Amp good for tight metal AND saturated hard rock

[mikah912]

Looking for a new head with a $1500 and below budget. Don't mind used at all.

I only need two types of tones: That liquid, tube-y Petrucci-esque lead sound AND a saturated hot-rod kind of rhythm sound that's almost George Lynch-esque. Any suggestions?

 

[CTID]

5150/6505

EDIT: I suppose that wouldn't be considered "liquid-y" though, more like a chainsaw.

 

[mikah912]

Yeah, I always thought a 5150 was too gainy for either. Is there a mod that gets it into that territory?

 

[mniel8195]

that would be an evh 5150 III

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

I thought 5150 right away. Created by godfather of hard rock, worshipped by metal players everywhere (the amp i mean)

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

Used 5150 with cash to spare would do metal for days, but for the liquid lead, JP sound, you won't get much closer than a used Mark IV or Mark V. The V will be harder to find in that price range, but the IV will do metal, sweet leads, rock and good cleans just as well as the V

 

[glpg80]

5150's can be a bit of a bitch to get lead tones out of if you do not have the space to crank them and let them breathe. Otherwise they have an apparent fizz character to everything you hear and is commonly complained about on the forums. You can back the gain way down and use an OD as a boost instead, but that still does not solve the problem completely.

I own a 5150 II and have owned a 5150 in the past. At first I would suggest a 5150 and simply use the crunch channel with a boost.

But actually I am going to go out on a limb here and recommend the Hughes and Kettner Triamp on the used market. A much better suited soloing amplifier that still has more of that mid growl character of a 5150 or 5150 II.

You could also jump for a 5150 III but you had better play one first. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but there is something in the voicing with them that I just do not like at all. Others have said the same on forums as well. Most people love them and have no problems. Just make sure it is what you are looking for before spending the coin.

 

[TRENCHLORD]

Mark V and an overdrive pedal.

 

[fps]

I just got an Orange Rocker 30 that has insane and varied hard rock tones with the gain anywhere between 9:00 and 4:00, ridiculously good. Use an OD of choice for lead and it's very smooth too up the neck, liquid for sure. Try one out if you can find it, ridiculously loud, hard rock heaven.

 

[ProphetOfHatred]

Mark V and an overdrive pedal.

Yup.

The smooth "liquidy" sound depends greatly on neck pickup choice, don't forget that. Petrucci has his own signature Dimarzio pickups, maybe try his neck pickup with a Super Distortion in the bridge.

 

[myampslouder]

Mesa mark Iv and od808

 

[CountFrisky]

What you are describing is the Mark IV EXACTLY!!!! Do yourself a favor and find one. Epic guitar tonal bliss awaits you my friend.

 

[vick1000]

Peavey JSX.

 

[Kwirk]

That liquid, tube-y Petrucci-esque lead sound AND a saturated hot-rod kind of rhythm sound that's almost George Lynch-esque. Any suggestions?

Mark V
Mark V
Mark V
Mark V
Mark V

Or Mark IV if V is out of the budget.

 

[Dawn of the Shred]

Randall T2, 5150/6505, Soldano Avenger,

 

[mikah912]

Thanks, all. You think a 6534+ would take out some of the 5150 fizz? I just have a hard time imagining some of these amps (aside from the Mesa Marks maybe) getting a saturated, near 80s, Lynch-esque rhythm sound.

Would a 5150 on the rhythm channel do that?

 

[Hollowway]

Yeah, in case you didn't hear, a Mark is your best bet.
The Lynch sounds are EL34 technically, but I think the Mark IV sound (or Mark V) can be dialed right into that. I don't own one, but I think Mark IV/Vs are the best amps out there in bridging the sounds you're looking for.

 

[Pav]

Mark IV or V will nail the sound you want, though they may be hard to find at that price.

And I seem to be alone in this, but I'd go for a used Recto over a 5150/6505.

 

[mike0]

like everyone else has said, mark v or iv. but i would also suggest a vht/fryette ul or sig:x. they might be a bit hard to come by, especially in that price range, but they do come about every now and then. their lead channels can get really nice and fluidy tones when dialed in right, and the rhythm channels can get a nice really ballsy tone. i know that dry comes to mind when thinking of vht, the opposite of saturated, but if you're not going to be cranking the gain it won't be as apparent as people make it out to be, especially for something like hard rock, you may find what you're looking for.

 

[karjim]

Carvin V3 or Legacy used....agressive and liquid