Hey guys. Long time no see!

I'm looking to get a new amp since the one I have is really only for beginners. It really doesn't have effects or really good sound. I'm looking currently to get a new one. I play anything from plain old rock (ex.- Bachman-Turner-Overdrive) to hard rock (ex.- Tesla) to metal/thrash (ex.- Megadeth/Metallica). I'm really not sure what to get, but a couple friends have recommended looking at the Vox Nightrain (w/ the head), Line 6 Spider series, and Peavy's. Sorry to say Fender isn't on the list but I don't like the tone and sound I get from them I've tested out Line 6's and I really like the metal tone I could get out of it, it really suits metal really well. Vox Nightrain I've seen a video and to me it looks like it could fit the classic/hard rock side of me. But I don't know anything about Peavy's though since I've never tested them out.

I need some help with this. What can help me get the best of both worlds And if you have any suggestions, please say so! Thanks a lot

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"I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend."

-Freddie Mercury

Have you tried any of the new Mustang series amps from Fender? I am able to get a huge range of sound from mine, especially the M V. I own several Peavey amps, but I'm not a big fan of the Peavey modeling amps. I own one VOX amp, but I generally drift towards my Mustangs these days if I want to crank.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Budget?

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

I've been using mostly Marshall for the past 20 years and just love them.Marshalls can play with a full clean tone but really shine when you overdrive the brutes.The new Marshall modeling amps are pretty decent too.I've also have a love affair with Vox amps, their modeling amps are superior in modeling and effects than anything Line 6 puts out especially when you get into the over 15W bracket.
I haven't used any or the new Fender modeling amps however according to the people on the forum who have them they are great little amps but since I already have my Vox AD120VTH modeling amp I'll make do with my Blues Jr. and '69 2-15 Bassman which are both killer amps.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Check out the Roland Cube XL series amps, specially the 30, 40 and 80 watt versions. In IMHO, they sound much better than the Fender Mustangs. I think there is a comparison video on youtube on these amps.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/gmlasam

+1 on Marshall Amps. Absolutely the best amp I've played through.

Depends on what you want to play, where you want to play it and in this opinion, how good your ears are.

Some folks on this forum can hear the difference between cabinet materials and even colours of tolex on amps. This picker's ears / brain sorting mechanism are not anywhere near that good, 'Had a L6 Vetta I HD, 412 slant and longboard for 6+ years and it is a real joy. Super flexibility.

'Use an L6 LD150 bass amp at chruch weekly, it has 238 Masses plus more than that rehearsals on it and functions perfectly.

'Bought an L6 Spider Jam last year as a "small amp." Competent beyond these needs and possibly the best modeling / jam amp for under $400.

Since you did not mention Fender in your options, 'won't address their superb product. Best of fortune.

Do yourself and your guitaring the biggest favour you ever could and skip the metal stage and go straight to the funky/Bluesy stage......

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Peavey Bandit 112.

There's nothing you can't do.

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1987 Fender Squier Strat - Lake Placid Blue
1981 Yamaha Eterna Folk Acoustic
2006 Peavey Bandit 112
2007 Roland HP-207 Piano

For a modeling amp I like the Roland Cube Series. I have a micro cube and it sounds nice for what it is. I've also played through Fender Mustangs and they aren't bad either, you couldn't go wrong with either one. Line 6 is a bit hit and miss. I had a friend who had a small Line 6 practice amp which sounded like trash, but when he upgraded to a higher end Line 6 it greatly improved his tone.

Personally, I'm a tube freak and I would try avoid ever using a solid state modeling amp for anything but at home practice. But I can see how they would be extremely useful to anyone searching for something extremely versatile. And that kind of seems like what you're after. In case you ever find yourself searching for an affordable tube amp, you can get a used Peavey Classic 30 for somewhere in the $300-$400 range and it's a killer amp.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
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Not even an "honorable mention" for the Acoustic 370?



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I don't think Marshall is the ideal choice in this instance guys, sorry. (rare eh?)

You can kind of get a idea on how much the OP wants to spend from the choices he's already listed. It certainly aint at the plexi end of the payscale. The only amp that Marshall make that is going to do that Bachman Turner..... O/overdrive and good solid 80's Thrash is the Plexi. A 1962 wouldn't handle thrash, a 800 wouldn't do the classic rock too great. Then you've the massive volume to deal with too. The Haze I find to be of limited appeal.

The Fender Mustangs, I've no experience of em. However I do like my Vibrochamp XD. Perhaps a VM Deluxe or something bigger is the way to go. The highgain on em aint that bad. Ok it's kind of Pantera sounding but aint really too unusable if you keep an eye on exactly how much gain is being used. The British overdrive out of the thing is pretty good. Same again though, too much gain on tap. The small tweed sounds are great, thats pretty much where my amp lives.

Of those listed I'd go for the Bogner/Line6. The valve jobbie. Despite what most folks say, they aint that bad. I gigged a POD for a good long while and it never did me wrong. Line6 lead the world in modelling, you'll get all the sounds you want. But you have to learn to work the thing. Don't just go for the 'supergain strip wallpaper at 50 paces' midscoop. Thats when everything starts to sound bad.

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No no and no

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... =228230866 This will do what you want. Nix the thrash. Get a scarf and a hat and embrace the blues.......

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

mesa boogie express 5:25
or
mesa boogie express 5:50

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

I have a Deluxe VM and you're right, the gain is actually pretty good. If the OP could squeeze it into his budget then that's the Fender amp which would probably best suit him.

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