Posted: 3/5/2008 4:53:11 PM EDT
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Understand that I'm a total guitar noob, but I haven't played through any solid state amps that really inspired me. The built in effects a lot of them have are nice, and you can get some pretty gnarly sounds out of them with add on effects pedals and processors, but in my limited experience thus far I'm a tube amp guy, no questions about it. Recommending an amp would probably be a little easier knowing what kinda music you are wanting to play and what kind of budget you're working with. |
| For the type of stuff you list, tubes are the only way you will recreate something close to the original tone. If you are playing in your house or with a couple friends in a small room, 5 watts will be more than enough. The Valve Junior is rather popular due to it's easy to mod nature and very low price tag with good value components. Another one that is catching the eye of the modifiers due to low cost with high value are the Blackheart Amps. |
What kind of guitar sound do you want? Rammstein and Pink Floyd have very very different sounds.... They are also using very expensive tube amps. 
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Or if 5w will get you by and you want to get serious for $300. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=148&t=679331 ETA OOOPS! Theyre sold out!. |
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Personally, I don't like solid state amps although they work great for some people, I just completely can't stand the digitized over processed sound that comes from them. I played a Rocktron Prophecy preamp a few months ago when I was interested in buying one because of all the "You can emulate tube sound so well with it," comments. I've tried it, and it does sound great but it doesn't compare to the warmth of a tube amp. If you have a cabinet, I would look for a used 5150 head. |
As far as Rammstein go, they have used solid state amps on more than one occasion especially on the first few albums when the guitar playing sounds like a keytar although they have used Mesa amps after their first two albums (I think). Personally if I were you, I would go for more of a Pink Floyd tone. Rammstein really loves scooping their mids. If I recall lately, Rammstein has been using Engl Powerball tube heads but that would be way out of your price range. I think they run for about 2k on average. Like I said, I think your best bet would be a nice Marshall JCM800 or a Peavey 5150. |
Put me down for one of each when you find them in this price range. 
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I saw a Kerry King JCM800 head used for sale for 400$ on HC the other day. 5150s are going for about 500$ shipped on ebay in brand new condition* all the time. cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-EVH-5150-All-Tube-Guitar-Amplifier-Amp-Head-NR_W0QQitemZ170198276598QQihZ007QQcategoryZ38076QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem  Just a little hunting and you should be able to find one used no problem. |
Well I figured he may have had a cab.  That amp is going to go for 500 tops with the shipping, although this thread has sparked an idea for me. |
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When I first posted it, I thought it had 22 hours left. Then you told me 2 days, so from what I've seen 5150s sell for the bids won't break 500. Although obviously it can. Plus you never know how this e-bay shit will work out. It's possible it will sell for 500$ shipped. A 2150 that goes for 1,400-1,500 on ebay got won out on a 1st 1,000$ bid recently. But in general if you really do want a used 5150 or JCM800 for around that price, I can help you find one, no problems. A buddy I used to jam with had a JCM800 from the 80's he got for 200$ in great condition. |
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If you can swing a little more money... www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-ValveKing-112-Combo-Amp?sku=481442 $400 with free shipping. This is an excellent little amplifier and if you find that you need more volume later on, all you need to do is buy more speakers. You could run a full stack with it playing a huge metal show or just pick it up and carry it over to a friend's house to jam. I didn't think I was going to be impressed with it, but I really like it and will probably buy the head and a Mesa cab soon. It's a Peavey so it's bulletproof to the point of putting a bullet through it and sounds good enough to not make your wallet cry every night. 2 channels, does a good bluesy clean or crunch, and does a great metal distortion. Go to a guitar center I'm sure they will have one there. |
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Well... Since we are spending more money than the OP said he had to spend how about a Carvin for $420 delivered? At least Daytona's sugestion is in the realm of possibility for a max $350 budget. I think OP might be pushing $1000 by the time a 5150 head and cab are sitting in his house. JCM800 heads alone are in the $1000 area last time I checked. |
Nonsense! Didnt you see the above posts? ONE sold ONE TIME for a ridiculously low price! That sets the price for every other one in the world! |
 Sand in vagina? |
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What ever could that be?
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Okay, I'm gonna say my line. Go try out a Marshall MG series amp. They're solid state, but they sound pretty good for a solid state amp. I have one & I like it. It doesn't have that extra "personality" that tube amps have, but I like to mess around with it from time to time. Heck, they sound good enough for Zakk Wylde to rave about them, you can find all the tones you're lookin' for & the smaller combos are in your range. I just peeked on Ebay & they're goin' cheap.
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I'd try one out first. The fact that is doesn't have a midrange tone controll would annoy me. Then again it might sound great, you'll never know untill you try one out. |
Oh man, that'd drive me nuts!
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I dont need a bunch of knobs. I have a guy 50' away in a little tower who has more knobs and blinking LEDs than you could ever want! We have a deal, I concentrate on the performance and he takes care of the midrange tone. (and all the rest! I even get a pic out of him now and then!) 
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Been playin' guitar for about 11 years and have owned and played through both tube and solid state amps. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The best thing thing you can do is play through as many different amps in your price range you can and get what sounds the best to you. Currently I'm playing through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and a Fender Blues Jr. I really like my Hot Rod Deluxe. 40 watts and you barely need to go through the P.A. in meduim sized club. I really like the clean channel (good tone with lots of *POP*) and the distortion on it isn't to shabby either. The reverb can be a little over bearing if you crank it , but it works well with amp. Mabye with some wheelin' and dealin' along with a trade you might get down to your 300$ limit. As for the Blues Jr., I really like the amp, but the reverb isn't quite as rich as other amps (with it cranked it's sounds really good but then that's it) and the amp doesn't have the *POP* that other tube amps have. Not tryin' to bash on the Jr., these are the only negatives i have on the amp. The Jr. is a great grab and go amp for jam sessions. Hell, it'd even work shows if you're goin' through the P.A. Hope this helps. |