Reasonable amp to do VH?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ledvedder
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ledvedder

ledvedder

Well-known member
I know this has probably been asked a millions times, but with all the new amps available, I'll ask again. I'm looking for an amp that can get close to early VH. Preferably under $1k and 50 watts or lower.
 
As much as I love Splawn, and I really do. I am going to suggest the 5153 50 watt.

Love mine big time !! A Splawn QR is the next amp on my list though for me to purchase.
 
early vh???

If you want REALLY CHEAP you can get a bugera 1960(plexi clone not 50W though)
You can get a marshall 1987X(use an attenuator too)

I didn't like the 5153 for early VH...
 
I had a 1987x. While it was a great amp, even with an attenuator, the sizzle wasn't quite there. Close.

I had it modded by bray, then it came to life for early VH
 
Buy an early phase 90 and stick in front of any Marshall or Marshall variant. I kid, if you find a low watt plexi clone, buy a simple boost pedal and that will get you close enough to put a smile on your face. But really, the phase 90 is absolutely instant VH1.
 
Others have recommended the 5150III, but I'm just not hearing it in that amp. Maybe I'm just listening to the wrong demos?
 
Bray 100/ Bray 4550. The Granger also sounds pretty cool!!





 
JCM800 pushed with an EQ pedal, good crunchy humbucker with some output, and a script (NOT BLOCK - it is too thick sounding and drastic) logo reissue Phase 90. Rest is spanky maple neck and some finger strength. That will get you close enough. The key I think without sounding too "modern" is to be able to squeeze the gain out of the amp with your fingers. You gotta work. The cool thing about the 800's is if you push the preamp knob up close to 10, things start to mush out a bit. This sort of gives you the feeling of an amp being pushed way too hard. You can then tighten the whole thing up with an EQ pedal and dial in the mids more for cut. I think you will prefer this to a modern preamp with more saturation. The granger M50 is a good example of a slightly tweaked circuit which with the right hands, will get you close enough.

OR... get Bray to mod something for ya.
 
Check this out... everything on 10. I would prob dial back the bass for more cut but stick a kokoboost (mid side) on this for leads or an eq pedal and away you go:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHZHk5baX30

Boosted in spots for the VH stuff and leads. I think when you crank everything and flub the amp out, any pedal on top of it is more subtle.
 
Splawn QR, end of story...
Closest to VH tones I have played. Like right out of the box, no pedals. Gear 1 with the gain just past noon, EQ to taste, and you're there. I couldn't believe it when I first heard it.
Don't know what it is about that amp, but Scott hit it out of the park...VH on tap.

Earlier VH is MUCH LESS gain than most people think. That tone CAN'T be achieved with lot's of gain.
It's the aggression of that tone that is so cool, IMO. Like the amp is ready to blow...cause it was, LOL.

Used QR is right around $1000, give or take, and it has gear 2 and 3 also. So, you can get many more tones out of it as well. Then, add your pedals and BOOM...it can cover a lot of ground. YMMV
 
Kapo_Polenton":1lu6lfdg said:
JCM800 pushed with an EQ pedal, good crunchy humbucker with some output, and a script (NOT BLOCK - it is too thick sounding and drastic) logo reissue Phase 90. Rest is spanky maple neck and some finger strength. That will get you close enough. The key I think without sounding too "modern" is to be able to squeeze the gain out of the amp with your fingers. You gotta work. The cool thing about the 800's is if you push the preamp knob up close to 10, things start to mush out a bit. This sort of gives you the feeling of an amp being pushed way too hard. You can then tighten the whole thing up with an EQ pedal and dial in the mids more for cut. I think you will prefer this to a modern preamp with more saturation. The granger M50 is a good example of a slightly tweaked circuit which with the right hands, will get you close enough.

OR... get Bray to mod something for ya.
Click to expand...
This. Or the Splawn but I don't have any experience with one but the YouTube sounds close. But I would go single channel 800 and a boost. You can find them for under a grand. I've had the 5153 50 and I feel a Marshall+boost is better for early VH. I had a 2204 with a Rockstah(RIP) mod 5. Sounded very close to just a straight up 800 and an SD1. If you listen to Mark's(Rockstah) clips he gets as close as anyone to VH1. Of course he was a fantastic player...but when I plugged in it was really close to just an 800 and an SD1, maybe a bit brighter. But that can be dialed in.
 
EVH 5153 50 watt. If you can actually play the shit with Ed's pick attack and left hand aggression, you'd sound as close as you'd ever need to.

Steve
 
Another nod for the 5150 III being mighty close...cab/spkr choice important, but it covers the ground nicely.

I get some really legit VH tones with the Chupa as well.
 
Crunchity":fnra849u said:
Another nod for the 5150 III being mighty close...cab/spkr choice important, but it covers the ground nicely.

I get some really legit VH tones with the Chupa as well.
Click to expand...

What is a Chupa?
 
David Bray amps...he builds amps for the VH sound. Vic from Sammy Hagar's band uses one.

Chupacabra (Chupa) is an amp made in Mylasia by Ceriatone.
 
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