Next tier modern high gain amp recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter sacguy71
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braintheory said:
One thing I'd also say is your thread title says "next tier", but I see you already have an Mzero Overdrive, which imo is a really good amp. Different flavor than these other amps you're considering, but I found it to be more organic, raw and to me in some ways just better quality tone (richer) than these amps you've mentioned, but not as modern, tight or growly if that's what you need, but I guess my point is none of these amps (to me at least) would be a next tier over Mezzabarba. If anything I'd see it the opposite way, but they'd be more suited to modern metal if that's what you want
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yes that is true which is why my Mezzabarba MZero is my desert island amp. With a clean boost it does amazing thrash metal and without super job at classic rock and blues. I am selling my Uberschall and Mark V and need a modern high gain amp to replace these that has multiple gain stages and great clean channel with MIDI switching as nice to have fearure and noise gate possibly which is why the Diezel amps appeal to me in spite of the higher price tag. I really like the Diezel VHX since I can ditch the pedals but need to try one out first.
 
MrFlexx said:
If you look at my signature you can see my amps, and from what you're asking I'd go for the Herbert. It's the most versatile of them and it's amazing for metal.
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indeed and once I sell my uberschall twinjet , Engl Ironball, and mark v, that frees cash for a Herbert, VHX or Engl Savage or similar modern metal amp to complement my Mezzabarba MZero Overdrive that has more classic Marshall Soldano roots.
 
sacguy71 said:
yes that is true which is why my Mezzabarba MZero is my desert island amp. With a clean boost it does amazing thrash metal and without super job at classic rock and blues. I am selling my Uberschall and Mark V and need a modern high gain amp to replace these that has multiple gain stages and great clean channel with MIDI switching as nice to have fearure and noise gate possibly which is why the Diezel amps appeal to me in spite of the higher price tag. I really like the Diezel VHX since I can ditch the pedals but need to try one out first.
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Yeah the Mzero is a really good amp and so depending on what you’re used to and looking for some of these other amps mentioned may possibly leave something to be desired. That criteria is a bit of a big ask imo, but if you sell the Uberschall and Mark V that can afford a lot of choices

If you have to have midi then I’m not sure what else to suggest besides Diezel’s or if you can find a MK3 Steavens Poundcake (the previous versions don’t have midi) or the one CCV I used to have had midi

If you don’t need midi than I’d say a Wizard Hell Razor, Hermansson (some have clean channels), Mark IIC+, Rev F or earlier Recto, Rev 1 or 2 Uberschall, but the latter 2 don’t have the best cleans
 
braintheory said:
Agreed, although for just a little more than the Ultra you could probably buy a Rev 2 Uber (if one comes up) and it seems likewise for just a bit more than a JP2C you can get a mark iii or iv. In both cases probably also I'd think better resale on those items than the Ultra and JP2C. I guess if the budget is below $2500 these options wouldn't work out probably
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I’ve seen mark 3s in that range for sure. Rev green is a tougher one for sure
 
sacguy71 said:
indeed and once I sell my uberschall twinjet , Engl Ironball, and mark v, that frees cash for a Herbert, VHX or Engl Savage or similar modern metal amp to complement my Mezzabarba MZero Overdrive that has more classic Marshall Soldano roots.
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I definitely would not get a vhx. I played one next to a vh4 in a store and even though I’m already not a vh4 fan, the vh4 sounded noticeably better than the vhx. I’d also say that I’d take an Engl se over a savage for sure, and I’d take a mi gamma over a Herbert, and those pop up at 2k-2.5k
 
Yehuda said:
I definitely would not get a vhx. I played one next to a vh4 in a store and even though I’m already not a vh4 fan, the vh4 sounded noticeably better than the vhx. I’d also say that I’d take an Engl se over a savage for sure, and I’d take a mi gamma over a Herbert, and those pop up at 2k-2.5k
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what is a mi gamma? never heard of that amp
 
sacguy71 said:
well he is a JP fanboy granted he has the JP guitars and all.

huh?
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I was say everyone just needs 2 good modern amps and then blend them . Use 2 and it’s like there’s what I was looking for always
 
Techdeth said:
I was say everyone just needs 2 good modern amps and then blend them . Use 2 and it’s like there’s what I was looking for always
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gotcha and this is where amp modelers come in handy by allowing multiple preamps into amp and different cabs
 
sacguy71 said:
gotcha and this is where amp modelers come in handy by allowing multiple preamps into amp and different cabs
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It ain’t the same . I have both . Use both . But 2 amps with 2 speakers is the sound I think we look for but don’t realize that’s what’s missing
 
Fortin amps aren’t aggressively tuned. They’re a very soft type of gain character. You either like his stuff or you despise it there’s no in between.
 
the MI Amp looks cool but I cannot even find any USA dealers and they are sold out on their website lol.
 
sacguy71 said:
the MI Amp looks cool but I cannot even find any USA dealers and they are sold out on their website lol.
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Yeah MI stuff rarely pops up. I think I’ve seen like 2 gammas and 2 betas in the last few years. They’re worth it if they pop up for sure, but it sounds like you’re looking to get something in the near future. Can you show any examples of what you’re going for tonally?

One thing I will say about ANY mark series is the mark series is a very specific sound, and I’m sure you know what it is. They’re fun to play, but they have their sound and that’s what they’re good at (there are other achievable sounds, none really excel though, unless you’re talking really early mark cleans) and for what it’s worth I personally wouldn’t use a mark for any modern metal mix, or in any band setting. I just wouldn’t.

The Herbert is a real cool amp, but if you’re in a band setting you need to have the other guitar player scoop the shit out of his amp to make it work. Otherwise you will get drowned out. Some guys like the middy sound on the Herbert without the cut, I’m not one of them. 2+ and cut all day.
 
Bram576 said:
Yeah MI stuff rarely pops up. I think I’ve seen like 2 gammas and 2 betas in the last few years. They’re worth it if they pop up for sure, but it sounds like you’re looking to get something in the near future. Can you show any examples of what you’re going for tonally?

One thing I will say about ANY mark series is the mark series is a very specific sound, and I’m sure you know what it is. They’re fun to play, but they have their sound and that’s what they’re good at (there are other achievable sounds, none really excel though, unless you’re talking really early mark cleans) and for what it’s worth I personally wouldn’t use a mark for any modern metal mix, or in any band setting. I just wouldn’t.

The Herbert is a real cool amp, but if you’re in a band setting you need to have the other guitar player scoop the shit out of his amp to make it work. Otherwise you will get drowned out. Some guys like the middy sound on the Herbert without the cut, I’m not one of them. 2+ and cut all day.
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Well I play at home solo not in a band so that is not an issue. I want modern high gain tones for death metal, thrash metal and black metal. Anyways, I had a chance to try out a Revv Generator 120 and ENGL Fireball 100 today and loved these amp tones so much in spite of how much folks here hate Revv and ENGL. So in the line of what Revv and ENGL can provide. Diezel Vh2 was not my thing but I have never played a Herbie so it could be way better.
 
sacguy71 said:
Well I play at home solo not in a band so that is not an issue. I want modern high gain tones for death metal, thrash metal and black metal. Anyways, I had a chance to try out a Revv Generator 120 and ENGL Fireball 100 today and loved these amp tones so much in spite of how much folks here hate Revv and ENGL. So in the line of what Revv and ENGL can provide. Diezel Vh2 was not my thing but I have never played a Herbie so it could be way better.
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If you liked the Fireball 100, I'd say try the Inferno mode if you can. To me it's sort of like a better Fireball in some ways. The SE EL34 also could be worth trying. The Herbert is pretty different than the VH4's (haven't tried a VH2). Given that you like Black Metal and Engl's you might also like the MLC Silenoz. Mine has been a keeper so far, but a more specific sound that wouldn't be for everyone. Very Scandinavian metal sounding, but a similar type of grind I think to some of the more uppermidrangey model Engl's. Maybe you'd also like the KSR's if you like those amps. No substitute for just trying the gear ourselves. Just our opinions on them
 
braintheory said:
If you liked the Fireball 100, I'd say try the Inferno mode if you can. To me it's sort of like a better Fireball in some ways. The SE EL34 also could be worth trying. The Herbert is pretty different than the VH4's (haven't tried a VH2). Given that you like Black Metal and Engl's you might also like the MLC Silenoz. Mine has been a keeper so far, but a more specific sound that wouldn't be for everyone. Very Scandinavian metal sounding, but a similar type of grind I think to some of the more uppermidrangey model Engl's. Maybe you'd also like the KSR's if you like those amps. No substitute for just trying the gear ourselves. Just our opinions on them
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cool so would smolski engl be better over the fireball? engl makes so many different models. I am leaning toward the revv at this point just so many great tone options and features for studio recording.
 
sacguy71 said:
cool so would smolski engl be better over the fireball? engl makes so many different models. I am leaning toward the revv at this point just so many great tone options and features for studio recording.
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The Smolski is more like the Powerball. I liked most the Inferno, SE EL34 and Artist Edition, but you may have different taste or qualities you're looking for possibly. I found the Revv's pretty bland sounding myself, but other guys like them. I found the KSR's to be in a similar ballpark, but to me a bit better
 
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