Good Or Bad Descion????? NOT JUST POLL! PICS TOO!!!! I NEED TO KNOW BY TONIGHT!!!

[GuitarGuru88]

Um recently bought a Marshall AVT50 Combo like the one below....its good in all but it lacks really heavy metal type distortion. I went to guitar center and played on the Crate XT120R like the one below and fell in love with its solo channel.

My question is, should I take the Marshall AVT50 back and trade it for the Crate XT120R for $25 plus the Marshall? Or should I just get a pedal to get the sound im after? I really need to know soon so please post today....I maybe picking tonight!!!

Here are the stats from Musciansfriend.com:

Crate XT120R:
It has 120 steaming watts to drive 2 - 12" speakers. If you need it bigger, an extension speaker out lets you turn it into a stack. The FlexWave Evolution 5 preamp gives it a great singing voice. True 3-channel operation with reverb lets you switch among multiple setups. Includes a 3-button footswitch for channel, gain, and reverb switching on the fly. RCA inputs let you plug in a player and jam with your favorite CDs.

120W power
2 - 12" speakers
True 3-channel operation
FlexWave Evolution 5 preamp
Reverb
Includes 3-button footswitch for channel, gain, and reverb switching
RCA inputs for CD play

Marshall AVT50:
The AVT50's 2 footswitchable tube preamp channels deliver glistening clean tones and a roaring crunch that just oozes vintage authenticity. Crank the overdrive gain to the max and you have a high gain sound that packs an unbelievable punch, yet stays tight and focused thanks to the well-designed closed-back cab. Includes a series effects loop, CD input, headphone jack, speaker-emulated DI, and Accutronics reverb. Like all the AVTs, its preamp section is based on a 12AX7 and delivers great tone. 12" speaker. 50W power. 4 ohm impedance.

Unbelievable punch and volume
Totally tube behavior and sound from a hybrid amp
Glistening clean tones that ring with bell-like harmonics
Specially designed Celestion speaker voiced for this amp's closed-back cab
Includes headphone jack, CD input, speaker-emulated DI, and Accutronics reverb

*And please dont just pick the Marshall just because its a Marshall*

[Kac]

I've owned very similar amps to both of those, and I think the deal would be a good idea.
Rock On!

[GuitarGuru88]

Yeah I think so too...I was very suprised when i played the Marshall...I thought that it would have more distortion.

[Xeromus]

You're really not taking a step or or down, just sideways. Both amps are very similar and in my opinion the marshall avt sounds a hell of a lot better and easier to carry around. Personally I don't know why you'd consider it. I recommend against it. I say keep the marshall and save up the money for something even better down the road.

[FretFire]

If it's between trading the Marshall and $25 for the Crate, which you already prefer...

or keeping the Marshall and spending MORE than $25 for a pedal to try for the same sound...

it seems pretty obvious to me.

[proxy]

If it's between trading the Marshall and $25 for the Crate, which you already prefer...

or keeping the Marshall and spending MORE than $25 for a pedal to try for the same sound...

it seems pretty obvious to me.

Yep my thoughts exactly. You know what like the sound of and you'll have to go on a quite a quest to find THE right pedal to go with it and you'll spend alot more then 25 bucks on that pedal.

On an unrelated note, my friend has that avt50 combo, and its closed cab and lots of low end, I'm sort of surprised you can't get the heavy metal sound you want.

[GuitarGuru88]

It just sounds tooo vintage......not enough gain...im into like Avenged Sevenfold kinda sound. plus I like the thought of going up and getting 2 speakers and 120 watts with 3 channels instead of 2....very versitle if your asking me

[GuitarGuru88]

It just sounds tooo vintage......not enough gain...im into like Avenged Sevenfold kinda sound. plus I like the thought of going up and getting 2 speakers and 120 watts with 3 channels instead of 2....very versitle if your asking me. I like the sound and gain from a Mesa but I cant afford one...in the future Ill get one

[Closed Eye]

My girlfriend's brother has that Crate model, except in a head/cab configuration, and he seems to like. Thing gets some good sounds too.

I'd say go for it.

[Quencho092]

yeah, with solid state you need plenty o watts to keep it clean on the transistor distortion. If you really like the sound, it seems like you'l be able to jam without a problem since the 2x12 setup is a tried and true config that is more than jammable and giggable.

You're also keeping it simple by not having tubes, eventhough its my preference. I dont like having to buy new power tubes every 8 months or so....

[ankalar]

You're really not taking a step or or down, just sideways. Both amps are very similar and in my opinion the marshall avt sounds a hell of a lot better and easier to carry around. Personally I don't know why you'd consider it. I recommend against it. I say keep the marshall and save up the money for something even better down the road.

You don't understand. Seeing that you own a Legacy, you obviously don't need or want that chugga-chugga.

[Erlend_G]

Ok, dude, just think about it....

To change a real marshall, for a CRATE?! Man, if you want a crate, just pick any crate you find. They all sound the same !

Seriously, keep the marshall. Those AVT's sound awesome with pedals!

-Erlend

[That90'sGuy]

If the man likes a Crate better, just get it. I prefer a Marshall voicing myself, but then again I play different styles than metal most of the time.

[Willis]

In that price range, I prefer Crates (though I do have a tube Marshall).

[Xeromus]

You don't understand. Seeing that you own a Legacy, you obviously don't need or want that chugga-chugga.

just let it go.....

I'm gonna have to record a metal clip on it at some point now.

[Neeradj]

Does the pedal thing get your dream sound? If yes, don't think twice about the Crate. I found out you should always get what you dream and never settle for second best, that might not work for everything, but it works when saving up for gear.

[aleclee]

To change a real marshall, for a CRATE?!

I quote Erlend because I'd suggest checking evilBay to see what the two amps go for used. It might only be $25 at the front but if it costs you another $100 at the back end, that might make a good case for finding a pedal to go with the AVT instead of swapping out for the Crate. OTOH, you might find that Crates don't depreciate any more than AVTs. I know a lot of folks who still have guitars from when they were 17 but not too many who still have those amps so IMO resale is a factor.

Does the pedal thing get your dream sound? If yes, don't think twice about the Crate. I found out you should always get what you dream and never settle for second best, that might not work for everything, but it works when saving up for gear.

I agree with this line of reasoning but not particularly with its application in this case. IMO, this is an "interim" amp for GG88, likely not a "keeper" purchase.

Assuming he's still playing actively after high school, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he got a bigger amp (e.g., Randall) or went in a more tubey direction in the next three years or so. Needs change, tastes change, and our amps are often the first thing to go.

That said, $25 isn't a bad price to pay for an amp that keeps you from needing a pedal as long as you don't get kicked in the nusticles when it comes time to sell it.

[GuitarGuru88]

I chose to go along and purchase the Crate Amp and I could have been happier. The three channels on this amp make it very versitle, Solo for the heavy, new stuff, Chrunch for that Classic Rock sound, and the cleans on this are extremely nice. Like aleclee stated above, this is just another(better amp) for me to practice on till I can really consider a really nice tube amp.