Power Amps - whaddya know?

[Ventura]

Well, well, well... Here I am, the guy who said he'd steer clear of any "pre" and ALWAYS go with a head + cab design. So it goes, I just placed an order for a Mak 4 today because, well, quite honestly it'll be cheaper than buying both the Dorado and the Makoplex

ANYWAY, what's out there for power amps? I have a feeling the Mako's are going to take some time to get on with, and the pre is only going to be about 8-10 weeks, so I'll want something to power it before the Mako amps hit the circuit. I may even keep what I get in the meantime.

I've always had a thing for the Marshall EL34 50/50 or 100/100 amps. I know there's a host of others out there too. Tell me your thoughts and recommendations on them as eventually, I'll need to pull the trigger on something for this Mak 4. You read correctly, by the way - 50/50 - what's appealing about this is the saturation I can get without blowing my legs off. But I'm not stuck on mid powered amps, I'll read and take into account every opinion and recommendation given. Next question is tubesets - since I kinda heard the Makoplex was the biz with the Dorado a very, very close 2nd, I'd probably side with the Mako's original design and go with EL34's. But I'm not stuck on this either - 6550's, EL34's, KT88's, just probably NOT 6L6's.

Peace,
V.

PS - and while you're at it, what about studio racks? Doesn't need heavy duty shock proofing - 1" max. Thanks!

 

[CaseyCor]

If your looking for lots of options when it comes to tube types, then check out the Randall RT2/50. Takes any tube you throw at it, 2 sides switchable via MIDI to change tube types on the fly. Can program the Mako side to use 34's,and the Dorado to use KT88's, for instance.

 

[Ventura]

Nice suggestion - how's the quality?

V.

 

[Juggernaut]

gonna need fx???

 

[CaseyCor]

Nice suggestion - how's the quality?

V.

I've never had trouble with the few I've used. Never owned one myself, but I've played through a few. Mm sure there are some people here who can attest to the quality of the RT/RM stuff. The RT is the power amp Randall makes to go with the RM4, the pre-amp version of their Modular Amps line. Same stuff as Egnater does with the MOD series.

 

[Little B]

Well, from "if money's no object " ,and on down the line........
Vht's 2150, classic,and 2-90-2, and 2-50-2,
Bogner's- if theyd ever make it to retail stores,
Mesa/boogie strategy 500, and 400, then simul 2-90-2
Marshall's 50 and 100 watters, and theres more great ones that could be commented on...
My 3 favs are,Vht's classic and 2150, and Mesa Strategy 500...and yes, they are big time powerful and loud, but not "ear unfriendly"loud, but musical and toneful loud..I can get these amps turned up no problem, but I imagine not everyone has that senario for themselves to crank it up....lots of these amps have 1/2 power switches, but it does change the tone some....I can tell you that through trial and error, and a fair amount of live band and studio time acquired,(user hard-n heavy will verify also), that playing a 150- 200 wtt amp such as a Deizel Herbert or Mesa Coliseum, or Triple rectifier, or other just has a "quality" to the tone that some say only comes from that kind of power-It does not mean youre peeling the paint off the walls with such power and its not practical..There are merits for it, just as there is for 15-30 wtt amps too...have fun and enjoy whatever you decide!

 

[Ventura]

gonna need fx???

No rack FX... All on board in front and some in a loop (DD and Reverb). That's about it.

Thanks!
V.

 

[Ventura]

Well, from "if money's no object " ,and on down the line........
Vht's 2150, classic,and 2-90-2, and 2-50-2,
Bogner's- if theyd ever make it to retail stores,
Mesa/boogie strategy 500, and 400, then simul 2-90-2
Marshall's 50 and 100 watters, and theres more great ones that could be commented on...
My 3 favs are,Vht's classic and 2150, and Mesa Strategy 500...and yes, they are big time powerful and loud, but not "ear unfriendly"loud, but musical and toneful loud..I can get these amps turned up no problem, but I imagine not everyone has that senario for themselves to crank it up....lots of these amps have 1/2 power switches, but it does change the tone some....I can tell you that through trial and error, and a fair amount of live band and studio time acquired,(user hard-n heavy will verify also), that playing a 150- 200 wtt amp such as a Deizel Herbert or Mesa Coliseum, or Triple rectifier, or other just has a "quality" to the tone that some say only comes from that kind of power-It does not mean youre peeling the paint off the walls with such power and its not practical..There are merits for it, just as there is for 15-30 wtt amps too...have fun and enjoy whatever you decide!

Killer info... THANK YOU.

My goal is a 50 to 100 watt per side amp, very neutral sounding (to bring out the best in the Mak 4) and solid. As in - no issues, no breakdowns, simple to re-tube, re-bias, etc. Hell, maybe even one that can handle a variety of tubes. The Randall sounds like it's all that and then some, but i know NOTHING of Randalls. I do know the 50/50 and 100/100 are decent amps, and the VHT is also a commonly discussed unit.

So that's really it - neutral, clean, and solid.

I'm thankful for the 411 thus far...

Peace,
V.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

I did a lot of research, and I decided on an RT2/50, but money was an issue so I ended up buying a Marshall 9005 instead. It sounds great, but it does not bias too good. I am thinking about moding the bias circuit so that it will work better. But for $300 I can't complain too much. If you want something that will not color the sound too much a Carvin TS100 is suposed to be a very clean power amp, and used they sell for about $300-$350. There is one on HC right now for that price.

Part of why I decided to get a cheap power amp is that it will be very easy to sell once the Mako comes out

 

[roadifier]

If you can, this would be an awesome power amp

It is two power sections of a triple rectifier.
Sounds really thick and good. Lots of headroom.

 

[Ventura]

Part of why I decided to get a cheap power amp is that it will be very easy to sell once the Mako comes out

SMART thinking...!!

Thsu far I've found very little on the VHT's, I've researched the Mesa's, Marshalls, Randalls, etc. I am in NO rush, obviously, for a power amp as hell, the pre won't be here till the new year anyway... And even if it is, I won't be really able to play it until things get turned around here in my world... Nevertheless, good point - and thanks for the info. I'm still a but perplexed that I just dropped the hammer on something I know very little about (Mak 4), but between knowing that I loved the 'rado and the 'plex tones, and seeing as the pre-order was going to get shut down soon, and the price was - good - I just said F-it, get one. Don't like it? Return it.

Peace,
V.

PS - the post about the Coliseum just came in - thank you... I'm going to research a mess of these and see where it goes. Am I right to assume a lot of poweramp do NOT have loops? No worries - I can deal. But thanks for all the info thus far

 

[JTyson]

I just scored a mint Marshall 100/100 from Psychodave to use with the Langner preamp, its the 2nd one I've had, I love those things. They sound fantastic, have voicing options for each channel, and run forever. You can also run one side only and save output tubes if you want to, each side is switchable on/off. They have link jacks to run both sides together if desired, and the voicing options are switchable also
There are a few available here on the forum for very reasonable prices

 

[rlord1974]

I use a Marshall 9200, which is the the earlier version of the 100/100 - difference being that mine runs 5881's vs. the EL-34's.

Fantastic amp, super punchy (as you would expect from a Marshall power section) and warm.

Only downside? It weighs a ton! Over 70 lbs, to be precise. OUCH!

 

[Sixtonoize]

If I were you, I'd avoid power amps that are known for being overly tight (like VHT) and power amps that don't have depth controls.

The MAK4 is ridiculously tight, especially on the Dorado channel - IMO, it's best mated with a power amp that can contribute a little sag. I'd make sure to get something with 5881s or EL34s (or even EL84s, like the Peavey Classic 50/50). Also, try to get something with a Depth control, because the Mak4 is pretty light on the bass. I was running a parametric EQ with mine (until the EQ crapped out at a gig), and it sounded perfect with a small boost at 100hz (which, conveniently, is right around where most Deep or Resonance controls are voiced). Without the EQ, I'm needing to crank the Bass knobs on the MakoPlex and Dorado channels up to around 2:30 (and I don't really use a ton of bass). I feel like the setup had better clarity with the EQ and running the Bass knob lower.

I'm using a Carvin T100 with 5881s, and it's a good combination. I had been running the Mak4 into the power section of my UltraLead, but it was too tight to be really useful for anything other than a 2-guitar tech metal band...the Mako pre into the UL power section made my UltraLead feel like a Dual Rectifier. Seriously - it was that tight.

 

[threadkiller]

I don't know a ton about them but I have and love my Fryette 2502. However, as pointed out, they are expensive. The peavey classic 50/50 is a rock solid workhorse from what I understand and can be had cheap.

 

[gtr31]

I would go with the VHT or Randall./

FWIW I had a buddy who had a mesa 295 ..if your not playing stadiums forgot about the Colisieum you will blow a hole in the wall .
Mesa amps are ridiculously loud .there is a 295 here in Ottawa cheap that i always see circulating probably because someone buys it and then gets evicted

 

[CaseyCor]

I'm holding steady with my suggestion of the Randall. I love the idea of having so many different options available to me at such convience. 4 channels of pre-amp, plus multiple tube types, all switchable via relays on the floor, or programmable to switch simultaneously via MIDI along with effects? Fucking awesome. Makes me way I had the cash for a set up just like this. I'd get a Mesa Studio and one of Olaf's Black Tiger Pre-amps, along with the Randall. Perfect.

 

[Dimebag11]

FWIW I think I may go with a VHT 2/50/2 as I'm sure even though it's a VHT and it's known to be tight it's still loaded with EL34's which should give it some of that sag

FWIW Andrew suggested VHT or Mesa, that was it. I decided VHT strictly because of the depth control as well as other nice tone shaping options BUT, because of the uber tightness issue I didn't want the 2/90/2, so I'm going with the EL34 loaded 2/50/2.

 

[Ventura]

AWESOME feedback cats... I see, I see - depth and presence and a little voicing's a good thing eh? Well, I'm going to start doing some research on the poweramps. Randall is DULY noted, thank you. As is Marshall's 50/50 or 100/100. I'll look into Peavey as well. As for VHT/Freyette, I'm not so into ultra tight. And quite honestly, to be 100% truthful to my VANITY , I think the Marshall's look super sweet , and regardless of how much they weigh, if they're banger, they might be perfect

I'll scope around for a couple mint condy used ones... If anyone has a lead on a used poweramp that's in excellent condition, feel free to PM me.

Thanks Cats!! I'm getting more and more stoked on this notion as the days move forward!!

V.

 

[Dimebag11]

Yea, if anyone has a VHT 2/50/2 to sell I'll take it if the price is right.....although I'd rather trade my Soldano Avenger for one...otherwise I gotta wait for the Soldano to sell before I can afford the VHT Poweramp