amp shopping.. need help

[charvelguy]

STR-440 is the Mesa equivalent of a Svet EL34.

DC music has quite a few new amp lines... they really push the O' Brien as the guy works there. They used to have a load of Marshall, Crate and Fender.. I think they've diversified some to compete but they're still a Ma & Pa store... used to be Danny's and Cindy's years ago....its where I bought my 750XL.

I think they had a JSX at the MGR in roseville.. they also have 5150s and the new 6520? )(recent version of the 5150) on occasion. You can check their inventory online.. but act quick, some stuff is gone in a day.

[Thor Von Clemson]

I am kind of leaning towards the 5150. They are fairly cheap and work great for metal especially with an overdrive or something similar. A lot of people say the clean channel is unuseable or terrible and that re-tubing the head works very well for the gain.

1. Can anyone confirm or deny the clean channel and suggest some things to help it?
2. Can anyone confirm or deny the re-tube?
3. Does anyone know or has anyone tried running a POD xtl through it for fx and maybe some boosts?

[InFlamed666]

The Fireball isnt held back by the shared EQ. I used one as my only amp for a while, and have just sold it to downsize for a Screamer combo as i only play in the house\garage with friends.

The guy i sold it to plays technical death metal\hardcore and all his stuff is complex riffs and leads... when i delivered it he was playing through a borrowed 5150 mk2 and it sounded 'ok', within 2mins of plugging the Fireball in he had a better sound dialled, and it blew the 5150 mk2 away.

All the band remarked and how good it sounded, even the owner of said borrowed 5150!

Seemed to cut through fine, was a pretty long practice session and it sounded top notch all the way through...

If you dial the gain to about half or almost 3/4 full and roll back your volume then the clean sound is fine, in fact, 3/4 gain is probably TOO much, so half can do :P

You dont need a boost pedal or o/d, dont even need to change the stock tubes!

You'd be missing out by NOT trying to play on amps like the Fireball, Powerball or the new Invader... ENGL's are brilliant amps for the cash, plus they glow red inside when switched on :P

Good luck anyway, i dont see the point of buying an amp that you think is going to be crap until your re-valve it though... just buy one you think will sound good. Otherwise it'll probably never be 'just right' and you will spend more money tweaking and ultimately get pissed off and sell it at a loss!

[Thor Von Clemson]

inflamed-you make a good point as well.

[rfazano]

you need to go with the Randall MTS! it is so versatile and all tube. the modules are inexpensive and easily found used. I have a rm100c combo and it absolutely rips! if you drop tune this is you're amp. the xtc, ultra xl and recto modules are awesome. good clean modules too.

also you self bias this amp. no expensive trips to the tech. i currently run 2 6l6's and 2 E34l's (not el34's). all you need is tubes, fuses, and a radio shack $20. multimeter.

[jgcable]

If you are going strictly for the tone in that clip I would suggest a 5150. A Dual Rectifier might do it to.

[JMPmod]

If you are going strictly for the tone in that clip I would suggest a 5150. A Dual Rectifier might do it to.

+1

[kmanick]

I am kind of leaning towards the 5150. They are fairly cheap and work great for metal especially with an overdrive or something similar. A lot of people say the clean channel is unuseable or terrible and that re-tubing the head works very well for the gain.

1. Can anyone confirm or deny the clean channel and suggest some things to help it?
2. Can anyone confirm or deny the re-tube?
3. Does anyone know or has anyone tried running a POD xtl through it for fx and maybe some boosts?

I have a 5150 combo and I retubed it with JJ's all around and put 2 low gainers in the V3,V4 slots and the clean channel suddenly became very usable. Throw an MXR 10 band EQ in the loop and actually sounds pretty damn good.
the lead channel still has tons of gain, I never turn it up past 5 on the pregain.
5150s love drop tunings too, and the EQ really "fattens" up the lead channel.
I got mine for $525.00 off of Ebay, Marshall 1960AX cab for $450.00
Shop around, $975.00 gives you a pretty kick ass rig.

[jgcable]

I have a 5150 combo and I retubed it with JJ's all around and put 2 low gainers in the V3,V4 slots and the clean channel suddenly became very usable. Throw an MXR 10 band EQ in the loop and actually sounds pretty damn good.
the lead channel still has tons of gain, I never turn it up past 5 on the pregain.
5150s love drop tunings too, and the EQ really "fattens" up the lead channel.
I got mine for $525.00 off of Ebay, Marshall 1960AX cab for $450.00
Shop around, $975.00 gives you a pretty kick ass rig.

+1. It would be difficult to find a rig for $975.00 thats better than that one!!

[roodyrocker]

I'd suggest the Randall MTS as well. I have an RM100 head and a few of the modules and for the price you can't beat it. Modules are up on E-Bay all the time new or used and newer ones are on the way from Randall such as the Lynch series. I bought the head and three modules used on E-Bay then bought more used modules on E-Bay at a later time

Rudy

https://www.wickedrocks.com

[Racerx2k]

Oddly enough, I just played a JSX about an hour ago, and was rather impressed. Was real easy to dial in a nice tone, clean or dirty. and I really liked having the noise gate, although that's just icing on the cake, and not a real deciding factor, for me. I've played both the Triple XXX and the 6505 plus, not too long ago, too and liked them, both. Man, Peavey is NOT like it USED to be! THANK GOD!

[sworn_enemy]

STR-440 is the Mesa equivalent of a Svet EL34.

Nope. You're thinking of the 447. The 440 is a Ruby(chinese) 6L6GC.

[IrfaanSE801]

The 5150/6505 is a kickass amp, and if you EQ is right and throw a bit of chorus in there, it's a usable and good clean. The distortion is voiced very aggressive and is a kickass metal amp. I still like it, but I'm pro Randall at this point since playing the MTS stuff. So many options, all that sound great (1 or 2 modules I don't like though) and it's somewhat inexpensive compared to the rest. Switching modules also is great for me because sometimes I get into a classical mood, or jam on some blues, or go all out metal and they have something for everything, with more coming.

[sworn_enemy]

Nope. You're thinking of the 447. The 440 is a Ruby(chinese) 6L6GC.

Actually I'm mixed up as well. The STR447 is a Sovtek EL34. The Svet EL34 is the STR442.

[charvelguy]

you're right.. it is the 442 not the 440.