Cheap Amp head

[Mr White]

Alright Lads,

What are some good cheap amp heads? By cheap I mean like under $400. Or am I being unrealistic? Bear in mind Im in the UK, and everythings nearly twice as expensive over here guitar wise.

Should I just spend that money on a 4x12 cab for my Peavey Revolution? 80w just isnt cutting it when Im playing. Its fine for practices but live, my solos cannot be heard. And that, my friends, is a travesty.

I know Ill need a cab if I buy a head but I could just borrow one... Or I could just borrow a cab for my combo I have the now... I dunno.
Advice please!

James

[pott]

Re: Cheap Amp head

Peavey XXL

[PallarAndersVisa]

Re: Cheap Amp head

i bought a Laney GH100L for a little more than $400 bucks, practically new at the store. look around. my 5150 was $499.99.

[Inazone]

Re: Cheap Amp head

Are Ashdown amps reasonably cheap in the UK, since that's where the company is based? I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've read that they come pretty close to the Peavey 5150 sound.

Honestly, I think either an extension cab or some sort of EQ boost is what you need. I sold my old Peavey practice amp (solid state 1x12 combo from the early `80s) to the guitarist from Anal Blast, and he runs it through a Vader 4x12 cab as his live rig. A friend of mine used a similar live setup, also with a Peavey combo but into a Marshall 4x12 instead. As for me, I use a Peavey Classic 50-212 combo into a 2x12 Peavey cab, and turning it past 4 is too loud on a big stage. I don't think wattage is your issue, just the speaker coverage. It's also possible that you just need a good EQ so you can tweak your midrange more than the Revolution will allow.

[horns666]

Re: Cheap Amp head

used 5150..with matching cab..and BBE 422 in the loop...KILLER!

I sick of saying that!! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Mr White]

Re: Cheap Amp head

Cheers guys.
The reason why I thought wattage was a problem was because I associated wattage with loudness, and Ive been gigging alongside a 100W amp, and thats run flat out to compete with the drums and big bass amp so I need my 80w amp more than flat out lol [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Id like a head as well cos it looks more pro doesnt it [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Coming onstage with my Jackson and my half stack, where other bands have shitty Schecters and 80w marshall tranny combos. I know theres nothing wrong with tranny combo's I love mine, but how much better would I look! This is the reason Im building a drum rack, to look good lol.

Could you explain more what you mean about tweaking the mids? I dont really like too many mids in my guitar tone...

James

[toejam]

Re: Cheap Amp head

[ QUOTE ]
Could you explain more what you mean about tweaking the mids? I dont really like too many mids in my guitar tone...


[/ QUOTE ]
That's your problem. Playing live, you really need more mids to cut through. And if you want a really good solid state head, look for a Fender RocPro 1000. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[skarhead]

Re: Cheap Amp head

[ QUOTE ]
Are Ashdown amps reasonably cheap in the UK, since that's where the company is based? I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've read that they come pretty close to the Peavey 5150 sound.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a fallen angel 60 head in my rehearsal with the basic ashdown cab , and a store where my friends work has the 180 with the vintage 30 cabinet

Let me tell you one thing - they don't even come close to the 5150 - they are overbassed , very dark ( i mean extremely dark) and they have in no way so much gain as 5150

[Mr White]

Re: Cheap Amp head

No its not that Im running a scooped sound, Its just I dont want to sacrifice tone for volume. It wasnt the tone that was the problem it was the 20w less I had.

James

[jgcable]

Re: Cheap Amp head

What amps are available in your location??

[Mr White]

Re: Cheap Amp head

I havnt really looked yet, but its mainly big name stuff but they're always within 2% of their RRP or something daft like that.

James

[siggy14]

Re: Cheap Amp head

go with a line 6 flextone 2 head if you are gonna do the solid state way, more options then you can ever imagine and sounds great for what it is.

[Mr White]

Re: Cheap Amp head

Do you reckon? I was always put off Line 6 cos they're not a proper amp lol [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
And you need a footboard the size of a car door too, dont you?
I use two kinds of tone on my amp, high gain, and off [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

James

[PallarAndersVisa]

Re: Cheap Amp head

an extra 20 watts wont do shit. that trebly solid state shit just aint gonna cut through, even if it was 400 watts!

[atilla]

Re: Cheap Amp head

Mr. White, I'd bet 50 watts of tube head would solve your problems. Even a lower-wattage tube head is going to sound louder than a solid-state amp. Try finding yourself a used Laney AOR, and I'll bet that works a lot better for you. Bet you can easily find one in prime condition for $300 or so.

FYI, I like the AOR best with Winged C output tubes.