Which amp is the most underrated?

[cy_berg]

I've been using and old Marshall JCM800 (solid state, no tubes) and a ADA MP-1 and other various effects for as long as I can remember. I'm been happy with that, but just the other day my amp broke down, and that kinda' gave me an excuse to buy a new one rather than fixing the old one [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] Anyway, I went to this music store and tried out a bunch of old/used amps, with the goal to find a nice amp that I can use WITHOUT using any effects for distortion/overdrive, but rather just find a solid, good sounding amp to use at home. I tried a JCM900 Combo (the Hi Gain version) but that sounded so sharp and piercing to my ears, not at all what I expected. I also tried a Peavey Classis and a Peavey Triumph (both tube amps I believe) and some Laney but didn't find anything that really appealed to me. Then I tried a Crate Vintage Club 50 tube Combo, and man, that amp blew me away! It had such a round and warm tube distortion/overdrive that sounded so good! OK, no extreme overdrive, but still impressingly good and very smooth overdrive, and a really, really sweet clean sound! [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img] Has anyone else tried this amp? Do you guys have any other favorite amps that you think are underrated?

[Mordor]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

Ubershall [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[zeegler]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

I think it's pretty obvious that Crates get a bad rap, since there's a bunch of people around here that take any opportunity to slag them.

The Randall RGTs are pretty much unknown, but sound killer. Of course they are extremely rare too.

[jgcable]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

The most underrated amp for metal IMHO is the[img]/images/graemlins/baby.gif[/img]

Crate BV120H Blue Voodoo.

Its a damn good amp and almost everybody could afford to buy one. It gets slagged because most of the bad reviews come from kids who don't know their asses from a hole in the ground. I have always been a fan of Crate. I think their VC series is excellent.

[Cleveland Metal]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

A solid state JCM800? Huh?

[jgcable]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

[ QUOTE ]
A solid state JCM800? Huh?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was trying to avoid that issue! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

[cy_berg]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

Now, let's NOT focus on my JCM800 [img]/images/graemlins/rant.gif[/img] but on other, good amps instead

[jgcable]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

[ QUOTE ]
Now, let's NOT focus on my JCM800 [img]/images/graemlins/rant.gif[/img] but on other, good amps instead

[/ QUOTE ]

Why can't we focus on your JCM800? You mentioned that its solid state. I feel I need to inform you that JCM800's are tube amps. Exactly what model of JCM800 do you have??

[cy_berg]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

It's a 5210 and I can assure you that it's solid state...take a look in the "solid state" section on this website if you wish:
http://www.drtube.com/marshall.htm

[jgcable]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

[ QUOTE ]
It's a 5210 and I can assure you that it's solid state...take a look in the "solid state" section on this website if you wish:
http://www.drtube.com/marshall.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

Well SHUT MY MOUTH. I guess I should have known that. [img]/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

Back to your topic... another underrated amp are the Carvin X series and Valvemasters. X60, XV112, XV112E, X100B, Valvemaster. These amps are very well made, sound great and are affordable. I have an X60, XV112E, X100B and a T100 and they are all excellent. The X60 is the best out of the bunch though. Its a tone monster.

[cy_berg]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

Damn right [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Thanks for the input on the amps! I'll see if I find any of those in Sweden [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[cy_berg]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

Interesting to hear that you've tried the Crate VC series; not many people seem to know about them!

[jgcable]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

[ QUOTE ]
Interesting to hear that you've tried the Crate VC series; not many people seem to know about them!

[/ QUOTE ]

I owned a VC508, a VC30 and a VC50 and they were all excellent amps. Well made, loud, and they sounded fantastic.

[cy_berg]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

Yeah, I was really impressed by the VC50 (double 12" speakers) I tried and it wasn't very expensive either!

[markD]

Re: Which amp is the most underrated?

i personally think that the rivera's are underrated amps. especially for metal. i love my m-100 and s-120. in fact those amps are so much a part of my tone, i can barely play through anything else.