I'm mostly into blues tones, so I don't know much about high gain amps. Every once in while I think it would be cool to be able to plug into something that sounds like this:

http://www2.berkleeshares.com/assets/display/768385/berklee_metronome_for_shredders.mov

Assuming no effect pedal is used, any idea what amp(s) would be closest to this sound?

Thanks.

A JCM 800 won't quite get you there, so I'd say go with a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, or a solid state amp like the Randall Warhead that Dime plays. Solid state amps really kick ass for metal.

EQ settings are something to look at too. You need to zero the midrange knob, and turn the bass all the way up or close to it. Then the Treble is set between 5 and 8. A DOD Deathmetal Distortion will get you there with any clean amp.

Thanks, Bluestrat. I had a feeling this might be Mesa territory. Is a dual rectifier necessary for that creamy high-gain thing, or will other Mesa's do that as well? I really don't want to get into the shrill "phony" sounding distortion. What about Mesa pre-amps?

I'd say that the saturated, super high gain thing is mainly Dual Recto territory, but the Mark I was used on Weezer's blue album, and it's not whimpy either.

Marshall's TSL-100 or DSL series will get gain similar to the Mesa Dual Recto, but it's got more of the Marshall chunk on the low end. For an example of DSL tones, check out Allison Robertson's playing on The Donna's Spend the Night CD. Check out Our Lady Peace for the sound of a TSL-100.

However, I can get tones exactly like what that guy's getting with a solid state amp. I think that solid state is a bit more versatile for high-gain sounds than tubes. Tubes are too smooth for some things.

Pretty much anythig Mesa has a decent amount of gain. If you don't want to feel like a nu-metal tool or whatever than I'd suggest going with a Mark I or II. John Petrucci (Dream Theater)uses a Mark IIC+ and seems to be able to get plenty of hi-gain sounds. Although I agree with most of what Bluestrat said, I'm not sure you need a Dual Recto to get hi-gain saturation.

And as a low-cost alternative, you can always get a good hi-gain pedal. The Boss Metal Zone is great for a Mesa tone.