Tube Power Amp Experience

[6string40]

As I have been slowly putting together my rack, it's now time to add the power amp. I am running an ADA MP-1, TC G-Major and BBE 362 so far. I am looking for used gear right now to keep the cost down, but was wondering what everyone's experience has been with amps such as the following:

Marshall 9100
Mesa 2:90
Carvin T-100
Peavey Classic 120
Peavey Classic 50/50

I usually don't like Peavey gear, but I've heard good things about thier older tube power amps.

I typically prefer an EL34 over a 6L6, but am not opposed to the 6L6 either. I think some of these can run both if I'm not mistaken. I play mostly 80's rock and metal.

[horns666]

Well if going Marshall, DEFINITELY..DEFINITELY get the 9200 with 5881 (6L6)..You'll have much more headroom, and a MUCH better bottom end. I bought mine in '96 and still love it. I had other friends buy the 9200 with EL34..no comparison.

This is a JMP-1 into a Peavey 120/120 (6L6)...live in a basement studio. Recorded in 1996..

http://clevelandmetalzone.com/mp3/doctor.mp3

http://clevelandmetalzone.com/mp3/dance.mp3

http://clevelandmetalzone.com/mp3/i'mtheone.mp3

My ol' bud in my old VH trib band played a JMP-1 into a Peavey 120/120 and that sounded fantasic too. He downsized his poweramp because he was sick of hauling a heavy rack..man that really sucked ass!!

If you play 80's rock/metal..you want my Marshall rig! Marshall 9200w/6L6/JMP-1/JFX-1/BBE 422 into four Marshall 1960B cab w/ 75 wt celestions. I rely on preamp distortion and want the most headroom, and full-bodied sound possible from the poweramp.

My other amp is a Bogner Uberschall..actually both rigs sound amazing together.

[markD]

i used the peavey classic 50/50 with an ADA mp-1 for awhile. i liked the power amp a lot. it was el84's, but that gave the power stage a nice saturation at a lower volume. i ended up selling the rig, mostly because of the ADA. in hindsight i should have kept the pwer amp!!!

my favorite, though, was my rivera hammer 120. i used that in a slaving system (to power extra cabs on stage). it was a BEAST - a pair of el34' (which i prefer) giving 60 of the loudest watts i'd ever heard per side - it allowed to to run 8 extra cabs if i needed to. i usually only ran 4 extra cabs, but it was a killer amp.

sold it when i downsized my rig to ONLY 1x12 and 2x12 cabs.

[roodyrocker]

The Mesa 2:90 is a killer 6L6 power amp but they're pricey and extremely heavy! I bought it used several years back but right now I'm putting my MP-1 rig back to how it was back in the 80's more or less. Only more modern piece in the setup up is a TC Electronic G-Major whereas back then I used a Korg A3. Right now I'm setting it up with an ADA Microtube 200 power amp along with my trusty BBE 422A and the above mentioned G-Major.

[horns666]

I can vouch for the Mesa 2:90 with BBE 422, but I dialed it in with a Pod pro..sounded pretty damn good!

[Dogbone]

Sounds like we are running the same rack...
I've been using the Classic 50/50 for the past few years. Never had any problems, plenty loud through two 4x12's... I've downsized to two 1x12's now, tired of lugging big cabs around
For the money the Classic 50/50 is probably going to be the least expensive of the poweramps you've listed, along with the Carvin.
The only real down side to the 50/50... it does have 8 EL 84's in it so retubing can be a little spendy... but not bad. A kit with the 12ax7 and 12at7 can be bought for roughly 135 bucks...


The Qverb is not in my guitar signal chain... My GR 33 synth runs through it into the Classic 50/50 as well.... It has dual inputs on both channels
I'd recommend the 50/50

[6string40]

Sounds like we are running the same rack...

I SWEAR I'm not copying your setup!!!!

If memory serves me right, you are also using the Rocktron Midi Mate like I am too, correct?

I got rid of my 212 to get a 412 b/c I wanted more low end. Then I sold the 412 and went back to the 212 b/c I didn't want to downsize. Now I'm thinking of going back to the 412 b/c of the low end issue again...I just can't make up my friggin mind!

Sounds like I more than likely won't go wrong with any of these. Thanks for the info fellas!

[Spivonious]

Well if going Marshall, DEFINITELY..DEFINITELY get the 9200 with 5881 (6L6)..You'll have much more headroom, and a MUCH better bottom end. I bought mine in '96 and still love it. I had other friends buy the 9200 with EL34..no comparison.

This is a JMP-1 into a Peavey 120/120 (6L6)...live in a basement studio. Recorded in 1996..

http://clevelandmetalzone.com/mp3/doctor.mp3

http://clevelandmetalzone.com/mp3/dance.mp3

http://clevelandmetalzone.com/mp3/i'mtheone.mp3

My ol' bud in my old VH trib band played a JMP-1 into a Peavey 120/120 and that sounded fantasic too. He downsized his poweramp because he was sick of hauling a heavy rack..man that really sucked ass!!

If you play 80's rock/metal..you want my Marshall rig! Marshall 9200w/6L6/JMP-1/JFX-1/BBE 422 into four Marshall 1960B cab w/ 75 wt celestions. I rely on preamp distortion and want the most headroom, and full-bodied sound possible from the poweramp.

My other amp is a Bogner Uberschall..actually both rigs sound amazing together.

I must say Bill, that sounds like VH is playing it. Your singer really nailed Roth and your tone is exactly like Eddie's.

[Dogbone]

I SWEAR I'm not copying your setup!!!!

If memory serves me right, you are also using the Rocktron Midi Mate like I am too, correct?

I got rid of my 212 to get a 412 b/c I wanted more low end. Then I sold the 412 and went back to the 212 b/c I didn't want to downsize. Now I'm thinking of going back to the 412 b/c of the low end issue again...I just can't make up my friggin mind!

Sounds like I more than likely won't go wrong with any of these. Thanks for the info fellas!

Lol

[horns666]

I must say Bill, that sounds like VH is playing it. Your singer really nailed Roth and your tone is exactly like Eddie's.

thanks that was a long time ago. Our singer auditioned for VH, right when Owens got into Preist. That made the local papers . He worked at a studio and wrote and sang vocal tracks to the instrumental song on Balance..it sounded great. He didn't get the gig because he "sounded too much like Dave"..prolly not what Ed was looking for at that time. We were going to be Dave's back up band but my wife became very ill, in the hospital for months..so that fell by the wayside. Then he did his DLR thing w/ John Lowery which flopped and then toured with Sammy with The Atomic Punks. But we were voted the #1 VH trib in the country per their Insider magazine. There's more to the story but fuggit..

I have a grainy DVD of 1/2 our live set but the audio is good. I've been wanting to send it to someone to edited it and maybe post some of it on youtube..even if it's so old now. We went all out and really put on a show..like the '82 Diver Down tour...and we looked like them!!!

That's the JMP-1 man..it does a good authentic VH! Boutique amps actually sound too good for VH.

[nateb]

Dont forget to look at the VHT series. They have got some serious nutz.

-Nate

[roodyrocker]

Hmm, didn't realize there were other Roland GR-33 users here. Mine has been sitting idle for a while but I know where to look for help know

[6string40]

Can the Marshall 9100 easily be rebiased to accept 6L6 if it is an EL34 model? I found one for pretty cheap, but the owner doesn't know what kind of tubes are in it...and is apparently too lazy to check.

[Inazone]

I've use a Carvin T100 (EL34) for recording, a Peavey Classic 50/50 (EL84) for gigging, and a Peavey Classic 60 (6L6) for practice and backup. The Carvin has a fairly flat sound that lets through more of the preamp's tone, while the Classic 60 really fattens everything up. The Classic 50/50 is sort of a mix of the other two, and it's my favorite for using with a pedal-based rig because it has presence and resonance controls alongside the volume right on the front.

[Rupe]

I've only played the Marshall and the 2:90 out of those and liked them both, but I thought the 2:90 was smoother and warmer sounding. My live rig is an original MP1 and a BBE unit (422A or 482i) into the 2:90 (plus effects and a Hush unit). I think you would be very happy with the 2:90...seems to go well with the ADA...I liked it even better than the VHT stuff that I tried (great but "harder, colder" sounding IMO).