Recommendations

[stratplayer1]

Well I've recently bought a guitar from warmoth, hoping it will arrive shortly and the next thing on my list to upgrade will be my amp, I've sparred no expense in making my guitar everything I want it to be and the same will apply to amp. I'm looking for a half stack that has decent cleans, good warm hard rock tones so I can play all the classic rock I want, ac/dc, van halen, scorpions, and I also want it to have the ability to do a modern high gain sound for things like underoath and the fall of troy. Something similar to an orange thunderverb sound. I want it to do these kinds of sound decently. All tube is a must. I've looked into peavey 6505, EVH 5150 III, and Marshall Jvm 410-h with matching cab. Any criticism and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[DocNrock]

Have you looked at the Peavey JSX?  I have the 212 and it does everything you're describing.

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

Kirk hammet Randal amp?

 

[dbw]

The 5150 is an obvious choice... I have a Carvin V3 and I think it's similar, probably slightly better cleans and somewhat worse hi-gain.  It's worth a try and it's a whole lot cheaper than a 5150.

 

[tallman]

What's your budget?

 

[Volitions Advocate]

Indeed, budget is a huge factor.  Boutique or not?

I play through a Rivera Knucklehead Reverb 100 Watt and it does a lot of sounds.  But a Diezel VH4 is even more diverse and I havent really played one but a Hughes and Kettner Triamp MKII has even more preamps to chose from.
all these amps are pretty pro level.  The VH4 is over 4K just for the head alone.  But its up to you.

My opinion is try them all out. all the ones you're thinking of.  ****DONT EVEN THINK**** about buying one on the web or something similar.  go try it at a store first and bug the guys at the store all day if you have to. get every sound out of that thing you can think of.
Then do it again on another amp your'e thinking of.  And above all.  Don't listen to the stereotypes. listen to your ears.  I had never heard of Rivera the day I walked into that store.  I was looking for an Orange, Diezel, or Crate, and walked out with a Rivera.

 

[stratplayer1]

Yeah I definitely do need to go and play some of them, unfortunately the nearest store that stocks more than one of the amps I'm interested in is an hour away and i just havnt had the time to go there, my budget is about 3,100 basically the evh III is the most im willing to spend. And ill definitely have to look into carvin amps I havn't checked those out yet. I don't really needed the nicest most expensive amp in the world but a good quality tube amp that i can keep forever.

 

[thumb55]

If you have your Warmoth together go play some stuff.  I understand the budget.  I'd love to have one ot the new Mesa Road Kings (to much $$ for me right now) but I settled on a Rect-o-Verb 1x12" which is great for what I'm doing.  I can use it for a combo at home or plug into a 4x12". 

I looked at a LOT of stuff.  Engl, Randall, Peavy, Orange, Marshall, Hughes & Kettner, etc, etc....

It was funny.  I played all this stuff.  Plugged into the Boogie and knew that was it, no more looking.  The sounds I wanted came quick and easy.  But it's all in what your looking for.
 

 

[GoDrex]

If I had 3 grand to spend on an amp I'd do a Ceriatone Overtone special or maybe one of their other ones and get and Avatar cab... and have money left over...

 

[DocNrock]

If I had 3 grand to spend on an amp I'd do a Ceriatone Overtone special or maybe one of their other ones and get and Avatar cab... and have money left over...

I'd get a Peavey JSX full stack and have $$$ left over.  :icon_thumright:

 

[GoDrex]

I have a block in my head that prevents me from buying anything made by Peavey and also Carvin. I'm sure it's totally irrational but I can't get rid of it

 

[DocNrock]

I have a block in my head that prevents me from buying anything made by Peavey and also Carvin. I'm sure it's totally irrational but I can't get rid of it

I used to feel that way bigtime.  Around the late 90's, Peavey started building some quality stuff.  It has only gotten better since then.  I can't imagine getting a better tone than what I have from my JSX.  FWIW, I have a Marshall DSL 2000 combo that sits in the closet.

 

[GoDrex]

I believe you man. I should really try out some of the new stuff - it would probably cure me of my issues. Well some of them anyway hehehe

 

[DocNrock]

I believe you man. I should really try out some of the new stuff - it would probably cure me of my issues. Well some of them anyway hehehe

Give the JSX a try, and do like I did and get over the fact that it is a Satriani sig item.  I decided to give it a go in the local GC and walked out with it.  I walked in looking for a different Marshall.  IIRC, the JSX has the front end of the XXX, and the power amp section of the 5150. 

The cleans just drip out of the speakers.  The crunch is ballsy and the "brown sound" is easy to get.  The ultra channel has more gain than anyone could want; it will peel the paint off of the walls WITH a tone that can only be described as full.

 

[GoDrex]

Well I like Joe a lot so that doesn't bother me. It's the Peavey part hehehe I'm sure it sounds great - if I had the cash I'd probably get one without even trying it. Luckily, I'm pretty happy with my amp right now (especially after playing it out on my deck - holy shit!). The only thing I'm GASing for is another 1x12 of some type so I can do stereo effects. Not sure yet what kind though.

 

[DocNrock]

Well I like Joe a lot so that doesn't bother me. It's the Peavey part hehehe I'm sure it sounds great - if I had the cash I'd probably get one without even trying it. Luckily, I'm pretty happy with my amp right now (especially after playing it out on my deck - holy shite!). The only thing I'm GASing for is another 1x12 of some type so I can do stereo effects. Not sure yet what kind though.

And I stop researching gear once I have everything I want.  Sorry, Gary...can't help you on that quest.  Ever consider building a cab de novo and putting in a Vintage 30 or something like that?

 

[GoDrex]

I meant another 1x12 combo... I'm thinking one of those Blackheart Handsome Devils... though I'd prefer something that will actually be available some day hahaha.

 

[stratplayer1]

Yeah I've definitely been looking at peavey products mostly the 6505 not so much the jsx, not so much into signature gear thats whats kinda pushing me away from the evh amp that and its 3 freakin grand, saving money is always a good thing, as long as it doesnt cost me tone that is. Thanks to all you guys for your input gave me a few new things to look into and a few good words about things i already knew about, definitely appreciate it.

 

[SrDeMaFp]

Yeah I've definitely been looking at peavey products mostly the 6505 not so much the jsx, not so much into signature gear thats whats kinda pushing me away from the evh amp that and its 3 freakin grand, saving money is always a good thing, as long as it doesnt cost me tone that is. Thanks to all you guys for your input gave me a few new things to look into and a few good words about things i already knew about, definitely appreciate it.

Give the Valveking 1x12 a chance. The jacks and knobs feel cheap but, it's more than loud enough and it sounds great.

 

[dbw]

If money were no object, I'd get a Mesa Road King II.