Budget guitar head

[Norris-wf]

Would anyone be able to recommend a nice tube amp head on a budget. I'm living here in Ireland so we don't have a great selection of second hand amps so my best bet is probably new. I have about 700 euros to spend on the head and I have the cab already. I'm upgrading from the Marshall AVT150 stack so I guess anything would sound better, so would anyone have any recommendations?

Cheers,
Sean

 

[Notuern]

With a bit of luck you might find a good Peavey 5150 on the used market for that amount of cash.
Other amps on the used market for about that amount of money:

Marshall JCM 800
Marshall JCM 900
Laney GH100-series
Ada MP-1 and halfgood tube poweramp.

 

[Norris-wf]

cheers man, I actually found a JCM900 so thats looking the best at the moment, but how about the Valveking, the 'Bugera' or even the fireball new, worth staying away from?

 

[Metaltastic]

FIREBALL BY FAR, compared to those others (Valveking is "eh," Bugeras sound good from what I've heard, but I would NOT want to rely on one, and JCM900, well, it's a Marshall, for better or for worse, and there's one particular variant that apparently sucks huge amounts of ass, possibly the Dual Reverb, though I don't remember). And if you're planning on using the AVT cab, well, start saving for a better one, cuz the cab makes a big difference (and I'd recommend searching for cab recommendations, there have been tons of threads about 'em)

 

[MetalJonesy]

what sorta sound you after, as i really wouldnt reccomend the JCM900 for anything more than rock stuff. i had mine for about 4 years, it was an ok sounding amp, but you couldnt get much from it, and it really lacked in gain and tone, even with a boost infront of the head. tbh, i hated it due to its lack of versitility. however the clean channel was amazing!!

 

[Amberience]

Valveking gets my vote. I was using one the other week in my artsy post-metal style band (think: ISIS/Tool/Pelican/Cult of Luna/Oceansize) and it sounded fantastic!

 

[FarBeyondMetal]

+1 to the valveking. It doesn't get the most ballsiest gain in the world right out of the box but it sounds good and clear. Hook up a tubescreamer and your outta this world.

 

[Manicompression]

How about that Peavey Windsor, all the clips Daunt and Oz posted sounded really good, and the whole half stack package fits in budget, just a thought

 

[Metaltastic]

I did play one at a Samash and was pretty impressed, though the fact that it's essentially a one-channel amp with a gain boost makes it pretty much useless for live use (unless you don't really use clean). Also, spending money on that cab would just be a waste, IMO; better to save for something better.

 

[Norris-wf]

hey guys, this is a huge help, I'd be going for a heavy tight sound, think KSE, as i lay dying, even though I know I wont achieve that with these kind of amps its that kind of sound. so I guess the marshall wont cut it as you say Metaljonesy.
Metaltastic: the fireball would be nice if I could get one second hand here and thats what I'll be looking for, and you're dead right about the cab, I upgraded it to a 1960A which was much better, but still using the AVT150 head. I'll keep a lookout for a nice fireball as you said though and hopefully that'll work out, valveking is probably next on the list
Manicompression: I heard them clips of the windsor and they were unreal, but i wouldnt have anywhere near the experience to get such a good tone out of it, id prefer something a little higher gain.
Amberience/farbyondmetal, do ye have any clips of the valveking as most of the ones I find are gone since
cheers for all the advice

 

[ParsonsMatt]

Definitely get a Fireball or 5150. The best "budget" amps.

 

[Amberience]

unfortunately not, I don't actually have a Valveking, it was just what the rehearsal rooms had at the time.

 

[hoehlentroll]

I have a fireball and it totaly ripps!!!! It should be perfect for metalcore, though I use it for thrash (my guitar sound doesn't sound like thrash more like gothenborg, but who cares anyway?). our album is made with a fireball, use the link in my signature.

 

[Norris-wf]

I noticed that the fireball is only 60watts, would it get lost with a full band?

 

[gorath23]

I noticed that the fireball is only 60watts, would it get lost with a full band?

60 watts would straight up kill you....j/k but seriously it can get incredibly loud. Its tube. The difference between that an a 100 watter is only 2-3db (as a general rule). In a band situation you would cut through providing you keep those mids up and use V30's. The Fireball needs those mids!!!!

 

[Metaltastic]

I've never played a Fireball personally, but I know that wattage has very little to do with volume; old 50 watt Marshalls could kill people, and my old 60 watt 5150 had no trouble running with a 150 watt Triple Rectifier. I wouldn't worry about it. And the 1960A is good, but something with Vintage 30s would be even better.

 

[IronApe]

^ Hell no!!! 60 are more than enough, unless you're playing in an arena... not miked up...

 

[Norris-wf]

Thats perfect so guys, Thanks for all the advice. I'll start my hunt for a fireball now and if I can't find one i'll save up to get a new one. Ill get those V30's down the line some time. I've read a lot of praise on this forum for them
Cheers,
Sean

 

[ahjteam]

I noticed that the fireball is only 60watts, would it get lost with a full band?

You can make the windows tinkle with a 5 watt Fender tube amp, so its really not about watts, 60 will be more than enough for your needs.

 

[Amberience]

60 might not be enough if you're looking for lots and lots of clean headroom. Which being the sneap forum, I doubt you are!