i own a marshall JCM 2000 TSL 60 half stack.. it is a fantastic amp but its not the sound im looking for. it sounds a little too fuzzy for me, and there isnt enough gain on the crunch channel... i need a slightly more defined and clear, punchy sound, thats nice and chunky, but not too cutting, and a decent amount of gain, and preferably two distortion channels (one for rhythem, one for lead).
I like amp heads with a lot of midrange.. but not too cutting-type mids.

I already have an amp for my cleans, the Vox AC30.

Im looking at the peavey 6505+ and the engl powerball and invader. i like all three a lot.

i play hard rock music.. with some slight metal influence mixed in, and alternative.

which amp should i choose? or does anyone have any other recommendations of amps that would work for me? thanks!

Three different beasts.

The 6505+ is the angriest and probably the cheapest.
The Powerball is a Germanic Mesa Rectifier (sort of).
The Invader is a Marshall on lots of steroids.

The Engls have the better cleans.

Umm, definitely try before you buy....!!

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Call me Chris, or Hairy. Or Gertrude. I've always wanted to be called Gertrude...

Blackmachine B7 Camphor Burl w/BKPs
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Boss NS-2/Ibanez TS-9 (****ogman 808 Mod)/Ibanez AD-9/Boss TU-2/
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-> Framus Dragon 4x12

+ Lots of other crap is sitting around my flat!

I make noises using this stuff

ENGL Powerballs are wicked amps. Lots of gain on tap and are apparently just plain fun to use. Think Mesa Rectifier like what would happen in Mesa and Orange got together to make the best amp ever: a hoot to play through with lots of weird little options.

Yeah, that's my best comparison.

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Engls are imo.. the best sounding metal amps in the world.

I'd look into the fireball over powerball if you're not really looking for a lot of versatility and want just a fierce tone.

it's harder sounding to me and cheaper.. a win/win

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If I wasnt in a lower rung working-our-asses-off-to-get-somewhere metal band I would be able to put out the 2K apeice for a couple of ENGL amps.I love em.But,I have to use what works for me and my bands budget and what I can get by with the best I can with what money we have to buy gear with,which right now is a 6505 and a few 5150s.They sound badass and are easy to find and afford, and the cleans arent as bad as some people think,for metal anyways,which we dont play that many clean parts anyways in my band.Its just not possible right now for me to be able to have a few $2000 heads.But,if and when we are lucky somehow and get signed to a better deal, I for sure will be using ENGLs some day.I would go with the Fireball myself.They sound awesome for metal,especially for low tuned growly aggressive metal...

anyways.I dont think you can get what you are looking for with a 6505.You would only be able to either have 2 channels of distortion or one channel of distortion and one channel of clean with the 6505.

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i like the powerball alot... not just for looks but for features too. come on, what other amp tells u that u tube is dead? not only that but i think it fits ur playing style the most. plus it got a gold award in guitar world.

i would pick it over the rest. and if u can combine it with ur vox through a switcher that would be awsome. one for clean and the other for dirty...=awsome!!!!!

plus i think the 6505 is built for metal. it's great for that but otherwise i think the powerball is a more rounded amp that can cover more playing styles.

also..... why wouldn't a pedal work. like the seymor duncan mayhem, or a radial tonebone?

nothing wrong with those...plus they're more affordable than buying a new amp.

well for Metal its all about the tube distortion and the gain that your amp provides naturally

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