Reality check on jazz amps - is Clarus still the darling?
oasysco
We have JazzKat, Henriksen, Evans, Polytone, Clarus, AER, Fender (with
their JK) and other brands out there.
A couple-few years ago, Clarus + Raezor's Edge cabs was all the rage
here. Everybody who gigged seemed to have one and loved them as much
for their portabiltiy as for their tone.
Is the Clarus/RE combo still the industry standard for you guys who
gig, record, or are serious home practicioners? Or are there other
alternatives that have since overshadowed the Clarus/RE combo?
For example, JazzKat seemed to catch on for awhile in no small part
thanks to JohnP, but that fire seems to have waned some.
Are heads and sep cabs still hot or have palyers moved to all-in-one
combos? So, what's hot now and why?
Thanks,
Greg
rpguitar
is pretty much an axiom to live by. It's always a matter of new
options, which may also be good, but don't remove the goodness from
the old options. :)
Clarus and RE or Redstone match is still great. Price is a factor
with all of these rigs. Some of them are pretty sky-high.
Mark Guest
I have an old Clarus that I still like to use with my RE S10. I also
like it with my S12ER and T8, but I have the S10 and Clarus fastened
together on a luggage cart for convenience. I also have the JazzKat,
which I use more often due to its smaller size. The Clarus/RE is a
more satisfying rig for me, but because I'm lazy, I use the JazzKat
more. In the right room, the JazzKat is really nice...tubey, yet
clean. Similar to the Clarus/T8 sound IIRC.
I also have a Polytone MegaBrute that rarely leaves my home. It's nice
for home practice. I've tried to like the Evans, without success...I
think the sonic range is *too* great, requiring more tweaking than I
like. Haven't tried the Fender Jazz or Steel King (too heavy), or the
AER, or Hendriksen.
All the best,
Mark Guest
Jazz Guitar
www.myspace.com/markguest
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do
without."
Confucius (c.551-479 BC)
Nate Najar
the clarus is my favorite sounding head. I still keep an slr. The RE
cabs are very good and i used them for a few years but i prefer the
sound of the redstone cab. I have an aer compact 60 that i prefer for
most small gigs because it's very easy to grab and go. if I need more
volume than that can deliver, I grab the clarus/redstone. i don't
need any more equipment.
now when i'm playing electric guitar in commercial music situations,
that's a whole different story. equipment has become a big money pit!
N
ott...@hotmail.com
Head with 1 or 2(if necessary) RE NY8 Cabs, and a JazzKat.
The one I use most is the JazzKat!
I'll use one of the others if playing a large venue or outdoors,
usually the Mini-Brute.
Bg
Derek
would own that set up.
The JazzKat was the best compromise in sound/size/$ for me.
Still very satisfied with it after more than a year of ownership.
Another Cleveland Guy
> Is the Clarus/RE combo still the industry standard for you guys who
> gig, record, or are serious home practicioners? Or are there other
> alternatives that have since overshadowed the Clarus/RE combo?
Like all artistic judgments, some qualification is probably in order.
I think the Clarus/RE setup is still the standard, if you're looking
for "that" kind of clean. This is maybe the best setup for the
traditional "pure" sound at volume. It's also hard to beat for chord
solo kind of work or for acoustic/nylon string guitar.
On the other hand, if you're going for something funkier, maybe in an
organ trio environment or a loud rhythm section environment, there may
be other better choices. If you want to use some distortion and
spatial effects, or even if you just want a little edge to your sound,
the Clarus/RE setup may not be ideal.
Maybe that's why Sco and Abercrombie and Stern don't use the Clarus/RE
setup (AFAIK). No setup is the holy grail for everyone.
> Are heads and sep cabs still hot or have palyers moved to all-in-one
> combos? So, what's hot now and why?
I have no idea what's "hot", but I'm using the Corus rather than the
Clarus/RE setup, despite the fact that I find the Clarus/RE setup to
be slightly warmer and sweeter.
There's the convenience factor with a combo, but there's also the fact
that I can hear myself really well onstage with the Corus. It's not as
directional as a more traditional closed-back speaker, so it works for
me.
In addition, I'll sometimes leave the Corus home and use an Evans or
Fender amp when I want a little edge. Or I'll use the Corus with a
MagicStomp, which really changes the character of the tone.
Sometimes ya just gotta get a little funky.
That's my view, anyway.
Jonathan
Martacus
I've been using a Clarus/Redstone set up for two years now, and I'm
extremely happy with the sound I get. I honestly don't even want to
look at anything else, since I'm not fond of the eternal search for
equipment. In addition to the sound, they're portable, so I can carry
guitar/amp/cab on one trip from the car. As Jonathan states in another
post, Clarus/Redstone might not be the sound you're looking for, but
I'm happy with it and I'd get the same equipment if it got stolen/lost/
whatever.
Marty
dhn...@sbcglobal.net
favorite setup; I prefer it over my JC-55, clarus w/RE cabs and
Polytone MBII.
Michael Standal
(in article
<66d96ba6-52cb-4371...@j28g2000hsj.googlegroups.com>):
I had a Clarus and RE rig a while ago and it did sound nice. I'm currently
using a Fender Jazz Ultralight with a RE twin 8, or a Mesa/Boogie MKIV, or a
Fender JK or a Fender Vibrolux or (rarely) a Fender Cyber-Twin. I've found
that (at least for me) there isn't a perfect amp for all venues - different
amps are better suited for dffferent situations and environments. My Fender
JK or Cyber is great with an organ trio. The JU/RE is great with big bands. I
like the tube combos in larger venues or outdoors. I've even used a Marshall
4-12 with the Boogie for an outdoor festival (organ trio) and it sounded
great. But I always practice with the JU/RE rig. That combination sounds the
best in my home studio.
I used to obsess about trying to get an amp to do what I wanted it to do in
any given situation but that's just not possible, at least for the different
kinds of work that I do. Sometimes a vise grip is the more appropriate tool
than a pliars or a ratchet. Funny thing is I usually end up sounding like
myself, anyway. The whole amp thing is more of a feel thing that (I hope)
helps me play better.
Anyone else out there a multi-amp'er?
Mike
Marc Why
As everyone knows, this is truly a "personal choice" thing, but I'll
throw in my two cents ...
Some background: I live in Southern California, and have the luxury
(necessity?) of driving to all of my gigs (no subways to traverse); I
have an excellent cart ("Rok 'n' Roller!") that I've used on 100% of
my gigs to lug my gear; I play in intimate, corporate settings up to
larger halls/clubs, but rarely need a PA (about 80% of the gigs are
just amp); and about 95% of my gigs are with my quartet (sax, bass,
drums, gtr), although I've played in other setups (i.e., big band,
trio, larger combos).
I've owned and performed with several different rigs that you
mentioned (in addition to Walter Woods, Carvin, etc.), but currently
keep relying on my Frenzel "Super Deluxe Plus" tube head and one (or
more) of my EarCandy Cabs; reliable, clear, versatile, great jazz/
blues setup. This is all I need, and is my industry standard.
If I were riding the subway to gigs in NYC, I'd likely have a
different setup.
Play on!
jazzgeetar
wrote:
> I had a Clarus and RE rig a while ago and it did sound nice. I'm currently
> using a Fender Jazz Ultralight with a RE twin 8, or a Mesa/Boogie MKIV, or a
> like the tube combos in larger venues or outdoors. I've even used a Marshall
> 4-12 with the Boogie for an outdoor festival (organ trio) and it sounded
> great. But I always practice with the JU/RE rig. That combination sounds the
> best in my home studio.
I also use a Fender jazzmaster ultralight, but with a smallish 1x12
cab I put together with a Jensen Neo. The ultralight is my choice amp
for gigs and full band settings, but for a quick grab and go for small
jams, I'll usually take my Cube 30. I also have a tube Carvin Nomad
combo. The Fender is my top choice of the 3.
-Dan
stringswinger
I also have a RE Stealth 12-ER
Redstone Audio RE-12
RE Ny-8
All good options for different rooms/gigs
I keep a Mesa Mark IV for blues and rock gigs
I keep a Crate Taxi for powerless gigs (on the beach)
I keep an AER Compact 60 because it is SO portable (If I have to walk a long
way with gear...this amp comes along and it is a good Acoustic backup to the
Clarus)
I keep a Polytone MiniBrute as a jazz backup to the Clarus.
But to my ears, the RE/Clarus setup is the best.
I have been unimpressed with Fender, Evans and Jazzkat (tried them all) YMMV
Cheers,
Marc
"oasysco" <wilder...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:66d96ba6-52cb-4371...@j28g2000hsj.googlegroups.com...
mikeo
1) my head/cab (at home) rig is a Clarus 2R with Redstone RS-12ER
2) my gigging combo is the Henriksen JazzAmp12
i love them both and since purchasing all 3 pieces at about the same
time, I know I can quit shopping for amps and maybe start thinking
about practicing for a change...
mikeo
now where's my metronome?
oasysco
Yeah, I didn't even think to ask about where folks live and whether
they ride subways or buses, but I can see where thta would make a dif.
Greg
jim
"oasysco" <wilder...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:66d96ba6-52cb-4371...@j28g2000hsj.googlegroups.com...
So, not a tube amp in the carload (save one). Do all you guys use archtops
with floaters? Any routed in pickups?
I tried a Clarus/Redstone combo and sent the Clarus back-just too flat
sounding to me. Anybody use tubes?
Jim
hack...@gmail.com
>
> I've owned and performed with several different rigs that you
> mentioned (in addition to Walter Woods, Carvin, etc.), but currently
> keep relying on my Frenzel "Super Deluxe Plus" tube head and one (or
> more) of my EarCandy Cabs; reliable, clear, versatile, great jazz/
> blues setup. This is all I need, and is my industry standard.
>
>
Hack
--//--
JonD
For portability, I rationalised my Clarus/AI even more and got a
Henriksen. I sold the Clarus, for money's sake, but would like to
still have the amp for louder gigs. This will hopefully be remedied
when I either a) buy a Henricksen extension cab at some stage
(thinking about the bass 10 for some oomph) or b) refuse to ever do a
gig with a loud drummer again. I've got a polytone minibrute IV to,
but I just use it for teaching, and right now it's out of service and
in another country. In summary, the Henricksen is by far the most
portable, and sounds as good as the others except in big rooms, but
for half the price of the Clarus setup, you can by an extension
speaker as well, thereby technically pushing more air than the Clarus,
and sounding - I think - just as good, with the option to leave the
extra speaker at home most of the time.
JonD
Mind you, I've just moved to a city where most clubs have theire own
amps and am coming round to the opinion that it doesn't really
matter. I played through some kind of Marshall combo tonight, and
sounded pretty much the same as the Fender the other night. Having a
good guitar makes the amp less important I think. If I could actually
play the thing, gear mightn't matter at all, and I could save lots of
money :)
dhn...@sbcglobal.net
I listened to the MP3's on your website...sounds like you have no
problem playing. Wow, fantastic playing indeed.
mikeo
> "oasysco" <wilderkom...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> - Show quoted text -
Jim,
yes routed pickups here.
i used a lovely sounding (50lb) Fender tube amp for well over a decade
- i lugged it up stairs, climbed the hills of san francisco, took it
on the public transit, etc... after hearing the warmth of the
Henriksen, I am all done with tubes, as it does exactly what i want it
to do and is much easier to schlep. It really frees up my back to
carry other gear to the gig, such as my metronome.
you saw that coming huh?
Marc Why
also EarCandy's new 2x8 cab, which I believe has Jensens.
Marc
www.myspace.com/marcwhygroup
mejoemo...@yahoo.com
Acoustic Image SLR
RE 8 (Rich Made)
Sadowsky JH Signature
TI Swings Med Gauge
_____________________
GREAT SOUND!
JM
also have Clarus 1R, RE-10
Stock HRD, retubed and biased for non jazz gigs
Crate Limo for reh/practice
plenty gear, no mo fo joe!
jim
Jim,
yes routed pickups here.
i used a lovely sounding (50lb) Fender tube amp for well over a decade
- i lugged it up stairs, climbed the hills of san francisco, took it
on the public transit, etc... after hearing the warmth of the
Henriksen, I am all done with tubes, as it does exactly what i want it
to do and is much easier to schlep. It really frees up my back to
carry other gear to the gig, such as my metronome.
you saw that coming huh?
Damn, now I'm going to have to try a Henriksen. And I was happy with my tube
combo. Mikeo, are you in SF? I'm up in Humboldt.
Jim
mikeo
coming huh?
>
> Damn, now I'm going to have to try a Henriksen. And I was happy with my tube
> combo. Mikeo, are you in SF? I'm up in Humboldt.
> Jim
yes, east bay now. where in Humboldt are you? I've spent some time
up there - very beautiful. bunch of N Cal-'ers in this group.
mikeo
;)
tomb...@jhu.edu
I gotcher metronome right here, pal. In my Mercedes.
mikeo
>
> I gotcher metronome right here, pal. In my Mercedes.
let me get this straight, you keep a metronome in your car??
[confused]
jim
"mikeo" <mike...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:c23dcef4-1c66-4f18...@b29g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
SoHum, just over the Mendo line. I saw your clips from a Mimi Fox workshop.
She's going to be playing at the hotel where I work in June:
6/27 Frank Potenza w/ Joe Bagg
6/28 Mimi w/ Harvie S
Akira Tana drums for both gigs
mikeo
> "mikeo" <mikeo...@comcast.net> wrote in message
really? where?
we took a family vacation to Shelter Cove and Ave o' the Giants this
past fall. Will definitely go back again.
jim
I posted this recently, giving myself away. Oh well. I'm the guy with the
175 (scroll down)
http://www.benbowinn.com/events.htm
Jim
Chickenhead
Nothing really wrong with it, maybe a bit harsh or biting, but that could be
my RH attack. The 2R SIII never thrilled me though. Wasn't really bad
sounding, but never gave me a woody either. After lots of searching I've
decided I'm just a tube guy. I hate the weight, but every time I try to
ditch the tubes I end up getting frustrated with the tone. I'll even think
it's okay for a while, and then I'll play through a good tube head and once
again I'm missing the tubes.
Some say the older S1 Clarus heads were better -- I'm almost tempted to try
one, or, better yet, an SL/R if I could find one at a decent price. But
that's just my old GAS always wanting something new -- I wish I could get a
sound I like at the light weight of the AI stuff. Thus, an SL/R still
tempts me.
I'm using a Redstone 10V and/or RE S12 (Rich-built). Don't know if it's my
imagination, the wearing out of my sensitivity, or actually true, but the RE
S12 seems to be sounding smoother with age. It used to seem really harsh
and biting to me, but it seems less so now. Probably just my imagination
and worn out old ears.
Still using the Carr Rambler on lo-volume gigs, but I'm using a Peavey C100
head with the aforementioned cabs when I need headroom. Sometimes I'll do a
stereo split and run a PT Minibrain on one cab and the C100 on the other,
but that's only because the PT Minibrain is in the van and easy to grab, not
because I like the sound of it. I like the Minibrain better as half a
stereo rig than by itself. It's nice as reinforcement, but by itself it
seems to suffer from the usual Polytone midrange bark and boxiness when the
headroom runs out.
Still using a modified Peavey C30 faith a Weber speaker for funk/blues/pop
gigs, but that's a whole different universe.
Seems like the only folks responding to this thread are Clarus users, so I
thought I'd just drop in with another perspective.
-Chickenhead
"oasysco" <wilder...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
Roger
<NOSPkurtAMshap...@THANKhotmYOUail.com> wrote:
> I'm still lugging tubes around. The Clarus 2R SIII didn't do it for me.
>
now) that I took to a friend's to compare w/ his Clarus/RE12 setup. We
played each head thru the RE12 and the Frenzel was the obvious winner
with a much sweeter, more bubbly tone. I own a couple other tube amps:
a 1970 Garnet Revolution II (JBL D120) which has a fantastic clean
channel and great tube reverb, and a VHT widebody 50/12 which is also
very nice for clean sounds. I am waiting for my completely re-wired
Groove Tube Soul-O 45 to come back from Jim Price at Omega Amps. He's
putting in a D*mble type circuit with an emphasis on creating a single
channel clean amp for jazz. I hope this will be my main jazz amp: it's
very compact, weighs 40lbs and has tube/tank reverb. Jim Price has
been great to work with, and his prices are very reasonable compared
to others doing these kinds of complete overhauls.
The GT Soul-O sounded terrible as a jazz amp, btw. I would not
recommend it at all for jazz. It uses a cathode follower tone circuit,
which means there's no bottom end and you can't really dial out the
treble or upper mids. I talked my self into getting a used one sight-
unheard after I read that Andy Summers was using a pair of them for
his big band thing, plus some glowing Internet reviews about the clean
sound. I was looking for a tube combo that was compact w/ reverb. So
lesson learned, but at least I'm now putting it to good use.
Roger
Chickenhead
C30 as a jazz amp. Very similar issues in terms of the treble and upper
mids always being a bit strong. At low volume it was okay and could get
some decent quasi-Benson tones, but it just doesn't have the clarity for a
jazz amp. I love it for blues, funk, R&B, etc. With a strat, it gets
wonderful punchy yet warm snap for rhythm lines and palm-mute stuff, and the
distortion channel sings beautifully. For jazz, however, it just doesn't
have the clarity and headroom.
I will say, however, that the bottom end vastly improved when I put in a
Weber speaker (12A150). I'm tempted to try the Weber Beam Blockers - as I
do a weasel version of the same thing by keeping a slab of duct tape taped
to the inside of the speaker grill right over the center of the cone.
I was starting to feel like a heretic out here in Tubeland. You don't know
how happy I'd be to find a lightweight, high-power transistor head that had
the sweetness and smoothness of tubes. There may be one out there yet, but
every time I've tried to ditch the glass bottles, I end up coming back to
them. I'll use a transistor amp and convince myself for a while that it
sounds as good, but as soon as I get an A/B situation or play next to a dewd
with a tube amp, I end up running back to the tubes again.
I loved the weight of the Clarus 2R SIII, and I liked the headroom too. But
it always felt like something wasn't quite there. Tubes are heavy,
unreliable, and a general pain-in-the-butt; but so far nothing seems to
sound like tubes except tubes.
"Roger" <rogert...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:07552c5d-8f48-485f...@v3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
ts...@hotmail.com
marc what amp are you using, I find the tonkers have a bit too much
mid range in my ear candy cabinet
Skip
Roger
<kuNOrtSPAMshapTHANK...@YOUhoVERYtmail.MUCHcom> wrote:
> Not in the same league as the Soul-O, but I never really liked the Peavey
> C30 as a jazz amp. Very similar issues in terms of the treble and upper
> mids always being a bit strong. At low volume it was okay and could get
> some decent quasi-Benson tones, but it just doesn't have the clarity for a
> jazz amp. I love it for blues, funk, R&B, etc. With a strat, it gets
> wonderful punchy yet warm snap for rhythm lines and palm-mute stuff, and the
> distortion channel sings beautifully. For jazz, however, it just doesn't
> have the clarity and headroom.
>
> I will say, however, that the bottom end vastly improved when I put in a
> Weber speaker (12A150). I'm tempted to try the Weber Beam Blockers - as I
> do a weasel version of the same thing by keeping a slab of duct tape taped
> to the inside of the speaker grill right over the center of the cone.
>
> I was starting to feel like a heretic out here in Tubeland. You don't know
> how happy I'd be to find a lightweight, high-power transistor head that had
> the sweetness and smoothness of tubes. There may be one out there yet, but
> every time I've tried to ditch the glass bottles, I end up coming back to
> them. I'll use a transistor amp and convince myself for a while that it
> sounds as good, but as soon as I get an A/B situation or play next to a dewd
> with a tube amp, I end up running back to the tubes again.
>
> I loved the weight of the Clarus 2R SIII, and I liked the headroom too. But
> it always felt like something wasn't quite there. Tubes are heavy,
> unreliable, and a general pain-in-the-butt; but so far nothing seems to
> sound like tubes except tubes.
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
If you want a lightweight, small tube head solution, the Frenzel
Deluxe Plus is a strong contender. It's only 12 inches across the
front panel and weighs an amazing 14lbs! It's fairly low powered, at
25 watts. The 40 watt Super Deluxe Plus is 17 inches across and weighs
15lbs. (But remember, 25 watts is about 90% of 40 watts in terms of
perceived volume.) Well, with either of these, I'd buy it with the
steel cage and handles, so that would add about two more pounds. But
still, a compact tube head weighing 16lbs is very attractive and works
for any small venue jazz gig (and larger ones w/ sound reinforcement),
which is what most of us play anyway. I've already tried the DP and
loved it as a jazz amp (as I said, better than a Clarus), so there's
no question in my mind that it's got the right tone.
No, Chickenhead, you are not alone out here!
Roger
Chickenhead
low-volume and/or small venue solution. Even though it's a combo, it's only
40 pounds, which is about the maximum for my old bones. It's the large
venues where I have to drag out the "heavy" artillery.
That extra few db of perceived volume seems to make a huge difference for me
in large rooms. When I need the power and headroom, nothing seems to do it
for me like the combination of tubes and lot o' power.
Hey, do you have a link to these Frenzel amps so I can drool? I notice
there's Frenzel and Son of Frenzel. Neither of the sites seemed to have the
models you mentioned or said anything about a steel cage. For those
situations where I need the power, I think even 40 Class A watts could be a
little low; still, I always love some good X-rated tube amp pictures to
drool at.
I'm pretty happy with the tone of my current setup, though I'm tempted to
try a Redstone 12" cab someday. It's the freakin' weight of that 100 watt
tube head that drives me nutz. I'd love to be able to find something that
had the size, weight and power of the AI heads but the tone and feel of my
tube boxes.
Has anyone who is a long-time AI user (Kleinhaut) noticed a substantial tone
difference between the SIII models and SL/R or Series 1 Clarus? I wasn't
happy with the SIII, but I'm still tempted by the SL/R and Series 1R AI
heads.
Kleinhaut seems to think it's 'cause my guitars suck, which is possible; His
theory is that if used pricier guitars I'd be happier with the Clarus SIII
series. Maybe my 2R SIII I had was just a tone lemon and Kleinhaut got the
good ones. I so want to believe that the whole tube thing is just a
snake-oil scam, but, so far, my ears want tubes. Maybe I'm just fooling
myself, I dunno'.
There's a lotta' great players who've successfully managed to dump the tubes
and get great tone. Maybe I just suck so I need the tubes to cover it up.
It's entirely possible. Then there are those dewds that are so good they'd
sound great no matter what they played or played through. I'm just a mortal
and need every ounce of improvement I can get, so I still rely on the glass
bottles for help.
"Roger" <rogert...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4577929d-7240-4fac...@h25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
Roger
>
> news:4577929d-7240-4fac...@h25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>
> - Show quoted text -
>
>
>
>
>
> > If you want a lightweight, small tube head solution, the Frenzel
> > Deluxe Plus is a strong contender. It's only 12 inches across the
> > front panel and weighs an amazing 14lbs! It's fairly low powered, at
> > 25 watts. The 40 watt Super Deluxe Plus is 17 inches across and weighs
> > 15lbs. (But remember, 25 watts is about 90% of 40 watts in terms of
> > perceived volume.) Well, with either of these, I'd buy it with the
> > steel cage and handles, so that would add about two more pounds. But
> > still, a compact tube head weighing 16lbs is very attractive and works
> > for any small venue jazz gig (and larger ones w/ sound reinforcement),
> > which is what most of us play anyway. I've already tried the DP and
> > loved it as a jazz amp (as I said, better than a Clarus), so there's
> > no question in my mind that it's got the right tone.
>
> > No, Chickenhead, you are not alone out here!
>
>
Chickenhead, here's the Frenzel link to the guitar amp models (I'd
love to try the Super Deluxe Plus w/ the 4-6v6 tube option):
http://www.frenzeltubeamps.com/id16.html. Or, if you're on his home
page (www.frenzeltubeamps.com), click on "open chassis guitar amps."
Some are class AB, some are A, and some have a switching option. You
can only get the higher watts w/ class AB (best for jazz anyway, IMO).
His SDP at 40 watts is AB; switching to class A would drop it to about
half that.
With tube amps there's a weight limit tied to the # of watts because
the power transformer's and output transformer's weight must increase
to deliver more watts. So there simply is no way to get the same watts-
to-weight ratio as a SS amp. Here are a couple alternatives for when
you need more power:
1. Bring a SS amp w/ an FX loop in addition to your tube amp. Use the
line out on the tube amp (most good tube amps have line out) into the
SS amp. Plenty of volume while still getting 1/2 your sound from an
all-tube amp and half your sound from a SS amp w/ a tube preamp in
front of it.
2. Use a tube preamp of some kind in front of a SS amp. I saw Paul
Bollenbeck last year at the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe: he used a very
small Polytone amp (w/ like two 6" or 8" speakers) but had a great,
bubbly sound. I talked to him on the break, and he showed me this ART
Tube MP little preamp that he had in front of the amp. I since bought
one (ART Tube MP Studio V3) and it does warm a SS amp up quite a bit.
Used it was only $30, and is the size of a large wallet.
Another sound-enhancing device that I like is the BBE Sonic Maximizer.
Helps get a clearer, more bell-like tone, but not exactly tube either.
Have fun!
Roger
Chickenhead
ditching the AI SIII 2R. I should have at least given it a whack with the
Presonus Tube Pre I've got laying around. Yeah, those Tube MPs are cheaper
than dirt. That would have been an inexpensive experiment well worth the
effort. Dammit, I shoulda' tried it before sending the AI to eBay.
"Roger" <rogert...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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