What amp for metal

[SonVolt]

I would get one of those stupid Dual Recs.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I use the black 1.0 nylon jim dunlops (for rhythm) and the 1.0 nylon jazz IIIXLs (for lead) specifically because they grip better than tortex/etc when playing live

If you haven't tried either might be worth a shot if you generally prefer that thickness

Will probably try them tbh. Looks like they have .88 as well in the max grip.

Im cheap and highly prefer bigger name brands. 50 cents a piece vs the $3.50 each that I paid with the small guy.

 

[DanTravis62]

Will probably try them tbh. Looks like they have .88 as well in the max grip.

Im cheap and highly prefer bigger name brands. 50 cents a piece vs the $3.50 each that I paid with the small guy.

Most of the expensive picks i've tried are honestly not good IMO

The hetfield white wolf ones are okay

But IMO it's more about finding the pick that synergizes with your playing style the best, and for me those two black picks are all I will ever need

 

[thegame]

Next, what’s the amp that will really stand out and look the best on Instragram when I show off my amp wall?

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Certainly - if he means Creed, Chevelle, Cannibal Corpse, and 90s/2000s stuff starting with the letter C, a DR is gonna be great.

But if by metal he means Led Zeppelin, Scorpions, and Sabbath though, a dual recto is gonna be a dumb amp to get

This is one of those open ended questions that's 10000% likely to get dumb answers of people just responding with whatever high gainer they own, or whatever high gainer they would buy for the genres they like.

Out of the respondents so far, the only answers that make sense are the ones with a super wide range of tones, because like the dual rec and the MT100, and then they are only the correct answer incidentally.

@Laputan Machine we need more information bro

What kind of metal are you talking about? And yes, it matters.

I disagree. Clean channel cranked to breakup and hit with a Tone Bender was amazing for early Zeppelin dirty tones just like JP did, and the clean channel cranked to breakup is it's own sweet kinda vintage tone with plenty of classic crunch on tap.

To say the tones on a Cracker album sounded like Creed or CC is not accurate at all. The difference in tones is widely disparate.

My Keeley Java or Analog Man Beano Boost got similar excellent results for great Sabbath Tones, and '60s-'70s rock in general. When playing over the Hills and Far Away I would use the clean channel with the volume rolled way back for cleans, and rolling it up for the dirty parts.

Even the vintage orange with the gain set appropriately killed it for Sabbath Tones. I play After Forever, Into the Void, Supernaut, The Wizard, Hand of Doom, etc..., and it worked awesome for it.

 

[Laputan Machine]

I want something that sounds bad ass not gay

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I want something that sounds bad ass not gay

Define bad ass vs gay owner of hipster amps.

Talking of clean hipster amps, my Hiwatt Custom 100 with the right pedals will bitchslap and bend over most high gain amps for brutal grind and insane thump.

 

[Laputan Machine]

Define bad ass vs gay owner of hipster amps.

Talking of clean hipster amps, my Hiwatt Custom 100 with the right pedals will bitchslap and bend over most high gain amps for brutal grind and insane thump.

stupid hipster amps=Fender
bad ass amp= randall warhead

 

[DanTravis62]

I disagree. Clean channel cranked to breakup and hit with a Tone Bender was amazing for early Zeppelin dirty tones just like JP did, and the clean channel cranked to breakup is it's own sweet kinda vintage tone with plenty of classic crunch on tap.

To say the tones on a Cracker album sounded like Creed or CC is not accurate at all. The difference in tones is widely disparate.

My Keeley Java or Analog Man Beano Boost got similar excellent results for great Sabbath Tones, and '60s-'70s rock in general. When playing over the Hills and Far Away I would use the clean channel with the volume rolled way back for cleans, and rolling it up for the dirty parts.

Even the vintage orange with the gain set appropriately killed it for Sabbath Tones. I play After Forever, Into the Void, Supernaut, The Wizard, Hand of Doom, etc..., and it worked awesome for it.

Uh, hard disagree on a recto for sabbath tones - if you mean the clean channel then basically anything would work "fine" with pedals. Including a "Gay" fender lol

I want something that sounds bad ass not gay

Get a randall satan or thrasher or something then, very hetero

 

[napalmdeath]

I'm sick of my stupid hipster vintage amps with no gain. I want something for metal. I've never really had any high gain amps except some stupid Mesa Boogie combo way back.

What should I be looking at with a rough 1500 dollar budget?

That little Engl Fireball 25 looks nice, but dunno if it's loud enough.
Other amps was thinking about: 6505, some of those solid state Orange things look sort of interesting (Super Crush and Gain Baby).
Maybe build some hotrodded JCM800 thing from Ceriatone or Weber?

What else is out there?

The Fireball 25 is loud, and fits the bill nicely.

 

[Shask]

Who the hell has ever called Led Zeppelin metal? Lol

 

[2dor]

A Victory Kraken 50W MKII.

 

[harddriver]

I want something that sounds bad ass not gay

EVH 5153's 50 or 100 watters standard or Stealth or the Iconic There is a Stealth 100S by me for $1600. Iconics go for 600-800 or so.

 

[BenoA]

With all the replies on the 5150-III you are tempting me. Played the Peavey and owned two at one point, I should never had got rid of my 5150-II but never played those EVH. And as I need another amp

 

[headlessdeadguy]

You can get a used OG 5153 100 watt for under $1500. I don’t agree about the iconic. I hated that amp. The 50w is also really great, and about half of your budget.

The OG 5153 was a disappointment to me. The Iconic smokes it imo. YMMV

 

[napalmdeath]

I really like my iEngl Ironball for that price. It’s less scooped than the Fireball 25 so it cuts thru better. There are comparison videos online to give u an idea. Either way they are great amps. Not really loud enough for a hard hitting drummer (to me). But great at home or a gig for micing up.
Edit, with my vintage 30 4-12 cab they are loud enough. I was speaking of my 2x12 Ada cab(which I use for practice sometimes) where the speakers are rated at less sensitivity. 95db vs 100bd for the vintage 30s. I only use this cab because it fits in my car. I want to change out those for more v30s.

I should have mentioned in my endorsement of the Fireball 25, go for the KT77 model!

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

100%.

As a do-it-all rock to metal type amp it's really hard to beat a Dual Rectifier. While the tones aren't all just one toe tap away depending on mode, Bold/Spongy, rectifier, and EQ settings it can cover what you listed and way way more.

Seriously from Cracker to Creed to Cannibal Corpse is a huge range. With a DR and a good boost I can cover a lot of ground, and it sounds damn good.

By far one of the best amps ever made. Better than 5150. Miles better than the SLO.

It is top 3 amp for me. Maybe second place

 

[311boogieman]

Depends what you mean by "metal"

What genre of heavy metal??

Korn and limp bizkit? Or Maiden and Priest? They use completely different guitar tones. Not to mention - not all of the amps people have recommended are good for all the various genres.

I'm pretty sure everyone is just recommending the amps that would work for whatever their favorite pet genre is.

Yeah if you tune down to drop aids and want modern metal, the 5150 will work. If by metal you mean "classic rock" then yes the new DSL will work. But basically only in those situations

First thing I thought of when I read the OP. But I guess as long as it is not gay it will do

Home or gig?
New or Used?
Location?
Budget including cab?
Genres?
Favorite Guitarist?

PS: There was a point in time where most people would consider Led Zeppelin to be metal Maybe not all of it but they were obviously a huge influencer on the genre.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

As a follow up question, what's the best guitar pick for metal?

A metal one.

+3 tone if it has an upside down cross.....+5 if three upside down crosses

 

[DanTravis62]

First thing I thought of when I read the OP. But I guess as long as it is not gay it will do

Home or gig?
New or Used?
Location?
Budget including cab?
Genres?
Favorite Guitarist?

PS: There was a point in time where most people would consider Led Zeppelin to be metal Maybe not all of it but they were obviously a huge influencer on the genre.

RIght? Like I mean, I can do what everyone else is doing and just recommend the amps I own in hopes that other people will validate my purchasing choice, but I don't think that helps the OP if they are actually looking for a specific high gain sound.