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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 2, 2020 14:35:02 GMT
I've been very much a tube snob through the years, really only buying tube amps. However as I get a bit older I am finding it increasingly difficult to lug 50 pound tube amps around on gigs. As I said in a previous thread I currently gig with a Dr. Z Maz30 NR, prior to that I was using my Peavey Classic 30. Sadly both of these amps have blown EL 84 power tubes during gigs (although years apart) and the combination of frustration of tubes going bad and weight is pushing me towards solid state.
Adding on to that, this year with all of our gigs shifting to either outdoors or virtual, I've had to start bringing amps for song announcements as well. So in addition to the guitar amp, I have the choices of bringing my Markbass because it has XLR inputs (which does work quite well) or a PA system, which drastically increases complexity and gear I am lugging around. I can't use the Markbass for both because it is only 1 channel.
So finally I have decided I am going to dispose of 3 amps and I just placed an order for a new Henricksen Bud Head and their 12" passive cabinet.
This solves a lot of problems for me. The cabinet is probably the same size as the MarkBass, give or take and similar in weight. The Bud Head is 3.5 pounds and has 2 channels, either XLR or line and is small enough that it comes in its own gig bag.
Both are on backorder, perhaps up to 2 months but that's fine. Until then I will continue to use what I have- which is more than enough...
dB
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Post by infant on Dec 3, 2020 1:35:50 GMT
Luckily, I’ve only blown 1 tube on a gig and it was before we started playing. It was in an old hybrid Peavey Classic from the ‘70s and I had just replaced the power tubes. So, I just put the old ones back in and played the gig with no further problems. A few years ago, my Blues Deluxe started acting up from time to time....it was the dreaded drive channel problem that the original US made ones suffered from. I had the problem fixed but I lost confidence in that amp so I sold it.
IIn the meantime, I had bought and started using a red stripe Peavey Bandit or Studio Pro depending on the size of the venue. Bulletproof amps and took pedals well. However, The Bandit was as heavy as a tube combo. So I bought a Katana 100 a couple of years ago and sold the Peaveys. Katana is more powerful than the Bandit and lighter than the Studio Pro. I also have an older SF Deluxe Reverb that I had completely recapped and checked out a couple of years ago. I have used that on a few bar and legion gigs but I still get nervous with it even though the tech said it’s good as new.
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Post by Bill h on Dec 3, 2020 2:16:27 GMT
Yep, them damn tube amps are HEAVY!! I’m in the middle on tube amps, I’ll take a solid state amp in a second if I think that’s what I need but I have owned a couple. I mentioned the marshall 100/100 rack mount power head that I had for years in another thread, it was nothing more then 2 power heads in one. It’s a good thing there were 2 because I could always tell when those damn el-34’s were going to take a hike. The other tuber I had was an old peavey classic vtx, it was the only combo tube amp I ever owned, it was heavy but not near as heavy as a fender twin.
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 3, 2020 3:09:28 GMT
For the gigging musician, tube amps give you the sound you want but with some big drawbacks. Modern Russian tubes just don't hold up like the old Dutch Amperex and other US made ones and I'm just not shelling out $800 for an El84 NOS quad. 2 power tube failures on gigs in the past 3-4 years doesn't sound like a lot but it is 2 times too many for me.PLUS The size and weight takes a toll on your body.
You want to talk heavy amps? My Ampeg V4 was originally a VT22 combo. Sickeningly heavy @ around 100 pounds. It literally broke blood vessels in my hand carrying it around
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Post by infant on Dec 3, 2020 3:25:54 GMT
The other tuber I had was an old peavey classic vtx, it was the only combo tube amp I ever owned, it was heavy but not near as heavy as a fender twin. Your Classic VTX is the successor to my Peavey Classic. It was a 50lb amp but geez, it was reliable. When that tube fried, it didn’t take out any other components. But my next amp was a Blues Deluxe which was a bit lighter but not much. My Deluxe reverb is close to 50 lbs and I’m getting too old to lug this sh!t around. I kinda like the idea of those new Deluxe/Twin Reverb Tonemaster amps. All SS, modelled to sound like their namesake and weighing between 30-35lbs. |
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Post by zontar on Dec 5, 2020 10:11:26 GMT
There are good tube amps & bad tube amps.
Good solid state amps & bad ones--and same for hybrid amps (Many times people who come across as tube snobs who say they'd never play a solid state amp actually play hybrid amps--wht both solid state & tubes)--and also good & bad for digital amps.
And I find the weight issue affects me as well.
When I was in my 20s I came across a couple of used Legend amps after they stopped making them.
I didn't have the money to buy either of them at the time, but if I did--I would have.
at the local guitar show in 2019 Guitar Show one of the exhibitors had a Legend 50 watt combo for sale--it was one of my dream amps, and I hadn't seen one for many years.
So I had to check it out--but its as way too heavy for what I'd want now--so I didn't buy it, and my GAS for one has vanished.
My current favourite amp when I am playing guitar is an Orange Micro Dark--under 2 pounds (Amp head --hybrid)
I play it through a gutted Fender G-Dec--just the cab, grill & speaker left.--so it's fairly light as well.
I love the sound.
When I look at amps these days the first thing I check is the weight --then I check sound, features, price, condition, etc.
Hope that new amp works out for you dB
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2020 1:20:48 GMT
That Henricksen Bud sounds interesting, dB. I'm completely unfamiliar with the brand, bud knowing your exquisite taste in gear, I'm sure that it'll be something special.
I still have mixed feelings about tubes....I love the sound of my Twin Reverb, but even now, picking it up to move....even in a head cabinet....it's an insane amount of weight.
I have mixed feelings about hybrid amps. In 2009, I bought a Vox VR-30 combo amp - the Valve Reactor series, and it was a great amp. With one vintage Sylvania 12AX7 preamp tube, it seemed to offer a real warmth that I think compared very favourably with all sold-state Voxes that I've heard and owned. (I think the solid state Vox Pathfinder 15R that I owned for a few months was a nasty little POS) However, my one experience in a hybrid bass amp was horrible. When I decided to replace my Peavey Mk IV bass head, I went to Long & McQuade and spent serious dough to buy an Ampeg SVT-6PRO, which has two preamp tubes, and 4 driver tubes coupled to an 1100 watt solid-state power amp. It was probably the most disappointing new piece of gear I've ever bought. It was so microphonic that I couldn't put it on a bass cabinet....It only worked properly if it was sitting directly on the concrete floor. I used it for a few hours, and as soon as it was paid for a year later, I put it on craigslist and made it go away. After having owned an Ampeg VT-22, which I successfully used for bass with a pair of JBL K140's, it really shook my faith in the brand. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Old Ampeg made in the USA, but the Vietnamese Ampegs are totally unimpressive.
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 6, 2020 12:51:01 GMT
The Hendricksen is a total shake up for me as far as my gigging rig goes.
Truth is that I don't play with any distortion because of the style of music we play so the solid state switch should bring other adjustments. I think if my Markbass had 2 channels I would have just used that. When my Peavey was in for service a few years back I did the Markbass out, but it really sounds like a bass amp- the highs are just not there.
The only risk however is the possibility that I throw the baby out with the bathwater. I'm resolved to eliminate at least 3 amps when I move to the Hendricksen because I simply need to free up space. But I don't want to cut my vintage amps back so much I regret it later
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Post by zontar on Dec 7, 2020 6:18:55 GMT
But I don't want to cut my vintage amps back so much I regret it later That's the trick, isn't it. but then I've never sold an amp--although there are a couple I have considered selling. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 7, 2020 21:19:54 GMT
But I don't want to cut my vintage amps back so much I regret it later That's the trick, isn't it. but then I've never sold an amp--although there are a couple I have considered selling. I have sold amps. The one I regretted selling was my shocker v4 from high school and I missed it so much I went and bought another one, without the shocks, thank you |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 23:37:04 GMT
That's the trick, isn't it. but then I've never sold an amp--although there are a couple I have considered selling. I have sold amps. The one I regretted selling was my shocker v4 from high school and I missed it so much I went and bought another one, without the shocks, thank you I can understand that. I used to love my VT-22, which I believe was just a V4 with reverb. It was a wonderful amp, for bass or guitar. The fact that even now, old V4's sell for significant money really speaks to what a fine design they were. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 7, 2020 23:59:30 GMT
Actually my current v4 was a vt22 but we separated the head amp and cab for weight reasons. The vt22 is just stupid heavy
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2020 1:42:29 GMT
Actually my current v4 was a vt22 but we separated the head amp and cab for weight reasons. The vt22 is just stupid heavy LOL, I bought my VT-22 used from the guitar player in the band, but took it as a combo with no speakers. The guitar player had installed a set of Altec Lansings in it that he loved and wanted to take with him. It was a monster to move, but nothing like the new Twin Reverb he installed the Altecs into. It was probably the heaviest amp I ever carried by myself. He had me bring his new Twin to practice one night in his Corvette. I swear, the car sagged on the passenger side when I loaded the amp. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 8, 2020 2:05:37 GMT
No joke- once when I had to carry that vt22 for a distance I actually broke blood vessels in my hand. I had bruises all over my hand from the strap
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Post by Bill h on Dec 9, 2020 2:56:33 GMT
A large red circle with the diagonal line and right in the middle of it, an old man. That’s the sticker that should be on every twin reverb. Never owned one myself but had a friend who did. He came over to jam one night and I went out to help him bring his stuff in, I grabbed his amp, to this day I don’t think I have ever picked up a combo that damn heavy.
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Post by zontar on Dec 9, 2020 9:33:31 GMT
A large red circle with the diagonal line and right in the middle of it, an old man. That’s the sticker that should be on every twin reverb. Never owned one myself but had a friend who did. He came over to jam one night and I went out to help him bring his stuff in, I grabbed his amp, to this day I don’t think I have ever picked up a combo that damn heavy. Try a Legend 50--I think they're heavy, but they had very solid cabs as well. I love the sound of those amps. But I saw one at a guitar show in 2019 after not seeing one for years. I tried to pick it up--and any GAS for one was gone. Although young me would have loved it. |
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Post by zontar on Dec 9, 2020 9:34:15 GMT
That's the trick, isn't it. but then I've never sold an amp--although there are a couple I have considered selling. I have sold amps. The one I regretted selling was my shocker v4 from high school and I missed it so much I went and bought another one, without the shocks, thank you Well it's not hoarding if it's guitar gear. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 9, 2020 17:41:06 GMT
I have sold amps. The one I regretted selling was my shocker v4 from high school and I missed it so much I went and bought another one, without the shocks, thank you Well it's not hoarding if it's guitar gear. Ha ha- right! Although all those amps take up an awful lot of space |
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Post by zontar on Dec 10, 2020 8:27:07 GMT
Well it's not hoarding if it's guitar gear. Ha ha- right! Although all those amps take up an awful lot of space Still not hoarding. |
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Post by johnreardon on Dec 10, 2020 10:24:42 GMT
Did a bit of testing a new prototype 40w amp yesterday at my friends workshop. He's the one that made my Boost amp. The new one is a 2 channel, 4 input one that sounded loud and great, especially with a crossover cable connected.
Didn't take my guitar, just used a cheap Epiphone hollowbody with P90s, that he had lying around. Not sure of the model, but it looked a bit like a Casino with a proper fixed bridge. Must admit I was quite impressed with the sound. It could do with a setup and fret dress, but well made.
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Post by infant on Dec 10, 2020 13:59:24 GMT
Did a bit of testing a new prototype 40w amp yesterday at my friends workshop. He's the one that made my Boost amp. The new one is a 2 channel, 4 input one that sounded loud and great, especially with a crossover cable connected. Didn't take my guitar, just used a cheap Epiphone hollowbody with P90s, that he had lying around. Not sure of the model, but it looked a bit like a Casino with a proper fixed bridge. Must admit I was quite impressed with the sound. It could do with a setup and fret dress, but well made. Epiphones are great guitars. Fantastic bang for the buck! I had an Epi Dot Royale that sounded great and played like butter once I had it set up. The only reason I sold it was to make room for my ES137 |
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Post by zontar on Dec 11, 2020 8:23:08 GMT
Did a bit of testing a new prototype 40w amp yesterday at my friends workshop. He's the one that made my Boost amp. The new one is a 2 channel, 4 input one that sounded loud and great, especially with a crossover cable connected. Didn't take my guitar, just used a cheap Epiphone hollowbody with P90s, that he had lying around. Not sure of the model, but it looked a bit like a Casino with a proper fixed bridge. Must admit I was quite impressed with the sound. It could do with a setup and fret dress, but well made. Probably Casino as they have "proper fixed bridges"--at least all the ones I've seen, played or heard of. but who knows--there are always exceptions. I like the Casinos --nice guitars. |
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Post by johnreardon on Dec 11, 2020 9:06:57 GMT
Did a bit of testing a new prototype 40w amp yesterday at my friends workshop. He's the one that made my Boost amp. The new one is a 2 channel, 4 input one that sounded loud and great, especially with a crossover cable connected. Didn't take my guitar, just used a cheap Epiphone hollowbody with P90s, that he had lying around. Not sure of the model, but it looked a bit like a Casino with a proper fixed bridge. Must admit I was quite impressed with the sound. It could do with a setup and fret dress, but well made. Probably Casino as they have "proper fixed bridges"--at least all the ones I've seen, played or heard of. but who knows--there are always exceptions. I like the Casinos --nice guitars. All the Casinos I've seen over here have the tailpiece, like the pic. This one didn't
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Post by zontar on Dec 11, 2020 9:47:52 GMT
Probably Casino as they have "proper fixed bridges"--at least all the ones I've seen, played or heard of. but who knows--there are always exceptions. I like the Casinos --nice guitars. All the Casinos I've seen over here have the tailpiece, like the pic. This one didn't
Okay--so you're referring to the tailpiece? That bridge is a fixed bridge--not a floating bridge like on a full hollow arch top, jazzbox type guitar. But the tailpiece is often called a trapeze. So you mean it had stop tailpiece (Or stop bar) like on a Les Paul? Sorry if you know all this--I'm just trying to understand what you were referring to. So Casinos tend to have fixed bridges & trapeze tailpieces--which on a guitar like that I prefer the trapeze--but not everybody does. there were other Epi models with the stop tailpiece--it could have also been an Epi 335 or variation. Which would be a semi hollow the Casino is a thin line full hollow. |
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Post by johnreardon on Dec 11, 2020 9:50:03 GMT
All the Casinos I've seen over here have the tailpiece, like the pic. This one didn't
Okay--so you're referring to the tailpiece? That bridge is a fixed bridge--not a floating bridge like on a full hollow arch top, jazzbox type guitar. But the tailpiece is often called a trapeze. So you mean it had stop tailpiece (Or stop bar) like on a Les Paul? Sorry if you know all this--I'm just trying to understand what you were referring to. So Casinos tend to have fixed bridges & trapeze tailpieces--which on a guitar like that I prefer the trapeze--but not everybody does. there were other Epi models with the stop tailpiece--it could have also been an Epi 335 or variation. Which would be a semi hollow the Casino is a thin line full hollow. Yes stop tailpiece like a LP. Yes this was a thin hollow. Next time I'm there, I'll check the label, assuming there's one inside |
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Post by zontar on Dec 11, 2020 9:52:15 GMT
Okay--so you're referring to the tailpiece? That bridge is a fixed bridge--not a floating bridge like on a full hollow arch top, jazzbox type guitar. But the tailpiece is often called a trapeze. So you mean it had stop tailpiece (Or stop bar) like on a Les Paul? Sorry if you know all this--I'm just trying to understand what you were referring to. So Casinos tend to have fixed bridges & trapeze tailpieces--which on a guitar like that I prefer the trapeze--but not everybody does. there were other Epi models with the stop tailpiece--it could have also been an Epi 335 or variation. Which would be a semi hollow the Casino is a thin line full hollow. Yes stop tailpiece like a LP. Yes this was a thin hollow. Next time I'm there, I'll check the label, assuming there's one inside Okay--cool--that makes sense to me now. |
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 23, 2020 22:44:29 GMT
Well I called Henricksen to check the status of my amp just now.
The head amp should be shipping in about a week. The cabinet is going to take a bit longer, probably shipping in mid January...
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Post by zontar on Dec 24, 2020 8:06:18 GMT
Headphone jack on th head?
You could still use it for fun.
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Post by Die Bullen on Dec 24, 2020 15:01:49 GMT
In fact it does have a headphone jack on the head. Although I have plenty of other cabs. Either way I can definitely try it as soon as it arrives.
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Post by zontar on Dec 24, 2020 20:34:12 GMT
In fact it does have a headphone jack on the head. Although I have plenty of other cabs. Either way I can definitely try it as soon as it arrives. Cool. I prefer using a speaker cab, but sometimes that is not an option. |
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