These Go to 11 - The Guitar Amp Thread

[BoomMF 1,396]

The Dual Professional (in classic 40's V-front) reissue that was teased before the pandemic might finally be making its way into produciton. Fender MIGHT announce something concrete at NAMM this June. 

This is holy grail reissue type stuff.

https://www.musicradar.com/news/joe-bonamassa-reveals-signature-fender-48-dual-professional-amp

Before this you pretty much only had Rift and Victoria doing modern versions of this amp: https://guitar.com/review/rift-amps-tweed-vee/

But if the mothership makes this a thing I'm in like Flynn.

As seen in the background of that famous pic in the Guitar Player magazine article where Billy Gibbons was asked to point at his dorkiest guitar.

Edited May 5, 2022 by BoomMF

[Deej 76,219]

I always he was flipping you off, Boom, for having bad taste in guitars. 

[Grandioso 2,592]

This would be a cool Christmas present for me, guys. 

Bob Wills' 1958 Fender Deluxe Tweed Guitar/Fiddle Amplifier, Serial | Lot #85152 | Heritage Auctions (ha.com)

[Chad Fuck 17,309]

This would be a cool Christmas present for me, guys. 
Bob Wills' 1958 Fender Deluxe Tweed Guitar/Fiddle Amplifier, Serial | Lot #85152 | Heritage Auctions (ha.com)

That’s had a beer or two spilled down the front.

[tbone_ 13,991]

Spilled beer and cigarette smoke are where the mojo comes from

[Chad Fuck 17,309]

35 minutes ago, tbone_ said:

Spilled beer and cigarette smoke are where the mojo comes from

No doubt.  This was just an observation.

[dcbc 14,282]

On 6/24/2022 at 12:53 PM, tbone_ said:

Spilled beer and cigarette smoke are where the mojo comes from

Yeah, buy that thing.  I have four nicely smoke damaged Jensen C12N speakers that sound like the voice of God.   I bought them in the 90s for cheap and the other 3 are the back up for the one in my 73 Deluxe Reverb.

[DougO 5,231]

This is kinda cool.

 

 

[hullabelew 3,698]

On 6/24/2022 at 1:53 PM, tbone_ said:

Spilled beer and cigarette smoke are where the mojo comes from

Difference between a violin and a fiddle.  You can spill beer on a fiddle.  

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,730]

On 6/23/2022 at 9:46 AM, Grandioso said:

This would be a cool Christmas present for me, guys. 

Bob Wills' 1958 Fender Deluxe Tweed Guitar/Fiddle Amplifier, Serial | Lot #85152 | Heritage Auctions (ha.com)

Condolences.  Here's a 1959 Fender Super with one of my pencil drawings of Night Ranger guys sitting on it.  I had really bad taste as a young man.  But I could draw.

 

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,730]

 

 

Pic it came from, damn that was a long time ago.  

Edited June 29, 2022 by Judge Roybeanbag

[tbone_ 13,991]

Fuck that. Liking Nightranger in the mid 80’s wasn’t bad taste. They were exactly what was going on at the time. And a legitimately good band.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,730]

1 hour ago, tbone_ said:

Fuck that. Liking Nightranger in the mid 80’s wasn’t bad taste. They were exactly what was going on at the time. And a legitimately good band.

I had better drawings, most were Indians and rodeos, I refrained from Ratt and Bon Jovi.

[Chad Fuck 17,309]

Fuck that. Liking Nightranger in the mid 80’s wasn’t bad taste. They were exactly what was going on at the time. And a legitimately good band.

And that cool album cover with them in a B-25.

[tbone_ 13,991]

And that cool album cover with them in a B-25.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,730]

I’m not sure why that made me think of this, but man I used to hang out with a band named Porcelain Grind, who shared practice space with Eric Johnson back in the day at a place off old Koenig lane. That dude just relentlessly practiced licks over and over and cliffs of dover.  Listened to it while getting high, blowing neon glass and talking 66 mustangs with Bill Maddox, who had a sweet cream colored one. 

 

Edited June 30, 2022 by Judge Roybeanbag

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,730]

Lol speaking of that band, who remembers this show?

 

[Chad Fuck 17,309]

I’m not sure why that made me think of this, but man I used to hang out with a band named Porcelain Grind, who shared practice space with Eric Johnson back in the day at a place off old Koenig lane. That dude just relentlessly practiced licks over and over and cliffs of dover.  Listened to it while getting high, blowing neon glass and talking 66 mustangs with Bill Maddox, who had a sweet cream colored one. 
 

I have been trying to play that song since 1991. I have some licks better than others, but I would never take the stage and try to play it. I love the challenge though.

[jimmyjazz 45,211]

Forgive me if this Rick Beato video has already been posted, but I just came across it and wondered what some of you might think.  Personally, I prefer the Marshall with 25 W Celestions.  It's brighter and has more "skronk", less mud.

 

 

[tbone_ 13,991]

Agree. +1 on the skronk.

But I don’t think you’d hear the difference in a bar without a mic a d a serious sound system.

[dcbc 14,282]

I'd give a slight nod to the Mesa cab with the V30s over the Marshall with the 25w Greenbacks.  Just a hint more saturation and the tip of the iceberg knocked off on the treble.  But they both are head and shoulders over the 65w Celestions, which sounded like they had a wet blanket draped over them. 

[tbone_ 13,991]

Yea and it’s interesting I’ve always loved v30s in real life.

[jimmyjazz 45,211]

That's the same order I had them in.  In general I'm not a Mesa fan, but the 65W Celestions just didn't do it for me.

[DougO 5,231]

7 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

Forgive me if this Rick Beato video has already been posted, but I just came across it and wondered what some of you might think.  Personally, I prefer the Marshall with 25 W Celestions.  It's brighter and has more "skronk", less mud.

 

 

I agree, 1, 2, 3 was my ranking. It may feel different if I were in the actual room with the amp instead of hearing through a microphone. But the 25w seemed way better.

[DougO 5,231]

On 6/29/2022 at 10:28 AM, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Condolences.  Here's a 1959 Fender Super with one of my pencil drawings of Night Ranger guys sitting on it.  I had really bad taste as a young man.  But I could draw.

 

Damn fine work, man. I've been trying to get inspired to pick up a pencil again, yet evil forces seem to be preventing it.

[G650 13,335]

Got off my ass and have been cleaning up the backline the past couple weeks. Had the 66 Bassman completely serviced, need to send the 2555 Marshall out too, the pots are getting wonky.

 

 

 

[noharleyyet 2,826]

[tbone_ 13,991]

Solid

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,730]

Damn, here’s Eric and Bill.  Sorry for the derail.

 

[G650 13,335]

So in longshot questions, if anyone has any line on NOS Svetlana EL34s I would pay a premium. Not the EH ones or the late Winged Cs but pre 2000 Svetlana branded from St. Petersburg. I have one of my 2555s off for service and the tubes may need replacement. Even if they don't right now, it won't be too long.

[Chad Fuck 17,309]

36 minutes ago, G650 said:

So in longshot questions, if anyone has any line on NOS Svetlana EL34s I would pay a premium. Not the EH ones or the late Winged Cs but pre 2000 Svetlana branded from St. Petersburg. I have one of my 2555s off for service and the tubes may need replacement. Even if they don't right now, it won't be too long.

I have my eye on this.  The tube struggle is real.

Any guesses on who/where the production of tubes will start up again?

NPR had an article on this a month or two ago.  I can only imagine the tube demand will get worse as time goes on.  

[Deej 76,219]

I remember seeing NOS ones on kcanostubes.com for $75 a pop, but they are out of stock now. 

Good luck. 

[G650 13,335]

2 hours ago, Chad Fuck said:

I have my eye on this.  The tube struggle is real.

Any guesses on who/where the production of tubes will start up again?

NPR had an article on this a month or two ago.  I can only imagine the tube demand will get worse as time goes on.  

 

Western Electric is supposedly starting domestic tube manufacturing again beyond the 300s they make for Hi Fis. I would guess if it goes ahead, 12AX7 would be the first, then 6L6s and then EL34s. But who knows.

 

I was actually specifically looking for pre 2000 Svetlanas though, which were the original tubes in the 2555 and 2555SL Marshalls, along with some of the JCM 800s.

 

1 hour ago, Deej said:

I remember seeing NOS ones on kcanostubes.com for $75 a pop, but they are out of stock now. 

Good luck. 

I haven't seen anything other than the EH ones or the Winged C ones in ages. It's actually been easier to get NOS blackplate RCAs than these which is amazing to me. Of course the RCAs are several hundred bucks so there is more of a barrier there.

[Deej 76,219]

Find the new stock you like the best, have your tech tweak the bias and find you a sound you're happy with for now. Put the old tubes away for a rainy day while you continue your search for NOS, or ANOS, tubes.

[G650 13,335]

Eh, buying new tubes would be a waste of money. The Jub has been retired to studio work only for a long time now, so it can sit for the time being if need be. I do have Blackie Pagano doing the service on it so if anyone can find some legit tubes it would be him. And the ones in it may be ok, I don't know. This is more about hoarding than anything.

 

While we're at it, I'm on the prowl for NOS Tung Sol 5881s too for my Blackface. The Sylvanias in it now just don't sound the same. My '59 Bassman has blackplate RCAs, and god willing they will go the distance for me.

[Deej 76,219]

Not cheap, but if they have them, someone has them cheaper.

https://tubedepot.com/products/5881-tung-sol?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpNOS-5881-TUNGSOL&sc_intid=NOS-5881-TUNGSOL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2MO966L0-AIVqWxvBB3gPAruEAQYASABEgI3v_D_BwE

[G650 13,335]

1 hour ago, Deej said:

Not cheap, but if they have them, someone has them cheaper.

https://tubedepot.com/products/5881-tung-sol?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpNOS-5881-TUNGSOL&sc_intid=NOS-5881-TUNGSOL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2MO966L0-AIVqWxvBB3gPAruEAQYASABEgI3v_D_BwE

Not all 6L6WGB tubes are rebadged 5881s unfortunately. A lot were, generally because I'm sure it was cheaper just to roll them off the assembly line than retool, but not all. The 5881 screen was 400v, but the 6L6WGB  could be as low as 300v. Tube dealers sell them as the same, and claim that a lot, as they most likely are, but also put big disclaimers not to use in 6L6GC amps, which is what I want to do. I think the 5881 gives me more piece of mind. My Bassman guy in Nashville looked recently but said he hasn't seen any he would trust in awhile.

Edited July 12, 2022 by G650
fuck my spelling

[phdhorn 6,224]

Question:  I have these:
 

I've been out of the gigging game for awhile, and the head seems like it's acting up... Thinking of another head for the BW.  Something vintage like this:


Question:  would you buy this (just over 2 bills) or something newer, like one of the newer little thingies, i.e. minimax, Warwick Gnome, Trace Elliot Elf, etc.)?  If it matters, I'm looking for a classic rock tone/vibe, which is why I'd opt for the heavy Peavy mofo, but that's about the only reason.

Thanks, I'll hang up and not listen.

 

 

[G650 13,335]

19 minutes ago, phdhorn said:

Question:  I have these:
 

I've been out of the gigging game for awhile, and the head seems like it's acting up... Thinking of another head for the BW.  Something vintage like this:


Question:  would you buy this (just over 2 bills) or something newer, like one of the newer little thingies, i.e. minimax, Warwick Gnome, Trace Elliot Elf, etc.)?  If it matters, I'm looking for a classic rock tone/vibe, which is why I'd opt for the heavy Peavy mofo, but that's about the only reason.

Thanks, I'll hang up and not listen.

 

 

I have that Peavey head and the 2 x 15 cab over in my shop right now, been my buddies bass rig for 20 years.

 

My question to you would be how committed are you to the vibe to haul heavy ass amps. Newer amps get really fucking close, and are easy to manage. But there is always the 1% from the real deal you can't get. I'd also say the Peavey 200 is an amp that is vintage relative to today, but it's a little newer than say an Ampeg, Acoustic or Sunn. So a lot of real classic stuff would predate the Peavey.

 

I am a huge Peavey fan though, bang for the buck they have been excellent over the years. I had a Classic 50, a 5150, and Bandit 112 practice amp...

 

Personally I'm committed to the old stuff, but I know it isn't for everyone.

[phdhorn 6,224]

 

5 minutes ago, G650 said:

I have that Peavey head and the 2 x 15 cab over in my shop right now, been my buddies bass rig for 20 years.

 

My question to you would be how committed are you to the vibe to haul heavy ass amps. Newer amps get really fucking close, and are easy to manage. But there is always the 1% from the real deal you can't get. I'd also say the Peavey 200 is an amp that is vintage relative to today, but it's a little newer than say an Ampeg, Acoustic or Sunn. So a lot of real classic stuff would predate the Peavey.

 

I am a huge Peavey fan though, bang for the buck they have been excellent over the years. I had a Classic 50, a 5150, and Bandit 112 practice amp...

 

Personally I'm committed to the old stuff, but I know it isn't for everyone.

Thx for this.

For years I was a keyboardist and guitarist in bands, so I had to haul not only the heavy bass stuff (although the BW cabinet is sorta relatively light for the size), including a Fender Twin Reverb with the two 5-ton Fender speakers(!).

I don't think the gigging will be all that frequent, and I can pop it in.out of my truck.

I just figured the 400 would give me the Peavy sound in the bass (which I also like) but a bit more pop than the 200.

I suppose if the lugging gets too much I can buy a new-fangled lil' amp (I do love the idea, though hauling a vintage head really isn't much work compared to the other stuff).  But this wouldn't be any soundophile's level.. I'm not super-specific on the "vintage" sound.  If a newer microhead can approximate it, good 'nuff for me.

I might spring for the 400, we'll see.

[G650 13,335]

11 minutes ago, phdhorn said:

 

Thx for this.

For years I was a keyboardist and guitarist in bands, so I had to haul not only the heavy bass stuff (although the BW cabinet is sorta relatively light for the size), including a Fender Twin Reverb with the two 5-ton Fender speakers(!).

I don't think the gigging will be all that frequent, and I can pop it in.out of my truck.

I just figured the 400 would give me the Peavy sound in the bass (which I also like) but a bit more pop than the 200.

I suppose if the lugging gets too much I can buy a new-fangled lil' amp (I do love the idea, though hauling a vintage head really isn't much work compared to the other stuff).  But this wouldn't be any soundophile's level.. I'm not super-specific on the "vintage" sound.  If a newer microhead can approximate it, good 'nuff for me.

I might spring for the 400, we'll see.

 

Yeah I mean the good thing is if you give the 400 a shot, you could always probably get back out of it what you paid at this point.

[tbone_ 13,991]

I don’t know shit all about bass amps. Other than our bass player plays Aguilars and they sound incredible.

[AnotherUTFan 9,576]

Aquilars are great sounding and expensive.

I have a Fender Rumble 500 thats a workhorse. In The Koffs practice space we have a Peavey TNT that I think I prefer to the Fender. I played through a SVT Classic last night and think I prefer the Peavey, but then I probably didn't know what I was doing dialing it in.

Speaking of last night, it started raining while Emperor was playing poolside at Psycho Swim. They said fuck it a left the stage just as were were showing up. It their absence we got to see this Marshall Stack go up in smoke. Im no scientist, but I'm guessing you should try to keep these things dry in adverse weather.

[G650 13,335]

That's a fucking hate crime

[tbone_ 13,991]

Fuck it man that’s metal

[AnotherUTFan 9,576]

Saw another amp give up the ghost on the same stage yesterday. This time an SVT classic during a killer Moorhead cover set mid-song. "Lemmy" kept going like a pro and road crew had it replaced by the end of the song.

Guitar was through a EVH 5150, evertime I hear one im impressed.

[G650 13,335]

Is that a JCM 900 or 2000 Marshall?

 

I had an original Peavy 5150. Sick amp, just very one dimensional in my experience.

[Deej 76,219]

Organizers: "Choose which amp you want to play through."

AUTF: "Whichever one isn't going to catch on fire."

[Chad Fuck 17,309]

Organizers: "Choose which amp you want to play through."
AUTF: "Whichever one isn't going to catch on fire."

Nah.

It’s more metal if it catches on fire.

[G650 13,335]

We are getting close to the drummer spontaneously combusting