Anybody tried these amps?

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 13 Mar 2002 1:02 pm

Pete: I love this thread!

I say less is more if it works. I just got a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp for guitar. It's 40 watts into a single 12" speaker, all tube and it's got plenty of "swat". I used it for guitar on a gig last week and couldn't get the vol. above about 4 (on a scale of 12!) without blowing everybody off stage. I have used it several times at rehearsal along with a Boss GE7 equalizer and Boss analog delay. The tone was outstanding. I feel that this rig will more than cut it for gigs (playing steel and guitar) in smaller venues. It might even work on large stages if it's miked and positioned so I can hear it.

I agree with you and the others, if I need 300 watts to be heard, the band's too damn loud. I'll stay home. I have several friends in their 40s and 50s who are needing hearing aids from all the years of decibel overkill.

Smaller is better!

--John

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 13 Mar 2002 9:11 pm

I'm playing a THD BiValve combo amp, about 20-40 watts, depending on what tubes you are using. This sucker is seriously loud and it carries the room better than any amp I have ever used. It's quite compact, but not light. Maybe 50-60 pounds or so (the transformers on this puppy look like they are from Hoover Dam). I use a single 12" Celestion in it, and I am very happy. If I need to play only country stuff I will bring my Showman head, but this amp works perfectly for me.

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 14 Mar 2002 6:13 am

has anybody tried that little 60 watt behringer blue demon in musicians friend $225

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 14 Mar 2002 8:33 am

Well, I just got the Guitar Center sale booklet and the VOX Cambridge 30 is on sale for $199.

30W, 12AX7 Preamp tube, 10' Celestion, reverb & tremelo, ect.

I might go pick up 2 of them today and see what they're all about.

I want to try the Champion 30 also.

I'll be in Dallas next week and will try a Walker Stereo Steel and I think Evens will be there also. As I recall they have a "Parlor" amp that might be cool.

Thanks for all the amp info gang!
Keep 'em coming!

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 14 Mar 2002 8:43 pm

As I mentioned in other threads on this forum, I use a rack rig for big stages. It consists of a TubeWorks preamp into the power amp side of a GK Micro (120W) solid state amp with a 1X15 speaker (EV 15"). I was afraid it wouldn't be enough power till I tried it out. The preamp is a tone marvel, it has a sweet tube tone, I usually set the volume around 11:00-12:00. The GK amp I run full volume to prevent overdriving the preamp. Course I generally never use all the volume it's set up for since I rarely floor out the volume pedal.

Tone wise, this rig beats the pants off any PV brand amp I've ever owned and I've owned several-with mods.

As I mentioned earlier, I hope to try out my new Fender Hot Rod Deluxe onstage with the EQ and delay pedals. They sound super in my practice room and I have played my Strat thru it on a large stage with lots of headroom. Whether it can handle the PSG's hotter signal remains to be seen. I briefly owned a Fender Stage 160 solid state amp (2X12" speakers and 160 SS watts.) I had a little distortion in the bottom end on my B6 side. There is a big difference in tube and solid state wattage ratings, I don't know why. Also, a brand new tube amp will be outputting at full capcity, hittin on all cylinders,

--JR