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I've always played rock, currently have a selection of heads and cabs, but still choose pedals into a fender. Pedals these days are great, and personally I find a clean boost after drive for solos much more predictable than a boost in the fx loop. Playing into a clean amp also avoids the 'sweet spot' frustration. You simply make it louder or quieter as required with virtually the same sound.
If you want a new amp I'd seriously consider another HRD and a micropitch between them for the full VH spread. That will get your rock on!
The 50w is plenty loud enough, channel 3 has a comical amount of gain but it can be turned down as well.
If you can get the MK2 version you get a better volume balance across the 3 channels.
Interesting to hear some folk believe my HRD is actually the best solution. It could well be but I really want a head and cab, I've never had one.
I'm now in a position to mic an amp for live gigs so I would just need the stage volume and for rehearsals. This has meant I could get a smaller amp and have reduced the choice down to two heads...
PRS MT15
Or
Friedman PT20
It would be good to hear from any current or previous users to get your opinions.
Its heavy for a lunchbox amp due to the amount of components stuffed into it but it is still much lighter than a proper head. It is also slightly larger than a standard lunchbox, it is the same depth as a full head but obviously shorter and not as wide.
The clean channel is ultra clean at least with the guitars i use. there is not much in the way of edge-of-breakup in that channel, you might find different if you use high output humbuckers or something though.
The gain channel is very saturated. You can get some crunch up to about 9 o clock on the dial but anything after that is just different flavours of high gain, i messed around with replacing the preamp tubes to give me more sweep on the gain knob which worked but resulted in a slightly softer sound than the ax7's.
The front end is silent but if you want to use the effects loop it is noisy from the factory so i recommend replacing the stock ax7 with an at7 in the loop recovery socket, so factor that into your budget if you want to use it.
It is definitely very useful to have independent 3 band EQ for each channel, i can't think of another lunchbox head that has that off the top of my head.
And finally, the blue and red LED's look cool as hell on a dark stage, and that's the main thing of course.
I haven't owned an MT15 but from what I hear it has the type of gain channel that isn't that responsive to the guitar, in that it won't clean up as well. Also the clean channel sounds too clean to me.
The PT20 can go from cleanish (plenty clean for me) to full on heavy crunch just from varying the guitar volume. It's very responsive to the guitar. Hit it with a Tube screamer to take it over the top. For me it also sounds best with a greenback style speaker.
I haven't compared the other 2 on your list to compare but th MT15 is really high gain so I'd be surprised if it cleans up as well. And it has a clean channel for a reason.
incredibly portable, punchy and loud. Cab Clone simulator for direct out to desk if needed, footswitchable EQ boost.
https://youtu.be/i0p-ks5xlnY
Is this different the Express 5:25?
Does the cab cline mean I can plug directly into a PA via xlr and leave the cab at home for some gigs?
Difference with the Express: the express has 2 modes per channel, the Mark V has 3 modes per channel, therefore greater versatility and more varieties of gain on tap on the overdrive channel. Also not sure if the express lets you run the channels independently on different wattages, the Mark V let’s you do that so useful for retaining clean headroom on that channel but getting earlier compression on the overdrive channel.
The cab clone has a speaker off switch to enable you to run direct into a desk or recording device without needing a cab. That means you can also EQ it from your desk as well if required.
If you’re anywhere near Gloucestershire you’re welcome to try mine.
Couple of Friedman's - Dirty Shirley was nice but not that great in the mix. That's long gone Currently a BE50 Deluxe that I haven't had a chance to take out, but sounds very promising.
My recent club sort of rig has been a pair of Cornford Roadhouse 30 combos that I run either in stereo or W/D. They're oversized and sound nearer to a 2x12 apiece, portable, good loops and sound great. They only cost me £400 each. Having 2 also gives you a backup option. I prefer them to the old Hellcat I had years ago.
Like you, I prefer a loop for modulation and volume boost purposes. My old 2204... Wish I'd sent it to Dan Gower for a loop before selling it.
Boogie Stiletto is nice live.
Also have a Fryette Power Station... A simple, classic Marshall circuit with that will be amazing and gives you a clean, post loop.
I've had a lot more, but these were probably my favourites