amp for modern rock

[mojojojo]

hey guys - I really want a decent amp that will cover my grounds for the typical "modern pop/punk" sound.

I have a 5150 that i can use with hardcore bands it's the original too !

i also have an orange rockerverb50

I'm wanting a decent amp that will be a solid performer across those genres

I am a guitar player and it'll also be added to my rig.

i've used jcm900's before and I quite like it...

would you reccomend a jcm900 for something of this likes?

i'm not a fan of the dual rectifier...but maybe that was because i didnt have that much time with it?

help a stranger out !

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

I am a fan of the new boutique amps from people like Divided By 13, Dr Z, etc. These guys mostly base their amps on the classic styles of yesteryear, but have updated and improved the designs for todays players. The touch, the tone, it seems after you play one of these that you've been listening to your other amps while wearing earplugs.

Getting in at an affordable price can be a trick. But THD has some affordable offerings. I suggest that you look up Myles Rose, either at the musicplayer dot com guitar player forum or at his website. Myles knows more about the modern amps than most anyone, and can make specific recommendations to get you what you want, down to the tube compliment to tweak the sound to your exact needs.

One warning though... after you get a boutique amp, all of your pedals will sound as if they have a veil over them and you'll be buying boutique pedals from people like analogman, Keeley, and Fulltone, etc.

[swepro]

Cabinet? You didn't say anything about your cab. I use an ENGL Powerball head with a Kustom III lead Cabinet 4 x 12. It works for everything and any style. I would say it is a matter of taste, playing style and type of cabinet. JCM 900 is fine with the right cab. Use a steady bottom cab for the hardcore stuff and switch to a top cab for the pop/punk. If you allready have 5150, Orange Rockverb & marshall JCM 900 I really don't see why you have to spend the bucks on another head........ Get some decent cabs!!
Good luck!

[mojojojo]

Originally Posted by swepro

Cabinet? You didn't say anything about your cab. I use an ENGL Powerball head with a Kustom III lead Cabinet 4 x 12. It works for everything and any style. I would say it is a matter of taste, playing style and type of cabinet. JCM 900 is fine with the right cab. Use a steady bottom cab for the hardcore stuff and switch to a top cab for the pop/punk. If you allready have 5150, Orange Rockverb & marshall JCM 900 I really don't see why you have to spend the bucks on another head........ Get some decent cabs!!
Good luck!

please note: I don't own a JCM900...I rented one just to try it out...I liked it but wanted to get a group opinion as to whether this could be pulled off.

I have a fender tele American standard. and a Gibson Les Paul studio.

I do have two Cabs - I own a Marshall 1960 A

and also an Orange 4x12 with v30s.

that should do the trick? but the orange and 5150 are just not getting the right kick for the pop/punk stuff.

like I said the peavey works awesome for hardcore bands and bands who desire a heavier tone...

[norman_nomad]

You should really check out a Marshall DSL 50 or 100... kinda boring b/c it's not boutique but it's just a great modern rock amp. The Les Paul + DSL + V30's is fairly standard combo for modern rock.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Might as well mention the THD 2x12 cabinet, a rear-slotted design that is pretty much a combination closed/open back sound. You get a little of both, and I like having the 'thunk' of a 4x12 in a 30 pound package. Avatar makes a similar design for less money.

[the.sarj]

Without a shadow of a doubt... Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier.

I've spent a lot of time with Mesa/Boogie amps (Triple Rectifier and Road King II) and they are amazing all-round amps but truly shine for modern rock/metal tones. Borrow or rent a Dual Rectifier and test drive it with your setup.

Check out these videos:

YouTube - Mesa Boogie Multi-Watt Dual Rectifier Head

YouTube - Mesa Boogie Roadster Amp Demo

[mojojojo]

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

You should really check out a Marshall DSL 50 or 100... kinda boring b/c it's not boutique but it's just a great modern rock amp. The Les Paul + DSL + V30's is fairly standard combo for modern rock.

I've been looking into the DSL50

I don't mind too much...i'd prefer a lower wattage amp anyways !

what would you say the DSL has over the JCM900?

just want a good solid setup with this! I was fortunate to win some money so i'm putting it into a hobby of mine i'd never have a chance to otherwise!

but wanting to spend wisely !!

any other reccomendations?

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by mojojojo

I've been looking into the DSL50

I don't mind too much...i'd prefer a lower wattage amp anyways !

what would you say the DSL has over the JCM900?

just want a good solid setup with this! I was fortunate to win some money so i'm putting it into a hobby of mine i'd never have a chance to otherwise!

but wanting to spend wisely !!

any other reccomendations?

I haven't used the DSL and JCM900 side by side so I can't say. I own a DSL 50 and it's a good workhorse for the studio and will cover quite a few genre's.

I also really like the Mesa Mark IV amp.... like you, I'm not a big fan of the dual rec as I find it finicky to record (always found myself fighting the fizz), but the Mark IV is pretty flexible.

[mojojojo]

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

I haven't used the DSL and JCM900 side by side so I can't say. I own a DSL 50 and it's a good workhorse for the studio and will cover quite a few genre's.

I also really like the Mesa Mark IV amp.... like you, I'm not a big fan of the dual rec as I find it finicky to record (always found myself fighting the fizz), but the Mark IV is pretty flexible.

Yeah the fizz on the dual rec is annoying !

unfortunately the Mesa is out of my budget ! I'm sure it's brilliant !

Do you have any similar clips from the DSL50 that I can listen to? I'd really appreciate it!

I got a session i'm doing (not paid but yknow) and I wanna get it for that!

gotta decide soon ! I shouldn't rush but oh well !

[mhs2xs]

Originally Posted by mojojojo

hey guys - I really want a decent amp that will cover my grounds for the typical "modern pop/punk" sound.

I have a 5150 that i can use with hardcore bands it's the original too !

i also have an orange rockerverb50

I'm wanting a decent amp that will be a solid performer across those genres

I am a guitar player and it'll also be added to my rig.

i've used jcm900's before and I quite like it...

would you reccomend a jcm900 for something of this likes?

i'm not a fan of the dual rectifier...but maybe that was because i didnt have that much time with it?

help a stranger out !

Please do listen an Egnater Renegade before buying anything. I own one (3/4 stack w/ tourmaster 2x12 & H&K 4x12) along w/ a couple of Ernie Ball Petrucci(s) (Mystic Dream & BFR) and have an awesome sound. Plus, I can get most any sound I want between that amp and those two guitars and a bit of tweaking, so it really is multi-purpose. Oh, one more thing, I'm a stupid Drummer that knows how to play a little guitar for song writing purposes, but, I have 20-30 year players come over and point out the irony that a knuckle dragging noise maker has such an awesome sounding rig. Please give it a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I leave mine on the 18w setting and it is "tear your face off loud" if you want it to be and the clean is absolutely beautiful to me.

Here's a couple of fumbly clips from when I first got it and my Zoom H4n to give you an idea anyway. I was still trying to get used to it so forgive my drummer fingers. Go here to post 236 for my son playing it w/ a Gibson Lesser Paul Post your good recordings with "junk" gear


Good luck with the quest. Mine is over for a while until the inevitable ampiphobia sets in again.

Cheers!
Mitchell

[McAulayK]

Duals are selling for 800-1000 used all over the place right now. I got a halfstack for 1200

[mhs2xs]

Originally Posted by McAulayK

Duals are selling for 800-1000 used all over the place right now. I got a halfstack for 1200

And the Dual Rec's are awesome. But my guitar players complained that they only sounded good loud, and they did play them loud. But that was back in the 90's and I haven't heard one up close in a long time. Are they better at lower volumes now?

[theunknown]

The guitaris in my band just bought the Mesa Boogie Mark v. It´s sounds really amazing and has more settings then you could ever use. 9 Different amps in one, it can handle anything from jazz to extrem metal. If you want a really versatile amp you shuold probaly go for that one.

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by mojojojo

hey guys - I really want a decent amp that will cover my grounds for the typical "modern pop/punk" sound.

I have a 5150 that i can use with hardcore bands it's the original too !

i also have an orange rockerverb50

I'm wanting a decent amp that will be a solid performer across those genres

I am a guitar player and it'll also be added to my rig.

i've used jcm900's before and I quite like it...

would you reccomend a jcm900 for something of this likes?

i'm not a fan of the dual rectifier...but maybe that was because i didnt have that much time with it?

help a stranger out !

I would stay clear of a 900. If you like marshall JCM800 is it. For a thinner and less aggressive sound Plexi is usable.

I just picked up a peavy triple X which is great. But 5150, 6505 are all good Boogie makes some good amps. Triple rec is good, a little muddy but the older .22 cal and the older Boogie Mark II are still are nice.

Hughes and Kettner duotone is nice, Engl powerball ......... there are millions of options

[mojojojo]

ahh so many different opinions!! I quite liked the JCM900

but i really wanna try the DSL50

i don't want to go post £1000 for an amp. I don't think there's a massive need to! But I do want a good amp...

[mhs2xs]

Originally Posted by theunknown

The guitaris in my band just bought the Mesa Boogie Mark v. It´s sounds really amazing and has more settings then you could ever use. 9 Different amps in one, it can handle anything from jazz to extrem metal. If you want a really versatile amp you shuold probaly go for that one.

Nice, another one I'll have to check out. My best bud and bandmate for 25 or so years called me from Tennessee and was talking about a Jet City that he liked. He's one of those players that can play most anything Pop/
Rock/Metal wise but has not really worked in Jazz. Anyway, he had a lot of good things to say about that amp. Anyone have any opinion of those and their ability to fill the OP's needs?

[mhs2xs]

Originally Posted by mojojojo

ahh so many different opinions!! I quite liked the JCM900

but i really wanna try the DSL50

i don't want to go post £1000 for an amp. I don't think there's a massive need to! But I do want a good amp...

I think 1000 (pounds right?) is about $1500. I think you can get a "good" amp for less than that, and maybe even a "great" amp. I forgot to mention, the Renegade I have was commented on by a another friend of mine as sounding very close to his Shiva that he played for many years. If that makes a difference to you. I don't know how available they are to you, but they run $999US so you know. Again, good luck in the search.

Cheers!
Mitchell

[Rotaholic]

Ive had my JCM900 for about 15yrs now so I cant really judge how it sounds, it just sounds how it sounds now. I did however mod it so that it now has EL34 tubes and its much much better! I highly recommend that mod and its super cheap.

I havent played one but ive read the the blackstar ht5 is pretty cool, not sure if you looking for live or studio but check one out. Im waiting for my vox ac4tv to turn up

[mojojojo]

well I'm looking for studio really!

just wanna be able to dial in good pop and punk tones from this amp!

big decisions! I doubt I'll go boutique

anyone else got any preferences?

what do you all use your jcm900 for?

[AntillesSound]

If you're reallllyyy interested, I'm selling this Plexi right now:
The fact that its an amp I'm trying to sell aside, I really do think it smokes an 800 or a 900. Its been modded and sits more along the lines of Splawn's take on the classic Plexi. Big, rich, saturated sounds. Records amazing too.

People forget how much of a roll Plexis still play in recording studios. The last Rancid record I worked on was basically an army of those with a 57.

[McAulayK]

Mesas are suppost to be loud. Most tube amps don't sound great quite. I can't believe the jcm800 hasn't been mentioned alot yet. P90's through a 800 is an AWESOME guitar tone. It's a great crunch tone to stack.

[jitterybit]

Looked at the Randall MTS series? Lot's of great module modders out there. We picked up a RM50 and module for $450. Modules go for $100-500 on the used market.
Look around here:
MTS Forum :: Index

[mojojojo]

Originally Posted by jitterybit

Looked at the Randall MTS series? Lot's of great module modders out there. We picked up a RM50 and module for $450. Modules go for $100-500 on the used market.
Look around here:
MTS Forum :: Index

i'm cautious of these Randall Amps - not seen too many studios with these yet...

Have you got any clipsof recordings you've done that you'd class as radio friendly modern rock/pop/punk?

that'd help me decide!!!

[norman_nomad]

Originally Posted by mojojojo

Yeah the fizz on the dual rec is annoying !

unfortunately the Mesa is out of my budget ! I'm sure it's brilliant !

Do you have any similar clips from the DSL50 that I can listen to? I'd really appreciate it!

I got a session i'm doing (not paid but yknow) and I wanna get it for that!

gotta decide soon ! I shouldn't rush but oh well !

I might be able to dig up some DSL50 clips tomorrow...

[mojojojo]

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

I might be able to dig up some DSL50 clips tomorrow...

that would be awesome as I am going amp shopping in london on weds or thurs!

Thanks man!

[David_Kessler]

Originally Posted by mojojojo

i'm cautious of these Randall Amps - not seen too many studios with these yet...

Have you got any clipsof recordings you've done that you'd class as radio friendly modern rock/pop/punk?

that'd help me decide!!!

This guy might...

[mojojojo]

Originally Posted by David_Kessler

This guy might...

that is AWESOME.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by mojojojo

i'm cautious of these Randall Amps - not seen too many studios with these yet...

I was talking to Michael at a trade show a few years ago, and he praised them highly. If there would be a high priest of recording guitar, he would have to be in the running, with Ozzy, Alice, and Metallica on his resume and their gold records on his walls.

[Caj]

Another amp I haven't seen mentioned is the Mesa Stileto (sp?) Ace. It's got a great vibe and at only 50w it can get loud and push a rectifier cab. I really dig this amp. Another amp to check out is a Mesa roadster. A dual rec with ability to switch between el34 and 6l6s. Again not sure of the used market on these but I dig them. I haven't had a chance to crank a divided by 13 yet. But from what I've heard, I dig.