Seeking opinions on specific amps for metal (sub-genres included) :)

[maddnotez]

I have done a little research and have it narrowed down somewhat. Keep in mind I am a guitarist and my bassist is ready to make a purchase. He is a great player, but has never been in a band and doesnt know much about gear.

We play metal, if we had to have a subgenre I would say Heavy/groove/speedy/death/thrash lol...

Just think of bands like The Black Dahlia Murder, Nile, Divine Heresey, DevilDriver, Testament. Those are the kinds of sounds we are looking for. He does really like mids so we are not looking for mid scooped sound.

For guitar I use a VHT Pitbull 100w its loud, cuts through and we do have 2 guitarists.

Now the bass amps in question:

Ampeg 410HLF, PF500 or SVT-3 or 4?
Acoustic B200H
Sansamp RBI or PDDI???
GK 700 RB II
Mesa M6 or Big Block
Laney Nexus 400
Orange Terror

These are all amps I have seen quite a bit of metal guys mention or have heard you tube clips of and was impressed, not sure what alot of them are.

He is looking to also get a semi decent cab and has a budget in the $1,000 to $1,500 for both so keep that in mind as well.

Help us out guys....Thanks

[Downunderwonder]

Ooooh, a gitarist in the mix.

Razzing over, you're asking in the right place, welcome!

Now about those guitar amps...if you guys all quiet the hell down and use the PA to do the main work you will sound like a million bucks. I heard some local metal heroes doing just that the other day with a pro soundman out front and they were the best sounding band in a long long time.

That means the 100W guitar amps go on ebay and you get 15W amps or less, with a bunch of pedals or a modelling amp, a good mic and a stand so you can mic yourselve. For crying out loud point your guitar amp at yourself so the drummer and the bassist can monitor you but you get all your tone. We don't need it ta.

Sorry if that comes off condescending but you wouldn't believe the number of threads on guitarists that are toooooooo f n loud. I know it's metal but believe me, the PA will make it loud out front and the stage sound will be obliterated under the PA, leaving a beautiful metal mix out front. Even in a small bar it works. Get your tone minus volume, pleeeaaasse!

[Downunderwonder]

Bass amp depends on what you guitarists do with those 100W monsters. He can go nuts too and you won't need a PA for the bass, to keep up with those 100Wers he needs serious firepower, 1000W and cabs to handle it . Trust me, you're better off spending the money on a good PA.

[maddnotez]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Ooooh, a gitarist in the mix.

Razzing over, you're asking in the right place, welcome!

Are you sure?

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Bass amp depends on what you guitarists do with those 100W monsters. He can go nuts too and you won't need a PA for the bass, to keep up with those 100Wers he needs serious firepower, 1000W and cabs to handle it . Trust me, you're better off spending the money on a good PA.

Why would we need a PA? Most clubs have one. If they dont, even better I get to turn up the guitar amp.

Usually live the guitar amp will be at 9:00 or 25%, and the master 80% ish. or 4:00.

Thats very low volume and attenuators work wonders...


So back to the O.P. anyone? pros and cons of the amps I have listed. Opinions, recommendations (Bass Amp related)?

[tylerwylie]

I'm a metal player who's sold on Genz Benz gear, look at the Streamliner or ShuttleMax series with their cabs. The preamp can dial in some good grit and if you put something like a VT Bass in front of it you're golden, and it'll do so much more than metal.

[BurningSkies]

Best amp for metel thread!!!!!

[maddnotez]

Thanks, anyone have a link to that thread? I can not seem to find it.

[Downunderwonder]

You actually run attenuators?

I stand by my comments. If you want to be able to play without a club PA that's even more reason to ditch the big guitar amps and get your own.

I don't know that any of those amps will make the bass tone come out in a volume war. Drums will fare even worse. As for vocals, fergedaboudit.

[maddnotez]

Look no offense but can you just stay out of this thread? Your profile shows nothing on metal, and you are not posting anything related to the question.

Go complain to your guitarist not me. We dont have any issues at all with our amps. And our bassist is heard with a peice of crap Randall and a 4x10.

He wants something with a better sound.

[CopperheadLXXIX]

The Laney Nexus is an awesome brute, but goes outside of the price range you're looking at-I believe the amp itself is 'bout 2k, not counting cab.

[powmetalbassist]

I've heard alot of goofd things about Accoustic and GK (though I am not a GK kind of guy), and Ampeg is considered "the best". Personally Ampeg is good but way over priced.

[aaronhutson]

I play alot of metal and the best I have heard has come from a sansamp rbi, power amp, and the cabs. Plus the rbi gives you the option to run direct if you have a good PA and dont wanna carry cabs.

[Downunderwonder]

I've heard metal sound really good but the once. I'm telling you how they did it. You want to sound like every other metal band go ahead but don't tell me I'm off topic.

Do you actually run attenuators?

I recommend a power amp + VT pedal for preamp + whatever pedals spin your wheels + as many cabs as you can afford after that.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Rusty Box. Big ass power amp. Done. Probably cost $500 for killer tone and tons of juice.

[Munjibunga]

I don't know about other sub-genres, but Eden is by far the best for doom.

[Davey bass :O]

i personally use:

Peavy tour 450
Peavy TVX 4x10
i also use a TS9 Tubescreamer to get some grind going on

if you wanna listen to some examples of how it sounds theres some tracks up on my bands facebook page:

Infinitum | Facebook

[Downunderwonder]

If you can stetch to 2G and you're in the north east there was a guy selling a **** *** tube rig in the classifieds. I can point you to it if you want. It still won't keep up with two 100W guitar rigs on 8.

[Davey bass :O]

My rig also competes with 2 100 watt tube half stacks, if you don't mind me asking downunderwonder, what is your experiance playing this particular genre?

[maddnotez]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

I've heard metal sound really good but the once. I'm telling you how they did it. You want to sound like every other metal band go ahead but don't tell me I'm off topic.

Do you actually run attenuators?

I recommend a power amp + VT pedal for preamp + whatever pedals spin your wheels + as many cabs as you can afford after that.

I have been to hundreds of metal shows and have heard many bands sound amazing. Most of the guitarists had half stacks or better. And the bassists usually are felt, Like a dropkick to the chest, thats what we want.

We dont like to use attenuators but have and will. It varies depending on each clubs ability to mic.

Originally Posted by aaronhutson

I play alot of metal and the best I have heard has come from a sansamp rbi, power amp, and the cabs. Plus the rbi gives you the option to run direct if you have a good PA and dont wanna carry cabs.

The sans is a Pre amp then???? I have heard alot of good things about that. What would be a good power amp to go with it? Running direct is always good but again varies on each club.

[maddnotez]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

If you can stetch to 2G and you're in the north east there was a guy selling a **** *** tube rig in the classifieds. I can point you to it if you want. It still won't keep up with two 100W guitar rigs on 8.

I said earlier live we are at 9:00 or 25%, That would be equivalent to 3 not 8..Big difference.

9 O'clock not number 9