| Agree with just about everything here. I was just having this discussion with a bandmember. We both HATE Mesa sounds. They're just too scooped in the mids and have zero tone. Even with great players, they still sound like ass. Just about any older 50w tube head will work for you.
JCM800 series from Marshall
Sunn Spectrum/Solarius and all the other late 60s Sunn heads.
Ampeg V series....V4, VT40, VT22, etc. Basically, these are mini-SVT amps. Monsters.
Even old Fender Silverface or Blackface amps will work. Take a bassman head with a nice Marshall cab and you're getting a better tone.
ALL of these amps take pedals very nicely and can give you some flavor. If you're looking for the versatility of a rack mount effects unit, forget it. But, give me pure tone anyday. In my opinion, that's why I can't listen to guys like Vai, Satch, Sheehan, Eric Johnson, etc. It's all too processed and sounds terrible. Give me someone with great tone and less flash anyday.
Seriously, you say you're in a punk band....what would you rather hear....Vai wank around for hours or Johnny Thunders with his LP Jr plugged directly into a marshall?
Also, am I the only one here that doesn't even like the Mesa cabs? Give me a Marshall with Greenbacks or V30s anyday. The breakup is much nicer.
m |