Thinking of buying a new amp, any tips?

[Thijs]

Any of you guys got some tips for me?
I'm thinking of buying a new amp, for a good/reasonable price, so not TOO expensive.
Which amps would you recommend?
Cheers!

[Vriend]

Are you a guitarist or a bassplayer?

[Thijs]

Thanks..forgot to mention I'm a guitarist.

[ruonitb]

some more infos would be good...

price range
tube/solid state
channels
effects?
for band/at home
used/new
what style of music
combo/head with cab

... :)

[BZM]

^ what he said. more info.

[Phoncible]

sound preferences not least.

5150/6505 comes to mind tho

[BZM]

also fun are used lee jackson-designed amps on ebay... such as the Ampeg VL-1002, or the crate stealth... very cheap, very unique and awesome sounding, great for all kinds of metal!

[Thijs]

Yeah, sorry, totally forgot about that!
I'm looking for a tube-amp in good state (ofcourse), not sure if I'm going to buy a new amp or a used one..depends on it's state.
Not going higher than €2000.
I'm gonna use the amp at home, since my band is just a beginning & incomplete band right now.
We don't have any full songs, so that means no gigs where we will use our own amps, yet.
I do use a good amp at our practice space, can't remember what it was, Mesa I think..I'm asking you for advice because I wanna know what kind of solid amps are out there for a reasonable price.
Playing def metal, so I'm kinda aiming for a death metal sound.
Hmm...I thought the latest Hour of Penance promo had a really nice sound, I'm looking for a nice, warm, yet brutal sound.
Can't think of any other bands right now.

I don't know too much on this subject, channels for instance, and my english is not too good as you might have noticed..so it's kinda hard for me to answer some questions as my english is pretty bad.
Also, sorry if someone doesn't understand what I mean or am saying, and for my long message, hehe..

Anyways, thanks for trying to help me out, cheers!

[JohnnyJihad]

Your English is fine actually don't sweat it man.

The latest Hour of Penance promo was recorded with an ENGL Fireball. Though on the album I read they used both the Fireball and a Mesa Dual Rectifier. Both being expensive amps.

Honestly I would say based on both people's comments and hearing the amp on albums I suggest the 5150 or 6505 (same amp). It's also not near as pricy as an ENGL or Mesa.

[Holo]

Check out some ENGL amps!

[ruonitb]

Well...by channels I mean like a clean channel, a crunch chan, lead chan etc. you, you can switch between the channels and have different sounds.

I have never played the engl fireball (own an engl amp though :P ) but it is one of the cheaper engl amps...you are dutch?

You should get it for a nice price...you can easily order from germany I think. it is about 1000 euros here.

This amp would be loud enouhg for a band for sure...I mean...since you are playing in a band - it would be stupid to buy an amp now just to realize like half a year later that you would need a better or louder amp for your band (just because it´s not working out yet doesn´t mean, that you have no good gigs in a few months or whatever).

But for 2000 you should get a good amp anyway...
just don´t forget that you need a cabinet if you buy an amp-head. and, depending on the quality of the cab, it can be pretty expensive too.

check ebay for a used engl amps; just give it a try. :)
I got my engl savage 120 with cab for 1000 euros...the savage 120 is about 2000 euros usually. so, you can save a shitload of money. ;)

[ruonitb]

ah, btw http://www.peterverspuy.nl/cgi-bin/x/4903.html

[seedsofthesuffering]

I guess the best thing to do is try some out. Try a second hand 5150, good good amps, especially if you get a "Voodoo Amps" mod which can be as good as just about anything.
If you can't try out different shit, consider saving up a little more & order an ENGL Invader - first as last.

[INCINERATE]

Well if you're willing to spend up to 2000 Euro, I'd definitely look at an Engl Invader 100. Being that you're in Europe, you should be able to get one for under 2000 Euro. I'd stay away from an Engl Powerball unless you're looking for a tube head with more of a sold state tone.

Here is a sample of Channel 3 on my Engl Invader 100 - Sample (http://www.incinerate.us/sample/sample.mp3)

[F0RBIDDEN]

ENGL Fireball like they used on the Hour of Penance demo can be had for like a grand, guaranteed you can get a good deal on one since you're in Europe. Probably cheaper than a 5150/6505 is over there, but that would be my other recommendation.

Look into these:
ENGL Fireball
VHT Deliverance
Koch Powertone
Peavey JSX
Peavey 6505

[ruonitb]

However, if you a music-shop or something like that in your area - go there and try the amps!
Even if you have to drive a few hours, its worth it.

Depending in the guitar you use, depending on the cabinet you use the amp can sound totally different.

The fact that you like the sound of the last HoP Promo and that they used a Fireball on there doesn´t mean that you actually also like the tone of the fireball when you play it with your setup, since the guitar sound on cd´s gets changed anyway.

And by the way...tube doesn´t automatically mean better than solid state!
It depends on what you like...try the amps out and be open minded! Maybe the sound of a solid state amp you try is just the sound you want.

And another thing: it´s not always necessary to have the head+cab combination...combos can do fine as well...everything has its advantages and disadvantages.

But yeah again: try the amps out, then check ebay if you can get the ones you like used!

[Thijs]

Thanks for all the advice on the amps!
I will certainly check out the amps you guys recommend me..
This weekend I'm going to visit some music shops with my dad and a friend to check out some amps.
Already found some of the amps (at different websites from some of the stores I'll be visiting)
you people recommended me, so I will definately check those out.
I guess I should really try out the Engls, since everyone is mentioning it.

About the channels; They should at least have clean, lead, gain, bass, middle, treble, etc...
Basically just the standard stuff, but I guess that won't be a problem. (:

Ruonitb, thanks, that store is acutally quite close to where I live, about a hour drive away, hehe.

Again, thanks all for your advice, I really appreciate it! (:

[Goretesque]

Hey you jsut need to check out Music Store (http://www.musicstore.com)web site and choose.
2000 euros is alot of money and theres a big range of amps you can buy...and new ones.

Just to name a few from Music Store:

Diezel Amplification Einstein - € 1,816.81
Eddie Van Halen 5150 III (the old Peavey 5150 II) - € 1,578.84
Engl E-645 Powerball - € 1,480.11
Laboga Mr.Hector (the tone of this one is so perfect) - € 1,273.74
Peavey Triple XXX - € 1,480.11
Peavey 6505 - € 1,381.37
Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier - 1,864.20

And there is a lot more. Its worth to check it out.

[F0RBIDDEN]

Hey you jsut need to check out Music Store (http://www.musicstore.com)web site and choose.
2000 euros is alot of money and theres a big range of amps you can buy...and new ones.

Just to name a few from Music Store:

Diezel Amplification Einstein - € 1,816.81
Eddie Van Halen 5150 III (the old Peavey 5150 II) - € 1,578.84
Engl E-645 Powerball - € 1,480.11
Laboga Mr.Hector (the tone of this one is so perfect) - € 1,273.74
Peavey Triple XXX - € 1,480.11
Peavey 6505 - € 1,381.37
Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier - 1,864.20

And there is a lot more. Its worth to check it out.

5150 III is not the new version of the 5150 II. It's made by Fender and it's a totally new amp.

[InertialGrind]

I`ve always wanted to check out that VHT shit. I almost went out on a whim and got a pitbull ultra lead. I have a powerball and I love it. I love gear.

[Thijs]

Hey you jsut need to check out Music Store (http://www.musicstore.com)web site and choose.
2000 euros is alot of money and theres a big range of amps you can buy...and new ones.

Just to name a few from Music Store:

Diezel Amplification Einstein - € 1,816.81
Eddie Van Halen 5150 III (the old Peavey 5150 II) - € 1,578.84
Engl E-645 Powerball - € 1,480.11
Laboga Mr.Hector (the tone of this one is so perfect) - € 1,273.74
Peavey Triple XXX - € 1,480.11
Peavey 6505 - € 1,381.37
Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier - 1,864.20

And there is a lot more. Its worth to check it out.


Hey, thanks for the reminder and the list, I know they have Peavy's and the Mesa at the local music store in town.
I'll be trying out those too.
Hvae you ever been to Music Store?
Seems amazingly big from what I've seen from the last time I visited their website.

[ruonitb]

Don´t forget to bring your on guitar when trying out amps. :)

And for your budget, I said that before but don´t forget that you need a cab if you buy a head.
If you have 2000€ and you buy an amp for 1800€ then you have 200€ left for a cab...doesn´t really make sense to play a really good amp through a shitty cab.

Though, you still can buy a good cab later and just use a cheap one for now. ;)

Mesas are way overpriced here in europe (just as ENGL´s are in the US); so wel...just try out...but there is a really big price-difference between ENGL amps and Mesa amps here in europe - the quality difference isn´t that big imo.

People in the US want ENGL amps, people in europe want Mesa amps...just because they know that they are more expensive and that they can´t afford it. ;)


But...your ears will tell you which amp you prefer anyway! :)

[Goretesque]

5150 III is not the new version of the 5150 II. It's made by Fender and it's a totally new amp.

My mistake!You are totaly right.

Hey, thanks for the reminder and the list, I know they have Peavy's and the Mesa at the local music store in town.
I'll be trying out those too.
Hvae you ever been to Music Store?
Seems amazingly big from what I've seen from the last time I visited their website.

Never been into there. Just bought material in there, with 100% satisfaction!

[shroudofimpurity]

.

5150/6505 comes to mind tho

[shroudofimpurity]

Don´t forget to bring your on guitar when trying out amps. :)

And for your budget, I said that before but don´t forget that you need a cab if you buy a head.
If you have 2000€ and you buy an amp for 1800€ then you have 200€ left for a cab...doesn´t really make sense to play a really good amp through a shitty cab.

Though, you still can buy a good cab later and just use a cheap one for now. ;)

Mesas are way overpriced here in europe (just as ENGL´s are in the US); so wel...just try out...but there is a really big price-difference between ENGL amps and Mesa amps here in europe - the quality difference isn´t that big imo.

People in the US want ENGL amps, people in europe want Mesa amps...just because they know that they are more expensive and that they can´t afford it. ;)


But...your ears will tell you which amp you prefer anyway! :)

Do a back to back with an ENGL and whatever Mesa amp... I'm pretty sure the ENGL's will slap around the Mesa's like a little bitch!

I admit, I haven't heard the Stilettos yet.

[ruonitb]

Hey man, I own an ENGL as well. ;)

[ten_second_infinity]

1,800 euros for a mesa boogie single rectifier?

[InertialGrind]

I played through 2 stilettos. I just don`t dig mesa. I`ve heard some awesome recordings with mesa amps but not for me.

[seedsofthesuffering]

ah, 2000euro - I misread that as dollars first time. Definitely will get something killer for that, but that other poster is right - unless you already have an excellent speaker cab your going to need something pretty badass to do a Powerball or something any justice. Even upgrading a good solid old cab you might already have with some great new speakers is sometimes very effective (depending on the quality of construction of course).
I love my Engl Powerball, pure tube tone all the way but you can also get a really compressed distortion with the gain wound right up - something similar to Suffo's PFW sound is possible, as well as some amazing cleans.

[InertialGrind]

Ohhhhhh the cleans man. Fuckin sexy or angelic sounding or something sexy like that.

[shroudofimpurity]

I've never heard a better clean tone than what my SE 6L6 put out. Its beautiful.

[InertialGrind]

Yeah. I don`t think engls can produce a less than awesome clean tone. 6l6 ftw

[stillbornmutilation]

1,800 euros for a mesa boogie single rectifier?

I think it's high priced because mesa's are pretty rare in the european countries.

[Shred The Ganja]

I would check out PEAVY. Mesa is way too expensive in my opinion and even though some people can get a huge tone out of it, i was never very impressed.

Peavy XXX
Peavy 5150 II
Peavy 6505

^^These are all solids amps. I own a triple XXX and am VERY satisfied with it, so satisfied that i dont use any eq's or any of that shit too beef it up, it naturally just sounds huge. The 5150 and 6505 are some good obvious choices. All three the amps i mentioned all have a very similar tone but i think one of those may include a reverb and presence knobs where the XXX does not.

Are you aware of the album "symbolic" by death? If so, any of those amps can get you that tone farily easily.

I know you said $2000 or less but it's worth mentioning that new the new 5150 III has come out. Fender bought the rights to the amp. I know what your thinking, fender amps sucks.....yes they do. But this thing rips man...and one thing fender amps do have is a great clean channel. So it's basically the 5150 II which an aweosme clean channel. I was pretty impressed with it.

[InertialGrind]

I always am recommending peaveys right and left.

[embryonicdrums]

The new Line6/Bogner tube amp sounds pretty killer. Our new 2nd guitarist has an Engl(powerball I think), and I can't stand the clean channel. Just me though probably. I still think the Flextone HD sounds better, both clean and distorted. Best sounding solid state I've ever heard.

[Thijs]

Wow...thanks everyone for all your advice!
Again, I really appreciate it.
Last week I couldn't go because I broke my fucking leg in a car-bike accident..
So I won't be going this week either, bummer.

I've made a nice list though, with the amps I got recommended on it.
Good to see so much responses.

[Vriend]

Wow...thanks everyone for all your advice!
Again, I really appreciate it.
Last week I couldn't go because I broke my fucking leg in a car-bike accident..
So I won't be going this week either, bummer.

I've made a nice list though, with the amps I got recommended on it.
Good to see so much responses.
Beterschap!

[Thijs]

Beterschap!

Dankjewel, zal wel lukken!