Maybe someone can help me out here..

[Vaiagra]

Hey,

I'm about to buy a new amp and I'm pretty excited, but being broke and all, I want to make the best decision that fits my needs. In terms of tone/sound I'm looking for distortion with depth, harmonics and "balls". I want clean tones that could sort of compare to a Fender tube amp. I thought about getting a Fender tube amp, but I really dig those Marshall hi-gain tones.

Financially speaking, my two main options at the moment are:

1) Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 60 head + JCM 900 cab (used, great condition)

or

2) Line 6 Vetta 2 (and eventually another extension cab) (used, great condition)

I have a modded American Strat, a digitech Whammy, 535Q and a Boss DD3.

So here's the skinny, I'm torn between these two amps for the following reasons. The line6 is obviously no tube amp, but from the various audio and video examples I've heard it's biggest strength is the sheer amount of tones you can come up with. I like the two-amps-at-once deal too. I have a gig coming up (soon!) in a venue that seats about 200 people, so a 150 watter + another cab should do it.

BUT, there's just something about a tube amp, especially a Marshall JCM (and Carvin's Vai Legacy, which sadly I can't afford) that just sings at high volume. The little nuances and harmonics really shine on these babies.

I used to own a Flextone 2 and I hated it, but again, from the user reviews of the Vetta 2 it seems that this is the flagship line 6 amp and blows the spiders and flextones out of the water.

But then again it's no tube amp.

You see where this is going lol ...

What would y'all get if you were in my shoes? Would you recommend something else instead?

I know these forums are filled with "what gear should I get" threads, so I'd like to thank anyone who responds in advance for having the patience to deal with yet another one. If I was unclear about anything please ask. Thanks!
-Jon

[Jeries]

3 points...

1. get the marshall
2. i think you CAN afford a used Legacy if you can afford that marshall
3. The biggest thing i see KILLING your tone is the 535q wah pedal- ditch it for a bad horsie or something else with true bypass- those things are terrible for tone and sound--they're like instant guitar killers.

A few guitar centers have used Heads and Combos for right around $500

[DomitianX]

3 points...

1. get the marshall
2. i think you CAN afford a used Legacy if you can afford that marshall
3. The biggest thing i see KILLING your tone is the 535q wah pedal- ditch it for a bad horsie or something else with true bypass- those things are terrible for tone and sound--they're like instant guitar killers.

A few guitar centers have used Heads and Combos for right around $500

The funny thing is Vai specifically requested (2) 535q's for Jemfest this year. I would go with a used Legacy as well. You can get real close to a Marshall tone with it, but still be able to get that buttery Legacy tone.

[Vaiagra]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I forgot to mention I also own a Morley with true bypass so I could just use that as my gig pedal.

I would totally get a Legacy, but I'm living overseas in Israel for the next several years (school/business). There's only one Carvin dealer that I know of in this country and a VL2100 & C412T2 goes for about, get this, 3,000$ (US). Used models go for about 2,500-2,750$.

I could theoretically buy it off eBay and get it shipped, but factor in S&H, taxes, etc it won't be worth it.

I think I will go for the Marshall. The only worry I have with the Marshall is that I will be more or less restricted to one, albeit wide sophisticated and deep, tonal palate. On the other hand I can't justify getting the Vetta because I've read one too many reviews about this amp sounding thin, being sterile, muddy, etc. But of course, for every negative review there's a video demonstrating the Vetta's flexibility and power.

If there are any Vetta users out there willing to give a totally objective opinion on that amp I will be extremely grateful. Other than that I'm pretty much sold on the Marshall.

[Jeries]

3 points...

1. get the marshall
2. i think you CAN afford a used Legacy if you can afford that marshall
3. The biggest thing i see KILLING your tone is the 535q wah pedal- ditch it for a bad horsie or something else with true bypass- those things are terrible for tone and sound--they're like instant guitar killers.

A few guitar centers have used Heads and Combos for right around $500

The funny thing is Vai specifically requested (2) 535q's for Jemfest this year. I would go with a used Legacy as well. You can get real close to a Marshall tone with it, but still be able to get that buttery Legacy tone.

it was the 535q for sure not the 95q?

[DomitianX]

3 points...

1. get the marshall
2. i think you CAN afford a used Legacy if you can afford that marshall
3. The biggest thing i see KILLING your tone is the 535q wah pedal- ditch it for a bad horsie or something else with true bypass- those things are terrible for tone and sound--they're like instant guitar killers.

A few guitar centers have used Heads and Combos for right around $500

The funny thing is Vai specifically requested (2) 535q's for Jemfest this year. I would go with a used Legacy as well. You can get real close to a Marshall tone with it, but still be able to get that buttery Legacy tone.

it was the 535q for sure not the 95q?

Yep.