Deciding on an amp!

[imprinted]

I'm asking the same question over on the bMusic boards and it's proving a fruitless search just now, I can already tell this is going to make things just as difficult as I've no doubt people will come in with suggestions that I'd never even thought of! :lol

Right - I'm looking for a new amp, I live in the UK so some things I'd like are definitely harder to get a hold of than others whilst others are easier.

I own a Caparison TAT with a Lundgren M6 in the bridge and I've put the deposit down for one of the nice new BMF Eclipse FT's that should make its way to me around November time, there's a possibility of another guitar next year as well if I'm lucky which'll be either a Jap Sig ESP or a Caparison. :)

I play/jam with a few friends in a variety of different styles and ideally the aim of the game in the long term is gigging live and doing some home recording.

One thing I'll be doing is quite a Southern Rock/metal style thing (think Clutch, COC, Down and you'll be in the right territory)

The other style is going to be a more industrial style thing taking influences from Paradise Lost, VAST, Frontline Assembly, EBM/Goth/Industrial/Some stuff from Japans Metal scene.

The last thing the amp will be used for is helping Element106 (http://www.myspace.com/e106) to record/gig with as Hog doesn't have the funds for a new amp just now (apparently weddings are expensive! :lol) and he needs to play through something better as James (HateEvent) has the Engl SE and just destroys whatever Hog's playing through tonally! :D

So far "THE LIST" includes

Framus Cobra
Mako MAK2
Diezel Herbert
Bogner Uberschall
H&K Trilogy
H&K Switchblade
Engl Savage 120
Engl Invader 150
Soldano Avenger
Soldano SLO100 (though that'd be REALLY stretching the budget if I bought it new - same with the Diezel!)
Splawn Nitro (curse you riffhead! curse yooooooou!)
Line6 Vetta II
Peavey 6505+
VHT Pittbull UL100


Randall Modular stuff has been suggested too.

HALP!

[maxdgad]

Check out the Framus Dragon too, its kinda got that sound you're talking about

[imprinted]

The way the Framus website talks, the Cobra is basically the Dragon and they threw more gain on it. My kind of thing rather than the Dragon itself. :)


Unless you can find/record me some licks that show the brutality as well as the rock!

[Bridge The Void]

The only one I have experience with in your list is the H&K switchblade, which I own.

I got the switchblade to eliminate the need for an A/B setup with a humongous pedal - having some basic effects and everything stored as presets makes for very easy gigging once you've got your sounds set up, and this was the main reason I got it.

Soundwise, its got quite a lot in it. Cleans are gorgeous, especially with the in built chorus on it. Crunch goes all the way from almost-clean grit to full on low-gain-structure saturation, which is my personal fave (although it lacks some bottom end, live it works fine with a good complementary bass sound). Lead picks up from where Crunch left off, although both the Lead and Ultra channels have stupid amounts of gain on tap. Lead is nice for that almost Mesa-esque smooth distortion, and Ultra is pretty much your Uber methulz channel, with a shit ton of bottom end and some very sweet upper harmonics.

I wouldn't reccomend the Switchblade unless you have need of the in built effects like I do. The sounds are great, but there are amps that do them better...if you like the H&K stuff though, the Trilogy has the same MIDI principle and some nice sounds on it too ;)

[MyApocalypse]

6505+ :) i want one tooooo

[slayerfan213]

I just got an Engl Savage 120 and I absolutely love it. Very versatile. You should definitely check one out! Two channels, four modes. Ultra clean to gnarley saturated gain and everywhere in between. Two effects loops too. Very nice!

[imprinted]

Thanks for the responses guys!

These are the kind of Tones I'm looking for

The scuzzier sound;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab6lr2b66Ig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D51oMYBWEOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBLbrJxGtro

The Higher Gain/Industrial Band thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGcdcVblZ-8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLaOV0YKDkk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuOxeOrOJGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfkX9CokV8o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0bB45es1Ts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRXW1thQtPM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm2eT-sTVys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeU0h2jmMR4

[daddydoomsday]

^ Dude, Crate G600xl head with a Digitech RP100 can nail all that shit.

[imprinted]

Does it give me TEH BRUTUHLZ!?

Zomg!

Seriously though - more useful suggestions please! :)

[flamesofaserenade]

Mesa Roadster

/thread8o:p


(I get mine in Febuary)

[Kgry]

Mark III

/end

[frantic77]

Diezel

[BoD]

KranK REV1+ Lots and lots of gain...Lots and lots of headroom. Solid construction, heavy wood cabinets (not press board or plywood).

Check out the youtube factory tour.

[MikeC]

Check out the youtube factory tour.

Link?:p

The Switchblade is a good amp, but I think there are better amps for around the same price. If it were me, I'd personally go with a Nitro or a Savage. The define the word 'BruTaL' IMO.

[Rex Rocker]

Mesa Boogie Roadster boosted w/Maxon OD808 :D

Mesa Boogie Mark IV boosted w/Maxon OD808 :D

Seriously, tho... I'd just go for any of the recto series... I've heard great things about the Rect-O-Verb

[imprinted]

Just youtubing a few vids and the Framus Cobra, Engl Invader 150, Splawn Nitro and the Bogner Uberschall are currently floating my boat - really hard to find the Mak2 clips - from what the reviews say it sounds like a close mix of Cobra and Uberschall which is HELLA tempting!

[BoD]

Link?:p

The Switchblade is a good amp, but I think there are better amps for around the same price. If it were me, I'd personally go with a Nitro or a Savage. The define the word 'BruTaL' IMO.

I would have posted a link, but I'm at work and can't get to it from here.:rolleyes:

If you type in Krank factory tour you'll get there. It's pretty good, Dimebag is there at the end testing his new amp!!

[KH Guitar Freak]

Mesa Boogie Roadster boosted w/Keeley TS9DX Flexi 4X2 :D

Fixed... :p

[imprinted]

Nah - not liking Kranks - tried listening to a heap o' clips and it's not for me. Too "woofy" in comparison to some of the others in question

[flamesofaserenade]

krank's with mystic woods ,ey? :lol

[T'cat]

out of that list the engl savage for sure !

[imprinted]

I have to say, I'm not as big a fan of the savage as I'd have hoped. To my ears the Invader's covering more of the bases I need, I think I'll have to take my guitar down to Glasgow and Edinburgh and just try out as many amps as I can!

[imprinted]

Ok - back from Glasgow and now I'm totally sold on the SIG:X - incredibly flexible yet still has the massive saturated wall of noise that I want too! :D

Roll on the time when I can afford the damned thing! :lol

[LordCliffton]

ok, you've found your dream amp. now.. what amps within your budget can do similar things?

trip-xxx, 5150(& 2), 5150-3, Penta, invader 100/150, vht pitbull, mesa stiletto duece/trident,, any of the higher gain mesas for that matter. framus..

what do you really want the amp to shine the most in? shit, you could get a line6 Vetta and do it all no problem to be honest!

[imprinted]

I had considered the Vetta II but I think I would lose myself in that amp, spend all my time fiddling and never actually play the damned thing!


Not a fan of the Mesa sound at all, I think the Sig X is going to be the one for me! It's got a nice useable clean, rolling back on the gain gave a nice break up for a more bluesy/southern rock thing and then firing the gain and saturation up gave me the screaming wall of noise that I want!

[WretchedESP86]

NOT A FAN OF THE MESA SOUND!:eek:
That is blasphemy! Dude, go try yourself out a Mark IV and i guarantee you will never say that again.

[imprinted]

Or I could just get the Sig X and be perfectly happy with it? :)

Also means I can buy a 2x12 and some pedals and still have change from a Mk IV

[Imperium]

Id say Mesa Roadster, VHT D120, ENGL Invader 150 or as a curveball a Bogner Ubershall.

Diezels are really out of many udgets here, but im thinking about seeing if i can strech £1850 for the Einstien combo, but feel that a Mesa Express or ENGL Screamer are more my budget.

[DeathrollJM]

NOT A FAN OF THE MESA SOUND!:eek:
That is blasphemy! Dude, go try yourself out a Mark IV and i guarantee you will never say that again.

i've played a mark IV, and i will say that it is Mesas best amp, but mesa tone = way overrated. I'm not feeling Mesa tone...at all

[esp_gaijin]

The way the Framus website talks, the Cobra is basically the Dragon and they threw more gain on it. My kind of thing rather than the Dragon itself. :)


Unless you can find/record me some licks that show the brutality as well as the rock!

i wasn't pleased with the cobra, it to me was a good clean, then a high gain, then another redundant highgain;
i found the dragon much more functional, being a clean, overdrive, and highgain,
and i found the od and hg channels on the dragon could easily get as saturated as most anyone could ever use.

i did not however end up liking the overall tone well enough to keep the dragon, there are other amps i like so much more:
- splawn promod
- splawn nitro
- bogner uberschall
all of which i currently own, and others i've owned before i like better than the dragon or cobra
- vht ul
- vht 50cl
- engl powerball

the cobra and dragon are better than "cheap" amps, but they're middle of the road IMO in terms of sound quality -YET- are insanely high priced new;
and yet again sell used for only about half what they cost new -- that last part is the only thing that makes sense to me in this.

i do though like the sensible control layout with all the same knobs for each channel; that is very smart/effective and i wish more amp makers did this. some amps' 1st channel has nothing more than a bass and treb knob and no middle or anything else. the framus' had the same knobs for each channel:
bass, mid, treb, gain,
and they might have also had a pres on each, i'm not sure.

[imprinted]

I loved the tone of the bogner for high gain but I do need a bit of flexibility and the Uber just doesn't have it! :(

Also looked at the Savage120 and Invader 150, hard time finding a store that has them in stock. It's a nightmare trying to get a hold of Splawns in the UK and I've tried emailing Scott several times to no avail.

I could stretch my budget all the way to the Diezel Herbert but in all honesty I think it would be wasted on me as I'm just not good enough for it!

I play with a Powerball and a SE as well thanks to MetSabbaTallica and HateEvent respectively, play guitar in a band with Met who's got the powerball and it's more CoC/Down/Clutch/Metallica inspired stuff so needs a dirty tone and I'd be letting Hog use it if he doesn't get an amp soon in Element 106 so he'd be using it in conjunction with James playing his SE so that needs a pretty powerful distortion that fills up the gaps round where the SE punches through in the mids!

I'll also be doing a more industrial project with me as the sole guitarist, no bass or drummer as it's all handled by the synth player and that needs a really chunky saturated distortion.

The Sig X seems to give me a mix between the Deliverance and the UL/CL's distortion and it sounded awesome to me, the rhythm channel gave me the crunch I was looking for and the Clean channel was more than passable, didn't get the chance to see how much headroom was in there but I think it'll do exactly what I need!


I'll also repeat - I am not a fan of Mesa's. I don't care how much you like them It's not what I need.


:D

[DeathrollJM]

^get The Savage!!!

[imprinted]

I'm honestly so completely taken by the Sig X deathroll, It's exactly what I need. However the cost difference between the X and the Herbert means I can probably justify to myself getting the savage or another amp at a later date! :D


Who knows - maybe I'd even own a Diezel... :D

[KH Guitar Freak]

i've played a mark IV, and i will say that it is Mesas best amp, but mesa tone = way overrated. I'm not feeling Mesa tone...at all

I don't see how it's overrated, many people are using ENGLs etc than Mesas IMHO...

[flamesofaserenade]

Mesa Roadsters FTMFW

[KH Guitar Freak]

Mesa Roadsters FTMFW

Yes my child, now go spread the word...

[HateEvent]

I think if the Sig X did it for ya to enough of a degree that you're obsessing over it, you should just buy it. The more time with it ya have the more it'll grow on you aswell!

When I FIRST got the SE I was kinda like "oh shit, where's MY sound?" as I'd been using the Powerball and didn't find that sound immediately. Gave it a while of playing around with it and now have the tone I want that outdoes - IMO - what I had from the Powerball.

Of course they are two different beasts and both sound brilliant for their respective requirements, but the SE is most definitely 'me'. :)

Go for the Sig X Mark, you'll love it. :)

[imprinted]

never a truer word spoken Jimmer, almost makes me want to go offshore sooner so I can get the cash together faster! Kiddin' - can't wait for Sat's gig! :D

[Strange]

Well, since I'm late to the thread, I'm just going to throw this in for consideration.

For your Industrial project, you're going to want some kind of noisegate. Don't know if the SigX has one built in or not. (I was actually going to recommend the Vetta II for this reason) Tube tone sounds great in that kind of music, but you have to be able to play as mechanically as possible.

Very cool that you're doing a more organic sounding project as well as the mechanical though. I enjoy a lot of both genres myself, but don't currently play either one.

[imprinted]

The plan is to buy a ISP Decimator/G-string for gating. :)

Also plan on getting the following eventually;

Morley PVO+ Volume Pedal
Morley Bad Horsie II Wah
MXR GT-OD Overdrive/Clean Boost
MXR Carbon Copy Analogue Delay
Red Witch Empress Chorus/Vibrato
Korg Pitchblack Tuner


Should be interesting to see if I can do this properly!

Here's a link to the rough workings of the first few songs in the Industrial thing, might take a while for anything to appear as I'm loading the files up just now :)

www.soundclick.com/sysergy

and here's a thing me and the dude did 4 years back with me on my old Ibanez DTX into a Zoom Trimetal through Marshall 50W Valve combo.

www.soundclick.com/imprinted

[Imperium]

If youre wanting the Sig X, get it. Where you getting it from, GuitarGuitar Glasgow???


If your getting all that extra gear as well, id say ditch looking at the Morley volume, the Ernie Ball ones are the shit, i lovve my Jnr 250K one that i just got, and it dosnt color the tone like the Morley one. Also, if i were you id get the Boss TU-2 as most people use one of them and that way you will be in tune with them, as you dont want to be the one thats out of pitch.

Im having a hard time deciding between a Mesa Express and a ENGL Screamer, looks af i have a play test coming on. Go with the one your constantly thinking about like 24/7.

[imprinted]

Except I'll be the only one playing guitar in one band and I'm sure Lewis and I will be able to tune to each other. :)

I'll have to try both the Volume pedals out mate. :)

It will be guitarguitar I get the VHT from, and I am obsessing about it ridiculously! :D

[Imperium]

True, but its a safer bet to get what most other people have as you just dont want to be a few cents out as it may be a sound board nightmare for some guy... Thats my theory anyway!!!

[imprinted]

Like I'm saying - I'll be the only person playing guitar on stage for one and I'm pretty certain if Lewis and I both tuned using our guitars and they sounded off we'd notice. :)

[HateEvent]

never a truer word spoken Jimmer, almost makes me want to go offshore sooner so I can get the cash together faster! Kiddin' - can't wait for Sat's gig! :D

Absolutely bro I look forward to it for sure! Can't wait!

Those clips you sent of the Sig X were great aswell, I'm sure the thing will be amazing!

ENGL SE EL34, VHT Sig X, Randall RG100ES boosted with an MXR 10 band and Furman PQ4 = Element 106's next recording guitar madness tonetasia :lol

[imprinted]

oh hells yes! and if Hog gets the 5150 as well! :eek::eek::eek::eek:



Then after this it's onto building the bass rig and then recording setup!

God damn - it gets expensive being a multi-instrumentalist!:rollin

[flamesofaserenade]

step away from the Line 6 shit

[imprinted]

Flames - do you just read parts of the thread, get bored and then post anyway? Where in the words "I'm going to get a VHT Sig X" do you see any mention of Line6? :confused:

[jet66]

step away from dumbass opinions like this.

+1.

[KH Guitar Freak]

step away from the Line 6 shit

Fuck off mate... :p

My next amp would probably be the Vetta II halfstack...

[flamesofaserenade]

:lol, imprinted, young child, just making sure you weren't swayed by these other predators on a vetta or something. :lol

Sig X FTW!!!

Jet :lol

KH - did you end up getting the 6505+ to ab/blend with the roadster?

[imprinted]

Quick question - how old are You?

[flamesofaserenade]

:lol

same age as you i think? 16

[imprinted]

I'm 24.

[KH Guitar Freak]

KH - did you end up getting the 6505+ to ab/blend with the roadster?


Probably not getting one, there might be a good deal on those RM100KHs on ebay...

But then again, I was told you know someone that can do good deals (that someone who would sell you a Roadter???) ??? Do they deal with Randall as well??? 8o

[flamesofaserenade]

Probably not getting one, there might be a good deal on those RM100KHs on ebay...

But then again, I was told you know someone that can do good deals (that someone who would sell you a Roadter???) ??? Do they deal with Randall as well??? 8o

8o
you talk serious business KH. Yes i can get a roadster for a considerably cheap price. I shall see what i can find out for you about the Randall.8o

[flamesofaserenade]

I'm 24.

:| I do apologise

:cool:

[KH Guitar Freak]

8o
you talk serious business KH. Yes i can get a roadster for a considerably cheap price. I shall see what i can find out for you about the Randall.8o

Yes, I do mean serious business when we are talking about MY money here... :cool:

[flamesofaserenade]

Yes, I do mean serious business when we are talking about MY money here... :cool:

I understand:hat So you want me to find out if the dealer has Randall and specifically the RM100KH head?

8o

[KH Guitar Freak]

Yes my child...

[flamesofaserenade]

Yes my child...

:cool: more than happy to be at your service.

[KH Guitar Freak]

Yeah, cause if the quote you give can match the quotes from others I've inquired or going to inquire from, we might have a deal here...

[HateEvent]

So... when you picking the VHT up :hat:

[Dryope]

Hi there,

don´t know if this has been mentioned, but i think the ENGL Invader 100 has the "bright switch" working for channels 3 & 4 as well whereas the 150 watt version doesn´t... with the bright switch engaged on channel 3 and 4 it will make the sound cut through the mix a bit more ...not sure if they changed that feature on the newer 150 watt versions by now. the user manual of my 100watter (bought in may 2007) jsut said that the new inavder 100 will have that feature....in my setting the bright swtich is on all the time

as far as the sound goes: the invader is/was my first tube amp so i really can´t tell you how it holds up against the other amps mentioned, but i never regretted my purchase..btw i play a horzion nt II....

just my two cents

[imprinted]

So... when you picking the VHT up :hat:

as soon as I can get the coin together, this trip offshore might speed things up if their kit keeps breaking on us. Hope it's not like the Rig the other guys were on - they had our kit onboard for nearly 6 weeks with our guys getting switched in and out every 3 weeks! :|

[Imperium]

VHT Sig X i guess is what youre getting!

Where you picking it up from???

[imprinted]

I'll be getting it from Guitar Guitar. Not sure what 2x12 to get with it though. Should I just go for a V30 loaded cab or one of the VHT's loaded with P50e's or something else with G12T-75's? :confused:

[Necroticism07]

I'll be getting it from Guitar Guitar. Not sure what 2x12 to get with it though. Should I just go for a V30 loaded cab or one of the VHT's loaded with P50e's or something else with G12T-75's? :confused:

Just save for a marshall 4x12 with v -30s or something. Although Engl 4x12 are cheaper here in aus.

[imprinted]

Don't want a 4x12, don't have the physical space to store it! A 2x12 is what I need and will be a decent compromise between size and projection. :)

[Imperium]

Id say for the value for money, id go with a Bogner 2X12, again from GuitarGuitar for £569. Altho what about a ENGL 2X12 Vert cab, that is only arround £449 ish.

[HateEvent]

I like my ENGL cab alot more than the Marshall cab I had.

I also like Orange cabs alot more than Marshall cabs.

This post may tell you what two brands I think you should seriously consider in your cab choice ;)

:lol

[Sixstringhotshot]

NO


STOP.



You absolutely MUST use a VHT cab. Their proprietary speakers and cab construction are ideal. Anything else will only leave you disappointed.

[Matt Parsons]

NO


STOP.



You absolutely MUST use a VHT cab. Their proprietary speakers and cab construction are ideal. Anything else will only leave you disappointed.

Didn't you use an ENGL Powerball to record instead of your VHT stack?

[Riff Master Mike]

I will sell you my vetta II if you decide too go that route, it's got a lot of delightful patches and upgrades on it!

[imprinted]

NO


STOP.



You absolutely MUST use a VHT cab. Their proprietary speakers and cab construction are ideal. Anything else will only leave you disappointed.

except I played it through an ENGL 4x12 in the shop and loved the sound I got more than the Pittbull 100UL through the VHT 4x12...
8o


that's tempting mike but I'm definitely sold on the Siggy, maybe a vetta next year though :)

[Imperium]

Saw a Sig X today in GG in Glaggow.

Im phoning them up probably on Monday to see if they can put a Les Paul on lay-away for me.

Then take it down the stairs and play it thru a Mesa Express and a ENGL Screamer that ive been eyeballing as well, may also try a VHT to see what they sound like!!!!

[Riff Master Mike]

OKAY... but just so you know, it's a magic vetta!

[imprinted]

Haha - is that some professional bias I see there Mike? I missed getting to see Inner Party System btw - was working offshore and I didn't think they'd be willing to charter a helicopter to Glasgow just for me! :(

Imperium - you should give the sig:x a good blast through - it's a very very versatile toy! :D

[Imperium]

Im gonna take my EC-500 OW in on Monday as the deposnt for hopefully £225, to hold the Les Paul for me, when i get it i will then play it thru the Sig X and some other amps that day.

Innerpartysystem = FTMFW!!! Love that band to death at the moment!!!

[espsy]

Well you can take the Splawn out of the list, coz as much as it kicks ass, you can't get one in the UK coz Scott won't ship one until they are ROHS compliant. Or so i was told.

[imprinted]

http://www.frappr.com/splawnowners

this says otherwise.