Hello all, first of all I'd like to say that this site kicks ass. I've been playing for quite some time but now I've finally bought my first electric(which I've been playing on a friend's Fender) but I'm having some second thoughts about the amp I'm getting.

I've been quite convinced that the Roland Cube 30 was the best amp in the price range until I heard some samples from Tech 21's Trademark 30 combo. It sure sounds a lot more like an expensive stack compared to the Cube. Thing is I've never really played either of these amps and no guitar shops in my area carry them(one of them did have a MicroCube though).

So my question is: which of these 2 amps is better? The Tech 21 is around $50 more expensive but it seems worth it. Tech 21 isn't a well known brand but I saw someone saying something good about it in another thread about a Roland Cube(yes, I did search ).

The kind of music I'll be playing is mostly oldschool death/thrash(think Obituary, Sepultura) some old and new Morbid Angel-esque stuff, and I'd like to acheive a ballsy Vader/Decapitated-esque sound with my EMG-equipped guitar. Oddly enough, I'd also like to get a muddy muffled tone like the new Immolation stuff, but I don't mind too much for that.

But I also play a lot of 80's stuff like Maiden, Manowar, and Priest of course, and I'm a huge fan of Megadeth and Kreator, just thought I'd point out the tones I like. I also want some nice bright cleans to play in a friend's blues/rock band. I know active pickups aren't the best thing for that, but the EMG 60 on my guitar's neck cuts in nicely for some solos.

So as you can see, I want something that will sound good in every situation, but I don't want to have to buy a pedal or something in a few months when I no longer think that the distortion is br00tal enough. :P

One more question: which of these 2 amps is more customizable? I've read on some reviews that the depth of the effects on a Cube can't be changed too much, and I haven't been able to find any informative reviews for the Trademark 30 except for 1 at harmony central, but that was some techie guy so I had no idea what the hell he was talking about.

I'll really appreciate any help, thanks in advance.

wow...oh sorry cant help with the amps, but this is the most educated noob thread in a very long time. keep posting like that and youll get respected way quicker. played the cube and really enjoyed it. but from what i hear teck21 is the stuff.

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i'd prob have to say in this situation that the tech 21 wins
sounds a lot heavier than the cube 30
but thats just my opinion

i'm a tech 21 fan.. but for flexibility and built on fx that are usable... the cube aint to bad.

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For the sound you want, you dont need effects, no frills old school shit the tech21 can do better than the cube, drop the extra 50 bucks, thats about what a pedal costs and is more than worth it!!!

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I played the cube and I was also impressed. I havn't played the Tech 21 so I may not be much help. The cube had some little bad ass balls so if the these dudes feel the tech 21 is better I would go with the Tech 21.

Welcome to Metaltabs

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dont get that tech 21 if you play hard metal, they have a very good clean but lack heavily in the dirty channel. i was gonna get the tech 21 60 and im glad i didn't. everyone here says there good amps but have you tryied to play metal on those things? it's good for rock,blues,maybe some metallica but for heavey stuff lie i said, get another amp.

just because it's not full of sloppy buzzy gain doesnt mean it cant do high gain tones.

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I've heard some decent distorted metal tones from the 10w tech 21.

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Flexibility goes to Cube, tone goes to Tech 21. You gotta think about whats more important.

well, i think they're both pretty flexible... and don't get me wrong, the cube sounds great.

but something about tech 21 stuff really impresses me... true analog s.s. and no gimmicks.

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