HIGH GAIN AMPS TIER RANKING!

[@chrisstrohman4131]

A pickup tier list would be pretty entertaining 👀

[@xanderraymondcharles]

amazing idea!

[@berkayakdag733]

@@xanderraymondcharles how are you doing ray

[@mikerauter1859]

Not as interesting as a guitar pic list

[@johncarter9509]

Mojotone is S, everything else is worse. Done. lol.

[@dmytrotarasov9477]

Pickups make almost no difference in high gain tones, so it is pointless

[@10FootMushroom]

I appreciate the fact that you put the Mark V in the “not for me” category as opposed to “pass” but as a Mark V owner I must say it is an absolute monster. It really requires you to learn how to use it though. If you try to EQ it like a Marshall or some other amp it will sound like shit. Minor adjustments make a huge difference tonally. Pristine cleans to crushing hi gain. One of the greatest amps ever conceived!

[@realtruenorth]

Kinda like a Kemper, once you figure it out and work the secondary EQs and cab Sims, its a beast.

[@Soldano999]

Sounds like an amp you spend more time getting to sound right than actually playing.

[@howtoshootstraighthtss4948]

@@Soldano999 not really, doesnt take long

[@Col.JohnMatrix]

Im currently saving to get a Mark V. I've been playing a Mesa Roadster 2x12 since 08..time for a change. Roadster is to loose and flabby..very dark amp. Im running the MXR 10 band in the loop and a precision drive out front..has really tightened things up for me. However i feel the next progression is to get a mesa i can truly be happy with for years to come. Im a home player, no bands or playing out. Is the 90w combo worth it vs the head/cab?

[@10FootMushroom]

@@Col.JohnMatrix I’d go with a the head personally. I run mine through a lonestar 2x12 with v30s and it sounds awesome. The mark v is definitely tight sounding. My favorite setting is channel 2 crunch mode at 45 watts with a Mesa grid slammer in front. Sounds brutal.

[@zAvAvAz]

awesome! ENGL savage and the ENGL savage II up there with the 5150 III and the SLO 100

[@TYLERtheMAGGOT1]

1. EVH stealth (50 and 100 watt) 2. Peavey 5150/6505 3. Mesa Dual rectifier Love the 5150 series. I found the 5150 block letter and 6505 to sound almost exactly alike so that's why I'm pairing them both.

[@TheTN24]

The 5150 and 6505 is the exact same amp. I guess the only difference now is where they are made.

[@clothbooster]

@@TheTN24 exactly, Peavey lost the naming rights after Eddie moved to Fender, that's why they changed the name. But they are basically the same thing.

[@sparky87213]

I got the 50 watt EL34 5150. I did the C137 capacitor cut. It’s super simple to do and completely woke the amp up. I was happy with how it sounds and now I’m in love with it

[@xanderraymondcharles]

amazing idea

[@sparky87213]

@@xanderraymondcharles best way to describe is that is super similar to the other 5150 3s but with that EL34 flavor.

[@morky_mork]

How did that capacitor cut wake up the amp? I'm running one as well.

[@sparky87213]

@@morky_mork it makes it more similar to the 6L6 5150 amps. It tightens up the blue channel substantially and you have more adjustment gain wise.

[@morky_mork]

@@sparky87213 appreciate it, I'll look into modding mine. Thanks bud

[@Lukasz_KLAT]

Here's Randall Satan user point of view, that no-one ever told before - The uniqueness of this amp is that it's a middle ground between solidstate and tube amp. It has a character of a tube amp pushed with modified RAT. Imagine a solidstate amp that can actually plays great lead tone and open chords. That's Satan amp. A bass player will love you too, this amps gives a headroom for bass player to fill in and shine. A lot of bedroom players sold it as it's not that bass heavy as dual rectifier and doesn't give that air pump kick in the chest effect, but this amp sounds so good in a mix, especially for 7 string death metal. A one amp that can make slow doom, constant blast beat death metal, liquid shred solo, rock tone - that's a godtier amp.

[@petemadden8821]

I have the 50 watt EVH 5150 with EL 34s and I play in classic rock band.I run that flubby Blue channel for everything but clean. I have seen the mod that can be done but I won’t do it.The whole point of the EL 34 is that it has that different sound,that sag. The mod that can be done makes it sound like the regular 5150,not the Stealth.My band plays,Hendrix,Pink Floyd,Cream,Free,Bad Company…I use a Helix Floor to run effects but don’t use the amp or cab models…just the effects and the Helix changes the channels on the amp using MIDI.Saw Journey live and noticed Neal Schon was using the 100 watt EL 34s..was close enough to see what channel he was on…Surprisingly he was was on the Blue for a lot of the solos and most of the rhythm parts.And he went from those really nice Marshall cabs to stock EVH cabs later in the tour.I have been using the stock cabs with the EVH EL 34s since day one.I see a ton of guys hating on the 50 watt EL 34 Blue channel but they probably play more aggressive music than my band.I guess if I was doing more of a metal thing I would do the mod or just get a Stealth. I have had Fenders,Marshalls,Peavys,Splawns,and Crates( that were cheap and durable!) Half the fun is the constant quest for the perfect amp.

[@braddtatum]

Great video! Would love to see where you place the ENGL Fireball 100. Cheers!

[@27dgonzalezzz]

Killer vid. I wish you had at least one ENGL in here

[@villageidiot9867]

God tier.

[@chadwickcore]

Same with Revv. And Hughes and Kettner

[@roosterj2599]

My Orange Super Crush is a beast! I run an OD in the front and a 7 band EQ in the loop and there you have it. As close to a hotrodded tube amp you can get with a transistor amp. The most solid and reliable live and recording rig I've ever heard.

[@TobyKBTY]

Ray always keeping it wholesome and awesome. Still respectful even when you aren't a fan of the amp, which trust me is a hard being such passionate gear heads lmao. But that was cool, right now I'm happy with my Iconic but I'm in the process of selling it for an OG EVH 5150iii as an upgrade. Totally agree those things are sick. But the Iconic itself is a cool amplifier, I actually love mine...I just had the displeasure of trying the 5150iii recently in comparison, which was totally "the sound in my head"

[@jketterman6054]

Based on tone, I think the iconic is a little more than solid. I think it's an amazing amp. Even when you compare it to the new 6505s, i think the crunch channel blows it away. I'm still a huge fan of the 6505, but I think EVH did an amazing job on the amp.

[@realtruenorth]

Yep,, EVH stealth, maybe others to, is better than the 6505.

[@isaacvasquez4401]

I would agree but it’s because the iconic is the only tube amp I’ve ever owned and listened to in person. 😂 I think my EQ200 made it sound a lot better since it was kind of lacking bass. I boosted up the bass and lowered the really high frequencies and it sounded a lot more kickass to my ears.

[@aaactive8]

I can appreciate all these, how you've ranked them, and largely that this is your opinion. The only thing I can't get is the Randall Satan. I took have owned the majority of these and more, and to me the 'flavour' of the Satan is like a 5150, except it's bigger, more versatile, and just a better version. The 5150/6505 has always been an amazing choice, and have held up frmo the day the came out to now. But the metal tone is fairly limited, so when the Satan feels similar but it's just bigger, clearer, and more versatile while being every bit as tight and crushing, I couldn't put Satan 2 tiers below personally.

[@Fuzzybunny-ki1cw]

I bet it's really cold in that room... head gear is a must.

[@faytalomega7620]

Dude I thought you were skinny Pete for a hot second

[@thomasring3022]

This was fun! I think it would be cool if you put them in the order you like them most for each tier as you add them in. I know I’m interested to see what your favorite to least favorite in the god tier would be.

[@edwardmorales2178]

PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE, add the REVV 120 and the awesome Mesa Badlander 100!!!

[@sho-nuffmadrigal6857]

Agufish just did this with epiphone guitars. Great minds think alike. You should interview him. I liked your interview with fluff.

[@JeffV]

I think kdh has been doing it too

[@Fattypatty2x4]

I thought the video was OK. I really want to see you give us a tour of everything you have. And I saw your interview yesterday. I’m one of the people that wish the videos were longer. Like I don’t think they have to be so polished. But that’s just me. Anyways keep up the good work. 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@hbrmetal]

God bless you for stopping by this comment, and may your entire family prosper in all areas

[@TheRosswise]

I would also add that if you add a few pedals (EQ, boost) you can get just about any metal tone you want out of these amps. Might have to use specific speaker for some tones.

[@cobhc182]

Absolutely shocked at how low you ranked the Orange Rockerverb! I’ve tried pretty much everything and to my me Rockerverb 100 MKIII with a Klon clone is the best sounding amp I’ve ever heard.

[@electricmeatpuppet]

+1 to both of those! I love the Rockerverb, Klon style pedals are def underrated among heavy players I feel. I especially love the Rockerverb boosted with a RAT though ;)

[@0megalul309]

Orange seems to have a following where 80% find it a muddy mess and ignore all their amps and there's the 20% who spent their mortgage on anything new from orange

[@aleskdc3808]

Not me saying "F%$# YEAH" when you put the EVH 5150 in god tier

[@bunsenn5064]

The JTM45 is an unsung legend to me. So much breakup and that top-end distortion when it’s cranked, but the clarity at low volume is impressive. You can do beautiful clean tones with it, you can do fat crunch with it, you can do balls-to-the-wall speaker distortion with it, you can do it all basically.

[@elus1ve0ne64]

I agree with a lot of your standings here except the evh el34. Clip that c137 resistor ( I believe that’s the one ? ) and the blue channel comes alive !! Also I would have liked to see your opinion on the peavey invective. 🤘😎

[@K707OR30]

I got an iconic, was pretty happy with it, but traded up to the 100w stealth. Loved the blue channel, hated the green and red channels. I wanted to fall in love with the stealth as a whole but I just couldn’t stomach the price tag and only being happy with one thing about it. Then I read where James said he voiced the overdrive of the green channel on the iconic to sound super close to the 5150iii blue channel and I compared the two. The iconic green channel overdrive really can sound just like the 100w stealth blue channel. That pretty much did it for me and I got rid of the stealth. I’m probably just weird because I know everyone else worships that amp, but at that price I can’t rationalize only liking one thing about it. Also hated the 7 pin DIN foot switch jack setup with no midi option. How does the 100w not have midi but the 50w does?

[@realtruenorth]

I have been able to get my sleath green channel to do an excellent JCM800 with my Fryette GP/DI in front, love every channel of that thing and it's versatile if you run EQ through the loop and the right pedals in front, opens up a lot of doors. I really didn't expect to like it as much as I do. I'm a Mesa/Fyette guy.

[@bastianmaoro8278]

For me the JCM 800 and the Rectifier it's god tier, and I kinda prefer the 6505s than 5150.

[@wes3793]

Yeah man. the recto, jcm 800, and 5150/6505 are THE amps.

[@clothbooster]

5150 and 6505 are the same thing

[@jakersrule7267]

I was able to find a Randall Thrasher 120 W amp head for $700 at GC because they mislabeled it as the 50 W version. Needless to say, I bought it and it has been my go-to amp for a year now and I just love it.

[@harshtruth9148]

I prefer a Diezel herbert because of the mid cut section....its amazing

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

except the over 4k price tag

[@harshtruth9148]

@@GuitarsAndSynths totally agree. Plug-in where it’s at

[@chauncysmind]

1.Revv 100p (2) victory super kraken (3) Peavey invective.I would say is my top 3. But find myself loving the Neural DSP Quad Cortex, it's light,easy to use, and I can still get my tones that I love out of my Revv and other high gain tube amps

[@doublesynchrohelix8613]

I 2nd your #1... just got done selling 3 heads I don't need anymore because of it

[@Dicktoben]

Love my 120

[@OfficialSNMvids]

Cool ranking list and I've played and own some of these amps, but have you played the JP2C Mark IIC+? That might be to your liking vs the Mark V? I played a 30wat SLO head at GC recently and was not a fan of it, but the OG Peavey 5150 will always be my number one favorite because that was my first tube amp I've owned \m/

[@MaximusAdonicus]

The Mark 2C among with Mark 4/5 are the BEST GODTIER amps in the world!! Second to none when seeking for that ultimate 80's thrash tone! 🤘🤘 But I'm pretty sure he'd not like any of them, since he didn't like the 5 either :(

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

@@MaximusAdonicus they need a boost then sound awesome

[@DarthV506]

Mark series is usually love or hate. Not exactly the easiest amps to dial in. Love mine, it's the only amp I kept after going digital. Liquid leads and tight metal rhythm tones. Never could gel with the Dual Rec without an OD, just too much low end.

[@howtoshootstraighthtss4948]

Liquid leads and tight brutal rhymth is the way I describe the mark V myself too, love mine too! And i am not being defensive cuz i have a few amps. Not hard to dial. Dont get why people cant dial it.

[@stevenrae3841]

Great video! but why no ENGL love?

[@revelore4090]

6505 is literally the same as 5150. there are no differences other than the name

[@bread6085]

You should do a petal tier list

[@techdeth]

Just curious, do you have any experience with ENGL's? This was the god tier amp for me growing up with technical death metal in the 90s and 00's. Love the video and channel my brother! 🤘

[@xanderraymondcharles]

Hey dude! I’ve honestly never played an engl other than one time at The Tone King’s house back in 2019. That’s why I didn’t have any in this video. I need to fix that! Thanks for hanging!

[@kamilstuczynski4386]

Awesome rating M8, and the best thing about it, it's to find out how different we are about chasing our tone... I always considered amps as the base only and than adding to it with pedals, besides my amp that nobody knows 😅. If I made it would be probably quite different. Awesome to hear your opinion buddy

[@Soldano999]

I somehow make everything sound pretty much the same. I've had amps and pedals of all kinds and somehow it doesnt make mich difference !

[@KeepAnOpenMind]

I wonder what Ray would say about 5150 iiis 100w EL34?

[@honeybadger1810]

I love the rectifier sound, the texture of the gain on it is my favorite out of any amp I’ve tried. It can get out of control without some love though

[@sdriscoll3586]

I was amp hunting and was pleasantly surprised by the PRS MT15. I almost bought it , but decided to get an EVH Iconic 40 Watt Combo for versatility. I would've put it a tier higher.

[@averycoolturtle]

I agree with pretty much everything in this list except I'd probably put the MT15 in amazing.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

Sad to see the Rockerverb go in the “not for me” tier. Jim Root sold me on a MKIII, I might settle for a Super Crush 100 and call it a day though.

[@deckerh.7620]

Awesome video and reasonings for the rankings 🔥🤘

[@drewgraysonxoxopanda]

5150/6505 is the exact same. Glad they are still making it. I would never leave the house with my 1992 peavey 5150. 😆

[@ThatGuysGuitars]

Odd to have a 5150 as god tier, and the 6505 below it, when it’s the same amp. Should be the same ranking (or not ranked) as it’s literally the same amp

[@dookieeater]

I have a Bogner Uberschall EL34, I had an opportunity to buy it from a friend and sold oh so much to get it. You need to try one of them with a baritone my friend. They have a 6L6 version as well but I’ve never played one. If you wanna try it out maybe we can work something out. I also used a buddies rev to record and used a tele with a quarter round in the bridge and it was one of the angriest most pissed off sounds I’ve ever recorded.

[@rickycompton2610]

Agrred, great video Ray you should definitely do a pickup one too.

[@PC85X]

Most underrated - Hughes & Kettner Warp series

[@SluggerStark]

Hughes and Kettner are underrated period. I had a Triamp mk2 for a number of years and would still rate it in my top 5 amps I have owned.

[@samuelzullig3501]

Where would you rank the regular 50 Watt Kraken Amp?

[@Fattypatty2x4]

I wanna see you do one on lunchbox amps.

[@zKo87]

I second this.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

need to add Bogner Uberschall, Diezel Herbert, ENGL Smolski, Revv Generator and Friedman amps to the mix. Also what about Splawn Quickrod/Supersport, Ceriatone Yet?

[@Vikis420]

Have you ever used rivera venus 6 ? Imo its uber God tier hi gain amp.

[@kevinanthony3144]

Guitar speaker tier rank list

[@OfficialDreamTheater]

I know you didn't mesh with the Mk V HOWEVER, I believe the complexity and lack of "out-of-box "PERFECT"" is what makes it a dominator of an amp. I have a Mark V 90W with a Celestion C30 and the insane level of tweakability to the tone is unprecedented.

[@bishfish1514]

no engl amps?

[@ilmisxx2]

Nope

[@Silas-lc9op]

I wish the Laney Ironheart was in there

[@alfonsoromero4164]

Also maybe do a shootout of the combo versions of said amps. At least those available in that capacity.

[@thet740]

First I was confused on your rating for the Mesa Dual Rec but then you explained why, and I can't combat any of that lol.

[@danielglover33]

I was hoping to see a framus cobra in your list. Just to see where you would rank it along side the rest of the amps in your list.

[@dustinmullings2672]

I was hoping you would mention the PRS Archon. If you haven't checked one out, you should! It would be a cool review video. Good list though! Great work man. \m/

[@joslinnick]

Have you had a chance to play the Mesa/Boogie Mark VII? A lot of people seem to like it.

[@isaacqn3s]

As a Dimebag fanboy I completely agree with your opinion on the rg100. It really is surprising that the amp was the basis of his tone. Because even with a decent boost it is just very lackluster and not as brutal as some people make it out to be. But anyways I loved the video and your opinions were definitely solid

[@Soldano999]

There's a video somewhere of Dime bag playing through a marshall mini stack and he still manages to make it sound good.

[@needsLITHIUM]

Also, it's my opinion that any medium to high gain Marshall works great as an HM-2 chainsaw machine if you pair it with any decent high gain amp, boosted or not. Like a Rivera Knucklehead, a Diezel VH4, 5150/6505/Rectifier/SLO voiced amp, or a Friedman. Personally, for the 5150/6505, I prefer the EL34 varieties, with the exception of the Invective and Iconic, just because I happen to like the sound of the Invective and Iconic in particular over the other varieties that come with 6L6 power tubes. Victory Kraken is pretty cool, as well, with a modded Marshall voiced channel and a Mesa adjacent channel; I like the idea of being able to choose, or to use one of each for double/quad tracking while recording. Everyone always uses 5150/6505 for chainsaw. Be different.

[@ChrisEck13]

You should do one of these for smaller heads, like maybe 15-30 watts.

[@realtruenorth]

Pretty spot on, except I would put the Mark V in solid,, and 6505 in not for me, but only because the stealth EVH pretty much eclipses it IMO.

[@amirtak9886]

My #1 amps: EVH Stealth 50w, Fortin Cali, PRS MT15, Marshall JCM800 2204

[@Frankentoane]

Nice idea for content.

[@davidjoel111]

Dislike this video because you didn’t put the only high gain amp I own in GOD tear! The Mark V is the best amp ever made!!!!!! Wah wah wining!!!!!!! Joking! I did love my Mark V but never had a chance to play it live, cant make a judgment on it. Love to talk about gear so massive like to this video! ❤

[@brownsfanlarry1340]

Have you play through any Hughes & Kettner Tubemiester series? I love mine. It has a good clean & a great gain channel.

[@adamziehm-friesen7480]

Saw your recto on reverb! Keep it!

[@TheMirrorify]

Pretty impressive to see the MT15 hang with these heads to be honest.

[@needsLITHIUM]

I mean, the JCM 800 does work well for making chainsaw sounds if you boost it with an HM-2, just dime everything but the gain on the pedal, and put the gain on the amp at 3 o'clock or maxed, depending on whether or not you use the gain knob on the HM-2. That's what I do with my JCM voiced Joyo Jackman, and also how I use JCM 800/Plexi voiced amp sims. I use that as a quad track layer with a boosted Orange, or live with an A/B/Y pedal to run my Joyo Jackman in parallel with my Joyo Meteor, which I boost using a precision drive, and I run both amps to their own cab. Oh, it sounds so fucking sweet in the room, and on recordings, holy SHIT does it sound nice running my amp sims into those cabs and mic'ing them up in an isolation box.

[@hirkkammett6342]

Very respectful opinions 🤘🤘

[@zday9940]

Amy experience with the Diezel Herbert? Definitely more modern sounding than the VH4

[@sparemers8380]

I think for videos in context about amps and ranking them it should be stated what bands/albums you grew up on and love to get an idea of what tones you like for example i grew up on the metalcore/deathcore so peavey 5150/6505s is a top tier tone for me but others may have grew up on death and slayer etc so marshalls would be up on the list for them etc.

[@stefanoargenys]

The intro sounded like pollution from LB

[@chadjackson4471]

I'll personally like crate the sound of tones you should do a review on the old crates

[@MP-vg3js]

Dual Rectifier should at least be in amazing tier. But i would def take a Victory Kraken over it tho

[@jac25412]

I played a 6505 for years. Bought a 5150ii 6l6 last year and havent touched the 6505 since.

[@alegutierrezmusic]

JCM 800 deserves the god tier, too many good records with that amp.

[@Vazaqin]

there's a ghost @ 9:34

[@jamesosterberg2510]

I love my Marshall JCM 2000 - TSL 100 i have since 2001, and my JET CITY JCA 100H (based on the famous SLO that anybody can't afford !!! ...got mine for 280€ btw....!!!! )

[@TheSadasar]

those jet cities are amazing.

[@NMbass906]

Hey Ray hope you're doin well! If you ever get the chance definitely check out some Mezzabarba and Dover! Just incredible amps!

[@raymondclass6794]

I heard splawn is the pinnacle of hot rodded marshalls

[@StarkJJ]

I was hoping you would have ranked the Peavey Invective 120. 😎

[@keeprocking3620]

The original 5150 is god tier, but the 6505 goes to amazing. Bruh

[@CJ-hu4cs]

Im not really sure a vh2 sounds like a vh4

[@gunzero7]

Peavey 5150 is the top dog for me. I’ll never sell mine, and I can only play every blue moon. Those few times a year are worth it.

[@m_zbrv3967]

i mean.. you can't put randall SATAN in "god" tier

[@cchan11cc]

The pickups really make a difference on these amps and at what vloume u are playing at.

[@hernanisilva5760]

You definitely have to try ENGL

[@trentfranks4507]

Have the el34 5150. I loved it at first and I love the red channel but I don't think the amp is very versatile green/blue volume differences are hard to balance. I personally like using one amp. I play blues, country, metal ect. I have played a few of the amps in your god tier and they were more versatile for sure

[@johnnyromero3336]

I enjoyed this Stay Metal Ray thanks for doing this! However I think the EVH 5150 III 100 Watt EL-34 S should have been used not the 50 Watt EL34. The EVH 5150 III El34 100 Watt S is a Beast!

[@amirtak9886]

Ur right the 50w is too muffled sounding compared to the 100w el34.

[@br1ck1e90]

This has been helpful but I still can’t seem to make a decision. My amp no longer works and have been meaning to replace it, I’m still relatively new to guitar but am mainly interested in metal and rock music. What would you say is a good amp I can go for ?

[@timothywhitmire4711]

You left out one of the best. Peavey triple x

[@collinjohnson7417]

Should have done the Marshall JVM!!

[@alfonsoromero4164]

I'd actually like it if you took your fav high gain amps and compare the clean tones.

[@bradylasserre9320]

I really want to like Rectifiers. Its a mainstay in all the music I like. But I can not get a good tone out of one. Ever.

[@nikposada0824]

As a nooby to heads in general, I pretty much learned some things here. But i wanted to ask if you have tried a Kemper.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I want to get a new high gain tube amp to replace my Bogner Uberschall and Mesa Mark V that has better tighter gain and articulate note separation for lead/solos but can chug heavy metal rhythms. What would you recommend? I tried EVH/5150 too cheesy. Want something better.

[@Vortex1988]

Everything is God tier according to this guy.