Looking for a guitar amp (combo) all-tube (Fender, Mesa Boogie,...)

[René_Julien]

Yeah.. I know.
I didn't felt like joining a guitar forum for my noob questions.
From what I've seen a lot of people here are knowledgable about guitar amps.


So... I went to my local store today (to buy a keyboard, got an nice big Casio) and I checked out guitar amps.
I do need want to upgrade.

I got a Line 6 Spider 30W 1x12" now, wich is a nice starter's amp and cheap. But I've outgrown it and want something more of a pearl now.
All-tube off course.

My guitarist has actually no experience either... he's not a gearhead. He has a Roland JC-120 which I played through, is a very nice amp, but out of the question (maybe). It's a bit too heavy and bulky.
Before that he also went through cheap Line 6 and Marshall solidstate combos.
So not much opinions coming from him.
(Although he himself is GASsing for something VOX.)

So... me...
Today I tried out a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (40W 1x12) and a Fender Blues Deville (60w 4x10, the black vinyl version).
The store owner knowrs I'm a guitar noob (a bit insecure) and was happy to demonstrate them for me.
I was in awe.
Appearantly there is something as "the Fender Sound" and I liked it.
I was a bit more taken by the Blues Deville... I don't know, sounded deeper or something.

When fiddling around myself with the amps I liked to use them in "normal mode", not seperate gain/master mode.
I feel I don't need switchable channels. So the Fenders where okay there for me.
(Although I would have like more EQ options, but that might be the bassist in me. Appearantly most guitar amps are just bass/mid/treble)

I figure I would use a pedal for distortion.
I already have a favourite distortion for guitar (Big John Grannypuker, a more synthesizer-like octave-fuzz).

I need an amp that is gigworthy... realistic venues. Indoors probably only, community centers and small sport halls at largest.

I don't know what genre I will fall into.
First prioriy is metal, classic metal (Iron Maiden to Blind Guardian) (none of that downtuned stuff) to some more progressive metal. I know on the distortion end of this I like the Grannypuker pedal, bottom line is I need an amp to make it come to it's right. I'l probably be mid-scooping a bit.

But I'm also open-mined for average rock.


So I am going to go back to the store when I have more time. And try out some other amps.

Here is what to choose from so far: (I had a budget in mind for 1000€)

- Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (40W 1x12), new 725€
- Fender Blues Deville (60W, 4x10), new 980€
- Mesa Boogie F50 (50W, 1x12), used 950€
- Fender Bassman '59 reissue (50W, 4x10), used 995€
- Mesa Boogie Mark IV, (85W, 1x12), used 2400€

I always was quite curious about the Bassman guitar amp.
And I know, the Mesa Mark IV is way over my intended budget.
But I hear a lot of praise about the Mark series, wondering if this is a good deal, and if it would be something for me if I am crazy enough to lay down so much for a guitar amp.



Off course, I'm going to try them out.
But I would like to hear some opinions and experiences to guide me when testing them out.

Also other suggestions welcome, my local store has some other brands. Many offerings from Marshall and VOX,...
(no Peaveys)



Thank you.


Alternative title:

What's the best guitar amp for METALZZZZzzzzz ?

[tommy gilstrap]

It's probably tough to find one to try out, you being across the big pond, but bang for the buck Carvin is hard to beat. I use a Carvin Nomad 1x12 all tube (40 or 50 watts, I forget) and it sounds great.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by tommy gilstrap

It's probably tough to find one to try out, you being across the big pond, but bang for the buck Carvin is hard to beat. I use a Carvin Nomad 1x12 all tube (40 or 50 watts, I forget) and it sounds great.

You know, there was something small Carvin in my store in the used section. But I didn't payed attention to it to what it was.
I thought it was a 2x12" tube combo.
Thanks, I'll check out what that was when I go back to the store.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by René_Julien

You know, there was something small Carvin in my store in the used section. But I didn't payed attention to it to what it was.
I thought it was a 2x12" tube combo.
Thanks, I'll check out what that was when I go back to the store.

mesa lone star has enough slam for a gig and i believe they can be switched to low output mode for practice .....i've seen them for around 1200 us used

[Din Of Win]

The guitarists that i've played with (that have used tube combos) have always been:

-Mesa
-Fender (super reverb)
-VOX

I'm not a Mesa fan, but the VOX and Fenders sound amazing!

[jodyacoustic]

the guitarist in my band (total sound and gearhead)has mentioned a few times how much he hates the hotrod deluxe..too harsh sounding. apparently the 4x10 is better but thats just what this bass player hears at practice!.both our guitarists are vox and orange guys

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

The guitarists that i've played with (that have used tube combos) have always been:

-Mesa
-Fender (super reverb)
-VOX

I'm not a Mesa fan, but the VOX and Fenders sound amazing!

Well, I've not played any Mesa's yet.
But pricewise they are not in my league I guess.
Unless that used F 50 I mentioned in my OP.

Originally Posted by jodyacoustic

the guitarist in my band (total sound and gearhead)has mentioned a few times how much he hates the hotrod deluxe..too harsh sounding. apparently the 4x10 is better but thats just what this bass player hears at practice!.both our guitarists are vox and orange guys

That may be what I loved about Fender. The harshness as your guitarist calls it.

Maybe that's why I liked the Blues Deville... maybe a little less harsh but deeper.
I'm not up on the lingo of guitar sounds... but I heard terms go around like "crunch" and "twang"...
I don't know what to think about this in terms of tone.
The best way I can describe what I'm after is "smoothness".
Actually... I haven't thought about this today (when going to the store and posting this thread), I did play a Fender Deluxe Reverb (the amp with vibrato) and was a sound what I liked.
Very beautiful and warm sounding.


I guess you can also get the idea why Fenders are what I first think of. The simplicity of controls. But I wouldn't mind it even simpler. Just overall volume, no extra gain/master channel.
I don't need a lot of features, just one good, clean, smooth and even sound that can be used in metal and rock.


I have never tried any VOX.

[lunarpollen]

No Peavey? Why not? Their tweed amps especially are very nice...

The first guitar amp I ever purchased brand new was a Laney VC30. A VERY nice amp for the price (not sure how much they cost nowadays)... It sounds a lot like a Vox AC30, and the tone controls (basically volume knobs for low, mid, and high, turn all three down all the way and there is no sound) offer a lot of variety for tone shaping. The built-in reverb is weak, but everything else about the amp sounds really nice.

Fender tube amps are beautiful-sounding things, as are vintage Ampegs from the 1960's (Gemini, Reverberocket, etc.). But I definitely recommend you try out a Laney VC30 if it's available in your area.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

No Peavey? Why not? Their tweed amps especially are very nice...

The first guitar amp I ever purchased brand new was a Laney VC30. A VERY nice amp for the price (not sure how much they cost nowadays)... It sounds a lot like a Vox AC30, and the tone controls (basically volume knobs for low, mid, and high, turn all three down all the way and there is no sound) offer a lot of variety for tone shaping. The built-in reverb is weak, but everything else about the amp sounds really nice.

Fender tube amps are beautiful-sounding things, as are vintage Ampegs from the 1960's (Gemini, Reverberocket, etc.). But I definitely recommend you try out a Laney VC30 if it's available in your area.

I asked my local store owner about Peavey.
They say he never wanted to carry it in the past because of the distribution over here. Not because he thinks the products are bad.

I'm a store owner myself (not musical products) and understand this completely.
Sometimes it's not the image of a brand that makes you not want to stock it, but because of a certain distribution network.

I know Peavey has the Valveking at reasonable price.
Also... about ten years ago Peavey 5150 heads were very popular among the guitarists I played with.. so played besides many 5150 stacks. (And Marshall and Rivera)
Now the 5150 is replaced. (6550? thought was the number)

The owner of my local store says there is a chance he can carry Peavey in the future... different representative or something... something that is not my business off course.
In his opinion (keep in mind he is actually a bassist, but plays any instrument very well) the Peavey is... can't recall exactly what he tried to bring across... more dull. One-trick-pony basicly.
I'm guessing it has it fans.
And that guitar forums has its 5150 fans versus Fender fans versus VOX fans versus Mesa fans versus...

I can't pin down exactly how the Peaveys I played beside me sounded like off course (since basicly I didn't cared that much), but with my first experience with those two Fender amps today, I think I can conclude the difference maybe.
My guitarists past never had that clean sparkle in their tone, or harshness as someone else here describes.
Off course there is a difference in memories from playing live 8 years ago and testing out at a store today.

Hey, and it might just be the honeymoon in my ears of playing through some nice (IMO) Fender amps this forenoon. (Except a Fender Deluxe Reverb I played guitar through once)
I haven't played through decent amps from other brands... yet.

My local store has a pair of Laneys in stock, but not the one you mentioned. Also no VOX AC30. (I think that's the one my guitarist is GASsing for, but at the rate he takes initiative to shop for something new I'm probably 3 basses and 7 effect pedals further. )

Off course I will not ask to order a specific type of amp just for me, cause I don't know if I will like it. Especially if I have practicly no experience.


And sure, I can go to other store where they stock other brands.
But, I'm supporting my local store as much as I can. Surely they have an amp that would please me right now.

I'm just an aspiring guitarist, but I'm satisfied enough on where I am with my skills right now, that I feel that a tube amp will motivate me more.

[MrTAteMyBalls]

if you can find one a vox ac-30 is the ultimate amp. It's got great chimey cleans to thick crunch and works great with pedals. I personally dont think the fender hot rod series reacts very well to pedals. If you are getting most of your overdrives from pedals all you really need is a single channel amp. Just be sure and play the amps with the pedals before you buy, because some amps love pedals...some dont. from what you listed probably the fender bassman is your best bet. A guy I play with has the re-issue.....it's a LOT different from the originals, but sounds really good and reacts well to pedals. I think he uses a marshall guvnor and gets a really good crunch sound.

Just my 2 cents.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by MrTAteMyBalls

if you can find one a vox ac-30 is the ultimate amp. It's got great chimey cleans to thick crunch and works great with pedals. I personally dont think the fender hot rod series reacts very well to pedals. If you are getting most of your overdrives from pedals all you really need is a single channel amp. Just be sure and play the amps with the pedals before you buy, because some amps love pedals...some dont. from what you listed probably the fender bassman is your best bet. A guy I play with has the re-issue.....it's a LOT different from the originals, but sounds really good and reacts well to pedals. I think he uses a marshall guvnor and gets a really good crunch sound.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks, that's good advice.

Most of my favourite metal bands are that typical melodic stuff (mostly european, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall and Rhapsody for example). Where guitar lead sounds a bit synthesizer like.

But when I turn off distortion I like that sparkly clean sound, so far I can say that Fender-ish clean.

Don't know if it's possible... but I'm at the start of a journey.

I definately got to try out the Bassman then.

[burk48237]

The Peavy Classic 50 4-10 is a KILLER guitar amp but a beast to transport. Their are an awful lot of Nashville guitar gods paying Peavy. For some reason the 212, and the Classic 30 aren't quite as nice but worth a look. The REAL sleeper if you can find one used is the Reverend Hellhound 112. Reverend hasn't made amps for about five or six years now. They were not switchable channel but they do both the AC30 and the Fender thing great, and they have a clean channel to die for. They also have great natural tube compression and that little edge / grit thing when you lean into it. The Reverends went new for about 700$ so you may find a used one fairly cheap.

[lunarpollen]

René, maybe you should probably just get the nicest Fender amp in your price range that has all the features you want. It's guaranteed to sound great (as you've already heard yourself), and it should bring you years of enjoyment!

[Darkcheef]

If you want a really crunchy amp, then check out a used Peavey 5150 (if you can't find one, go for a 6505, same amp, but no sponsorship). Or if you still want a crunchy amp, but with more of a dark feeling check out the Orange Dual terror

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by burk48237

The Peavy Classic 50 4-10 is a KILLER guitar amp but a beast to transport. Their are an awful lot of Nashville guitar gods paying Peavy. For some reason the 212, and the Classic 30 aren't quite as nice but worth a look. The REAL sleeper if you can find one used is the Reverend Hellhound 112. Reverend hasn't made amps for about five or six years now. They were not switchable channel but they do both the AC30 and the Fender thing great, and they have a clean channel to die for. They also have great natural tube compression and that little edge / grit thing when you lean into it. The Reverends went new for about 700$ so you may find a used one fairly cheap.

Thanks... I'll look those amps up.
But I'm looking for something more common.
Guitar won't be my main thing... So I'm craving for something more "generic" and "industry standard".
Don't know if that makes any sense.

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

René, maybe you should probably just get the nicest Fender amp in your price range that has all the features you want. It's guaranteed to sound great (as you've already heard yourself), and it should bring you years of enjoyment!

Yeah... the Fenders I played so far were quite amazing (Deluxe Reverb, Hot Rod Deluxe and Blues Deville).

But I haven't really tried out anything else.

Originally Posted by Darkcheef

If you want a really crunchy amp, then check out a used Peavey 5150 (if you can't find one, go for a 6505, same amp, but no sponsorship). Or if you still want a crunchy amp, but with more of a dark feeling check out the Orange Dual terror

I really want to try out a 6505. Problem is that Peavey isn't that available these days around here.
If I understand correctly, stateside Peavey is considered very good bang for the buck, right?

And thanks for the suggestion on Orange. "Dark feelin"... such description makes me want to testdrive one.
IMO Orange is quite expensive.
A guy who used to play guitar in the 80s said Orange were all the rage back here. Because then they were cheaper than what else was available.




In the meantime I searched around the net... guitar forums.

For metal... the Peavey 5150/6505 gets a lot of praise being cheap and potent for the job.

ENGL and Mesa got a lot of praises too...
and a lot of boutique amps like Bogner, Diezel, Soldano and such.
But those seem to be high-gain amplifiers.
Not exactly what I am looking for (I think... as a noob guitarist right now).

What I had in mind was a "tube version of the Roland JC120".
There might not be such a thing... or Fender might be the next best thing.


Also... after snooping around I came to the Marshal JCM 800 series.
Very simple, no features on it, and goes from clean to crunchy overdrive, one channel.
Might fit the bill.

So, I came across a used halfstack. (haven't bought anything yet)
JCM 800 2204 50W top and JCM 1960B 4x12 straight 300W guitar cab.
For around 1500 €.
Would that be a good price? (depending on condition maybe)

Off course, my original intend was not to get a halfstack. But I currently have no grasp on guitar amp modularity.

Can I buy a 1x12" cab to have in my music room and run that 50W head through it? Or would I be missing out on something.
And have the 4x12" in storage (my garage... or a rehearsal room) for future use when I or a guitarist I play with (as bassist) needs the volume of a 4x12" cabinet.

Any opinions.


Oh... and keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks to all who replied so far.