Best Pedal Platform Amp Head for Between £700-£1000 (Used)

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deloreandelorean Frets: 224
edited June 2018 in Amps
What options would you recommend looking at within this price range?

I'm happy to buy used, and would prefer to drive the amp using pedals to sculpt the sound.  Aiming for an 80s hard rock sound as my core tone, but I also like to dabble with a bit of 90s metal from time to time.

Ideally around 30w-ish as I'd like to save my back and also be able to crank it in a live environment (I have a very loud drummer).  

Not looking for absolutely pristine cleans, but that would be a bonus.
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Comments

  • RandallFlaggRandallFlagg Frets: 13929
    edited June 2018
    Hamstead, Victory V40, JTM45


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  • CountryDaveCountryDave Frets: 842

    If this is still available it could be the answer.

    http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/129835/36w-mjw-roadstar-head-450-posted-uk#latest

    @musteatbrain is a good guy to deal with too.

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  • AlnicoAlnico Frets: 4616
    Used Series One Blackstar. (Roughly £350 - £550)
    100w EL34 or 200w KT88.
    Both 4 channel, both power scale down to 20w and both sound utterly amazing.

    They are NOTHING like the HT series and whilst they do have the ISF function, the S1's have other tonal controls and do NOT sound typically dark etc.

    You'll get a cab as well for that budget, should you need one and if you're prepared to see past the total power output and use your power scaling control, there's a myriad of sounds in there.

    Full MIDI and a headphone/emulated recording out plus XLR...

    After owning the 200w head, I simply wouldn't look anywhere else when I (can afford to) return to valve amps.
    It weighs 29kg (Just the head) but it's worth it.
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  • deloreandelorean Frets: 224
    Alnico said:
    Used Series One Blackstar. (Roughly £350 - £550)
    100w EL34 or 200w KT88.
    Both 4 channel, both power scale down to 20w and both sound utterly amazing.

    They are NOTHING like the HT series and whilst they do have the ISF function, the S1's have other tonal controls and do NOT sound typically dark etc.

    You'll get a cab as well for that budget, should you need one and if you're prepared to see past the total power output and use your power scaling control, there's a myriad of sounds in there.

    Full MIDI and a headphone/emulated recording out plus XLR...

    After owning the 200w head, I simply wouldn't look anywhere else when I (can afford to) return to valve amps.
    It weighs 29kg (Just the head) but it's worth it.
    Haha funnily enough, that's my current amp - Series One 100w (6L6 version) =) 
    I've owned it for about 4 years, but the weight is finally getting to me!
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  • deloreandelorean Frets: 224

    If this is still available it could be the answer.

    http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/129835/36w-mjw-roadstar-head-450-posted-uk#latest

    @musteatbrain is a good guy to deal with too.

    Interesting, but it looks like it might be a bit too 'nice' for my purposes.  That said, I've never tried an MJW amp, and it may well be fantastic with pedals.  I'll see if I can check out some videos
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  • deloreandelorean Frets: 224
    Hamstead, Victory V40, JTM45
    Thanks!  I've tried the V40 and that isn't bad with pedals, it's on my list of 'maybes' at the moment =)
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  • AlnicoAlnico Frets: 4616
    delorean said:
    Alnico said:
    Used Series One Blackstar. (Roughly £350 - £550)
    100w EL34 or 200w KT88.
    Both 4 channel, both power scale down to 20w and both sound utterly amazing.

    They are NOTHING like the HT series and whilst they do have the ISF function, the S1's have other tonal controls and do NOT sound typically dark etc.

    You'll get a cab as well for that budget, should you need one and if you're prepared to see past the total power output and use your power scaling control, there's a myriad of sounds in there.

    Full MIDI and a headphone/emulated recording out plus XLR...

    After owning the 200w head, I simply wouldn't look anywhere else when I (can afford to) return to valve amps.
    It weighs 29kg (Just the head) but it's worth it.
    Haha funnily enough, that's my current amp - Series One 100w (6L6 version) =) 
    I've owned it for about 4 years, but the weight is finally getting to me!
    I sold my 200w and cab so I could move up North and get engaged, I didn't sell it because I didn't want it.
    I do miss it and given their low resale value, it may be prudent to keep it when you get your new one. They don't take up a huge amount of space.

    I've never been so impressed with an amp and the weight isn't easy, I'll give you that, but the sound was so worth the struggle (for me).

    Good luck fella.
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  • ZoolooterZoolooter Frets: 886
    Bogner Barcelona if you can find one.
    Comes as a head or combo.
    https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Bogner_Barcelona_Amp_Review
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  • shaunmshaunm Frets: 1591
    JTM45 is about as good as it gets as a pedal platform
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  • photekphotek Frets: 1462
    Gurus 5015
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  • musteatbrainmusteatbrain Frets: 871
    delorean said:

    If this is still available it could be the answer.

    http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/129835/36w-mjw-roadstar-head-450-posted-uk#latest

    @musteatbrain is a good guy to deal with too.

    Interesting, but it looks like it might be a bit too 'nice' for my purposes.  That said, I've never tried an MJW amp, and it may well be fantastic with pedals.  I'll see if I can check out some videos
    Thanks @countrydave ;
    It’s exceptional with pedals, probably more blues rock than 80s rock though.

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  • CountryDaveCountryDave Frets: 842
    delorean said:

    If this is still available it could be the answer.

    http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/129835/36w-mjw-roadstar-head-450-posted-uk#latest

    @musteatbrain is a good guy to deal with too.

    Interesting, but it looks like it might be a bit too 'nice' for my purposes.  That said, I've never tried an MJW amp, and it may well be fantastic with pedals.  I'll see if I can check out some videos
    Thanks @countrydave ;
    It’s exceptional with pedals, probably more blues rock than 80s rock though.

    Just add a Boss Metal Zone.
    (Runs & hides)
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  • deloreandelorean Frets: 224
    delorean said:

    If this is still available it could be the answer.

    http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/129835/36w-mjw-roadstar-head-450-posted-uk#latest

    @musteatbrain is a good guy to deal with too.

    Interesting, but it looks like it might be a bit too 'nice' for my purposes.  That said, I've never tried an MJW amp, and it may well be fantastic with pedals.  I'll see if I can check out some videos
    Thanks @countrydave ;
    It’s exceptional with pedals, probably more blues rock than 80s rock though.

    Just add a Boss Metal Zone.
    (Runs & hides)
    LOL!!!  
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  • timhuliotimhulio Frets: 1286
    tFB Trader
    70s silverface dual showman. Super clean, super loud.


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  • hubobuloushubobulous Frets: 2352
    Lonestar Classic. Exceptional clean channel, 25/50/100 power options
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  • hubobuloushubobulous Frets: 2352
    Suhr badger 30 or 35 also worth considering
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  • timmysofttimmysoft Frets: 1962
    Budda SuperDrive or GTFO! 
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  • KebabkidKebabkid Frets: 3301
    edited June 2018
    Andertons have a used Rivera Venus 3 Head that's within your budget range.

    It's 35W but it's been designed to have high clean headroom and be a great pedal platform. The styling is a little different (I like it). Actually, if I didn't have my Divided by 13, I'd be all over this.

    A used H&K Puretone would be great, too.

    Edit: @delorean - looking through Rivera stuff, I think Andertons might have this wrong as the Venus 3 appears to be a 15W amp with 6V6s. The Venus5 is the 35 watter with 6L6s - check if that was on your amps to look at whilst at Andertons :)
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  • BellycasterBellycaster Frets: 5834
    Mesa Express 5:50

    Bogner Goldfinger

    (I have owned one and still own the other)

    Both Amps are overkill just to use solely for pedal platforms, but great to own as amps to be enjoyed by themselves and to use as pedal platforms, if that makes sense.

    But then, there are no rules. I expect there are other models in the Mesa and Bogner range that are excellent.
    Only a Fool Would Say That.
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  • exocetexocet Frets: 1948
    Matamp GT1224. 
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