Opinions on super cheap amp head?

[Bloodrock]

Marshall Valvestate 8100. Killer amp for around $200. Also Peavy XXL, badass versitile SS amp for cheap. Also some good Randall's but they require EQ's to sound very good. The Marshall 8100 is a hot rodded SS version of the JCM 800. Extremely under rated amp...

 

[JTyson]

I've seen old Carvin X100B's for a couple of hundred bucks pretty often
Not bad at all for that price

 

[RJF]

For metal?

I bought a Randall Vmax for $150. I was so surprised how good it is for rhythm playing.

 

[stratotone]

Peavey Ultra all the way. You get three channels, tube, 120 watts and a fx loop.

/end thread

 

[stratjacket]

I love a Randal RH100, you can run cross them sometimes for ~$150. I had one for years, sold it and regretted. I still occasionally browse for one and would buy it if I had the chance.

 

[sivad]

Randall Warlord? or Peavey Ultra,XXX will give you what you need

 

[rlord1974]

Marshall Valvestate 8100. Killer amp for around $200. The Marshall 8100 is a hot rodded SS version of the JCM 800.

I could see this working for the OP as well.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Ipad or iphone? Get BIAS and the EH magnum 44 power amp. cheap portable and totally useable.

 

[maddnotez]

Thanks guys, great suggestions.

I'll be checking a lot of these out. EH magnum/iPad sounds cool lol. Less maintenance.

 

[stratotone]

Marshall Valvestate 8100. Killer amp for around $200. The Marshall 8100 is a hot rodded SS version of the JCM 800.

I could see this working for the OP as well.

Had one, if your drummer plays hard or you really need to crank the amp, you're going to be frustrated as hell with the 8100. The Ultra I and a few others mentioned is going to have no problem with a band situation, sounds better (I know, it's subjective) and adds an extra channel. Now, it may be really hard to find one for $200, but it's so much more amp for a few bucks more. I think to get more than what the Ultra offers you'd have to start looking at twice as much $.

 

[joepete77]

A Marshall valvestate can be picked up dirt cheap and can sound nice from the gate as a plug and play amp great for gigs.

 

[maddnotez]

I checked out all the amps on youtube. Maybe not the best clips but IMO the Peavey Ultra killed them all, even the 8100.

I'll still research for more clips but I think I am either going to buy the Peavey or hop in theJamup/Poweramp pedal train.

 

[chunktone]

Marshall Valvestate 8100. Killer amp for around $200. The Marshall 8100 is a hot rodded SS version of the JCM 800.

I could see this working for the OP as well.

Had one, if your drummer plays hard or you really need to crank the amp, you're going to be frustrated as hell with the 8100. The Ultra I and a few others mentioned is going to have no problem with a band situation, sounds better (I know, it's subjective) and adds an extra channel. Now, it may be really hard to find one for $200, but it's so much more amp for a few bucks more. I think to get more than what the Ultra offers you'd have to start looking at twice as much $.

Ya, I would avoid these as well. The other guitarist in my old band bought one. He used it for one gig and returned it. They sound ok but really can't cut it in a live context, unless it's a fairly low volume band. Much better options out there.

 

[guitarmike]

If I HAD to buy cheap I would get an Ampeg VL series head. Keep it on the clean channel and add a distortion pedal and you are good to go.

 

[lessthan12]

My friends shop has clearanced out a Peavey 5150 II for $275. Needs tubes though

 

[the rossness]

If I was going to go cheap, really cheap, I'd look at these-
1) Line 6 Spider Valve
2) Dean Dime amp head
3) Laney Pro Tube

 

[rrguitar]

Member sixxvanrose here, was selling his ultra+ should check to see if he still has it. I think he was selling his for $250.00

He had lots of good reviews on it !

 

[Holy Schnikes]

Peavey Ultra+ usually goes for around 300. Awesome amp regardless of price

Agreed.

 

[Schaf]

My friends shop has clearanced out a Peavey 5150 II for $275. Needs tubes though

Dang, I would buy that. PM me with details?

 

[Invidious]

My friends shop has clearanced out a Peavey 5150 II for $275. Needs tubes though

Dang, I would buy that. PM me with details?

wow,,, yeah get on that asap...

I bought my son a Bugera head and cab used for what I think was $450, the cab was junk but the head sounded really good when I put an OD in front of it and let him use my mesa 2x12. They have some internal overheating issues if you are pushing them hard but for the price, they sound really great.