Travis Bean Guitars - Unofficial Guitar Resource - Header




» Home
» About
» Blog
» Donate
» Database
» Videos
» Market
» Classifieds
» FAQ
» History
» Photo Gallery
» Repair
» Join
» FaceBook



» Join
» Login



» General Discussion
» Beans For Sale
» Mods/Repairs
» Website Discussion
» Forum Rules




»  Me Him & Charlie Miller
»  Soft Kill
»  Thin Lizzy
»  Archers of Loaf
»  schoolbusdriver
»  View All Bands

TravisBeanGuitars.com
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
© 2001 - 2024


  Rattlesnake Cable Company - High Quality Instrument Cables - Made in Montana
Forum :: General Discussion

Due to abuse - forum is closed and in archive mode only

Amplimafiers

  Return to forum index
 Author  Message
rlrlrl

Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
PostPosted: 02/20/2009 at 12:56 PM    Post subject: Amplimafiers link

I thought it'd be fun to move on to more pleasant topics, and instead of reviving an old thread, how bout a new one? As great as these silly guitars are, that piece of wood and metal is only half of what makes an electric guitar an electric guitar. The other half can be equally fascinating, and no less dramatic!

So here it is again: What are everybody's favorite amps to use with their geeetars? And, how has your setup changed since this topic was last talked about a year or two ago? I remember a great post from, was it LHakim(?), about how in the 1980s he used tons of pedals and clean amps, and now just plugs straight into a Tweed Deluxe , for something very natural and dynamic.

Here's my latest: I was lucky enough to trade some unused gear for an early 60s Vox AC10. I've always been firmly in Fender amp territory, but the little bit that I played through this Vox before dropping it off with my tech/friend for service, I can tell that it's going to complement the qualities of the aluminum neck Bean and EGC stunningly. I always stayed away from Voxes, thinking they were just for Beatles fanatics, but I was wrong, so wrong!

Back to top

View Member Profile

Disclosure: Any links to eBay or Amazon.com are affiliate links. Affiliate links may provide commission payments to the site based on purchases.

1uncertain3

Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
PostPosted: 02/20/2009 at 4:25 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Awe finally something interesting! I'm not sure about the rest of you, but all the shit-talking gets old fast.

Anyhow, I have tried different amps here and there, some vintage and some newish-boutique with different combination of effect pedals (or lack there of). Currently, for what I am doing musically my new Black Amp is a perfect match to my TBs - for those of you who do not know, check out www.blackamps.com. These amps are handwired, point-to-point and inspired by vintage Matamps.

For a more "flexible" tone, I really like Sunn Model T's paired with TBs; I can get super high-volume clean tones then sludgy fuzz-tones all from the same amp, I usually add a Zvex Super Hard-on to the mix to push the amp into overdrive heaven!

Back to top

View Member Profile

Bastin

Joined:
18 Aug 2008
Posts: 31
PostPosted: 02/20/2009 at 6:14 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

When I owned a Bean I was really into my Rivera Knucklehead (one of the early models). I usually played through an old Hiwatt 412 or an Orange 412. That particular set up was perfect for my style / rut at the time.

Since then I've rotated some of my gear, and lately I have been completely in love with my '68 Bassman through an Orange 212. I've had that Bassman for 10 years, and I spent most of that time thinking that something was bad wrong with it. I plugged it in few weeks ago, wiggled a preamp tube, and found the tone I've been missing. I don't have a lot of words to describe it; I just like it...a lot. Really loud.

No effects.

Most of the time I play one of my Bastin guitars, but I also spend a lot of time with a Squier Tele. I like that thing so much that I have resolved to build a nice one with some Warmoth parts.

I just got a Traynor this week, but it needs a good once-over by a qualified tech before I can really comment on it. I'm excited about it though.

rlrlrl: Tell us some more about the Vox.

1uncertain3: I got a Zvex Super Hard-on in a trade, but I haven't used it yet. It's one of the custom painted series, and it's pretty damn ugly (part of the fun). Any tips for when I do get around to putting it on the floor?

Blackamps = tight

Back to top

View Member Profile

1uncertain3

Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
PostPosted: 02/20/2009 at 6:32 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Bastin,

I haven't yet had the pleasure of playing a Bassman but from what I have heard, they seem to be a great amp! As for the Super Hard-On, the only real suggestion I have is to start off by turning down the amp's volume as well as the SHO's "crackle" knob and gradually increase each to find that "sweet" spot! The SHO's have been known to blow output tubes, transformers, and speakers; I just recently had to replace 2 12" speakers after playing with Intranaut - we played SUPER LOUD that night haha. The great thing about the SHO is that depending on your needs, you can use it as a simple boost or a overdrive pedal, check out ZVEX's forums for more information:

http://zvex.com/phpBB2/vi.....d8d735b973f414a3ba30fa0c3

Enjoy :)


Back to top

View Member Profile

BoulderBean

Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
PostPosted: 02/20/2009 at 8:16 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Thanks for the change of threads.

I played through an blackface Bassman for about a year when I was 15. I never really appreciated it until it was gone.

I added an Analogman King of Tone pedal to my rig recently and I'm very happy.

Bastin - Can you give us an update on your guitars? The photos on your myspace site look great. Are you taking orders? Thanks.

Peter

Back to top

View Member Profile

Bastin

Joined:
18 Aug 2008
Posts: 31
PostPosted: 02/21/2009 at 7:37 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Thanks for the tips on the Z-vex, man. I'm not sure if I have enough discretion and responsibility to use the thing, but it's time to find out one way or another. I've heard to "be careful" with it, but I never got any specifics. I really appreciate the design and construction of the thing, even if it never gets used.

BoulderBean:

The cool thing about the Bassman platform, from what I've read and heard, is that the '68s are a kind of transitional model. They're built to straight up Blackface specs, but with the newer aesthetic. And you can still get one for about $400.00. I consider that a pretty good deal. 400 bucks is 400 bucks, but it's a lot of amp for the money. The 'cool factor' is up there pretty high for me.

Thanks for the kind words about the guitars. I'm working like a madman on two new models right now: the Zero-One and the Turbo. My big project for the day is modifying some old 3-phase restaurant ovens so that I can use them for powdercoating. That's the only stage left right now. So check back soon on that; the Zero-One should be finished this week. But this is about the 4th week in a row that I've said that.

And, yes, I am taking orders. Feel free to email me if you would like to talk specifics or just have a chat about gear in general.

Thanks, guys!

-Matt


Back to top

View Member Profile

Disclosure: Any links to eBay or Amazon.com are affiliate links. Affiliate links may provide commission payments to the site based on purchases.

JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 02/21/2009 at 8:38 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

when CBS bought Fender in 1965, there was obviously a huge back log of amps in production, chassis not yet put together, not yet installed, etc. CBS did change things, but they did not impliment those changes until all of the presently stocked parts/amps were gone. That means that the most popular models, or the models that had the most parts sitting in the shop would have stayed the same for a longer period of time then less popular models that CBS could change right off. Two prime examples are the Showeman and the Princeton Reverb. The Showman and Twin were Fender's flagship models, so obviously there were more of those amp parts waiting to be put together than a less popular model like a Princeton Reverb. A 1968 Princeton Reverb is actually very different from a blackface. Well, different anyways. A Showman (and the Twins) stayed exactly the same until all parts were used and they could then re-engineer the circuits. 1968 Showmans and Twins are IDENTICAL to the blackface models and the Twins stayed the same until '69 even though they ran out of the blue Astron coupling tone caps and then started using red Malloreys. I have not owned a 68 Bassman, but my guess is that it too is identical inside to a blackface Bassman.
One of my amp techs loves the Bassman so much. He says all you need is volume, treble and bass. This shortens the length of the traces and makes for a more pure tone. A Fender Bassman to me, is one of the great guitar amps of all time. Fender was constantly trying to make a better bass amp and at least three times instead made some of the greatest guitar amps EVER. Tweed Bassman, Tweed Pro, brown, black and early silver Bassmans. Some guys don't like the 15" speakers, but if you like chimey, crystal clear clean, a Showman-15 or Vibroverb can't be beat. Maybe they don't fit with the Beans though.
I have a pal who owns three Dumbles. One has four KT-88s and is supposed to be the cleanest sounding amp ever (or one of them). I plugged one of my Beans in and it instantly pushed past the clipping threshold into overdriven territory. He-he!!!!

Back to top

View Member Profile

rlrlrl

Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
PostPosted: 02/21/2009 at 9:24 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Bastin - I wouldn't worry about the zvex so much. Just set it at a volume that pushes your amp a bit, don't crank it, and you'll be fine. You can also use it as a pedal to DROP the volume, and rectify the problem that JohnBR was talking about with the Dumble. Bean pickups (yours too?) are wound so hot, that sometimes you can't get an amp to work right unless you give a quieter signal to the preamp!

Also you asked about the Vox. I couldn't believe how different it is from a Fender, with equally sparkly gorgeous clean tones. It has a certain chime and clank that really suit the aluminum, full frequencied yet sweet. You know that thing they say about a guitar sounding like a grand piano? That! Also, the new Vox amps are supposed to be much closer in sound to the vintage ones than, say, new Fender or Marshall amps are to their vintage grandparents.

Back to top

View Member Profile

JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 02/21/2009 at 9:34 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Hey, also there is a company completely different from Vox now called JMI. That was the original Vox company name- Jennings Musical Industies. Jennings owned the music store and Dick Denny (I think was his first name) designed the amps. Anyways, JMI makes identical clones to the old Voxes. They are pretty expensive but they are dead-on identical. I have yet to see a current Vox without PC-board construction.
I'm glad you love your AC-10 rlrl. I have one as well and it is one of the coolest amps I have. Now you need an AC30. Turn that baby up to 10 and hold on for dear life!

Back to top

View Member Profile

theNewTerritories

Joined:
13 May 2008
Posts: 34
PostPosted: 02/21/2009 at 7:35 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Well, I have been using a Roland Bolt 60 since 2006 and I haven't turned back.
I know what some of you are thinking- a Roland? Come on-

but this baby is great.
It is a strange amp, I think it was the only tube amp Roland made and stock (2 X 6L6 power amp, solid state preamp) it sounds very Fenderish. However, the one I own has been modified and can also use EL34s, although I haven't tried that out yet.
This amp is disastrously loud, surprisingly so for its size (1 12" speaker and 60 watts) and even at gigs I don't push the volume past 3 or 4. I only use the clean channel because the overdrive channel just doesn't sound very good. I have used it with and without effects and sometimes I like to use a Roland Space echo as a preamp. These Bolt amps can be found for really good prices and are actually overwhelmingly good for what you would expect. If I ever see the Bolt 100 head for a good price I would seriously consider getting it.
I got mine for under $200 and like I said, I haven't turned back. It responds great to dynamics and with some help from an eq (I use an old MXR blue eq with no on/off switch) it can send the tubes into overdrive on the clean channel. Awesome. If you can't afford a Fender blackface you might wanna consider this.
It also has an excellent reverb by the by.

I had a really interesting old Gibson duo-medallist, kind of a strange amp- it looked like a humidifier but unfortunately I sold it before I got the bean, it had the same tone as Neil Young circa Everybody knows this is nowhere. Sometimes irritatingly the same, especially with guitars with humbuckers. I really wish I still had that thing though, I am sure that the bean would sound beautiful through it- unfortunately I sold it because I moved to Europe and I didn't think I was coming back anytime soon. Oh well.

Back to top

View Member Profile

Joefish

Joined:
11 Dec 2008
Posts: 106
PostPosted: 02/22/2009 at 8:59 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

¦ TheVox company name- Jennings Musical Industries post is very interesting ¦ similar to the Marshal story with regards to having a store ¦ I understand that the Marshall basically had the same Bassman circuit in the beginning

¦ Twins ¦ although I have a 75 SFTR and would love a BFTR, it appears that that the SFTR has a superior clean/shine thing going

¦. finally, in the 80's we had a 50 W Dumble that we rented ¦. it was an awesome amp

Joe

Back to top

View Member Profile

Disclosure: Any links to eBay or Amazon.com are affiliate links. Affiliate links may provide commission payments to the site based on purchases.

Bastin

Joined:
18 Aug 2008
Posts: 31
PostPosted: 02/22/2009 at 1:12 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Dank, that was a pretty good education on the history of some of our amps. Did CBS-Fender guitars and basses follow the same trend as the amps in the transitional years?

rlrlrl, you've got me gassing for a Vox now. I was pretty hot for an AC30 a while back; even tried one out at GC. Then I got to digging a bit and there seemed to be a consensus that the newer models aren't even close to the originals (in quality and tone). So I backed off of it. But the 10 sounds like it would be a great one to try. One thing I "need" is a good combo.

NewTerritories, your word on the Roland is good enough for me. Where and when was yours made? I don't know much about them...at all.

And since we're talking about Dumbles, have any of you ever seen or given serious consideration to the Ceriatone clones? All of their kits and amps get really good reviews, and they've cloned one hell of an awesome variety.

What about old Gretsch amps? I talked with a guy yesterday and he was raving about one that he got. Something about the company that used to make them did a great job, then there were a bunch of factory fires, and the manufacturing license got shifted.... I guess the point was that some of the old ones are nicely kept secrets, but I've never heard one.

Back to top

View Member Profile

JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 02/22/2009 at 2:52 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

holy shite Matt, that's a lot of amp talk =`) since I love vintage amps I will dive in. I just came over here to upload a couple photos of Bean cases, three different interiors, and I have 2 others, so that's another thread (red, orange, blue, darkred, blue velvet, and have seen the purple one. 6 colors)
anyhoo, to start backwards, Gretch made some very legendary amps in the 50s like this one:
http://tinyurl.com/cm57pl
This is probably a great harp amp and definitely overpriced. But an early interesting design, but I don't know a lot about Gretch.
As for Dumbles there are a lughable amount of Dumble "clones" out there. Two Rock being the most blatent and I guess Fuchs. Just SO many. Then there are guys like this who jsut plain steal the designs:
http://www.quinnamp.com/sdo.htm
Overdrive SOFA??? LOL. I'm sure they are all cool amps. I do like a slave out, LOVE the brown Fender tremolo and I actually love the sound of the octal tubes like old 6sn7. Which reminds me of the best vintage amp bargain, Silvertone.
Roland are good amps. I like the jazz amp with true pitch shift vibrato (MAGNATONE, another awesome and often overlooked amp. LOVE those amps)
and for Vox. the way to tell a "real" Vox is on the panels, when they switched from "a JMI Company" to "A Vox Company" was when the amps started to decline rapidly. The Vox story is a long and complicated one. The just released a book that is big and thick which should tell some unknown info and I'm looking forward to reading it. "real", or early voxes are a very treble-ish amp and they also have a GREAT tremolo (called vibrato). You really need to turn them up loud to realize the magic. An AC30 past 3:00 is a MONSTER and can be great fun. The overdrive created at that levels from the EL84 tubes is simply tremendous.
As for the Fender guitars, I would say, yes, definitely. I am NOT a vintage Fender expert like I know the amps, but I believe a pre-CBS strat/tele goes up in price as 1965 goes back in years and go down in price as the 70s versions set in. I have a friend selling a '64 strat for $15,000 and another friend with a '75 strat for about $3,000. I have not owned any so I can't tell you much about them. I own a 1982 Olympic White "Smith Strat" and it is great! I'm sure the historic relics are real good now too, just like the historic Les Pauls w/long tallon.
Gotta go.
-peace.
amp talk 101


Back to top

View Member Profile

Joefish

Joined:
11 Dec 2008
Posts: 106
PostPosted: 02/22/2009 at 7:01 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

My Ampeg VT40 has a 6K11/6Q11 ¦. This is a rare little tube that did not go into many amps ¦ I checked an old Ampeg site to get the accurate terminology ¦. "The 6K11/6Q11 is a tube containing three independent triode sections, one like a 12AU7 and the other two like a 12AX7. In this Ampeg circuit, the 6K11 is used as the line-level preamp, with the first two sections as gain stages and the third as a cathode follower with the active mid control in the feedback loop." ¦ thanks Doc

I saw Willie Nelson on Letterman the other night and he was playing this ancient amp ¦ for the life of me, I cannot remember the Manufacturer ¦

BTW, I have my Tube/Amp Reference Guide by R. Aspen Pittman/Grove Tubes out in order to keep up with the thread!

Joe


Back to top

View Member Profile

peggyfoster

Joined:
20 Jun 2008
Posts: 83
PostPosted: 02/23/2009 at 12:56 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

This is a great thread, I have just learned a lot about amps.
Are you interested in amps for TB basses too?
In the seventies I played my TB basses through an Acoustic 360 - 18 inch folded horn with the pre-amp in the bottom.
Now I use a Road speaker with a 1200 watt Walter Woods amp. And a smaller Euphonics Audio speaker that I use with the Walter Woods for small rooms.
I went to England a year ago and brought back (what? a big ben key chain like tourists do?),
No, a Marshall bass head.
I have a small Marshall bass amp for studio and small rooms.

Back to top

View Member Profile

quinnamp

Joined:
23 Feb 2009
Posts: 3
PostPosted: 02/23/2009 at 8:39 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

"As for Dumbles there are a lughable amount of Dumble "clones" out there. Two Rock being the most blatent and I guess Fuchs. Just SO many. Then there are guys like this who jsut plain steal the designs:
http://www.quinnamp.com/sdo.htm
Overdrive SOFA??? LOL."

Let's be clear. I don't just plain steal the designs. Yes I can clone several iterations of true dumble circuits but that is indeed not the end of the road. I will be releasing several amps this year, some take the dumble thing to an entirely new level that no one else have done yet. So keep your eyes and ears peeled.
As for the styling?? You are aware that Dumble stole the look from Music man amps right?

http://www.brettallenstud.....pics/MusicManHD120_16.jpg

The Overdrive Sofa was a custom amp named after the store it went to "Guitar Sofa" in Hong Kong. Shizznikk was a custom one off for a particular client who wanted just that.
Recently have done Mojo Drive for another client. The point being I can name them anything under the sun if it pleases a clients desires. Otherwise they are known as SDO's.

As for the number of cloned dumble amps ....there are far fewer than the average person would think.
Most are derived from some Internet dumble circuit schematics, then taken in entirely different directions....
For a case in point... neither Fuchs nor Two Rock in fact are building direct clones of dumble amps. They may be derived....but they are not clones. ;O)

All the others that I know of either pretend they don't make Dumble clone amps, or they have done enough to take it FAR from true dumble territory. I could be wrong there but I do tend to keep abreast of these things. ;O)
Point being that Dumble did not create his "look"....he stole it too...., and that there are far fewer true dumble clones out there than one would think.....You can count them on one hand easily...

Just sayin'....

Back to top

View Member Profile

1uncertain3

Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
PostPosted: 02/23/2009 at 9:15 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Peggy,

I really dig those Acoustic amps, they are very similar to Sunn gear which I love!

Back to top

View Member Profile

BoulderBean

Joined:
04 Feb 2004
Posts: 309
PostPosted: 02/24/2009 at 9:17 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Great thread. I'm getting educated on amps. You folks have played through a lot more amps than me. Am I the only one on this site who likes/plays a Mesa/Boogie? I've had it 12 years and it's re-tubed and I put in a vintage JBL speaker. I can't turn it up above 3 without causing pain for anyone in the vicinity. I actually wish I had more "space" to adjust the volume between 0 and 3, but I can't really complain.

Thanks for the education!

Back to top

View Member Profile

1uncertain3

Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
PostPosted: 02/24/2009 at 10:02 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

BB,

I played through a Mesa Mark IV for almost 10 years and really enjoyed it, unfortunately I never played a Bean through it. Another amp that I really like is the Sovtek Mig 100H and like the Mesa, I am sure a Bean would be killer through it - I'll try it some day I'm sure! I cannot speak for Mesa gear today but that Mark IV I had was built very well; I don't think the Sovtek amps are built any longer.

Get thread, and thanks to everyone for sharing...

Back to top

View Member Profile

rlrlrl

Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
PostPosted: 02/24/2009 at 1:07 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

My amplifier repairing friend, who is a major Bean fan and occasionally reads this forum (hey!) is a Mesa expert. His own personal M/B is the best sounding one I've ever heard, and maybe he has tips for modding them to sound better. Maybe he'll even chime in. I personally prefer to have a couple of oddball amps that do specific things, than one all-around amp, but hearing this one incredible Mesa definitely changed my mind about them.

Also about the Quinn amps, interesting to see him posting here. "Mr Quinn" if you're reading this, I've heard really great things about your amps and would love to play one someday. Are you a Bean fan, or did you just come across the site from a google hit of your name?

Back to top

View Member Profile

quinnamp

Joined:
23 Feb 2009
Posts: 3
PostPosted: 02/24/2009 at 3:44 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link


LOL Actually my name is Shad. Quinn is my son's name.
I owned a bean for about 6 weeks once when I was on a big Garcia kick.
Let's just say I tend to prefer instruments with more wood.
Now if we we're talking about basses I might have a different opinion but as regards six string guitars.....it is really hard to win out over wood.

So yeah I will admit my site was telling me there were hits coming from here. Having owned a bean in a previous life I simply had to check it out.

Really did not mean to come off like an ass, nor get in the way of the forum doing it's thing.
I suppose I felt at odds with the stealing comment. I know full well that mother nature dictates the behavior of tubes and electrons, not men.... So these circuits can be realized by men but not invented by them... It is like saying I added up 2+2 first... so 4 belongs to me... ;O)

I think what really bums me out is that I have done nothing more or less than the others mentioned as regards stealing from Dumble but I was the only one given the title....

All good though. Takes all kinds to have a garden. Just felt I had a valid opinion to share on the subject. Not trying to chest thump or get into a public whiz match. Just sharing a little from this side of the story. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding these particular amps.

My apologies if I jumped in with both feet in a manner that may have offended anyone.
Not at all my intention.

Carry on.... Your all welcome to your own thoughts. Did not mean to be running about trying to policing you folks like that. Sorry if I came off heavy handed. I am actually a fairly easy going fellow truth be told...

With all regards,
Shad

PS Quinn says "Beans.. beans the musical fruit." ???!!... Funny kid. :O)



Back to top

View Member Profile

rlrlrl

Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
PostPosted: 02/24/2009 at 5:41 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Hi Shad - welcome regardless! I would say that the folks who are interested in Travis Beans are intrigued by unusual and quirky, and it seems that your amps fall into that category too, so it's nice to see you hear even if you're not into these instruments. I absolutely love the Fender "harmonic trem/vib" of 1960-63, and you're one of the only people building that into any new circuit, so big thumbs up there. I know nothing about Dumbles except for the hype, so I can't comment there ;)

Back to top

View Member Profile

PeterCreamer

Joined:
27 Aug 2008
Posts: 18
PostPosted: 02/25/2009 at 12:50 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

I'm currently playing out of a Sovtek MIG100H and it defintly sounds great.

I've also played my Bean through a 1974 Laney 100w Klipp, and various old pre-Fender Sunn amps I've got laying around. These amps and usually cranked and run into my Marshall 8x10 cabinet.

I'd like to try out some Fender amps however.


Back to top

View Member Profile

JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 02/25/2009 at 5:28 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Hi quinnamp, I did not mean to single you out. Only was trying to make a point about all the Dumble makers out there. I really know nothing about it only that a friend owns three, so I have played through them. (I hope you get some sales from my mention and posting of your link)
In fact your amps look incredible. I too LOVE the bias tap tremolo (is that the right term) and I will say that you seem to have taken all the best features from great amps and made them into one. I would love to buy a Derby. I have only two amps with a slave out (out of about 40), a Mesa/Boogie and a Hiwatt. This small mod is so awesome especially for recording and has been overlooked until recently. Also, I have never seen an amp with octal tubes in the first channel. What an INCREDIBLE idea. My Silvertone 1331 is one of the coolest sounding amps ever, but I have always wanted a DI on it. I have considered doing this mod.. You also use the best speakers made and if you are using NOS tubes (WOW!) I don't know how you can make a buck. So, best of luck to you. That is one cool amp. Fender browns are the most overlooked amps of all time.


Back to top

View Member Profile

1uncertain3

Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
PostPosted: 02/25/2009 at 6:35 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Yeah, the vintage, pre-Fender Sunn amps F UCKING rock my socks off! I have two Model Ts - a silver and red face - a Beta Bass, and a Beta Lead, all of which sound AMAZING paired with Beans. The Sovtek Mig 100 is one of those amps that I regret selling and think that I will own another at some point in my life but right now I'm in love with the BLACK AMP that I am playing - these amps are custom built to the players needs.

I have never owned a Laney but I have played through one many times, I do dig them; my next amp will either be a Silvertone or a a http://classaelectronics......bolicalamplification.html Diabolical Amplification/a amp, most likely the DM-17 MV unit; awe the joys of being a gear junkie!!!

Back to top

View Member Profile

JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 02/25/2009 at 8:34 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

1uncertian3,
You need to plug into a Hiwatt. Your Matamp is absolutely the same caliber of amp with more power, but I know you would LOVE a Hiwatt Custom 100. I miss mine. But, you gotta sell to buy. he-he. As for Silvertone, try to find a 1950s Danelectro made Twin-12, or any in the 1300 series. They KILL. Octal preamp tubes like the Quinn guy mentions in his Derby amp (primitave, blues-ie tone)
http://www.silvertoneworld.net/amps.html

Back to top

View Member Profile

mike

Joined:
06 Sep 2007
Posts: 1
PostPosted: 02/26/2009 at 9:21 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

My TB1000A sounds great through either a Rivera Quiana Studio, Rivera Clubster45, Swart AST, or my 59 Tweed Deluxe. Depending on the size of the gig or how my back is feeling, the guitar sounds excellent straight in to any of these amps.

Mike

Back to top

View Member Profile

admin

Joined:
01 Jun 2001
Posts: 1266
PostPosted: 02/26/2009 at 9:26 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Cool to see a couple of Rivera users. I use a Knucklehead (1998 version).
admin

Back to top

View Member Profile

1uncertain3

Joined:
02 Aug 2007
Posts: 77
PostPosted: 02/26/2009 at 6:54 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

JohnBR,

I believe you are right my friend, I certainly do NEED to plug into a Hiwatt - specifically the Custom 100! I've heard a lot of great things about them, mainly from you, and have a feeling that at some point I will have to own one; haha I can just hear my wife and bandmates now :)

Back to top

View Member Profile

rlrlrl

Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
PostPosted: 02/26/2009 at 9:03 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

YES! Bean + Hiwatt is most excellency. If you're playing loud. btw - if you can't find a vintage Hiwatt, the new Reeves amps are supposed to sound better, for cheaper, than the new Hiwatt branded amps.

More and more I realize how much difference there is between big loud amps and small quieter amps, both of which can be amazing. A Fender Princeton Reverb can sound equally complex as a Hiwatt DR103, though we perceive sound in very different ways at different volume levels. The psychology of hearing is very different at different SPLs (sound pressure levels). I guess that's a longer tangent....

Back to top

View Member Profile

Bastin

Joined:
18 Aug 2008
Posts: 31
PostPosted: 02/26/2009 at 9:52 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

And the Rivera looks good in the 'Sustain' teaser, Hank; much better than mine, actually. Yours has a pretty sharp looking faceplate. The person who owned mine before me used the High Gain input a lot. It looks like he always plugged it in REALLY hard and NEVER got it right on the first try.

One of mine is like yours - no extra, bolt -on faceplate. But the other one has the extra .125" plate around the controls. I wonder when they switched it?

On the topic of Hiwatt, Reeves, etc: I brought it up once, but has anyone ever tried or taken a close look at the Ceriatone clones? They get a lot of positive attention, and for the money it seems like it would be a good way to get that tone. Plus it would be fun to order the chassis and transformers, then build your own box....out of aluminum, of course.

rlrlrl,

There was a 10W Reeves on eBay the other day that sold for $710. It was white with black piping. I would probably buy one of those even if it didn't make noise; so beautiful.


Back to top

View Member Profile

Joefish

Joined:
11 Dec 2008
Posts: 106
PostPosted: 02/26/2009 at 10:50 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

Shad ¦ very, very cool!

regarding Howard Dumble, his shop was in my neighborhood ( at the Alley ¦ a North Hollywood Rehearsal Studio) ¦ A friend who knew him took me to his shop one day and introduced me ¦ my friend pointed out an amp that he said belonged to Bonnie Raitt and was copy of the one he built for Lowell Georges (rlrlrl ¦ they were not hype ¦ can you say David Lindley)

regarding Boogie amps ¦ they were standard issue in the studios in LA in the 80's ¦ and although I am a dinosaur, the mid 80's were (IMO) the golden age of recording ¦ we're talking analog ¦ beautiful two inch tape running at 30 inches per second ¦ Racks of gear controlled by a Bradshaw through three Boogies ¦ (one for right side stereo, one for left side stereo and one to slave out/for overdrive ¦ occasionally you'd see a Deluxe used to slave) ¦ also, l don't know if it's true, but it was a good story, that Fender could not figure out why the folks in Northern California were going through so many output transformer ... Boogie was buying them from Fender

Finally, a guy in my old neighborhood actually tossed out an old B15 head in the trash. I've got the schematics and I plan on doing some learning on it before I hand it over to my friend the amp guy.


Back to top

View Member Profile

rlrlrl

Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
PostPosted: 02/26/2009 at 11:44 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

joefish - oops I didn't mean to imply that Dumbles are "all hype"... rather that I've seen a lot of people writing about them but never heard one in person. that's all! I'm sure that, like the Trainwrecks, they're fantastic amps. And yet their dollar value has more to do with some sort of collector mystique thing than it does with the value you place on that sound. I'm not trying to open that can of worms! Just sayin that all of these amps are variations on one or two basic circuits, but of course the little changes have a huge effect.

By B15 you mean the Ampeg Portaflex? For recording, it's the best bass amp in the world, if you're going for a classic tone. I've never heard one through a cabinet that would make it a good guitar amp, but it's rarer cousin the B-18-X is great with anything. Do it!

bastin - I've seen many positive reviews of the ceriatone amps. I'd love to build one someday, or any amp for that matter. I'd need a lot more learnin first.

Back to top

View Member Profile

JohnBR

Joined:
20 Dec 2005
Posts: 223
PostPosted: 02/27/2009 at 8:52 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

1uncertain3, come to think of it, the amp you own now is probably BETTER than any amp Hiwatt is making today. You can't have better quality control than a small shop. Plus, 20 extra watts will get the blood flowing from your ears! hah.
One last thing on the Dumbles (Dumble talk BORES me), that Music Man looks NOTHING like a Dumble. But, if you say so, you probably know more than I. To me, a Mesa looks to have inspired Dumble more than anything. I also did not mean to say that Two-Rock cloned a Dumble circuit, but if you are actually telling me that two-Rock amps are not HEAVILY influenced by the great Dumble wizard himself, we will just have to agree to disagree. And same goes for the amount of Dumble "inspired" amps. There are DOZENS. I will make a list if you really want me to.
However, I forget the word I used, but let's not overlook the greatest amp-idea "borrower" of all time: Leo Fender. He "stole" more ideas from other builders than anyone else. In fact, in retrospect, that Leo Fender was a darn snake in the grass. Oh what it takes to succeed in a capitalistic society...Here is a link to Standel amp history. It is quite informative and will surprise you how many things Fender did shortly after Bob Crooks employed his new ideas in his Standel amps. This article does not even mention the fact that Leo changed his "tremolo" to "vibrato" after Magnatone engineered the tube vibrato design and even though he tried hard with his more expensive "bias tap" (brown Fender) "vibrato", to this day no. Fender amp has EVER had true pitch shifting "vibrato", only volume pulsating "tremolo", no matter what he called it.
Oh, the link. It's a bit long, but you should read the whole thing. You will be surprised for sure:
http://www.standelamps.co.....about_us/story/index.html

Back to top

View Member Profile

Joefish

Joined:
11 Dec 2008
Posts: 106
PostPosted: 02/28/2009 at 9:12 AM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

rlrlrl ¦ regarding the B 15 head ¦ it was that beautiful plexiglas sticking out of the trash (even in the dark) that made be back up and get it

I was talking to a friend who had a B-18 (¦ he said ... 18 inch speaker ¦so that's what the # means ¦ duhhh) and he was surprised that my B-15-N had Portaflex on it ¦ (I guess Portflex means the flip feature/portable ¦?)

At the minimum, I'll get the plexiglas Ampeg sign lit ¦ my first thought was that I'll learn something about amps and then get it repaired and try it as a slave ¦

The B-15-S looks closer to the B-18 regarding tubes than mine (they have 1 duet of 7027s)

¦ it was cool lookin inside ¦ so that's what one of them there caps looks like that you guys keep blowing up in your Marshalls ¦ also, there are 7 green .22 MFD 400 V-DCs (I guess they are also caps)

The red/white/black, thick white and double green wires were cut ¦and the jack to the left of the 8 OHM Speaker jack is missing

John ¦ sorry for boring you ¦

Finally, my teenage kid was watching the Muse - Knights Of Cydonia video ¦ I happened to look over and saw a metal guitar ¦


Back to top

View Member Profile

rlrlrl

Joined:
24 Dec 2007
Posts: 260
PostPosted: 02/28/2009 at 3:45 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

There are a couple different variations of the B-15 I think, but yeah, Portaflex just refers to all the flip-top models. Pretty much every fancy recording studio in the world has one. They're not very loud, 30 watts I think? Or rather, a quiet bass amp, but maybe a decently loud guitar amp. But for bass tone on a record, it can't be beat. And the light-up glass is really cool.

Back to top

View Member Profile

quinnamp

Joined:
23 Feb 2009
Posts: 3
PostPosted: 03/01/2009 at 4:07 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

I see a lot of Sunn love in this thread.
Thought I would make it known that Conrad Sundhom (He's the MAN!!) is still an amazing amplifier designer and is building some of the best sounding amps I have had the pleasure of hearing in a long while.
Thought some of you might have interest in checking out what he is doing.

http://www.conradamps.com/Welcome.html

If you guys love your Sunn amps you might really love one of Conrads latest work. His latest stuff is all tubes based, like the old Model T's and such, none of the solid state stuff that was in a lot of older Sunn amps.

Conrad is a friend but I would not be giving his work the thumbs up unless his work was truly exemplary. His amps are special and worthy of the mention. They are also much more friendly in terms of power and wattage these days....Those Model T's? Insanely loud!!!







Back to top

View Member Profile

dialectric

Joined:
19 Mar 2009
Posts: 9
PostPosted: 03/20/2009 at 6:30 PM    Post subject: RE:Amplimafiers link

I think the early koa cabinet mesa boogies have an affinity with beans, as both were small 70s shops doing cool high end work that didn't look or sound like anything else at the time. The 78 mark II 12" sounds great to me with the bean - also tried a 15" mark II, but not enough to form an opinion, I think I prefer the 12". Haven't tried many of the newer boogies; most of them seem fairly metal oriented.

Back to top

View Member Profile

Save Up to $75 Instantly at MusiciansFriend.com
Due to abuse - forum is closed and in archive mode only

  Return to forum index