Some amp advice please

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Some amp advice please
Topic Started: Aug 15 2008, 08:17 PM (159 Views)
phill1883	Aug 15 2008, 08:17 PM Post #1
Member Posts: 33 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	Hi all, I am currently looking for a new amp, at the moment I use a Hughes and Kettner Triamp Mk 1. The Triamp is probably one of the most versatile amps i have ever used, however these days I don't play covers, and i require a more compressed, punchy distorted sound. I would prefer something that sounds OK at low volumes, costs less than Ł1000 and a lighter amp than my Triamp would also go down a treat. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations. Also I am not necessarily adverse to solid state/digital if they are convincing enough.



Bullet	Aug 16 2008, 06:12 PM Post #2
Admin Posts: 1,833 Group: Admin Member #183 Joined: January 13, 2007	I don't believe in paying anywhere above Ł300 for a solid state amp myself, that's just a waste of money if you ask me! I would like to suggest some amps to you but firstly I have 2 questions.... Head or Combo? What genre of music do you play mostly?



phill1883	Aug 16 2008, 10:32 PM Post #3
Member Posts: 33 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	I would prefer a head, because it will probably be cheaper as I already have a decent cab. I mostly play metal but our music has big ambient element, so it is important that I get something with a decent clean tone that sounds good with effects. Also I really want something that sounds a little different from what other metal bands play as I am quite a creative writer and would quite like to have a tone that sounds slightly different to what we are all used to hearing. I actually tried an Engl Screamer today which I absolutely loved, although I dont want to settle on the 1st thing I see, so that is on my maybe list.



monwobobbo	Aug 16 2008, 10:48 PM Post #4
Top Contributor Posts: 379 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	consider a BUGERA head. they are a new company. i tried a 2x12 combo amp recently and if i had the cash i would have bought it. all tube and fairly cheap good sound.
	and now for something completely different


Bullet	Aug 17 2008, 12:24 AM Post #5
Admin Posts: 1,833 Group: Admin Member #183 Joined: January 13, 2007	Try ENGL, Mesa, Cornford, Framus, Orange.... I can't recommend a particular model since you are looking for something quite specific, but I think you will DEFINITELY find an amp you like out of them brands.



mynameisDavid	Aug 17 2008, 12:48 AM Post #6
Member Posts: 829 Group: Moderator Member #294 Joined: March 2, 2007	Orange are awesome for metal, I know like 6 really good bands that use Orange amps...
	Every drop of blood Every little tear Every bead of sweat I LIVE FOR THIS If you don't for something you'll die for nothing


phill1883	Aug 17 2008, 09:00 AM Post #7
Member Posts: 33 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	Orange? Ive never seen them as being high gain amps, I always saw them as a rich mans marshall...I will definately check them out, ive always overlooked them in the past...Ill check out Bugera too ive never heard of them before. BTW my triamp is on ebay if anyone UK based is interested - have a butchers at the items for sale section



phill1883	Aug 17 2008, 09:00 AM Post #8
Member Posts: 33 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	sorry, I forgot to say thanks for the advice...how rude of me



phill1883	Aug 19 2008, 03:16 PM Post #9
Member Posts: 33 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	I decided on the Engl Screamer in the end...I tried a JSX and a 6505 and in my opinion they didnt come close to the Engl...and for Ł650 it was no contest. Framus and Cornford were way too expensive, despite getting great user reviews, plus noone seems to stock them. Thanks again for the advice, you gave me a couple of other avenues to explore before deciding.



monwobobbo	Aug 19 2008, 03:52 PM Post #10
Top Contributor Posts: 379 Group: Members Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	enjoy and i'b be curious to have a report on how well that amp sounds after you've had a bit to try it out.
	and now for something completely different


Bullet	Aug 20 2008, 02:56 PM Post #11
Admin Posts: 1,833 Group: Admin Member #183 Joined: January 13, 2007	I knew when you said you loved it that would be the one you are getting! Even if it was the first one you tried, good choice!



mynameisDavid	Aug 21 2008, 12:18 AM Post #12
Member Posts: 829 Group: Moderator Member #294 Joined: March 2, 2007	phill1883 Aug 16 2008, 10:32 PM I would prefer a head, because it will probably be cheaper as I already have a decent cab. I mostly play metal but our music has big ambient element, so it is important that I get something with a decent clean tone that sounds good with effects. Also I really want something that sounds a little different from what other metal bands play as I am quite a creative writer and would quite like to have a tone that sounds slightly different to what we are all used to hearing. I actually tried an Engl Screamer today which I absolutely loved, although I dont want to settle on the 1st thing I see, so that is on my maybe list. I own a Bugera, and I LOVE IT!!!! Although i so like a lot of orange's Ah well... haha My cab was about $450 all together because i bought used, I picked up a cab at guitar center for 100 and the head for 350 the 6260 one (or something close i cant remember lol)
	Every drop of blood Every little tear Every bead of sweat I LIVE FOR THIS If you don't for something you'll die for nothing


phill1883	Aug 21 2008, 12:07 PM Post #13
Member Posts: 33 Group: Members Member #8,740 Joined: August 15, 2008	I dont think anywhere here stocks bugera..nowhere near me anyway. Anyway, my Screamer arrived on Tuesday and I took a day off yesterday to get used to it so i thought id let you know how I got on. I bought this amp because a. the hi gain chanel is exactly what I was after b. the clean tone is glassy and fresh sounding (although after trying in the shop i did think I had compromised a great clean sound for a better hi gain) c.at only 50 watts it can be cranked in pubs and clubs It has 4 chanels from sparkley clean to hi gain, 1 eq section 2 gain controls (clean and lead) a bright switch for the clean chanels anda presence control for the lead chanel. Now I live in a 1 bed flat so I cant play anywhere near the volume I would like to...but at about 5% volume this thing is still a beast! I was instantly impressed with the hi gain sound at this volume. The sound is quite compressed which I suppose will really show your shortcomings as a guitarist if you are a sloppy player (I consider myself average, so I have my sloppy moments)...its hard to explain but the tone feels a hell of a lot more aggressive and sophisticated than a lot of other amps "fuzzier" sounding distortion. I needed to tweak the eq quite a bit to settle on a tone that allowed some of the more complex chords I use to sound right while keeping my lead playing articulate. I dont think I will find a use for the low gain lead chanel, although it does sound as distinctive as the hi gain...just not my cup of tea. The "hi gain" clean chanel is amazing! they call it hi gain, but I dont know why, it breaks up a touch when the gain control is up but nothing too extreme, when it is down the sound is really full and warm, this actually comes pretty close to the sound of the 1b chanel on my old Triamp but is a little more distinctive. The super clean sparkley chanel is really nice too although it does sound a bit thin in my opinion...though i am buying a delay pedal on Saturday so we'll see what difference that makes. all in all its an amazing amp, try one!!! it has a few shortcomings, but for less than Ł650 they are easily overlooked.


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