New Amp Recommendations

Knifey Spoony · 09-08-2011 8:55pm #1

So, I’ve finally decided to upgrade from my Fender Frontman 15g to something with a bit more bite to it. Been looking at the Orange Thunder 30 head for a while now, but before I make sink a whole load of cash into it, I’m just wondering if somebody can recommend me something different, just to compare and contrast to the Thunder 30 since I haven’t been able to try the Thunder 30, but have heard a load of clips and I like what I hear.

It’s kind of a weird mix of styles that I want to play, classic rock, sludge/stoner doom and a bit of metal. I know the Orange will give me classic rock and sludgy stuff, but not really metal, but hoping a tubescreamer will fix that. The heaviest that I would want to play would be along the lines of Mastodon and maybe a bit of Metallica. Looking at something that can keep up with a drummer, but at the same time isn’t really wasted at bedroom level. I have about a thousand to spend and will be playing through a Gibson sg.

Maybe I’m asking for too much here, but just looking for something that would roughly fit the above. Anyway, thanks for reading.

DHYNZY · 09-08-2011 10:15pm

I'd be wary of depending on an pedal to boost your amps gain for metal. Its always better to have enough on tap from amp itself if at all possible to leave all options open. That way you can dial back..

Have you considered ENGL amps? Or some Mesa stuff? Even some Marshall amps would suit the job.

Squidgy Black · 09-08-2011 10:16pm

Used Peavey 6505, should get one for in and around 700 or a grand new. Possibly one of the most popular metal/hardcore amps around and can do classic rock with a bit of knob tweaking and turning back the guitar volume.

The Thunder 30 won't get you near metal without the tubescreamer alright.

Marshall DSL JCM2000 series are good too. Same goes for the Blackstar Series One.

I managed to pick up a Peavey XXX for 300 quid the other week, amazing amp

DHYNZY · 09-08-2011 10:27pm

stetyrrell wrote: »

The Thunder 30 won't get you near metal without the tubescreamer alright.

Marshall DSL JCM2000 series are good too. Same goes for the Blackstar Series One.

I agree. A DSL100 can do a good job of almost any genre. A 6505 would be another good choice.

Play around!

Grolschevik · 10-08-2011 12:55pm

On an aside...

I recently read an interview with a top metal producer, who always runs a Tubescreamer into the front end of his studio's 6505s.

Squidgy Black · 10-08-2011 1:03pm

Grolschevik wrote: »

On an aside...

I recently read an interview with a top metal producer, who always runs a Tubescreamer into the front end of his studio's 6505s.

Yeah I know a lot of people who do this, but it's never for gain, it's just to tighten up the sound.

There's a difference between tightening up sound and having to boost the amp to get enough gain.

Knifey Spoony · 10-08-2011 6:45pm

DHYNZY wrote: »

I'd be wary of depending on an pedal to boost your amps gain for metal. Its always better to have enough on tap from amp itself if at all possible to leave all options open. That way you can dial back..

Have you considered ENGL amps? Or some Mesa stuff? Even some Marshall amps would suit the job.

I know it would be best to have all the gain I need and not rely on a pedal, but I won't mind using one just to get the extra gain.

Would it really be such a bad idea to try and boost the gain of an amp using a pedal? I know that the tubescreamer would colour the amps sound, but I won't mind as long as it gets me the gain and metal tone I want. It's more of an early Metallica metal tone that I would want as well, not looking for not that modern, Lamb of God thick metal sound.

I've looked at a good few amps alright, but not really sure what would suit what I wanted the best. I thought that Mesa stuff would be too metally for what I needed. I liked the look of the Mashall DSL series, but thought that it would be a bit too loud for bedroom use(50 watt for the Head and 40 watt for the combo). That's one of the things that I liked about the Thuder 30, it can be switched down to 7 watts. I know that will probably be at the cost of gain, tone and would probably still be loud, but still better than wasting a 50 watt amp.

DHYNZY wrote: »

Play around!

Wish I could man. The music shops in Cork aren't the best.

Squidgy Black · 10-08-2011 8:02pm

Most amps have master volumes, which means that you can really play them at any kind of volume.

You should maybe take a day trip up to dublin and give some of the amps a whirl, MusicMaker on Exchequer Street stock ENGL and Marshall, Xmusic at the Red Cow Inn stock Mesa, Marshall, Peavey and Blackstar.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 11-08-2011 9:48am

stetyrrell wrote: »

Most amps have master volumes, which means that you can really play them at any kind of volume.

true for solid state amps but not true for valve amps. When the volume is down, you are not driving the power amp valves so you get a loss in gain. Also, there are huge jumps in volume between the dials at low volume, like master volume at 2 may be a lot more than "twice as loud" as 1, this is the case for my orange rocker 30, if you breath on the master volume it jumps up!

quicklickpaddy · 11-08-2011 6:22pm

Try out the Blackstar HT series (20,40 or 60 depending on budget) very versatile amps. The ISF pot itself gives you a massive tonal range. Works well for high gain stuff too!

Knifey Spoony · 11-08-2011 7:13pm

quicklickpaddy wrote: »

Try out the Blackstar HT series (20,40 or 60 depending on budget) very versatile amps. The ISF pot itself gives you a massive tonal range. Works well for high gain stuff too!

The Blackstar stuff doesn't sound too bad, definetly gonna be checking them out.

Actually, has anyone seen the Thunder 30 head in Ireland?

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 12-08-2011 9:12am

quicklickpaddy wrote: »

Try out the Blackstar HT series (20,40 or 60 depending on budget) very versatile amps. The ISF pot itself gives you a massive tonal range. Works well for high gain stuff too!

I have the dual pedal, I love it. Great tone, and its built like a tank!

Dord · 12-08-2011 12:46pm

Take a trip up to Dublin and visit a few of the guitar stores.

Make a day out of it.

boycey · 14-08-2011 11:36am

There's a THD Univalve on adverts for €750, you'd pick up a 1x12 or 2x12 to go with it for your €1000. Depending on what valve combinations you try out it'll cover a lot of bases, there's a lot of gain on tap with the 'Rock' channel. The clean 'Roll' channel is a lot quieter, but can still produce a lovely classic rock bark when maxed out (that's my new favourite tone!).

Great amps, well built and they like pedals too, and of course have the built in attenuator for home usage. One to consider.

What you could try is an 'I've got a grand and here's what I want ampwise' advert on adverts.ie. I did that recently when I was looking for a 335 style semi and got offered some nice stuff that wasn't even on sale on there. Good cash offers are scarce on there at the moment, it could be worth a try. Put some blood in the water and let the sharks come to you!

Seziertisch · 14-08-2011 12:46pm

There is one of these for sale on adverts at the moment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqzMAniMPxw

A friend of mine (not the guy selling, mind) has one of these and it is an impressive bit of kit.

Knifey Spoony · 14-08-2011 4:41pm

Thanks for the suggestions so far lads. The Univalve and Hiwatt don't really sound like the amps for me though.

Looks like i'll have to take a trip to Dublin and have a snoop around. Although, I think I did see a blackstar in Pro Musica, so I might try that out before I make my mind up on the Thunder 30.

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