Mesa Boogie, 6505, or peavey xxx ???

[toejam]

I believe the XXX was used on Testaments latest CD, could be wrong, I know schlonick likes the mode four for live use...

Eric used a 5150 III on the album, and Alex used a JVM or some other Marshall. Alex does indeed tour with the Mode 4.

[ozzuk1]

Eric used a 5150 III on the album, and Alex used a JVM or some other Marshall. Alex does indeed tour with the Mode 4.

Im retired, I know that a guitarist Gary hoey has used the XXX and his tone slays 99% of guitarists with similar styles imo..

For a first tube amp the XXX is more than likely more suited or a Valveking, the first run of bugera's had a design problem that has been sorted I havent heard of a single one blowing up like those few that did on HC..

Something like a dual rec would likely be expensive but not really suitable for a first time tube user, same goes for most of the other amps listed powerball, JSX is something else to consider but i'd sway towards the XXX from the rhythm tones i've heard...

[VitaminG]

I was really thinking about the bugera333xl, Its sounds amazing, great tone, But I read all the reviews, and Most of them said that soemthing inside burns out, poor electronics, reliability is not that great, I dont want to get a bugera and then something burns out inside that i have to fix. Great amp but for my first tube amp I dont think I want to take that chance.

we recently had an instance on the JCF where someone came in here spouting that as truth, but when it came down to it we discovered that he'd read it somewhere online, had no evidence of his own to back up his assertions about their reliability/tendency to burst into flames, and in the one link the guy provided to support his claims, the actual owner of the Bugera that had a problem still maintained that it was a good amp and once the minor problem was repaired it was even better. Unfortunately kids on the internet will keep regurgitating these overheard second- and third-hand instances until you believe that every one of a particular amp is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

I believe they have ironed the kinks out a long time ago and as VoiceX3 said, he's had his for a year, gigs hards with it and has no problems at all.

I remember when the Carvin Legacy came out - apparently those things burst into flames if you look at them funny. But after the initial bullshit died down, people forgot and the online "experts" who warned about their unreliability were recommending the same amp to shredheads all over the 'net.

So who do you want to believe? Some kid online who heard from a guy who heard from a guy that the amp has reliability issues? Or an actual gigging musician who has put the amp through it's paces, has years of experience with other gear, and who confidently states that he has had no issues with his Bugera in a year of solid use? Check out the review link in VoiceX3's last post

[toejam]

I remember when the Carvin Legacy came out - apparently those things burst into flames if you look at them funny. But after the initial bullshit died down, people forgot and the online "experts" who warned about their unreliability were recommending the same amp to shredheads all over the 'net.

The Legacy did that, too? I know the V3 had problems, but they were taken care of. My V3 seems to be fine.

[VitaminG]

The Legacy did that, too? I know the V3 had problems, but they were taken care of. My V3 seems to be fine.

you don't remember that? The internet was awash with "yea, but Carvin will just throw another amp at Vai any time one blows up" and "Unless you have a tech on hand like Steve Vai, don't bother with it" and "of course, Vai's sounds awesome but you know he's not playing the production model". IIRC there were a couple of documented instances of amps overheating, possibly even smoking, but before you know it all the armchair experts had proclaimed that every one of them was bad. Which is why it was surprising just a couple of years later to see them so highly recommended to folks looking for that shreddy lead guitar sound.

You can see how it happens too. Remember that other Bugera thread and that guy who was trashing the amp, telling us about all the reliability issues. After being repeatedly asked for something more than hearsay, when he finally brought some evidence to back it up by providing a link to another forum, the guy who actually had the amp problems said something like "had a little bit of a problem, it's been sorted, amps all fixed now. Loving the amp again. Awesome!" And yet this guy was still asserting that they were all dogs.

That's why I don't put a lot of stock in the "stay away from it - I've heard on the internets that it's no good" opinions and more weight on the word of someone like VoiceX3 who has real world experience with the amp.

[Nezgual]

we recently had an instance on the JCF where someone came in here spouting that as truth, but when it came down to it we discovered that he'd read it somewhere online, had no evidence of his own to back up his assertions about their reliability/tendency to burst into flames, and in the one link the guy provided to support his claims, the actual owner of the Bugera that had a problem still maintained that it was a good amp and once the minor problem was repaired it was even better. Unfortunately kids on the internet will keep regurgitating these overheard second- and third-hand instances until you believe that every one of a particular amp is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

I believe they have ironed the kinks out a long time ago and as VoiceX3 said, he's had his for a year, gigs hards with it and has no problems at all.

I remember when the Carvin Legacy came out - apparently those things burst into flames if you look at them funny. But after the initial bullshit died down, people forgot and the online "experts" who warned about their unreliability were recommending the same amp to shredheads all over the 'net.

So who do you want to believe? Some kid online who heard from a guy who heard from a guy that the amp has reliability issues? Or an actual gigging musician who has put the amp through it's paces, has years of experience with other gear, and who confidently states that he has had no issues with his Bugera in a year of solid use? Check out the review link in VoiceX3's last post

OK, they were reviews for when the amp first came out, its been sometime since i read them, When I first thought about getting a tube amp, This was the first one I wanted to get. DAMN I wish there was a guitarcenter near. I got 1500 to play with, I dont want to get something and not be happy, Like someoone said in a ealrier post, Its my first tube amp, I should be fine with any thing.

[Firebird V]

The Legacy did that, too? I know the V3 had problems, but they were taken care of. My V3 seems to be fine.

Yeah. The first run had some issues. But Carvin got it figured out and even though they took a bad rap for it eventually people came around and realized that it was an issue that had been resolved. I have a legacy and one of the resistors blew and either was poorly replaced or the board got a little hot. i got it used so i dont know but it has never given me any problems. I honestly stayed away from them for years because of the initial issues but truly regret it once I played through one. I would recommend them to everyone looking for a good rock amp with an amazing clean channel.

[Hellbat]

Every time someone talks about amps blowing up/catching on fire I think of SeanRAF's 3 or 4 5150-III's that went thermonuclear on him.

[toejam]

you don't remember that? The internet was awash with "yea, but Carvin will just throw another amp at Vai any time one blows up" and "Unless you have a tech on hand like Steve Vai, don't bother with it" and "of course, Vai's sounds awesome but you know he's not playing the production model". IIRC there were a couple of documented instances of amps overheating, possibly even smoking, but before you know it all the armchair experts had proclaimed that every one of them was bad. Which is why it was surprising just a couple of years later to see them so highly recommended to folks looking for that shreddy lead guitar sound.

Yeah. The first run had some issues. But Carvin got it figured out and even though they took a bad rap for it eventually people came around and realized that it was an issue that had been resolved. I have a legacy and one of the resistors blew and either was poorly replaced or the board got a little hot. i got it used so i dont know but it has never given me any problems. I honestly stayed away from them for years because of the initial issues but truly regret it once I played through one. I would recommend them to everyone looking for a good rock amp with an amazing clean channel.

Interesting. I can't recall hearing anything about the Legacy, but then again I didn't pay much attention to amp reviews back then.

[VoiceX3]

OK, they were reviews for when the amp first came out, its been sometime since i read them, When I first thought about getting a tube amp, This was the first one I wanted to get. DAMN I wish there was a guitarcenter near. I got 1500 to play with, I dont want to get something and not be happy, Like someoone said in a ealrier post, Its my first tube amp, I should be fine with any thing.

Dude, I'm not a fanboy who's gonna push you in one direction or the other.....but with these Bugera amps I am gonna say don't worry about it blowing up.

As for your first tube amp......anything will not be fine. If you know the tone you like, try a few out because not all tube amps will do every sound. Remember too....tone will change as the tubes burn in.

Take your time, keep within your budget, and follow what your ear tells you....not anybody else. It's your tone, make it your own. :-)

[wr3k3d]

Go for a Peavey 6505+ i have one and its never let me down

[Nezgual]

The time is approaching to make my big purchase, Im leaning towards mesa single or dual rectifier. I dont mind buying used...... Please tell me if anyone knows of any good sites to buy good used gear......Tired of looking at the same old site I do everyday.

[T@rgetDrone]

Ain't GAS a bitch? I feel for ya man.... money in hand. It's a disease for which there is no cure... save death.

Seriously, be patient. There are lots of amps out there within your budget. Do as others have suggested. Follow your ears.

I am not going to suggest much in the way of amps. It is your first tube amp and I don't have enough info to recommend many of them..... is it going to be a bedroom or den amp? are you playing out? if so, what size venue? if so, does the place you play most often have power issues?, etc., etc.

All that said and still unknown, for a first ever tube amp, Carvin V3 (i own one. no issues), Valve King (played out with a loaner for 4 months. no issues), Bugera 333XL (have several hours farting around on my buddy's + over a year of his steady abuse. no issues). All of these are well within your budget, have shitloads of potential and seem to be overall very reliable.

Don't let that money burn a hole in your pocket before you are more certain about what you want.

[Luafcm]

6505 or 5150 Has great reviews, I read that you have to have them cranked to get the full warmth of the tubes, I dont want to practice having it cranked all day, dont get me wrong I love it loud, But not at all times.


I want something you can plug str8 to the amp and have kick ass distortion. Im looking for something tight with lots of low end and I want to crank it and have people hear what im playing, rather than just loud jajajaja. I want definition.

What should I get??????????

I have a 6505+. Alone or with a brazilion pedals, at all volumes, it sounds sick. The lack of clean channel is the downer, but the rhythm channel will clean up nicely and a subtle chorus will work wonders for breathing some life into a clean 6505 tone.

I've never looked back, ...excellent quality to price ratio.

[Nightbat]

If you can afford a Mesa? Get one

if you decide it's not for you, at least the resale value will be better and you'll end your "I wonder how a mesa would sound"-craving career very early

(No I never had a Mesa, and don't want one,... well,...maybe, not really but I wonder how
I might sound through one, If I ever were to plunk down the cash for one, which I won't, I think,.... I wonder)