% when buying M/B used, unless you're like me and buy low, sell high on every M/B I've ever owned.

Well, la dee fucking dah....

5150, EVH 50, Peavey Triple XXX, or JSX on the cheap.

I like my C+s and Triple Rects...they are killer amps. But, if you are in a 2 guitar band and the other player has anything resembling Marshall mids you WILL get buried. Even with a upper mid boost pedal...which I use with both. Luckily I was the only guitar player in my last band so no worries.
Mesas are killer amps no doubt. But they can be buried live.
BTW I use my Decimator pedal with everything....and have for 12 yrs. I've compared the tone with it in use, and out of the circuit completely. Maybe I have a great one but there is absolutely NO tone suck with it...compared to the Boss NS which clearly shaves some top end. And it doesn't squeak like a ZUUL.

 

[Markedman]

The PRS MT 15 that was mentioned is a great sounding amp from what I've heard on the videos. The price is right. It has 2 6L6 power tubes!

I envy you guys that have a chance to turn it up. Every place I've played lately wants transistor radio volume level. The drummer said he's had it with the quiet zone and doesn't want to do bar gigs anymore because he has to hold back so much. Blowing away the other guitar player or getting buried in the mix has never happened to me in my life, but yeah, I do use and enjoy a full size amp running at full power.

 

[Giga.Blast]

End the thread.

 

[mystixboi]

5150 iii 50 watt

 

[thisguy]

My local Craigslist has a Peavey 6505+ combo for $350. Something that would be a great option.

 

[romanianreaper]

5150 iii 50 watt

Great amp! I know we're in the minority here because most people like the 5150 or 5150 II better but for me the newer ones sound killer.

 

[sleewell2]

5150 iii 50 watt

this

 

[Giga.Blast]

5150 iii 50 watt

this

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