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The time is fast approaching for me to get a new amp setup. The POD is working pretty well but it is definately time for an upgrade. I like the versatility of the POD but I am hoping to get more of a plug and play amp for live use. I will be using my EBMM Luke as my main guitar. My band tunes to drop C, although I do play some baritone stuff. Here is a link to some of the music we sound similar to... listen to the tune Elegy. That tone is pretty much what I am going for. I also play a lot of pinch harmonics.
http://www.hxcmp3.com/bands/18015/index.php
I am pretty much buying whatever I end up with blindly as I will most likely not be able to play it before I buy it. I hope to buy one new from a reputable dealer incase I have any problems and need to return it. I am looking to spend around $1500 but I will go up to $1800 if need be for a Powerball. Here are my thoughts about my amp shopping so far; keep in mind we do not have anything around here besides Mesa, Marshall, Crate, Bogner, and Soldano. All of the afformentioned amps are either too expensive or I did not like them. I play mostly rhythm stuff so I will be using whatever I get for that and cleans.
1. Mesa Dual Rec- played one new. I liked the clean, wont really use the crunch channel, and loved the lead channel with the exception of the bass. It was not as tight as I would have liked it to be as I am sure some of you mesa users can attest to. It had the perfect amount of mids and treble.
2. Peavey JSX- Have not played one. I have heard the cleans are great. Not sure how it does for metal.. anyone?
3. Peavey 5150/65XX- Again have not played one. I would definately like to try one out though. I know they work well for metal but I have heard the clean channel is terrible. Based on the sound clip, and can anyone give me some insight?
4. ENGL Fireball- Never played one. One great high gain channel and one channel that I will probably never use. Not a huge problem as I can dial in some good cleans with my POD. I would rather get a head with a useable clean channel that has a separate eq than the lead channel.
5. ENGL Powerball- Never played one. I would like to avoid spending $1800 if possible. (don't we all want to save money?
) I have heard it is similar to the Fireball cept it has two more channels, each with their respective eq's. More gain than I will ever need...
6. Randall MTS series- Lots of options for different modules. I could always get the rack version with a good poweramp. I know you can modify some of the things on the high gain preamps to make the low end more tight and that doing so works well on the Dual Rec module. With a good poweramp and cab, I am wondering if this would somewhat give me the Dual Rec but with tighter low end that I am looking for. This would also give me the chance to have 4 mods ;2 high gains for Drop C and baritone and a clean for each one. Granted thats $1500 on a preamp but hey. There is also a local store that sells the stuff so I may be able to play it. I can always get the first two mods and buy the second two later if I really start to get into low tuned stuff right?....At this point I am somewhat leaning towards this setup with a Mesa poweramp and cab. I have also heard the 1086 or whatever it is called has been compared to the VHT Pittbull and is very versatile.
7. I am open to any other suggestions.
I know the best way to try out amps is to play them but the fact is not all of us can do so. Any input is greatly appreciated!
TVC
http://www.hxcmp3.com/bands/18015/index.php
I am pretty much buying whatever I end up with blindly as I will most likely not be able to play it before I buy it. I hope to buy one new from a reputable dealer incase I have any problems and need to return it. I am looking to spend around $1500 but I will go up to $1800 if need be for a Powerball. Here are my thoughts about my amp shopping so far; keep in mind we do not have anything around here besides Mesa, Marshall, Crate, Bogner, and Soldano. All of the afformentioned amps are either too expensive or I did not like them. I play mostly rhythm stuff so I will be using whatever I get for that and cleans.
1. Mesa Dual Rec- played one new. I liked the clean, wont really use the crunch channel, and loved the lead channel with the exception of the bass. It was not as tight as I would have liked it to be as I am sure some of you mesa users can attest to. It had the perfect amount of mids and treble.
2. Peavey JSX- Have not played one. I have heard the cleans are great. Not sure how it does for metal.. anyone?
3. Peavey 5150/65XX- Again have not played one. I would definately like to try one out though. I know they work well for metal but I have heard the clean channel is terrible. Based on the sound clip, and can anyone give me some insight?
4. ENGL Fireball- Never played one. One great high gain channel and one channel that I will probably never use. Not a huge problem as I can dial in some good cleans with my POD. I would rather get a head with a useable clean channel that has a separate eq than the lead channel.
5. ENGL Powerball- Never played one. I would like to avoid spending $1800 if possible. (don't we all want to save money?
) I have heard it is similar to the Fireball cept it has two more channels, each with their respective eq's. More gain than I will ever need...6. Randall MTS series- Lots of options for different modules. I could always get the rack version with a good poweramp. I know you can modify some of the things on the high gain preamps to make the low end more tight and that doing so works well on the Dual Rec module. With a good poweramp and cab, I am wondering if this would somewhat give me the Dual Rec but with tighter low end that I am looking for. This would also give me the chance to have 4 mods ;2 high gains for Drop C and baritone and a clean for each one. Granted thats $1500 on a preamp but hey. There is also a local store that sells the stuff so I may be able to play it. I can always get the first two mods and buy the second two later if I really start to get into low tuned stuff right?....At this point I am somewhat leaning towards this setup with a Mesa poweramp and cab. I have also heard the 1086 or whatever it is called has been compared to the VHT Pittbull and is very versatile.
7. I am open to any other suggestions.
I know the best way to try out amps is to play them but the fact is not all of us can do so. Any input is greatly appreciated!
TVC
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