Marshall JCM 800

[Brozz]

Except his budget is $1200

My bad :think:

[rdamaral]

hmmm. So the DSL has a more gainy, crunch than a 1980's model JCM 800?

What else? 5150?

[Twitch]

5150/II, 6505/+, Carvin X100B, Carvin V3, Randall V2, Marshall DSL/TSL, Egnator Tour Master, Randall RM100, Krank(any model), Mesa Dual/Triple (used) etc. etc. all in the $1200 new or used range.

[Brozz]

**add on to Twitchs list**

Any amp in the Mesa Rectifier series.

[rdamaral]

I need a hookup in Houston, lol.

I need to hear the tone of a REAL gain amp, so I know what I am looking for....now I am confused, lol

[Twitch]

Well, the Peavey 6505s, Mesas, and Egnaters you can find at GC to demo. As for the Randalls and the Marshalls mentioned, good like finding one to try before you buy. The Marshall DSL/TSL are discontinued as is the Randall V2 and the 5150s. As for the Randall RM100, you may luck out at GC and find one, but Randall dealers seem to be dwindling. The Carvins are online only unless you live in California, and they dont come up used very often. Kranks arent for everyone, in addition, Krank dealers are hard to find too(except on an urban street corner).

[Gibsonmac]

As all have said, you will need serious power in front to get metal tones, this is NOT a high gain amp!!!

[warlok]

I hate the fact that there aren't better music stores to try lots of different amps/guitars/whatever against each other. Best purchases I've had were when I was able to A-B (or even better A-B-C-D-etc.) stuff against other stuff...
OK... Rant off...

[rdamaral]

How about an older Mesa Dual, two channel? There is one local on CL for $1,100.

[Guitar_Symphony]

i know of a triple rec. for less than a grand..

[rdamaral]

I would be interested in a Trip rec

[rdamaral]

OK, looks like it will come down to either:

JCM 800 half Stack (newer version, 2 yrs old) $1,000

Mesa Dual Rectifier (Older 1990's version, only 2 channel) $1,100

Peavey 5150 2x12 $525

Since I have a Marshall Cab already, I am reluctant to buy a 5150 or Mesa head. Maybe its just me, but I'd hate to mismatch them, that wuold bug the crap outta me, lol.

What do yall think about those choices? Again, I'd like to get a full gain sound, under a budget, and also get gear that holds it's value.

[bratfink]

Keep a look out for a TSL100. I picked one up for $800 and a 1936 cab for $300 and it sounds ace!

However, I must warn you. They are not the most reliable amps, I have had to have various bits resoldered over the last couple of years. But it does sound great.

[wilkinsi]

Isn't the JCM900 a hotter version of the 800? Or would you still need a boost?

[Grandturk]

Isn't the JCM900 a hotter version of the 800? Or would you still need a boost?

People use "boosts" in front of TSLs and JVMs - so that's an unreliable measurement...