Valve amps for metal?

darxx · 2010-10-26T22:13:07+00:00

Looking for high-gain valve amp, for a reasonable price... Only problem is I don't know which, if any, of them would be good for metal considering most revie...

Valve amps for metal?

darxx

singemonkey wrote: One cheaper option man, is to get a Laney combo, or another cheapish valve amp (you still need tubes for your basic tone) that's meant for players that like high gain, and then - to push it to the point that you want it - get one of the high end metal pedals. Because high-end in a pedal is a helluva lot less than a high-end in an amp.

A lot of pedal manufacturers now are making super-sophisticated analogue units with J-Fet transistors and all that malarkey (that I don't really understand) that can simulate amplifiers right down to the playing dynamics. Put these pedals in front of a modest tube amp and you can get something truly delicious.

It's an option to get there much cheaper. But you'll still need tubes for the underlying warmth.

mind if i ask which pedals you'd suggest?

shadow1

PEavey 6505+ unbeatable high gain amp! Mesa Boogie Dual / triple Rec also a good one. In terms of what is available in my opinion those are the only 2 to look at. perhaps a Marshall too.

I own the 6505+ and its ridiculously massive! altho I dont do the high gain metal thing anymore so the amp sits in my room now.

Malkav

In my meager opinion the Mesa Boogie Mark V is the holy grail of Metal tone and versatility - you can find very good reviews of it on Youtube, specifically Guitarist Magazine did a great review, however it's not really a metal review. They do a combo 1x12 for R29K which is the issue with Mesa, you've just gotta be willing to sell a kidney. One of the important things to remember about valve amps is that if you're not pushing them they won't sound good which is why you'd want a 50 watt cause most venues you play at in S.A won't let you push the amp much, especially if you're a metal musician cause about 80% of the time you'll be playing on stages too small for a 5 piece.

A very useful toy to consider is that there are companies that make power attenuation units - I think that's the term for them - like the THD hot plate or the DR Z whatever it's called (I can't remember) to get a seriously overdriven sound at low volume. They're not cheap but one thing you'll learn very fast is that good tone isn't...

I personally would love to own a valve amp but the practicallity factor just goes against this desire as it'll never be pushed especially seeing as metal amps need headroom which is why most are 100 watts, the Mesa triple rectifiers, road kings and Mark V head to my knowledge are 150 watt. These factors have made me decide I'd rather go with something like an Axe-FX Ultra and a VHT poweramp with either Mesa Boogie or G-Flex cab ? So that I can have what tube snobs would call shitty digital tone in STEREO!!! 8)

Charlie4

It all comes down to the budget. If I had 50K I'd buy a Diezel Einstein but I don't.
You looking for 20,50,100 watt amp?

Just remember that high gain amps are usually one trick ponies, unless you're spending more than 20K (such as the Mesa Stiletto). I think for about 10K you can get a Peavey 6505+ 1x12 combo.

If you're really cheap, like me, you buy a peavey valveking 112, replace the speaker with a Celestion V30 and boost it with a Fulltone OCD. OR

Get a 2nd hand valve amp (like a hot rod deluxe) and use a high-quality gain pedal like Emma PisdiYAUwot, Wampler Triple Wreck, Rockett Ten Ton Hammer, Rothwell Switchblade etc.

It's all about the budget.

singemonkey

darxx wrote: mind if i ask which pedals you'd suggest?

How does this sound to you (note that it's playing through a Fender amp - not your classic metal choice):

This is just one option. This pedal is amazingly versatile (MIKA, who probably won't come near this thread, has one). It essentially has circuitry emulating a Marshal JMP45 (more your classic rock sound), on the one setting or, on this setting, a JCM 800 (the amplifier of '80s metal). Put this in front of a cheap 50watt Laney combo, and you'll knock the house down. For subtle playing, it's super dynamic and will clean right up if you pick softly. But with the knobs dialled...

Point is, I'm sure you'd get a triple rectifier if you could afford one. But there are much cheaper ways to get 90% of the way there.

Manfred-Klose

hmm.. when we recorded our ep we played through a jcm900 (i think).. the studios of course.. hated the tone.. was trebly and harsh.. but once the tracks were laid and effects added the sound was awesome

I recorded a black metal band once with a JCM 800 and a tube screamer.
funniest thing ever, but turns out it worked perfectly.

darxx

singemonkey wrote:
darxx wrote: mind if i ask which pedals you'd suggest?
How does this sound to you (note that it's playing through a Fender amp - not your classic metal choice):

This is just one option. This pedal is amazingly versatile (MIKA, who probably won't come near this thread, has one). It essentially has circuitry emulating a Marshal JMP45 (more your classic rock sound), on the one setting or, on this setting, a JCM 800 (the amplifier of '80s metal). Put this in front of a cheap 50watt Laney combo, and you'll knock the house down. For subtle playing, it's super dynamic and will clean right up if you pick softly. But with the knobs dialled...

Point is, I'm sure you'd get a triple rectifier if you could afford one. But there are much cheaper ways to get 90% of the way there.

hmmm... well... i don't like the sound. but fender amp. noted.
if it's as versatile as you say though, i might have to check it out in a store somewhere.

My teacher recommended a hughes and kettner tube factor though... I'm very keen to check that one out tbh.

BMU

Manfred Klose wrote:
hmm.. when we recorded our ep we played through a jcm900 (i think).. the studios of course.. hated the tone.. was trebly and harsh.. but once the tracks were laid and effects added the sound was awesome
I recorded a black metal band once with a JCM 800 and a tube screamer.
funniest thing ever, but turns out it worked perfectly.

Makes perfect sense to me. JCM800s sound very good, to me better than the later models. Just needs more gain and bottom end tightness (or "thump") which the TS gives you.

Manfred-Klose

Makes perfect sense to me. JCM800s sound very good, to me better than the later models. Just needs more gain and bottom end tightness (or "thump") which the TS gives you.

Was a Slash signature JCM800, the bass pot was broken off, so i had to work around with the mids treble and presence to get what i wanted.

Banditman

No-one mentioned Hughes & Kettner yet? (unless it's because of the price). There's also Krank if you're really into metal.

darxx

Banditman wrote: No-one mentioned Hughes & Kettner yet? (unless it's because of the price). There's also Krank if you're really into metal.

hughes and kettner pedal definitely in my price range... amp. not so sure if i can afford that.

but this krank thing... never heard of it. i'll have a look see. ?