| Author |
Message |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 7:38 pm: | |
...any suggestions? Looking for something like a Gibson LP GA5, a Crate V58, or Epiphone Valve Special. Wish to hear some feedback before committing to buy sight-unseen. Thanks to all.
Ace |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 2:17 am: | |
That zvex is one of the coolest things I've seen. Heres some video footage:
http://www.prosoundcommunications.com/english/video/michael_thompson/
I live near Torres Engineering. I'll see if they have any units available for demo.
-Sven |
Boogieknight
Username: Boogieknight
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 11:27 am: | |
Best sounding tubes amps I have EVER heard and then quickly bought are made by http://www.stephensonamps.com/home.htm
an amazing amp builder who uses power scaling in all his amps. Power scaling allows you to dial in the amount of power you want to send to the tubes, meaning you can really overdrive the tubes without having to play at ear shattering volumes.
I can't say enough about the amp I have. It is unbelievable how amazing it sounds. |
Johns
Username: Johns
Registered: 02-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 11:41 am: | |
Has anybody heard of the Reverend Goblin? Supposed to be switchable between 5 & 15 watts. I guess they will be only available on the used market, from now on. Reverend just got out of the amp business. Looks like the cost of US labor is just too great these days, even for building guitars. Grabbed this from their site:
"DISCONTINUATION NOTICE:
Dear Reverend customers,
Reverend will be discontinuing most of the USA made guitars shortly. Due to increased labor and materials cost, we can no longer afford to build lower priced guitars in the USA. The majority of our future business will be based on the new Stage King Series guitars. We are discontinuing ALL the USA guitars EXCEPT the Rick Vito Series and the Chrome Hawaiian Rocco.
We are now taking orders to build approx. 250 of the USA Advanced Series guitars. After that, they will no longer be produced." |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 12:20 pm: | |
One thing that I have leaned is that the low power amps fall into a few different power categories: low power (5-15 watts), and super-low power (2 watts or less). A low power amp putting out 5 watts will break up a lot earlier than a full power amp, but it may still be pretty loud when cranked, loud enough for small gigs, too loud to talk over. On the other hand, the .5 watt amps like the zvex will be more suited to practice and recording.
-Sven |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 1:51 pm: | |
Have anyone heard any comments on an amp called "Bumbox Lead 1 Watt"? According to the HC, it is supposed to be great with one single watt of output. I talked to the maker and it sounds like a great product. Only thing is, it costs $600.
Ace
 |
Artfield
Username: Artfield
Registered: 04-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 8:21 pm: | |
what about the orginal Ibanez Pink Tube Amp....i used to have one and regert selling it....you don't see them that often... |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 04, 2005 - 10:19 pm: | |
Another slightly different option:
http://www.guytron.com/
It is a 20 watt tube amp driving a dummy load, feeding 100 watts of clean amplification. Sort of a little amp inside of a big amp. Sounds like a very cool, if not complicated and expensive solution.
Vox has a similar solution:
http://www.voxamps.co.uk/products/valvetronix/ad15vtad30vt.htm |
Ccs
Username: Ccs
Registered: 03-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 12:24 am: | |
I have a little tweed Fender Pro Jr that's very cool.15 watts through one 10" 30 watt speaker.Two EL-84's and two 12 12AX7's.One volume and one tone.They can be had for about $200. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 5:17 pm: | |
I'm thinking about trying one of these:
It is a low wattage amp with a built in speaker attenuator. Where things really get interesting is that you can experiment with a huge variety of tubes to achieve different outputs and sounds. The amp automatically adjusts the bias. A tweekers dream. It also has a line level out which comes from the (attenuated) power tubes, so you could conceivably run the output through an effects processor, then into a power amp/guitar speaker (or the power stage of a combo). Or into a speaker simulator or sealed speaker box etc. This thing looks really cool, and the price is right at around $1000 or less. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 5:20 pm: | |
Image didn't make it. BTW its a THD Univalve class A amp
 |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 9:19 pm: | |
I've used the THD and it's nice. I have the Zvex mini tube amp. It's amazing but you'll be surprised how loud it is.
six |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 9:44 pm: | |
Six, Which THD did you use? Can you talk about the differences between the Class A models (UniValve and BiValve) and the class AB (FlexiTone)?
Ace got a Zvex and promptly got rid of it. A little too aggressive I think. With the Zvex, you really only have a few sounds, but with the THD, it is almost unlimited, as long as you're will ing to keep switching tubes. |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 1:02 am: | |
Can't tell you what the tonal differences are as I have only used the univalve. It was pretty sweet but not quite loud enough for a rehersal session. The Zvex is similar in terms of useable volume but both these items are good for recording in a studio.
I find that using the zvex with a 4x12 is the best combination.
Low watt amps can still be pretty loud. I have an old Domino (VOX). It's only pushing out about 5-8 watts but it's still quite loud. Wind this up with a 2x12 and it sings especially with a Les Paul or humbuckers in general. Great for soloing but a little too loud at full chat for an un-miked drummer in a pub.
six |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 2:44 am: | |
I still have the Zvex. As 6v6 said, running the Zvex through a 4x12 makes all the difference in the world. I wasn't too happy with the Zvex and a 2x12, then I tried it with three different 4x12's and they all sound good. It is a keeper now.
Ace |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 5:04 am: | |
So may I conclude the Zvex won't sound as good on a 1 x 12" ? I am tempted to get one for playing at home but I don't have a 4 x 12" at home. (There are a whole bunch of guitars in the space it'd take  )
Paul |
Flatbag
Username: Flatbag
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 8:49 am: | |
Captain Ibanez had a 5 watt(?) Ibanez tube amp with him at an Ibanez open day at BamBam Music last year (didn't plug it in though), maybe he can give some info on it?
Another option if you have any electronic skills:
http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion/index.php?topic=1550.0
Used to have a picture attached but must have removed it from his host, but here's a current auction for one:
http://www.qksrv.net/click-1802666-10381315?loc=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI .dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D9707008368 |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 10:47 am: | |
Hi Lespaul,
The Zvex through a single 12 or 2x12 has a little bit too much breaking-up at the volumn I like. With a 4x12, it gives a well saturated tube tone that is really sweet. But if you are more rock oriented, then 1x12 or 2x12 are quite alright.
Ace |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 11:43 am: | |
Thanks Ace.
I usually play a Les Paul direct into a Marshall amp/cab or combo. Old fart rock to nu metal and all inbetween. So I figure this might work. Hmmmm....
Paul |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 1:11 pm: | |
Les Paul, how do you get a good tone out of a marshall at anything less than stadium volume?
I have a baby, a wife and neighbors within 2 inches of my house, and I like my eardrums. An amp with controllable volume is kind of important.
-Sven |
Lespaul
Username: Lespaul
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 2:07 pm: | |
Hihihi,
Sven, we rehearse in an German build Worldwar II bunker in the boonies. 2-4 metres of concrete walls underneath a couple of metres of sand and no neighbours for at least 100 metres, so there I crank the 50 watt halfstack up to about three (because I like my eardrums as well and to help out our poor unmiked drummer ). At home I have a 20 Watt transistor combo and again no neighbours. The wife and kids are smart enough to run out of the house whenever I come down the stairs carrying a guitarcase.
I dare say I got great tone. Now all I need to do is learn to play properly
Paul |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 9:32 pm: | |
Paul
The Zvex is still pretty loud though regardless of what cab you use. You're still going to run the risk of waking the baby and worse still....upsetting the wife 
six |
Brentm
Username: Brentm
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 10:07 pm: | |
Anyone have any experience with a Peavey Bravo or a Peavey Classic 20? I'm looking to go on the cheap with those two all-tube amps. |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 12:22 am: | |
Mate of mine had a Classic 50 2x12. I used it a couple of times. Found it to be okay but I reckon the Crate Vintage Club series or the Laney LC15 (reverb) are better sounding amps and reasonably priced on the used market.
six |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 12:15 pm: | |
Well I tried a THD BiValve yesterday, and honestly, I could not connect with it, although I really wanted to. You could coax some good tones, but it just felt too floppy and uncontrolled.
So far I am really the most impressed with the Fuchs OD Supreme and Bogner Shiva I tried. Low power? no. But they are both great amps. Both very articulate. The Bogner has more bite and aggression to it, but still somehow a very 'civilized' feel - no slop. And the Fuchs was just buttery smooth.
Fuchs does make a low power amp, the Lucky 7, but it is based more on the Train than the ODS amp.
So in the end, to get the sound I like, I'm tempted to go with the ODS 30 watter and use a good attenuator. |
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim
Registered: 04-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 11:14 pm: | |
This thread reminds me of a guitar jam with friends...Starting out at a low volume...then getting louder as time goes on.
The amps mentioned are getting more and more watts. Great amps, but Ace asked about LOW watts.
Hard to beat a Gibson GA5...as long as you have a stomp box equilizer and delay pedal close by. The GA5 only has a single knob...Volume...but it really is a sweet sounding, LOUD little amp with great tone. A little pricey, but it's got point-to-point hand wiring and high end caps and pots.
OK, now you can turn up those super cool boutique amps again.  |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 12:21 am: | |
Sven,
What cab/speaker combination did you try with the THD?
six |
Craigjc
Username: Craigjc
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 8:32 am: | |
I just bought a Peavey Classic 50 2x12 used. My opinion, aside from obvious manufacturing methods that allow this amp to be economical, is that Peavey really has a good thing going. A little bit Fender, a little bit Vox, and a lot more balls. I recommend investigating low-wattage Peaveys.
I've played a low-wattage Crate tube amp and liked it, too. 15 watts, me thinks.
Tried the ultra-economic Epiphone tube line and thought they were junk. Easily the worst sounding (currently manufactured) tube amp I've tried. |
Acetan
Username: Acetan
Registered: 09-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 2:13 pm: | |
I'm pretty sure I've found what I was looking for. The Zvex through a 4x12 is exactly what I want.
Ace |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 2:16 pm: | |
Tim,
I want a low power amp too. But I haven't found anything that really fits. I'm torn between getting a simple raw tube amp that will encourage me to control things from the guitar; Or more flexible amp with refined tone.
I seriously doubt I'd get the Shiva, but it was fun in a savage kind of way
The Fuchs ODS comes in a 20 watt version. More of a mid power amp.
Six, it was a Mesa 2-12 cab. Not sure what kind of speakers it had. You think this could be the problem? |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 8:27 pm: | |
Could be, The Mesa 2x12 is a big box and has big watt speakers in there. A 2x10 with Celsetion vintage 10's would probably sound nice or a 1x12 with Celestion G12H.
Can't see why the Bivalve would be worse sounding than the univalve. Have you tried the univalve?
six |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 12:00 am: | |
No,
The THD dealer only has the Bivalve. I hear putting lower power tubes tightens up the amp as well. there's a lot you can change with the tubes. I may vary well just buy one from eBay, unless an ODS 20 watter turns up. |
Bondscoll
Username: Bondscoll
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 6:45 pm: | |
A really cool amp to check out is the Lexicon Signature 284. It's a high gain 3 watt per channel stereo 2 rack space guitar amplifier. You can get great clean or high gain tones out of it at reasonable volumes. Features a stereo loop and slave outs for recording or into more powerful amps or into a console. My AR2000 Artist into it with a Lexicon G2 processor into a stereo 2x10 cab is to die for.
You can't buy it new but they come up on ebay regularly in the $5-600 range.
Check it out! |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 2:10 pm: | |
Bondscoll, I read about the Lexicon before. Looks interesting. I gets kind of mixed reviews at HC. Sounds like a tube change is key. There is also the VHT Valvulator GP3 which is a very similar concept - again mixed reviews.
I'm tempted to try one.
I have also narrowed my search down to the Mojave Coyote head, which has power dampening allowing between the maximum 12 watt to the minimum of less than 1 watt output. |
Holmis63
Username: Holmis63
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 12:25 pm: | |
Hi ICW:s
Has anyone tried THD:s yellow yackets?
Got two in my super twin reverb and they lower the effect by 50 -70 percent/tube.
Super twin´s got 185 watts in original, i removed all 6 6V6:s and put two yellow yackets in and now it´s about 30 watts.
They also convert your class a/b amp to class a and hence a little brighter and easier to get overdriven.
I was so unbelievable tired of the super twin´s power and it was impossible to get it distorted.
Now it´s possible to rehears and it break up much earlier than before!
holmis63 |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 9:45 pm: | |
These things are glorified power soaks with a flash name. Too much over use can potentially damage your amp by putting more strain on other components.
Be careful.
six |
Holmis63
Username: Holmis63
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 4:04 pm: | |
Okey, i´ve only used them about six month and no problems so far.
A music friend have used them fore years whitout problems but i´m not going to advertise something that is questinable!
Holmis63 |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 5:21 pm: | |
Six, are you thinking of the THD Hotplate attenuator? The Yellowjacket is a tube adapter not an attenuator. |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:47 am: | |
I just bought a VHT GP3 and have been experimenting with it over the last few day. My initial response is very positive. It requires a separate power amp to drive a speaker, but it has it's own "power" stage which interacts with the pre amp stage to produce it's sounds, like a regular amp. The advantage is that you have control over the interaction of the 2 stages at any volume. It is a very dynamic, natural sound, like a real amp, not buzzy and sterile like some pre-amps. It does all this with 6 12AX7 pre-amp tubes.
In addition to the pre volume
It has EQ stages both before and after the pre-amp for excellent tone shaping, and has a tube buffered effects loop BEFORE the pre-amp, so you can run your low level pedals in this loop, and run line level effects after the GP3. This makes so much sense when you think about it.
Shredders and gain junkies will be disappointed, but it does good touch sensitive classic tones, and a nice jazz tone too.
It will take a lot more time to fully run it through it's paces, because there are so many ways to adjust it. I'll post another review down the road.
-Sven |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 7:55 pm: | |
Oops! Sorry Holmis63/Sven. You're right Sven, I was getting my THD's mixed up there. 
Not heard the GP3. Your description sounds good though Sven.
six |