looking for a nice metal tube amp ? ideas?

hey there...im looking to buy a nice tube amp capable of some nice metal tones...a la lamb of god, trivium, atreyu, but that also gives a nice clean sound ( im told most tube amps deliver a cracking clean tone)...i was thinking about a Peavey 5150 head and cab...anyone played this amp or can recomend anything better? i gota get rid of this spider 212! lol

thanks rex

not good with amps but hughes and kettner tube amps apparently rock...and since im a h&k solid state amp user, id say they rock too...tho they are better tube amp-wise

I really haven't heard it live (only on records) but for various reviews and some GT forum questions, I learned that what you are looking for (considering the type of sound you want and the kind of money you will put on a 5150 amp) that the right amp for you is the KRANKSTEIN.

Celestion equiped, designed by the allmighty Dimebag Darrell, seem like the flawless metal amp ever made.

Christian Olden (fear factory) said that you won't need any stompbox or pedal to have this monster ripping thru anything, wicked distortion that catches the escense of its maker trademark sound, lots of bottom end evil midranged for those high pitch squealz or pinth harmonics (gosh I think I started to get goosebumps) and bout the clean channel, I've heard is crystal clear, shiny and very nice sounding too.

You can hear a sound clip on the net (not very reliable but it may work for you) at the krank webpage ( think it's krankamps.com), or check Fear factory last realese TRANSGRESSION, but the best would be if you could take it to a test drive at some store.

If you get it (damn I hate you) I'm sure you'll be VERY pleased with it, cause it sounds just like what you are looking for.

If your on a budget, you may wan to also consider Crate Blue Voodoos.

800(USD) head isnt too bad

Engl amps have a god rep for high gain uses. And, of course, there's always Mesa/Boogie.

I'd recommend checking out Laney. I've got a VH100R, and you can pull more or less any sound out of it. All their tube amps own to the 15w reverb model have had very good reviews - gold awards in Guitarist and such....

Either that or the boogie. If you have the cash, cornford make some amazing amps but the hellcat is probably the only giggable model, and it's cost you a couple of grand with a cab (but so would Engl or boogie, hence the suggestion)...

Go have fun taking them all for a drive man - shop staff suddenly want to be your best friend when you're spending serious cash... :D

The Peavey 5150 is where it's at, in my opinion. I wouldn't touch a Krank amp with a 10 foot pole. Why would anyone want to make a tube amp NOT sound like a tube amp :confused: That's why Dime liked it... because he hated how tube amps sounded, and it sounded just as steril as his Randalls :rolleyes:

I've got a 5150 combo, and there's not a hard rock or metal tone that can't be achieved with it!

But hey, don't take our word for it... get out there and play on some amps yourself, to get a feel for what amps do what.

thanks guys lol i know of a local music shop that stocks 5150 so im gona go down and ava blast....anyone know anywhere in the south west with a krankenstein in stock? i heard brightons GAK was gd for amps....?

Man, i would LOve to test drive the new Krank amps. The Revolution 1 (not the Dime model) sounds awesome from what I've heard on the website's soundclips. www.krankamps.com

If youre looking for a modern metal sound, Krank amps are used by As I Lay Dying, Nevermore, Shadows Fall, Darkest Hour, Soilwork, Fear Factory, etc...

I think the most versatile tube amp currently available is the H&K triamp. I have played thru a store demo. Killer metal sounds and the clean sound has a sparkle to it that is great.

Save your $$$ tho street price is $2900 for just the head

I will be buying one of these as soon as I get the $$ saved.

Originally Posted by: PRSplayaThe Peavey 5150 is where it's at, in my opinion. I wouldn't touch a Krank amp with a 10 foot pole. Why would anyone want to make a tube amp NOT sound like a tube amp :confused: That's why Dime liked it... because he hated how tube amps sounded, and it sounded just as steril as his Randalls :rolleyes:

I've got a 5150 combo, and there's not a hard rock or metal tone that can't be achieved with it!

But hey, don't take our word for it... get out there and play on some amps yourself, to get a feel for what amps do what.

Is there much of a difference between 5150 and 6505?

They're the exact same amp, just with different names. After Eddie left PV, they had to rename the 5150, since it was a trademark of his. They didn't alter the amp any, though.

Dude,I would actually go with Eric on this...the 5150/6505 is an awesome awesome amp
I nearly bought one,but changed my mind and got an Ibanez Thermion instead...I dont regret it one little bit,and perhaps the Thermion is worth a look as well...its a really well built tube head, will top notch components...I love my thermion head.

Also worth a look, if you have the cash is a Diezel! I know Doug at Blackmachine guitars in North London is able to hook you upwith the Diezel agents. Diezels are awesome, but expensive...you're looking at about 2000quid for the Vh4 head, but oh is it worth it!.

If you'vegot cash for the H and K triamp,I would seriously look at the Diezel as well.

I also agree with Eric on the Krank Issue. I would consider a Revolution, but the Krankenstein sounds pretty much like the Randall Warheads that Dime used to use...a waste of a tube ampin my opinion...tho I havenot played one, so maybe you can dial in some awesome tube tones as well...just seems pretty one dimensional from what I've seen and heard.

I think,if you cant afford the Diezel (like most of us) it should be a pretty decent toss up between the Thermion and the 5150.

Good Luck man

recently i tried out an ENGL amp on denmark st in london...i thought it was well great! nice crunchy metal tone and a beautiful clean tone...what u guys think of engl?

I like Engl, they have some really great amps. which store on Denmark street was this? when I left none stocked Engl,had to go out of London to try one.