Need direction for choosing a new amp

[MadAsAHatter]

I’m somewhat migrating over from another forum so this is my first post here. Please be gentle.

The short of it is I can get a new amp but have no idea what I want and need help gaining some focus.

Last weekend I rearranged my music room for a better setup to use the amp switcher I just purchased (DeLisle 8x8 Deluxe). With the new arrangement and shelving I ended up making space for 2-3 more amp heads and those empty spaces are killing me. Right now I’m at least window shopping for something new but I have no idea what I would actually want and my thoughts are all over the place. I also have no intended sound I’m shooting for to narrow the field. A Friedman Dirty Shirley or Runt 20 would be cool. Something from Mesa Boogie could make it to the top of the list. I was looking at the Orange Rocker Terror 15 and that caught my attention. There are a few ENGLs I wouldn’t mind having. I’ve even looked as some 0.5-1 watt tube amps with the thought of being able to push the power tubes and not blow my ears out. Those Synergy preamp modules are interesting too. Then there’s the rabbit hole of boutique amps (that are probably out of my price range).

Since I have so much going through my head I’ve also looked at modelers thinking that could be a good way of trying out a bunch of different amps. My intention would be to get a good power amp and play through a regular guitar cab. I probably wouldn’t do much with IRs, DAW, recording etc. that’s not really my thing. This may be a good way to go but not sure if an AxeFX 3 is worth the investment for mainly playing through a guitar cab or if and AxeFX 2 or Helix would work just as well. All the stuff I read focuses on recording and DAW.

Maybe if I list what I do have someone might see a gap in sounds that can be filled.

1. ENGL Steve Morse – My go to amp for everything from sparkling cleans to high gain metal
2. ENGL MetalMaster 20 – Works good for straight up metal but a bit too mid scooped for my taste. It does help tame guitars with mid heavy pickups though.
3. H&K Tubemeister 36 – I like it but it can be a hard fit. It’s hi-fi but not high gain; so a bit too hi-fi for classic rock but not high enough gain to go past hair metal. Cleans are awesome though
4. Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 – This pretty much covers it when I want that signature Peavey tone. Not exact replication of the amps, but pretty close.
*Don’t laugh at the next 2, they actually pretty great sleeper amps
5. Crate Stealth 50 – Lee Jackson design that nails the modded hot-rod JCM 800 sound
6. Crate Blue VooDoo 150 & 300 –Completely different from other Blue Voodoo models. They’re in the same camp of British Marshall tone and can go well into high gain territory without a boost.

I have no preference for new or used, older or current, and any price under $1500. Any ideas on which direction to go, any specific amps to look at, maybe throw a dart at the board and focus on wherever it lands? What would you do? Please help me gain some focus.

 

[Smash]

Wizard or Larry. I think in terms of having a great sounding amp vs having multiple amps. But if you want to go the modeller route, I can see why. I am waiting another 5-10 years to see how far they can go with it before I dip the toes in the water.

 

[glpg80]

Welcome!!!

There’s a lot of experience with the type of amps you prefer on the forum. I expect you’ll find out what you prefer next with a bit of guidance.

I see you like the lunchbox amps and have a lot of them. What is it that you’re looking for that the others don’t do? Are you positive it isn’t instead a 4x12 cabinet you’d like to have instead? Just curious as to what you’re looking for sound wise instead of approaching it from a XXXX name sounds like a good idea type of viewpoint?

 

[Manxmusicman]

Have a look at the Bogner 3534, it’s a pretty versatile amp that covers a lot of ground.

 

[Smash]

Welcome!!!

There’s a lot of experience with the type of amps you prefer on the forum. I expect you’ll find out what you prefer next with a bit of guidance.

I see you like the lunchbox amps and have a lot of them. What is it that you’re looking for that the others don’t do? Are you positive it isn’t instead a 4x12 cabinet you’d like to have instead? Just curious as to what you’re looking for sound wise instead of approaching it from a XXXX name sounds like a good idea type of viewpoint?

That's a great point. A new 4x12 is a sexy thing. And can make a huge difference on the sound of an amp.

 

[311boogieman]

Welcome to Rig-Talk

I read that kind of quickly but surmised that you want a new (new or used) amp and your budget is $1,500.

But what kind of music will you be playing through it and what do you feel you are missing now? That's the question.

Right? Spanning from Freidman to Mesa to Orange is def dart throwing. Those are all so different. So maybe focus on the tonal changes you are looking for. Give us bands or guitar players you like and that will help us more. Otherwise, I'd say you have a pretty nice stable going there. Once I locked in on wanting a marshally base and a recto base covered my hunt was over....for now

Can't help on the modelling stuff but I do also have a Peavey Vypyr 60 like you. Nothing wrong with the Stealth or the BV either. Most stuff I read from people on the modelers is that they are great at what they do but people end up tweaking and downloading etc and not playing as much so that is a rabbit hole I decided not to go down.

 

[TheToneDig]

Line6 Helix Stomp + Line6 Native Discount. Use that until you find the amp profile and rig chain that you enjoy the most and then go and try and replicate that setup with the real deal. Here comes the cherry next. Use BOTH systems. Wet/Dry/Wet etc.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Welcome!!!

There’s a lot of experience with the type of amps you prefer on the forum. I expect you’ll find out what you prefer next with a bit of guidance.

I see you like the lunchbox amps and have a lot of them. What is it that you’re looking for that the others don’t do? Are you positive it isn’t instead a 4x12 cabinet you’d like to have instead? Just curious as to what you’re looking for sound wise instead of approaching it from a XXXX name sounds like a good idea type of viewpoint?

Welcome to Rig-Talk

I read that kind of quickly but surmised that you want a new (new or used) amp and your budget is $1,500.

But what kind of music will you be playing through it and what do you feel you are missing now? That's the question.

Right? Spanning from Freidman to Mesa to Orange is def dart throwing. Those are all so different. So maybe focus on the tonal changes you are looking for. Give us bands or guitar players you like and that will help us more. Otherwise, I'd say you have a pretty nice stable going there. Once I locked in on wanting a marshally base and a recto base covered my hunt was over....for now

Can't help on the modelling stuff but I do also have a Peavey Vypyr 60 like you. Nothing wrong with the Stealth or the BV either. Most stuff I read from people on the modelers is that they are great at what they do but people end up tweaking and downloading etc and not playing as much so that is a rabbit hole I decided not to go down.

Thanks for the welcomes from everyone thus far. Sounds like I'll fit in nicely here.

I guess my style could be described as Puppets era James Hetfield type rhythm meets folk metal but someone messed with the EQ and set it for mid focused 70's classic rock.

I'm pretty good on speaker cabs, I have a couple of 4x12s and several 2x12 all with different speakers from V30 to greenback types. My home made 2x12 with a WGS retro-30 & ET-65 mix is my favorite. It ended up thicker sounding and projects more than any 4x12 I've played. I think I somehow messed up in the right way and got the dimensions right for it to sound great.

I still have modelers in the back of my mind but really don't think they're right for me at this time. I'd end up going down the rabbit hole of tweaking, not playing. If I went that route I'd want something simple with a small group of good amp models that I didn't have to mess with minute details getting to a certain sound.

I'm not looking for anything in particular sound wise. The amps I have now pretty much cover the music I mostly play and I have my go to amp (ENGL Steve Morse) that will likely remain at the top of the food chain for the foreseeable future. So I don't feel like I'm lacking anything but wouldn't be opposed to getting something different than what I have now. Once I rearranged the shelving units for my amps it now has space for at least 2 more. I guess it comes down to the empty space is bugging me and GAS is starting to take hold seeing that.

Wizard or Larry. I think in terms of having a great sounding amp vs having multiple amps.

A Larry or Wizard even used will most likely be out of my price range, but this is the idea I have been migrating towards. Instead of a versatile jack of all trades, go for a one trick pony that is a grand master of that trick. Or something along the lines of an amp that has a unique characteristic that stands out. I'm just not sure what one trick or unique flavor I want. It may be one of those once I hear it I'll know it things.

 

[shamrocka]

Really tough question with those very different amps but I will say that I have several heads but also run a Fractal FM9 into a tube rack poweramp into a Mesa 2x12 and the results are amazing. I can’t quite get the same results through monitors or an FRFR cab I have. You could get yourself a used fractal FM3 for about $800-$900 right now and use the rest of the $1500 on a good poweramp and I think you’d be very happy with the results and get to try the flavors of those different amp companies. It won’t have all of the amps you listed but has a good representation of several amps.

 

[311boogieman]

So half the desire is to fill space in your shelves? And you actually need two amp heads? Did I read that right?

I am assuming your Steve Morse cops really good MOP tones? I was thinking something Marshally but I think it has more to do with what you are missing? I mean, I got my Mesa Rectoverb super cheap at GC ($500) and you could almost get a used Splawn for $1,000 so that is what I would do with the money . I know. Not that helpful

 

[ClintN667]

I’m somewhat migrating over from another forum so this is my first post here. Please be gentle.

The short of it is I can get a new amp but have no idea what I want and need help gaining some focus.

Last weekend I rearranged my music room for a better setup to use the amp switcher I just purchased (DeLisle 8x8 Deluxe). With the new arrangement and shelving I ended up making space for 2-3 more amp heads and those empty spaces are killing me. Right now I’m at least window shopping for something new but I have no idea what I would actually want and my thoughts are all over the place. I also have no intended sound I’m shooting for to narrow the field. A Friedman Dirty Shirley or Runt 20 would be cool. Something from Mesa Boogie could make it to the top of the list. I was looking at the Orange Rocker Terror 15 and that caught my attention. There are a few ENGLs I wouldn’t mind having. I’ve even looked as some 0.5-1 watt tube amps with the thought of being able to push the power tubes and not blow my ears out. Those Synergy preamp modules are interesting too. Then there’s the rabbit hole of boutique amps (that are probably out of my price range).

Since I have so much going through my head I’ve also looked at modelers thinking that could be a good way of trying out a bunch of different amps. My intention would be to get a good power amp and play through a regular guitar cab. I probably wouldn’t do much with IRs, DAW, recording etc. that’s not really my thing. This may be a good way to go but not sure if an AxeFX 3 is worth the investment for mainly playing through a guitar cab or if and AxeFX 2 or Helix would work just as well. All the stuff I read focuses on recording and DAW.

Maybe if I list what I do have someone might see a gap in sounds that can be filled.

1. ENGL Steve Morse – My go to amp for everything from sparkling cleans to high gain metal
2. ENGL MetalMaster 20 – Works good for straight up metal but a bit too mid scooped for my taste. It does help tame guitars with mid heavy pickups though.
3. H&K Tubemeister 36 – I like it but it can be a hard fit. It’s hi-fi but not high gain; so a bit too hi-fi for classic rock but not high enough gain to go past hair metal. Cleans are awesome though
4. Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 – This pretty much covers it when I want that signature Peavey tone. Not exact replication of the amps, but pretty close.
*Don’t laugh at the next 2, they actually pretty great sleeper amps
5. Crate Stealth 50 – Lee Jackson design that nails the modded hot-rod JCM 800 sound
6. Crate Blue VooDoo 150 & 300 –Completely different from other Blue Voodoo models. They’re in the same camp of British Marshall tone and can go well into high gain territory without a boost.

I have no preference for new or used, older or current, and any price under $1500. Any ideas on which direction to go, any specific amps to look at, maybe throw a dart at the board and focus on wherever it lands? What would you do? Please help me gain some focus.

The Kemper helped me figure out what I like. If we are being honest most amps sound pretty close to each other and if you boost them they sound even closer. I have discovered I just need a hot rodded marshall type, a Mesa Mark series, a 5150 flavor and something Orange flavored for doomy stuff.

What kinds of tones are you looking for? Is there a particular band or Genre that you feel like you need an amp to fit? I have a KSR Ares, a Mesa Mark IV, and a Monomyth Skeleton Key which cover most of my favorite tones but I needed a 5150/6505 so I have one on order then I'm building another JCM800 2204 cause I wanted something that I could just jam some classic rock/ alternative etc.

It really comes down as to what you feel like you are missing. I have went through a shit ton of amps the past 4 years of swapping and now I have went back and bought representations of amps I had a few years ago. I defined my needs the tones I wanted, ability to plug straight into an amp with no pedals, and watts/tube power section I wanted then went from there.

I've owned the Kemper, Quad Cortex, and 3 HX stomps. I just bought the HX Stomp for the 3rd time to use just to play in my DAW and for effects with the 4cm. That device may not be the best of the group but its ease of use, cost, and features better suited me vs the others. Although once we get a few more updates on the Quad Cortex I will be buying another one.

 

[Smash]

Thanks for the welcomes from everyone thus far. Sounds like I'll fit in nicely here.

I guess my style could be described as Puppets era James Hetfield type rhythm meets folk metal but someone messed with the EQ and set it for mid focused 70's classic rock.

I'm pretty good on speaker cabs, I have a couple of 4x12s and several 2x12 all with different speakers from V30 to greenback types. My home made 2x12 with a WGS retro-30 & ET-65 mix is my favorite. It ended up thicker sounding and projects more than any 4x12 I've played. I think I somehow messed up in the right way and got the dimensions right for it to sound great.

I still have modelers in the back of my mind but really don't think they're right for me at this time. I'd end up going down the rabbit hole of tweaking, not playing. If I went that route I'd want something simple with a small group of good amp models that I didn't have to mess with minute details getting to a certain sound.

I'm not looking for anything in particular sound wise. The amps I have now pretty much cover the music I mostly play and I have my go to amp (ENGL Steve Morse) that will likely remain at the top of the food chain for the foreseeable future. So I don't feel like I'm lacking anything but wouldn't be opposed to getting something different than what I have now. Once I rearranged the shelving units for my amps it now has space for at least 2 more. I guess it comes down to the empty space is bugging me and GAS is starting to take hold seeing that.


A Larry or Wizard even used will most likely be out of my price range, but this is the idea I have been migrating towards. Instead of a versatile jack of all trades, go for a one trick pony that is a grand master of that trick. Or something along the lines of an amp that has a unique characteristic that stands out. I'm just not sure what one trick or unique flavor I want. It may be one of those once I hear it I'll know it things.

Yeah. I recommend playing a marshall. I think they are really good sounding amps and are cheaper than wizards and larrys. And you can get the jcm900 for a good price and maybe a boost that compliments it. I think most of rig talk is into modded marshall varients. You just find your flavor. I have never played a Larry. I love my wizard. But i have played some fun amps that fell in the 600$ range also.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I've been thinking about amps that don't have representation in what I have. I don't have anything that really covers Mesa Boogie territory, don't have anything Orange flavor, or anything where high gain is it's forte (I have the ENGL Metalmaster which is good for scooped, but I like more mids than it can offer).
This has lead me to circle back to the Synergy modules. I've heard positive reviews, like that the modules are designed by the actual companies they represent, and think its a cool feature as a way to add channels to your existing amp. With the IICP being released I'm thinking I can cover a chunk of what's missing representation. I was thinking about doing the SYN-2 with the IICP module covering Mesa and one like the Savage or SLO to catch the high gain region.
Any opinions or suggestions to offer on this idea?

 

[napalmdeath]

Don't discount the Fireball 25, if you want that Engl sound with power scaling and smaller footprint. Its a beast!

Synergy would definitely cover a lot of ground!

 

[Beyond Black]

You need a Mesa Mark. Shoulda hit that Mark III that was just listed for $1500.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Don't discount the Fireball 25, if you want that Engl sound with power scaling and smaller footprint. Its a beast!

Synergy would definitely cover a lot of ground!

You need a Mesa Mark. Shoulda hit that Mark III that was just listed for $1500.

Funny that you each mentioned the two amps that were making it to the top of my list. That's what starting leading me back to the Synergy; thinking between the IICP and Savage or Powerball modules I could basically have both in one amp.

Here's crazy thought... Get a Fireball (25 or 100) plus the Savage & Powerball modules, hook it all together and make an ultimate ENGL amp. A Savage Power Fire Ball!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Mesa Mark III or a Fryette of some sort, or if you have the coin try a Wizard. You've got the "polished/ Processed" Engl tone covered, so maybe it's time to go for the raw and rowdy type.