Tube amp for a RE cab?
Adam Gottschalk
You might try a Mesa/Boogie head if you haven't (or if you have and you
didn't absolutely hate it). I just got a Nomad combo, and while it is
clearly voiced for more "modern" (squashed) sounds, I do find I can get
a seemlingly endless variety of tones with it through determined
tweaking (from bubbly clean to vintage crunch to Holdsworth overdrive).
The amp responds better than any I've tried to the use of different
pickup positions, humbuckers v. single-coil, different pick-attack spots
(over the pup, etc.), flatpick v. fingerstyle... Might be worth a try.
Not all of them are just for brutal overdrive :-) Of course, they're not
cheap (but you get what you pay for in my experience).
In article <MPG.17cf033a64...@news.bellatlantic.net>,
Richard <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I picked up a great little RE S12 last week (thanks again, AG), and I'm
> looking for the right tube head to complement it. (I'm pretty sure I'm
> not interested in a SS head, because in general I don't think SS amps
> sound as good with the analog effects I use).
>
> Right now, I'm using a '64 Deluxe (no reverb) that's been put into a head
> cabinet. It sounds OK, but it's not necessarily killing me. Plus, it's
> about 20 watts short of what I'd like. (It's also a pretty odd looking
> combination, frankly, which bugs me at a subtle aesthetic level.)
>
> I need a fat clean sound for hinting at funk and jazz timbres, and an
> articulate fusion sound as well (Holdworth, Robben Ford, David Torn).
>
> Anyway, I'm pretty much drawing a blank.
Rick Ross
and sweet
"Adam Gottschalk" <ad...@adamgottschalk.nospam.net> wrote in message
news:adam-662AF2.1...@news.fu-berlin.de...
Jack A. Zucker
distortion leaks into the clean channel. It sounded great in the store
though...
If you want Mesa, go with a Mk II or III .
--
web: http://www.jackzucker.com
"Richard" <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.17cf11a226...@news.bellatlantic.net...
> Adam Gottschalk (ad...@adamgottschalk.nospam.net) wrote:
> >
> > You might try a Mesa/Boogie head if you haven't (or if you have and you
> > didn't absolutely hate it). I just got a Nomad combo, and while it is
> > clearly voiced for more "modern" (squashed) sounds, I do find I can get
> > a seemlingly endless variety of tones with it through determined
> > tweaking (from bubbly clean to vintage crunch to Holdsworth overdrive).
> > The amp responds better than any I've tried to the use of different
> > pickup positions, humbuckers v. single-coil, different pick-attack spots
> > (over the pup, etc.), flatpick v. fingerstyle... Might be worth a try.
> > Not all of them are just for brutal overdrive :-) Of course, they're not
> > cheap (but you get what you pay for in my experience).
>
> That's not a bad suggestion. I've played through a couple of DC-5s, and
> I thought they had a perfectly fine clean sound. Fat and warm.
>
> It's hard to find good deals on them, but that's life.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> To e-mail me, put NOT SPAM in the Subject or I won't see your message.
>
> ObDisclaimer: This post contains personal opinions only
> ObURL: http://home.earthlink.net/~huddler
Adam Gottschalk
Jack, I can see where a person wouldn't like it for various reasons. I
didn't get this amp for the ultra clean of a high-powered SS amp. I
guess I expect even the clean channel on a relatively small (45w) tube
amp is still going to have a little bit of "tube grit", especially at
performance volumes. I don't think I've noticed any more
"leaking"/distortion than I would expect, especially with the EL84s
which I think are supposed to break up pretty fast. But then I'm quite
sure this has to do with my expectations and the sound I'm looking for.
Actually, for fingerstyle/chordal stuff, I often blend in a piezo signal
through an SS amp for a somewhat more "acoustic", non-muddy clean sound
if that's my goal. Single line, the channel sound clean as a whistle to
me.
In article <39c99.17892$WJ3.3...@news1.news.adelphia.net>,
pat
clean most of the way.
I have my Marshall in the shop for repair and it was offered that I could
use a 70's Earth 100 watt tube head if my Marshall was not ready for my gig.
It belongs to a music store and it is for sale for around $300..give or
take.
This is a great amp. It is even padded like the old Kustoms.
If you are interested in it I will mention it.
But I may have to use it Sunday.
Availability would be Monday or later.
Pat
Rick Ross
:)
"Richard" <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.17cf28e69a...@news.bellatlantic.net...
> Rick Ross (rick...@adelphia.net) wrote:
> > get one of those 50watt Little lanelei amps...they make a head
only..clean
> > and sweet
>
> Now there's an idea. I like the Boogie idea, too. The S12 seems pretty
> strong in the low end, which I like with a Tele and Strat. There's just
> something funny about how it sounds with the Deluxe. Maybe it's time to
> fiddle around with tubes and a rebias.
>
> It's a cheap start...
Bert Mingea
> articulate fusion sound as well (Holdworth, Robben Ford, David Torn).
>
> Anyway, I'm pretty much drawing a blank.
The amp that will do traditional straight ahead jazz tones with an archtop
as well as Holdsworth and Robben Ford tones with a solidbody *convincingly*
doesn't exist imo. You'll need more than one to cover that range unless
you're willing to make a compromise. Which sound is more important to you?
Will you be using different kinds of guitars with this amp? Are you
planning on using a pedal to get the overdrive?
Bert
pat
Pat
Bert Mingea
>> as well as Holdsworth and Robben Ford tones with a solidbody *convincingly*
>> doesn't exist imo.
>
> timbres" since I'll be using a solidbody all the time.
That certainly narrows things down.
>> You'll need more than one to cover that range unless
>> you're willing to make a compromise. Which sound is more important to you?
>> Will you be using different kinds of guitars with this amp? Are you
>> planning on using a pedal to get the overdrive?
>
> For guitars, Strat or Tele, stock except for upgraded pickups and
> rewiring the Tele to '66 specs. The amp's got to have a fat, warm clean
> sound. To me, that's the foundation. I'm happy using pedals from that
> point on.
Well fat, warm clean is certainly descriptive of a Fender. Have you tried a
pro reverb? I really like them for clean...they are warmer than a twin imo
but with less headroom. The problem is, I honestly don't think you're gonna
get very close to Holdsworth with a Fender and an overdrive pedal.
You might try checking out the nice channel switching amps like Rivera,
Bogner, Soldano, and Custom Audio Electronics. They will all do that really
smooth overdrive sound as well as a nice clean tone with a solidbody but
they are all pretty expensive. I'm not sure how well they will work with
the RE cab though as I've never tried one.
The one's I'd recommend trying if this option interests you are the Rivera
Suprema, Bogner Ecstasy 101A (better clean) or 101B (better od...this one
can get really close to Ford or Holdsworth), CAE OD 100, and Soldano Lucky
13 or Decatone.
> That's kind of what bugs me about the Deluxe right now--it's got a harsh
> sounding clean, like cheap tubes. Only they're not cheap tubes. :(
If Fender clean is priority number one, check out some other black or
silverface fenders. I've never liked the Deluxe much because of the lack of
a mid control...try a Super, Pro, or Twin. You might try to find a used
Rivera era (early 80s) Fender too...great clean tones.
Bert
Scott McLoughlin
> rewiring the Tele to '66 specs. The amp's got to have a fat, warm clean
> sound. To me, that's the foundation. I'm happy using pedals from that
> point on.
Richard,
Definitely give a Boogie head a whirl. "Fat, warm clean sound" very, very
accurately describes my Mark III's clean channel. _Extremely_ warm and
"smooooooth" sounding.
For sonic reference, I have a '68 Princeton and a Polytone MBII with which I
spend most of my time these days playing archtops. Each does their own thing
very nicely - crisper attack on both, the Polytone's "acoustic" tones, the
Princeton's chime, etc.
But neither can come close to producing the Mark III's very "fat and
buttery" clean channel tone. I think you might like it. We're talking heavy
cream here ;-)
--
Scott McLoughlin, Chairman
The Adrenaline Group, Inc.
pat
My main amp is a marshall stack.
It has a beautiful clean deep sound up to 5 on the volume.
5 is very loud.
After 5 it doesn't get louder, it gets Marshall distortion.
Think about it.
Pat
Scott McLoughlin
I never come close to diming the master volume and don't need to.
Boogies are LOUD, and I'm sure the 60W would more than cure
what ails most anyone in the volume department ;-)
BTW, my business partner picked up a Rectoverb a few years
back and the clean channel _totally_ kicks butt. The numerous
mag reviews and HC reviews on the Rectoverb clean channel are
not blowing smoke - it's truly delicious.
BTW #2, if you're at a Boogie dealer, check out the Blue Angel
head if they have one. Folks seem to either LOVE this amp or
HATE it. The clean channel folks generally love it - most
notably, Bill Frissell uses 'em.
Scott
--
Scott McLoughlin, Chairman
The Adrenaline Group, Inc.
"Richard" <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.17cf8abfc...@news.bellatlantic.net...
> Scott McLoughlin (scot...@worldnet.att.net) wrote:
> >
> > "Richard" <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > > For guitars, Strat or Tele, stock except for upgraded pickups and
> > > rewiring the Tele to '66 specs. The amp's got to have a fat, warm
clean
> > > sound. To me, that's the foundation. I'm happy using pedals from
that
> > > point on.
> >
> > Richard,
> >
> > Definitely give a Boogie head a whirl. "Fat, warm clean sound" very,
very
> > accurately describes my Mark III's clean channel. _Extremely_ warm and
> > "smooooooth" sounding.
>
> I've definitely loved the clean channel of a couple of DC-5s I've played.
>
> (Putting Mk III head on the list). Is yours a 100w or 60w model?
>
> > For sonic reference, I have a '68 Princeton and a Polytone MBII with
which I
> > spend most of my time these days playing archtops. Each does their own
thing
> > very nicely - crisper attack on both, the Polytone's "acoustic" tones,
the
> > Princeton's chime, etc.
>
> One of the best clean sounds I ever had was a '67 Princeton that I'd plug
> into a 15" EV. That was heaven. It was also about 20 watts too "light"
> for live use.
>
> > But neither can come close to producing the Mark III's very "fat and
> > buttery" clean channel tone. I think you might like it. We're talking
heavy
> > cream here ;-)
>
> Thanks very much--I'll look into them.
Bert Mingea
> though, and I'm trying to find a good amp head to match it.
You could pull the chassis out and build a head out of it...keep the
remnants of course so you could put it back to stock.
>> The problem is, I honestly don't think you're gonna
>> get very close to Holdsworth with a Fender and an overdrive pedal.
>
> Here's some bullshit Holdsworth-wannabe wanking with a Tele, a Pro
> Reverb, and an overdrive pedal (well, distortion, anyway--a Burn Unit)
> maybe a year and a half ago.
>
> Mic was badly placed, but you should get the idea. That's really close
> enough to that kind of sound for most of my purposes. Anyone with ears
> will know it's nowhere near the richness of Holdsworth, but again, "close
> enough for government work." The sustain and bite is there, for the most
> part. Did I mention it's a bunch of wanking? You've been warned. :)
>
> http://home.earthlink.net/huddler/fred.mp3
Broken link.
>> You might try checking out the nice channel switching amps like Rivera,
>> Bogner, Soldano, and Custom Audio Electronics. They will all do that really
>> smooth overdrive sound as well as a nice clean tone with a solidbody but
>> they are all pretty expensive. I'm not sure how well they will work with
>> the RE cab though as I've never tried one.
>
> I do like Rivera amps. I found a Jake Studio 55 head on eBay that some
> dealer wanted to blow out of his store, but after the bidding passed
> $600 I dropped out. I was hoping to steal it for $450 or so.
I haven't tried it. I've heard the M60 live though and it sounded great for
clean and gain.
> I like Budda amps, too. I'm sniffing around a little for a used 30-watt
> Budda head, since they're great but don't hold their value on resale.
I think that Superdrive is a great lead amp too but I'm not so fond of the
Voxy sounding clean channel.
>> The one's I'd recommend trying if this option interests you are the Rivera
>> Suprema, Bogner Ecstasy 101A (better clean) or 101B (better od...this one
>> can get really close to Ford or Holdsworth), CAE OD 100, and Soldano Lucky
>> 13 or Decatone.
>
> I'll check them out. I didn't know the Bogner 101A clean would be better
> than a Rivera. That's interesting.
I didn't mean that. I meant that the Bogner with 6L6s had better clean than
the Bogner with EL34s(which has a better lead tone imo).
> I've got a Bandmaster modded to a Fuchs Overdrive Special, but I'd hate
> to gig it: The wiring's a little fragile looking, and I'd worry about
> its reliability even more than I do lugging this old Vibrolux Reverb
> around. It sounds pretty damned good, though.
Shouldn't that get you pretty close to Ford's Dumble tone? I'd have a tech
check it out and make sure it's reliable. If it's got the tone then it can
be made road worthy.
>>> That's kind of what bugs me about the Deluxe right now--it's got a harsh
>>> sounding clean, like cheap tubes. Only they're not cheap tubes. :(
>>
>> If Fender clean is priority number one, check out some other black or
>> silverface fenders. I've never liked the Deluxe much because of the lack of
>> a mid control...try a Super, Pro, or Twin. You might try to find a used
>> Rivera era (early 80s) Fender too...great clean tones.
>
> I had a Rivera-modified Deluxe Reverb that killed (done for Jackson
> Browne before Paul joined Fender) and that I still kick myself for
> selling. I've owned some really great BF Fenders--a particularly fine
> '65 Twin Reverb comes to mind--but, again, I'm really just trying to find
> a good head to match with the RE cab. I use an old Vibrolux Reverb combo
> now, and I'm completely happy with it except for lugging it around. I'd
> like to lug an RE cab and head around for a while instead. ;)
If you like Twins then why not try a Dual Showman Reverb head...it's just a
twin in a head.
Bert
Bert Mingea
>>
>> Shouldn't that get you pretty close to Ford's Dumble tone? I'd have a tech
>> check it out and make sure it's reliable. If it's got the tone then it can
>> be made road worthy.
>
> one of those Fuchs mods, though, and the Bandmaster's a tight fit for it
> anyway. A friend of mine (who's a great tech) has the Fuchs, but he's
> also on speaking terms with Dumble, who is pretty pissed at Fuchs. I'd
> rather just find a non-contentious way to get the sound I want.
I've heard that Dumble's mad that Fuchs owns Dumble.com...or so it said on
Scott Henderson's website. I wouldn't deal with him either...bad
businessman.
Bert
icarusi
> I need a fat clean sound for hinting at funk and jazz timbres,
and an
> articulate fusion sound as well (Holdworth, Robben Ford, David
Torn).
>
> Anyway, I'm pretty much drawing a blank.
If you can find one, try an Ashdown Peacemaker 50 (or100) head.
The 100 has EL 34s and the 50 has 6550s, but Ashdown say KT88 and
6L6 can be fitted. Have you tried the THD Univalve and Bivalve?
Recently the Ashdown, THD and Cornford Hurricane get good
references in the valve/tube heads with good tone.
Icarusi
--
remove the 00 to reply
icarusi
news:uuc99.1119$ld4.1...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> The old Hiwatt's, Orange's, Earth amps and SVT's were great
heads that were
> clean most of the way.
I have a Sound City 120 head designed by the guy who designed the
HiWatts, it has six EL34 in the ouput section. I once played it
through a power soak with everything full up and it was just
mildly warm on the distortion, so pretty well a clean sounding
120 watts full up. IIRC it's ultralinear so not too surprising. I
bought it from a bass player in the early 70s so probably a good
bass amp too with that performance.
Doc
--
Doc
http://www.trimcrafters.com/drg.htm
"Richard" <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.17d2ef035e...@news.bellatlantic.net...
> icarusi (icar...@hotmail.com) wrote:
> > Richard <hud...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> >
> > > I need a fat clean sound for hinting at funk and jazz timbres,
> > > and an articulate fusion sound as well (Holdworth, Robben Ford,
> > > David Torn).
>
> > Have you tried the THD Univalve and Bivalve?
>
> The UniValve isn't close to enough power, but the BiValve looks
> interesting. I've got a bunch of tubes laying around here, too. Plus,
> the BiValve is the right size. It might look great on a RE S12.
icarusi
timbres,
> > > and an articulate fusion sound as well (Holdworth, Robben
Ford,
> > > David Torn).
>
>
> interesting. I've got a bunch of tubes laying around here,
too. Plus,
> the BiValve is the right size. It might look great on a RE
S12.
Some guys are taking different valves to gig with them and swap
over for different sounds. You need valves not tubes. Cathode ray
tubes don't sound right.