J
jco5055
Member
Hey guys,
In a couple months I will be receiving my "Dream" guitar (an Aristides 070), so I figured it was also about time I upgraded my amp. What I currently have is a Marshall Valvestate 8100. After lurking on these forums, I think I've deduced what I'm interested in, though if I've missed any feel free to add your choices. My budget is around $4000, like I'd say my budget is unlimited except for those extremely rare/special edition stuff that can be like $10k+. I was also thinking of probably buying new, or at the very least not just trying to scour Reverb and wait for some special Cameron or other amp that's discontinued.
What I've thought so far is:
Mesa Mark V
Revv 120 Generator
KSR Colossus
Diezel Hagen
Bogner Helios Eclipse
Fortin (I messaged them and was told they are coming out with all new models soon)
Mezzabarba MZERO Overdrive
Wizard MTL
Henning Cherry Bomb
Fryette Pitbull
Carol-Ann Tucana 3 or Triptik 2
The Mark V is the only one I've tried in person, and I don't see a situation where I get to try the others unfortunately.
I want a versatile amp that lets me play everything from Death Metal to R&B or even Jazz, basically whatever creative ideas I have would not be hampered by having the wrong amp. In general I'd say my default writing is like Van Halen-esque in terms of heaviness but with a 7 string added so there are some heavy riffs. My 070 has Bare Knuckle Pickup Customs which are based on the Holy Diver in the bridge and I believe the Emerald in the neck. A lot of users who play exclusively heavy/extreme metal have stated they aren't high enough output for their needs, so my pickups are not active/EMG levels of output. I also want an amp that when playing big,complex chords each note is discernible and not muddied, and low end/palm muting is tight, but also (especially for leads) there's a warmth there, it doesn't sound sterile/cold, especially when playing a bluesy lick I want some grease, but I definitely would not say I'm a fan of "dirty" amps/tone. I also kind of default to thinking 100W is needed, but I also know that lower wattage seems to be the in-thing so any insight on that would also be appreciated. I also want an amp that will never be too "small" to use, though I know the biggest venues usually have PAs and such to help with the sound. Also it goes without saying that I want to be easily found in the mix, for example my Valvestate would easily get lost compared to my bandmate's basic Vox combo amp.
My favorite tones are those found on "over produced" almost pop at times stuff, such as the Black Album rhythm tone, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Nightwish, and "pop metal" acts like Babymetal, Amaranthe, and even just in general pop stuff like a lot of solos found on country songs or like Rascal Flatts. In keeping with the "pop/overproduced metal" theme, I also think John Sykes' tone on the self-titled Whitesnake album is great. Also think the tones on Carcass' Heartwork album are great, as well as Jeff Loomis's on Dead Heart in a Dead World and Godless Endeavor albums. Last but not least Yngwie's lead tone from the 80s I love also. I also HATE the "Wall of Sound" thing that Devin Townsend does.
For tones I don't like, I don't like the "mechanical" tone I perceive that I hear from Randy Rhoads on the first Ozzy album, Slash/GnR on the Use Your Illusion albums, and Zakk Wylde...it may be a Les Paul/Marshall thing? Also Dimebag of course, as well as Mattias Ia Enklundh has a tone that actively grates on me.
I know that for some of those a person could just suggest the gear used on those albums, but I don't want to have to buy multiple amps/combine them like a lot do on albums, as well as I feel there may be boutique options that are better than the Mesas etc used on a lot of them.
I've done a lot of lurking here, but I still feel like a complete beginner with exploring any amps beyond the most popular/well-known stuff you could buy at Musician's Friend etc, so any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
In a couple months I will be receiving my "Dream" guitar (an Aristides 070), so I figured it was also about time I upgraded my amp. What I currently have is a Marshall Valvestate 8100. After lurking on these forums, I think I've deduced what I'm interested in, though if I've missed any feel free to add your choices. My budget is around $4000, like I'd say my budget is unlimited except for those extremely rare/special edition stuff that can be like $10k+. I was also thinking of probably buying new, or at the very least not just trying to scour Reverb and wait for some special Cameron or other amp that's discontinued.
What I've thought so far is:
Mesa Mark V
Revv 120 Generator
KSR Colossus
Diezel Hagen
Bogner Helios Eclipse
Fortin (I messaged them and was told they are coming out with all new models soon)
Mezzabarba MZERO Overdrive
Wizard MTL
Henning Cherry Bomb
Fryette Pitbull
Carol-Ann Tucana 3 or Triptik 2
The Mark V is the only one I've tried in person, and I don't see a situation where I get to try the others unfortunately.
I want a versatile amp that lets me play everything from Death Metal to R&B or even Jazz, basically whatever creative ideas I have would not be hampered by having the wrong amp. In general I'd say my default writing is like Van Halen-esque in terms of heaviness but with a 7 string added so there are some heavy riffs. My 070 has Bare Knuckle Pickup Customs which are based on the Holy Diver in the bridge and I believe the Emerald in the neck. A lot of users who play exclusively heavy/extreme metal have stated they aren't high enough output for their needs, so my pickups are not active/EMG levels of output. I also want an amp that when playing big,complex chords each note is discernible and not muddied, and low end/palm muting is tight, but also (especially for leads) there's a warmth there, it doesn't sound sterile/cold, especially when playing a bluesy lick I want some grease, but I definitely would not say I'm a fan of "dirty" amps/tone. I also kind of default to thinking 100W is needed, but I also know that lower wattage seems to be the in-thing so any insight on that would also be appreciated. I also want an amp that will never be too "small" to use, though I know the biggest venues usually have PAs and such to help with the sound. Also it goes without saying that I want to be easily found in the mix, for example my Valvestate would easily get lost compared to my bandmate's basic Vox combo amp.
My favorite tones are those found on "over produced" almost pop at times stuff, such as the Black Album rhythm tone, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Nightwish, and "pop metal" acts like Babymetal, Amaranthe, and even just in general pop stuff like a lot of solos found on country songs or like Rascal Flatts. In keeping with the "pop/overproduced metal" theme, I also think John Sykes' tone on the self-titled Whitesnake album is great. Also think the tones on Carcass' Heartwork album are great, as well as Jeff Loomis's on Dead Heart in a Dead World and Godless Endeavor albums. Last but not least Yngwie's lead tone from the 80s I love also. I also HATE the "Wall of Sound" thing that Devin Townsend does.
For tones I don't like, I don't like the "mechanical" tone I perceive that I hear from Randy Rhoads on the first Ozzy album, Slash/GnR on the Use Your Illusion albums, and Zakk Wylde...it may be a Les Paul/Marshall thing? Also Dimebag of course, as well as Mattias Ia Enklundh has a tone that actively grates on me.
I know that for some of those a person could just suggest the gear used on those albums, but I don't want to have to buy multiple amps/combine them like a lot do on albums, as well as I feel there may be boutique options that are better than the Mesas etc used on a lot of them.
I've done a lot of lurking here, but I still feel like a complete beginner with exploring any amps beyond the most popular/well-known stuff you could buy at Musician's Friend etc, so any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
