Time for a new amp (help me decide)!!

[Thrust]

I'm getting ready to change some gear around. I posted a thread a few weeks back about getting rid of my Engl Fireball and Mesa Stiletto Deuce for a Mesa MKIV. Well, I've listed the Engl and Mesa up for sale and I've narrowed my new "prospects" down to these choices:

1.) Engl Blackmore (I'm leaning toward this)

2.) Splawn Competition (Very intriguing)

3.) Mesa Stiletto Ace (Love my current Stiletto--could this just be better?)

Cabs:

1.) GFlex 2x12 (supposedly mixes well w/ bright amps--nice low end for a 2x12)

2.) Orange 2x12 (good low-end)

3.) Earcandy Buzzbomb (GFlex on steroids?)

4.) Splawn O.S. 2x12 (good all-around?)


What do you guys suggest? I'm ditching 2 heads and a 4x12 for 1 head (actually, I'm keeping my Randall Rg100ES) and a 2x12. The blackmore seems to be the most versatile, covering anything from a decent clean up to Pantera'ish tones. I dig my current Stiletto but it doesn't go "quite" as heavy as I'd like (perhaps the Ace will?). The Splawn clips I've heard sound just awesome but I've heard their low volume tone sucks.

I REALLy dig the boosted/hot-rodded Marshall tones but I'd like to be able to get the low-end Lamb of God type sound as well.

Suggestions? My favorite live tone is probably exemplified by Doug Aldrich's tone on the new Whitesnake DVD. Also, I really dig the tone of Clutch, Down, etc.

[jgcable]

Since you are right in State College, why don't you send your Stiletto to Dave Bunker at Engineered Sound and have him do the full blown Hollywood Mod on it. You will be VERY VERY VERY happy.

[sakeido]

The mod might help, but a normal Stilleto, even the Ace, will not get metal sounding enough to really pull off a true lamb of god style sound. It'll always sound too cheery and british. For LoG, you should look into the mesa boogie roadster instead

The ENGL is also a safe bet, but I would prefer a Savage or Invader instead since they are even more versatile then the Blackmore.

As far as cabs go, I really like the Orange cabs despite their high price. I don't have any experience with any of the other ones so I cannot really comment on them. Why not a Mesa cab? The Road King cabs have a great diverse sound to them since they are half closed, half open with two different kinds of speakers in them.

[Thrust]

Since you are right in State College, why don't you send your Stiletto to Dave Bunker at Engineered Sound and have him do the full blown Hollywood Mod on it. You will be VERY VERY VERY happy.

I thought of doing this and adding some JJ KT-77's in the power and Tung-Sol's in the pre. The problem is--I can't find any clips of a modded v.1 Deuce. I'd love to hear how it sounds!

[P I K A]

I had a stilletto and a fireball too. sold them both and ordered a splawn pro-stock but its not ready yet. Its the same as a competition but with 100 watts instead of 50. No clean but I use the volume knob for that. Got kt77's instead of el34's . Heard the quickrod live and its the sound I'm looking for. Prostock is the same but without a clean channel. Also have a genz benz 2-12 so I can tell you how the splawn sounds thru that once I get it. I'll be using emg's and also a jb thru it . Sounds like you have the same taste as me although I don't think you will be happy with the blackmore. As far as low volume just put an od in front of the splawn and you'll be fine.

[Robotechnology]

You would like the ACE more but, it won't get you into the heavy territory you're looking for. I like the Blackmore, Savage 120, and Special Edition (I'm sure I'd like the Invader too). Can't go wrong with either. I'd go Savage over the BM simply because I'd like to have more control over the tones from the different channels. The BM does sound fine switching thru the hi/low/1/2 with the same EQ settings though. The Orange is probably the best sounding cab of the 2X12 you mentioned. The Earcandy is also but, you HAVE to choose the right speakers (I don't like the Eminence's that he normally sticks in them). I like Mesa Black Shadow 90's in it. Don't like Splawn cabs with Eminence speakers in them either.

[Thrust]

Thanks for all the recommendations thus far everyone. I just sold my Stiletto (which I was actually getting ready to keep). So, definetly time to start narrowing down my choices!!

[35rocker]

Doug Aldrich uses Suhr and Cameron modded late 70's Marshall JMP superleads, so a Splawn will definately get you ballpark. However, Doug has recently been using an Engl Powerball (and also thinks the Blackmore is cool) as well as the new Marshall Vintage Modern. Overall though, I thnk a Splawn would be top choice.