Best Guitar Amp Models of All Time

Improvement on the original Mark IIC+ from the 1980s, John Petrucci's signature amp just sounds unbelievable. Also, I didn't include the original Mark IIC+ on this list partly because of its limitations and partly because this one is a bona fide IIC+, superior to the original in every way. With the original, you only had one lead channel and one clean channel, as well as one graphic EQ. The clean and lead channels shared the same input volume, which was quite inconvenient.

But with the JP-2C, you have three separate channels: two high-gain leads based on the original IIC+'s lead channel (except tighter and gainier) and the most chimey, majestic clean you will ever hear. You can assign the EQs to any of the channels, and you can dial in virtually any sound you want.

Amazing amplifier. It has a sound you can't get with any other Boogie. Not quite as tight as the IIC+ or the JP-2C, but it's creamy and juicy as hell. Once I've got my hands on a JP-IIC, I'm adding a Triple Rec to my collection. Then I'm hooking the two amps together for maximum tonal girth.

The Triple Rectifier created the modern metal sound. Without it, metal would not sound the same.

Great-sounding amp. It has four channels and is slightly more diverse than a Boogie, but doesn't sound quite as good, in my opinion.

Synyster Gates' signature (hehe) amp with Schecter. It was discontinued a few years ago when Syn switched to the Fractal Axe-FX. I resent the Axe-FX, to be honest.

Alex Lifeson's signature amp. Perfect for '80s hard rock tones. If you crank the gain way up, it's metal as hell.

The Marshall JCM800 is a classic amplifier with the best metal tone and so much versatility. It is still one of the most affordable and best metal amps to this day.

The classic choice. Metallica actually hooked the modded JCM800s they used on Ride the Lightning up to their new Mark IIC+ amps during the recording of Master of Puppets.

Honestly, I could just make this entire list out of assorted Boogies. They're my number-one amp brand for a reason. The Mark V actually has a built-in IIC+ mode. But the regular Mark V sound is just so pure and amazing.

Kirk Hammett's signature Randall amp. Also, while we're on the topic of Randall, shout-out to the Randall Satan.