Icons of amp distortion

[oddguitar]

I’ve always preferred amp distortion to pedals and got to thinking which high gain amps are significant milestones in amp distortion that have gone on to become icons? Here’s what I came up with:

Mesa Mark Series
Modified Marshall (Plexi or JCM800)
Soldano SLO
Peavey 5150
Mesa Dual Rectifier

Thoughts?

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I'd have to add a Diezel to that list, probably VH4 and/or Herbert since they're the most well known. I'd also want to add something from ENGL to that list. ENGL typically falls into Invader style or Savage style so maybe one or both of those.
In general German high gain like Diezel or ENGL have a distinct character that you don't find in British or American style high gain amps.

 

[RaceU4her]

Replace the slo with 5153

 

[Exo-metal]

Replace all with Langner modded Marshall's

 

[japetus]

Larry PMM

 

[Erock]

I’ve always preferred amp distortion to pedals and got to thinking which high gain amps are significant milestones in amp distortion that have gone on to become icons? Here’s what I came up with:

Mesa Mark Series
Modified Marshall (Plexi or JCM800)
Soldano SLO
Peavey 5150
Mesa Dual Rectifier

Thoughts?

hard to beat that list if you're talking moving the needle IMO. Maybe the AC30 and VH140C? You could get into specific amps, like maybe like the old Jose mods that spawned a side industry. Or maybe iconic amps used on albums. IE. Slash's JCM, or Jerry's Snorkler. I wanted a Larry for years because of Iced Earth. Also funny how the 5150 became such a metal icon, yet I'm not sure Edward had that in mind, lol.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

I think you covered the fundamental ones pretty perfectly honestly

 

[Smash]

I’ve always preferred amp distortion to pedals and got to thinking which high gain amps are significant milestones in amp distortion that have gone on to become icons? Here’s what I came up with:

Mesa Mark Series
Modified Marshall (Plexi or JCM800)
Soldano SLO
Peavey 5150
Mesa Dual Rectifier

Thoughts?

I guess this is for rock amps. The mark series notwithstanding, those amps sound like loose butthole without a boost.

But amps that absolutely need no boost that i have played
Groundzero
Wizard
Monomyth
Mesa mark series
MGL
Bogner (at least the uber ultra)

 

[SpiderWars]

IMO a cranked plexi/Super Lead (not even modded) should be on the list. Right player, right guitar and it gets pretty pissed. Past the point of overdrive to distortion with some saturation.

 

[Erock]

I guess this is for rock amps. The mark series notwithstanding, those amps sound like loose butthole without a boost.

But amps that absolutely need no boost that i have played
Groundzero
Wizard
Monomyth
Mesa mark series
MGL
Bogner (at least the uber ultra)

I thought it was more about amps that kind of moved the needle, where everyone started wanting that tone. But yeah, definitely rock or metal amps. I'm like a kindergartener if you are gauging clean tones. I know about Dumble and Fender, that's the end of my knowledge, lol.

edit: oh you meant metal amps, I'm a bit slow, lol.

 

[Smash]

IMO a cranked plexi/Super Lead (not even modded) should be on the list. Right player, right guitar and it gets pretty pissed. Past the point of overdrive to distortion with some saturation.

Still need to try this

 

[Smash]

I think i misread op. I was thinking amps that dont need a pedal to be tight. I feel like this is about amps that replaced pedal into clean amp...

I mean yeah, SLO was fucking cool in 90s. 5150 may be most overrated amp in history. It will do the job, but nothing special. The marks are special and the rectifier series sounded amazing...with a boost

 

[angelspade]

Metal? Iconic? No boosts allowed?

Peavey 5150 Series
EVH 5150III Series
Mesa Mark Series
Mesa Rectifier Series
Diezel VH4 / VH2 Series
Diezel Herbert Series
Marshall JVM Series
Bogner Uber Series
Bogner XTC Series
Soldano SLO
Wizard

 

[Erock]

I think i misread op. I was thinking amps that dont need a pedal to be tight. I feel like this is about amps that replaced pedal into clean amp...

I mean yeah, SLO was fucking cool in 90s. 5150 may be most overrated amp in history. It will do the job, but nothing special. The marks are special and the rectifier series sounded amazing...with a boost

nah, I think I misread it, I glossed over the pedal part.

 

[braintheory]

Your list is good. I would just add:
Bogner Uberschall
Diezel VH4 Blueface
Hermansson
Wizard

 

[headlessdeadguy]

Metal? Iconic? No boosts allowed?

Peavey 5150 Series
EVH 5150III Series
Mesa Mark Series
Mesa Rectifier Series
Diezel VH4 / VH2 Series
Diezel Herbert Series
Marshall JVM Series
Bogner Uber Series
Bogner XTC Series
Soldano SLO
Wizard

Replace the 5150III with the Iconic

 

[TheGreatGreen]

If you want to go earlier than the first list, maybe add a Bassman or something.

 

[RaceU4her]

Are we talking icons of the real world that are actually used on albums or we just listing our favorite amps?? Those are different things lol

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

The crate overdrive channel on a 90s solid state combo was all the rage in my youth.
Like everyone I knew had one of those amps. Good? No, not all. Iconic? I think so.

 

[Erock]

The crate overdrive channel on a 90s solid state combo was all the rage in my youth.
Like everyone I knew had one of those amps. Good? No, not all. Iconic? I think so.

I remember gassing over my friends amp, lol.