I think it's all just a matter of trying to get metal sounds out of an amplifier not designed to create those types of sounds. My guitars, effects, and cables are all in perfect working order - in fact, I just replaced my two cables with Monster Standards, which initially several weeks ago gave me a whole new perspective on clean sound. The amp is a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, has a single 12" Jensen speaker in it, along with three 12ax7's and two 6L6's. It has 40 all tube watts, and can be
loud as hell effectively for the right style of music.The problem is that the sound is very woofy, as if the whole cabinet cannot handle the distortion I'm putting thru it at the volume we play. For what it's worth, our band plays covers of Pantera, Slipknot, Alice in Chains, early Soundgarden, Marilyn Manson, etc, and our originals are relatively complicated metal with big chunky riffs...
We already adjusted our guitar/bass volumes to a humane level, and that included the drummer realizing that he cannot play like Animal from the muppets because it is just too loud...I just think it's time to get into a half stack and stop trying to get "water from a stone", so to speak. To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen metal/heavy rockers using small, single speaker amps. Perhaps if we practiced thru a big PA, I could mike it, but we don't so I can't. At low, non-band practice levels, I still get a really good sound out of it, so it's entirely possible that its all fine inside - although I've now heard from many that the power tubes usually need replacement in a year, and it's all 4 yrs old and original...Even still, it seems to me that it's the wrong amp for the job. It's like bringing a knife to a gun fight, or like racing against a hot rod with a Tercel.
I've already resigned to the idea of getting into a B-52 Solid State head and 4x12 cab, which I've already had some experience with. It has tube emulation, and yes I know it's not really tubes but hey, I'm not rich and can't have it all, right??? (The B-52 Half stack, which sells for only $599, can be seen here
musiciansfriend.com or
guitarcenter.com , and the reviews of it are great.) I think that with my guitars ( Gibson Les Paul Standard, 2002; Ibanez RG, and Epiphone Nuclear Extreme LP copy) and my pedal ( Boss GT8) I will be able to get some real nice thick distortions with a lot of bottom.
Thnks anyway for your inputs, y'alls!
gib59