Unpopular opinion - high end amps aren't comparatively that expensive

  • Thread starter Thread starter ZEN Amps
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5k to me is expensive, sorry thats just a fact for me. Factor in the mortgage, car payment, bills out the wazoo, that 5k can go alot of places. As was stated, most working musicians / average Joe's it's alot but again, as several have said, it's all relative. A guy driving a Bugatti ain't worried about dropping 5k on a night out on the town much less an amp.

Now on the flipside I'm not one to let price get in the way of the tonal quest. I've spent the dough in the past for high end boutique amps. In 2021 alone I dropped 6k on two amps only to later jettison them. Oddly though in my case, amp wise I always come back to the meat n potatoes stuff Marshall stuff.

Hey if you can afford it, go for it. You only live once but I'm probably like alot of us on here, back with basic everyday for lack of a better term over the counter stuff. In my case, I'm completely satisfied.
 
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jabps said:
Oddly though in my case, amp wise I always come back to the meat n potatoes stuff Marshall stuff.
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Out of interest what Marshalls are your stalwarts?

Personally I could live the rest of my life with a 4-holer and a 2203 - for rock. For heavier stuff Marshall and variants have never really done it for me, and that has lead to the eternal unicorn quest.
 
I have a few tube amps that provide enough for my needs. JVM410, Origin 50, Engl Artist Edition E561, Engl E530 + E850/100. Using software plugins more often these days. I spend more money on guitar, synths and organs, but also have several guitars for sale.

Never really had interest in owning high end amps or vintage amps.
 
Like with anything, the law of diminishing returns is true with guitar gear. Sometimes you have to get to a certain price bracket to get the basic thing you want, but you don't have to get crazy.

I'll use the example of a Laney GH vs a JCM 800. On the current cracked out market, people asking upwards of 2K for a 2203/4, vs still being able to find GH50L/100L, for lets say 500-700. The GH gives you basically the same sound, though, I would say improved, less "square" than an 800. You have an additional gainstage you can choose to add or not, and you can pretty readily switch between 6L6 & EL34.

Same thing applies to guitars. You can get a good quality "basic" guitar for a good price, but as you start to add shit like roasted maple, birdseye, binding, whatever, you start losing.
 
ZEN Amps said:
Out of interest what Marshalls are your stalwarts?

Personally I could live the rest of my life with a 4-holer and a 2203 - for rock. For heavier stuff Marshall and variants have never really done it for me, and that has lead to the eternal unicorn quest.
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Of the several Marshalls I owned years ago the main Marshall back in the day was a JMP 50W MV head. Played that for years with a DOD250 OD, a Boss DM2, Memory man and a Boss CE2, that was it until the rack craze struck and I went that route for years. Then it was a litany of stuff from OG 5150, Soldano, VHT, most every other high gain amp at the time until I finally came back to Marshall.

Since 07 I've been with the JVM410. I've had modded one's, the Joe Satch model and I prefer just the stock 410. OD1 Orange "for me" is about as hot rodded Marshall as you can get. Recently I've been through a few amps just to try ala Mezzabarba Trinity (couldn't get rid of it fast enough), some Engls, Fryette's but the JVM is pretty much it for me. I have an EVH 50W Stealth and it's companion the 50W EL34 but I really wanted those because of Ed. I might look into the new reissue 6505 as I always loved the OG5150 but honestly I really don't want to deal with the poor master volume on those amps and I'm not interested in the tricks or running a load to tame them at lower volume levels. Might also look into the Synergy with the issue of the new 6505 module, that looks interesting. Other than that really the only other thing that interests me is the Ground Zero Hellion and the MGL Amps. Not looking to replace the JVM, it's home for me.
 
I'd easily drop $5K on an amp if I knew I'd love and play it for the rest of my life. But I can't try these amps before I buy them and most amps I have bought in the past were just ok.
 
jabps said:
Of the several Marshalls I owned years ago the main Marshall back in the day was a JMP 50W MV head. Played that for years with a DOD250 OD, a Boss DM2, Memory man and a Boss CE2, that was it until the rack craze struck and I went that route for years. Then it was a litany of stuff from OG 5150, Soldano, VHT, most every other high gain amp at the time until I finally came back to Marshall.

Since 07 I've been with the JVM410. I've had modded one's, the Joe Satch model and I prefer just the stock 410. OD1 Orange "for me" is about as hot rodded Marshall as you can get. Recently I've been through a few amps just to try ala Mezzabarba Trinity (couldn't get rid of it fast enough), some Engls, Fryette's but the JVM is pretty much it for me. I have an EVH 50W Stealth and it's companion the 50W EL34 but I really wanted those because of Ed. I might look into the new reissue 6505 as I always loved the OG5150 but honestly I really don't want to deal with the poor master volume on those amps and I'm not interested in the tricks or running a load to tame them at lower volume levels. Might also look into the Synergy with the issue of the new 6505 module, that looks interesting. Other than that really the only other thing that interests me is the Ground Zero Hellion and the MGL Amps. Not looking to replace the JVM, it's home for me.
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You didn't like the Mezzabarba? I've heard those were the bees knees. I was thinking today that I could be completely happy with a 7 or 8 hundred dollar guitar and a 6505. In fact I have been playing my 500 dollar ibanez consistently vs my more expensive guitars but that's probably due to it being new to me.
 
Anyone that has dated a half dozen women knows something that cost more money doesn't make it better.

A lot of people have the illusion that something that cost more is better. It isn't. It's just different.
 
ClintN667 said:
You didn't like the Mezzabarba? I've heard those were the bees knees. I was thinking today that I could be completely happy with a 7 or 8 hundred dollar guitar and a 6505. In fact I have been playing my 500 dollar ibanez consistently vs my more expensive guitars but that's probably due to it being new to me.
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No, disliked it. They get alot of comparison to Soldano's SLO's which I've owned and I don't hear that "at all". Now build wise, it's impeccable. Maybe one of the finest amps I've owned in that regard.

Loose, flubby and didn't matter how I adjusted I could not dial that out with just with the amp. Tried using a few OD's I have lying around and the GE-7 in the loop and in the front and still a no go.

Again, "for me" it just didn't work. I'm sure for some it's fantastic so I would never tell anyone not to buy it, I'm a firm believer that you gotta give something a try to know "for yourself".

As for money, I mean the amps I currently own are pretty run of the mill stuff. Cost has never meant much to me whether high end or low end. Dialing in tones that I like is what I base things on.
 
I'm sure that I will take a lot of heat for this.... but.... I don't hear "expensive" boutique amps doing anything that an $1900 EVH 5150 III or $2500 Splawn cannot do. I've owned a Friedman BE100 Deluxe and currently have an Engl Savage 120 Mk II. (The Engl will be for sale shortly.) Neither or those amps sound or feel better than a Quickrod or a 5150 III, IMHO.

If you want to spend $$$ on an amp, be my guest. Own what makes you happy. But I think we all get way too caught up in the hype of certain brands and builders. YMMV.
 
stephen sawall said:
Anyone that has dated a half dozen women knows something that cost more money doesn't make it better.

A lot of people have the illusion that something that cost more is better. It isn't. It's just different.
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I'd have to partially disagree with this statement. If you're talking about comparisons of different tiers of quality, then more expensive doesn't mean better. The price differences usually come in the form of production costs; i.e. mass produced vs small scale.
If you take it as a whole then at times added costs does make something better. Tighter spec'd component tolerances, more robust components, thicker PCB's, higher quality workmanship, Particle board vs hardwood, and other things of this nature all cost a bit more and are very arguably better. Or at minimum will stand the test of time & abuse better.
 
For bigger gigs get a good Tweed Bassman. For little gigs get a good Tweed Deluxe.

They're all you'll ever need.
 
tallcoolone said:
Lol, most here are 50+ and never move their gear out of their “home studios”
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I think thats what causes so many forum folks to go down so many rabbit holes. They sit with an amp in a room and over analyze the shit out of it on its own. Take a lot of those amps and put them in a mix and suddenly the differences all but disappear.

And while one has the right to, they are delusional if they think they are doing anything other than spinning tires in the mud.
 
SoooRad said:
I think thats what causes so many forum folks to go down so many rabbit holes. They sit with an amp in a room and over analyze the shit out of it on its own. Take a lot of those amps and put them in a mix and suddenly the differences all but disappear.

And while one has the right to, they are delusional if they think they are doing anything other than spinning tires in the mud.
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Bingo. But it’s fun and an escape which is why we are all here
 
Basically I look to how long it takes me to get my sound. I want to be able to plug in and get my tone without needing any effects. Whether I'm playing in my "home studio" , jamming with friends, or playing a show. I'm not currently in band but I want something that if I decide to join another I have that ability. This is why I tend to buy amps 50 watts or more.

I have a career that I love and this allows me to treat myself to nice gear but it has to make sense.

Paying 3k for my Atla was a great decision as it covers so much ground. I was able to sell my home built 2204, a plexi clone, and a VTM120 thanks to this amp. Having said that I could be happy plugging into a 600 Peavey.

I have a few major factors that I look for. Good sound and quality of build. I sold my last few amps cause I needed some extra cash but when I was comfortable I went back and bought comparable amps. I now know what I like so I'm not chasing as much. Guitars on the other hand is a matter of inspiration. I buy a new guitar and it inspires me to play but it has to be something I don't already have either spec wise or brand wise. I'm not going to have two identical guitars
 
SFW said:
I'm sure that I will take a lot of heat for this.... but.... I don't hear "expensive" boutique amps doing anything that an $1900 EVH 5150 III or $2500 Splawn cannot do. I've owned a Friedman BE100 Deluxe and currently have an Engl Savage 120 Mk II. (The Engl will be for sale shortly.) Neither or those amps sound or feel better than a Quickrod or a 5150 III, IMHO.

If you want to spend $$$ on an amp, be my guest. Own what makes you happy. But I think we all get way too caught up in the hype of certain brands and builders. YMMV.
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Well for those 2 particular more expensive I’d agree, but honestly they’d be among the last choices I’d recommend if one is looking for an upgrade from Splawn or EVH amps. For that, I’d say get a Cameron modded Marshall, Naylor, a good stock ‘70’s Marshall JMP2203 boosted, Mark IIC+ (or 3 or 4), Rev F or earlier Recto, Wizard, or Hermansson. Those amps to me at least are on another level in tone and feel, but with Engl’s, Friedman’s, Diezel’s, Revv’s, Driftwood and many others I’d agree that these more expensive amps aren’t always better and before covid half the amps I recommended would’ve been under $2k lol (criminally underpriced at the time for the quality of tone)
 
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