Starting from scratch...no idea where to take my rig. Help?

[smucarolina]

So I have sold my Vader 412 and am currently in the process of selling my beloved EVH 5150 III...

you ask why? well, I really needed to downsize.

However, now that all I have left is a 7420, a rocktron hush pro rack unit, and a BBE Green Screamer overdrive pedal...I have no idea where to go!

So many options...I keep changing my mind.

I think I have decided I want a affordable rack unit (preamp + power amp) or rack mounted head...preferable a solid-state modeler/processor preamp of some sort with quality effects and good hi-gain tones. However, it needs to be able to deliver a nice med-gain punchy class rock tone as well (think David Gilmour-ish). I lean towards a smoother more organic hi gain tone with warmth like a Soldano if that helps. I need something that can emulate that at least to the 99% degree.

I have narrowed it down to these choices:
ENGL e530 preamp
Marshall JMP-1
Line 6 POD X3 Pro or XT Pro
Digitech 2120 (purple edition)
Digitech GSP 1101
Rocktron Chameleon
Rocktron Voodu Valve
Rocktron Piranha
Soldano SP77 preamp

For the power amp I am going to stick with a Rocktron Velocity (newer series), a Mesa 20/20, or a Marshall 20/20.

I also need a MIDI controller and a oversize 1x12 cabinet to control the preamp or a effects unit if I do not get one that encompasses both of those capabilities.

So what preamp and cabinet do you guys recommend out of all the choices named above?

 

[rlord1974]

Voodoo Valve

Cheap, tube, built-in effects.

DONE

BTW: Don't know the guy, but there is one currently for sale on MTS Forum.......

 

[craftm1]

Digitech GNX 4, get one off of e-bay. Best models I've seen aside from the AXFX units. Very versitile unit plus drum machine and 8 track digital recorder. Pick up 2 ART tube mic pres. and you get some of the best tones I've heard out of the digital realm. Plus if you every play live you can go direct, I've used mine for 2+ years for small gigs before I stoped playing live.

 

[glassjaw7]

Don't buy the X3 or XT. You will grow tired of the sound after a bit if you are a tube guy. If you are going to go the modeler route, wait for a rack version of the POD HD at least. Just my humble opinion.

 

[marshallmel]

I would do the JMP-1 with the Mesa 20/20. It's not on your list but the Mesa V-Twin is a killer pre-amp. Furman,V-Twin,G-Major II, Mesa 20/20 all in a 4 space rack.
Voodu Valve sounds way too hokey/phoney. Marshall 20/20 will overheat.

 

[guitarslinger]

find a Pearce G2P. It's a solid state rackmount head that sounds great from whisper quiet all the way up to earth shattering. It's also one of the only amps that makes fuzz pedals sound great at conversation volume.

The FX loop is killer.

They're not super-expensive.

They have built in fx.

Also, if you want to sound like Gilmour, get a Big Muff Clone of some sort.

 

[racerevlon]

I've got great results from the JMP-1/EL84 20/20 combination. Plenty versatile and plenty loud, and never had any overheating problems. Throw in a multi-effector, your HUSH, and a Furman, and you've got a 6-space rig of doom. Change the tubes in the JMP-1 though--the factory tubes sounded sterile to me... YMMV