Oh boy..I need an amp.

[Jacksons Shred]

Most people view buying a amp as exciting and wonderful, I find it dreadful and stressful! I might be joining a band some time soon, so I'm going to need to be getting a nice stack (which I will also be practicing on more than frequently). I previously had a 5150, and while it was a great amp for rhythm and what not, I definitely feel that it lacked in the lead department, sounded a little too sterile and thin. Perhaps I didn't use the amp long enough, but they are great amps.

Songs are 95% rhythm, but I'm a pretty big noodler, so having a nice lead tone (That does not hide your bad playing!!! ) is very very vital to me, especially since I am always jamming on a lot of becker/friedman shit.

I'm looking for a head and cab, and a lot of you guys are the gear kings so I'm sure you could lead me in the right direction (I hope Bill reads this one ha). I mainly play metal, so a nice rhythm tone is a must, but I dont' think I could live without good lead tone as well.

I'm looking to spend less than $2000, only because of time.. Until I get a good amp, I'll be having a shitty dean markely practice amp to use, so I'm in a slight rush with a slow income for saving.. Fuck =/

Anyways, let the suggestions fly

[Ben...]

I can't really give you advice on what amp to get but I gotta say that I agree with you on buying amps as stressful. My friend and I might be starting a band soon so I'm in the same boat you are. All I have right now is a horrible 30 watt SS practice amp.

[Jacksons Shred]

I can't really give you advice on what amp to get but I gotta say that I agree with you on buying amps as stressful. My friend and I might be starting a band soon so I'm in the same boat you are. All I have right now is a horrible 30 watt SS practice amp.

Yeah man, It's hard. I've been using my an old friends strat and vox practice amp, the vox does the job and I like the strat, but I want to give him his shit back because I don't necessarily like dealing with him anaymore. But that leaves me sort of stranded because I A) Need a practice amp, but B) Can't waste the money buying a practice amp if I'm just buying a good amp further down the line... Patience... is something I do not have.

[toddstaples]

Used Randall MTS 1/2 stack. Killer gear, and well within your price range used.

[emperor_black]

Used 5150. End of thread.

[toejam]

Carvin V3.

[Strangletooth]

Used Randall MTS 1/2 stack. Killer gear, and well within your price range used.

What he said^

Do you have a Randall dealer in your area? If so, go and check out their stuff, you won't be disappointed. Play a handful of mods, pick 3 and call it a day. There are some killer mods available with a lot of signature tones. I've got a Brown, Mr Scary and a 1086 (Donnigan) and that's quite a combo, you WON'T get any more versatility for the money with Randall. I wouldn't discount a combo either especially if you're going to be practicing with it and lugging it around to and from gigs/practice. Maybe a combo and a 4x12 for the practice space/gigs. Trust me, been there done that, and for a long time, gets old luggin a freakin stack/rack around.

[ozzuk1]

I'd certainly look into the MTS lots of tonal options with those amps, perhaps a JSX is something to check out aswell...

The JSX's definately do lead really well, and can do rythm pretty darn sweetly too...

You may want to add an EQ in the loop and some FX but thsoe are freaking nice amps...

[jgcable]

You have a ton of choices with 2K to spend.

Great lead amps include:

Carvin Legacy/legacy 2
5150/5150II/5150III/6150/6150+

Mesa Boogie Mark IV

Most of the newer high end Marshalls

Personally.. I think you should stick with the 5150 and go with some outboard processing for your solo noodling. I suggest some quality stomp boxes and a good noise gate.

[Cygnus X1]

"I definitely feel that it lacked in the lead department, sounded a little too sterile and thin." (Cheap quote)...

Huh?
Educate me...I wouldn't describe the 5150 as thin.

[jgcable]

"I definitely feel that it lacked in the lead department, sounded a little too sterile and thin." (Cheap quote)...

Huh?
Educate me...I wouldn't describe the 5150 as thin.

I agree. To my ears the 5150 is great in the lead department, it doesn't sound sterile at all and its one of the thickest amps I have ever heard or owned. Maybe his 5150 needs tubes or repair.

[SEEGERMANY]

You have a ton of choices with 2K to spend.

Exactly! I'd have a fucking field day with 2 grand to spend on an amp shopping spree!

[Strangletooth]

But he did say and I agree completely (as will most of you that have done this before), it's a PITA looking for a new amp. He knows the 5150 and it is what it is, I've had a few of them and they're awesome, but that was years ago and there's a lot more to choose from these days. Versatile and compact would be where I would go if I were gigging again, far too many years lugging stacks around fukkin town, gets rough on the bones! Unless of course you got a crew for that sort of thing, in that case, go buy 4-4x12's and a rack and call it a day!

Oh and an important question, any clue what type of music you'll be playing? That would help if you know this, but I'm thinking you don't.

[roodyrocker]

Another vote for the Randall MTS series here. You simply can't get more versatility for the money and those modules sound great!

[Spivonious]

With $2000 you have lots of choices. Go to a store with a nice selection and don't be afraid to try out amps you've never heard of.

I'd look for something with 3 channels, or 2 if your lead tone is just a boosted rhythm tone.

Personally I hate the 5150 tone as well as the JSX, but everyone's ears are different. It just sounded too processed.