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keiffer · 24th October 2004

I've done the same thing you're doing. My focus is recording heavy bands and I've found most don't have much money, nor descent amps (tone). The band that's in the studio right now came in with an openback Marshall 50W of some sort... just didn't cut it.

I have a JCM800, 5150-II and a Dual Recto along with several other Blackface Fenders. My cabs include an Ampeg V4 and a Mesa RECTO 2x12 (both loaded with V30's). I also have a set of greenbacks that I load in the V4 cab occasionally.

So, for a grand...

JCM800 - forget it... while a great amp, it's not going to give you the saturated tones you're after.

Dual Recto - used will probably run you over a grand. So no funds left for a cab. The most versatile head though, but the hardest tone to dial in. You can also remove two power tubes and run it at 50W and/or load the power section with EL34s. The Dual Recto is a lot more versatile and tone savvy than my 5150-II. If I can only have one amp... this is it.

5150-II - used will run somewhere around $700. Now you can afford a 2x12 cab with V30's. A 5150 is even less.

Peavey Triple XXX - used will run about $700. I don't have experience with this head, but maybe check out this thread Triple XXX vs Dual RECTO. Again a 2x12 cab is affordable.

I'd recommend a closed back cab.

I have no experience with Bogners and Soldanos... yet

Finally, I have not experienced the nasally tone mentioned earlier with my 5150-II. It'll crank just fine and I can get that Godsmack-Mushroomhead heavy as shit tone with either the 5150-II or Dual Recto. Regardless of amp, there's a balance to be achieved between power, saturation and fizz.

24th October 2004	#4
keiffer Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clemson Posts: 317	I've done the same thing you're doing. My focus is recording heavy bands and I've found most don't have much money, nor descent amps (tone). The band that's in the studio right now came in with an openback Marshall 50W of some sort... just didn't cut it. I have a JCM800, 5150-II and a Dual Recto along with several other Blackface Fenders. My cabs include an Ampeg V4 and a Mesa RECTO 2x12 (both loaded with V30's). I also have a set of greenbacks that I load in the V4 cab occasionally. So, for a grand... JCM800 - forget it... while a great amp, it's not going to give you the saturated tones you're after. Dual Recto - used will probably run you over a grand. So no funds left for a cab. The most versatile head though, but the hardest tone to dial in. You can also remove two power tubes and run it at 50W and/or load the power section with EL34s. The Dual Recto is a lot more versatile and tone savvy than my 5150-II. If I can only have one amp... this is it. 5150-II - used will run somewhere around $700. Now you can afford a 2x12 cab with V30's. A 5150 is even less. Peavey Triple XXX - used will run about $700. I don't have experience with this head, but maybe check out this thread Triple XXX vs Dual RECTO. Again a 2x12 cab is affordable. I'd recommend a closed back cab. I have no experience with Bogners and Soldanos... yet Finally, I have not experienced the nasally tone mentioned earlier with my 5150-II. It'll crank just fine and I can get that Godsmack-Mushroomhead heavy as shit tone with either the 5150-II or Dual Recto. Regardless of amp, there's a balance to be achieved between power, saturation and fizz.