Top 5 tightest Amps

[Oblivion DC]

The Peters Body Hammer can be dialed in crazy tight.
And the Framus Cobra boosted is also wildly tight.

 

[midnightlaundry]

So many amps nowadays. Now we need a worthy new manufacturer tube. I wish I would have kept every Ei 12AX7 I ever had. Those were the shit. JJ has a mid plate MG tube, but it on the blah side. They need to rework it.

 

[Speeddemon]

[
I prefer the IV mode because it's bigger and more filled in. The 2C mode is tighter even in Triode, but it's narrower and honky all around compared to the IV. I don't get the hype of the 2C...

Totally agree (judging from my Mark V:25). The 2C+ mode is way too honky, even with an extreme V setting on graphic EQ. Good for Santana stuff, not Black Album.
I use the Xtreme mode mostly, as it's bigger sounding than the Mark IV; but it is a bit less tight.

@bgh; if you find the Mark IV unforgiving, try a Fryette for a change. To me, the Mark IV Lead (prior to my Mark V:25, I owned a IV Rev A from '91) is the definition of liquid high gain, and yes, pretty damn tight, but unforgiving? Nah.... A Fryette, now THAT'S unforgiving.

 

[steve_k]

Stiffest and most unforgiving?

Carol Ann Triptik
VHT Pitbull

Both stiffer than a priest's pecker.

 

[Fragglerick]

The Spawn Nitro is pretty damn tight.

 

[Jack Luminous]

SLO is very tight but not stiff at all. Old 2203 is not as tight but can feel kinda stiff (also related to kerrrrranng).

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

IMHO, stiff or unforgiving (an amp that is so articulate and immediate in its response that every nuance of your pick attack and playing is revealed) and tight are very much linked whether talking feel/response or how things sound.

My D60 is tight/stiff sounding and feeling in response in that it accentuates all detail of your right and left hand. It very immediately reproduces everything you put into it and as a direct result sounds tight, feels tight, and feels somewhat stiff.

Same with all the ENGLS I've owned/still own. I agree the ENGLS can be somewhat compressed/processed, but I feel like they are definitely pretty darn stiff/unforgiving in their feel or response. My FB100 was pretty unforgiving despite the compressed nature, and the Savage 120 I have is definitely more compressed/processed sounding/feeling than the Fryette, but IMHO its pretty damn stiff and unforgiving under my fingers anyway; it doesn't hide a thing either at least not the way I have the knobs set. Tubes surely factor in to the feel too though right....

In comparison, my KSR ARES on the other hand sounds and feels tight but has more give, sag, delay in response (Whatever you want to call it) and therefore has a slightly more relaxed response or is a tad bit easier to play if I'm sloppy if that makes any sense. Still very tight and articulate, just not as stiff/unforgiving

I agree with all of this.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

SLO is very tight but not stiff at all. Old 2203 is not as tight but can feel kinda stiff (also related to kerrrrranng).

My SLO is one of the least "tight" sounding/playing/feeling amps I own.

It's very big, warm, fluid sounding... but "tight" is about the last descriptor I'd use for it. Side by side with my Diezel VH4/Herbert or even Mesa Mark III/IV/JP2C... it's no contest. It just doesn't have enough filtering in the power amp power supply circuit to keep the bottom end tight/articulate/together enough at high volumes... but this is also why people love the SLO as you open up the volume, you get that wonderful flowing, liquid, smooth overdrive with just enough power tube break-up and a hint of Marshally-top end bitey goodness. Like a warm sweet syrupy tone. Not modern, tight, or industrial in the least imhe.

 

[guitarobert]

Peters FSM
Diezel Hagen
Diezel VH4

 

[the4thlast1]

I have tried a few Fortin mod amps as well as the Natas and Bones...His amps in general are tighter than most.

Also out of the box without a boost the ENGL Savage is super tight.

 

[the4thlast1]

SLO is very tight but not stiff at all. Old 2203 is not as tight but can feel kinda stiff (also related to kerrrrranng).

Yeah SLO does not have very tight bass , I know I sound like an amp snob but its true. With a tubescreamer set right and the amp opened up at really high volume it can be tight but there are lots of other amps out there that have tighter bass if thats what this thread is about.

Maybe you are thinking of tight bass when you say "stiff" ? When I think of tight I think of machine gun double bass and an amp you can play a single low note riff , a 16th note type of thing on the lowest string and respond as fast as needed. No flub or mush just tight fast clarity. I dont think of an SLO for that tone.

 

[midnightlaundry]

[
I prefer the IV mode because it's bigger and more filled in. The 2C mode is tighter even in Triode, but it's narrower and honky all around compared to the IV. I don't get the hype of the 2C...

Totally agree (judging from my Mark V:25). The 2C+ mode is way too honky, even with an extreme V setting on graphic EQ. Good for Santana stuff, not Black Album.
I use the Xtreme mode mostly, as it's bigger sounding than the Mark IV; but it is a bit less tight.

@bgh; if you find the Mark IV unforgiving, try a Fryette for a change. To me, the Mark IV Lead (prior to my Mark V:25, I owned a IV Rev A from '91) is the definition of liquid high gain, and yes, pretty damn tight, but unforgiving? Nah.... A Fryette, now THAT'S unforgiving.

Yeah man, I just spent some time with the 2C mode. I understand why people like it. The upper midrange rages, and seems to resonate in harmonics. It's easy to get palm chirps and sound real, well decidedly 80's.. Brad Gilles on the Speak Of The Devil gets that tone, even if it wasn't a C+, but it's that thing..

However, I don't think it balances with other sounds. It doesn't sound right when you go from a floating on a cloud Mark V clean tone to a hot poker spike of nasally mids.. The Mark IV mode has more frequencies that fill in the gaps, and sounds more natural while still being very precise IMO.

I have the Sig and D120 Fryettes. They are bred from Marshall, but they are tight, big and articulate while also being thick in upper harmonics, something modern Marshall's always lacked for me.. They are more open and dare I say, natural sounding compared to Marks, and clean up better when rolling back. Latter Marks don't clean up, they fog up..

 

[Beyond Black]

SLO is very tight but not stiff at all. Old 2203 is not as tight but can feel kinda stiff (also related to kerrrrranng).

My SLO is one of the least "tight" sounding/playing/feeling amps I own.

It's very big, warm, fluid sounding... but "tight" is about the last descriptor I'd use for it. Side by side with my Diezel VH4/Herbert or even Mesa Mark III/IV/JP2C... it's no contest. It just doesn't have enough filtering in the power amp power supply circuit to keep the bottom end tight/articulate/together enough at high volumes... but this is also why people love the SLO as you open up the volume, you get that wonderful flowing, liquid, smooth overdrive with just enough power tube break-up and a hint of Marshally-top end bitey goodness. Like a warm sweet syrupy tone. Not modern, tight, or industrial in the least imhe.

Totally agree. SLO's are anything but tight. Thick, lush, syrupy, liquid, yes. Tight, no.

 

[Speeddemon]

I have the Sig and D120 Fryettes. They are bred from Marshall, but they are tight, big and articulate while also being thick in upper harmonics, something modern Marshall's always lacked for me.. They are more open and dare I say, natural sounding compared to Marks, and clean up better when rolling back. Latter Marks don't clean up, they fog up..

My experience with the Sig:X as well. Especially 'Live' Mode on the Rhythm channel, with More Gain on. Quite Marshally, but more open sounding and maybe...improved?
If the Sig:X's Lead channel had one mode that was a bit more Mark IV/Engl Invader CH3 like, and if the clean channel was more Fender than Hiwatt, it could be a desert-island amp.

 

[Ventura]

Stiffest and most unforgiving?

Carol Ann Triptik
VHT Pitbull

Both stiffer than a priest's pecker.

Boom - these came to mind immediately when I read the thread title...

I'll also add the Fryette D120 is fucking nuts.

But, if you want my list - here we go:
Fryette D60/120/UL/Pitbull
Carol Ann Triptik
Diezel VH4
Fortin Bones
And last but not least....ANYTHING solid state

(Wizard comes in around 5th or 6th if it weren't for the mention of SS amps).

 

[Racerxrated]

[
I prefer the IV mode because it's bigger and more filled in. The 2C mode is tighter even in Triode, but it's narrower and honky all around compared to the IV. I don't get the hype of the 2C...

Totally agree (judging from my Mark V:25). The 2C+ mode is way too honky, even with an extreme V setting on graphic EQ. Good for Santana stuff, not Black Album.
I use the Xtreme mode mostly, as it's bigger sounding than the Mark IV; but it is a bit less tight.

@bgh; if you find the Mark IV unforgiving, try a Fryette for a change. To me, the Mark IV Lead (prior to my Mark V:25, I owned a IV Rev A from '91) is the definition of liquid high gain, and yes, pretty damn tight, but unforgiving? Nah.... A Fryette, now THAT'S unforgiving.

Yeah man, I just spent some time with the 2C mode. I understand why people like it. The upper midrange rages, and seems to resonate in harmonics. It's easy to get palm chirps and sound real, well decidedly 80's.. Brad Gilles on the Speak Of The Devil gets that tone, even if it wasn't a C+, but it's that thing..

However, I don't think it balances with other sounds. It doesn't sound right when you go from a floating on a cloud Mark V clean tone to a hot poker spike of nasally mids.. The Mark IV mode has more frequencies that fill in the gaps, and sounds more natural while still being very precise IMO.

I have the Sig and D120 Fryettes. They are bred from Marshall, but they are tight, big and articulate while also being thick in upper harmonics, something modern Marshall's always lacked for me.. They are more open and dare I say, natural sounding compared to Marks, and clean up better when rolling back. Latter Marks don't clean up, they fog up..

Just gonna mention, when you talk about the 2C in the MkV or the JP2C, and don't get it...keep in mind you aren't playing the real deal. The 2C+ in the Mk V? Doesn't even resemble the tone and feel I get from the C+ I had or the C++ I currently own. Not even close. Like a different amp. The JP is closer but doesn't have the feel, and 3D effect so to speak is also missing.
I also feel it is the tightest amp I have owned. I've had..
Wizard MTL
SLO
D60/120
EVH Stealth
Stock and Modded Marshalls(at least one by all the big names)

I've played Engls and I would say they are very easy to play, or forgiving as I define that term. Processed is another word.
Cool amps though and are also very tight.

 

[midnightlaundry]

[
I prefer the IV mode because it's bigger and more filled in. The 2C mode is tighter even in Triode, but it's narrower and honky all around compared to the IV. I don't get the hype of the 2C...

Totally agree (judging from my Mark V:25). The 2C+ mode is way too honky, even with an extreme V setting on graphic EQ. Good for Santana stuff, not Black Album.
I use the Xtreme mode mostly, as it's bigger sounding than the Mark IV; but it is a bit less tight.

@bgh; if you find the Mark IV unforgiving, try a Fryette for a change. To me, the Mark IV Lead (prior to my Mark V:25, I owned a IV Rev A from '91) is the definition of liquid high gain, and yes, pretty damn tight, but unforgiving? Nah.... A Fryette, now THAT'S unforgiving.

Yeah man, I just spent some time with the 2C mode. I understand why people like it. The upper midrange rages, and seems to resonate in harmonics. It's easy to get palm chirps and sound real, well decidedly 80's.. Brad Gilles on the Speak Of The Devil gets that tone, even if it wasn't a C+, but it's that thing..

However, I don't think it balances with other sounds. It doesn't sound right when you go from a floating on a cloud Mark V clean tone to a hot poker spike of nasally mids.. The Mark IV mode has more frequencies that fill in the gaps, and sounds more natural while still being very precise IMO.

I have the Sig and D120 Fryettes. They are bred from Marshall, but they are tight, big and articulate while also being thick in upper harmonics, something modern Marshall's always lacked for me.. They are more open and dare I say, natural sounding compared to Marks, and clean up better when rolling back. Latter Marks don't clean up, they fog up..

Just gonna mention, when you talk about the 2C in the MkV or the JP2C, and don't get it...keep in mind you aren't playing the real deal. The 2C+ in the Mk V? Doesn't even resemble the tone and feel I get from the C+ I had or the C++ I currently own. Not even close. Like a different amp. The JP is closer but doesn't have the feel, and 3D effect so to speak is also missing..

That's what a lot of people say, but to be fair, that mode was cloned after Tone Boys favorite non Graphic EQ version. I think this was a huge mistake because who wants that? Plus I'm sure there's plenty of variation between amps as parts were available. But I'm over it..

 

[stephen sawall]

Fryette UL

Peavey CS800

 

[hopkinWFG]

VHT UL and CLX are tight but the new tight is with a fortin 33 pedal or fortin grind infront of these amp...

Always wanted to getta Cameron CCV with british working voltage but seems like this amp will be or going to be legend... or else if Dave friedman will be making another batch of CCVs? Any thoughts ? Hehe...

 

[stephen sawall]

Put a VFE Dragon, Event Horizon Precision Drive or any other pedal that has a adjustable HPF (high pass filter) and you can make any rig extremely tight in the bass.

There is a lot of pedals that have a HPF... usually it is not adjustable. The HPF gives you complete control of how tight or loose the sound is.

You could just put a passive HPF in your guitar and it would have the same effect.

Problem is you might like the voice better. It has a big effect on the tonal balance of high/midrange/bass.

Personally I feel super tight bass really is only useful for fast staccato rhythm playing. It makes single notes and cleans just sound thin.