Looking for a new Amp

Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 157 Location: Wales

Im currently looking to sell both my combos, Marshall MG100DFX and Line 6 Spider 2 2x12, then put the money together to get a good priced Head/Cab or another Combo.

I like the sound of the Line 6 and the feel of the Marshall, but over the last 5/6 years of playing through them ive become slightly bored of them.

Any ideas?
My budget is around £600.

Thanks

Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 157 Location: Wales

Ive been looking at the below recently.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Randall-Rm-50-Combo-With-Plexi-blackface-And-Lynch-Grail-Modules-Marshall-mesa-/321021689866?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item4abe62400a

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Randal-KH75-Kirk-Hammet-Combo-/230707476126?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item35b73cb69e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mesa-Boogie-Nomad-100-guitar-amp-/121015375605?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item1c2d1416f5#shId

Any comments about them?

Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 1129 Location: Atlanta, Ga

How much do you want to spend?

Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 157 Location: Wales

around £600

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:10 pm

Where do you tend to play? Be very aware that with valve (or tube) amps that, if they're a high wattage, you won't be able to crank them in a bedroom or small rehearsal space and they won't sound that great.

Unless you're gonna gig big I wouldn't bother with anything too high wattage (unless they have half-power switches or power soak functions).

Actually, speaking of such functions something that's been highly praised in reviews is the DPR function in the higher-wattage Blackstar amps. It's not a power soak function, so it doesn't reduce the life of your tubes. Having tried it myself, it's really effective.

Those models are the Blackstar Series One amps - but they're a little out of your price range with the 50 watt head going for about £800 and the 45 watt combo being about a grand. They are great though, because the DPR knob can take you all the way to 10% output (so 4.5 watts on the combo).

For the good, low-wattage valve sound of a similar ilk you could check out the HT-5 that Blackstar do. Cracking sounding amp (for how much gain you can bleed out of it, check out this video) and really not expensive at all.

The version with digital reverb as a 'mini stack' package (head and two 1x10 cabs) tends to sell for about the £450 mark.

I'm not saying you should definitely get this amp, because I don't have anywhere near the same experience with many different amps as some of the guys on this forum, but it's definitely one to add to your list to try out in the guitar store.

Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 2739 Location: Southeast MI

Those ones you listed could be cool. I'm not 100% sure personally. I've heard mixed reviews on the Nomad, but since I love Mesas and the features seem cool I've been tempted to pick one up cheap on a few occasions. Especially since the 100s have a Graphic EQ. I'm not sure if I'd mess with the KH amp, but it might be cool. The newer Randall Diavlos have been reworked by Mike Fortin, so if you got a new one of those it's good (I've heard the new version and they do sound great). The RM Randalls are also pretty cool with all the options you can get. Personally, I'd rather have a head and cab over a combo for most applications just because I can mix and match and get exactly want out of my cab. I also am not sold on having to get a lower wattage amp to play in your bedroom. Sure, the amp will sound better cranked, but I've played quite a few amps low volume that sound great and just get better as you turn them up. Also, a lot of the smaller amps that use EL84s, I don't think lend themselves to the tones I'm after for high gain music. For bluesy and clean tones they sound amazing (my one amp now has one...sounds great), but am I going to play metal with an open back cab and an EL84 pushing it? Heck no...not me at least.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 338 Location: cali.

I am interested in this as well. I have watched so many amp demo's I don't feel I have made any progress what so ever. I do want a practice amp that would jam with another guitarist as well as it would in my room.

I had been leaning toward the Blackstar HT-5 Series HT-5H 5W but the Orange Dark Terror Jim Root is starting to look pretty good. I know the Dark Terror has a 7w switch and effects loop that would work in the smaller setting and the 15w I have heard is quite loud depending on the cab also.Other choice's I have looked at are of course less expensive. The Bugera 333 120w might be to big , The Randall Diavlo series 50w , Egnator 20w ,40w and the blackheart 5w. Too many choices. I just need to play more amps. I did play a little 18w Hughes & kettner not a bad little amp.

I have repeatedly raved about the Bad Cat Cougar 50w combo but it is priced as high as a good 100w head. The Bad Cat definitely covers a lot of sounds.It retails around $1400 so not a chance I'll buy it right now.

Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 2044 Location: Wallingford, CT

I can't believe more people don't look into the Hughes and Kettner Tubemeisters. I have the 18w version and it's a killer amp. It's a two-channel amp with a built-in powersoak (1w, 5w and 18w settings), effects loop and a boost.
They now have a 36w version, too, that adds a third channel, reverb and some other features.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 338 Location: cali.

I did try that amp not the 36w but the 18w,1w,5w. The thing that makes the decision so difficult is Having played a couple 50w at prices above this It just feels limited. They didn't have the Jet City 20w in stock or an eganater 20w but the Dark terror looks da$% cool.

Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 1129 Location: Atlanta, Ga

JCA22H

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 338 Location: cali.

Sustain and good control feed back old school metal (British) ?
here is a slight variation on the tiny terror and it might be my next amp if I can try one compared to a couple of other amps.

http://www.orangeamps.com/products/guitar-amp-heads/or-series/or15-amp-head/

Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 6624 Location: Minnesota

Jet City

You're welcome.

Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 421 Location: Northern Arizona

The low wattage amps seem to be getting more popular. When you have a lower wattage you can really push the preamp and make the tubes scream. I love the little Orange amps, the Jim Root dark terror sounds badass! Twisted Evil

I have also seen a few interesting small Marshalls and Blackstars that sound great.

Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 909

Carvin V3, or if that's too much for you, the V3M.
AWESOME sounding amps with TONS of flexibility! Bonus to the V3 for the dual MIDI programable FX loops.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 338 Location: cali.

I just happened upon this:

Marshall DSL15H 15 watt

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DSL15H?utm_source=none&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CNiZjK

Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 2739 Location: Southeast MI

cjtropolise wrote:

The low wattage amps seem to be getting more popular. When you have a lower wattage you can really push the preamp and make the tubes scream. I love the little Orange amps, the Jim Root dark terror sounds badass! Twisted Evil

I have also seen a few interesting small Marshalls and Blackstars that sound great.

You can always push the preamp. With smaller amps you can get the power tubes pushed with a bit less volume.

Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 4139 Location: southern ohio

mahly wrote:

Carvin V3, or if that's too much for you, the V3M.
AWESOME sounding amps with TONS of flexibility! Bonus to the V3 for the dual MIDI programable FX loops.

This!

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 338 Location: cali.

V3M Looks awesome. I own a Carvin Sx100 1 12" combo ( solid state).
V3M 50w with a low watt setting would be perfect. I would like to try one. The sound a lot of people are after is the old Marshall Plexi DSL Since hearing the Marshall DSL15H 15W All Tube Amplifier Head I am convinced they nailed it and the price is right as is the price on the carvin. The bonus with the V3M is the wattage switching. By reading the GP review it should get the job done.
Great time to buy a small amp right now.

Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 909

With a choice of 50w, 22w, and 7w at the flip of a switch, The V3M is quite adaptable to the environment it is being played in.

Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 312 Location: Marietta GA

Frogman wrote:

JCA22H

Ding ding

Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 157 Location: Wales

Has anyone ever played through a RANDALL RG200G3 COMBO???

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:54 pm

martynmordecai wrote:

Has anyone ever played through a RANDALL RG200G3 COMBO???

no but if youre considdering one of those have a listen to the namm videos of the rg1503. just came out and retails at 399.00 US i think. it sounds pretty devastating

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14455

Frogman wrote:

JCA22H

Graunke wrote:

Jet City

You're welcome.

Concur.

Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 32

+1 on the Blackstar recommendation.

I just picked up a Blackstar HT Stage 60 and couldn't be happier. Great tone, 3 channels, and an assload of gain.

Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 157 Location: Wales

I dont know allot about Heads and Cabs as ive always used a combo.
Anyone know what a RANDALL RT503 Head would sound like with a RANDALL RS412XJM speaker cabinet? or using a RANDALL RS412XJM Cab.

Would there be much difference between the 2 cabs?

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

martynmordecai wrote:

I dont know allot about Heads and Cabs as ive always used a combo.
Anyone know what a RANDALL RT503 Head would sound like with a RANDALL RS412XJM speaker cabinet? or using a RANDALL RS412XJM Cab.

Would there be much difference between the 2 cabs?

Use google and see what speakers came in what cab. If they are different they will sound different, if they are the same they may sound similar. Asking what something sounds like is like asking 100 different people what a slice of pizza tastes like. You'll get 70 different answers and be more confused than ever. Laughing

Speakers do make a difference but don't forget the amp has an EQ Wink

Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 157 Location: Wales

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

martynmordecai wrote:

I dont know allot about Heads and Cabs as ive always used a combo.
Anyone know what a RANDALL RT503 Head would sound like with a RANDALL RS412XJM speaker cabinet? or using a RANDALL RS412XJM Cab.

Would there be much difference between the 2 cabs?

Use google and see what speakers came in what cab. If they are different they will sound different, if they are the same they may sound similar. Asking what something sounds like is like asking 100 different people what a slice of pizza tastes like. You'll get 70 different answers and be more confused than ever. Laughing

Speakers do make a difference but don't forget the amp has an EQ Wink

Thanks, ive had a look and the RA412 has Celestion Vintage 30 Speakers and the RS412XJM has Custom Eminence Jaguar speakers. This still baffles me. Anyone have any preference?

Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 6624 Location: Minnesota

I think they sound the best.

Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 8254 Location: Ontario, Canada

Just go and play some amps. Than you'll know.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 338 Location: cali.

I played a Blackstar soloist 60. Pretty good sounds even at lower volume. I din't crank but I believe it would get even better cranked up.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 338 Location: cali.

Graunke wrote:

Jet City

You're welcome.

Can you tell us more about the amp. I got this from a ebay vender:

You asked for it, and here it is! We took the legendary JCA20H and added a second, footswitch-accessible overdrive channel, along with a tube-buffered, serial effects loop. Poised to change the amp world . . . again, the JCA22H is elegance in design both inside and out, delivering unflinching reliability and everything you’d want in an amp. With full EQ control and separate preamp gain and master volumes, the JCA22H can deliver spanky cleans all the way through saturated, Soldano high-gain overdrive.

It bothers me I can not find a jet city stocked anywhere near my location with in 50 miles. I can order one on line but I would like to try it first.
I have played an orange tiny terror egnater tweaker 20w , rebel 30w Peavey valve king 50w, Blackstar solist 60w So far the far the soloist 60w is on with a celestian 12" followed by the valve King.