Your next amp

[Dean Aka Nekro]

fastlanestoner, Greeting that is quite a choice of wallet demolishing amps you have in your crosshair. If you do go for an Orange, Try to find one used or ex-demo...etc. as honestly they are a highly over-priced your side of the atlantic. They are a rip off here in england also for what you get! (That is of course just in my humble honest opinion for what its worth). What are you after soundwise in an amplifier/reference or ballpark style? I ask simply because that is vastly different sounding list you have. Is it by any chance an investment for studio backline? If so then i fully understand why you are going for a wide pallette. If it is simply for personal use then man you must have a wide range of styles/tastes plus alot of $ to spend Let us know which one or ones you go for and how they work out for you

Right so after giving it some thought and veering of course with a 'studio buy' my next amplifier is going to be:

Bugera's TriRec Infinitum, It nails the Orange/Raw channel (on the 'classic' channel) and definately nails the Modern/Red channel (on the 'lead' channel). It requires just laying off the presence/treble controls to do so as if i were to match the settings on the real thing the real thing would sound less prominent in that frequency area but its not a huge difference/easily dialed out. As you all know i do not require subtle so for a 1/3rd of what even a used Mesa Recto would cost me (I did buy a Dual-Rectifier just when the econemy went to shit and people were selling lots of stuff cheap, All i did was tidy it up, Revalved it and sold it for profit, I have used them also for recording so i know what i want from it sound wise and am under no illusion the Bugera will be built to the same standard but for the price its a win as far as i am concerned)

New Cabinet i have been really indecissive about/struggling to find something which meets my criteria, I know exactly what i want and what i do not want and most of what i want is overpriced here (A Mesa Recto cab or similar). Anyway good old Laney have done it by putting out a more brutal take on thier Lionheart range aka the IronHeart range, The 4x12" IRT-412 Cab is ideal/has everything i want in a cab present. Best of all they have it loaded with 4 H&H speakers Front appears Straight like a base cab but inside the top two speakers are still angled back and a good healthy output to handle my silly needs

About the IronHeart range here: http://www.laney.co.uk/news/?p=1388
The Cabinet i am going for here: http://www.laney.co.uk/show_prod.php?prod=irt412

H&H Bet the amp itself is a good one but not for me as i have got plenty of head already and anyway more priorities on 'The List'

Do not have a specific date but like upgrading my audio machine i should have both the Buggerer rectum and Laney Ironarse 4x12" setup by January, Latest Febuary. Once that is out the way its Eminince time

All the best to all

Dean

[susiwong]

That cab looks like a great buy for your style !
Just like that Bugera, as you already heard it ...

Buggerer rectum and Laney Ironarse

You can get pretty anal about tone ...

Lol,
susiwong

[Uncle E]

Vox AC30
Fender Twin Reverb
Bogner Shiva or Uberschall
Marshall JCM 800 or Plexi
Orage AD30

Those have very little in common with each other, not even the two Marshalls. It seems like you don't care what kind of a sound it is as long as it's awesome.

Anyway, try out a Rivera Fandango (great Fender meets Marshall), a Bogner Duende (because it's Bogner's best amp ), and a Marshall 30th Anniversary (great Plexi + JCM800).

[Hink]

or (broken record time) Frenzel, many amps are just that...Fender meets Marshall or 'M' and 'F' inputs as they call it. I mentioned before that this is what I am thinking about in the future Frenzel FM-5E3DP "Deluxe Plus"

Input Jacks isolated from chassis for low noise, eddy currents, and hum.

DC on filaments for low 60 hz hum.

Star ground system to reduce induced current chassis noise.

Type F (Fender) and Type M (Marshall) inputs with separate preamps and Gain controls for the unique smooth Fender 5F6 warm tones or the Marshall Plexi SLP great high mid tones....or you can use an AB-Y switch and create your own distinct tones.

Classic 60's JTM45 - Bassman 5F6 style 3-BAND TONE STACK for extended flexibility in shaping your tone.

MASTER level control so you can crank the GAIN's up and overdrive the preamp without overdriving the output tubes.

Classic Type 5F6 Style Presence control for dynamic treble punch!
Unique NNFB "Edge" switch on the PRESENCE control that transforms the power amp section into a No-Negative-FeedBack style amp for more open, less compressed tones.

Post output transformer LINE OUT with LINE OUT LEVEL control for driving a higher power amp, or for using this amp as a tube preamp/overdrive on another amp. Has an auto switching internal load if speaker is not connected to give you loaded output distortion. Please Note: Since the output of the Line Out is post output transformer, you can crank the Master up on the amp and then by adjusting the Line Out Level control to match the level required for the amp you are driving, and hen turning the Master or Volume control down on the amp you are driving, you can get loaded output tube distortion at low power levels. This eliminates the need for an attentuator. The Line Out is also great for using headphones!

Class AB fixed biased 6L6's in the output in place of the original Deluxe cathode biased 6V6's to give you more power and headroom. (Please note you can still use 6V6's which will give you avbout 15 watts output.)

Classic Hi-Fi Output Transformer for extended low frequency performance... and with 4 - 8 - 16 ohm speaker outputs selectable by a rotary switch.

Preamp and driver tubes are JJ 12AX7's known for low noise and linearity. You may also use 12AT7's or 12AU7's for different tones and less preamp overdrive.

Laser Etched Front Faceplate

Classic Fluted Knobs

Dimensions - 12" x 8" x 8"
Weight - 14 lbs.
Power Output - 25 watts

5U4 rectifier in place of original 5Y3 for less sag...or you can use 5Y3, 5AR4, or Solid Slate Plug-In rectifier to adjust the amount of sag you want.
Extra long (10') three prong grounded power cord.

STANDBY switch to turn off the plate voltage during warm-up.

Rock solid point-to-point hand wiring using only the best of parts...low noise tubular polypropylenes caps, metal film resistors, ceramic sockets, switchcraft jacks...etc.

Sweet vintage clean to classic overdrive tones with three different types of distortion depending on whether you are overdriving the preamp, output... or both!

Tube compliment: The amp comes with 3 - 12AX7, 2 - 6L6, 1 - 5U4, but you can substitute 12AT7's or 12AU7's in the preamp and driver for different tones and and less preamp overdrive. You can also substitute 5881's, KT66's, KT88's, 6550's, or EL34's and KT77's( Please note than when using EL34's or KT77's they will be running in Class B bias mode) in the output stage for different sounds. You can also use JJ 6V6's or similar new manufacture tubes that will take 400 volts on the plates, but please note the power output will be reduced to about 15 watts.

FRONT PANEL:

Type F INPUT
Type M INPUT
Type F GAIN
Type M GAIN
BASS
MIDDLE
TREBLE
MASTER
PRESENCE with EDGE PULL SWITCH
PILOT LIGHT
OFF STANDBY POWER SWITCH




REAR PANEL:

POWER CORD
FUSE
LINE OUT LEVEL CONTROL
LINE OUT
SPEAKER OUT
IMPEDANCE SELECTOR


Super Deal Price $495.00 - $595.00 with vintage cage

.



plus these two mods

EFFECTS LOOP - Classic insertion type Serial Effects Loop with Return Jack (Power Amp In), Send Jack (Preamp Out), and Send Level Control. Add $50.00.


2. BIAS SELECTOR SWITCH - Allows you to choose Class A cathode bias for the classic compressed "blues " sound, or Class AB fixed bias for dynamic rock sounds. Add $50.00.

two vox type options here

http://www.frenzeltubeamps.com/page5.php

[Hink]

btw my frenzel this fall is going in a cabinet I am building...because they are built in Texas I am going with snakeskin tolex from mojotone (what I was looking at when I stumbled on the whole yellow jacket thing) and I am using a metal grate for the front. I'm buying the wood this weekend and next week ordering the tolex (which I should have enough for two amps) corners and feet (no handle)

[Hink]

bummer, not it great shape and not the same model we had in our store (or it's been modded with grill cloth) still the 500 is tempting. Berklee use to use Oliver's and the one we had in our store was great if you wanted a blues/jazz amp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oliver-Sound-Tu ... 588fd6a2ec

edit: btw the one we had did not say oliver on it either, it took us a while to figure out what we had...that was around 98

[hibidy]

So, I'm a major wussie when it comes to playing amps in a music store. Pussy to the max(exponent). But I got to try some of these vaunted blackstars last week.



I mean, I'm no expert but I just don't ever get that "ooooo aaaaahhhh" vibe from any amp I ever plug into. The closest is the egnatar which sounds good.

[Hink]

So, I'm a major wussie when it comes to playing amps in a music store. Pussy to the max(exponent). But I got to try some of these vaunted blackstars last week.



I mean, I'm no expert but I just don't ever get that "ooooo aaaaahhhh" vibe from any amp I ever plug into. The closest is the egnatar which sounds good.

my engnater really sounds great with the yellow jackets even though it was el84s and svs power tubs with a bleand controll. With the YJs it's el84/pentode and class A or AB depending on which sie of the debate you are on, (there is evidence supporting both theories). It's as much a Class A as a BADCAT or VOX and with the blend control there is a noticable difference when just using the YJs. It isn't tube brand because both the egnater and the YJs are JJs.

[trimph1]

I'm seriously thinking that I'm going to build up another linear amp and play through that....

[Hink]

I'm seriously thinking that I'm going to build up another linear amp and play through that....

to get my feet wet this is not a matter of if but when

The MOD 102 is a great place to start for those interested in building their own tube amp. It is based on a classic American tube circuit design combined with a British style Class A output tube section. At low volume it produces a clean chimey tone that moves into smooth overdrive at higher volumes. All parts are included along with a pre-drilled aluminum chassis, wire and tubes (1 EL84 and 1 12AX7). Puts out at least 5 watts. The chassis layout is open for easy assembly using the clear, easy to follow instructions. You will need your own tools and solder.

MOD 102 Guitar Amp Kit Features: •All Tube Design (solid-state diodes used only for full-wave rectification)
•5W output power into 8 Ω
•1 channel
•Vintage channel controls: bass, treble and volume
•Vintage pilot lamp and screw-on jewel cover for power-on indication
•Output Impedance: 8 Ω
•Tubes included: one 12AX7 (preamp), one EL84 (JJ Electronic brand)
•Hammond Mfg 269EX power transformer and P-T31 single ended output transformer.
•Cathode biased class A power tube operation (no bias adjustment needed).
•Point to point hand wiring using terminal strips
•Carbon film resistors
•Metalized polyester coupling caps
•Pre-punched steel chassis
•Assembled Kit Weight: 4.25 lbs.
•Assembled Kit Dimensions: 10" Width x 6" Depth x 5 1/8" Height

$215 usd, weber has a bunch of amp mod kits cheap so this could get On it's own it might make an interesting companion for a pre-amp or line out of another amp. Simplistic? Yes, but like I said a good way to get my feet wet

[Uncle E]

So, I'm a major wussie when it comes to playing amps in a music store. Pussy to the max(exponent).

You know, when I go to stores, I play the same simple but pretty A Major country licks that I noodle around with ad nauseam at home yet people are always coming up to compliment me. As I learned from watching BB recently, just learn three simple blues licks and execute them perfectly, people will love you for it.

But I got to try some of these vaunted blackstars last week.

I love their 18W Artisan amp. The rest don't do anything for me.

I mean, I'm no expert but I just don't ever get that "ooooo aaaaahhhh" vibe from any amp I ever plug into. The closest is the egnatar which sounds good.

Plug into a Suhr Badger, that thing has so many different kinds of amazing tones on tap that it's hard not to love it. 18W Marshall-style amps (such as the aforementioned Artisan) sound amazing when you crank them. The Mesa Boogie Electrodyne is right up there with my Blue Angel in terms of instant gratification but avoid their other amps.

btw, I finally got my MAZ Jr. and am happy to say it's by far the best Dr. Z I've played. It's not nearly as versatile as my Black Pearl 30 but it's got a sweeter compressed clean tone.

[tapper mike]

Or they could just be salesmen trying to stroke your ego so you buy and get out of the store.

One thing I picked up on hanging out at music stores. The good sales guys don't pull out their best chops on the customer. Else wise the customer could feel intimidated and walk out.

One thing that cured me over playing in a music store was blues jams. The place is packed with guys staring at your hands and thinking how much better they can play then you.

[hibidy]

I just freeze under pressure.........I'm the cheap tent, the straw folding chair, the brick building in an earthquake...... Ironically, when I played bass I was just the opposite. I always thought I was much better than I actually was (though I was pretty good)

Seriously, when I was trying the satriani guitar at GC I had it sooooooo low that the salesman came by and said "you can't POSSIBLY hear that"

I was so nervous at skips (the place was empty) that I didn't even look at the model numbers. I don't think they had the artisan as you mentioned uncle e.

[Hink]

Or they could just be salesmen trying to stroke your ego so you buy and get out of the store.

One thing I picked up on hanging out at music stores. The good sales guys don't pull out their best chops on the customer. Else wise the customer could feel intimidated and walk out.

One thing that cured me over playing in a music store was blues jams. The place is packed with guys staring at your hands and thinking how much better they can play then you.

as a customer before I went into retail one of my pet peeves was salesmaen who wanted to show me what they can do, I swore I would never be such a salesman and I never was. The only time customers would hear me play more than to tune the guitar was during my recording clinics which were all HD recorder clinics (they made my fade and then some on their own).

Two stores I worked had teaching rooms and I could usually fit a customer in one if they were willing to work with me timewise. But most I just checked the tuning, handed over the guitar and enjoyed. Part of why I do not go for the 'bad' music thing is we are all at stages and there were other things besides the playing to enjoy. For instance the kid getting his first guitar, do they sound good playing? Maybe not but that is erased by their unbridled enthusiasm.

With veteran players it was fun watching when 'that moment' hit them, whether the guitar or amp clicked or whether they hated it. Also what some people did to get 'their' sound was interesting trying amps and pedals.

There were also those moments when someone just blew my mind, I actually sold more keyboards at Mars than I did guitars because I was in the keyboard pro audio department. A blind man came in with a friend, he wanted a digital piano but HAD to have a regular pedal for sustain and not the little footswitches. I grabbed a roland pedal and he tried them all but it was a Yamaha P-80 that got him, it was the last key...*plink*, *plink*, *plink* and he smiled and just cut loose.

One thing I miss is the spectrum of customers I had...though I dont miss the jerks. But if I did all the playing I would of missed the moments I remember the fondest

[Hink]

Seriously, when I was trying the satriani guitar at GC I had it sooooooo low that the salesman came by and said "you can't POSSIBLY hear that"

I would of said "I feel the guitar, I hear an amp and right now it's the guitar I'm interested in". I've bought guitars I never plugged into an amp at all. I bought the esp/ltd I have had for years that way, I took it home and plugged it in to hear what it sounded like and then put EMGs in it that night