Metal Amp...

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-14-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

Eric,

Can you provide sources for this? My understanding is similar to his, that tube amps are rated for wattage output within the spectrum of their clean headroom and that tube amps can be pushed beyond these clean levels as it clips the signal.

Thats what I have heard and read as well.

crazymoose · 10-15-2009, 12:26 AM

Well... I bought an amp.

I went to the guitar store just to try everything. Tried amps in the $700 range (marshalls, peavys, etc...) The solid state ones I didn't like at all, and the tube ones were really no better than the metal core pedal run through the Fender. Then the guy brought out a Vox VT-50. I immediately knew. I know I didn't need tons of effects but I liked the distortion options, I liked the fact that you can adjust the volume between the tubes and the speakers to get good tube tone without killing everyone with volume. Then I found out it was $360 and I was sold. So basically I sold my amp and a pedal and got a new amp + foot switch for it, plus a case for my pedals, and I actually gained money out of the deal.

I'm quite satisfied.

jthomas1600 · 10-15-2009, 06:54 AM

Interesting. I'm looking to buy my first tube amp and hadn't considered a hybrid. I take it, it captures that "metal" tone you were looking for? I think I shall go to youtube and see if I can find some clips now. I'm pretty new to all of this -- there's been another ongoing discussion about watts, tubes, and volume. How would you say this 50 watts compares to a smaller tube amp as far as volume is concerned?

RubberChipmunk · 10-15-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

Eric,

Can you provide sources for this? My understanding is similar to his, that tube amps are rated for wattage output within the spectrum of their clean headroom and that tube amps can be pushed beyond these clean levels as it clips the signal.

I haven't heard or read that understanding of wattage before. I'd be glad to discuss this in another thread if someone would like to start it. I don't want to hijack this one.

crazymoose · 10-15-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

Interesting. I'm looking to buy my first tube amp and hadn't considered a hybrid. I take it, it captures that "metal" tone you were looking for? I think I shall go to youtube and see if I can find some clips now. I'm pretty new to all of this -- there's been another ongoing discussion about watts, tubes, and volume. How would you say this 50 watts compares to a smaller tube amp as far as volume is concerned?

I found the youtube videos really didn't do it justice. Most of them seem to use cliche settings that really don't sound great to my ears. I actually didn't really like it at first, but then I realised when I'd said 'metal' the guy had turned the treble and bass to almost full and the mids down to minimum and cranked the gain to maximum.

50 watts, you can definitely get a decent amount of power (enough to overpower a drummer decently I'd say, though I haven't had a chance to crank it yet).

crazymoose · 10-16-2009, 08:57 PM

Hmmm... I'm thinking I might have been a bit hasty now. The distortion's really kind of grainy when you get into the metal sounds.

It handles classic rock really well but metal... not so much.

I really don't know what to do now. I haven't really come close to "the" amp. I've gone to so many music stores and none of them can get even a decent metal sound for under $800.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-16-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazymoose

Hmmm... I'm thinking I might have been a bit hasty now. The distortion's really kind of grainy when you get into the metal sounds.

It handles classic rock really well but metal... not so much.

I really don't know what to do now. I haven't really come close to "the" amp. I've gone to so many music stores and none of them can get even a decent metal sound for under $800.

Going to return it?

I am going to suggest that perhaps you need to mess with some all tube amps for a bit.

(I really find a lot of them less grainy)

I would try the blackstar. But I might also try some traynors. Traynors excel at the smoothness. The YCV50 can get into metal territory.

**akaukal** · 10-16-2009, 09:54 PM

I have a Traynor YCV40. Throw the gain up and put the boost on and it's actually a pretty darn good channel.

Keep in mind, when metal bands record, the gain is usually rolled back quite a bit, and then guitars are at least double tracked, more commonly quad tracked, which gives them a higher gain, bigger sound.

crazymoose · 10-17-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akaukal

I have a Traynor YCV40. Throw the gain up and put the boost on and it's actually a pretty darn good channel.

Keep in mind, when metal bands record, the gain is usually rolled back quite a bit, and then guitars are at least double tracked, more commonly quad tracked, which gives them a higher gain, bigger sound.

Would you mind recording a sample for me? I may return the vox. I'm still unsure. I think it'll depend on if I like the traynor. Unfortunately I've called around and there's no Blackstar dealers in Canada apparently.

I called the store about returns and I can for sure get credits for that store but they don't carry traynor... I may end up getting charged a 25% restocking fee, but I might not either. They wouldn't say for sure.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-17-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazymoose

Would you mind recording a sample for me? I may return the vox. I'm still unsure. I think it'll depend on if I like the traynor. Unfortunately I've called around and there's no Blackstar dealers in Canada apparently.

I called the store about returns and I can for sure get credits for that store but they don't carry traynor... I may end up getting charged a 25% restocking fee, but I might not either. They wouldn't say for sure.

I'd hurry if you are going to return...

**Rainer.** · 10-17-2009, 05:38 PM

Yeah, I'd rarely recommend a Vox VT-50 for someone in your situation.

How is the used market in your area?

I've also included sound clips from a recent-ish recording, triple tracked rhythm guitar vs. single tracked. This was recorded with my PODxt Live.

crazymoose · 10-17-2009, 06:25 PM

^I like what I hear. You mind doing some lead stuff? I found the vox had pretty good lead tone, but as soon as I went into rhythm mode it sounded... not very good.

Used market... I have no idea. Craigslist doesn't have all that much music wise. Calgary isn't exactly a hub for musicians.

**bravesfan007** · 10-19-2009, 03:21 PM

I still believe a used Peavey 5150 would be right up your alley. I saw a used 2x12 combo on Craigslist nearby one time for $500. Deals are out there if you want to go used. You may just have to wait it out.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 10-19-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bravesfan007

I still believe a used Peavey 5150 would be right up your alley. I saw a used 2x12 combo on Craigslist nearby one time for $500. Deals are out there if you want to go used. You may just have to wait it out.

No real clean channel could be a problem...

I just got a traynor ycv40t yesterday, (in trade for a pod xtl)

I would say the 50 has a fair amount more gain than the 40. However... with a wampler triple recstortion I was getting some very convincing metal tones...

The dirty channel, IMO of the 40 would take a treble boost to do metal.

**bravesfan007** · 10-19-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

No real clean channel could be a problem...

True, but I get by using the clean on my Dual Rectifier for what I need it. Most of the praise and worship stuff that we do I'll click over to that channel and switch on some chorus to add a little bit of texture and most people can't tell the difference. It's definitely not the best clean channel I have heard, but it works for me. I bought my amp for the other qualities and had to settle on the clean channel. I believe that's what is happening here.