Amp suggestions?

[Travis]

I may be looking to add a new amp to my set of gear. Right now, I've got a Line6 Flextone III Plus and a 5150 block letter half stack. I was thinking of looking for something a little in between the two. Something lower watt, preferably tube but not mandatory. A head or combo would be fine as long as the combo has the ability to drive an external cab. I rarely use the effects on the Flextone, really none other than a little delay and reverb.

I'm looking for something that will go from classic rock like early VH and AC/DC to prog and power metal like Dream Theater, Pagan's Mind, Firewind, and Dream Evil. Granted, I'm not looking to copy these tones, just be able to have the ability to come close.

I understand that since I'm looking for something a little lower watt, I might have to run a pedal through a tube amp or go solid state to get these tones without shaking the walls.

I've looked at the Randall MTS series of amps having played through the 50 and 100 watt heads and combos. I was thinking about trying out one of the 15 watt, single channel heads with a couple of the switchable moduels. I've also heard great things about the Tech 21 Trademark series of amplifiers. But I don't know of any stores around the St. Louis area that stock them.

I would ideally like to keep the cost well under a grand, and I don't mind buying used. In fact, if it's in good shape, I would probably prefer buying used.

Any suggestions?

[straightblues]

How about one of the Orange Tiny Terror amps with a pedal or one of the Marshall 18 watt clones.

[Lew]

Cornford amps are the bomb

I have the 18 watt Hurricane and 6 watt Harlequin

Sounds like a Hellcat would be right for you.

Mojave make great amp's that nail the VH thing

[tomteriffic]

Take a peek around Fazio's in Manchester. He's got Cornford, Rivera and a couple of other lines and doesn't mind if you play your way through a line of them. There's a fair selection of used stuff there too, usually.

[BubbaVO]

Lonestar Special just might do the trick.

[Travis]

Take a peek around Fazio's in Manchester. He's got Cornford, Rivera and a couple of other lines and doesn't mind if you play your way through a line of them. There's a fair selection of used stuff there too, usually.

I was just over there on Friday, actually. I looked around for a while, but didn't end up playing anything. The Rivera Knucklehead looked pretty interesting to me. But it might end up being a little too nu-metal for my tastes.

Coincidentally, Fazio's son is in one of the classes I'm a TA for over at Logan College of Chiropractic. I talked to him for a while and he said we'd go over to the store here pretty quick and play though everything.

[MCChris]

Take a leap of faith and try a Valvetech.

[tomteriffic]

Take a peek around Fazio's in Manchester. He's got Cornford, Rivera and a couple of other lines and doesn't mind if you play your way through a line of them. There's a fair selection of used stuff there too, usually.

I was just over there on Friday, actually. I looked around for a while, but didn't end up playing anything. The Rivera Knucklehead looked pretty interesting to me. But it might end up being a little too nu-metal for my tastes.

Coincidentally, Fazio's son is in one of the classes I'm a TA for over at Logan College of Chiropractic. I talked to him for a while and he said we'd go over to the store here pretty quick and play though everything.

I've known Danny since he was in a punkin' seat. Tell him Tom Armbruster says hi.

[Guest Mike Lee]

Speaking of Valve Tech, the local used/vintage store has a Valve Tech 12/10 combo for sale. It's got the three band EQ, and on the back panel has the 12AX7/12AY7 switch, reverb, presence, and effects loop. Black tolex, oxblood grillcloth, white piping, and no logo (odd).

The store owner says it's a rare model intended to sound like a BFDL. Channel 1 sounds normal to me, but channel 2 is much lower gain than a stock Valve Tech. It still has the on/off switch in the gain knob but overall gain is no more than a Tubescreamer, and probably less.

If it was a regular Valve Tech I'd have bought it on the spot. I really like the 12/10 speaker arrangement.

Edited to add:

Travis, I'd look at a MESA/Boogie combo, there's a bunch to chose froom - Lonestar, Stiletto Ace, Rect-o-verb, Roadser, Express 5:50, Mark IV, etc. Pick the one that has the right sounds for your ear, and the right price. I'd also look at the Genz Benz combos, and the Rivera combos.

[Travis]

Take a peek around Fazio's in Manchester. He's got Cornford, Rivera and a couple of other lines and doesn't mind if you play your way through a line of them. There's a fair selection of used stuff there too, usually.

I was just over there on Friday, actually. I looked around for a while, but didn't end up playing anything. The Rivera Knucklehead looked pretty interesting to me. But it might end up being a little too nu-metal for my tastes.

Coincidentally, Fazio's son is in one of the classes I'm a TA for over at Logan College of Chiropractic. I talked to him for a while and he said we'd go over to the store here pretty quick and play though everything.

I've known Danny since he was in a punkin' seat. Tell him Tom Armbruster says hi.

I'll see him in class on Tuesday. I'll make sure to tell him.

[Guest pirateflynn]

I'd add the Germino Masonette to your list. This one just ended at $1,200, for a hand wired 2x12 combo that's a good price.

http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=22318

[bobbymack]

Tiny Terror is a good suggestion. A used Reinhardt 18 is a killer amp at under a grand...

[KH Guitar Freak]

Mesa Boogie Roadster...

[Guest Meshuggah]

London Power Aurora.

If you hurry and order they are $1000, as soon as they start shipping they will be $1200 or more.

[Brooks]

I've got a Line6 Flextone III Plus and a 5150 block letter half stack. I was thinking of looking for something a little in between the two.

I'm looking for something that will go from classic rock like early VH and AC/DC to prog and power metal

you just described my H&K switchblade 50 combo. 4 gain settings, reverb/tap delay/other FX, 32 presets, 50w tube. i love mine. el duave can get you into a b-stock cheap.

[JES1680]

Another Vote for the Tiny Terror. Add a boost pedal and you can go from AC/DC to Modern High gain very easily. Realitively cheap and responds well to tube changes.

[elduave]

I've got a Line6 Flextone III Plus and a 5150 block letter half stack. I was thinking of looking for something a little in between the two.

I'm looking for something that will go from classic rock like early VH and AC/DC to prog and power metal

you just described my H&K switchblade 50 combo. 4 gain settings, reverb/tap delay/other FX, 32 presets, 50w tube. i love mine. el duave can get you into a b-stock cheap.

Thanks Brooks. Travis, I have the Tiny Terror's as well. Reading this thread 'cause I'm in "down on my amp mode". Looking forward to messin' with the incoming Swichblade and Edition Tube 20th (never played either). Also been thinking about a dual gain stage pedal. Carl Martin Plextone?

[MCChris]

Speaking of Valve Tech, the local used/vintage store has a Valve Tech 12/10 combo for sale. It's got the three band EQ, and on the back panel has the 12AX7/12AY7 switch, reverb, presence, and effects loop. Black tolex, oxblood grillcloth, white piping, and no logo (odd).

The store owner says it's a rare model intended to sound like a BFDL. Channel 1 sounds normal to me, but channel 2 is much lower gain than a stock Valve Tech. It still has the on/off switch in the gain knob but overall gain is no more than a Tubescreamer, and probably less.

If it was a regular Valve Tech I'd have bought it on the spot. I really like the 12/10 speaker arrangement.

You can always have Rob bring it up to current spec.

[guitfiddler]

I have a Valvetech 12/10 combo I will part with (reluctantly, but alas I am unemployed and some things just must go, especially if they can be replaced when I am back on my feet again.) The unit has very low hours, is in totally mint cond. and is up to current specs. Incl. the 12AY7/12AX7 switch. The only potential drawback is: no FX loop. I'll part with it for $900. shipped conus. Includes $45.00 custom cover (naugahyde) made by our own Dan Chavers. If interested, please contact me at [email protected]

Thanks, Craig R.

[sirDaniel]

Valvetech will do AC/DC and higain...

Mesa Lonestar can use 6L6/EL34/6V6 and can be found under a grand. has 18w mode

or a microcube

[JohnnyThunders]

Orange Tiny Terror or Valvetech for under a grand. Throw a good boost on the Tiny Terror and it rocks.

[jettster]

Just saw Pagans Mind and Firewind this past weekend. Jorn (Guitarist for PM) was playing through 5150 half stacks and Firewind was using Mesa's (Maybe not by choice) as that was the house setup.

Switchblade combo does all those types of tones real well and gets plenty loud with just the built in speaker.

(Plenty of power for an external cab)

[Jeff R]

On the Randall MTS combo idea, I'd give that one a thumbs down. I had one (50-watter) and ended up moving it. It suffered from sterility to my ear after the newness wore off. Me and Cajun Boy did a couple of the recommended mods to the "Recto" and "Blackface" modules and it improved them, but they still just didn't cut it in the end. I'm 1000 times happier with my Mark III combo.

Another thing to consider is the hit you'll take financially if you buy a MTS new and later try to sell it. If you get an MTS, get it used for sure.

[Travis]

Take a peek around Fazio's in Manchester. He's got Cornford, Rivera and a couple of other lines and doesn't mind if you play your way through a line of them. There's a fair selection of used stuff there too, usually.

I was just over there on Friday, actually. I looked around for a while, but didn't end up playing anything. The Rivera Knucklehead looked pretty interesting to me. But it might end up being a little too nu-metal for my tastes.

Coincidentally, Fazio's son is in one of the classes I'm a TA for over at Logan College of Chiropractic. I talked to him for a while and he said we'd go over to the store here pretty quick and play though everything.

I've known Danny since he was in a punkin' seat. Tell him Tom Armbruster says hi.

Tom, I actually ran into him today at school so I gave him the message. He laughed and asked how I knew you. We got to talking about some of the Riveras that they've got down in the store. I think he and I are going to go down there Thursday after I get done teaching and play through a bunch of them. Also, I know that Danny runs through a 5150 combo when he plays out. I think I'm going to check out his band this weekend so if he's got a sweet tone, I'll have to talk to him about tweaking my 5150 half stack.

So jettster, Jorn played through a 5150, no shit? Was his live sound as killer as his studio tone?

[atquinn]

Just saw Pagans Mind and Firewind this past weekend.

I'm jealous Were they playing some sort of Prog/Powermetal fest? I know PM doesn't get to the states much. Also, for some reason I thought he used Mesas (maybe that's just for the studio though)?

-Austin