charic Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 My guitarist is starting the search for a new guitar amp and said he really liked the Orange [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/orange-dark-terror-valve-guitar-amp-head--85546"]Dark Terror[/url] so I'm guessing £400 is approximately the budget. My band are below for those that want to listen, it's pretty heavy stuff So what other amps are in this kind of budget and would be worth him looking at? Can you get a Matamp for this kind of money and would that do the job as well or better? Obviously we'll endeavour to trial anything that's suggested rather than buying blind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EUROSTEVE Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 For that budget maybe a second hand valve head? Peavey Valveking? Mesa Dual rec/ Engl fire ball would be ideal.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I'm guessing he just wants a head right? I normally quite like peavey but I'm not massively keen on the valveking myself. Don't think it really works for metal. If he could stretch to about 600 then he might be able to get himself a used peavey 6505+ head. That would be a pretty good bet for metal I would say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Also , if it's metal, make sure he has the relevant effects pedals/box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 i would say the peavey 6505+ or possibly the 5150. Engl also do some very nice heads for metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 [quote name='jackers' timestamp='1327575554' post='1513501'] i would say the peavey 6505+ or possibly the 5150. Engl also do some very nice heads for metal. [/quote] He loves the idea of an Engl (always ranting about them) but I thought they'd be out of budget. [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1327575374' post='1513495'] Also , if it's metal, make sure he has the relevant effects pedals/box [/quote] We're trialling his new rack tomorrow I hadn't considered peavey, I guess that's worth a look too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 Heh. This looks cute Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 If he fancies Engl, how about the E530 preamp and a power amp? Picked up second hand they'd be well within budget. I had one for a while - used it with a Rocktron Velocity 100 and it sounded great through my Marshall 1936. There's a nice upgrade path to louder / better power amps, too... I ran mine through our lead guitarist's Marshall 9100 and 1960B a couple of times and it sounded amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 I have a 5150 going, might be bit over budget though, its the MK1 which apparently is the one to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1327584983' post='1513738'] I have a 5150 going, might be bit over budget though, its the MK1 which apparently is the one to have. [/quote] If he fancies it and it's still available at buying time I'll give you a shout, thanks. Currently his priority is paying for his upcoming wedding so we're starting the investigations now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 (edited) [font=Times New Roman][size=3][color=#800080][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_nt5v1OtKE"][size=3][color=#800080]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_nt5v1OtKE[/color][/size][/url][/color][/size][/font] [url="http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Amplifiers-By-Instrument/Electric-Guitar-Amplifiers/6563-/Laney-LV300H-120-Watt-Valve-Electric-Guitar-Amplifier-Head"][font=Times New Roman][size=3][color=#800080]http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Amplifiers-By-Instrument/Electric-Guitar-Amplifiers/6563-/Laney-LV300H-120-Watt-Valve-Electric-Guitar-Amplifier-Head[/color][/size][/font][/url] Check this out for no money for what you get. Link below You tube is the cheapest I found it. The You tube demo is in Chinese (I think) but about 4 mins 20 sec. You get a taste of the metal tones. Worth a look. Edited January 26, 2012 by leschirons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1327586263' post='1513778'] [font=Times New Roman][size=3][color=#800080][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_nt5v1OtKE"][color=#800080]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_nt5v1OtKE[/color][/url][/color][/size][/font] [url="http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Amplifiers-By-Instrument/Electric-Guitar-Amplifiers/6563-/Laney-LV300H-120-Watt-Valve-Electric-Guitar-Amplifier-Head"][font=Times New Roman][size=3][color=#800080]http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Amplifiers-By-Instrument/Electric-Guitar-Amplifiers/6563-/Laney-LV300H-120-Watt-Valve-Electric-Guitar-Amplifier-Head[/color][/size][/font][/url] Check this out for no money for what you get. Link below You tube is the cheapest I found it. The You tube demo is in Chinese (I think) but about 4 mins 20 sec. You get a taste of the metal tones. Worth a look. [/quote] Don't think this one is quite right, very metallica sounding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1327586759' post='1513790'] Don't think this one is quite right, very metallica sounding [/quote] Ah, just listened to your band. See what you mean. I'll get me coat and put some coccoa on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1327590658' post='1513867'] Ah, just listened to your band. See what you mean. I'll get me coat and put some coccoa on. [/quote] Don't quite follow you I'm afraid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Try a secondhand Laney AOR head......valve, cheap for what they are, and they rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 +1 to the Peavey 6505/6505+ reccomendations. Those amps work well for anything that requires distortion. My band (Pretty damn poppy) recorded our first single with a Peavey 6505 and it sounds awesome. Liam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 (edited) A little off tangent but he should have a look for an Ampeg VH-140C head. It's solid state, but it's one of the finest distortion channels you'll ever encounter and would be well under budget while being louder than a jet engine if needs be. Of course, solid-state isn't in fashion these days, but if he sees one around he should let his ears decide. It's the kind of amp that shuts the mouths of valve snobs. Other than that, the 6505 is everywhere, it's a great sound but everyone is starting to sound the same. The Dark Terror sounds great but might not have the volume for a full on live Metal band, he should try to borrow one to see if it will cut it in terms of volume. Tone-wise they're rather nice. Edited January 26, 2012 by Doctor J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 [quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1327610322' post='1514280'] A little off tangent but he should have a look for an Ampeg VH-140C head. It's solid state, but it's one of the finest distortion channels you'll ever encounter and would be well under budget while being louder than a jet engine if needs be. Of course, solid-state isn't in fashion these days, but if he sees one around he should let his ears decide. It's the kind of amp that shuts the mouths of valve snobs. Other than that, the 6505 is everywhere, it's a great sound but everyone is starting to sound the same. The Dark Terror sounds great but might not have the volume for a full on live Metal band, he should try to borrow one to see if it will cut it in terms of volume. Tone-wise they're rather nice. [/quote] I'll make sure to put the ampeg on the list, how does it sound clean generally? For example I like quite a lot of the distortion sounds you can get from the marshalls I've heard but I've never heard a clean from one that I've liked. Live the guitar is generally mic'd up. It may mean investing in our own mic and stand for the exceptions but I think sound should come before volume. Thanks for the heads up though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 (edited) It's their version of a JC120, so it's pretty swish if you want it to be, but the distortion channel is where it really shines. I have the 2x12 combo, the only reason I stopped gigging it was because it's about 40kg Lots of cheaper valve amps have a nasty, fizzy high end once you crank the gain up, as do many cheaper solid states, but this one has a really tasty crunch to it. Many is the sound engineer who ate humble pie once they heard it Edited January 27, 2012 by Doctor J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1327590828' post='1513872'] Don't quite follow you I'm afraid [/quote] Simply refering to the realisation that I'm too old to make judgements on what type of amp tones define metal after listening to your band. Its not a genre I follow so maybe should have not suggested anything. I was purely going on budget / price. To me, 100 /120 watt heads can "do" metal. I'm not enough of an expert to discern the different amps required for certain types of music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1327658441' post='1514778'] Simply refering to the realisation that I'm too old to make judgements on what type of amp tones define metal after listening to your band. Its not a genre I follow so maybe should have not suggested anything. I was purely going on budget / price. To me, 100 /120 watt heads can "do" metal. I'm not enough of an expert to discern the different amps required for certain types of music [/quote] Ah I see, it was still a useful post as I realised something that wouldn't really suit so thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 JCM 800 and a tube screamer. Heavy as....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 if you can find one a crate blue voodoo (100 or 120w, avoid the 50's as they lack balls) will come in for that kinda cash used and the are massively underated apms for metal, they are truly epic amps. dont let the crate badge put you off either, they were properly made premium all valve monsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldflote8 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Here's another angle. Spend some time with one of the latest PODs (or similar) and check out the various amplifier models,... and often overlooked cabs. His final choice of amp/cab will have to be tested in home practice/rehearsal/gig mode anyway but auditioning the usual suspects in virtual land might help narrow it down, or add an unusual contender to the list of possibilities. He might even prefer the POD,.. I certainly prefer carrying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 A used EVH 5150iii 50W model could be found for £600 Amazing amp. I love mine. The blue channel does the perfect cranked Plexi thing (and more) and the red goes to proper brewtalz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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