Rig-Talk, help me pick a new amp!

[Blitzie]

Hey guys. Me again

So I started the thread about the Mesa/Boogie Mark V. One of the members here, Seth "155" lent me his Mark IV today and while it's a cool amp, it just isn't my thing. I don't know exactly what about it I didn't like but I know it isn't for me. So that sort of eliminates the Mark V as a possibility because they're a lot alike. From the clips I've heard and from what I've played, I think the "Mark" series of amps is a no-go for me. So that means I'm in the market again.

In terms of what I want and what I like, I want an amp that I can get Adam Jones-esque tones out of but if I so chose, I could play some 80's Metallica stuff or even some thick and saturated AiC tones. I want something that does a little of everything really well.

I've played (and didn't like) the VH4, JVM, Dark Terror, Baron and Bugera.

I'd prefer to buy used so let's say my budget is $1500ish. My cab is a Splawn 4x12 with Hertitage 30s and Vintage 30s in it. I'll be playing my ESP Eclipse with the EMG 81/60 in it. Those things I'm not interested in changing.

I HATE HATE HATE dark amps. I can't stand them anymore. Anything that I need to back the presence and the treble all the way up just to open it up, I'm not interested in. At all. I want something nice and open. Not that sounds like there's a fire blanket over my cab.

So, what have you got for me?

 

[metalmaniac93]

You need to check out this!! viewtopic.php?f=3&t=149432&hilit=prs

 

[jlbaxe]

Bogner uber

 

[Blitzie]

I feel like those are both on the dark side, but I've never played either. I'd like to though!

I was considering a Splawn. I had a Nitro for a long time and I loved that it had the loop volume and a shitload of gain. I don't remember exactly why I got rid of it, honestly. I'd like to get my hands on one of those again.

 

[NITROHOLIC]

2203

 

[mesa50w]

über rev 2 ..its a beast ..the finest amp Ive ever owned .

 

[moronmountain]

Ubers are dark, so I dunno why everyone is listing them. Man I'm thinking more of the SLO or Marshall 2203 with a noise gate and a bunch of pedals, boosts, eq's, etc. The SLO would be a heap bit more than $1500 though I suppose. The new 100 watt 5153 maybe? Haven't played it, but I'm pretty sure Ed was always trying to do a SLO with a couple extra gains stages IIRC. I could totally be super wrong about that, but I'm fairly sure him playing through an SLO and liking it, was just prior to the first 5150 coming out. /shrug Good luck at any rate!

 

[Racerxrated]

Thing is, you want a variety of great tones in one box. WE ALL WANT THAT!! Kidding aside, most good amps as we all know do one thing well. It's hard finding what you want. I've found that an eq pedal in front can help you dial in a different tone pretty nicely. I have an ocd and a boss eq in front of my Jubilee and KK sig and by messing with the eq it can really change the tone from a straight Marshall to more of an early Metallica, and then boosting the low end I can get close to a Cantrell tone, at least with the KK. I know the KK's can be had pretty cheap..I found mine for 600 on craigslist. Jubilee's will cost you though..black ones are cheaper, probably in your range. Good luck!

 

[mesa50w]

Ubers are dark, so I dunno why everyone is listing them. Man I'm thinking more of the SLO or Marshall 2203 with a noise gate and a bunch of pedals, boosts, eq's, etc. The SLO would be a heap bit more than $1500 though I suppose. The new 100 watt 5153 maybe? Haven't played it, but I'm pretty sure Ed was always trying to do a SLO with a couple extra gains stages IIRC. I could totally be super wrong about that, but I'm fairly sure him playing through an SLO and liking it, was just prior to the first 5150 coming out. /shrug Good luck at any rate!

cause rev 2's destory

 

[shane159]

Splawn Quick Rod or 2203 with and OD.

 

[jsp]

In terms of what I want and what I like, I want an amp that I can get Adam Jones-esque tones out of but if I so chose, I could play some 80's Metallica stuff or even some thick and saturated AiC tones.

Funny, that's how I would describe my Mark V. To each his own, though.

 

[Blitzie]

Ubers are dark, so I dunno why everyone is listing them. Man I'm thinking more of the SLO or Marshall 2203 with a noise gate and a bunch of pedals, boosts, eq's, etc. The SLO would be a heap bit more than $1500 though I suppose. The new 100 watt 5153 maybe? Haven't played it, but I'm pretty sure Ed was always trying to do a SLO with a couple extra gains stages IIRC. I could totally be super wrong about that, but I'm fairly sure him playing through an SLO and liking it, was just prior to the first 5150 coming out. /shrug Good luck at any rate!

I had one of those for a little bit but it was faulty. Really turned me off. But I played one at GC yesterday and I was really impressed. The blue channel is AWESOME and I feel like with a boost, it would be something really special.

There was something about the tone that was just...odd. Maybe upper mids? I can't put my finger on it. It almost sounded like the neck pickup of the guitar was coming through just a little tiny bit when I was on the bridge. Very odd.

 

[jlbaxe]

5150?

 

[gtr31]

You may have to increase budget a bit
But Deizel Dmoll or the new lil Fokker
He is announcing at namm
Simple 2 channel cln/crunch
And overdrive similar to Vh ch 3
That is probably your perfect amp
Rhodes has a new simpler one
Coming out too
Bogner Twin jet is a brighter tighter ver
Of uber shiva 20th as well will do a lot

 

[Blitzie]

My budget is slightly flexible. Actually, the Twin Jet sounds great! I like what I found on Youtube.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Twin jet, Splawn quick rod, engl Blackmore

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

DSL and a boost (if needed)? Spend the rest at the race track betting on horses?

 

[Ventura]

I've got a lot of Bogners.

The TJ's got a lot going for it And much easier to find than a Rev.2

 

[the rossness]

Amps on the brighter side of things. for mostly metal, with a clear voice..

Krank Rev+,
Fryette Ultra Lead or SigX
Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKI
Laney Ironheart

 

[Devilinside]

DSL and a boost (if needed)? Spend the rest at the race track betting on horses?

This!!!
Über's are very dark and the one I had lacked clarity, just very fat and thick!