Heavy Metal Amp decisions

[nvranka]

Hi guys,

First things first, my one and only guitar I play is a Jackson KV2 USA. I still have the stock pups, which I believe to be

• Seymour Duncan SH-4 neck
• Seymour Duncan TB-4 bridge

I'm in the market for a new amp and I was wondering if you could give me some help.

Few pieces of info first:

Genres I play: almost exclusively heavy/death metal. I do play some more classic rock based stuff, and some 80s metal, but mostly looking for heavier geared amps.

Bands I play : Children of Bodom, Sinergy, Kalmah, Norther, Wintersun, Symphony X, BFMV, Paul Gilbert, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, some metallica here and there.

BUDGET : Trying to keep it within ~1500$USD.

Amp type : Tube combo. Not really looking for stacks.

Anyways, I had my heart set on an ENGL screamer 50 combo, but I keep coming accross articles or threads where people say they are amazing amps, but lack the amount of gain needed for hi-gain heavy metal...

I continue to find contradictions between whether the ENGL screamer is suitable for heavy metal, or whether it isnt.

Anyways, I'd like to ask the following:

1) First, evaluate the screamer to my musical taste.
2) If you know of a better tube combo to try, POST IT !


Thank you very much,

-nick

[Grandturk]

I never quite got that "not enough gain" thing... check out the vids people have posted of the ENGL on youtube - I was also looking at one of these before I got my Boogie.

[Strangletooth]

Randall MTS series Combo. RM100c 2x12 closed back.

http://www.randallamplifiers.com/Amplifiers/MTS-Combos/

I've got one with a Brown, Mr Scary and 1086 mods, dead mint, never gigged if you're interested. PM me if so.

Can't get better than a Randall imo...

[nvranka]

not interested in the randall, thanks tho.


I may have decided to change my mind, and possibly go with a powerball.

thoughts?

some people suggested a 5150...tho I have heard they dont handle low volumes very well.

[themisfit138]

Mesa Mark III

[Strangletooth]

5150's are noisy as hell, ask anyone that's ever owned one. I've had a few of them and they were all the same. If you want that brutal, chest thumping tone, get an Uberschall and yer done, if you go with a Mesa, make sure to play as many as you can, they're like Les Paul's, each one is a little different than the last.

Changed your mind how? On a combo, or going with a rack/stack type setup?

Where do you live? Hopefully some place you can get out and play some of the more boutique type amps. I wouldn't take individual reviews as gospel as tone is all subjective and there's too many variables involved. I would get out and listen to sound clips if you can't play any of these types of amps, look at reviews, etc. I certainly wouldn't discount the Randall stuff, whether your interested in mine or not, they're definitely not something to pass on so quickly or lightly. They've come a long way in a few short years imo.

Take a look at some of the artists who use them: http://www.randallamplifiers.com/Artists/Artist-Links/

The stacks are killer and the rack stuff is right there to. I'm sure a few will be around to tell the same thing, but then again, all this info is ina couple other threads as well. I know Rudy's got an RM100 head and loves it.

Here's a link to a somewhat recent thread if you didn't see it before. http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90651

When I bought mine, I was looking for a combo like you are and played dozens of them, living in St. Louis, I've got a lot to choose from and the Randall stuff was above the rest. But again, I did have the luxury of playing a lot of amps. My buddy Shaky got me into them, had he not pushed me like he did, I wouldn't have even given them a chance, I would have went with a Marshall, or a mainstream type setup, but they are worth every penny imo. Mine was right at $2k with 3 sig mods new. I don't have to sell it or need the money by any means, but it's overkill for the little I play any more, I've got a VOX that does fine for noodling around the house.

[toddstaples]

5150's are noisy as hell, ask anyone that's ever owned one. I've had a few of them and they were all the same. If you want that brutal, chest thumping tone, get an Uberschall and yer done, if you go with a Mesa, make sure to play as many as you can, they're like Les Paul's, each one is a little different than the last.

Changed your mind how? On a combo, or going with a rack/stack type setup?

Where do you live? Hopefully some place you can get out and play some of the more boutique type amps. I wouldn't take individual reviews as gospel as tone is all subjective and there's too many variables involved. I would get out and listen to sound clips if you can't play any of these types of amps, look at reviews, etc. I certainly wouldn't discount the Randall stuff, whether your interested in mine or not, they're definitely not something to pass on so quickly or lightly. They've come a long way in a few short years imo.

Take a look at some of the artists who use them: http://www.randallamplifiers.com/Artists/Artist-Links/

The stacks are killer and the rack stuff is right there to. I'm sure a few will be around to tell the same thing, but then again, all this info is ina couple other threads as well. I know Rudy's got an RM100 head and loves it.

Here's a link to a somewhat recent thread if you didn't see it before. http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90651

When I bought mine, I was looking for a combo like you are and played dozens of them, living in St. Louis, I've got a lot to choose from and the Randall stuff was above the rest. But again, I did have the luxury of playing a lot of amps. My buddy Shaky got me into them, had he not pushed me like he did, I wouldn't have even given them a chance, I would have went with a Marshall, or a mainstream type setup, but they are worth every penny imo. Mine was right at $2k with 3 sig mods new. I don't have to sell it or need the money by any means, but it's overkill for the little I play any more, I've got a VOX that does fine for noodling around the house.

+1
Look at the randall stuff. You wont be sorry....

[customshopkv1]

I have a Powerball. Love it. I had a Triple Rec. before and while it was awesome, I am more into the PB. Wouldn't mind getting a Framus Cobra also.

[mrrs]

The Rivera Knucklehead Tre supposedly has an over the top gain channel and a nice Fendery clean channel.
From the clips I've heard it sounds very nice.

[///MK]

Randall MTS.
a Pete modded 1086 is all the brutz you would ever need
and second hand these things are a grea bargain.

[Strangletooth]

Randall MTS.
a Pete modded 1086 is all the brutz you would ever need
and second hand these things are a grea bargain.

That mod is killer out of the box, I can't imagine what'd it be like after a stop at Pete's! I love that mod!

[shredmonster]

Framus Cobra. Used about $1400. Bias it right, use the right tubes and end of story.

[DonP]

I'm not really looking for a new amp, but I'm guilty as well of not trying Randall stuff when I go to GC or somewhere.

I've got a VOX that does fine for noodling around the house.

Which Vox did you get? I picked up a VT15 a few weeks ago.

[Strangletooth]

Ummm, not sure bro it's at the lake, but it's a 2x12, I want to say 80watt? Dunno, it's got all the fx, handful of tone mods, etc. All Solid state tho, the only downside. But like I said, it's perfect for what I need. I really don't know much about it as I barely ever used it, bought it for the condo at the lake and used a couple of times. Also, there's a significant difference between the MTS and the other Randall stuff, don't even play them if you can't play an MTS.

[nvranka]

Yeah im also guilty of passing over randall quite often.. maybe ill check them out.

Where can I go to try out these boutique amps (the PB etc)?

Whats the story on Framus Cobras..haha a few of you mentioned them and ive never even heard of them.

Im new to this whole high end amp scene lol