Amplifier impasse

[pelliott]

So guys. Curious for your opinions.

I'm selling a bunch of crap. I mean, really great stuff. I want a new amp. In addition to the VT22.

Here are my thoughts:
There is no urgency. I'm not gigging. But I want a big fucking loud amp for if/when I do so at some point in the future. And damnit I just really want a new amp.
I want to get a solid cab with it. Maybe Avatar? Preferably a 2x12 since space is tight in my guitar corner. Unless a 4x12 and an amp head won't crush my Ampeg under their horrifying weight (this is a semi-serious concern to me, do I have to be worried?)

Here is my amp short list:
VTM 60/120/Butcher: Yeah man. They're cheap, but I've been having trouble finding one for sale, and this seems fucking ridiculous. Chest hair. KVLT. Sludge. Advantages: Sounds sweet and I need more chest hair, and also would leave more money for a cabinet.

JCM800: This is kind of a dream that seems more and more realistic in my head by the day. Once I sell off the stuff I'm not using completely I'd only be a few hundred bucks from a 2203, in all honesty. Disadvantage: Less money for a cabinet.

Sunn 200s: This is mostly because right down the road from me there's a 200s on consignment at a shop. It's $600 which feels like a bit much. But it was owned by the Chris Stapleton. That's right, I have no idea who he is either. Anyway, it sounds really good and seems in very good shape. And it shook the goddamn room. It felt awesome.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I will have more when it's not 1:30 AM. Saving for a custom Verellen/Dunwich/whomever jobby seems really tempting but that's for a few years down the road.

[AxAxSxS]

well shit man, you say no urgency. Take your time and wait for the right amp to pop up. Sounds like you are after Marshall JCM sound. IMO paying market value for an actual JCM 800 is nuts. there is a Sovtek on ebay right now that's around 500. I'd almost rather have one of the clones than the actual Marshall. most of them seem to be more overbuilt. Peavey

[pelliott]

Counterpoint: Rubbing my wiener on a Sovtek probably doesn't feel as nice as a Marshall.

Also yeah I can see your point and really appreciate the input. I've been scouting some Sovteks as well as the VTMs, they seem much more plentiful but the prices seem kinda... high... to me for what they are. Am I nuts?

[AxAxSxS]

dude, be patient. the right amp will find you like mine found me. What I would recommend is have the money on standby, make sure you have a limit on what you will spend, and be patient. watch for the good shit and take your time.

You are not nuts and some of the prices are a bit crazy. Be prepared to haggle.

[t-rey]

Counterpoint: Rubbing my wiener on a Sovtek probably doesn't feel as nice as a Marshall.

Also yeah I can see your point and really appreciate the input. I've been scouting some Sovteks as well as the VTMs, they seem much more plentiful but the prices seem kinda... high... to me for what they are. Am I nuts?

Counter-counterpoint: The Sovtek is smaller, so your wiener would look bigger.

Also, AOR.

[Iommic Pope]

Counterpoint: Rubbing my wiener on a Sovtek probably doesn't feel as nice as a Marshall.

Also yeah I can see your point and really appreciate the input. I've been scouting some Sovteks as well as the VTMs, they seem much more plentiful but the prices seem kinda... high... to me for what they are. Am I nuts?

The Sovtek will electrocute your dick.
But, you might be into that.

Tolex pretty much all feels the same to your dick after a while anyway.
Plus Eastern Europeans can be really hot....580+V of hot.

[theAntihero]

If you are after a 2x12, get a G-Flex. Massive sounding.

Having a problem finding a decent vtm 120 myself, its odd

[D.o.S.]

dude, be patient. the right amp will find you like mine found me. What I would recommend is have the money on standby, make sure you have a limit on what you will spend, and be patient. watch for the good shit and take your time.

Yup. Pile the cash into an amp fund that you don't touch until you've got enough for a JCM. Which is what you really want, from the sound of it.

[pelliott]

Well I REALLY want a Gorilla but those are such unobtanium.

Thanks guys. You're reaffirming what I want to do. I think if I find the right deal on something like a Sovtek or VTM, I'll jump on it, but for the time being I'm going to stash it away until the right deal for an end goal amp comes along. I've got to stop letting money burn a hole in my pocket.

[conky]

Counterpoint: Rubbing my wiener on a Sovtek probably doesn't feel as nice as a Marshall.

Also yeah I can see your point and really appreciate the input. I've been scouting some Sovteks as well as the VTMs, they seem much more plentiful but the prices seem kinda... high... to me for what they are. Am I nuts?

Counter-counterpoint: The Sovtek is smaller, so your wiener would look bigger.

Also, AOR.

I second checking out an AOR. We played our record release show last night and Matt got his AOR about 20 minutes before we loaded up to play the show. Dialed it in during a quick soundcheck and we shook the fucking doors off of that place. His tone was so thick and massive but at the same time I could hear everything he was doing instead of it being a big one dimensional note like before. He mentioned afterwards that it made him realize that he played kinda sloppy because he had more note definition. That thing sounds good, is loud as fuck, and takes pedals like a champ. Really makes me consider trying to sell my AD140 to find one.

[chillerthanmost]

I had a 200s and didn't find it loud enough to really pleasure my dick hole. I mean, it's 60w-80w, but you have to get a real efficient cab to get the most of it, in my opinion. It's an acquired taste; sags, hi-Fi, low EQ options, etc. At least compared to the other amps you posted. Sovtek 100's are great, but don't pay a lot because they are cheaply made. VTM's are loud and more like a Marshall than a Mig100 is. Look out for a Traynor YBA-3 or YBA-1A because they will blow you away. Sometimes you can also find JMP's for less than 800's (fucking weird!) so type in JMP on your searches. Like posted, stay patient and the right amp will come along at the right price. Check www.allofcraigs.com and some people Might even be down to ship. I asked and got my YBA-3 shipped from across the states and still stayed under $600 total. Also, don't rule out Beta Leads/Bass or red knob Concert Leads, unless you're very strictly wanting a tube amp.
Good luck.

[pelliott]

What's a fair price range on a YBA1a/YBA3?

[D.o.S.]

4-500 if it's in really good shape + recently tech'd.

[whiskey_face]

get a 2203.

thank me later.

[chillerthanmost]

What's a fair price range on a YBA1a/YBA3?

$400-$500 is fair. Good tubes with recent cap job could boost to $550-$600. But it would also have to be in great condition at that range.