Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

[nonamemx]

Hi.

I need a new amp, a tube amp. I want something with lots of gain, but it needs to be very smooth, clear and clean distortion, nothing muddy and gritty. I want something with enough gain to stand on its own and wont need pedals to boost it.

Im looking for something that will give me a Paul Gilbert kinda sound, something clean and dynamic sounding overdrive for Steve Vai instrumental stuff, and it has to be able to get down and scream Iron Maiden and Judas Priest too.

I dont have much money to work with, $1000 is basically the limit. Im perfectly fine with used and old stuff, just as long as its got plenty of gain and its not muddy.

Amps I'm considering:
old Peavey Ultra 60 (in local pawn shop, dunno if it works)
Peavey XXX
Peavey JSX
Peavey 5150/6505
Carvin X100B
Carvin Legacy
Carvin MTS
Crate Blue Voodoo (not current generation,an earlier one)
Marshall JCM 800 (a 2 channel one)
Marshall JCM 2000
Laney GH100

I dont play death metal, so having a really bassy or heavy tone doesnt really appeal. Im trying to get a Paul Gilbert meets Eat 'em and Smile era Vai kind of tone. Modern Steve Vai is pretty good too.

Please lend me your amp knowledge and experience, those who have been down this road before.

Thank you.

[guitarsjb]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

Here's a vote for the Crate Blue Voodoo. I have the BV-120H, and it is amazing.

[nonamemx]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

Yeah, thats the one. This generation Blue Voodoo

http://www.victorlitz.com/images/bv120h.jpg

What kind of tones can you get from it?

[Big D]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

JCM 800. Can't go wrong.... Disclaimer: I'm a Marshall bigot. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[thetruthguy]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

I think either the Carvin Legacy or the Peavey XXX or JSX would probably meet the tone you're looking for.

[ApeDosMil]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

jgcable is selling a jcm 800 in the classifieds.

[Inearthed]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

I really dislike the Blue Voodoo, especially in a band situation. JCM800 is probably the way to go.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

I used to own JGCable's JCM800... GET IT. You'll like it.

Pete

[jgcable]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

Check my classifieds listing. Don't delay. It won't be hear long. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[noodlesatf]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

I love my XXX, but it sounds like you need more warmth and less gain than me, so check out the JSX. I'm pretty sure that Gilbert and Vai were both using EL34's during that era.

[nonamemx]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

Ive done some more thinking. Im going to go try out a XXX and perhaps a JSX this weekend, those are local.

I've narrowed it down to:

XXX
JSX (leaning heavy towards this)
Laney GH100
Carvin MTS
Carvin Legacy (leaning heavy towards this one)

I dont have access to a Laney or Carvin Legacy or MTS. Can you tell me about them?

and those in the D/FW area: Do any of you know of a store within 50 or so miles of Dallas that stocks Carvins and Laney's? (doesnt HAVE to be the same store)

Thanks!

[IrfaanSE801]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

From that last list, the JSX is very versitile. I've heard The Haunted play through em and a few local guys messin round with em and you can get all sorts of tones that sound good. The Carvin MTS I've heard is great too, but haven't heard anyone playing through it myself

[Kyle G]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

I vote for the Jcm800. Youll probably like the laney alot too if youre into Gilbert.

[siggy14]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

[ QUOTE ]
Ive done some more thinking. Im going to go try out a XXX and perhaps a JSX this weekend, those are local.

I've narrowed it down to:

XXX
JSX (leaning heavy towards this)
Laney GH100
Carvin MTS
Carvin Legacy (leaning heavy towards this one)

I dont have access to a Laney or Carvin Legacy or MTS. Can you tell me about them?

and those in the D/FW area: Do any of you know of a store within 50 or so miles of Dallas that stocks Carvins and Laney's? (doesnt HAVE to be the same store)

Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe you can only buy carvin direct, but goto there website and look. www.carvin.com. They have samples on there websites. Goto Laneys website http://www.laney.co.uk/flash/frameset.htm for locations of dealers.

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: Need some help choosing new amp, please help.

I also vote for jgcable's JCM800 2210 [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]