Which amp for these thrash tones

  • Thread starter Thread starter DannyM
  • Start date Start date

What amp do you guys suggest?

  • JVM 410H

    Votes: 2 10.5%

  • 2203X

    Votes: 10 52.6%

  • Powerball II

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other

    Votes: 7 36.8%
  • Total voters
    19
DannyM

DannyM

Member
As soon as I sell the Twin Jet listed in the classifieds I will be buying a new amp.

I want something that nails old school thrash tones such as:
Slayer (all)
Exodus (all)
Metallica (pre black album)
Testament (all)
Anthrax (Among the Living)
StormTroopers of Death (both albums)
M.O.D. (M.O.D. for USA tone)

I also play old Iron Maiden, early Mercyful Fate (Melissa and Dont Break the Oath albums), early RIOT (Fire Down Under, Rock City), Legs Diamond, Accept (Restless and Wild album), some Budgie, Death Angel, G n R (Appetite album), early Crue, early Saxon, early Scorpions, UFO, Tesla.

I mainly play the stuff I grew up listening to. I like newer modern stuff (Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, etc) but dont care to play them.
So I am looking for that 80's thrash/metal sound but with a little more edge/gain than what was around back then. I dont necessarily want it to sound more modern, just want more gain on tap. I am not opposed to putting a OD pedal in front to push it...in fact I like one in front regardless hahaha.

My favorite modern amp was a ENGL SE that I owned a few years ago. I even dug the Powerball I had. Not really a fan of 5150's, Mesa's, or Bogners. I can dial in great tones with them but I can never seem to find "that sound" in them.
My favorite "thrash" amp was a 2203x and JVM 410H. I was able to get close to the sound with a JCM DSL 50 and a keeley SD-1. Had a Splawn Competition and it was close but never sounded or felt perfect (i think it was to tight?).

Its come down to a JVM 410H or a Powerball II. I'm pretty sure that the correct choice between those two is the Marshall....especially for what I'm looking for.
I'm just looking for you guys opinion as I'm kinda tired of searching for "that sound". I've probably owned 30 heads or more....many of them more than once or twice and I'm kinda tired of buying, selling, trading, etc.

What amp do you guys suggest?

Powerball? JVM410H? 2203x? Other?

I would like an amp capable of clean for stuff like Tesla so I guess the 2203x shouldnt be on the list....but to my ears it just has to be on the list....LOL
 
Most of these bands used Marshalls

What sounds like a Marshall but is better than a Marshall?

Wizard

Get a Wizard ;)
 
I found a good deal on the 410JS so thats what I'm leaning towards. Should give me the clean, crunch, and OD channels that should cover them bands/tones.
 
I agree that everything on that list besides Metallica are Marshall JCM800-based.

I think you should go with a Marshall :) Probably either DSL or JVM.

If you want something a little fancier you could get a 2203X or 2203KK and get it modded by one of the popular modders to dial it in for you a little more.
 
Another good option woould be a EVH 5150 III 100 watt head, blue channel for the early thrash and red channel for more metallica type tone.
 
Holy crap! I haven't seen you around for a long time Dan (years maybe). Hope all is well! I still remember the Slayer clip we collaborated on back in 2007. In fact, I think you bought a Powerball from me back in the day.

The JVM JS amp is actually pretty good. I think it could be right up your alley for a true Marshall flavor. I would look for a Mesa Mark III for those types of tones. The right version would give you exactly what you need and then some. The Mark amps straddle the fence between modern and old school tones.

Hope to see you around more often.
 
Exhibit B Exodus tone = ENGL Savage through Peavey XXX cabinet.
 
Jcm 800 boosted... will do it...
as far as metallica. they did use Marshall on KEA and RTL... RTL still my favorite metallica tone
 
JCM 800 boosted with an OD or tube screamer and an MXR 10 band for Slayer, Exodus (older) and Testament. I'm pretty sure that Anthrax and Ian with S.O.D. used a JCM 800 slammed with a Furman PQ3. Gives it a HUGE kick in the ass! Very noisy though, definitely need a noisegate.
 
I think most of the thrash bands where either using Marks or JCM800 2210's. Honestly I would stay away from the 2203x's because it is one channel and the price you pay for them is way too much for a one channel amp. If you want that tone and more get yourself a splawn quickrod.

I will say it again, the EVH 5150III will get you where you want to be and more, even Eric from testament is playing them now.

http://www.evhgear.com/news/2013/03/tes ... h-his-rig/
 
siggy14":tccixvem said:
I think most of the thrash bands where either using Marks or JCM800 2210's. Honestly I would stay away from the 2203x's because it is one channel and the price you pay for them is way too much for a one channel amp. If you want that tone and more get yourself a splawn quickrod.

I will say it again, the EVH 5150III will get you where you want to be and more, even Eric from testament is playing them now.

http://www.evhgear.com/news/2013/03/tes ... h-his-rig/
Click to expand...
Agreed, great amps. EQ'd properly, they can sound brutal. I just saw Decapitated and Vogg's tone was absolutely ripping.
 
Mesa Mark III or a Marshall JCM-800 with a boost. Two best tube amps for old school thrash.
 
I ended up going with the Marshall JVM 410JSH. Pretty confident I'll get what I'm looking for out of it.
 
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