I posted this in the guitar geek site, but i wasent getting enough responses/my browser was messing up on their site.
I've lately been unhappy with my crappy line 6 SS, and the fact that the only tones i can get out of it sound like s**t, so i have to rely on my GNX4 to make my amp sound decent. I play mostly metal (Pantera, Slayer, Vader, Metallica, Cannibal Corpse, Damageplan, Black Label Society, In Flames, Megadeth, Children Of Bodom, Lamb Of God, Hatebreed, Opeth, and alot moe) along with some blues and everything in-between, and i need an amp that can do all those things and do them WELL.
My budget it around 1500-2300 or so, maybe a bit more, and these are the amps i've lately been checking out:

Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier

ENGL Savage

ENGL Powerball

The only amp i've tried was the Dual Recto, the distortion was brutal, but it diden't seem very versatile. I've heard the soundclips for both the ENGL's and they sounded killer aswell, and both of them sounded like they are pretty versatile, but can you guys help me decide and tell me which one do you think is best, which one has the most brutal distortion, and which one is the most versatile? Other amp suggestions are also welcome.

Thanks.

Lots of guys on here love the Powerball, I know I'm getting one, they are sweeeeeet!

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With that kinda $ do check out VHT amps. I played a used one ( "Pitbull" I think ) and about shit myself

It was all tube but had hi-tech S.S. like options for switching, tone ( no sag ), and FX loop placement. If I had a few grand to buy an amp VHT might be it for me.

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I've heard good things about them too, but the thing is, where would i be able to try it??? Do they supply them at guitar center or samash or something? I really want a high-quality amp that can do everything, but i dont know anywhere that i can try amps like framus, VHT, or ENGL.

Stores like Guitar Center ain't gonna carry those sweet amps. There are at least 3 huge Guitar Centers around or in my area and I've never even seen them carry a Peavey 5150.
You're just gonna have to get a phone book and hit up all the local music stores. Some local music stores here in L.A. are even more famous than Guitar Center, i.e. Norman's Rare Guitars or West L.A. Music, and these are the dudes that carry VHT's, ENGL's and have them on the floor ready to test out. This is smart because it makes the guitars they sell sound better when you try them out and leaves a better impression.

Call each one and ask them if they have one of the amps you want to try out on the floor. When you get to the store, make sure they know you just wanna compare amps, and not buy one on the spot. They might want your name and number or whatever, give it to them so that if they give you a price and you start bargaining with them, if they come up with an offer they think you'll not refuse, and you like it, you'll be the winner in the end. Especially if you leave the store not buying it and they think you were going to. They're local stores, so they're more flexible, but they still want to make a sale, especially if the amp's been sitting there a long time.

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guitar center can order VHT's, Framus, and Hugh's and Kettner's I belive. I do work there afterall. I think they can get Engl's too, or at least thats what my manager said.

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The big ass guitar shop in the city I now live in carries them all three.. they even have Diezels.

But, tone wise I like both the Dual Rectifier and the Powerball, but considering Mesa overprices their stuff so much...

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bogner ecstacy or ubershall

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Well there is a guitar center, and also 2 privately owned guitar shops in my area, but the only amp i've seen in those 3 places (and i liked) was the mesa boogie, they also had a krank, but it sucked a$$.



Well at my guitar center they only sell a bunch of marshall JCM's and line 6 spiders, but im not really into either of those. How would i go about asking them if they carry VHT, Framus, or ENGL's or could order me one? Would i say i am very interested in one of those and if they carry it or will be getting some soon, or would i ask something like: I am very interested in one of these amps, would you guys be able to order some in the near future? there is a sure chance i will buy one, and if i dont there is a 100% chance that somebody else will?

[QUOTE=XIXIX] they also had a krank, but it sucked a$$.


everybody disses the krank i love mine

Call them. You may have to special order it.

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If i do that i would have to buy it right? I can't special order one just to try one out? (I want to buy one, but i dont want to buy one without trying one first)

5150s aren't made any more dude...the only chance is used and most people sell on ebay/craig's list...if it was sold in a guitar center i'm sure it was snagged in an instant.

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Any more amp suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

i've had a dual recto and i currently have a powerball. the powerball's cleans are better overall, and the distortion on the powerball is alot tighter and usable. where as the rectos arent very tight and can muddy up really fast. however, i'd give the recto credit in the medium gain realm since the powerball is sorta lacking there.

the savage is a bit more versatile than the powerball though.

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sadly that is true. If you special order it, there are no returns on it....

sad I know.

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Thats why I hate GC The management are just money loving bastards but I give you props for doing something you love. I would love to have a job helping people find the perfect guitar for them, but I guess that is why I'm still at Metaltabs. I help people.

Some of those punks at fucking GC have really tired to rip my ass off before and those same punks realized they just lost my sales to them in the same cocky moment. I'll deal with someone else better there or I'll leave.

Treat people good on your way up in life, because you will see those same people on your way down later. Success is an up and down event that last a life time. Treat, give your attention, and respect everyone like they are the next big hit and you will go far in life.

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you have to consider from the business point of view. it's kind of a pain in their ass for them to order some "non-mainstream" amp in for you just so you can test it out. and nobody needs a pain in the ass.



i'm guessing you've never worked a comission based job with a minimum base wage before?

i might be picking up a second part time job at the musiciansfriend call center just in time fore christmas here. and oh man will i rip noobs off. just kidding, no but seriously though.

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do you think they will do it? or be a$$holes and be like no f**k you noob!

please please just say asshole and fuck. your not going to be spanked

asshole fuck

much better thank you

Lol, you guys are funny

Anyway, I realize how sales work, but some of the dudes that work at GC, at least the one here, are in fact smug rude greedy punks that that give their friend deals but will do everything they can to rip everyone else off when dealing with used gear. I just expect fair prices is all.

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yeah, thats the game, why be fair when it affects your wallet? thats the attitude. and it's easy to get away with. just let them know you know what you want.

i hardly ever buy shit at guitarcenter other than strings and picks... and my drumset(but thats something i felt i had to buy new)... even though im bros with everyone there and could get major deals, theres nothing there that im into that i couldnt get a better deal on somewhere else.

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well, they'd be down for the order probably, but they arent going to go through the trouble unless you put money down.

you'd be better off buying one off ebay or something for a decent price and then selling it for about the same price if you don't like it. thats the beauty of the used market.

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I've got a savage special edition on the way (time is going quite slowly at the moment ) anybody here ever tried one? I played a savage and figured its pretty much the same amp.

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sixfeetunder owns a savage se if im right.

also, i think the savage se will be a ''tuned up'' savage 120.

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Cool I love the savage anyways. Playing the waiting game really does suck though, damn bank wire

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