What am i hearing?

[the rossness]

I'm an avid Randall MTS user but I'm just not getting the tone I want and I have 21 modded preamps . I'm looking for something that has a sound that's in between a Vox AC30, Mesa Mark IV and Soldano SLO. I'd like something slightly dark but with a searing top end. I'm, also looking for something that's not muddy of fuzzy sounding. I'm also looking for more of an overdriven sound and less crunch. I'm not sure what kind of amp to even start looking at. Is there anything that comes to mind you can recommend for this type of sound?

Recently I bought a Carvin Legacy 3 only to return it a day after I got it. I found it too dark and not aggressive enough. There are a ton of amps out there. Is there anything I should take a look at?

 

[tripstan]

Kind made me think of Dumble tone. Not crunch, kinda dark with a searing top end. Smooth articulate grind. Many D clones out there and lots of pedals too.

 

[gtr31]

its a tall order I think because I vox and Mesa/SLO are totally different beasts.
and to have Dark voicing with a bright top is kinda difficult IMO as you are cutting highs to get the smoother darker tone.
I am going to say VHT Memphis 30 it a class A capable of high gain close to a pittbull .can get very saturated and has dark, bright and fat voicings

 

[Anonymous]

this.
it's all i hear, every day in my head, all day. for the last 2 years.
sounds to me like what you're describing....

 

[snowdog]

Run a couple or more amps at the same time.

 

[the rossness]

I don't think the dumble's are high gain enough. I also want some grit and don't think a dumble exactly fits my hard rock style of playing.

 

[gtr31]

ill say it again check out the Fryette Memphis

 

[ConcreteVampire]

I thought of the Combo I just got from Jerry... It's got Vox and Dumble flavored Channels... Dumbles got that feeback loop for the Searing requirement... I had him put Jose pulls and masters on both channels for versatility. The circuits though, as pointed out aren't inherently dark, more ac-Crunch/D-lead. I "Can" Dial in dark by reducing the wattage to taste.

Ask him about a higher watt version, obviously 18 watts/6V6 isn't going to bring dark or heavy either. maybe his Classic 2

http://www.surrealamplification.com/classic-squared.php

50 watt version of my combo...

Thing is stupid loud to!

 

[wheelman]

Wizard modern classic set it dark and let it rip.

 

[the rossness]

ill say it again check out the Fryette Memphis

when I say "fuzzy", that's the distorted tone I'm referring to. The Memphis 30 is not the tone I hear in my head.

The Mark series amps have a nice overall tone, but have a little too much chunk/ clang/ crunch. Does that make sense? I've looked at the Mesa Royal Atlantic but have only played the Trans Atlantic and haven't liked it. Is the royal any different? I'm tempted by those 2 mesa amps.

The tone I hear in my head is thin Lizzy/ hair bands/ meets modern overdrive, with a tweed/ Vox clean section. I like more of an overdriven channel 2, which is normally a crunch mode, only, I don't like "crunch". I love the SLO's lead channel. Its the best lead channel I've ever heard. However an SLO is waaayy out of my budget. I should mention my budget is about $1800 new or used.

 

[glip22]

Ghosts! Look at the bright side of your merry go round. Those 25 preamps could have been 1k-3k amps and you would still be looking for what you describe because I don not think it exists

 

[petejt]

The Mark series amps have a nice overall tone, but have a little too much chunk/ clang/ crunch. Does that make sense?

Try turning down the Tone control on your guitar- it will dampen the attack and thus make a MarkIV sound less chunky/clangy/crunchy.

Also try playing with your fingers rather than a pick. It has a similar effect.

And, try using a different pickup selection (handy when you have a 5-way switch and three pickups).



By the way- where does the movie scene come from that is featured in your avatar? All I can tell is that is has Sean Astin in it, and looks to be from the very late 1980s-early 1990s (has kind of a Saved by the Bell look).

 

[shredhead7]

I thought that Billy Duffs sound live last year was pretty close to what you're describing. It was the best Marshall tone that I've ever heard, but I don't know if it was the Matchless or the Marshalls being hit with the Tube Screamer. In either case, it was thick and chewy, had string clarity, but wasn't piercing in any way. It was the best live guitar sound that I've ever heard and I'm not even a huge Cult fan.

http://www.guitargeek.com/billy-duffy-t ... p-diagram/

 

[ibenhad]

Fargen VOS is what you are looking for. To get the added crunch add a Hermidia Mosferatu pedal and you will be in tonal bliss.

 

[Inca Roads]

CUSTOM AUDIO OD100SE+
Get one and be done with it!!!

 

[garey77]

By the way- where does the movie scene come from that is featured in your avatar? All I can tell is that is has Sean Astin in it, and looks to be from the very late 1980s-early 1990s (has kind of a Saved by the Bell look).

Encino Man

 

[gtr31]

ill say it again check out the Fryette Memphis

when I say "fuzzy", that's the distorted tone I'm referring to. The Memphis 30 is not the tone I hear in my head.

The Mark series amps have a nice overall tone, but have a little too much chunk/ clang/ crunch. Does that make sense? I've looked at the Mesa Royal Atlantic but have only played the Trans Atlantic and haven't liked it. Is the royal any different? I'm tempted by those 2 mesa amps.

The tone I hear in my head is thin Lizzy/ hair bands/ meets modern overdrive, with a tweed/ Vox clean section. I like more of an overdriven channel 2, which is normally a crunch mode, only, I don't like "crunch". I love the SLO's lead channel. Its the best lead channel I've ever heard. However an SLO is waaayy out of my budget. I should mention my budget is about $1800 new or used.

Then I would say perhaps a Jet City .they have a new amp coming out that is programmable and like 699
it has 3 different overdrives a voxy crunch, a darker more vintage and the SLO lead voicing .out at Namm this week I think

 

[the rossness]

CUSTOM AUDIO OD100SE+
Get one and be done with it!!!

I have a Salvation Custom 3+SE MTS preamp and it used to be my favoutite module. Then it was replaced by a Cameron CCV clone and I haven't really missed the 3+. I played the CAE OD100se+ the other day and while its nice, its not what my head hears anymore. There's gotta be someone who hears how I hear. Describing sounds is so weird as everybody hears things differently and describes them differently as well.

ill say it again check out the Fryette Memphis

when I say "fuzzy", that's the distorted tone I'm referring to. The Memphis 30 is not the tone I hear in my head.

The Mark series amps have a nice overall tone, but have a little too much chunk/ clang/ crunch. Does that make sense? I've looked at the Mesa Royal Atlantic but have only played the Trans Atlantic and haven't liked it. Is the royal any different? I'm tempted by those 2 mesa amps.

The tone I hear in my head is thin Lizzy/ hair bands/ meets modern overdrive, with a tweed/ Vox clean section. I like more of an overdriven channel 2, which is normally a crunch mode, only, I don't like "crunch". I love the SLO's lead channel. Its the best lead channel I've ever heard. However an SLO is waaayy out of my budget. I should mention my budget is about $1800 new or used.

Then I would say perhaps a Jet City .they have a new amp coming out that is programmable and like 699
it has 3 different overdrives a voxy crunch, a darker more vintage and the SLO lead voicing .out at Namm this week I think

That amp might be right up my alley. I just sent jerry at FJA mods an email about moding a JCA100 to Warren DeMartini/ SLO specs. At least partially, this is more of the tone I'm going for-

From what I've read, Warren plays the SLO and Diezel's and Carlos plays Blackstars.,

 

[petejt]

By the way- where does the movie scene come from that is featured in your avatar? All I can tell is that is has Sean Astin in it, and looks to be from the very late 1980s-early 1990s (has kind of a Saved by the Bell look).

Encino Man

Ah okay, thanks. I was sure it was pre-1995.

 

[gtr31]

I would say if you are looking for a Soldano tone and don't have the bucks the Jet City is way to go.
IMO it gets 95% of the Soldano tone . The HDM 100 or 50 are really good. obviously not the build quality of a USA model but tone wise very very solid.
If you get it modded to the Haynes and remove some brightness it can get darker.
Keep in mind Warren actually uses a tele a lot so that can kind of get you a more jangly Voxish tone.
Or a darker wood and darker pickups .lots of variables.
But If you love Demartinis/lynch tones the Jet city is a great place to look