High Gain Amp Shootout!

Disclaimer! I realize that no matter what method or approach I took to do this shootout, I am going to get people telling me that my approach was incorrect. So, I did this video exactly how I wanted to. It is more of a reference for me to see how my amps sound in the context of a track, and also soloed. I hope you guys can also benefit from it!
Here are the details:
This is a high gain amp shootout. I am choosing one channel per amp. The style is hard rock. The music is a portion of my band Atma Weapon’s song, ‘Clear Blue Skies’. I literally took the two original DI tracks from the album sessions, and re-amped each track though each amp.
Initially, you will hear the amp in the context of the song. That is, double-tracked guitars panned hard left and right. Towards the end of the clip, the drums and 2nd guitar track cut out, leaving a single centered guitar track. I want to show how the amp sounds in context of a recording, and how the amp sounds miked by itself. This will show you guys both ways.
Aside from the high gain amps. I'm also including a few lower gain amps like my Marshall 2203, 2204, and Soldano Aromic 16. ‘But you said this was a ‘high gain’ shootout!?’ Yes, it is! Back in the 80’s people boosted their Marshalls to get a high gain tones! That was the original high gain tone. Plus, I wanted to do a shootout with ALL of my amps, so there. For the low gain amps, I'm adding an Ibanez TS-9 Tubescreamer to boost them. Why a TS9? Because almost everyone knows about the TS-9, and they are easy to get a hold of. And aside from the Boss DS-1, this was the way it was done.
I'm setting every amp to how I like it. You will be able to see exactly how I set up each amp in the video. Just look at the pics of each amp while the demo rolls.
To mike the amp, I'm using a single Shure SM57 on a Celestion Vintage 30 for each track. Industry standard. The cab is a Mesa Boogie Traditional 4x12.
Anyway, let me know which amp was your favorite!
Music by: Atma Weapon
www.atmaweaponnc.bandcamp.com

[@braescanlon1829]

Diezel - 0:54 Orange - 1:40 Mesa Boogie - 2:26 Marshall JMP Fiedman Mod - 3:12 Peavey 5150 - 3:58Marshall JMP 2204 - 4:44 Soldano - 5:30 Marshall JCM800 - 6:16

[@cptnspicywiener]

Awesome profile pic! Helmet is amazing

[@wolfey4138]

CptnSpicyWeiner HELMET!

[@mikekrause8263]

These literally all sound almost identical

[@stingcarlsson7988]

@@mikekrause8263 yes, because of low res sm57😉! in the room there will be so MUCH more differences in tone! Do not forget low sound quality of KZbin as well.

[@stingcarlsson7988]

@Uly Malmsteen too fizzy and most mid scooped of them all!

[@tonyrodd]

Hard to beat an old school Marshall paired with a Tube Screamer. That purple JMP 2204 sounds awesome!

[@closer71]

Tony Rodd I have a 1978 JMP 2204 and was thinking about switching to a JCM 800. But lately I'm really digging that Orange Rockerverb 50 and if I ever buy one, it's going to be a Mk I.

[@timothyjay2012]

Tony Rodd Exactly!!!

[@markusraven2064]

Marshall

[@michaelsievers8476]

Tony Rodd nice but nothing sounds as sweet as the 13 dollar android im blasting

[@mikewallace1270]

Tony Rodd Yep there’s no doubt that that one sounds the best! Simply amazing.

[@hi13ts]

I think Marshalls inherently have this very clear and bright hi-midrange that I really dig. The Friedman modded JMP was crazy good.

[@bartlaan1996]

What honestly surprised me the most is how similar they sound through the same cab. Still, I think I liked the Soldano the most

[@M4Y0_]

+Bart Laan me too, that little soldano sounds terrific! Actually preferred it over the VH-4, I did not expect that! The VH-4 is indeed veeery compressed and quite low-middy.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

The V30’s seem to color everything and made all the amps sound tonally similar, even with different gain characteristics.

[@dirface]

Same here, Soldano had the perfect definition w/o being to harsh or boxy.

[@orangerecords_studio]

its a fake video. NO WAY that a Orange amp sounds just the same as the other ones

[@Bcwilderness]

@@orangerecords_studio not truth unfortunately , the cabs and mics and pres and convertors are what change the tone most, amplifiers just vary slighty in harmonic distortion, not the big percentage in sound that the brain hears or feels, some amps will sizzle or fizz more with diff cabs but v30s are sharp for a reason clarity in the mix, a tone is the sum of all its parts, just 35 years exp recording in great studios taught me this :)

[@ryanmiller9999]

Loved that MESA tone! The 800 was a close second for me, albeit very different sounding.

[@kurtisdesautels1605]

Almost 3 years later and this video is still one of the best comparisons out there! Great vid man and holy fuck you make it hard to pick a fave. You have them all dialed in so similar but awesome sounding. A few subtle differences in each but I’m surprised I liked the Orange and the Friedman nodded Marshall JMP the most. Thanks again 🍻

[@diezelvh4133]

Diezel are something special. Only amp where mids and bass as u turn up it adds harmonic content without mudd.

[@FEAROWNAGE]

Also make sure to run the presence hot. (70-100%)

[@techdeathhippie6319]

They are the best . The only amp that compares is Wizard MTL2. Those are my two go to brands

[@geomusicmove]

Man that JCM800 boosted with the TS is music to my ears, pun intended. Such a well rounded high gain tone!

[@timothyjay2012]

Still the Purple JMP has a special something going on in the Midrange treble end!! Pure Unbelievable Tone!!

[@FantasticExplorers]

"Man that Mesa knows how to Boogie" - Carlos Santana I think my fav is the Purple Marshall though.

[@timothyjay2012]

The JMP 2204 wins in my opinion. what a Massive amp with nothing but a tube screamer you can play anywhere and have the best tone ever!!!

[@trenthogan4212]

Yep, I agree

[@jhs5150]

There's something about them, an intangible. More organic. Punch, definition, tone - it's all there.

[@lespaul667]

When you get a good 2204, it's the best amp EVER MADE. :)

[@AlexRamosDrTaz]

Big daddy Ramrod either a tube screamer, or a RAT2 for thicker grind.

[@johnmarshall3903]

Totally agree

[@nicholasjansen5601]

Thank you for not maxing out the gain like so many other you tubers. It lets you here the tonal characteristics much more clearly with the gain backed off.

[@frankscassi4960]

This is a great demo, and as you said they sound very similar, that's true. V30s are an amazing weapon because their signature sound works so well in a modern rock/metal context, but trying different amp/cab combinations to bring out the subtle differences between them is a great process too. Many prefere a safer road by using combinations which are well known, but doing things differently can bring amazing results

[@ejazz666]

im a bit biased since i have 3 JCM800's that i run thru but that modded JMP sounded killer 2 me. all the more modern amps sounded a bit 2 dark. as if there was a blanket over the cab. i luv how the old marshalls hit u in the nads!! plus u can get all yr cleanish tones and yr high gain tones all in the 1 channel. good video m8 well done

[@BillVerdon]

Man! They ALL sounded awesome and that's not normally my choice of genre... I could listen to more of that though! Well done!

[@CameronJohnson]

Wow, thanks so much for saying so!

[@cliffords2315]

Thats really the deal, they are all awsome amps,

[@bigbluesigh]

This is epic man! Thanks much! Purple Marshall has the most "swagger" for my taste. Mesa is badass too (cant believe I'm saying it tho)

[@CameronJohnson]

Thank you for watching!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

I learned from this video that you're good at micing up a cab and dialing amps, because they all sound great. It's between the Mesa, the 2203 and 2004 for me. The Orange is great too

[@cdawg-switchhitter2473]

The Mesa and soldano where the cleanest and the best “high gain tone” I have the triple rectifier running through with a Decimator G-string & horizons device precision drive pedal and the tone is INSANE

[@michaelinglis567]

Love that riff, really well written

[@ASV1109]

Boosted old marshall sounds fantastic! Love it

[@cameronhensley5745]

Thanks for doing this. Great job! They all sound good, but particularly digging the 800.

[@CameronJohnson]

Absolutely! I'm also partial to the Marshall. :)

[@paulcowart3174]

So glad I've kept my 800 after all these years and sometimes I will pop a set of THD Yellowjackets in it when I want to dime it Secret weapon if you like el84s

[@dropGwolf]

Boosted Soldano took the gold for me, in this mix. The boosted Marshalls were close behind. Lot of great tones!

[@michaelmione]

I just came to listen to the phrasing which is real chuggy sweet. Well done!

[@CameronJohnson]

Thanks man! I appreciate the compliment!

[@JW-zs1pz]

They all sound good with a 1x12 vintage 30. A JMP or 800 generally need a 412 to sound best, at say 5 to 7 on the master/attenuator to open up the actual roar of a tube amp sound. A lot of cool toys in this video I like it!!!

[@rusticman]

they all sound good enough to work with! i couldn't choose

[@fastguned]

They all so close that if playing live I really don't think you could tell the difference because the other instruments would cover up the little subtleties.. I had a friend with more money than sense who would show up at a club with a different amp and guitar every week. he always sounded the same to me.

[@MrSimondaniel3]

imo hearing them in a live mix would actually emphasize the differences that are hard to hear in this vid. The marshalls, for example, will cut thru the mix more clearly than a 5150. The rest are all legit amps but i still think these old marshalls cut thru the best + generally sound the best.

[@bradhargis2261]

nah. You wouldn't hear much in a live mix. Its too loud for your ears to differentiate.

[@claudiocruzat7667]

@@bradhargis2261 indeed. At low volume yes..all the nuances appear but if you put the volume knob at 5 and overdrive at 10 on eachone of them..its hard to tell after a while.

[@Diggerdog2nd]

Hard to say they all sound great. But if I had to pick I'm partial to the JCM 800 because I also have one. I was told when I bought it in 1992 that it was an 1987 model but about a year ago I took the back off & there was a tag inside with the inspectors initials & a date from 1981 which is the first year they made the 800. Cool !! And your original music sounds great Bro !! Love to hear more. I guess at your band website .

[@paulcowart3174]

Pleasant surprise for sure 👍

[@StratMatt777]

Great comparison! I didn't realize that Atomics came in a cabinet like that until I just saw yours... for 22 years I thought that the cab my Astoverb effects loop prototype came in was a one-off, but it isn't! My cab is purple too, but the front is Fender-style chrome grille cloth type stuff (and the grille cloth is melted in the curved corners, so I guess they tried to heat it to make it stick or something?). It was displayed at the 1999 NAMM show. I bought it from Mike Soldano in 2002 for $500 after calling him to ask if it was possible to add an effects loop to an astroverb (even though I was flat broke) and he said, "Actually, I think I have the prototype on the back shelf, hold on, I'll go look... yes, I have it. It's been sitting for over a year since it came back from a guy in Germany who was going to become a dealer, but then didn't. It's covered in dust. I just need to put a US transformer in it. How does $500 sound?" He let me make payments. His factory was on my way home from work, just across the Ballard Bridge from my bank, so it worked out great. He is an absolutely SUPER awesome guy. I like that it makes a nice smooth, non gritty lead tone even at whisper volumes with the gain at 9 (or maxed). What is your favorite speaker with it? I currently have a (2002) V30 paired with a WGS Retro 30. I have not yet gotten around to popping in a Greenback to try (which is Mike Soldano's favorite speaker with his amps). You probably already know that the Atomic/Astro circuit is based on the SLO's clean channel with the crunch switch on. Now you know for sure. ;) This comparison made me stop thinking that I'd like to get a Mesa someday too. Thanks!

[@CameronJohnson]

Thank you! And wow, that's an incredible story. I love hearing stuff like that. Mike seems like a great guy.

[@bobholland3810]

Winner. All of the above. On a more serious note. No one in the audience will be blown away by any one of them more than they would by the other. Without the side by side comparison the audience will love any of them. So I’ll go with the lowest cost amp.

[@CameronJohnson]

Good logic. :) They are all good enough, so whichever one you prefer is the winner.

[@Kessellish]

Soldano for the win! Diezel a close second had a bit more bite in the mix than the orange! But both awesome. Wasnt impressed with the Mesa this time round which shocks me as i normally love them. Marshalls were all well balanced especially in the mix!

[@christianticehurst1659]

My top three favorites were the Marshall 2203, 2204 and the mesa, nice playing as well

[@picardoi8742]

the first amp sounded the best but you managed to set them all to sound pretty much the same... i found each amp has its own sweet spot which makes it unique..

[@larryc835]

The purple! Magnificent!

[@djent1448]

That riff is just awsome!

[@shovington67]

I really liked the tune you put together to test the amps. It really gave a good full spectrum run for each amp, and I thought the Diesel probably sounded the best. Of course the Diesel is probably the newest and most expensive of the amps, and I would imagine some of the other amps would shine with lower gain music types. Really liked the experiment.

[@prisonmike4971]

I really like the jam...and great diversity in the amps and different voicings, but the actual jam is solid.

[@CameronJohnson]

Thanks man+

[@stevendobias2960]

Awesome video. You managed to make them all sound great! Great variety of tone and complexity. Quite a stable of tools you have :).

[@bmwm3cs]

Loved them all, too hard to choose. Great selection of amps!

[@Nghilifa]

The Diezel and the 2203 does it for me! Can't go wrong with a Marshall!

[@eduluke2010]

For my taste, the winner: Mesa for the unique growl. Second for JCM and it's raw punch. Surprisingly third for Orange. Fourth for Peavey (I would push it more)... Soldano was a bit boxy for me. Diezel too dry/cold. JMPs not suited to the style.. Great test Cameron!! Thanks!

[@MrKnisterable]

Sound all good and close to each other

[@phantasmagora6542]

The purple JMP and the JCM800 sound killer. The Soldano is also deliciously rich-sounding.

[@jarrodottinger3]

I know this is late in the game, but for those who commented that the different amps all sound the same, try listening to it through studio headphones or monitors. The differences are there despite the use of the same guitar cab and mic setup.

[@DRCRANKNSTEIN]

they all sounded great!

[@dantredogborsa7048]

0:26 diezel 1:12 orange 1:58 mesa 2:44 marshall fried 3:30 peavey 5150 4:16 marshall jmp 5:02 soldano 5:48 jcm800

[@arbuttsnitch1550]

I repair this stuff all day ..6 days aweek. . I think a lot on here need to listen with a blindfold on. And then see what you like.

[@davecarsley8773]

You mean the 80% of people saying they all sounded basically the same?

[@johnp2110]

Recto's do something unique to the upper mids and top end. Especially when you play the full open chord during the solo guitars

[@jodywhite1971]

1. Diezel, it just fits the style so well. 2. Marshall 2203 3. Marshall 2204 The Orange and Mesa lacked definition. The 5150 sounded like it needed to be pushed harder. I think the Mesa was my least favorite.

[@kierenmorre5641]

1. Friedman JMP 2. 2203 c TS9 3. 2204 c TS9 4. Soldano (but a SLO100 preferably). Diezel may be most similar to this, but it seemed a little too muddy here at times, to me ... 5. Mesa (which has the most distinct sound - kind of woofie/swarm of bees). If this is the sound you want, then it would trump everything ... but I just prefer the modded Marshall/Soldano tone and clarity/tightness (YMMV).

[@yosefschoen1742]

I keep replaying this cuz of that riff. Wow.

[@poot111111]

You did a great job in this comparison, thx for the hard work!

[@vj9988]

The Mesa & the JCM800 are the best to me thought I usually love the sound of a Peavey 5150

[@pralongchristophe6842]

My personal top 3 : 1. The purple 2204 - 2. The Mesa DR - 3. The Diesel - but they all sounded good...

[@weezerman2002]

It sounded like the Peavey needed pushed a bit harder.

[@ericstoecker2096]

weezerman2002 Thought the same thing. Ive played through 5150s and they will melt your face!!

[@joepaul9855]

Yes they do

[@Walkerbjj]

I agree...or eq'd better....that was the only amp I didn't like in this video and I like 5150's

[@jeep5362]

One of each, please!

[@1thess523]

Saw this video 6 months ago and i just read my comment that said they were all pretty equal but hearing it again that purple Marshall 👍

[@chrissteele8910]

I think overall I like the Diezel the best. The Rockerverb sounds awesome in it's own way, I can see why those are so popular for Stoner Metal. The first Marshall and the JCM 800 had a certain mojo about them, I was surprised they sounded so high gain they could really hang with the others. The 6505 had a certain definition thing going. And the Soldano was interesting in some way I can't quite put my finger on. A lot of options you have there!

[@xtakerux]

MESA sounded so alive to me.

[@ainghellsgod9222]

X TaKeRu X i do agree with you sir

[@johnnybrown9581]

Who would’ve thought the Mesa would sound best with a Mesa cab....

[@retrocny5625]

@@johnnybrown9581 Those OLD 2 channel Dual Rectifiers sound absolutely killer, which says a lot considering I am NOT a fan of rectifiers generally. At least I don't like the modern era ones. But the old ones with the black tread plate and chrome control panel? Those are killer amps and HIGHLY sought after.

[@howardgillingham4763]

They all sounded the same to it kicked it brutal

[@theonlyduge]

thank you for doing a high gain shootout with some melody. I can never find a demos where it's not death metal. It helps to hear these amps over music I would play and not just jenting. not even sure if that's how it's spelled. anyways, thanks.

[@gonzalozech]

100% agree

[@jhs5150]

There is no better amp than the 2204. Marshall found the magic with that amp, even better than the 2203 which is basically the same circuit with 2 more output tubes. Stellar.

[@hetfieldprophet]

The tube screamer should have been used in front of all of them. The soldano was the hands down winner.

[@DCWelker]

All sounded Great, but the Diezel has my heart

[@TheSanctionextremis]

Am I being punked? They all sound pretty damn similar.

[@thatguy6387]

Just my opinion it isn’t legit

[@thatguy6387]

Anyone who has owned a Mesa Orange and Marshall, myself included knows this isn’t legit tone similarities in those amps

[@nickolaynaydenov3292]

@audiosamples Jazz guys don't understand some things... 😁

[@timbuk1126]

@* haha 😂

[@astickman7054]

amp doesn't matter that much it's the speaker

[@jamesmccabe8736]

Clear blue sky. Cool riff... I could live with any of these heads. I liked the mesa

[@tman6495]

Boogie and Diezel..allot of color in tone. most of the others were fuzz or enhanced by pedal.

[@Stevenotfamous]

I found all very similar, but indeed Diezel and Boogie where the ones who felt more livish to me

[@Husabuse]

The purple Marshall. Definitely.

[@EastBayBlue]

If I had to pick from this demo, the MESA

[@Bolle128]

Well, they are all great! Kudos to your recording skills.

[@paulcowart3174]

WOW they all sounded Encredible Anyone of them would work fine in a hi gain situation But have to give it up to Dave Friedman for the consistency of his fantastic amps and modds Modern day Gain Guru

[@deransadventures]

Honestly, pick one. The cab makes just as big a difference. For the amp, a well-dialed EQ can get just about any of these tones with any of these amps.

[@pumpkinheadghoul]

I see you have a lot of dust on that Mesa amp. Send it to me and I promise to keep it dust free.

[@kotymccallister5150]

Bit of dust on the 5150 as well. 🤔

[@Brian-lt1rf]

Tough, really tough! I’m a bit old school though and have always loved the Marshall/Soldano combination.. Soldano has gained my favor by being a consistent workhorse with great high gain tone.

[@jannevaatainen]

Damn, 2204! My future amp...must start saving.

[@M3dicinePYT]

I'll give you a couple lists. Ones I liked, meh, and nope. :) My pick: Mesa Ones I liked: Marshall JMP: 2204 (especially for the ringing notes), Marshall JCM 800: 2203, indifferent: Soldano, Diezel, Marshall JMP HBE Nope: Orange (not enough gain for me?), Pevey (kind of dark and muffled)

[@jessedelaney77]

Those stock Marshalls and the Soldano are killing it. The rest are pretty similar.

[@ekostopoulos]

The Soldano sounds amazing. My 2nd choice would be the Dual Rectifier.

[@spookynico4192]

The Marshall JCM 800,Friedman modded Marshall, and the orange all sounded great

[@retiresoon5639]

My first pick would be the Diezel everything after this seemed to be a compromise in clarity and balance. It didn't have the punchy lows but the bass was dialed back. #2 Friedman Modded Marshal. #3 Marshall JMP 2204. Playing a different guitar with different pickups would mix up the list. The 5150 was the only Amp that was a total turn off for me, No definition in the notes and muddy sounding.

[@intervalkid]

Bunch of great amps!

[@cbx1168]

Purple JMP with Tube Screamer sounded great

[@xpicklepie]

I hate to say it, being an old Marshall guy, but the 5150 does it for me.

[@CameronJohnson]

I'm a Marshall fanatic, but I also like a good 5150.

[@TheRemizinho]

2204 all the way, killer sounding amp!

[@Walkerbjj]

I liked all of them except the 5150.

[@johnjamison6639]

The diesel was the winner in my ears - then osoldano and rockerverb followed by the 800

[@AikawaMartialArts]

I'm jumping on the Orange train. The clean tones are insanely clean... the distortion is more than enough... I've always said you can make good distortion with just about any amp as long as the speakers are good... but you can't make an amp with shitty clean tones sound clean.

[@davidbuzzin426]

👍🇬🇧❤ JMP & 800 MARSHALL'S ( tube screamer ) 💥🎸

[@wmk0100]

Ok I listened to this blind 3 times and made my decision on the second and verified it on the third...my pick is the JCM800

[@alphonsefrascato3342]

Marshall JMP Fiedman Mod but the Mesa Boogie was a close second! Great sounds!

[@Zebkill]

Nice video stuff !!! And my favorite is the Mesa Boogie, lot of space and very precise, that what I search for my guitar sound.

[@mermiatwd]

The Friedman Modded Marshall, JCM 800, Soldano & the Rockerverb all sounded really great. The Diezel & Mesa just have too much of a high gain choked tone that is a little too sterile sounding for me. I think the Friedman Marshall sounded really great (especially with no additional boost on the front end), but the JCM 800 I think had the richest tone... I'd prefer a Chandler Tube Driver or a Creation Audio Labs Holy Fire 9 for additional front end boost/drive rather than the TS9.

[@allstellar]

I think they are all nice... The pick attack (chugging) is important here.. How the amp tracks and if it adds character / is fast tracking / removes color / adds color to the tone... Metal is chugging. FACT!... ANyways.. the Marshall jcm 800 tracks fast and adds enough bass to thicken that part. That's my fave .. the jcm 800's with the screamer is my jam...... The Orange was surprisingly awesome though.. It may be the winner! Mos of the other amps migh have more gain but they aren't adding thickness / fatness / and color..

[@juliodefreitas157]

The soldano sounds a little better than the rest, that's what it think, the 5150 comes second messa boogie third ,orange 4th purple Marshall, black Marshall 5th. That's my opinion. Thanks for sharing your video. .awesome 👍

[@Walks-With-Pride]

To my ears Marshall ruled.

[@BPToneReview]

Man what a great comparison. Well done. My personal top 3 were 1) the recto (btw which revision was that? So tight!), 2) Diezel VH4, 3) Friedman modded Marshall. Honestly, they all sounded great, with the atomic 16 being the sleeper.

[@paradox7743]

Good demo/They all sound really good I love The Rockerverb/5150 .I own both but would Love to see an ENGL in there because pound for pound The Fireball Devours everything.That AMP put's a wicked smile on my Melted Face...

[@andreasleonlandgren3092]

They all differ a bit in sound to me the Diezel is stepping up the game the most. I Also dig suhr amps

[@1966caprice]

Mesa for me. Diezel and JCM800 are a close 2nd and 3rd choice, though.

[@zankyalbo2208]

I can't believe what I'm about to say ... thru headphones . The Orange . nice low chunk . sparkling highs .. Yep !

[@sassulusmagnus]

I liked that Friedman modded Marshall best. The purple JMP 2204 was also killer, and I was surprised how good the Orange sounded. The JCM 800 2203 sounded a bit mushy in the highs. Those amps can sound tighter and clearer than that; I think maybe the preamp might have been set too high. Every amp in the comparison sounded great, though. Thanks for the demo.

[@gordontubbs]

This confirms my theory that any high gain amp going through Vintage 30s will sound good. lol. Subtle differences between all.

[@luciferhades9805]

Diezel impressed me the most.