I keep hearing that a lot of popular high gain amps don't have a lot of useable distortion. I assume this means that cranking the gain knob too much will give you a pile of mushy grind but no tone, that's my take on it. I've heard about this when someone mentions the 5150, or a Mesa Rectifier, or even a Blue Voodoo.

So what would be some good examples of a high gain amp that has lots of tight, useable distortion? I've been considering an Engl E530 preamp for some time but I still keep the Crate Blue Voodoo in mind.

I definately have a lot of trying out to do, but I want to know what tone features I should keep an eye out for. I don't like mushy distortion, I like the kind that "breaks up", think of the tone on Suffo's last record or Despise the Sun but that can still get sparkling lead tones. I'm looking for something with lotsa useable gain but can still be very versatile and have character, not just a br00t3l 5150.

What amps come to mind of the experienced forumers here?

__________________

Can't you try ANY of those amps at a store near you? I'm not an expert in Death Metal, but I think solid-state amps can handle that kind of tone also. Just try a 5150 if you can, I think you'll be very happy with it's type of tone.

I just haven't gone to any yet, been pretty busy. I just want to know what to keep an eye out for.

I definately want to try the 5150, but I like what I've seen of the JSX too so I'm also looking into that. I might not end up grabbing an ENGL as it's not something I can try out, so unfortunately I'll be limited to whatever I'm able to find and test. You know, don't want to shell out cash without knowing what it REALLY sounds like in person. I just wanted some ideas of what amps to look out for and try, that have this "useable gain" that everyone talks about. JCM900, JCM2000, 5150, BV, JSX are some on my list.

__________________

ENGL

__________________

When people say useable gain,it just means it has more than enough gain to a stage where it gets noisy.It isnt necesarily a bad thing,but some amps sound like shit regardless.When it is said a 5150 has some unusable gain,it just means theres more than enough.If that makes sense.

ENGL powerball and framus cobra. Right now I have a ENGL savage se. It's the best amp I ever owned

__________________

the gain on the framus isnt the most usable, my powerball i can dime the gain and i have no mud. with my cobra, the gain past like 6-7 turns to junk(and it has considerably less gain than the powerball), and you have to watch your lows.

__________________

Damn biattchhh, I've got GAS for Powerballz. Do the old ones still go for like $1800?

i don't know if you can find a new v1 powerball anymore. but when i bought mine derek said he was trying to sell them off for cheap cheap. you might ask him if he's got anymore.

otherwise hit up ebay and harmony central classifieds. they seem to be going for about $$1,400-$1,500 there.

__________________