lower power high gain amplifiers?

[trianglebiscuit]

are there any lower wattage high gain amps which could possibly free me from the use of drive based pedals? looking for something suitable for bedroom playing too at lower levels and around the sub 1k range.

..just seeing what i could aim for in the near future. or might stick to pedals if it isnt a feasible idea..

 

[ShredCow]

Why? I mean... good pedals into a great amp = good tone + versatility.

For your budget, that Marshall MG stack is okay. But what kind of gain you hoping for?

 

[Paulo]

there are quite a few low watt hi-gain in-built overdrive amps - as to how good they are? is another story.

the 20-40watts versions by Crate, Fender, Marshall AVT/MG, Vox, Peavey, Line6 are some probables. best to hit the shops and test drive 1.

 

[MrE]

i guess you're looking for something that is not too loud but still has better than average distortion (more low-end and smoother distortion?)

the Marshall Microstack II gives better low-end response than most 15 watters, due to closedbacks and two 10" speakers. if u want more bass, i'd suggest something that has a 12" speaker. the marshall's distortion is gritty and raw (maybe too trebly for some, depends on your taste really). cleans are warm, reverb is normal.

for 1k, you can get 2 Marshall microstacks (a mini wall of marshalls) and have enough left for for an A/B/Y switch and a nice drive pedal

 

[trianglebiscuit]

actually, im looking for something which could eventually replace my gt2 as my primary source of high gain needs. are there any high gain combos which are still suitable and sound good at bedroom levels?

 

[ShredCow]

Sell me your GT2.

 

[gkinsingapore]

I used to have a fender deville that cost around 1k...an all tube combo with stacks of gain...you could play it in the bedroom or at a gig and open up the power tubes to really make it work..... sounded a LOT better than any pedal I've heard.

When I bought it there was also some all tube peavey combos that sounded nice as well as the Marshall DSL 1x12 combo which was a bit more money.

Not sure what's around second hand but I sold the fender for around $600 which would have been a decent bargain at the time. If you have a look you might find quite a nice 2nd hand all tube combo for under a grand. If you want a really good distortion sound from an amp I would advocate the use of an amp with both pre and power amp tubes rather than a single 12ax7 tube at the front of the preamp.

There is an all tube Crate 30 watter, the palamino, which is getting rave reviews at the moment which could be worth looking into, not sure who sells crate in sg?

 

[subversion]

There is an all tube Crate 30 watter, the palamino, which is getting rave reviews at the moment which could be worth looking into, not sure who sells crate in sg?

Davis does CRATE now 8)

 

[subversion]

are there any lower wattage high gain amps which could possibly free me from the use of drive based pedals? looking for something suitable for bedroom playing too at lower levels and around the sub 1k range.

..just seeing what i could aim for in the near future. or might stick to pedals if it isnt a feasible idea..

the Ibanez Valbee is a mere 5W amp, & it does high gain well BUT it needs a little kick from the Tubescreamer- so not really freeing you from a pedal there... oh- it's not even $400

 

[trianglebiscuit]

hye subversion, you have a XXL combo right? how does it sound VS high gain drive pedals and is it overkill for home/bedroom usage?

 

[ShredCow]

Erm... got to say something...
Pedals do not necessarily sound worse. It all depends on how you apply them.

You run your marvellous Screwdriver into a Marshall MG15, you get substandard tone.

Into something like ... a Reverend Goblin full tube combo... ahhhhhh.....

You get the idea?

I mean, I'm sure, your GT2 into a good tube amp with enough head room, can get some really intense gain that would really move the air.

 

[MrE]

hye subversion, you have a XXL combo right? how does it sound VS high gain drive pedals and is it overkill for home/bedroom usage?

i tried the XXL 212 combo for a while... really liked it alot for the high gain (and nice cleans too actually). the intense gain in the ultra (modern voicing) channel is really solid. thick and aggressive sounding.

not overkill for bedroom. it's got a variable wattage switch (25/50/100W) at the back - when i used it in the 50W setting at master volume 5, it's not unbearingly loud (and i'm a HDB dweller)

the lead (crunch setting) does exactly that - it really CRUNCHES

excellent solid state 2x12, IMHO. unfortunately discontinued.

 

[trianglebiscuit]

i was also considering a good clean tube amp instead to go together with a good drive pedal maybe like my gt2 or G2D morpheus. all those high gain tube combos would be overkill for me and i wont be able to craaank them anyway. the XXL does look good though.

ahhh so exciting..

 

[penta-tonic]

just get a peavey. direct guitar to amp sound will own pedals anyday. and im not talking abt those home practice amps. full tube combos.

 

[Lifehouse]

Into something like ... a Reverend Goblin full tube combo... ahhhhhh.....

Darn.. I've been gassing for a Kingsnake for quite awhile. :smt003

 

[Cavett]

What u need is a Power Engine amp from Tech21 to compliment your GT2 pedal!

Though to me, a GT2 to any amp with the right tweaking will sound gd.. IMHO of course... :twisted:

 

[thor666]

Darn.. I've been gassing for a Kingsnake for quite awhile. :smt003

check reverend like, now, under sales. they discontinued the amps, so your only chance of getting one is almost like only at this time.

 

[ShredCow]

Malcom has the Kingsnake. And Goblin.

 

[thor666]

whoops. reverend all sold out. heh.

bug malcolm to sell you his.

 

[mellapong]

woah matthew lee suan ching feeling rich eh.

eh not wanting to hijack, but one quick question.

for soulful sounding leads such as the one on on dream theater's the spirit carries on, how much gain do you actually have to use?

i tried different gain levels and some echo added the whole thing gets super noisy and muddy.

or is it just petrucci's set up? ha please enlighten this stupid noob.