Help an 80s metal guy find a more modern amp

[RampantLion]

Okay folks, I have been on this forum for years and I always come here when I have a question with my guitars or potential buys.

Since the early 90s, I have used solid state Ampeg amps. I own 2 SS-150S heads (full stacks in the garage) and in my guitar room in my house, I have an Ampeg SS-140c combo amp. Last year, I had the transistor in the SS-140c replaced and I am already having issues with it yet again. While playing, the volume craps out and then is normal again. I will eventually get it repaired, but I think it's time to look into a more modern amp.

I basically only play metal, so a solid state amp combo is what I am looking for. I'd prefer not to spend a fortune, but I also need more than just a little Gorilla amp. lol. I've been looking at the Line 6 Spider 150w combo amps, but I read both good and bad about them. I'm not looking to record or play out live, I just want something where I can get some really high gain sounds. I hate to say I'm looking for something like my SS Ampegs, but that's basically what I am after - a more modern version of the older solid state amps.

[veemagic]

Unfortunately SS combo's are not in my wheelhouse, but fortunately I know the people who will respond, and they will be in theirs. This should be an interesting decision for you based on the suggestions here alone. Good luck in your search, I am sure you will find something.

[pianoguyy]

I used a Peavey Bandit 65 as my primary, for 25+ years. I only recently gave it up, as well as my 20+ year old fx rack.
I replaced it with a floorboard that does all of the fx plus does amp modeling.

Now, I travel with a couple guitars, my board, and a utility bag.
Life is so much easier.


The drawback is that I no longer have an amp, lol.
Headphones. PA monitors. Hell, I will even use my $10 pc speakers on the off chance that I need sound.


It's something to consider. I mean, you're going on stage with a pa, why do you need your own amp?

[xenophobe]

What's your price range?

[z1n]

Not sure what your budget is but I've heard the peavey Vypyrs are awesome amps. I would at Peavey If It were me

[TKEblue]

I have a peavey vyper 15 and a line 6 spider 15, def like the peavey a lot more, lots of cool usable sounds

[paranoid]

how are you playing? If you are putting a mic on I to foh have you thought about a modeler? I quit carrying big amps a long time ago!! at home I use a small Pa and live hand the sound man 2 xlr's and tell him send 1 left and 1 right!

[RampantLion]

I've been using this Ampeg SS-150C for years and I love it. I am just tired of having it fixed too often. It's now over 25 years old. I'd like to keep it under $300 or so used, but I'd go over if it meant a higher quality. I basically want a nice clean and extreme solid state overdrive, ala Pantera, etc.

[RampantLion]

A local seller on Craigslist has a Line 6 IV 75 Watt combo and pedal and would take $150

[msaint65]

A local seller on Craigslist has a Line 6 IV 75 Watt combo and pedal and would take $150

At that price don't see how you can go wrong.....been playing line 6 stuff for a long time - main amp is a spider3 75W. Had to decide early on the trade off between a sterile sounding modern modeler and being pedal-poor. Bottom line - the versatility of the amp outweighs the negatives - for me at least. I use the FB1 pedal which gives me 4 programmed sounds ti choose from at any given time.

[RampantLion]

My options are a used Line 6 Spider III 75 watt with a 12 inch Celestion and a FBV Express foot pedal in very good condition for $150 or a Line 6 Spider IV 150 Watt with two speakers and the FVB MK11 foot pedal for $250. I'm not sure what the advantages of the IV would be over the III, the wattage wouldn't really matter since I am playing it in a bedroom. Any advice on which you would choose?

At that price don't see how you can go wrong.....been playing line 6 stuff for a long time - main amp is a spider3 75W. Had to decide early on the trade off between a sterile sounding modern modeler and being pedal-poor. Bottom line - the versatility of the amp outweighs the negatives - for me at least. I use the FB1 pedal which gives me 4 programmed sounds ti choose from at any given time.

[outlawten5]

I had a Peavey Vyper 100watt with 2 12's. It was great at bedroom volumes but got very tinny if you turned it up. Have a friend who's a pro musician and he plays thru a Peavey Valve king combo with a single 12. Sounds incredible.

[sytharnia1560]

can I ask why you are limiting yourself to SS?? there are some fantastic budget tube amps out there now that sound killer at really low volumes

[Vass]

You can do a spider valve 2x12 from line 6 used for not much more than you are currently budgeting. It is incredible for the money. A 1x12 might go for what you're looking to spend.

Actually, apparently they're well below what you want to spend.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-Used-Line-6-Spider-Valve-40W-1X12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp-i4362078.gc?country=us&currency=usd&isfullsite=1&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=CJP1sqr4k8YCFdWPHwodmAcAwA&kwid=productads-plaid%5E64560710201-sku%5E111197418@ADL1U@ADL4GC-adType%5EPLA-device%5Et-adid%5E66736785762

[RampantLion]

I have owned a few tube amps and found they weren't very good for the 80s / 90s mid scoops gain sounds I play. I don't really play any rock, just really distorted metal... Pantera / Slipknot / etc etc etc

can I ask why you are limiting yourself to SS?? there are some fantastic budget tube amps out there now that sound killer at really low volumes