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I'm trying to put together a brutal earth shaking rig, using two half stacks. My fender/vox are fine for my indie jams or whatever, but they're not the right tools for a stupid loud sludge orgy. I don't want to halfass it this time, but I can't afford anything vintage/boutique/etc either, so a Sunn Model T or Soldano or Hiwatt stack isn't at all an option.

I just bought a Traynor YBA-1, so I already spend the better part of my monies. I'm good on peds and cabs, or at least I will be in the near future.

-Between 40 and 60Watts. Not a deal breaker, but I don't need 200watt of clean headroom. It'd be great if I could use the amp at home with my attenuator, which'll probably be possible if I go with something of about 40watt.

-Marshall/Orange: Nothing affordable out there that fits the description.

-Vintage Peavey/Laney/ampeg: Extremely rare and/or pricey around these parts it seems.

Right now I'm thinking: Musicman HD130 or 150, or some Sovtek Mig. Not too common on the used market either, but worth a shot.
Anything else I should look for? Anyone know of an affordable 50W plexi clone of some sort?

Honestly you need as much power as possible not just for volume but rather for bass response, i would go for more than 40 or 60w.

If you must go for that though, go for a RedBear mk60, the most massive lowend of any amp ever

Yeah, I know I'm making a bit of a compromise, even if volume isn't the issue. But I figured there should be 60watt amps out there that can somehow sound bigger/bassier than a lot of 100watt amps, just because of the way they're designed and all...

Like for instance that Redbear MK6, thanks for the tip. Didn't really know the company/brand, but now I think I remember seeing some in pics in the doom rig thread. Not exactly easy to come by though:s

Not super easy to find but worth it. The mk60 is bassier than anything but its not very loud because all that bass eats up volume/headroom. The deeper and bassier you want to go the more power you need

the issue with low end in lower powered amps is that lower freqs take more power to achieve the same perceived loudness as higher freqs. So while you can have an amp that is voiced darker, to really push that extreme low end we all love, more power is generally better.
this is why "bass amps" tend to be massively overpowered compared to "guitar" amps.

I see...So anything below 100Watt is a big no-no for a ridiculously heavy sludge tone?

Laney AOR may be worth a look. Redbear mk60 would be a solid choice as well. If you have a little bit to spend and some patience, you could probably find an Ampeg v2 or v4 at a good price.

Recently picked up a Laney AOR 50 from CL in the states (I'm in Aus) and it's very capable of huge sludge. Especially with the bass boost. God I love this amp.

Where the hell is peavey pricey?

frigid midget wrote:I see...So anything below 100Watt is a big no-no for a ridiculously heavy sludge tone?

depends on how loud the drummer is and how you EQ the amp.

Also do you require clean headroom?

I do. so 3 100+watt heads is what it takes for me.

I've had some damn loud 50 watt amps though, but that was back when I was not going for the sound I am now.

So you are absolutely deadset on a tube? cause I'd say that Orange CR120 is a great deal where you can pick them up for 4-450.

otherwise I'd second the Red Bear though they don't come up often.

also solid state Peavey cult is crush as fuck.

Look out for Fender PA 100 heads. They sound good but the preamp channels are not that great. Mod one of the channels to 'AB763' specs and it's a night and day difference. They don't come up often but when they do I see them between $200/300.

Good call on the Laney, Trey. Maybe look into Carvin heads as well.

I don't know jack shit about bassy rigs, or loud for that matter. . . .

but if I had a budget and needed

loud as fuck
bassy as fuck
cheap as fuck

I would look into
marshall mode four cab MF400 not the 280 ($200 round here)
annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd

a SS bass amp
and my fuzz of choice.

if I knew loud and low that is. . .

I really like my Ampeg b4R. it's a 1000watts of solid state power, sure it's not vintage or anything special with it's tone but I can dial a good enough one on it and just blow with the big muff I normally throw on it.

Never had a problem with it not being loud. in one band I played with we had 2 guitarists that used 2 half stacks each with the Ampeg SS150's. I was able to still be heard over all that so if that helps any with the basic idea.