Shopping for a new amp - Need suggestions

[Econ]

Have been doing some reading on the Herbert, VH4, DMoll and Paul models and it seems there is some debate as to how good some of these amps sound at low volume levels. Seems that the Herbert is the best sounding at low volume levels, but wonder if it will be overkill for the type of music I play. I'm looking for something that will give me tones that are different from the Marshall based ones I can get from my Friedman BE 100, but that will be good to play 80's rock (Toto, Night Ranger, Journey, etc), metal (Priest, Maiden, Ratt, Dio, Ozzy, etc), and some instrumental rock music (Satriani, Timmons, Moore, etc). I also like Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment.

I have no way of trying any amps right now, so will need to rely on research. I did the same when I was in the market for a Friedman and have never regretted that purchase. It's just that I want something different. Would have love to get a Cameron CCV 100, but that is not an option.

 

[Starman22]

If on a budget look for a Rev. F Mesa Dual Rectifier. Just an option, and the "vein" the Diezels come from.

 

[Econ]

Budget is not a problem, but I don't want to spend 4K on an amp if what I need could be get for half of that. Diezel Herbert is very tempting. I guess I'll continue to do some research.

 

[splawner]

For some reason, I'm not a hige fan of Soldano amps. Even considered a Mesa Boogie JP2C.

I was just going to say the JP2C..I have a JMP Marshall and the Boogie JP2C is an exellent second amp...Probably my favorite amp of all time...Just a killer and fun amp to play....So many tones in that amp!!

 

[eternal_idol]

I have a Friedman BE 100 and a Fractal AX8. Currently shopping for a new tube amp. Looking for something that will give me different tones from what I get out of the Friedman. I don't play out anymore, so whatever I get must sound good at low volume levels. I play 80's rock, metal and some fusion, so I need the amp to have at least 2 channels (clean, distortion). I thought about the following amps, but don't know what would be appropriate based on what I'm looking for.

Bogner - Ecstasy or Shiva (Probably the Anniversary model if I go for any of these)
Diezel - maybe a VH2 (when it comes out), or a Paul (don't now of the BE 100 will give me similar tones)
EVH 50w - the volume drop when channel switching would be a concern

Anyway, any recommendations would be much appreciated.

no real recommendations but with the 50w 5153, volume drop is quite manageable
If you keep the AX8, you'd be able to use a volume boost function for your clean patches.

4 cable, if you use you ax8 for any comps or boosts in front.

found a nice balance with the clean tone and crunch tone on mine, 10:30 -11 oclock on the gain will give you fat slightly pushed cleans (depending on the output of your pick ups) to spanky stuff with a slight volume roll back

that gain on the blue channel should get you solidly into rock territory without a boost and with a boost you should be able to get into metal territory depending on how much you boost etc.

Channel 3, sound rather modern and compressed to me. I'd had luck with low gain settings and a boost. If i were not parting ways shortly with the amp i would be trying to mid gain ax7's or 5751/at7s in the positions that pertain to this channel

 

[bwgintegra]

Orange Rockerverb III

 

[Econ]

I'm going to start narrowing my options to the following:

Diezel Herbert or Paul
Mesa JP2C or Mark 5:25
EVH 50w or Stealth

 

[Econ]

I'm going to start narrowing my options to the following:

Diezel Herbert or Paul
Mesa JP2C or Mark 5:25
EVH 50w or Stealth

 

[Docster]

This is the best video I found of the Herbert that gives a sense of its capabilities (move to 7:25

and here is a favorite comparo video from our friends here at R/T:

 

[Econ]

Diezel Herbert it is!

 

[Mailman1971]

Owning both..... that last video is about dead on.

 

[Econ]

I'm convinced that the Diezel Herbert is the way to go. I have a a Friedman 4x12 with Scumback 65/75 speakers. Guess I will need to get another cab to match the Diezel. Wonder if getting a 2x12 would be ok.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I'm convinced that the Diezel Herbert is the way to go. I have a a Friedman 4x12 with Scumback 65/75 speakers. Guess I will need to get another cab to match the Diezel. Wonder if getting a 2x12 would be ok.

Can't disagree. I've owned Herberts longer than most other amps combined. And that's saying something coming from me. It also does work better at low volumes compared to the VH4. Definitely invest in a 4X12 with V30s. I love both my Herbert and VH4.

 

[maddnotez]

That new TAPP prototype seemed really damn awesome. Tons of control/tweakability and has a killer metal tone.

 

[Docster]

I'm convinced that the Diezel Herbert is the way to go. I have a a Friedman 4x12 with Scumback 65/75 speakers. Guess I will need to get another cab to match the Diezel. Wonder if getting a 2x12 would be ok.

I run my Herbert into a Mills 212 cabinet loaded with V30's. It is rear loaded and sounds great. They don't make the Mills cabs anymore, and if I were to need a cab for the Herbert I would go for a Diezel 212.

 

[tripstan]

Diezel.
I use a 100 watt Einstein for my practice rig. Best master volume IMO.