Learn How To Play Guitar & Guitar Accessories

Question: What kind of guitar amp should i get?

(Posted by: GregsabbathGR on 2010-03-10 10:46:06)

I am a metal guitarist and i am just starting a band. My current amp is not enough. What amp should i get in a price up to 400 euros??

Posted by: Saul on 2010-03-10, 13:46:07

Marshall is a good brand, nothing wrong with them, but you owe it to yourself to check out other brands for comparison... I like the "Marshall " sound, but I also know that I can get great tones without having the "Marshall " logo on my gear! Randall makes great metal amps... that was Dimebag's preference, for instance, solid-state Randall. If you can find one, I would definitely check it out. Peavey is a mixed bag, for me - some of their amps are okay, some aren't.... the Valveking, for instance - I've heard some that were hissy and noisy, and a few that weren't. Definitely play before you buy.... I've also heard an XXX that I absolutely loathed... B-52 is a brand worth checking out... I've heard their AT-100 (I think that was the model number) has a great Recto-ish chunk to it. Keep in mind that while tube amps tend to be heavier (in weight) and more expensive, you can customize their tone by swapping out different tubes. While I've heard good things about Orange, I haven't played them enough to know if you can get a solid metal tone out of them. My personal preference is to get my tones from my signal chain.... yes, I use distortion pedals instead of an amp. I have a clean power amp (a Crate Power Block), a Tubeworks 2x12 cab, and a handful of distortion pedals, depending on what I want in terms of tone. My current favorite is my Boss Metalcore. This is actually an approach favored by a number of gigging guitarists I know, as it means they can get a solid, dependable tone at any volume, and that's so, so important when you're on stage. Some amps only sound good when you start to crank 'em, and that's a problem on stage, because you don't want a loud amp causing mic bleed.... I do admit that I have both an all-tube preamp and a hybrid tube/ solid state power amp, I just don't use them much as they're rack-mount, and the Power Block is soooo portable... its the size of a lunchbox, weighs less than 10 lbs, and can put out 150w of power.... *grin* I prefer a 2x12 cab to a 4x12 cab (better portability, almost as loud). As long as the wattage is high enough, and the other instruments aren't cranked, I don't have a problem being heard. My two cents... Saul

Posted by: Jake_and_Bells on 2010-03-10, 10:48:50

Hold up...you're a metal guitarist and you don't know what amp to get? Something sounds a little funny about that. I'm a girl and I am a metalhead and I know nothing about instruments or anything of that subject but I know the best amp to get is a Marshall..

Posted by: Henry M on 2010-03-10, 10:50:03

I rely mainly on Marshall. I like many different ones but the one I have at the moment is a Marshal FX because of the built in effects, while still being small enough to be a practice amp. If your going to be performing you will want a Marshall head. It really comes down to preference, I would try out different heads because they will all sound different with each guitar. That's why many guitarists songs sound so personal because it comes down the the amp and guitar combination.

Posted by: Rar on 2010-03-10, 10:55:55

Roland are amazing for metal. My band used to use them. There's nothing in the way of their cleans, and that's what you want when you want to use your own metal distortion petal. The effects have everything you could need, but the cleans let you use whatever you want. I got myself an 100 watt bass amp of it, it cost me 400$ Canadian. Makes something like 450 euros? That's for a bass amp, so odds are for a guitar amp of 100 watts, you should be fine budget wise. Good luck.

Posted by: Rob on 2010-03-10, 11:00:09

The answer is..go down to your local guitar shop and spend a good couple of hours trying out some half stacks, u can normally get a deal because the amp heads and cabinets are sold seperately, so try and get a deal for both..Marshall and Peavy are great for metal, but i was playing a Line 6 half stack at my local rehearsal room recently and got some nice scooped metal tones out of it.

Posted by: TSNE on 2010-03-10, 11:03:29

Metal is kind of versatile when it comes to amps. You can always create a good distortion with effects chains. So go play a few amps, make sure you like the clean tone. Personally I prefer randall, but I currently own a B-52 Marshall is always an option but I do not like their tone. It really is mostly preference. What sounds good to you is different to another guitarist. Go play some amps and pick your own. Also watch ebay and similar sites. You can pick up some used products with dings and dents but still have their sound.

Posted by: bill on 2010-03-10, 11:16:16

Get a marshall they are amazing get the biggest you can for 400

Posted by: Brad on 2010-03-10, 11:26:25

Hey Gregsabb, I have a couple of thoughts for you. Since you already have your price range, I would recommend you set three (3) additional criteria for purchasing an amp: 1) Sound, 2) Durability, and 3) portability. Okay--let's break these down. 1. SOUND: The question here is, "Does it sound awesome? " 2. DURABILITY: The question here is, “Will it hold up? " 3. PORTABILITY: The question here is, "How hard will this thing be to lug around to rehearsals and gigs? " There are a lot of really nice 50 watt amps (I would recommend that you get at least 50 watts of power) out there that that would do every well in each of the above categories. In the final analysis you have to be the judge. It's all about your tastes. But I would encourage you to check out the "Line 6 Spider ", and "VOX Valvetronix " series. Hope that helps. Hope that helps.

Posted by: cincygenius on 2010-03-10, 11:46:40

MARSHALL! and a great set of pedals Don't worry about buying the loudest and largest amp...I'm guessing you won't have a studio to jam in and if you play metal you'll probably be moving around to different places as to not piss the same neighbors off all the time. Think quality/ durability/ sound (to your liking)/ and MOBILITY! My first amp was way too big and was annoying to lug around to band practice and gigs. If you get good....then buy a bigger and better one!

Posted by: jaymesuk on 2010-03-11, 03:54:35

Have you tried looking at the Line 6 amps? Pound for pound (euro for euro) they are probably the best value amps on the market today - but if you are playing pure metal then Marshall or Engl??