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Perhaps consider an amp modeler. There's a lot to choose from out there and most sound more than good enough. If your amp has an FX loop you can plug a modeler in to the FX return.
I would steer clear of the MG series of amps.
What's your budget? That would drive all recommendations.
Thanks. Hoping to figure this out around $500. I don't need loads of power so that should help the budget.
I don't have experience with amp modellers in the FX loop. This works differently from multi-fx pedals with preamp simulations? I plug my guitar into my GT-1, which goes into the instrument input of my amp (a Rumble 100). No matter what I tweak with this setup, I fail to get it to sound believably "classic rock" so far.
With an amp modeler you need some way to output the signal. I plug mine into my computer via USB and play through a DAW (Logic on a Mac) and monitor speakers. Some modelers have a headphone jack but in my experience it doesn’t sound very good. If your amp has an effects loop you can plus the modeler output into the effects return jack and use the power amp section only of your amp. If you have a PA you can also play through a PA. Finally you can get a cab specifically designed for use with modelers.
The Line6 Pod Go fits your budget and is immense value. It not only models a bunch of popular amps but also various popular stomp boxes. Since you play metal, I think it has various Marshall and Mesa Boogie amp models, as well as various other boutique amps. It even has a great Dumble model - just that alone is worth the price!
What model is your Fender amp? Is it an open-back cab, as well? The Boss GT1 is likely to be able to get you a useable sound so long as you're running it through a 12 inch speaker in a closed back cab.
Honestly, a Boss Katana is probably the most affordable path to improve your tone. They're surprisingly good.
If you wanna stick with your current gear but make some changes to the components you can always swap the speaker for whatever speakers are in your buddy's cab. That will get you closer.
Ah yes I should've specified. It's a Rumble 100. Yeah, that's a bass amp as I was primarily playing bass when I bought it. It does sound surprisingly excellent when I play clean-ish guitar through it, but with the GT-1 I can't quite get a satisfying overdrive tone, no matter what pre-amp simulation I select on the GT1. With the amp set to clean, 0 gain. The master volume is plenty to make it loud. But yeah, I just can't get this combination to reproduce what I'm looking for.
Perhaps it's the speaker cone itself which is holding it back. I hadn't considered that yet. Thanks.
Honestly, your best bet is to get a guitar amp. Not only will the speaker in your amp be voiced for bass, but the preamp section will be as well. That's not to say its completely unsuitable for guitar, but you're just less likely to nail the tone you want.
Definitely recommend trading the GT1 and the amp in for a Katana. Those things are actually insanely good. I've owned an AxeFX2 for 11 years and I still want a Katana just because its convenient and straight up awesome.
Check out LambChopper678 and John Nathan Cordy on YouTube for some cool Katana demos.
You could get a Marshall DSL40 or smaller if you don’t need as much power. Those amps all do the classic Marshall sound pretty well and for under 1k. If you can afford it, I have the Marshall studio jcm800 that’s 20 watts and it shreds so hard.
Not at modest volumes it won't. A 1W valve amp is going to be more than loud enough for use at home levels, let alone cranking a 20W amp
You don’t need to crank it to get the sound op is after
Edit: I completely forgot that the 40 and 20 watt versions all have low power modes so you can run them at 20/10/1 watt
So many people just assume you need to dime the master volume to get good tone. It's not the 70's anymore. Most amps are made so that the pre-amp does the tonal heavy lifting. The power section doesn't need to be pushed at all to get a serviceable tone. Sure, there's extra sauce in the power amp as you turn it up but its not an absolute necessity like it was 50 years ago.
The DSL40 sounds very appealing indeed, and not too pricey. I'll go around and look for it at the local guitar store. I've also frequently seen those Katanas mentioned above which I'll have to try. Thanks.