Between those 3, the Mesa has the biggest bottom. Cab wise, if you are going to push a lot of bass, Marshall Mode 4 with 100 watt celestions or a Vader or Krank cab with Eminence legends. The matching Mesa cab is nice but the ones I mentioned sound tighter IMO.
Cool amp. Has a certian mid voicing that may bother you after a while of use (at least it does me). It can be tight or flubby depending on how you set the resonance control. It is a standard in the metal world. I like it better in a band mix than just jamming by myself.
800 is about right for the Hot Rod. As far as being good for metal, that will depend on what kind of metal you are wanting to play. Hair metal, yes. Death metal, no. They are on the brighter side, so don't expect it to have a massive low end like modern high gain amps. Great amp and wouldn't...
5150/6505 is a killer amp. The are supposed to be biased cold with cross over distortion, like the Soldano's. An amp doesn't become legendary or recorded as much as these amps have if they don't deliver the goods.
I have had a VHT/Fryette D60 and D120 and just couldn't get along with them. Just no sag and feel to stiff IMO. It was like fighting with it to play it. I didn't find it VH to my ears. I never could get a balance of a sound I like and the feel of the amp.
I use an Acoustics bass amp (1X12 combo, 20 watt) and a Carl Martin PlexiTone pedal for late night/practice. Sounds great. Not to steer you in a different direction, but its the best little practice combo I have personally used. Just a thought.
Keep em' both. Don't fall for the grass is greener, I won't miss it trick. A few months down the road you may wish you still had it. I speak from experience on getting "high" on one amp and selling another only to regret it.
I was at the bar the other night and just so happens it was open mic night. Everything was running smooth until the last performer took the stage. This asshole thought he was Stevie Ray Vaughn one minute and Paul Stanley the next. I mean he even played love gun. To top it off he pulled the...
Awesome! I can't wait to see some pics and hear some clips. What was done to the amp? Extra knobs, pre amp stages and such. I'll take your answer off the air.