if you use it in the right spots, its not mush, the main time i use the gain all the way up on both is when im doing the slow palm muting, then the choppy chords that fill in the spaces with feedback (if youve heard the chariot you know what i mean). and unless you've actually tried using that setting the way i described it, you wont know how it sounds. Its not the typical "way too high distortion" setting that slipknot uses. It has definition that just sounds more chopped up, rather than definitionless humm with some guitar in the background. and godin, i didnt ask for "good tones" i asked for "your favorite tones." (frick, i feel like im in politics getting my words twisted around to mean what you want them to mean.) the tone that i have looked for (my favorite bands are norma jean and the chariot) in the amp, i have already found, but personally i prefer the amp distortion almost all the way up, plus the pedal about half way up, its a nice sound for hardcore.
BUT, i think hunter might have a point, ive only tried this solitary. i imagine that it could potentially hurt the sound if i were to turn it up to high with bass and other guitars in the mix.
i misunderstood you godin, my bad, i thought you were saying that a tube amp wouldnt be good for hardcore. your right about what you meant.