The best Amp head for traking lead?

1st choice: Peavey 5150
2nd choice: Marshall JCM900/2000

Those have always been my favorite choices for lead specific tracking. They both have plenty of mids and body to cut through, and both can be dial'ed in with a nice smooth top-end.

Also, the Peavey JSX...I mean...it's Satch's amp...it's definitely a lead amp, heh, it also has EL34's. But then again, the 5150 is EVH's amp...Basically a Recto is out of the question, I know Petrucci can make it sound great for leads, but I still haven't figured out how in the hell he does...

5150 or JCM, fo sho.

~006

 

I just had a bias knob installed on my MK1 5150 and it made a world of difference, especially with the lead tones. I, and more importantly, my clients, were blown away by the fatness of single note lines screaming from it.

Just remember, keep your amp gain dialed down a bit and drop a tubescreamer in front of it.

Good luck,

-0z-

 

SLO 100.

 

JCM900 SL-X

 

actually I love the recto's for leads
I've had good results with the vintage channel boosted with a tubescreamer (often with the ts9 volume on full)

bass= 3
mids= 5ish
treble= 6
presence= 0

master and channel up around half way.

 

He goes through so many effects that you cant even hear the rectifier underneath it lol

 

I've come up with this lead tone with my POD XT Pro and a DOD YJM308 preamp overdrive. I use the "Plexi lead 100" on the POD with extreamly little gain (almost clean) and full gain on the DOD YJM308. I like it alot:

http://www.cromonic.com/track05_solo.mp3

 

Krankenstein sounds great on leads and since it's a cross between a 5150 and a Marshall, I'm sure most of you (who names those) will agree with that

 

krankenstein rulezz. indeed.

 

I'm going to second the JCM900 suggestion.
I have a 5150 I use for rhythms and a JCM900 for leads because it can sound so much smoother.

 

I'm surprised someone actually digs those, they aren't really among the most beloved amps...

 

Well I think is something about european people, a lot of people overseas like those amps. Say in america marshall is still considered among the best amp manufactures, while here a lot of people hate their last JCM2000 line.

Maurizio

 

lately i've been using a JCM 50 for solos

 

nope, the 900-2000 l ines are considered shit here too

 

By JCM 50, do you mean a 50W 800 bychance?

 

I don't really like them as an all around amp. I don't like them for rhythm sounds much at all. Lead sounds are the only reason I even still own a 900. Mine is the 50 watt version.

 

Maybe the guy was wrong
Anyway marshall created a lot of great amps like plexi and jcm800.

Maurizio

 

I think the combination of jmp1 and el 34 100+100 is very nice for solos, and don't forget the framus cobra...

 

i've gotten my best recorded lead tone from my cobra

http://disvisioned.net/clips/CobraLeadQuicky.mp3

that's really close to nailing MY ideal lead tone

however...my favorite sounds i've heard on the recordings of other people have usually been 5150