Tones of the Beast: Five Essential Heavy Metal Amps, Part 2
From the Dark Terror to the Coreblade, we collect five more outstanding metal guitar amps.
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Marshall JVM410H
If you're into built-in gain, you'll dig Marshall's all-tube, four-channel JVM410H 100-watt head. It actually sports more gain than any other Marshall model ever made, which is kinda saying something.
One thing's for sure: This is a feature-packed machine. There are four channels, each with an independent EQ. Volume and Gain controls run through separate, footswitchable master volumes driven by four ECC83 tubes (or "valves" in the UK, where this amp is made) in the preamp, one ECC83 and four EL34 power amp tubes. Each channel comes with three separate gain modes -- green, orange and red. Each one reconfigures the gain structure of the channel to offer gradually increasing levels of gain. You could say (as Marshall does) that this amp is 12 Marshalls in one.
The JVM410H also offers digital reverb with a level control for each channel. This also is footswitchable, as are the amp's two Master Volume controls and the Series/Parallel effects loop. Resonance and Presence are equipped with master controls.
If you're shooting for a classic name with an updated, brutal sound, this is the Marshall for you. (But remember, this thing will provide some super-clean tones as well.)
MSRP: $2,999.99 to $3,400 | Buy at Amazon

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brettmair
October 09, 2012 at 6:02pm
Wow...best amps in metal? For the elite only? The Dark Terror? That thing is too new with too little power to be in the "Best Heavy Metal Amps" list already. My list...
Sovtek Mig 100
JCM 800
Orange Rockerverb
Peavey 5150 (Original model)
Rivera Knucklehead Tré
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johnnycnote
October 09, 2012 at 2:20pm
So they don't think people would be interested in the output of the H&K, or what tubes it uses? Maybe just an oversight, or someone was lazy . . .
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gregmitchell
September 17, 2012 at 2:31pm
Hughes and Ketner was an amplifier I had some experience with and I think they're on to something. All these amps are elite amplifiers and a person should be elated with their purchase given the size of their investment, these aren't cheap.
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rockinbrewer
August 23, 2012 at 2:41pm
Back in the '90's Aspen Pitman of Groove Tubes fame elected to build amplifiers, one of which was the GT Electronics Solo 75.
When tubed with EL34's tone is similar to a JCM 800 except way more gain onboard with great note to note clarity.
Fantastic feedback characteristics due to onboard oscillator.
Too bad they are out of production...
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reverendhell
August 22, 2012 at 12:31pm
These are all great amps- in part 1 too- but so far no Randalls? Unless I overlooked one in there- I got my greasy mitts on a 1st generation Warhead, and I can say that it's such a great amp, I hope to have my ashes sprinkled inside of it when that time comes, just so I can continue to enjoy it's tone- if all the amps featured here are just newer models, I know there are some others that sound just as good- anyway, keep up the great work!















