High gain amp recommendations

S

Sparkyplays

Member
Alright guys I need some help. First I’ll start by saying I’ve never really had any type of decent gear but I’m getting a point I can start adding some to my collection. I’m looking for a high gain amp that is brutal without pedals and is the chuggiest of all chugs.


To give some context my main amp is currently a joyo zombie which is modeled after a dual rec and suprisingly it does pretty good for what it is. Keep in mind I’m just a bedroom warrior no giggin yet or anything so I don’t need a 100 watt head lol.

Now to the talk. The main one I’m looking at right now is the evh 5150 lbx. I have played a 5150 50 watt head and loved it. I know this isn’t a high dollar head like some of you may be after but I’m looking for something in the 5-600 dollar ranged used for an all tube head. Is there any other recommendations out there that can compete with the 5150 lbx for the price point?

As always chug on
 
A used 5150 III 50 watt. Should fit your budget. Killer amps and you can go from the bedroom to the stage with it. Pick up a used 212 cab and you're good to go. And, IMHO, the 5150 III line is the best bang for the buck line of amps on the market today. Countless pros are either using them or using models or captures or profiles of them on stages live across the world.
 
SFW said:
A used 5150 III 50 watt. Should fit your budget. Killer amps and you can go from the bedroom to the stage with it. Pick up a used 212 cab and you're good to go. And, IMHO, the 5150 III line is the best bang for the buck line of amps on the market today. Countless pros are either using them or using models or captures or profiles of them on stages live across the world.
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The 50 watt would be nice just don’t think I’d ever use its full potential. That’s why I was looking into the 15 watt which they say still gets pretty brutal. I have a 2x12 cab currently, but looking to upgrade to a 4x12. The 15 watt can be had for close to 300 used as well, but that’s why I’m also Asking for opinions if the 50 watt is worth the extra dough I’d definetly rather have something I’d be more satisfied with beings I’ve never played the 15watt I can’t speak for how much I like it.
 
SFW said:
A used 5150 III 50 watt. Should fit your budget. Killer amps and you can go from the bedroom to the stage with it. Pick up a used 212 cab and you're good to go. And, IMHO, the 5150 III line is the best bang for the buck line of amps on the market today. Countless pros are either using them or using models or captures or profiles of them on stages live across the world.
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It also might be worth mentioning the only other place I go to play has almost any type of amp already for any sound so it wouldn’t be leaving the house really as he already has a 50w 5150 3 lol
 
I would go with the Synergy Syn20-IR in your situation.
(Missed the $600 price range. Still would save up for this for all of the options it gives)
 
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Just to let you know, a big iron amp used at any volume is technically being used to its potential because the tone at all volumes will be a bit different than lower wattage amps. Big iron amps aren’t just about volume by any means.

That said, the LBX is cool. However, believe it or not the 50w EVH heads perform better at super low volume because all the frequencies fade in at the same rate, where the highs and lows of the LBX fade in with the volume knob at different rates so you have a “minimum” volume before everything starts sounding right. Again the LBX is still overall a cool amp though.
 
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TheGreatGreen said:
Just to let you know, a big iron amp used at any volume is technically being used to its potential because the tone at all volumes will be a bit different than lower wattage amps. Big iron amps aren’t just about volume by any means.

That said, the LBX is cool. However, believe it or not the 50w EVH heads perform better at super low volume because all the frequencies fade in at the same rate, where the highs and lows fade in with the volume knob at different rates so you have a “minimum” volume before everything starts sounding right. Again the LBX is still overall a cool amp though.
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Good to know. I had figured I’d also get an attenuator to push it harder at lower volumes as well. Seems like the 50watt 5150 is the go to though.
 
Sparkyplays said:
Will check these out I haven’t had a chance to play any of those or recall hearing any of them
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The Randall Diavlo RD45 would be at the top of my list out of those and under your budget.
Fortin designed modern chugg monster with lots of features.
The others are cool, too.
Different flavors from each other, less volume, but not quiet.
 
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ners said:
A used 5150 sounds right up your alley at that price point
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That’s where I’m basically at just want options from people with more experience than I have with them. I know I love the 5150 sound though so it definetly makes the decision lean that way
 
Don't sell yourself short with the "I'll never use 100 watts to its full potential" thinking. It's not about watts or loudness, it's about tone and headroom. I'm mostly a bedroom player and pretty much all I own are 100 watts. A 100 watter with a good master volume can sound great at any volume.

If you're going for high gain you want more headroom. Most of your distortion is coming from the preamp. High gain and power tube distortion don't mix the best. Power tube saturation can be saggy; something you don't want with high gain tightness. Larger headroom gives you better ability to get your high gain distortion from the preamp tubes/side without working the power tubes into saturation.

The other aspect is the tone. At least to my ear big bottles (EL34, 6L6, etc.) and big iron sound so much more full than the low watt lunchbox type amps. You just seem to get a lot more overtones and complexity out of bigger amps.

That said, if you like the 5150, I'd step it up to one of the 50 or 100 watt ones. They're a little more, but I think are worth the extra investment. Don't forget about the Peavey 6505 line. The 6505 + combos are back to being about $500 all day long and can easily be converted to a head. Or if you look around enough you can get a good deal on a 1992 edition used.

Outside of that in no particular order
Laney GH100
PRS Archon 50
old school Peavey JSX or XXX
JCM2000 DSL

Really, If you like the 5150 I'd say skip the lunchbox one and shop around until you find a good price on a big boy 5150/6505 used.
 
MadAsAHatter said:
Don't sell yourself short with the "I'll never use 100 watts to its full potential" thinking. It's not about watts or loudness, it's about tone and headroom. I'm mostly a bedroom player and pretty much all I own are 100 watts. A 100 watter with a good master volume can sound great at any volume.

If you're going for high gain you want more headroom. Most of your distortion is coming from the preamp. High gain and power tube distortion don't mix the best. Power tube saturation can be saggy; something you don't want with high gain tightness. Larger headroom gives you better ability to get your high gain distortion from the preamp tubes/side without working the power tubes into saturation.

The other aspect is the tone. At least to my ear big bottles (EL34, 6L6, etc.) and big iron sound so much more full than the low watt lunchbox type amps. You just seem to get a lot more overtones and complexity out of bigger amps.

That said, if you like the 5150, I'd step it up to one of the 50 or 100 watt ones. They're a little more, but I think are worth the extra investment. Don't forget about the Peavey 6505 line. The 6505 + combos are back to being about $500 all day long and can easily be converted to a head. Or if you look around enough you can get a good deal on a 1992 edition used.

Outside of that in no particular order
Laney GH100
PRS Archon 50
old school Peavey JSX or XXX
JCM2000 DSL

Really, If you like the 5150 I'd say skip the lunchbox one and shop around until you find a good price on a big boy 5150/6505 used.
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If it was in the budget I wouldn’t overlook the big boys lol but I may have to sit a while longer and see if any better deals than what’s out there currently pop up. I have looked at a few 6505 peavys but haven’t heard any in action so didn’t know how they lined up with the evh version.
 
I have the 50s and lbxs, both are great, just depends on what you need and your budget. I have the PRS-MT15 too, and would still go for something else.
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griff10672 said:
has anyone mentioned yet that the LBX Runs EL84's ???

I had a LBX ..... and a 6L6 50 watter ...... I would take the 50 watter all day and night ...
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Sounds like you might need to make someone a good deal on the lbx lol. Hard decisions for sure everybody seems to be swinging to the 50 watter and they do sound great
 
mesaboogieE34L said:
I have the 50s and lbxs, both are great, just depends on what you need and your budget. I have the PRS-MT15 too, and would still go for something else.
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What does the 50 watt do that the lbx cant? I understand the 50 watt is definetely going to be better I just don’t know if in my situation it’d be worth the extra money especially with out being able to play side by side to see if I’d settle.
 
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