@@toemasmeems I sold it not so long ago, but that’s just because I moved over to a digital rig. It’s great for a home studio and does high gain really well with some EQ to remove the fuzzy quality from the gain. Overall really versatile
I really appreciate how humble and nice this dude is. Went through some tough stuff and now is just killin it and making me feel bad about my rhythm playing lol
I started with a fender mustang 2, then I bought a peavey 6505+ 112 combo which sounded like shit through the sheffield speaker. Then I bought a bugera 1990 which is a jcm900 dual reverb clone paired with a harley benton 212 with v30s and I think it sounds monstrous with lower tunings, as well as on lead stuff. Now I have a peavey 6505+ head with a marshall 4x12 1960a cab with g12t75s in it. This rig sounds just huge. I can't wait to pair the peavey with a mesa oversized cab. I heard they sound even better.
Started with the trash Peavey Rage 108 and moved up to a Marshall 8080 a few years later. When I started gigging regularly, I opted for a Marshall 8100 with a pair of 4x12s and a Marshall Shredmaster pedal in front. That was my sound for years until I fell on hard times and had to sell most of my gear. Got my first 7 string several years ago and a Marshall Code 50 as a practice amp. Finally started playing "pro" again in 2019 and got myself a Peavey 6505+ with a Laney Ironheart cab and later, a Marshall 1960A I got for $100 when the band's practice space closed down. Recently acquired an Engl Savage 120 Mark II and a Mesa standard Recto cab and that combined with an Apex Preamp used as an OD and gate is now my main recording sound. Love your demos, man.
"i bought the ENGL because I thought it looks cool" thanks for making me feel better about my financial decisions. Looking to get an ENGL Ritchie Blackmore soon, or a Fireball 60, didn't decide yet.
My first amp was a Cox 10W combo. Then I got a Laney PL100 Bass which I still own. Then I bought a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout 112 which I regret selling. Now I own a Mesa Boogie M9 Carbine with a Darkglass 2x10 cab.
My very first amp was a tiny Marshall 1 watt that i got with my first guitar from Argos haha. I then had a 15 watt Fender practice amp, line 6 Spider 2, Vox 5 watt modeller practice amp, Peavey Envoy 110, Blackstar HT 5 Metal combo. My current set up is a Laney Ironheart Irt Studio 15H (Previously Owned by Yourself) Zilla Fatboy 212 and a Line 6 Pod HD500X
I had a Mesa Rec Preamp with a Mesa 2:100, into a road king 4x12. I wasn't blown away. I now have a TC 50 and the road King 4x12. The mesa 2:100 was the loudest damn amp I've ever stood in front of. I never used it up beyond 1/4 volume.
My first good amp was a Line 6 Spider Valve HD 100 with the FBV pedalboard I still have it and it’s an awesome amp but I recently upgraded to an EVH 5150 50 watt. As far as cabinets go I’m using a Mesa 2x12 with V30s.
I had the original headphone vox amp that only worked when you taped the power button down, from that I got a fender mustang 25 when I was 14 and still had no clue how to dial it in from there I got the boss katana along with my first "real" guitar and it changed my entire life.
My first ever amp was a Crate GX65. I loved it at the time, but looking back it was awful lol. I then graduated to a Peavey 6505 with a Peavey Triple XXX 4x12. I used it with a boss GE7 and an Ibanez TS9. It was massive sounding and still one of the best tones I've ever had. Wish I had stuck with it. Sold that and got a Randall RM20. It was a 20watt head from their modular series. I used the 1086 module(the Dan Donegan signature). The RM20 differed from the others because it only had a single module, but it had a built in gain/boost circuit. I loved it, but it was a one trick pony and I was just discovering my love for clean tones. I then bought a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. I used this amp for years with my Mesa rectifier 2x12(which I still have). I sold that amp and went through a slew of odd ball amps like a Jet City JCA100, a Jet City JCA100HDM, and a couple Fender Prosonics(a head and a 2x10 combo). Sold all of them lol. After all these I stumbled across my holy grail amp. A Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo. I plugged it into my 2x12 and boosted it with an MXR Zakk Wylde overdrive. It was in between Lamb of God and Between The Buried And Me as far as tone! It is damn near a perfect sound! I still have it, but I've been trying to sell it. Debating whether I should or not. Somewhere along the line I felt the need to have a Peavey 6505+ and another Mesa Dual Rectifier. I have since sold both of those lol. I have a love hate relationship with those amps. Then out of nowhere I got a Badcat Cougar 50. It was there attempt at a Chinese made amp. It was great just not for me. As a birthday present a few years later, my father got me a Paul Reed Smith Archon. I still have it and I'm keeping It lol! It is so perfect in so many ways. I just gel with this amp so well. But, it's one glaring flaw is that damn effects loop being noisey and dropping my volume. My most recent acquisition was another Peavey 6505+. I got it second hand for really cheap. This particular one sounds like it already has an overdrive in front of it. It almost sounds like an EVH 5150iii stealth. It has to have been modded, but it's original owner swears it isn't. So past amps: Crate GX65 Peavey 6505 & the + Randall RM20 Mesa Dual Rec. X2(I really want to like these amps, but we just don't gel) Jet City JCA100 & HDM Fender Prosonic(head and combo) Badcat Cougar 50 Current amps: Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo Peavey 6505+ PRS Archon
Squier 15 watt amp, Fender Frontman 15, Line 6 Spider 212, Fender DeVille 410, Line 6 POD X3, EVH 5150 III, Peavey 6505+, Fender Frontman 25R, Line 6 HX Stomp, Orange PPC 412-C cab, and Orange PPC 112... Been a journey, but I LOVE my gear now.
Ive owned multiple Marshall, line 6, and a few other brands here and there in the past. Current collection is the 5150iii stealth, 5150 script, and mesa dual rec rev G. The Mesa is hands down my favorite out of everything I've owned. Something about the feel that I love. Wish I started with a dual-rec from the get-go!!!
I had a VH100R until recently. It ended up living at a friends house so I never used it, and I traded it for a synth. But man, it's such a monster of an amp. I'd love to own one again one day.
I remember when you guys came to Oakland in 2013 supporting Scale the Summit, you guys kicked ass and you and Ollie were running the Laney Ironheart heads through a full Mesa Boogie 4x12 backline. It was thunderous
Here's my little list! 1. Fender Mustang I v2 (2013-present): My first ever amp! Had all the effects I needed at the time. Really loved using it, even though I haven't really used it to it's full potential with the Fuse software. Still love it for cleaner and slightly crunchy tones, but not for high gain. 2. Zoom G1Xn (2014-present): I once used my teacher's effects unit (Zoom 505II), and found it so much easier to use, that I had to get a multi-effects unit! I picked this one up used, and have used it exclusively, be it for small shows or for practice via headphones, until very recently. 3. Palco (cheap local Indian brand) amplifier (2017-present): I got this used last year when I found out that the Mustang isn't really good to put an effects unit in front. Find it really useful for practice and jamming without drums. 4. Line 6 POD X3 Live (2017-present): I got this used just two months ago, and really love it! It has everything I need now, and also acts as my interface for recording. So far, I've been able to get somewhat close to Monuments rhythm and clean tones! ;-)
Past Amps: First one was a Randall RX20 (I think) combo. Decent clean, but the muddiest gain channel ever. Second was my brother's Line 6 Spider 2, 75 watt. Great amp with a lot of different channels and effects and you could save your all your presets. Current Amp: Mesa Boogie Mark V 5:35 combo. My dream amp and after years of saving, I got it. Endless possibilities as far as tone goes and the EQ is icing on the cake. Just incredible. Got a couple of effects pedals as well: Dunlop Crybaby Classic, TC Electronics Hall of Fame 2, and the Keeley DynoMyRoto
I gravitated toward Mesa and Diezel type amp tones as my favorite for modern metal sound in my playing. Hot rodded Marshall and Soldano is great for classic rock and classic metal however. So a combo of these amp types works for me in finding my sweet spot of tone nirvana. I don't need crystal clear cleans most of the time and a Roland Jazz Chorus amp fits my clean needs if I have to use it.
My first amp was the Fender Mustang 3, then a Fender Champ X2, then a Blackheart Hot Head, then a Mesa Boogie Mark V, then a Kemper, then a Blackstar HT5, then a Suhr PT100, then a Mesa Boogie Roadster, then a Jackson Ampworks Fullerton, then a Mesa Boogie Mark IV, then a Jackson Ampworks Britain 30, then a Suhr SL68, and most recently a Peavey Invective.
My first amp was a 15w Johnson combo.Super cheap but it did the job. Next up I've got a Hiwatt 50watt combo which I used for a long long time. After I sold it off I decided to go full software ampsim. Bought BIAS AMP and FX, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and some decent KRK Rokit monitors. Perfectly satisfied with the tones, more than enough for a bedrrom guitar player.
Awesome video. My first amp was 15 watt Fender Frontman back in 2003. Pretty soon I wanted better higain amplifier to match my heavier taste and acquired good old Marshall 8080 which I ended up using for almost three years with our garage level thrash metal band, before I bought my first modeler, Line 6 XT Live. At the same time I also bought my first seven string, Ibanez RG1527. I used Line6 for a while, but after couple of years and bands later I decided to go full on and bought H&K TriAmp MKII. That damn thing cost some serious money even as a second hand. Well, band at the time didn't last that long and ended trading TriAmp for Mesa Boogie F30. Eventually did some more downgrading and bought used X3 Live. Since then I've been mostly using modelers like Eleven Rack, Pod HD etc. Nowadays using Atomic Amplifire, which is kinda okay, but still having serious G.A.S. over Line6 Helix.
Got my first modeller the other day to experiment with, it's a pod x3 bean. I know there is a steep learning curve to get good sounds out of it but looking forward to the challenge.
Started with a Fender G-DEC (1st gen). It was a great bedroom amp to start playing, but I couldn't meet my demands after a few months. That's the only amp I've ever had. I then got a GT-10 in 2009, started playing with VSTs in 2014 and then got a Helix a year ago. I love the Helix, I don't see myself switching to something else anytime soon.
My first amp is Ibanez 10G combo. I still have it. Then, I went modeling path and bought cheap Digitech RP55 which i sold after two years and bought Zoom G5, which I currently use for playing live. For home practice, I use LePou plugins (my favourite is Le456).
My first ever amp was the peavey envoy 110 as well and now I currently rock a Mesa Boogie TC-50 with 6L6 tubes into a Mesa 2x12 vertical cab. I also have a Marshall JCM 900 SL-X which is a monster sounding amp but only a single channel not very versatile. The only amp I miss that I got rid of is my Mesa Single Recto 50 watt, it had a tighter sound than the duals and triples but still crazy thick and warm.
Hahaha, I had a similar conversation: „Mom, if you just let me buy this piece of gear (Zoom G2.1u) I won‘t need any more gear in the future because it can do literally everything I would ever need. Please.“ I got it in the end, but how wrong I was :D My Amp list is pretty short. Started with a 15W Tenson Amp, horrible thing. My second one was a Crate 120W Transistor Amp Head and a Harley Benton 4x12 cab. Speaking of the Crate, I think it is somewhere in the basement. Then I bought a 6505+. For me the best Distortion Sound ever especially through a Mesa Cab. I had a 2x12H Rectifier. But I ended up selling everything (except of the Crate Head that nobody wanted) and got myself an Axe-Fx II a few years ago. So, no „real“ Amp in my house at the moment.
I had a little 10w marshall combo with a digitech rp20 running into it. Thought it was great. Then I picked up the 6505 mini head and wow is that thing a monster. gave the marshall to a friend and havent regretted it at all. Dead horse OD into the ffront of that 6505MH and itll do whatever you want it to.
My first amp was a cheap little peavy amp, then I switched to a Vox Valvetronix 30W Combo, which I still own and use to play at home. I really enjoyed the 30W Vox, so I bought a used 100W head version of it, which I also stil own. Last year I finally got enough money to make a dream come true, I bought a Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier. Hands down, Mesa Amps are just the best sounding amps you ca get.
1. Cruiser 15w practice amp. (Currently being used as a door stop by my dad) 2. Roland cube 15. 3. Peavey Studio Pro 112 transtube series. (Can get quite a cool metal rhythm sound out of it). 4. (Current) Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 60 w/ 1936 lead 2x12. I'm in love with it, sound awesome! Next amp purchase will most likely be kemper when the time comes, but not right now.
I’m glad you said that about the 6505, I’m quite attached to my 5150 but always thought it felt odd to play though although I love the tone when bands use it
I used to have a 5150, but just like you Limp Bizkit's ~2000 tone has always been THE tone for me, so I sold it and got a 2 channel rev. G, couldn't be happier :)
Awesome video! I love seeing the journey people go through with their tone. My history isn't quite as big impressive, but I'm happy nonetheless. I started with the 30 Watt Line 6 Spider IV. After saving up a bit and asking my parents I had the chance to buy the Laney IRT 15 Head with Laney's 1x12 cab around my birthday. Later on i got myself a Boss GT-100 for effects and have been using it in conjunction with the ironheart for about 2 years and I absolutely love certain tones I can achieve with it. Especially the cab sounds very aggressive and responsive compared to other 1x12 cabs I've tried. My next plan is to get the AX 8 by Fractal and sell the GT-100 to hopefully get a bit more options when it comes to amp sounds since I like to go all over the place.
Man, great video! I’m a long time Laney VH100R user, incredible amps. I’m now running a Laney VC50 which is a 50watt combo version of the VH100R, it’s just as ridiculous!
Past Amps 1) Fender Frontman 15g from a starter pack 2) Peavey Vypyr 30 Current 1) Blackstar Fly 3 w extension cab. (good to keep on the desk, very convenient for low volume). 2) Blackstar HT5HR 3) Bias FX PRO and Bias Amp PRO Wishlist 1) EVH 5150 LBX II 2) Mesa Dual Rectifier (Same reasons, I love Wes Borland). 3) Peavey or EVH 5150 4) High End Modeller, Kemper or Helix hardware 5) Helix Native Plugin
Hi John, I have your old Savage Special Edition which I bought from you. I've been on & off with guitar over the years but I could never sell it but sold my others, playing it most days now in to a Framus Dragon 4x12.
It’s funny, cause my first real amp and modeler were some things you’ve used. Besides the Spider 15 I used growing up, I finally got my first real amp last year when I saved up and got a Laney Ironheart 120 and a Marshall 1960A 4x12. I love it, but once I got a Helix LT, I haven’t used anything else. It just solves all my problems so well. I never thought I wouldn’t want more gear, but here I am.
the first amp i used was a roland cube, then i got an orange 1x8 practice amp, then i got a line 6 spider 4 (garb), then i got an evh 5150iii, sold my 5150iii to get a helix. havent looked back since. currently i have an orange 2x12 vab
I've had quite a few amps I regret letting go of. My issue was that I kept getting good sounding amps and then trading them off thinking I could find something better. Seems like I have had the best luck with Mesa Boogie so I kept going back to their stuff. Ones I really regret letting go of.. *Splawn Super Comp *VHT Pittbull 100 CL *VHT Deliverance I had a block letter 5150 and a signature style logo 5150 at the same time. I believe the block letter thing is hype. I couldn't tell a bit of difference between them.
First amp was a Peavey Vypyr 2, traded it for 2X12 Spider 4 which i kept twice as long. Was going for H&k Grandmeister or laney 40w but aftet i played yhe Blackstar id 150 head through the Diezel straight cab at GC, sold
First amp that I got was the Hughes&Kettner Blue 30R (30W 1x10 Combo), that I still have today! My first real amp was a Laney IRT 60 with an Peavey Windsor 4x12. I ended up trading the IRT 60 for an IRT Studio. After the band I was playing in broke up I got rid of all the stuff and in 2016 I bought a Kemper Profiling Amp with an Crown XLS 1002! Perfect solution for me.
For the Q and A, what tunings do you usually use for 6, 7, and 8 string guitars, along with maybe some of your string gauges? Great video as always, Browne!
Had a Roland micro cube to a peavey Viper to a PRS Archon 100 adding on an EVH 5153 , a Supro black magick reverb and a Friedman BE 100 DLX and going to add a Soldano SLO 100
How do you run your Helix and amps live? It would be great to know the configuration, signal chain. I have bought Helix rack myself few month ago, but I couldn't get a dicent dirty, metal sound out of it (have tried with houndreads different IR's as well). Now I have bought EVH5150III and I'm using it with a load box from two notes (Captor) plugged into my Helix, but this is not a good solution. The signal level comming out from DI of my Loadbox is too high, I need to find some other solution. Any ideas from your experience would be much appreciated :). BTW: I have been a big fan of your band Fellsilent and I'm a big fan of Monuments - hope to here some new material soon.
Current rig (dont hate me lol) is a kemper power rack in a custom head case, into a zilla 2x12. First amp was a marshall 10 or 15w combo practice amp, I don't remember which one, its in my attic. Next I had an Orange Tiny Terror for years, which I traded for a Laney IRT Studio. When I decided to start playing guitar again I picked up an OG Pod from eBay and then later a Pod XT Pro. Currently I only have the XT Pro and the Kemper, they keep me happy in my little home studio.
The first amp I bought as a beginner was a vox ad30vt. Had everything I needed that time. Swapped it for a Peavey Valvking MK1 half stack, back then when there were introduced. Horrible amp for metal^^. Got rid of the vk and bought a engl 530 pre into a engl 830 poweramp. Was probably the worst I had so far. Super compressed, not y present mids. Then sold it when the lanez ironheart came out. Got it fairly cheap new because of introduction price. Swapped some better preamp tubes in it and it was good to go. Then I had a highly moded jet city jca 50. Sold both to get a kemper rack. Never looked back since then. Now I wish I had tube amps again to profile them^^. Nice video john
Thanks for the video John! My amp history is short, as I've actually owned only two amps: A Roland Microcube and ENGL Fireball 60 watt going into a Framus 2x12 cab (I fell in love with the sound when I heard Jeff Loomis play one). Currently hoping to get some pedals and a Torpedo Reload to go with the ENGL, wouldn't want to get evicted!
Really interesting John. My amp history isn’t that exciting. My first was a 10 watt peavey practice amp that I can’t even remember the name of at all. I got rid of it as quickly as I could. My Dad also lent me his Wem 50 watt amp which had a really great sound for rock stuff. I got a Marshall valvestate 8080 back in 1994 which I still have today. Great bloody amp for what it is. I shudder to think though how godawful I sounded with the distortion channel on full with a metal zone scooped to hell on full as well! I then saved up and bought a Yamaha fx550 effects processor the same year which I used to adore but sold it to fund the next purchase. It was soooo digital but I loved some of the crazy sounds it had in it. I got my first line6 back in 2002/3 which was a podxt. I still adore it to this day but I transferred it all into the podfarm app once I upgraded to a Helix a couple of years ago. I’ve never really had a chance to record myself via an amp so have always been limited to low volumes or DI’ing. One day maybe I’ll be able to crank an amp up really loud and record it though.
John Browne I completely forgot to put I actually got an IRT studio as well after seeing the videos you and Paul Ortiz put up years ago. Sits in my desk happily and at least gives me some real tubes to jam through a bit
John, for your FAQ at a later date, would you give us a run down on some 6 and 7 string tunings that you use please. I love the Monuments guitar tone and the tunings. Cheers man!
Hi John, first of all well done on a great youtube chanel! I've really enjoyed the content you've put out. My history of amps goes as follows: Marshall mg15, then marshall dsl40c, mesa mark V 25, fender 65 princeton reverb, and now Friedman Be-100. It took me a while to figure out what sound I was after but I can't think of anything bad of the friedman, it is just a magical amp. Cheers
Awesome history! Just thought I'd point out (just because you didn't mention it, so I'm not certain if you knew) that VHT cab isn't a part of the famous VHT amps/cabs and "dry" tone they are famous for. That cab was made after they sold the copyright for the name "VHT" and they changed names to Fryette.
Daaaaaamn you shoulda kept that savage! First amp was my dads bass amp. Then I saved and bought a Marshall AVT from a pawn shop. Then I wanted a tube amp so I got a old crate blue Voodoo 60 with the blue tolex. The speaker and combo cab were shit so I played that combo through a rack parametric EQ and an old Acoustic brand 4x12 that is massively oversized and I still use that. Then I saved and saved for a year and a half and bought a splawn promod. This is still probably my favorite amp I’ve owned and I regret selling it. Then I decided I wasn’t going to play metal anymore and if I wanted to I can get a pedal. So I traded that Splawn for a Bruno Cowtipper 22 which is probably the “nicest” amp I ever had. Had amazing cleans and light dirty and seriously the best sounding reverb you could imagine. It handled the metal okay with pedals too. Then I started another metal band and I knew the Bruno wouldn’t produce the right tones I wanted so I traded it for a top end Mexican strat plus cash. After all I strats I’ve played that ones still my favorite. I financed a EVH 5153 50w from American musical supply and had that a good long time. I really enjoyed all the channels on that amp but there was a huge volume jump between the green (clean) channel and blue (gain 1) channel and those were the two sounds I stuck with. This made it impossible to gig with for what I wanted. So that band broke up and I thought I’d try clean amps again. Traded that for a brand new at the time Fender Hot Rod Deville. For what it is it’s a great little amp and loud as Hell but it couldn’t be a versatile as I wanted and amp to be. So I traded that for a early nineties Strat Ultra which is sick. Then I bought a Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 which I really really loved everything about but I joined a new metal band and at the volumes we were playing and practicing I could just tell that 25 watts didn’t have the right headroom I wanted. So I traded that for a beat up old Mesa Mark IV which is my current amp. I can’t decide if I like this amp or not. Some days it slays and others it’s dull and uninspiring. I am constantly on the fence about selling it for something that fits my needs better or simply keeping it and finding ways to tune it up or boost that sound. If anyone has a recommendation for an amp that can do inspired cleans + pushed tones, a nice tight metal rhythm tone and an amazing lead tone that can play good quiet and loud enough to keep its tightness at volume for around 1200 bucks let me know. I’ve been thinking about a VHT SigX or one of those new Hughes& Kettners with the attenuators built in.
I wouldn’t miss anything under Mesa Boogie, in which I don’t own; yet!! I remember my past amplifier’s( Sunn Beta Lead 410, Mitchell (Mark II Boogie Copy), Legend Rock N’ Roll 50( should’ve kept that one; tube preamp, solid state power amp; very loud but not “fat”). I reflect on them because, making decisions today, it helps to know what they could not do, so having a 3 channel amp (Bugera 333 XL Infinium + ElevenRack), have me not missing any of those amplifier’s, because I have basically all three in one package. I’d say I’m in a good place, thanks to some advances geared towards the betterment of Musical Equipment. We’ve come a long way since 1980( the year that brought Eddie VH, and Randy Rhoads, and many others 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿), guitars and accessories could not remain stagnant. With so many directions to go, just make sure you won’t be changing your 6 months later, that’s how fast new developments, along with “copycatter’s”, make choices difficult, because there is really no distinction. The above mentioned guitar gear is 10+ yrs. and I see no need to “run out and buy something” just to be “the first lollipop on the block”(😂😂😂😂), when all I have to do is wait for the improved version, and watch for “steaming 😤 hate( that’s when you know, patience is 🗝). Be a yourself; don’t be a follower( Mesa Boogie; very good, but may not be for everybody.
Peavey 15s Fender frontman 15 Fender 112 plus Peavey xxl Peavey transtube 2x12 efx Ampeg 50 Line 6 spider 2 150watt Marshall mg100 (back up) Line 6 HD147 (current) Trying to decide what to get next ..will definitely be all tube but I want to run a helix and use midi switching. 5153 50 watt is the front runner right now but if there is something that has midi that sounds anywhere close to that Framus cobra .. that's the sound I want
1) Crate G15 / received in 1984 2) Crate G60 3) Hughes & Kettner Attax 200 2x12 combo 4) Mesa Dual Recto Two Channel purchased used in 1998 5) Hughes & Kettner Tubeman through a Carvin acoustic amp 6) Soldano SL 60 7) Engl Fireball 60 8) Randall RM 100 Modular head that has been modded by Jaded Faith mods. Will never get rid of this one. / still have, purchased I think 2010. Has modules Blackface, Plexi Plus, Ultra
I like these videos :D I started out on one of my fathers amps and an ARIA Distortion Pedal from waaaaay before I was born. The Amp was "Rock", I guess originally intented to amplify keyboards or something like that. No Low-End whatsoever. Then I "upgraded" and bought a SQUIER 15 watts practice amp with the shittiest overdrive channel known to men XD Just a mush of random overdriven pulp, but fairly acceptable with the right EQ settings and the ARIA pedal. NOTE: I used a cheap Tele copy and later a cheap Strat, both with single-coils. Then a neighbour, former keyboardist, was giving away some amp combo, 2x12 I think, just a power-switch, volume, bass and treble knob. Sounded like shit with my cheap V copy and the god awefull humbuckers, but guess what? I plucked the guitar into the ARIA Distortion, went into the Squier practice amp, sculpted the clean channel with the EQ and used the headphone-jack to connect to the 2x12 :D Still sounded like shit, but was loud and had low-end. Then a friend bought a DIGITECH Metal Master Pedal and lended it to me. In hindsight still no really usable sound but leagues above the shitty ARIA Pedal. That must've been a pretty oldschool deathmetal sound. Then came the time of the first Band activities. I played the gigs using whatever gear was available in the backline or lending something like a Rath-Amp Stagemaster or something from a friend. Then I bought the first "propper" amplifier: a Fender FM212. Good for the stuff I was doing at the time yet completely useless for metal tones. Then the first usable amp: a Peavey Vypyr 75 modeling amp. Used it live, recorded a CD with it and loved the things sound. Lacked low-end and volume due to the 75 watts and the one 12" speaker it had. Then I bought my first head: a Peavey Valveking. Sold that one off to afford an ENGL Fireball 60 that I still use. My setup is pretty straight forward: Guitar->Polytune->Noise-Gate->Ibanez WD7-Wah->ENGL->shitty 4x12 in the rehearsal room. But what more do you need for Thrash Metal? :D Sorry for the long post. Keep it up!
Many agree that Line 6 Helix tends towards a more digital kind of sound specially distortion when compared to axe fx 2 being more towards natural, maybe due to the price difference and different manufacturers. However, your overall setup with amps and presets makes the sound pretty heavy and unique to my notice.
Hey John, I see that you use the old line 6 units, as well as the most recent one which is the Helix. Have you tried out the HD Pro X and if so, what drew you away from it vs the other line 6 units?
- Roland Micro Cube - Peavey VYPYR 30 - Laney IRT-Studio (Got it after seeing you playing it :D), got a Zilla Fatboy cab and later a EVH 5153 2x12 And now I've been using the Atomic AmpliFire direct/monitor or through the effects loop of a lot of heads, most of the time it sounded good but I'm planning on picking up a Kemper soon, I don't know if I'll go with a cab or direct/monitor yet, thoughts on this John?
My first amp was a Marshall mg30 dfx which I played until I had my first ever amp head: a Mesa Triple Rec. Didn't like how the Mesa so i traded the amp for an Engl Powerball 2 (which I currently have). I'm not totally happy with the Engl either: it's a great sounding amp (a bit too dark imho) but in a live scenario or in a mix it' doesn't cut through , no matter how I eq the amp. After watching the TC videos and demos, the idea of going back to Mesa is very tempting. I'm really looking forward too hear your thoughts on the 100w version.
Right now I have an eleven rack and a marshall mg30. I honestly prefer the marshall. I should have bit the bullet and bought a mark 5 like I really wanted at the time. Now I cant afford it. I'm tonally challenged, so to speak.
Amps in order: Ibanez starter pack 10watt combo amp, Line 6 spider 3 120w combo, Marshall MG100 half stack, and Orange Dark Terror, sold each to help get the next. Still have the Dark Terror but just bought the Line 6 Helix a year ago. Love that thing! For bass I had a Peavey max115 combo, A peavey half stack that I do not remember the name of but had the Cliff Burton sound and that was all it could do well (which at the time was my only bass ideal so it served its purpose) and finally the Fender Rumble 60 which I will probably sell to get a GK MB212 combo.
John can you elucidate on the 2:90 vs the 2:100 as a power amp for the Rectifier Recording Pre and why you prefer the 2:90 specifically? I have a Rectifier Recording Pre (in limbo at a shop for the past 4 years but that's another story) and a 2:100. I currently use the XT PRO into my 2:100 for live gigs and it's sufficient but I miss my Rec Pre...
Line 6 spider II 1x12" combo was great for years of practicing. 6505 mh into mesa 2x12" with OD/noise gate in front sounds huge for my office. What do you think about the use of the evertune bridge in your style of music? I've been considering getting a guitar with one installed because I hate tuning.
I met John at Pierre’s in Ft Wayne and he’s a super great guy and a standout super creative and original player!
i bought the Laney IRT studio after seeing you use one on the EMG TV videos. An awesome studio and home recording tool.
Do you still have it? Does it hold up today? I’ve been looking to get one and selling off some pedals because they are priced really well
@@toemasmeems I sold it not so long ago, but that’s just because I moved over to a digital rig. It’s great for a home studio and does high gain really well with some EQ to remove the fuzzy quality from the gain. Overall really versatile
I really appreciate how humble and nice this dude is. Went through some tough stuff and now is just killin it and making me feel bad about my rhythm playing lol
I started with a fender mustang 2, then I bought a peavey 6505+ 112 combo which sounded like shit through the sheffield speaker.
Then I bought a bugera 1990 which is a jcm900 dual reverb clone paired with a harley benton 212 with v30s and I think it sounds monstrous with lower tunings, as well as on lead stuff.
Now I have a peavey 6505+ head with a marshall 4x12 1960a cab with g12t75s in it. This rig sounds just huge. I can't wait to pair the peavey with a mesa oversized cab. I heard they sound even better.
Started with the trash Peavey Rage 108 and moved up to a Marshall 8080 a few years later. When I started gigging regularly, I opted for a Marshall 8100 with a pair of 4x12s and a Marshall Shredmaster pedal in front. That was my sound for years until I fell on hard times and had to sell most of my gear. Got my first 7 string several years ago and a Marshall Code 50 as a practice amp. Finally started playing "pro" again in 2019 and got myself a Peavey 6505+ with a Laney Ironheart cab and later, a Marshall 1960A I got for $100 when the band's practice space closed down. Recently acquired an Engl Savage 120 Mark II and a Mesa standard Recto cab and that combined with an Apex Preamp used as an OD and gate is now my main recording sound. Love your demos, man.
loving the videos lately!
"i bought the ENGL because I thought it looks cool" thanks for making me feel better about my financial decisions. Looking to get an ENGL Ritchie Blackmore soon, or a Fireball 60, didn't decide yet.
My first amp was a Cox 10W combo. Then I got a Laney PL100 Bass which I still own. Then I bought a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout 112 which I regret selling. Now I own a Mesa Boogie M9 Carbine with a Darkglass 2x10 cab.
My very first amp was a tiny Marshall 1 watt that i got with my first guitar from Argos haha. I then had a 15 watt Fender practice amp, line 6 Spider 2, Vox 5 watt modeller practice amp, Peavey Envoy 110, Blackstar HT 5 Metal combo. My current set up is a Laney Ironheart Irt Studio 15H (Previously Owned by Yourself) Zilla Fatboy 212 and a Line 6 Pod HD500X
I had a Mesa Rec Preamp with a Mesa 2:100, into a road king 4x12. I wasn't blown away. I now have a TC 50 and the road King 4x12. The mesa 2:100 was the loudest damn amp I've ever stood in front of. I never used it up beyond 1/4 volume.
My first good amp was a Line 6 Spider Valve HD 100 with the FBV pedalboard I still have it and it’s an awesome amp but I recently upgraded to an EVH 5150 50 watt. As far as cabinets go I’m using a Mesa 2x12 with V30s.
I had the original headphone vox amp that only worked when you taped the power button down, from that I got a fender mustang 25 when I was 14 and still had no clue how to dial it in from there I got the boss katana along with my first "real" guitar and it changed my entire life.
This is really an amazing and an informative video. I think all guitar players could relate to the journey you wenr through, to get your sound.
My first ever amp was a Crate GX65. I loved it at the time, but looking back it was awful lol. I then graduated to a Peavey 6505 with a Peavey Triple XXX 4x12. I used it with a boss GE7 and an Ibanez TS9. It was massive sounding and still one of the best tones I've ever had. Wish I had stuck with it. Sold that and got a Randall RM20. It was a 20watt head from their modular series. I used the 1086 module(the Dan Donegan signature). The RM20 differed from the others because it only had a single module, but it had a built in gain/boost circuit. I loved it, but it was a one trick pony and I was just discovering my love for clean tones. I then bought a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. I used this amp for years with my Mesa rectifier 2x12(which I still have). I sold that amp and went through a slew of odd ball amps like a Jet City JCA100, a Jet City JCA100HDM, and a couple Fender Prosonics(a head and a 2x10 combo). Sold all of them lol. After all these I stumbled across my holy grail amp. A Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo. I plugged it into my 2x12 and boosted it with an MXR Zakk Wylde overdrive. It was in between Lamb of God and Between The Buried And Me as far as tone! It is damn near a perfect sound! I still have it, but I've been trying to sell it. Debating whether I should or not. Somewhere along the line I felt the need to have a Peavey 6505+ and another Mesa Dual Rectifier. I have since sold both of those lol. I have a love hate relationship with those amps. Then out of nowhere I got a Badcat Cougar 50. It was there attempt at a Chinese made amp. It was great just not for me. As a birthday present a few years later, my father got me a Paul Reed Smith Archon. I still have it and I'm keeping It lol! It is so perfect in so many ways. I just gel with this amp so well. But, it's one glaring flaw is that damn effects loop being noisey and dropping my volume. My most recent acquisition was another Peavey 6505+. I got it second hand for really cheap. This particular one sounds like it already has an overdrive in front of it. It almost sounds like an EVH 5150iii stealth. It has to have been modded, but it's original owner swears it isn't.
So past amps:
Crate GX65
Peavey 6505 & the +
Randall RM20
Mesa Dual Rec. X2(I really want to like these amps, but we just don't gel)
Jet City JCA100 & HDM
Fender Prosonic(head and combo)
Badcat Cougar 50
Current amps:
Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
Peavey 6505+
PRS Archon
Squier 15 watt amp, Fender Frontman 15, Line 6 Spider 212, Fender DeVille 410, Line 6 POD X3, EVH 5150 III, Peavey 6505+, Fender Frontman 25R, Line 6 HX Stomp, Orange PPC 412-C cab, and Orange PPC 112...
Been a journey, but I LOVE my gear now.
Ive owned multiple Marshall, line 6, and a few other brands here and there in the past. Current collection is the 5150iii stealth, 5150 script, and mesa dual rec rev G. The Mesa is hands down my favorite out of everything I've owned. Something about the feel that I love. Wish I started with a dual-rec from the get-go!!!
I had a VH100R until recently. It ended up living at a friends house so I never used it, and I traded it for a synth. But man, it's such a monster of an amp. I'd love to own one again one day.
I remember when you guys came to Oakland in 2013 supporting Scale the Summit, you guys kicked ass and you and Ollie were running the Laney Ironheart heads through a full Mesa Boogie 4x12 backline. It was thunderous
Here's my little list!
1. Fender Mustang I v2 (2013-present): My first ever amp! Had all the effects I needed at the time. Really loved using it, even though I haven't really used it to it's full potential with the Fuse software. Still love it for cleaner and slightly crunchy tones, but not for high gain.
2. Zoom G1Xn (2014-present): I once used my teacher's effects unit (Zoom 505II), and found it so much easier to use, that I had to get a multi-effects unit! I picked this one up used, and have used it exclusively, be it for small shows or for practice via headphones, until very recently.
3. Palco (cheap local Indian brand) amplifier (2017-present): I got this used last year when I found out that the Mustang isn't really good to put an effects unit in front. Find it really useful for practice and jamming without drums.
4. Line 6 POD X3 Live (2017-present): I got this used just two months ago, and really love it! It has everything I need now, and also acts as my interface for recording. So far, I've been able to get somewhat close to Monuments rhythm and clean tones! ;-)
My first amp was a Pignose!
The legendary 7-100 ..
Bought in '76 ..
Still have it and it does work!
Past Amps:
First one was a Randall RX20 (I think) combo. Decent clean, but the muddiest gain channel ever.
Second was my brother's Line 6 Spider 2, 75 watt. Great amp with a lot of different channels and effects and you could save your all your presets.
Current Amp:
Mesa Boogie Mark V 5:35 combo. My dream amp and after years of saving, I got it. Endless possibilities as far as tone goes and the EQ is icing on the cake. Just incredible. Got a couple of effects pedals as well: Dunlop Crybaby Classic, TC Electronics Hall of Fame 2, and the Keeley DynoMyRoto
I gravitated toward Mesa and Diezel type amp tones as my favorite for modern metal sound in my playing. Hot rodded Marshall and Soldano is great for classic rock and classic metal however. So a combo of these amp types works for me in finding my sweet spot of tone nirvana. I don't need crystal clear cleans most of the time and a Roland Jazz Chorus amp fits my clean needs if I have to use it.
My first amp was the Fender Mustang 3, then a Fender Champ X2, then a Blackheart Hot Head, then a Mesa Boogie Mark V, then a Kemper, then a Blackstar HT5, then a Suhr PT100, then a Mesa Boogie Roadster, then a Jackson Ampworks Fullerton, then a Mesa Boogie Mark IV, then a Jackson Ampworks Britain 30, then a Suhr SL68, and most recently a Peavey Invective.
My first amp was a 15w Johnson combo.Super cheap but it did the job. Next up I've got a Hiwatt 50watt combo which I used for a long long time. After I sold it off I decided to go full software ampsim. Bought BIAS AMP and FX, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and some decent KRK Rokit monitors. Perfectly satisfied with the tones, more than enough for a bedrrom guitar player.
Awesome video. My first amp was 15 watt Fender Frontman back in 2003. Pretty soon I wanted better higain amplifier to match my heavier taste and acquired good old Marshall 8080 which I ended up using for almost three years with our garage level thrash metal band, before I bought my first modeler, Line 6 XT Live. At the same time I also bought my first seven string, Ibanez RG1527. I used Line6 for a while, but after couple of years and bands later I decided to go full on and bought H&K TriAmp MKII. That damn thing cost some serious money even as a second hand. Well, band at the time didn't last that long and ended trading TriAmp for Mesa Boogie F30. Eventually did some more downgrading and bought used X3 Live. Since then I've been mostly using modelers like Eleven Rack, Pod HD etc. Nowadays using Atomic Amplifire, which is kinda okay, but still having serious G.A.S. over Line6 Helix.
Got my first modeller the other day to experiment with, it's a pod x3 bean. I know there is a steep learning curve to get good sounds out of it but looking forward to the challenge.
Started with a Fender G-DEC (1st gen). It was a great bedroom amp to start playing, but I couldn't meet my demands after a few months. That's the only amp I've ever had. I then got a GT-10 in 2009, started playing with VSTs in 2014 and then got a Helix a year ago. I love the Helix, I don't see myself switching to something else anytime soon.
i really want to hear a rectifier preamp into a 2:90
I have those as my setup. Ive owned a few Mesa amps but that combo is untouchable.
Still quite boomy and undefined. I like mark series personally
John Browne, I hope you read this. I just bought a Mess Rectifier Recording Preamp and 2:90 and it is hands down the greatest amp I have ever played.
My first amp is Ibanez 10G combo. I still have it. Then, I went modeling path and bought cheap Digitech RP55 which i sold after two years and bought Zoom G5, which I currently use for playing live. For home practice, I use LePou plugins (my favourite is Le456).
My first ever amp was the peavey envoy 110 as well and now I currently rock a Mesa Boogie TC-50 with 6L6 tubes into a Mesa 2x12 vertical cab. I also have a Marshall JCM 900 SL-X which is a monster sounding amp but only a single channel not very versatile. The only amp I miss that I got rid of is my Mesa Single Recto 50 watt, it had a tighter sound than the duals and triples but still crazy thick and warm.
Ace vid John, I had the Marshall G30 and still have the Peavey 112 bandit. Great amp the Peavey, but so much feedback!! SKWEEEEEEE
Awesome video man, very well produced and interesting to watch and listen. You got me very curious about the VHT's
Hahaha, I had a similar conversation: „Mom, if you just let me buy this piece of gear (Zoom G2.1u) I won‘t need any more gear in the future because it can do literally everything I would ever need. Please.“ I got it in the end, but how wrong I was :D
My Amp list is pretty short. Started with a 15W Tenson Amp, horrible thing. My second one was a Crate 120W Transistor Amp Head and a Harley Benton 4x12 cab. Speaking of the Crate, I think it is somewhere in the basement. Then I bought a 6505+. For me the best Distortion Sound ever especially through a Mesa Cab. I had a 2x12H Rectifier. But I ended up selling everything (except of the Crate Head that nobody wanted) and got myself an Axe-Fx II a few years ago. So, no „real“ Amp in my house at the moment.
I love your videos, man! Could you do some videos about how you go about writing riffs, songs, how you dial in tones?
I had a little 10w marshall combo with a digitech rp20 running into it. Thought it was great. Then I picked up the 6505 mini head and wow is that thing a monster. gave the marshall to a friend and havent regretted it at all. Dead horse OD into the ffront of that 6505MH and itll do whatever you want it to.
My first amp was a cheap little peavy amp, then I switched to a Vox Valvetronix 30W Combo, which I still own and use to play at home. I really enjoyed the 30W Vox, so I bought a used 100W head version of it, which I also stil own. Last year I finally got enough money to make a dream come true, I bought a Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier. Hands down, Mesa Amps are just the best sounding amps you ca get.
1. Cruiser 15w practice amp. (Currently being used as a door stop by my dad)
2. Roland cube 15.
3. Peavey Studio Pro 112 transtube series. (Can get quite a cool metal rhythm sound out of it).
4. (Current) Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 60 w/ 1936 lead 2x12. I'm in love with it, sound awesome!
Next amp purchase will most likely be kemper when the time comes, but not right now.
I’m glad you said that about the 6505, I’m quite attached to my 5150 but always thought it felt odd to play though although I love the tone when bands use it
I used to have a 5150, but just like you Limp Bizkit's ~2000 tone has always been THE tone for me, so I sold it and got a 2 channel rev. G, couldn't be happier :)
Awesome video! I love seeing the journey people go through with their tone.
My history isn't quite as big impressive, but I'm happy nonetheless. I started with the 30 Watt Line 6 Spider IV. After saving up a bit and asking my parents I had the chance to buy the Laney IRT 15 Head with Laney's 1x12 cab around my birthday. Later on i got myself a Boss GT-100 for effects and have been using it in conjunction with the ironheart for about 2 years and I absolutely love certain tones I can achieve with it. Especially the cab sounds very aggressive and responsive compared to other 1x12 cabs I've tried.
My next plan is to get the AX 8 by Fractal and sell the GT-100 to hopefully get a bit more options when it comes to amp sounds since I like to go all over the place.
Nice to know that even the big ones started with a Zoom pedal in the sound modeling world =)
Great video I’d love to hear a comparaison between the cabs!
John, please upload your Boss GEQ 7 and the TS 9 settings when you were using it at the past i'm so curious with that....,,
Man, great video! I’m a long time Laney VH100R user, incredible amps. I’m now running a Laney VC50 which is a 50watt combo version of the VH100R, it’s just as ridiculous!
Past Amps
1) Fender Frontman 15g from a starter pack
2) Peavey Vypyr 30
Current
1) Blackstar Fly 3 w extension cab. (good to keep on the desk, very convenient for low volume).
2) Blackstar HT5HR
3) Bias FX PRO and Bias Amp PRO
Wishlist
1) EVH 5150 LBX II
2) Mesa Dual Rectifier (Same reasons, I love Wes Borland).
3) Peavey or EVH 5150
4) High End Modeller, Kemper or Helix hardware
5) Helix Native Plugin
Is that a vocal reflection shield at 11:49? I've never seen that used on a guitar cab before.
used to have that same iteration of the Bandit... never could play with the gain past 2
Hi John, I have your old Savage Special Edition which I bought from you. I've been on & off with guitar over the years but I could never sell it but sold my others, playing it most days now in to a Framus Dragon 4x12.
Tom! It's been quite a few years, if you ever want to sell that amp please contact me immediately and I will buy it back!
@@JohnBrownemonuments Yeah long time ago! If I ever decide to part with it you'll be the first person I contact.
It’s funny, cause my first real amp and modeler were some things you’ve used. Besides the Spider 15 I used growing up, I finally got my first real amp last year when I saved up and got a Laney Ironheart 120 and a Marshall 1960A 4x12. I love it, but once I got a Helix LT, I haven’t used anything else. It just solves all my problems so well. I never thought I wouldn’t want more gear, but here I am.
the first amp i used was a roland cube, then i got an orange 1x8 practice amp, then i got a line 6 spider 4 (garb), then i got an evh 5150iii, sold my 5150iii to get a helix. havent looked back since. currently i have an orange 2x12 vab
I've had quite a few amps I regret letting go of. My issue was that I kept getting good sounding amps and then trading them off thinking I could find something better. Seems like I have had the best luck with Mesa Boogie so I kept going back to their stuff.
Ones I really regret letting go of..
*Splawn Super Comp
*VHT Pittbull 100 CL
*VHT Deliverance
I had a block letter 5150 and a signature style logo 5150 at the same time. I believe the block letter thing is hype. I couldn't tell a bit of difference between them.
DR440 same here man.. that stupid chase for tone. I regret letting go of my 6505, archon and my evh 5150.. why do we do this to ourselves lol
First amp was a Peavey Vypyr 2, traded it for 2X12 Spider 4 which i kept twice as long. Was going for H&k Grandmeister or laney 40w but aftet i played yhe Blackstar id 150 head through the Diezel straight cab at GC, sold
its 2024 and im still using line6 UX1 and toneport from 2005 for all my recordings lol.
First amp that I got was the Hughes&Kettner Blue 30R (30W 1x10 Combo), that I still have today!
My first real amp was a Laney IRT 60 with an Peavey Windsor 4x12.
I ended up trading the IRT 60 for an IRT Studio.
After the band I was playing in broke up I got rid of all the stuff and in 2016 I bought a Kemper Profiling Amp with an Crown XLS 1002!
Perfect solution for me.
It would very cool to see the sound you can get out of the Laney VH100r.
would love to see a video of you dialling in your clean tones
For the Q and A, what tunings do you usually use for 6, 7, and 8 string guitars, along with maybe some of your string gauges? Great video as always, Browne!
Had a Roland micro cube to a peavey Viper to a PRS Archon 100 adding on an EVH 5153 , a Supro black magick reverb and a Friedman BE 100 DLX and going to add a Soldano SLO 100
How do you run your Helix and amps live? It would be great to know the configuration, signal chain. I have bought Helix rack myself few month ago, but I couldn't get a dicent dirty, metal sound out of it (have tried with houndreads different IR's as well). Now I have bought EVH5150III and I'm using it with a load box from two notes (Captor) plugged into my Helix, but this is not a good solution. The signal level comming out from DI of my Loadbox is too high, I need to find some other solution. Any ideas from your experience would be much appreciated :). BTW: I have been a big fan of your band Fellsilent and I'm a big fan of Monuments - hope to here some new material soon.
Current rig (dont hate me lol) is a kemper power rack in a custom head case, into a zilla 2x12. First amp was a marshall 10 or 15w combo practice amp, I don't remember which one, its in my attic. Next I had an Orange Tiny Terror for years, which I traded for a Laney IRT Studio. When I decided to start playing guitar again I picked up an OG Pod from eBay and then later a Pod XT Pro. Currently I only have the XT Pro and the Kemper, they keep me happy in my little home studio.
The first amp I bought as a beginner was a vox ad30vt. Had everything I needed that time. Swapped it for a Peavey Valvking MK1 half stack, back then when there were introduced. Horrible amp for metal^^. Got rid of the vk and bought a engl 530 pre into a engl 830 poweramp. Was probably the worst I had so far. Super compressed, not y present mids. Then sold it when the lanez ironheart came out. Got it fairly cheap new because of introduction price. Swapped some better preamp tubes in it and it was good to go. Then I had a highly moded jet city jca 50. Sold both to get a kemper rack. Never looked back since then. Now I wish I had tube amps again to profile them^^. Nice video john
Thanks for the video John! My amp history is short, as I've actually owned only two amps: A Roland Microcube and ENGL Fireball 60 watt going into a Framus 2x12 cab (I fell in love with the sound when I heard Jeff Loomis play one). Currently hoping to get some pedals and a Torpedo Reload to go with the ENGL, wouldn't want to get evicted!
amazing video!! show us your live set up please
Do you plan on doing an updated video of the helix now you've had more time to experiment with it?
yes sir!
Had that peavey envoy!! Liked it too, but its broken now. lol.
I would love to see your workflow, how you right and record a song. Maybe something like Devin T. did...?
Really interesting John.
My amp history isn’t that exciting.
My first was a 10 watt peavey practice amp that I can’t even remember the name of at all. I got rid of it as quickly as I could. My Dad also lent me his Wem 50 watt amp which had a really great sound for rock stuff.
I got a Marshall valvestate 8080 back in 1994 which I still have today. Great bloody amp for what it is.
I shudder to think though how godawful I sounded with the distortion channel on full with a metal zone scooped to hell on full as well!
I then saved up and bought a Yamaha fx550 effects processor the same year which I used to adore but sold it to fund the next purchase. It was soooo digital but I loved some of the crazy sounds it had in it.
I got my first line6 back in 2002/3 which was a podxt. I still adore it to this day but I transferred it all into the podfarm app once I upgraded to a Helix a couple of years ago.
I’ve never really had a chance to record myself via an amp so have always been limited to low volumes or DI’ing. One day maybe I’ll be able to crank an amp up really loud and record it though.
Dude the 800 series Valvestate ruled so hard, it's got that early Meshuggah/Death thing going on.
John Browne I completely forgot to put I actually got an IRT studio as well after seeing the videos you and Paul Ortiz put up years ago.
Sits in my desk happily and at least gives me some real tubes to jam through a bit
Sick vid dude
What do you think about the mesa bandlander?
John, for your FAQ at a later date, would you give us a run down on some 6 and 7 string tunings that you use please. I love the Monuments guitar tone and the tunings. Cheers man!
Hi John, first of all well done on a great youtube chanel! I've really enjoyed the content you've put out. My history of amps goes as follows: Marshall mg15, then marshall dsl40c, mesa mark V 25, fender 65 princeton reverb, and now Friedman Be-100. It took me a while to figure out what sound I was after but I can't think of anything bad of the friedman, it is just a magical amp. Cheers
Awesome history! Just thought I'd point out (just because you didn't mention it, so I'm not certain if you knew) that VHT cab isn't a part of the famous VHT amps/cabs and "dry" tone they are famous for. That cab was made after they sold the copyright for the name "VHT" and they changed names to Fryette.
How come you are not promoting your studio for recording/mixing/reamping services here? Do you have a website?
gear envy!! :-D
Daaaaaamn you shoulda kept that savage!
First amp was my dads bass amp. Then I saved and bought a Marshall AVT from a pawn shop.
Then I wanted a tube amp so I got a old crate blue
Voodoo 60 with the blue tolex. The speaker and combo cab were shit so I played that combo through a rack parametric EQ and an old Acoustic brand 4x12 that is massively oversized and I still use that. Then I saved and saved for a year and a half and bought a splawn promod. This is still probably my favorite amp I’ve owned and I regret selling it. Then I decided I wasn’t going to play metal anymore and if I wanted to I can get a pedal. So I traded that Splawn for a Bruno Cowtipper 22 which is probably the “nicest” amp I ever had. Had amazing cleans and light dirty and seriously the best sounding reverb you could imagine. It handled the metal okay with pedals too. Then I started another metal band and I knew the Bruno wouldn’t produce the right tones I wanted so I traded it for a top end Mexican strat plus cash. After all I strats I’ve played that ones still my favorite. I financed a EVH 5153 50w from American musical supply and had that a good long time. I really enjoyed all the channels on that amp but there was a huge volume jump between the green (clean) channel and blue (gain 1) channel and those were the two sounds I stuck with. This made it impossible to gig with for what I wanted. So that band broke up and I thought I’d try clean amps again. Traded that for a brand new at the time Fender Hot Rod Deville. For what it is it’s a great little amp and loud as Hell but it couldn’t be a versatile as I wanted and amp to be. So I traded that for a early nineties Strat Ultra which is sick. Then I bought a Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 which I really really loved everything about but I joined a new metal band and at the volumes we were playing and practicing I could just tell that 25 watts didn’t have the right headroom I wanted. So I traded that for a beat up old Mesa Mark IV which is my current amp. I can’t decide if I like this amp or not. Some days it slays and others it’s dull and uninspiring. I am constantly on the fence about selling it for something that fits my needs better or simply keeping it and finding ways to tune it up or boost that sound. If anyone has a recommendation for an amp that can do inspired cleans + pushed tones, a nice tight metal rhythm tone and an amazing lead tone that can play good quiet and loud enough to keep its tightness at volume for around 1200 bucks let me know. I’ve been thinking about a VHT SigX or one of those new Hughes& Kettners with the attenuators built in.
I had a Splawn Pro mod. It was loud as &*&!!
I wouldn’t miss anything under Mesa Boogie, in which I don’t own; yet!! I remember my past amplifier’s( Sunn Beta Lead 410, Mitchell (Mark II Boogie Copy), Legend Rock N’ Roll 50( should’ve kept that one; tube preamp, solid state power amp; very loud but not “fat”). I reflect on them because, making decisions today, it helps to know what they could not do, so having a 3 channel amp (Bugera 333 XL Infinium + ElevenRack), have me not missing any of those amplifier’s, because I have basically all three in one package. I’d say I’m in a good place, thanks to some advances geared towards the betterment of Musical Equipment.
We’ve come a long way since 1980( the year that brought Eddie VH, and Randy Rhoads, and many others 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿), guitars and accessories could not remain stagnant. With so many directions to go, just make sure you won’t be changing your 6 months later, that’s how fast new developments, along with “copycatter’s”, make choices difficult, because there is really no distinction. The above mentioned guitar gear is 10+ yrs. and I see no need to “run out and buy something” just to be “the first lollipop on the block”(😂😂😂😂), when all I have to do is wait for the improved version, and watch for “steaming 😤 hate( that’s when you know, patience is 🗝). Be a yourself; don’t be a follower( Mesa Boogie; very good, but may not be for everybody.
Where you get money for all these amps?
I'm 27 and I proud that I bought Line 6 HX Stomp.
does any1 know what the song is called on 11:30 ish?
Actually I really miss your LANEY era. It was brutal as hell. Your IBANEZ+EQ+NS2+OD+LANEY IRT.. it was so good. I'll gonna buy IRT by the way.
Peavey 15s
Fender frontman 15
Fender 112 plus
Peavey xxl
Peavey transtube 2x12 efx
Ampeg 50
Line 6 spider 2 150watt
Marshall mg100 (back up)
Line 6 HD147 (current)
Trying to decide what to get next ..will definitely be all tube but I want to run a helix and use midi switching. 5153 50 watt is the front runner right now but if there is something that has midi that sounds anywhere close to that Framus cobra .. that's the sound I want
Where in Sweden did you live? And when?
Make a video about tour survival tips! Thank you!
1) Crate G15 / received in 1984
2) Crate G60
3) Hughes & Kettner Attax 200 2x12 combo
4) Mesa Dual Recto Two Channel purchased used in 1998
5) Hughes & Kettner Tubeman through a Carvin acoustic amp
6) Soldano SL 60
7) Engl Fireball 60
8) Randall RM 100 Modular head that has been modded by Jaded Faith mods. Will never get rid of this one. / still have, purchased I think 2010. Has modules Blackface, Plexi Plus, Ultra
I like these videos :D
I started out on one of my fathers amps and an ARIA Distortion Pedal from waaaaay before I was born. The Amp was "Rock", I guess originally intented to amplify keyboards or something like that. No Low-End whatsoever. Then I "upgraded" and bought a SQUIER 15 watts practice amp with the shittiest overdrive channel known to men XD Just a mush of random overdriven pulp, but fairly acceptable with the right EQ settings and the ARIA pedal. NOTE: I used a cheap Tele copy and later a cheap Strat, both with single-coils. Then a neighbour, former keyboardist, was giving away some amp combo, 2x12 I think, just a power-switch, volume, bass and treble knob. Sounded like shit with my cheap V copy and the god awefull humbuckers, but guess what? I plucked the guitar into the ARIA Distortion, went into the Squier practice amp, sculpted the clean channel with the EQ and used the headphone-jack to connect to the 2x12 :D Still sounded like shit, but was loud and had low-end.
Then a friend bought a DIGITECH Metal Master Pedal and lended it to me. In hindsight still no really usable sound but leagues above the shitty ARIA Pedal. That must've been a pretty oldschool deathmetal sound.
Then came the time of the first Band activities. I played the gigs using whatever gear was available in the backline or lending something like a Rath-Amp Stagemaster or something from a friend. Then I bought the first "propper" amplifier: a Fender FM212. Good for the stuff I was doing at the time yet completely useless for metal tones. Then the first usable amp: a Peavey Vypyr 75 modeling amp. Used it live, recorded a CD with it and loved the things sound. Lacked low-end and volume due to the 75 watts and the one 12" speaker it had. Then I bought my first head: a Peavey Valveking. Sold that one off to afford an ENGL Fireball 60 that I still use. My setup is pretty straight forward: Guitar->Polytune->Noise-Gate->Ibanez WD7-Wah->ENGL->shitty 4x12 in the rehearsal room. But what more do you need for Thrash Metal? :D
Sorry for the long post. Keep it up!
I started out with some two notes le preamp pedals, then I moved on to a positive grid bias head and a two notes torpedo
Cardboard 70s "no name" amp, Traynor Practice Combo, Marshall AVT 100 half-stack (sold), Orange Rockerverb 50 MK I (sold), Orange PPC 212 with V30s (still own), Orange Dark Terror (sold), PRS Archon 100 (main head), Captor with WOS
Dude yesss this is a treat
Many agree that Line 6 Helix tends towards a more digital kind of sound specially distortion when compared to axe fx 2 being more towards natural, maybe due to the price difference and different manufacturers. However, your overall setup with amps and presets makes the sound pretty heavy and unique to my notice.
Hey John, I see that you use the old line 6 units, as well as the most recent one which is the Helix. Have you tried out the HD Pro X and if so, what drew you away from it vs the other line 6 units?
Caedmon Cooper I actually one here and totally forgot to mention it haha.
Prefer the XT pro for some reason!
Hi John. Any update regarding future of Monuments?
what is with john using gear that i hate and getting great tones (line 6 pods)
- Roland Micro Cube
- Peavey VYPYR 30
- Laney IRT-Studio (Got it after seeing you playing it :D), got a Zilla Fatboy cab and later a EVH 5153 2x12
And now I've been using the Atomic AmpliFire direct/monitor or through the effects loop of a lot of heads, most of the time it sounded good but I'm planning on picking up a Kemper soon, I don't know if I'll go with a cab or direct/monitor yet, thoughts on this John?
My first amp was a Marshall mg30 dfx which I played until I had my first ever amp head: a Mesa Triple Rec.
Didn't like how the Mesa so i traded the amp for an Engl Powerball 2 (which I currently have). I'm not totally happy with the Engl either: it's a great sounding amp (a bit too dark imho) but in a live scenario or in a mix it' doesn't cut through , no matter how I eq the amp.
After watching the TC videos and demos, the idea of going back to Mesa is very tempting.
I'm really looking forward too hear your thoughts on the 100w version.
Right now I have an eleven rack and a marshall mg30. I honestly prefer the marshall. I should have bit the bullet and bought a mark 5 like I really wanted at the time. Now I cant afford it.
I'm tonally challenged, so to speak.
I gotta just say: your picking hand is unreeeeeeal.
Amps in order: Ibanez starter pack 10watt combo amp, Line 6 spider 3 120w combo, Marshall MG100 half stack, and Orange Dark Terror, sold each to help get the next. Still have the Dark Terror but just bought the Line 6 Helix a year ago. Love that thing! For bass I had a Peavey max115 combo, A peavey half stack that I do not remember the name of but had the Cliff Burton sound and that was all it could do well (which at the time was my only bass ideal so it served its purpose) and finally the Fender Rumble 60 which I will probably sell to get a GK MB212 combo.
John can you elucidate on the 2:90 vs the 2:100 as a power amp for the Rectifier Recording Pre and why you prefer the 2:90 specifically? I have a Rectifier Recording Pre (in limbo at a shop for the past 4 years but that's another story) and a 2:100. I currently use the XT PRO into my 2:100 for live gigs and it's sufficient but I miss my Rec Pre...
Do you still have the tc-50?
Line 6 spider II 1x12" combo was great for years of practicing.
6505 mh into mesa 2x12" with OD/noise gate in front sounds huge for my office.
What do you think about the use of the evertune bridge in your style of music? I've been considering getting a guitar with one installed because I hate tuning.