Looking for a good 80's thrash metal tone amp.

[Post Mortal]

Hey everyone, at the moment and have an Ampeg 410 cab with a Ampeg SVT-3 Pro amp. I'm looking to get a full stack and i'm not sure if I should just get an ampeg 115 to throw on it or to get a whole new set-up to make it sound a bit better for my type of music. I heard Gallien Krueger makes good amps and I'm interested in them. Any help would be great.

[toddLURR]

Gk is great...got my first one at the age of 7. Just do not go with the GK goldline series.

I would suggest a GK 1001rb head as well.

Treble: 11 O'Clock
Bass: 2 O'clock or 2:30
Mid: Full on
Boost and contour: Full on
Level: halfway

This will give you a great 80s thrash tone

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by toddLURR

Treble: 11 O'Clock
Bass: 2 O'clock or 2:30
Mid: Full on
Boost and contour: Full on
Level: halfway

What cab & bass are you using that requires you to have the mids, boost, and contour full on?

[Post Mortal]

Yeah I was looking at selling my set up and getting the GK1001rb amp with the GK410rbh and eventually the GK115rbh to throw in. I was wondering if this would help the tone I'm looking for.

EDIT: Or maybe I should just save up more for the GK2001rb for that extra punch.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Post Mortal

Yeah I was looking at selling my set up and getting the GK1001rb amp with the GK410rbh and eventually the GK115rbh to throw in. I was wondering if this would help the tone I'm looking for.

EDIT: Or maybe I should just save up more for the GK2001rb for that extra punch.

If you really need the extra power, the 2001 is a seriously awesome amp. However, most people will never actually need that much, and the 1001 is great as well. I've got a 2001 myself and will probably never get rid of it. I'd like to add an 800 RB one of these days. Don't discount them as well. They can be had for great prices on the used market, and quite a few 80's guys used them.

I'd probably stick with like cabinets, so if you wanted 2 cabs get both in 4X10.

[Post Mortal]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

If you really need the extra power, the 2001 is a seriously awesome amp. However, most people will never actually need that much, and the 1001 is great as well. I've got a 2001 myself and will probably never get rid of it. I'd like to add an 800 RB one of these days. Don't discount them as well. They can be had for great prices on the used market, and quite a few 80's guys used them.

I'd probably stick with like cabinets, so if you wanted 2 cabs get both in 4X10.

Well I don't necessarily NEED the 2001 right now, but I will probably eventually need it. And might as well get it while I'll be in the money range instead of ditching out money for the 1001 and might end up needing the 2001. Not sure how to describe it but you know what I mean?

And why should I do that? I thought the 4x10 would get my highs good and the 1x15 will punch in my lows very nicely.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Post Mortal

Well I don't necessarily NEED the 2001 right now, but I will probably eventually need it. And might as well get it while I'll be in the money range instead of ditching out money for the 1001 and might end up needing the 2001. Not sure how to describe it but you know what I mean?

I know exactly what you mean. Unless you're playing some very large venues, you won't need it, and even then you'd have PA support. Want is another story all together. I certainly don't need it, but it sure is fun so why not?

And why should I do that? I thought the 4x10 would get my highs good and the 1x15 will punch in my lows very nicely.

10's will give you plenty of lows and punch. I'm probably not the best person to explain why, it's just something that is said on here fairly often. Something about them matching better perhaps?

[Post Mortal]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I know exactly what you mean. Unless you're playing some very large venues, you won't need it, and even then you'd have PA support. Want is another story all together. I certainly don't need it, but it sure is fun so why not?

Haha exactly, I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. And if I could have it then might as well.

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

10's will give you plenty of lows and punch. I'm probably not the best person to explain why, it's just something that is said on here fairly often. Something about them matching better perhaps?

I see what you mean. And if that's the case would be better just to get one big 8x10? (does GK even make one of them?)

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by Post Mortal

I thought the 4x10 would get my highs good and the 1x15 will punch in my lows very nicely.

Speaker size has nothing to do with it's sound - a decent 4X10 puts out as much lows (if not more) than a 15".

Speakers make sound by moving air (displacement). A typical 4X10 has twice the displacement of a 1X15. This makes the 1X15 the weak link in your chain.

[bassgod76]

The title of this tread makes me LMAO!

[jeff7bass]

The new Peavey Headliner 600w is coming out soon. Lightweight and designed for rockers w/built-in distortion/overdrive circuit.
Only 400 bucks last I looked (MF.com).

[Post Mortal]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Speaker size has nothing to do with it's sound - a decent 4X10 puts out as much lows (if not more) than a 15".

Speakers make sound by moving air (displacement). A typical 4X10 has twice the displacement of a 1X15. This makes the 1X15 the weak link in your chain.

That makes a lot of sense, thanks for the help!

[mpdd]

marshall ibs with a pedal to warm it up a little

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Post Mortal

one big 8x10? (does GK even make one of them?)

You can, but that depends if you want to lug it around. Why limit yourself to just GK?

You can get a Bergantino NV610 that would absolutely kill with either the 1001 or 2001.

[Post Mortal]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

You can, but that depends if you want to lug it around. Why limit yourself to just GK?

You can get a Bergantino NV610 that would absolutely kill with either the 1001 or 2001.

Yeah lugging it around is probably ass.

But eh, I just don't like mix and matching. I mean if it will work and sound better I'm all about it. But I'd like to stick with it.

[jeff7bass]

A good 4x10 cab with an amp + effect setup to provide overdrive/distortion to the upper mids is what you want for thrash metal.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t get a huge 810 cab (or two 410's), you just don’t really need it IMO, because thrash/metal sound is usually about cutting through the mix with searing hi-mids.
The Peavey Headliner description say it only applies its distortion to mids/upper mids, which would be ideal if it’s true. I would definitely try one out before deciding. They have matching Headliner cabs too.

A GK 700RbII with a pedal would also do the trick. Great mids and quick response (punch) for pulsating riffs.

[Post Mortal]

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

A good 4x10 cab with an amp + effect setup to provide overdrive/distortion to the upper mids is what you want for thrash metal.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t get a huge 810 cab (or two 410's), you just don’t really need it IMO, because thrash/metal sound is usually about cutting through the mix with searing hi-mids.
The Peavey Headliner description say it only applies its distortion to mids/upper mids, which would be ideal if it’s true. I would definitely try one out before deciding. They have matching Headliner cabs too.

A GK 700RbII with a pedal would also do the trick. Great mids and quick response (punch) for pulsating riffs.

Yeah I was also looking at Peavey amps, my buddy has a half stack for his guitar and it sounds great but I wasn't sure how great their bass amps are. I will definitely be trying stuff out before I buy a new set up.

And yeah, I'm only going with one 4x10 now. I would get another if I actually needed it.

[silky smoove]

Originally Posted by toddLURR

Mid: Full on
Boost and contour: Full on

You're boosting your mids, and then scooping them out by running your Contour control all the way up?

[jeff7bass]

The Headliner 600 head is brand new. From the description it sounds like it was designed for hard-rockers!
The last time I looked it was coming out in late June, but Peavey has been late in the past so...