Real quick, let you know what I play. Ibanez rg1570 Prestige-bolt on neck- rosewood fingerboard with basswood body and X2n in the Bridge. Stock V7 and S1. In the way of equipment, I have an old Crate gx212 from a year ago that I first started playing electric guitar on.

In the way of tone, I dont want to replicate any tone necessarily. But I am looking for an Extremely versatile Head Unit for playing Prog/Metal i.e. Yes, Cynic, Gordian Knot-styled riffing, Porcupine Tree, and Ayreon. Big fan of Death, and Morbid Angel as well. My guitar, when in a clean channel, has a great sound. And a lightly distorted X2n sounds great, even better with effects.

So in the way of amps, here is what I have come across. Keep in mind the Versatile sound I want.

Crate BV-120 Head (I've heard that this is basically a Flexwave 5 SS with a few tubes...)

B-52 ST-100A Seems awesome for the price, people say it has a tight, fender sound... The tubes inside it match some Fender '65 Reissue amp or something EXACTLY

Ashdown Head Made for Metal, I assume, But what about the clean channel and versatility.

Those are what i've narrowed my choices down to, and I'm wondering if anyone, with experience in these amps, can help me find a great, beginners, tube head.

If anyone has any suggestions in other amps, please let me know. I am willing to spend up to 800$ for a head.

Crate BV.

And its more than just a Flexwave with tubes, its its own animal completely.

I've had a chance to play the 120 and the 300 both. They play cool, but then again, every amp I play is cool. Because I dont want to hurt the amps feelings.

definitely the BV, and no, its not a flexwave. Try to find an older one, with blue tolex. the wiring is different, and although the sound is quite similar, i like the older one better.

i say check the bv out.

the ashdown fallen angels are pretty neat heads, if you can find em. pretty much a scoopier recto sound on the lead channel. and cleans, well, nothing to brag about at all.

that b52 just sucks all around imo... this one is much better. i still don't dig it to much. but the at100 imho is like 10 times better all around than the st100.

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thanks for your guys input but i just found an ENGL store in the US

im gettin the fireball 60w head and 2x12 /w celestion v30's in it for about 1400$

fuck money, its made to be spent lol