Quest for a new amp

[Daverock]

Hi rigtalkers,

first post after registering, but long-time lurker and old hcaf'er

I am currently on the lookout for a new amp and am looking for a bit of feedback of other amplovers.

I play in a coverband, playing some 80-90ies rock/hardrock. My main amp at this time is a Soldano SLO,
but I am struggling a bit to make it work in my actual setting (you know, the picky loop & its location
before the tone stack). I am in need of at least 3 different sounds + solo (clean, crunch,
heavy distorted & solo volume boosted) and the SLO is really a one-trick pony in that regard.

So I decided to retire the SLO to my homestudio (because honestly, i feel the SLO shines without any kind
of pedals used with it) and lookout for something else to add to my arsenal. I'll have to say that I also
have a ENGL Victor smolski for the really heavy stuff, so I am covered on that ground for now

So what am I looking for:

- 2-3 channels
- Boost or 2nd Master volume
- Both things & fx loop should be footswitchable via midi or relays (amp gizmo is ok too)
- A bit more modern sounding then my SLO, but less aggressive then the Smolski
- Something that works in standard tuning, I don't need to downtune
- Available in Europe
- Next to a good high gain sound, Cleans & midgain should be good as well
- Not Vox or Orange (I am not too fond of their voicing)
- No Marshall ... got a JVM410HJS, don't like Marshall no more
- No friedman, i feel that my SLO covers that ground too
- Needs to be able to take pedals in the loop

Options that are flying around in my mind
- Bogner XTC (the 101b, but seems ppl are not too fond of the cleans on that model)
- Pitbull Ultralead (Not sure this is so versatile for a coverband, maybe too metal as well)
- Diezel Herbert (On paper he looks great, but I fear it will be too aggressive or bass heavy)
- Diezel Hagen (Seems more appropriate for balls out downtuned metal)
- Splawn Quickrod (awfull cleans it seems)
- Elmwood Modena M90 (Seems like a contender)
- Mesa Mark V (9 amps in 1 seems a bit much too me, not too sure about the specific higain voicing)
- Mesa Roadster (On paper seems a contender too, but a bit afraid that it is too metal as well)
- Rhodes/KSR Gemini (seems completely metal oriented to me)
- Suhr/CAA PT100 (don't know much about these, seem ok as well)
- EVH 5153 100 (a bit close to the SLO soundwise, quite expensive here in Europe for what you get imho)

Any other contenders I should look into?

 

[shadowdevourer]

VH4 maybe?

 

[roccster]

Are you only looking into high wattage amps?
If not take a look at the new Mesa Mark V - 25
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/ ... -5-25.html

If i wasn´t so damn happy with my Bogner Atma I would have looked in to this one, looks really interesting and versatile.

 

[Daverock]

I did look into the baby MkV, but only 2 channels & no 2nd master volume or solo boost (except the mid boost)

 

[roccster]

Yea I noticed that, allthough it seems to have alot, I understand what your aming at. I have had the same thoughts my self. I really like the Atma, but it also lacks the built in boost, 3 channels though so you can get far with that. But I would have loved to been able to boost each channel for soloing.

 

[JimmyBlind]

Splawn Nitro?

 

[GOHOINC]

XTC, all the way.

 

[Alex_S]

As you have some boutique stuff in your list, I dare to mention the Larry RockWizard. Unfortunately quiet expensive and rare as hell, but exactly what you are searching for...

 

[rottingcorpse]

Its not like the diezels don't have a knob to turn the bass down. Or a gain knob to dial it back. Just saying...

The diezel clean, crunch, rhythm and lead channels are all awesome things to behold. Three loops on a Herbert...two of which are switchable. The vh4 is a legendary amp. They are built like a tank, great customer service. Available in Europe.

So you would have an soldano, an engl, and a diezel. Yeah, maybe too many "heavy" amps....nah, no such thing. I would suggest the vh4. I have heard many cats pulling rock tones from them. Again, customer service would be king.

 

[jcj]

I'm going to go off list

There's a Henning Cherry Bomb in the classified section for sale at $2250; if I were looking for what you're describing, I'd grab that in a second

https://henningamps.com/cherry-bomb

About This Amp:
The Cherry Bomb is an explosion of tube tone! Don’t let the good looks fool you, this amp delivers the goods and is a veritable kitchen sink of tone tools for gigging and recording musicians. The Cherry Bomb is a 100 watt amp that features two completely independent, footswitchable channels, each of which has switchable gain modes and master volumes.



Specifications:
Two completely independent preamp channels
PLEX channel: channel master volume w/saturation 3-way switch, Internal plex jump, bass, middle, treble, gain, pre eq, boost
ROD channel: solo boost master volume w/saturation 3-way switch, channel master volume w/saturation 3-way switch, bass, middle, treble, gain
Global presence and density controls
Tube buffered, series/parallel effects loop with footswitchable on/off and send/return level
Power section 100 watt EL34
Overall master volume - Post-phase inverter master (PPIMV)
Functions on footswitch: PLEX/ROD channel select, solo boost, Loop On/Off
Adjustable line out
Description:

The PLEX channel is just what you might expect from the name and a lot more. With the channel’s saturation switch in the center “off” position, you can get everything from sweet cleans to 60s/70s classic rock tones. Set the gain up full in this channel and roll down your guitar’s volume and you’ll be blown away by how the amp cleans up, even with higher output humbuckers. Another feature of the amp is the channel jump switch, which simulates the external channel jumping commonly done with a certain late 60s English guitar amp. Now play with the saturation switch. Moving it to the right adds a bit more gain and compression putting you squarely in “Brown Sound” territory. Move the switch to the left and add even more gain and compression. Now you’re in 80s hard rock/hair metal territory.

The ROD channel picks up where the PLEX channel leaves off adding another tube gain stage to get mean! 80s metal tones to more modern high gain metal tones are on tap here. Of course, you also get the same 3-way saturation mode switch found on the PLEX channel, allowing tremendous flexibility in sculpting YOUR ultimate tone. Singing lead tones and massive power chords can be dialed in the ROD channel. No matter how you set the saturation mode, you’ll hear every note of ringing chords. The Cherry Bomb also features a footswitchable solo master volume in the ROD channel. You can set it to provide a volume boost for live soloing and switch to that mode from either channel master. Cool feature that comes in handy for live playing!

The Cherry bomb also features presence and density controls. Most guitarists are familiar with what a presence control does, but the density control may be something they haven’t seen on an amp before. In simplest terms, it adds back low end when the amp is played at low volumes. Turn up the Density control and you can still get the low end “feel” of the amp at even “bedroom” volumes. Pretty cool, huh?

Of course, we didn’t stop there. The Cherry Bomb also features a footswitchable, tube-buffered effects loop so you can add your time-based effects after the gain stages of the amp where they belong. You can choose either series or parallel mode for the effects loop, affording you the ultimate flexibility in how you want to use pedal or rack mount effects. For folks who run their effects in stereo or wet/dry/wet with additional power amps and cabs, the Cherry Bomb also has adjustable line out. Yup… we thought of everything!

Finally, the amp also features another, overall master volume. We’re going to get a little techy on you here, but bear with us, because this is one of the coolest features of the Cherry Bomb. This master volume is actually a post-phase inverter master volume design (PPIMV). We feel that this design provides the best tones you can get for lower volume playing. You’ll get great sounding tones with this master all the way down to “bedroom volumes’. Crank the channel masters up and turn the overall master down to the volume level you’d like to play at and you’ll see that the overall master also adds some perceived gain and compression to the tone. Experiment with balancing different settings of the channel masters and overall master to get the tone you’d like at the right volume for the room you’re playing in. Of course, cranking the overall master up full takes it completely out of the circuit and you can just adjust the channel masters to the appropriate volume.



If sticking to that list, I'd probably go with the Herbert.

 

[Daverock]

@jcj: didnt know that brand, seems a nice thing. Unfortunately I am based in EU, don't intercontinental shipping and they will add approx 30% tax & duty cost to that thing if i import it

@alex_s: same thing with the tax & duty

@rottingcorpse: I know, but even with less gain or bass turned down, i find them sounding pretty scooped & bass heavy Now mind you, this is based on clips I've heard. Never played one yet.
But i still haven't heard one clip, lo-mid gainy, or plexi stylish of that amp. Clean yeah, metal high gain yeah, but nothing in between. Diezel is high up my list, because price-wise I can get them cheaper then US made stuff. I can have a new herbert for the same price as an EVH5153 100w or 1/3rd cheaper as a Mesa roadster

 

[RJF]

You need to look into a Diezel VH4, should pretty much cover everything you want, and it does everything in between clean and heavy just fine.

 

[jcj]

If you can get Diezel for the same price as a 5153, go play the Herbert and VH4 immediately.

The 5153 is a nice amp, but the quality of the Diezel stuff is top shelf; I doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[mooncobra]

Get Dan Gower to mod a Marshall for you, his work is AMAZING!!!! I got a Gower Rockmonster with the extra gain and master and it rules!! he is in the UK.

 

[mooncobra]

Get Dan Gower to mod a Marshall for you, his work is AMAZING!!!! I got a Gower Rockmonster with the extra gain and master and it rules!! he is in the UK.

this amp will cover 80s, 90s, and hard rock quite easily. here is a clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XwINCikWoA

he also does the killer kali++ mod which is even more versatile than the Rockmonster. But, I don't know if you want to have an amp modded or jst buy a production model?? The Gower stuff is great though, the touch sensitivity is great, punchiness, clarity and definition with the high gain stuff is awesome. Before playing the Gower I thought the CCV was one of the few amps that did this, but the Gower hangs with it. Maybe you can find a CCV in Europe? I don't know?

 

[monkey42]

XTC Anniversary, game over

 

[chunktone]

@jcj: didnt know that brand, seems a nice thing. Unfortunately I am based in EU, don't intercontinental shipping and they will add approx 30% tax & duty cost to that thing if i import it

@alex_s: same thing with the tax & duty

@rottingcorpse: I know, but even with less gain or bass turned down, i find them sounding pretty scooped & bass heavy Now mind you, this is based on clips I've heard. Never played one yet.
But i still haven't heard one clip, lo-mid gainy, or plexi stylish of that amp. Clean yeah, metal high gain yeah, but nothing in between. Diezel is high up my list, because price-wise I can get them cheaper then US made stuff. I can have a new herbert for the same price as an EVH5153 100w or 1/3rd cheaper as a Mesa roadster

I'd also recommend the VH4, especially considering how affordable they are in EU.
Here's a clip that covers a lot of ground.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

I think a Fryette Sig X is exactly what you're looking for. Great tones and a jack of all trades. One of my favorite cleans out of a high gain channel switcher. Really does well with everything you'd throw at it. Has no on-board reverb, but has a great loop that can handle pedals or line level. Tube (40W) and SS (100W) rectification options. If I had a desert island amp, I think this would be it.

The Roadster would be a good choice also. The Clean and Brit modes are great for clean (duh) and low-mid gain. Raw can be used for mid to more old school (70's ish) high gain, then vintage and modern are your classic Recto high gain. Gives reverb, loop on/off, etc.

 

[Alex_S]

@jcj: didnt know that brand, seems a nice thing. Unfortunately I am based in EU, don't intercontinental shipping and they will add approx 30% tax & duty cost to that thing if i import it

@alex_s: same thing with the tax & duty

@rottingcorpse: I know, but even with less gain or bass turned down, i find them sounding pretty scooped & bass heavy Now mind you, this is based on clips I've heard. Never played one yet.
But i still haven't heard one clip, lo-mid gainy, or plexi stylish of that amp. Clean yeah, metal high gain yeah, but nothing in between. Diezel is high up my list, because price-wise I can get them cheaper then US made stuff. I can have a new herbert for the same price as an EVH5153 100w or 1/3rd cheaper as a Mesa roadster

Just to clarify, Larry is German based, so no taxes with the EU as far as I understand. But if you care for price it might not be the amp for you. Also the availability might be the k.o. criteria...

 

[Daverock]

Alex_s: According to what I see, price would not be too far off a Bogner XTC or Friedman BE100, so that is not the issue
A waiting list of 2y however, is an issue