So you can recommend Thermion for first-time tubeamp buyers?

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<P>I know exactly what you mean.<IMG src="smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0"></P>

<P>Well now, i've owned this amp for just about 4 months... IMPRESSED.</P>
<P>So many people have come to rely on NAMES rather then sound.&nbsp; I played this in store, realized its potential and traded a bunch of gear to knock down the price. Lets say: A anniversary edition white tolex marshall mosfet 100, an ibanez artcore, an old fender bullet (not squire, fender!), and a line 6 spider practice amp.</P>
<P>Some kid said that he would never ditch his Line 6? funny.</P>
<P>and as far as the thermion cab (which i also own) it is an awesome pair.&nbsp; The thing is this amp really does no justice at low volumes.&nbsp; if you kick it up the tubes heat up, and the sound becomes pristine.&nbsp; This is not an amp made to be tested quietly in a music store.&nbsp; really meant to shake houses, rock live shows...this amp is LOUD and the sound doesn't break up as you push it into higher limits like a lot of amps do.&nbsp; The speakers are solid and don't start crackling.</P>
<P>I play a combo of indie/punk/hardcore, and this amp is perfect.</P>
<P>very professional.</P>
<P>i had dreams of getting a Mesa Triple Rect, but i like that this amp is not a huge name, not popular (yet), and looks kick-ass.&nbsp; If you want to pay for a brand name go Mesa, but if you want the same great quality and competitive sound (sounds exactly the same less super rectified) go with this beast of sound</P>

So have you all convinced yourselves yet?&nbsp; <img src="smileys/smiley32.gif" border="0">

Yesterday I played live with my band and my Thermion sounded amazing, the best tone of the show (not said by me)<img src="uploads/LlaxsayRip/2006-12-03_201147_SUC40067.JPG" border="0">

<img src="http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5007/sampsmdb2.jpg" border="0"><br><br>I couldn't afford the cab <img src="smileys/smiley9.gif" border="0"><br>So I went ahead and wired it to my Fender combo speakers... until the day I can afford a cab! (I played it through a Carvin V3 cab with G12T-75s and it was really nice)<br><br>In South Africa we can't get hold of all the guitar equipment we want... basically I could choose between this or pay 60% MORE for an equivalent Marshall / HughesKettner amp... it was no contest really. <img src="smileys/smiley4.gif" border="0"><br>

&nbsp;I cant believe how good the Thermion sounds with my new BBE sonic maximizer stomp pedal... try it, you'll be surprised.&nbsp;

&nbsp;I mean try the maximizer... I really dont know what it does, but everything sounds better.

Hey,<br><br>i have the ibenez thermion half stack too. i am interested in how you use the equalizer of the amp:<br>like prescence, bass, middle etc... which channel do you prefer? do you have any records which i can listen to ...<br><br><br>( sorry for my bad english <img src="smileys/smiley11.gif" border="0"> ) <br>

&nbsp;anyone can recommend some brand of tubes good for getting a powerfull tone, very tight and sweet, for melodic metal ??