another amp question

Without sounding like a broken record (I hope!), here's some great amps that can handle smaller gigs easily, and are all top notch:

    Budda Twinmaster, Budda SD18, Dr. Z Carmen Ghia, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, VOX AC-30, Peavey Classic 30, Traynor 40, Alessandro Working Dog.

    Of course, there are a lot more nowadays. But these I've actually heard, and can vouch for their quality.

Given the list of artists' tones that you like it would make sense going with a Marshall amp.  They all use(d) Marshalls for their signature sound.  The amp I would check out would be the Marshall Vintage modern 50 watt 2x12 combo.  You can get good low volume tones out of high powered amplifiers.  I use two 100 watters in stereo most of the time and I live in a small apartment.  Back the the VM though...it runs KT-66s in the power section and to my ears gets the Hendrix tones in spades.  Joe has also used these amps on special occasions and has remarked that he likes them (especially the low dynamic range).  On the high dynamic range it's Slash's sound all day long (Slash uses these in conjunction with his signature 2555 heads for his distorted tones).  Add a MXR Wylde OD and some chorus/wah raping and you could easily cop Zakk's tone.  Sounds like the perfect amp for ya man, check it out!

Wait and get the new class 5 maybe?

Trust me, a Vintage Modern and/or a Jubilee can EASILY do metal.  Heck, the Jubilee was one of THE quintessential '80s metal amps.  I own a DSL 100 and sure it can get heavy gain but so can the Vintage Modern.  I actually A/B'd them side by side when I bought my DSL.  If you are truely going to need to cover the type of tones you described you can get away with a 2 channel amp but you will need to use pedals.  I think you might be better off with something like the JVM and it's 4 channels + 3 gain modes per channel.  You could set the clean channel up for some JTM45 style Hendrix medium gain.  The next channel could be dialed in for the Joe Bonamassa plexi on steriods tone.  The next 2 channels could be used for anything from '80s shred metal to modern death metal stuff.

Are you playing with a Garage Band, or going to Jam Sessions? Or, playing at Home?

    Because, 5 Watts in a Tube Amp is a better Wattage for Home Use. Even a 15 Watt Tube Amp can be WAY too much at home!

    Maybe look into some of the smaller end of the scale. I think you'll find much better Tone, that way.

    IMO a Tube Amp doesn't "give up the goods" until the Volumes are AT LEAST at Noon. So, a 30, 50 or 100 Watt Amp, with the Volume below Noon is like taking a Sledgehammer to a Thumbtack!

    I have a Champ styled Amp that is 3 to 5 Watts (Not sure, actually), and it's perfect for cranking up at Home! Add a little OD and you're set!

    A Champ styled amp may not be ideal for a Metal Head, though. But, there are other styles in the same Wattage Range.

    And if you do go to a Jam Session, it's much easier to haul around! Plus, the money you saved can EASILY afford you a couple of Amps AND a Microphone. And a good Mic and Cord will allow you to Mic the Amp into a P.A. for more Volume when needed.

    Just kind of assessing your own needs would go a long ways towards your satisfaction with the end results.

    And besdies, that little 5 Watt Marshall JB was playing through on the clips somebody here posted, looks SWEET!

    Good luck! And let us know what you end up with.

    Ciao!

Don't let 100 watts scare you.  100 watters have a sound that you cannot get with amps of lower wattage.  Trust me that 50w JVM isn't much quieter than the 100w one.  The way most amps are designed today there is no need to slam the power amp section that hard to get great tones.  Anyways,  if you are on a budget and don't mind missing out on the "Marshall" logo I would check out Ceriatone.  Nik makes clones of many of the most popular Marshall models PTP and handwired for a fraction of what Marshall would charge.  He offers the 2203/2204, 1959 superlead (EVH, Hendrix JTM45/100, Superbass, and stock), 2550/2555 Jubilee, and more.  Great amps and a great guy to do business with.

Attenuators are cool if you have a killer sounding non Master volume amp that needs to have it's power amp working hard to get the tones you need.  They work pretty decent with old plexis and Fenders.  The thing you have to keep in mind is that the attenuator will never allow your amp to sound cranked at bedroom volumes.  There are some key aspects to getting the "cranked" sound.  The biggest thing you lose is how the room, speakers, and amplifier interact at medium to higher volumes.  I use a Weber stereo attenuator ( 2x100w) and it does a pretty good job at taming the loud amps.   Be warned when using an attenuator you will wear out your tubes more quickly! If you check my videos of my rig I'm using 2 100 watters at very low volumes getting pretty good tones.  You can actually hear my strings as I strum chords and play single lines.  Cool thing is I can crank it up from there and be loud enough to play a stadium un-miked!