Stratovarius Community

Hello. It's been awhile since i posted here, I have a new question i was hoping i could get some help with. Currently I am playing out of a very used Crate GFX 1200H with a crate something or other celestion 4X12 cab. I'm planning on keeping the cab for awhile, but the distortion I'm getting from the head is beginning to bug me, its all buzz and crackle, and if i turn up the "shape" to give it some body, it makes the cab rattle like crazy, there is no mid control and once you turn it up past 4 it all seems to go to hell. Recently I played out of a JCM2000 with a Mesa cab in the studio and it was amazing. My question is, can anyone recomend any affordable amp heads that are better than the Crate? Say something like a solidstate Peavey, Laney or a Line 6 head of some kind? my price range is around 700ish. Thanks for taking the time friends!

Go for good used heads, much cheaper than new ones and better than cheap new ones.

Almost anything is better than Crate. They're overpriced, and basically shit.

I'd look at Line 6, because they're versatile. Also, have the cab looked at, it shouldn't rattle like that.

Yes i agree on the cheap used heads idea . Hahaha, I also agree on the Crate comment, I actually acquired it for free by trading a smaller 2X12 Combo i had for it so bassically i got a half stack for about 345$ hehe. I do like the Line 6 Flextone series stuff, I think the Vettas are out of my price range and they look pretty complex. I was also going to check out a Peavey XXL head, I'm skeptic though, the last peavey I owned was a combo and it was pretty awful, I traded it for the Crate 2X12 within a week.

Get a Metaltronix M-1000 (Lee Jackson Amp). I got one off ebay for 650 plus shipping. It is basically a modded marshall. This amp has killer tone and is completely affordable if you can find one. I also have a Mesa Dual Rec. The amp distortion on the Metaltronix is WAY better.

I dont think Line6 would be that great if you want to keep the cabinet, because the modelled sounds mainly need neutral sounding speaker, like, well, in line6 cabinets, i wouldnt be too sure if it sounds good.. never tried it though.

I would look for a used tube amp i think...

I stand by the Metaltronix. Check it out.

I recommend finding that JCM 2000 used and retubing it, both preamp and power amp. Marshall amps really start living after the original crappy chinese Marshall-labeled preamp tubes get some quality replacements. It will be better than new, I can assure that.

The JCM 2000 is alright. The distortion isn't really tight on that amp. If you would get that amp, I would recommend JJ EL34s for tubes.

For the distortion is exactly why I suggested new preamp tubes. I found a perfect setup using JJ ECC83 tubes for the first 2 stages and EH 12AX7 for last ones. JJ's add lots of gain and tighter bottom end and EH tubes make the reverb sound better and drive the power amp phases more balanced.

i dont necessarily want to open a new topic for this:

Has anyone tried the (almost) new Vox AD50? i just need it at home, so i´m kinda interested.

Go for Line6...as simple as that

My friend actually picked up a small (30 w) Line 6 Spider II combo for some in-room practising... actually sounds really damn good. The Flextone series I imagine would sound better, but I was impressed by the little Spider.