Guitarbilly wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 6:57 pm
I'm surprised you couldn't get enough headroom out of the 50w 5153. I've never had that issue and while I don't play metal, I play pretty loud.
I don't know if I'd get the Iconic. I don't have anything against hybrid amps but for the price you could do better IMHO. Used 6505, XXX etc
Yeah I think there were a lot of factors involved. We were in a very large unfinished basement with just myself and a drummer. It definitely got where I needed it to go but there was not much more room at all, it would just barely got there.
But I am on my way to buy the 3120 with the cabinet and I talked to guy down $100 so I figured for 700 bucks I can't beat it.
Re: Budget amp suggestions
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 8:28 pm
by Maddnotez
It's just a placeholder until I can afford to get another Bogner or something better
Re: Budget amp suggestions
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 8:31 pm
by Maddnotez
All I have is you tube to could go off of so I hope I made the right decision. That el34 50w with the 2x12 for $300 more at $1,000 is very tempting but 300 is $300
Re: Budget amp suggestions
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 8:33 pm
by JSutter
Maddnotez wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 3:40 pm
I'll add a bit more info RaceU may have seen this on Rig Talk. I have used the 5153 50w quite a bit. In fact that's probably a top 5 amp for me and I definitely loved it. My worry is lack of headroom. When I did use the amp it was just myself and a drummer. The amp got there but barely. My situation now is a full band with 2 guitars in a much smaller room so I may not need all that headroom?
I can't afford the 100w version so I figured the Iconic was a sweet middle ground at 80w.
With that said I've been looking locally and here are the top 3 deals I have found.
5153 el34 50w + matching 2x12 for $1k. That is with a 2.5 hour drive each way.
Maddnotez wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 3:40 pm
I'll add a bit more info RaceU may have seen this on Rig Talk. I have used the 5153 50w quite a bit. In fact that's probably a top 5 amp for me and I definitely loved it. My worry is lack of headroom. When I did use the amp it was just myself and a drummer. The amp got there but barely. My situation now is a full band with 2 guitars in a much smaller room so I may not need all that headroom?
I can't afford the 100w version so I figured the Iconic was a sweet middle ground at 80w.
With that said I've been looking locally and here are the top 3 deals I have found.
5153 el34 50w + matching 2x12 for $1k. That is with a 2.5 hour drive each way.
3120 and Peaverty cab for $800 very close by
Ultra plus 120 and Peaverty cab for $600 close by
What cabs come with those Peaveys?
The ultra that was listed for $600 came with an MS 412 which I actually like quite a bit by the way. I might have been able to talk to Guy into $500 but I have owned the ultra and while it is good for what it is it's just kind of like man whatever I'd rather try something different.
The 3120 that I just got came with a 5150 cab. I plugged it in just to make sure all the channels and knobs work and honestly right away it sounded good. I'm on my way home with it right now to spend some time with it and really dial it in and see what I can come up with
just kidding. It rips and it's exactly what I needed, right up my alley. Glad I got this one tbh. The 5153 is great and damn that would have been nice but for $300 more and 5 hours of driving meh. The idea here was something acceptable on the super budget to get me by and this just works.
Of course it doesn't come close to the Uber Ultra. Comparing a $700 half stack to a $3,250 half stack is like the Panda of heroin or something. You know how it goes ......
It isn't the best amp ever but it very well may be the best budget amp ever?
I play a lot of death metal and it is perfect for that. It is very straightforward and to the point. Sounds mean and great for what I do. It doesn't need a boost either at all but I may get one anyway. Not for gain or saturation but for a little flavor.
Re: Budget amp suggestions
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 10:24 pm
by Guitarbilly
Oh yeah man a 3120 with a 4x12 for $700 is a hell of a deal. I think you made the right decision. Congrats on your NAD!!!!
just kidding. It rips and it's exactly what I needed, right up my alley. Glad I got this one tbh. The 5153 is great and damn that would have been nice but for $300 more and 5 hours of driving meh. The idea here was something acceptable on the super budget to get me by and this just works.