Good hyper-inexpensive amps?

[Mockingbirdmadnes]

Anybody Know of some good amp heads I can pick up on the mega cheaps? Like, 350 and under. I've got a slightly modded VK100 that's just not aggressive enough. I've been trying to find something fair for metal around that price. Open to checking out just about anything.

 

[lang.murphy]

Maybe a pedal into your VK100? Assuming you're talking about a Peavey Valve King... the marketing blather for that amp is "From Southern-fried swagger to molten metal..." but it's not doing the "Molten Metal" thing well enough for you...

Must admit I'm not versed in Metal amps... but I think you might be best served by a pedal, assuming the VK100 plays nice with pedals.

 

[Papa Van Smack]

Peavey VTM 60 or 120. I have a 60. I want a better amp....yes, but it's got some balls, can be had for around 250, is all tube, and was the platform for the 5150. Additionally, soundgarden used these for the badmotorfinger album.

 

[Mockingbirdmadnes]

Yes, the Peavey. I've got the mods that supposedly make it brighter and less overly bassy. To be honest, it's still a big ball of mush. Sounds nice, just not for my purposes. And as for pedals: they're all fine and dandy with this amp, problem is: more impossibly small stuff to look out for at a gig, and I have no pedalboard.

 

[lang.murphy]

... To be honest, it's still a big ball of mush. Sounds nice, just not for my purposes. And as for pedals: they're all fine and dandy with this amp, problem is: more impossibly small stuff to look out for at a gig, and I have no pedalboard.

Well... a big ball of mush is not the answer, 'fo 'sho. Do you think your guitar has anything to do with that? Also... what speakers are you driving in your rig?

And I was thinking of just a single pedal... no need for a pedal board for one pedal.

And "good" and > $350 seems like a bit of a stretch... 'jes saying...

 

[Mockingbirdmadnes]

This amp does seem to not play well with hyper high output pickups. Things like my Duncan Blackout 7s, Dimarzio X2Ns, and Dimarzio D-activator Xs overpower the input and instead of crunch, they just add mush. It reacts REALLY weird to the X2N, where it loses just about all treble and mids and just becomes this incredible bassy blob for a second, and then it's back to normal. The cab is the stock VK cabinet, with the VK speakers. which I've heard are really bassy. BUT, I have heard this amp through other cabs. still not sharp enough. And yes, I'm completely aware that $350 is nearly no budget, but I'm not the richest man on the planet. Far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far from it.

 

[anuj]

You could do a lot worse than a used Carvin at that kinda price point.

 

[K.O.]

Honestly for metal if you can save another 100 or so the best budget metal amp out IMO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiJ1papVN64


I have fun on the one I picked up for my son and did pay 350 the stock chi Sheffield in the closed back has killer punch lows but not much else, so plan on getting a cab or upgrading if you do anything other than mid scoop. We run ours as a 312, I built an unbalanced/thielish/shelved 212 with sheff 1230s and it caries the low mids on up and it put a big grin on my shredders face.

 

[Mockingbirdmadnes]

I enjoy the 6505, but, call me a hipster all you like, it's used by damn near everyone. that, and they're ungodly expensive, I've never seen one for less than $500.

 

[wrxplayer]

Crate 50 watt vintage club. Two channels, verb, 4xel84. $325 or so.

 

[lang.murphy]

... And yes, I'm completely aware that $350 is nearly no budget, but I'm not the richest man on the planet. Far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far, far from it.

Understand that the budget thing can be the primary driver in selecting gear. Otherwise I'd own every Marshall every made... and -that- ain't gonna happen...

Just for yucks, I did a search in Craigslist for "metal amp." The only tube amp that comes even close to your $350 price point is a Bugera 333 Infinium for $400. All other options are SS, e.g., a Randall RH100.

 

[I.P. Freeley]

It's SS, but Ampeg VH140c.

 

[I.P. Freeley]

Hell, a red stripe Peavey Bandit's good for metal.

 

[83stratman]

Really? I have to watch a you tube video to find out what your recommendation is?

Honestly for metal if you can save another 100 or so the best budget metal amp out IMO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiJ1papVN64


I have fun on the one I picked up for my son and did pay 350 the stock chi Sheffield in the closed back has killer punch lows but not much else, so plan on getting a cab or upgrading if you do anything other than mid scoop. We run ours as a 312, I built an unbalanced/thielish/shelved 212 with sheff 1230s and it caries the low mids on up and it put a big grin on my shredders face.

 

[83stratman]

For metal?

Crate 50 watt vintage club. Two channels, verb, 4xel84. $325 or so.

 

[Mockingbirdmadnes]

For metal?

Yeah, I was wondering that, too.

 

[Lost_Cause]

Crate has a bunch. Blue Voodo, Stealth for starters. Think there is another from around the stealth era but cannot remember the name.

 

[Mockingbirdmadnes]

I absolutely love the Voodoo. Been a little nervous about pulling the trigger on the one in my local shop because it's the newer non-usa one, and I've heard stories about those...

 

[loudboy]

Peavey made a solid-state head, maybe 10-15 years ago that was great for metal.

I see them for around $200 regularly, but I can't recall the name....

 

[K.O.]

Really? I have to watch a you tube video to find out what your recommendation is?

Hey cut me a little slack it was past my bedtime...

need some coffee or something???