Help with amp selection

somerandomguy

I'm guitarist of about 4years looking to buy a powerful hlafstack. I play a jackson DXMG and squire Stratocaster. I have a marshall valvestate combo but that is cutting out and is kind of restricting. I'm looking for an amp with good distortion and hope to get a cab and head for no more than 900 euro. I would want an amp with good distortion and the type of distortion i would be looking for can would be something like fightstar / foo fighters / general rock (anything with that range if possible). Would I be wanting a valve amp? I have been looking at the peavey valve king head, I see that it got great reviews but I don’t know. Does anybody have one?? What Cabinet would I then be wanting?? do they make a huge difference?? Good distortion is what I want. Ca anybody recommend ideas of amps and cabs that would suit my needs all help is appreciated

feylya

First question I have to ask is why do you want a half stack?

For a tad over budget, you could do far far worse than this

The_g-man

http://www.thomann.de/ie/engl_thunder_50_e320_gitarrencombo.htm
This model is supposed to offer more distortion as an alternative choice, but I am personally more than happy with the versatility of the Screamer.;)

spoonbadger

seriously,you dont need a stack. a 2x12 is enough for just about all your gigging needs. anywhere thats too big for a 2x12 will have a PA system. if you get a half stack you....

1. wont be able to turn your amp up
2. wont be able to carry the cab around
3. will be wasting money

stick with something like that ENGL combo.

Patricide

i second fey. Itl do everything you need and it wont break your back. may be small but plenty loud and it saves on transport space.

Demeyes

I think half stacks are fine. As long as you get casters on them they are easy to carry around. If you do end up getting a 2x12 instead make sure you get a smaller one or else you might as well have got a 4x12, they can be nearly the same size. Also for combos vs head/cab. I prefer the head cab route. Most gigs you play with might only need you to bring a head, also Its a great setup if you end up having more than 1 head and for upgrading. Combos are really limiting in that kind of way.
As for what head, I'd recommend getting a decent used head. If you shop around you can pick up something really nice.

Eoin Madsen

somerandomguy wrote: »

I'm guitarist of about 4years looking to buy a powerful hlafstack. I play a jackson DXMG and squire Stratocaster. I have a marshall valvestate combo but that is cutting out and is kind of restricting. I'm looking for an amp with good distortion and hope to get a cab and head for no more than 900 euro. I would want an amp with good distortion and the type of distortion i would be looking for can would be something like fightstar / foo fighters / general rock (anything with that range if possible). Would I be wanting a valve amp? I have been looking at the peavey valve king head, I see that it got great reviews but I don’t know. Does anybody have one?? What Cabinet would I then be wanting?? do they make a huge difference?? Good distortion is what I want. Ca anybody recommend ideas of amps and cabs that would suit my needs all help is appreciated

You need a new guitar as well tbh. Get a valve combo, and save for a guitar. You really don't have the budget for a half stack with a good cab. Much better to have a half decent combo than a totally piss poor stack.

somerandomguy

Well this Peavey Valve King 100 watt head is 455 off thomann, I suppose i could find a decent cab for 500. The guitar i have (jackson) is fine for me, emg-hz pickups and great tone. What do you think of that???

Karl Hungus

somerandomguy wrote: »

Well this Peavey Valve King 100 watt head is 455 off thomann, I suppose i could find a decent cab for 500. The guitar i have (jackson) is fine for me, emg-hz pickups and great tone. What do you think of that???

The Valve King series isn't exactly good, it's more of an entry level tube amp. The fact that there's a 100 watt head version doesn't mean squat.

A small combo is a much more realistic option, and it will sound far better than any head at similar prices.

feylya

somerandomguy wrote: »

The guitar i have (jackson) is fine for me, emg-hz pickups and great tone. What do you think of that???

They're not great guitars tbh. Jackson's entry level guitar afaik. Personally, I dislike the EMG-HZ's.

Jack Vegas

feylya wrote: »

First question I have to ask is why do you want a half stack?

For a tad over budget, you could do far far worse than this

YES.

I know I've reccommended this amp in every thread of this kind for the past ages, but it really is just that damn good.