Which 3-channel high gain amp?

[Red_Label]

Okay... I know we already have a thread about "which new high gain amp", but I'm not necessarily limiting my search to just new models and I know that I want 3 or more channels.

A little background... I recently picked-up a VHT Pittbull Ultra Lead loaded with 4 KT88s and I LOVE it for my new gig (hard rock/light metal). I've been playing classic rock and country for years and my former Shiva and current XTC Classic were perfect for that gig. But I find that I'm just not digging the XTC for this new stuff. I choose the VHT every time. Love the fact that I can do great cleans, great "vintage" mid-rangey lead tones, and scoop the mids for a brutal, tight metal sound on the rhythms. Just not happy with my XTC when I go for modern rock and metal. Bogners seem to live in the midrange, so if you dial that out they get all mushy and non-distinct, at least in my limited experience. I haven't spent much time with an Uber though.

Also, I don't have a 7 string, and my use of dropped tunings is limted to Drop-D, Eb, and Drop-C#. Not interested in adding another string to my guitars or stretching the necks. So I don't need an amp that will compete with the bass player... LOL.

So it's looking like I may be selling the Bogner or trading it towards something. But what? I've been interested in the Diezel VH4 ever since I first saw them. But we just don't get any high-end amps where I live (MT). So I pretty much have to luck into something locally that someone else's taken a chance on, or take a chance on one myself on the internet. I'm also interested in the Engl SE, Mesa Mark V, and maybe a few other amps. I haven't played any of these amps, and just based on what I've read and heard on the internet, I'd definitely lean towards trying a VH4 or Engl SE. I LOVE the rhythm tones on the latest Nocturnal Rites CD. So heavy and tight -- and heard that they use Engls.

Ideas? Keep in-mind that I love the tight, "beastiality" of the VHT UL and that's what I'd be looking for in a second amp. I've also thought about picking-up a Sig:X, but I'm trying to stay away from getting two of mostly the same thing. It's nice to mix things up a little once in a while.

Thanks guys!

 

[Devilinside]

VHT should cover any metal you are trying to achieve! Engl's are very compressed and can get buried in a live mix pretty easy

 

[datriani]

I used to own a XTC 101A and a Marshall 6100LM and the Marshall could do anything the XTC and then some with a few extra controls on the lead channel that scooped out the mids, etc. I thought it was an awesome sounding and versatile amp for the money <$1000. I a/b'ed it against my '72 super lead and could get very similar tones. IMO one of the better modern marshall amps out there.

Right now I'm using an Egnater M4 and love it. I currently own the T/D, Vox, COD and SL2 modules and it does almost everything I could possible want. I'm however probably going to purchase a Modern High Gain or EG5 module pretty soon to get something beyond the SL2.

I don't think you can go wrong with Egnater or 6100LM. I think Guitar Center has a few of the 6100LM and you can always buy over the phone and if you don't like it, you can return it to the local GC so you won't have to ship it back.

Another option is the Rocktron Vendetta tube amp, it's basically the Rocktron version of the TOL100 and it is designed by Bruce Egnater. I owned a TOL100 and it sounded great but I have not owned the Vendetta but my assumption is it's an improvement over the TOL100. The 4th channel on the TOL100 wasn't over the top gain like most amps today but I think the Vendetta has more on it's 4th channel.

An older Mesa that I really liked was the Mark III, if you get the simulclass with all the bells and whistles, it can be a super flexible amp and sounds amazing live. Great gigging amp because it just seems to cut through the mix easily without being too loud although it is one loud a$$ amp.

 

[Red_Label]

VHT should cover any metal you are trying to achieve! Engl's are very compressed and can get buried in a live mix pretty easy

Roger. What about the Diezel?

I'm a two-amp kind of guy. I always want two great amps so I've got #1 a spare, and #2 something to switch back and forth between when my ears get tired of one amp. So yeah, no question about it... the VHT is staying. Just wondering what to get as a side-kick to it.

 

[Red_Label]

How come I never see anything here about the Hughes & Kettner Coreblade, Warp X, or Trilogy amps? I see the Triamp mentioned from time to time (I used to own a Mark I), but never their higher gain amps.

 

[nevusofota]

Try a 5150III and don't skip over channel 2. Channel 2 boosted is amazing. I use channel 3 for most leads. It has good cleans and the fx loop takes pedals and rack gear great.

 

[zee1usa]

SE or Invader may do ya!

 

[bubbastain]

VHT should cover any metal you are trying to achieve! Engl's are very compressed and can get buried in a live mix pretty easy

Roger. What about the Diezel?

I'm a two-amp kind of guy. I always want two great amps so I've got #1 a spare, and #2 something to switch back and forth between when my ears get tired of one amp. So yeah, no question about it... the VHT is staying. Just wondering what to get as a side-kick to it.

I'm a two amp kind of guy too. Sometimes (like today) I wish I was a 3 amp kind of guy. Just played a VHT CL100 (no eq) and thought it was pretty damn sweet. 5150 III makes me wish I was a 3 amp kind of guy too. Thing is, when I got home and played both of the amps I have (Splawn 50 watt Competition and modded VTM) I'm just so happy with how they sound I know I don't need anything else. I'm not even gigging now but when I was on a regular basis for 6 years, I had one( uno) amp and that's all I needed. So If for some reason I do ever bring home amp number 3, there is going to be a 3 amp battle royal to see which amp has to go. So far the Splawn and especially the VTM have eaten all challengers.

I'd also say check out the 5150 III.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

who knows man?

somewhere in there, you gotta play the flipping game untill you find a keeper. buy used, and hopefully not loose your ass, or get stuck with something.


imagine there will be some VH4's up for sale here pretty soon for guys selling to buy the Hagen.


i know the old Mark guys ragged on the Mark V, but i think i'm gonna try one of them when i get some crap sold. the metal guys have put up some damned good clips with the V.

 

[Red_Label]

Been impressed with the clips of the Herbert that I've been hearing. Never had really paid much attention to it before, cause the VH4 was always the one that caught my eye.

 

[Robotechnology]

The ENGL Special Edition can do what you're looking for. It is not as compressed sounding as a 101B either. I've owned both a U-L and SE at the same time. I still have the Ultra-Lead and I'm still scratching my head as to why I sold the SE a year after the fact

 

[FIREBALL]

herbert or mark v

 

[Red_Label]

The ENGL Special Edition can do what you're looking for. It is not as compressed sounding as a 101B either. I've owned both a U-L and SE at the same time. I still have the Ultra-Lead and I'm still scratching my head as to why I sold the SE a year after the fact

Good to know. I'm focused on the Herbert or VH4 right now, but will keep the SE on the radar. I'd be interested in the Hagen, but I'm gonna have to probably sell my XTC and G-System to get into a used Herbert or VH4, so there's no way I'm gonna be able to swing a Hagen at this point.

 

[Red_Label]

herbert or mark v

I'll admit that I've been curious about the Mark V since it's introduction. But I've never been a Mesa guy... so I'd need to plug into one before I took the chance I'm thinking. The good news is that there's a Mesa dealer 120 miles away, so I could probably make that happen a lot easier than trying out the other ones on my list.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Been impressed with the clips of the Herbert that I've been hearing. Never had really paid much attention to it before, cause the VH4 was always the one that caught my eye.

i for sure like the Herbert better than the VH4, the Herbert will shake the fillings out of your teeth.

some of the older VH4's i thought had kind of a woody tone in them, like some of the Bogners.

 

[SuperFlyinMonke]

Peters Amplification just rolled out the triple channel format as well as a new Vega channel with more of a marshall flavour. That can be paired easily with the Gryphon and Chimera channels as well as the Halo clean channel that does get rock tones with how much gain is available for it as well.

It's not cheap, but since you're looking at the VH4 I figured price is relative as long as you're getting what you want.

 

[Fenderoid]

Maybe you should check out Rhodes COllossus

 

[King Crimson]

VHT should cover any metal you are trying to achieve! Engl's are very compressed and can get buried in a live mix pretty easy

Roger. What about the Diezel?

EOS

 

[FIREBALL]

herbert or mark v

I'll admit that I've been curious about the Mark V since it's introduction. But I've never been a Mesa guy... so I'd need to plug into one before I took the chance I'm thinking. The good news is that there's a Mesa dealer 120 miles away, so I could probably make that happen a lot easier than trying out the other ones on my list.

its brutal versitile...rare to me that is

 

[alxdgr8]

Maybe you should check out Rhodes COllossus

He wouldn't be a two amp guy then...cause the Colossus would be all he needs