Best Amp and Cab for Thrash Metal

[chrisolson]

I have heard the Valveking(where is this one made?) sounds good and I have never played thru any of the 3 metioned. I am going to have to pick a day and take my guitar out and try as many as I can. 1 thing is a must though, it has to be a USA made amp. I hope noone takes that wrong, but I kinda like to support USA made products if I can of course.

Jack

Then the Valveking is not for you - China I understand. Can't verify that personally though.

[missionguitars1]

JCM 800 2204/2205 seemed to be the weapon of choice for everyone in the Bay Area back in the early 80's (Metallica, Exodus, Possessed, etc.).

Celestion-loaded Marshall cabs as well.

Now, as far as pedals and the sort, maybe check out Gary Holt's new instructional DVD, as I'm at a loss there!

[Spivonious]

I have heard the Valveking(where is this one made?) sounds good and I have never played thru any of the 3 metioned. I am going to have to pick a day and take my guitar out and try as many as I can. 1 thing is a must though, it has to be a USA made amp. I hope noone takes that wrong, but I kinda like to support USA made products if I can of course.

Jack

Just to let you know, even if the amp is assembled in the USA, all of the parts are still Chinese.

The Genz Benz and Mesa are both USA assembled.

[Twisteramps]

One of my favorite 80s metal tones was Brad Gillis on the live speak of the devil. He used two Mesa IIB's with a stereo chorus pedal and some delay. Even just one of those amps can get some really nice tones! I know Ozzy isn't exactly 'thrash' but I really dug the sound Brad got on that album.

Pete

[horns666]

One of my favorite 80s metal tones was Brad Gillis on the live speak of the devil. He used two Mesa IIB's with a stereo chorus pedal and some delay. Even just one of those amps can get some really nice tones! I know Ozzy isn't exactly 'thrash' but I really dug the sound Brad got on that album.

Pete

Pete I know exactly what your talkin' about. I have a program with chorus and delay ran in stereo with my Marshall rig that does a pretty good job getting that vibe!

Sounds pretty three dimensional and big!

We always seem to be on the same page with tones..

[RacerX]

I appreciate the help fellas Yes, it looks like a 2203/04 or a 2210/05 for me one of these days. Now, as for the JCM 800`s, should I get the EL34 version or 6550 version like some of the old ones for the tone I am after?

Jack, don't forget the 42xx series (combo equivalents). They are the same internals and can drive a cab. I used (and still own) a modded 4210. It's a 50 watter from 1984 and it owns. A 5150 head replaced it.

IIRC you want the 6550 version.

[thetroy]

I don't know how loud you want to get but I had a Soldano Astroverb that sounded AWESOME for that kind of thing with a BOSS SD-1 in front of it. It's "only" 20 Watts though. The other Soldano things might be worth looking into if you need more power.

For reference I also own the Peavey Valveking and it can sound almost as good (not quite though - I miss the Soldano)

[KINGSFAN]

Mark IV

[Frigo89]

I have heard the Valveking(where is this one made?) sounds good and I have never played thru any of the 3 metioned. I am going to have to pick a day and take my guitar out and try as many as I can. 1 thing is a must though, it has to be a USA made amp. I hope noone takes that wrong, but I kinda like to support USA made products if I can of course.

Jack

Old Marshalls (and new ones) are made in England, so I guess that rules them out...

[jgcable]

I would go for a Marshall JCM800 2204 and a pedal in front of it.
The 2210 would be a good choice too.

[DonP]

I'd go with 6550 power tubes. You want punishing bass that will cause your cab and speakers to be near distruction. The Laney AOR series have a bass pull knob that really kicks in the bass.

[Randog]

Didn't Alex Skolnick use an ADA MP-1 in front of a JCM 800 for a lot of those brutal tones on the Testament records?

[horns666]

Didn't Alex Skolnick use an ADA MP-1 in front of a JCM 800 for a lot of those brutal tones on the Testament records?

Either that or a JMP-1..alot of dudes done that.

A local homie in Mushroomhead ran a JMP-1 in front of his 800..sounded pretty good...so I've been told many times.

[Eric_kv2]

Maybe a mesa mark III or IV or something like a splawn quickrod or mark cameron amp. If you want a lot of power perhaps a meteoro mak 3000 with a boost.

[Randog]

Either that or a JMP-1..alot of dudes done that.

A local homie in Mushroomhead ran a JMP-1 in front of his 800..sounded pretty good...so I've been told many times.

Skolnick was in the ADA ads back in the day, though.