Amp suggestions?

Valvetech will do AC/DC and higain...

Mesa Lonestar can use 6L6/EL34/6V6 and can be found under a grand. has 18w mode

or a microcube

 
Just saw Pagans Mind and Firewind this past weekend. Jorn (Guitarist for PM) was playing through 5150 half stacks and Firewind was using Mesa's (Maybe not by choice) as that was the house setup.

Switchblade combo does all those types of tones real well and gets plenty loud with just the built in speaker.

(Plenty of power for an external cab)

 
On the Randall MTS combo idea, I'd give that one a thumbs down. I had one (50-watter) and ended up moving it. It suffered from sterility to my ear after the newness wore off. Me and Cajun Boy did a couple of the recommended mods to the "Recto" and "Blackface" modules and it improved them, but they still just didn't cut it in the end. I'm 1000 times happier with my Mark III combo.

Another thing to consider is the hit you'll take financially if you buy a MTS new and later try to sell it. If you get an MTS, get it used for sure.

 
tomteriffic said:
Travis said:
tomteriffic said:
Take a peek around Fazio's in Manchester. He's got Cornford, Rivera and a couple of other lines and doesn't mind if you play your way through a line of them. There's a fair selection of used stuff there too, usually.
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I was just over there on Friday, actually. I looked around for a while, but didn't end up playing anything. The Rivera Knucklehead looked pretty interesting to me. But it might end up being a little too nu-metal for my tastes.

Coincidentally, Fazio's son is in one of the classes I'm a TA for over at Logan College of Chiropractic. I talked to him for a while and he said we'd go over to the store here pretty quick and play though everything.
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I've known Danny since he was in a punkin' seat. Tell him Tom Armbruster says hi.
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Tom, I actually ran into him today at school so I gave him the message. He laughed and asked how I knew you. We got to talking about some of the Riveras that they've got down in the store. I think he and I are going to go down there Thursday after I get done teaching and play through a bunch of them. Also, I know that Danny runs through a 5150 combo when he plays out. I think I'm going to check out his band this weekend so if he's got a sweet tone, I'll have to talk to him about tweaking my 5150 half stack.

So jettster, Jorn played through a 5150, no shit? Was his live sound as killer as his studio tone?

 
jettster said:
Just saw Pagans Mind and Firewind this past weekend.
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I'm jealous /emoticons/default_blink.png Were they playing some sort of Prog/Powermetal fest? I know PM doesn't get to the states much. Also, for some reason I thought he used Mesas (maybe that's just for the studio though)?

-Austin

 
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So jettster, Jorn played through a 5150, no shit? Was his live sound as killer as his studio tone?
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I don't have the newer Enigmatic Calling to compare but his tone sounded real similar to the sound he had on Jorn Landes "The Duke". It's possible that he was just using what was there because when I saw him last year with Jorn Lande it seemed like he was playing through a Line 6 Vetta. I tried to buy Enigmatic Calling after their set and all vendors were sold out of every PM CD. I have Infinity Divine and Celestial Entrance but, his tone on there seems much thinner. I saw them in back in 2003 and I remember them sounding pretty good but they were on a completely different level this time, just incredible.

They were also the core band for the all star jam at the end of the festival so I got to see him play Friday and Saturday. The singer for PM did a King Diamond cover "Welcome Home" and "Take hold of the flame" by Queensryche without breaking a sweat. He was hitting notes Tate hasn't hit in well over a decade.

I'm jealous Were they playing some sort of Prog/Powermetal fest? I know PM doesn't get to the states much. Also, for some reason I thought he used Mesas (maybe that's just for the studio though)?
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Yes you're exactly right, I've been the last five years and it's been great discovering all this new music at each show. http://www.progpowerusa.com/bands.php

Best venue that I've ever been to, worst seat in the place is outstanding.

http://www.centerstage-atlanta.com/venue.asp

 
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jettster said:
So jettster, Jorn played through a 5150, no shit? Was his live sound as killer as his studio tone?
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I don't have the newer Enigmatic Calling to compare but his tone sounded real similar to the sound he had on Jorn Landes "The Duke". It's possible that he was just using what was there because when I saw him last year with Jorn Lande it seemed like he was playing through a Line 6 Vetta. I tried to buy Enigmatic Calling after their set and all vendors were sold out of every PM CD. I have Infinity Divine and Celestial Entrance but, his tone on there seems much thinner. I saw them in back in 2003 and I remember them sounding pretty good but they were on a completely different level this time, just incredible.

They were also the core band for the all star jam at the end of the festival so I got to see him play Friday and Saturday. The singer for PM did a King Diamond cover "Welcome Home" and "Take hold of the flame" by Queensryche without breaking a sweat. He was hitting notes Tate hasn't hit in well over a decade.

I'm jealous Were they playing some sort of Prog/Powermetal fest? I know PM doesn't get to the states much. Also, for some reason I thought he used Mesas (maybe that's just for the studio though)?
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Yes you're exactly right, I've been the last five years and it's been great discovering all this new music at each show. http://www.progpowerusa.com/bands.php

Best venue that I've ever been to, worst seat in the place is outstanding.

http://www.centerstage-atlanta.com/venue.asp
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Very cool! Enigmatic:Calling is an awesome CD (it's like Celestial Entrance taken to the next level); highly recommended. They have a new CD coming out this year that sounds promising as well (based on the advanced single). Jorn has oustanding tone solo on all the PM stuff (the rhythm tone can get a bit buzzy sometimes, but works well in context).

-Austin

 
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Well, I know that Jorn lists the 5150 II as his amp on the band's website along with the EB/MM EVH as his guitar (although I did see him play a Wolfgang in one of PM's videos). Guess the guy likes his EVH. Either way, I love his tone.

Maybe I should just quit lusting after different gear and spend more time becoming a better player.

 
Mike Lee said:
Speaking of Valve Tech, the local used/vintage store has a Valve Tech 12/10 combo for sale. It's got the three band EQ, and on the back panel has the 12AX7/12AY7 switch, reverb, presence, and effects loop. Black tolex, oxblood grillcloth, white piping, and no logo (odd).

The store owner says it's a rare model intended to sound like a BFDL. Channel 1 sounds normal to me, but channel 2 is much lower gain than a stock Valve Tech. It still has the on/off switch in the gain knob but overall gain is no more than a Tubescreamer, and probably less.

If it was a regular Valve Tech I'd have bought it on the spot. I really like the 12/10 speaker arrangement.
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Hi,

I dont know what the store owner could be talking about. Never made a special voiced amp other than the normal evolution the amp went through, unless it had been modded by someone other than me.

You can add the switch for the hyper gain but the amp has to be at the 08 spec to put it on. (the 08 spec amp started 3 / 07) $50 plus return shipping for the mod.

Rob

 
Thanks for commenting Rob.

I also looked in the back of the amp and remember seeing electrical tape around some of the speaker wires. I tried to trace the speaker connections and it didn't look like the two speaker were wired in parallel. The impedence selector was at 16 ohms too.

I'm having trouble rememebering how the amp is supposed to work in the first place. Do you need the footswitch for the high gain function? And what was the purpose of the on/off switch on the channel two gain knob?

There's no telling how many mods might have been done on this thing. How much would it be to put everything back to normal?

 
Travis said:
I would ideally like to keep the cost well under a grand, and I don't mind buying used. In fact, if it's in good shape, I would probably prefer buying used.

Any suggestions?
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Peavey Rockmaster preamp, Peavey Classic 60 power amp. It's well under a grand and 3 channels of goodness.

 
Mike Lee said:
Thanks for commenting Rob.

I also looked in the back of the amp and remember seeing electrical tape around some of the speaker wires. I tried to trace the speaker connections and it didn't look like the two speaker were wired in parallel. The impedence selector was at 16 ohms too.

I'm having trouble rememebering how the amp is supposed to work in the first place. Do you need the footswitch for the high gain function? And what was the purpose of the on/off switch on the channel two gain knob?

There's no telling how many mods might have been done on this thing. How much would it be to put everything back to normal?
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Hi,

You HAVE to have the footswitch ON before the overdrive boost works. The click is the bright switch for channel 1. I can fix the whole thing between $25 and $50, plus the return shipping,or you can drop it off if you are up this way.

Rob

 
Another vote for Mesa. I just got a MKIV for $1100. I've had it for a few weeks and it just keeps getting better. Especially through my EV12L 2X12 Mesa cab. Also have a MKIII that sounds amazing.

 
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