Another Guitar Amp Question..

Si. · 23 May 2007 at 12:03

I'm looking to replace my Valve Jr Head with something a little more "serious". Ideally I'd like to get that smooth Mesa grunt (Ala Metallica), but can't justify the prices of a Mesa. I've been looking out for a used F-30 but there not very common.

Basically, can anyone reccomend anything "mesa like" without paying Mesa prices.. Budget is approx £400-500

Si.

Andelusion · 23 May 2007 at 12:22

A second hand peavey 5150 combo should be able to get you close, just scooop the mids and you'll have an instantly compressed and generic metal sound

Si. · 23 May 2007 at 13:21

Again, not a lot of 5150s available on the Bay..

Tk7 · 23 May 2007 at 23:11

Tough one for the budget, and it depends if you're looking for a head, or combo.

I've used a JCM 2000 DSL100 for quite a few years now. Not the Mesa sound exactly, but the thing rocks, too loud really though for most places i've played, and the 50 watter would be a better and cheaper option.

Peavey do their XXL head for about 450 quid, looks a decent option. Not used Peavey myself, but their more recent amps have got decent reviews.

Something smaller but with super tone would be a used Cornford Harlequin. Now i've used one of these with my Sansamp GT2 pedal, and there wasn't a sound we couldn't coax out of it, cracking little amp, and the pedal gave all the tonal options I needed. Not really big enough for most gigs being only 6 watt, but the sounds.......

Lots of possibilities really, but it's hard to find the right amp in the budget. Plenty of modelling combo's around with the Mesa simulation, but i've never liked the sound of modellers cranked up, just too synthetic.

collisster · 23 May 2007 at 23:42

randalllllllllllllll <-- you have to say it in a jamacan accent.

Docaroo · 24 May 2007 at 10:56

collisster said:
randalllllllllllllll <-- you have to say it in a jamacan accent.

not on that budget I'm afraid....

The top end Randall's are AWESOME.... the lower end ones (G3 etc) are only ok... I'm sure there's a better amp to be had for the money....

Si. · 24 May 2007 at 11:00

I'm already thinking of updating the budget to £500-600

Gaijin · 25 May 2007 at 13:18

Si. said:
I'm looking to replace my Valve Jr Head with something a little more "serious". Ideally I'd like to get that smooth Mesa grunt (Ala Metallica), but can't justify the prices of a Mesa. I've been looking out for a used F-30 but there not very common.

Basically, can anyone reccomend anything "mesa like" without paying Mesa prices.. Budget is approx £400-500

Si.

Just keep your eye's peeled, I picked my F-50 up for £550.

Its a brilliant amp, it's great for my work ethic - makes me want to play all the time!

Maccy · 25 May 2007 at 15:16

Have you looked at much Line 6 range?

Si. · 25 May 2007 at 15:20

That's a good price for an F-50.. guess i have to just keep checking. How do you find yours? Ideally I'd love a Rectifier but price is a bit off putting, how does your F50 compare to one?

Not really a fan of the Line 6 stuff.. I've got a Vox AVT already, and it's a nice amp, but even my little Epiphone Valve Jr blows it away for a lot of things.. Modellers are great.... to a point...

(Speaking of which.. anyone want to buy a Modded Valve Jr head and 1x12 cab

)

Docaroo · 25 May 2007 at 17:33

Maccy said:
Have you looked at much Line 6 range?

DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT go anywhere near Line 6 for a good amp. they are fine for bedroom practicing but you will not be pleased with your purchase at all if you are looking for a Mesa sound.

chino · 9 Nov 2007 at 17:06

Gaijin said:
Just keep your eye's peeled, I picked my F-50 up for £550.

Its a brilliant amp, it's great for my work ethic - makes me want to play all the time!

Thread resurrection time...

Where did you get your F-50 from for that price?

I've just played with one in a shop, and they wanted £800 for it...seems a little overpriced now I've seen what you've paid. Couldn't quite read the serial number but it's either a 2005 or 2006 model.

Gaijin · 9 Nov 2007 at 17:28

chino said:
Thread resurrection time...

Where did you get your F-50 from for that price?

I've just played with one in a shop, and they wanted £800 for it...seems a little overpriced now I've seen what you've paid. Couldn't quite read the serial number but it's either a 2005 or 2006 model.

Sorry, I should have clarified - mine was secondhand, approximately 6 months old. The F-series has now been discontinued which is why they are probably knocking money off. They have been replaced by the Express series now, which from what i've heard is pretty much the same but you'll probably pay the premium associated with a new line of amp.

Have a look around for second hand stuff. Mesa amps are hard as nails, so no need to worry that much as long as you go see it.

Si. said:
That's a good price for an F-50.. guess i have to just keep checking. How do you find yours? Ideally I'd love a Rectifier but price is a bit off putting, how does your F50 compare to one?

The F-50's meaty channel is modelled on the dual rectifier and whereas its not quite there, it's PLENTY enough for Megadeth, Metallica Slayer etc. It really is an awesome amp, compact enough for the bedroom, loud enough for the stage. As you probably know its got a clean channel thats widely acclaimed as being one of the best, and is brilliant for when you are feeling a bit *fluffy*

chino · 9 Nov 2007 at 19:23

Gaijin said:
Sorry, I should have clarified - mine was secondhand, approximately 6 months old. The F-series has now been discontinued which is why they are probably knocking money off. They have been replaced by the Express series now, which from what i've heard is pretty much the same but you'll probably pay the premium associated with a new line of amp.

Have a look around for second hand stuff. Mesa amps are hard as nails, so no need to worry that much as long as you go see it.

The F-50's meaty channel is modelled on the dual rectifier and whereas its not quite there, it's PLENTY enough for Megadeth, Metallica Slayer etc. It really is an awesome amp, compact enough for the bedroom, loud enough for the stage. As you probably know its got a clean channel thats widely acclaimed as being one of the best, and is brilliant for when you are feeling a bit *fluffy*

The one I tried was also a second hand one...think I'll be trying to get them to knock some money of it. Especially as a bit of net searching shows that they can be had for around £1000 new.