Which head is the undisputed heavy(METAL)weight champion?

[Starman22]

Brought up a few times in the past, (in nauseam?) but as 2016 comes to a close and NAMM 2017 on the near horizon, what amp holds the title of unboosted heavyweight champ to date?

An amplifier so brutal that no boost is really needed.

All discussed opinions count, and please vote. Without a doubt a lot of awesome amps were omitted from the vote, so select "Other".

There may be a tie, a winner or just random throat clearing coughs from the gallery.

 

[Mr. Willy]

All the amps on that list are killer for metal. I went with the 5150. It's sooo common on stages from bar bands to stadiums. If I were playing metal, I snag one and be done. I'd use the money I saved to buy more guitars.

 

[155]

went 5150 all the way, tried and true road worthy as hell ,under 1k and they can do crunch too ...

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Voted other: Engl Savage 120.

Tighter than a ducks ass and meaner than a dog shittin tacks. Positively NO boost required.

 

[wIsEbLooD]

5150

 

[Findthetone1]

5150 is probably the most recorded metal amp wouldn't you say?

 

[Oblivion DC]

Unboosted - 5150
Boosted - two channel Dual Rectifier

 

[RJF]

Straight up metal but no boost? Usually the two go hand in hand.

Nearly every amp on that list is better with a clean boost up front, for down tuned metal

1. Framus Cobra. Most brutal amp ever...
2. Diezel Herbert
3. uberschall

 

[steve_k]

you should have added without a noise gate. most of those amps at gain levels required for the heavies are unbearable.

unboosted and no gate - Mesa IIC++

 

[Starman22]

Good responses. I changed the phrase "no boost ever" to "no boost really" needed.

I do agree everyone throws a boost in front of an amp regardless when drop tuning, to tighten up the signal... thus the change.

It appears the 5150/6505 is in the lead...for now.

Thanks for all the participation, I thought for sure the Diezel products or possibly the UL would be the leader in the first rounds.

 

[skoora]

I vote my Mesa MKV with 34's. No Boost required.
Dial in 80's thrash...check
Dial in stoner/doom....check
Dial in euro power metal....check
Dial in classic 70's/early 80's metal....check

Boo-yah!!

 

[Crunchtime]

Master of Puppets. Case closed.


And how is JCM 800 not on that list?

 

[midnightlaundry]

So many amps. Is an Ultra Lead more Metal than a Deliverance?

 

[Mailman1971]

Owned a slew of amps. For me it's Herbert. Even though I prefer the VH4 over it.
But the Herbie is such a monster for metal.

 

[Starman22]

Owned a slew of amps. For me it's Herbert. Even though I prefer the VH4 over it.
But the Herbie is such a monster for metal.

Can you explain your experience more in detail?

Conversely, Reza owns a Herbert (and his demo of it is surely METAL ) yet he voted VH4.

 

[sleewell2]

Fuchs viper

 

[SpiderWars]

Master of Puppets. Case closed.


And how is JCM 800 not on that list?

I voted before I read the OP, just read the question and voted on the question. And that was my thought, "No Marshall?" but then read the boost part. So I agree...no boost it's 2C++ for me. But with boost it's Marshall for me, but the 2C++ is still close. I'm basing my champion as the one I like most not the one most recorded (which is valid too).

 

[Alex_S]

Can't decide between a Wizard MC2 (never played a MTL) or the Larry Dino. Very different, but both more metal than most are able to tame ;-)

 

[Beyond Black]

For the fuckin broooootz, I'll take the Engl Fireball 100. Had an ampfest up in here and my Fireball handed a Cobra and an Uber Rev Blue their asses. Just much tighter and more vicious. I got those two amps damn close with a clean boost, but straight in, not so much. Without, they're really loose in comparison, especially the Uber. For a sludgier, doomier kind of heavy, they would excel though, but for tighter picking, definitely want a clean boost. Ths VH4 is also a monster. HUGE sounding amp that can physically punish you if you're brave enough to open it up and stand in its path. Huge, fat and lush sounding. Not the tightest, but will get very heavy.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

For the fuckin broooootz, I'll take the Engl Fireball 100. Had an ampfest up in here and my Fireball handed a Cobra and an Uber Rev Blue their asses. Just much tighter and more vicious. I got those two amps damn close with a clean boost, but straight in, not so much. Without, they're really loose in comparison, especially the Uber. For a sludgier, doomier kind of heavy, they would excel though, but for tighter picking, definitely want a clean boost. Ths VH4 is also a monster. HUGE sounding amp that can physically punish you if you're brave enough to open it up and stand in its path. Huge, fat and lush sounding. Not the tightest, but will get very heavy.

I agree 110%. The FB100 is pure and utter brutality in a box. With master cranked its pretty goddamn tight, but clean boosted its perfect. Such a growling pissed off tone
Still no where near as tight as the Savage when plugging straight in. I have yet to play a tighter amp with as much immediacy in its attack and response to the fingers.