Trying to find a 3 channel do it all amp...Help!

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peckhart

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Looking for an amp that can do it all. I know, I know...most of us are and it doesn't really exist. But, maybe you guys can help me find one that checks the most boxes.

For a long time I have been after hot rodded aggressive Marshall sounds and didn't really need low gain or cleans. Things are changing and I am after a killer clean and great low to mid gain crunch as my primary needs in a new amp. Having a 3rd channel that can get heavier would be the bonus. I am a rocker at heart, but playing a lot of funk, blues and a bit more dialed back rock these days. I don't always need tear your head of high gain. My main squeeze is my Bogner Helios 100 and that amp is going nowhere.

I have been researching the Mesa TC50 and 100 a lot and its still the front runner although I have read a bunch that the cleans are nice, but there are better options and the lo gain channel is lacking some bottom end.
Seems great on paper though and for possibly integrating more effects the built in midi is extremely useful.

Also considered the Marshall JVM 410, but i had a really bad experience with one when they came out and the size and weight is a bit of a deterent.

All of the Mark series amps just seem like they want to thrash even in lower gain settings. I could be wrong. The 5.4 million knobs is a bit of a turn off too. I had a Mark IV a little while back and the lead channel was great, but lower gain felt kind of held back in some way. It could do it, but not where the amp shined.

My 5153 Stealth is a killer amp. Just feel like there is a gap from clean to low gain crunch. It wants to rock hard. Plus it is a monster of a head making portability a factor.

What else should I look at? I would love to keep the budget to $1500 used, but can go higher if needed.
 
Get a non-Stealth 5150 100w and have a few mods done. Can't go wrong with those for the money.
 
You might want to look into a Rivera Knucklehead II or Tre.

First off, you'll be hard pressed to find a better clean channel. Plus the clean channel has the Ninja Boost (footswitchable) which takes it from clean to a pretty damn good crunch. The dirty channel is not full on high gain right away either and can go from a nice crunch up to a decent amount of gain. Then you hit the Boost, and you're in full on high gain territory.

So technically it's a 2 channel amp that gives you almost the versatility of a four channel. The only thing is, you're not getting dedicated EQ and volume controls for each of the 4 channels.

The only drawback is that the Ninja Boost gives a significant volume jump on the clean channel, and the Boost on the gain channel only boosts the amount of gain, and not the overall volume, so if you're using it for a lead channel, you may need a clean boost.
 
What’s your budget? Diezel VH4 or a Hagen is what I’d look at. I know for sure my VH4 is the most versatile amp I have.
 
If you've got the dough, a Triamp Mk 3 would be pretty sweet
 
peckhart - I think you know this already but a Splawn Quickrod checks all your boxes.

$1,000 - $1,200 used
Clean channel (clean clean but can get a little grit if set right)
OD channel has 2 OD settings. OD 1 and OD 2 (like a boost)
You can footswitch those in addition to the Solo boost
So there are 3 settings already before even talking about the Gears
Gear 1 = Plexi low gain crunch is here
Gear 2 = JCM 800 level of gain but smoother top and tight no flub lows
Gear 3 = Hot rodded 800, lots of gain here

Built extremely well with huge iron by one of the best in the business

I use mine mostly for Drop C stuff and clarity and articulation stays intact with just the right amount of compression (for me).
The amp does not like mistakes - which I make a lot of... :lol: :LOL:
 
Buy Bad Seed's JSX. Killer, killer amp, and suits your needs in spades. Plus, you've got a chunk of money leftover.

Very, very, VERY underrated, underestimated amp.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=207807

I'd take one over a 5150 III any day of the week.
 
Diezel VH4 . yea its a 4 not a 3 but it will cover whatever you need
 
I have quite a few high end amps but when I needed three channels... I dumbed it all down and went with the Peavey Invective.

I know I know it’s Peavey and it’s a trendy djent player’s sig model but just look at all those options. It freakin does everything.
 
Gonna mention a Mesa Mark, simply because you CAN make them sound Marshall-y with a nice upper mid boost pedal. As long as you don’t scoop the mids completely out.
 
Or, a Jubilee 2555x reissue..clean is decent, lead channel can be set to low gain and hit it with a boost for your higher gain 3rd channel. Plus, you can mix any 2 pairs of octal tubes in without circuit changes..just re bias. Points are on the outside of the chassis
 
JVM. Green, orange, red in each channel. Either the 210 or 410 will work for and sound killer
 
@OP Do you want an amp head or combo amp since you mentioned portablity factor? Do you want an amp that's under 100 watts like a 50 watt head or combo amp? You indicated that the amp has to have 3 channels and that you perform in a cover band. I do too. Here's my suggestions:

100 watt amp heads: Suhr PT-100 or the Friedman SS-100. Both can cover Fender Twin cleans, Marshall style overdrive plus the amp has 3rd channel for leads. You can use overdrive pedal of some kind to cop the Vox AC-30 tone on the clean channel

50 watt amp head or combo amp: EVH 5153 amp head or 1x12 combo amp. It has 3 channels for clean/rock rhythm and lead. You can use overdrive pedal of some kind to cop the Vox AC-30 tone on the clean channel.

Crate Stealth amp: available in 100 watt or 50 watt amp head or 50 watt 1x12 combo amp. Make sure you have the 2 button footswitch with the stereo cable to access the 3rd lead channel on the amp.

I play in a couple of cover band myself. Here's what I use:

Egnater modded Rocktron Vendetta 100 watt head: 4 channels from clean to JCM 800 style overdrive. Ch. 4 was modded by Bruce Egnater for hot rodded Marshall style lead tone by previous owner. Thanks for selling it to me, Kurtsstuff!

Marshall 6101 combo amp: 3 channels from clean, crunch, and lead. Switchable wattage from 100/50/25 watts with full/half power and pentode/triode switches, direct out for P.A., useful effects loop in parallel or series. One of the most feature laden and useful tube combo amps that I've ever owned. For a cover band gig, I'm covered on all bases along with my effects processor.

Stiff 90-AD 50 watt amp head (Tony Krank) : It's a 2 channel amp head with Marshall JCM 800 style overdrive channel and a clean channel with 2 band EQ with tube effects loop. Great tube amp with a boost pedal that I use with either a Marshall 1912 1x12 or 1936 2x12 cab.

Krank Nineteen80 Jr. 20 watt amp head: " "

Guitar George
 
I lean towards a head because for my main cover band this amp would have to be the backup. I always take a 2nd amp just in case and if I ever need it, I would want a head I can throw in place of the Helios.
I'm not dead set on 100 watt, but in my experience I have always preferred the extra oomph a 100w can dish out. They sound wider and stronger...it's not a volume thing.
That said I'd like to get away from the crazy loud balls out hard rock thing and do some stuff a little more laid back with overall less aggressive sounds going on. Could lend itself to 50w working just fine if there is a bit more sonic space between instruments.
 
The answer you’re looking for is the Carol Ann Triptik. Clean is as beautiful as the come in an el34 package. You then get two identical channels that go from blues to hot rod Marshall and further if you want to get heavier.
 
With the budget of $1500, I'd opt for the Bogner Shiva - either the EL34 stock model, or the KT88 20th Anniversary model (the latter has a couple extra bells and whistles which makes it sweet).

Next up would be the Diezel D-Moll, but being a Diezel, it's got a very distinctive tone. But it's a brilliant highly versatile amp, likely more expensive than a Shiva on the used market.

Those are my Top2 for the budget given.
Peace
 
I'm looking for the same thing, nailed it down to Diezel VH4/Hagen or Bogner XTC. I've ruled out the XTC though as for me it would be harder to source, more expensive, less features and never played one and not fell in love with any Bogner I've played compared to the Diezels I've played and love.

I was also thinking about the TC and JVM, but TC is kind of generic sounding and JVM IMO is not that good. Passable but other amps sound much better. I think JVM410JS is supposed to be better though but never played one.
 
Revv Generator 120.

Got one and it does everything. And does it very well.

Would sell everything and keep it.
 
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