Author Topic: Guitar players, just ordered my Xmas present (Read 835 times)

Skilless · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2005, 02:41:58 PM »

I think the only thing the Line6 stuff is really good for is playing cover music. It's good at mimicing other guitarists signature tones. If I were more in the business of performing originals I would get a Vox AC-30 and have an amp for life. There's nothing wrong with that old Fender Skuzzy, and you'd be surprised at how sought after those vintage tube amps are. The Russians have gotten into the busines of making replacement tubes since the fall of the USSR and their prices are quite resonable. I've heard of people that prefer Sovtek tube over OEM (Waffle would know better than I). The only reason I use the Line6 stuff is pure economics and flexability.

Skilless · « **Reply #16 on:** December 16, 2005, 02:46:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
I hope not. The tubes are getting harder to find. Every time I needed one, I bought two.

They still make tube amps? I have not looked at amps in years. No reason to until this one dies. I would have thought they would all be digital today.

Old die-hards like Waffle won't let it happen. LOL! But seriously tube amps just have a nicer warmer tone than solid state, and try as they might, they just haven't been able to digitally model that "tube tone" just right yet. They went through a phase back in the eighties where they thought solid state was where it was at but that theory has been pretty much thrown out the window.

Waffle · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2005, 02:46:44 PM »

http://www.matchlessamplifiers.com
http://www.victoriaamp.com
http://www.badcatamps.com/home.asp
http://www.tophatamps.com
http://www.brunoamps.com

lots more out boutique amplifiers out there as well.

also you can get sovtek tubes easily...russian made leftovers

or just head north or south on 75 or 35 and stop at every mid-small town electronics store - especially the mom and pop stores....and clean em out!

oh yeah - forgot about this guy

http://www.sewellamps.com

He's based out of Richardson, TX.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2005, 02:54:41 PM »

Wonderful! Thanks Waffle!

Oh, I called the Wife (she is home sick), it is a 72 Dual Showman Reverb. I never can remember the name of the dang thing. Surprisingly, when I had to replace the drivers a few years ago, JBL still made the replacements.

Waffle · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2005, 03:18:17 PM »

nice thing is, is with most of the boutique amp makers.. is that if you're not happy with the sound, or just want to tweak it out some....they'll work with you replacing parts, tubes, pots, capacitors, ect... to help you get what you're looking for. Most of the operations are usually 1-10 guys, so you get good service.

Had an amp go out on a tour once...and we didn't have tools / time to fix it...called the guy up..He overnighted 2 amps to the next venue... one to use..one for back up...

No way that would happen if you called up larger amp comapny after 5pm...lol

They are a little pricey, but they're handmade, most of the time to your specifications.

Mustaine · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2005, 03:25:55 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
I hope not. The tubes are getting harder to find. Every time I needed one, I bought two.

They still make tube amps? I have not looked at amps in years. No reason to until this one dies. I would have thought they would all be digital today.

hell Fender and marshall both make tube amps, and they are better sellers from what i have heard.

i'd die for an all tube head, nothing beats the crystal tone.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #21 on:** December 16, 2005, 03:50:38 PM »

So, have they quit making digital amps now (couldn't do that soon enough if you ask me)? Or are they making them in conjunction with tube amps?

I do like the sound of my amp. Hehe, makes my Fender Mustang sound good. LOL!

SunKing · « **Reply #22 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:12:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mustaine
hell Fender and marshall both make tube amps, and they are better sellers from what i have heard.

i'd die for an all tube head, nothing beats the crystal tone.

Looking to buy a Marshall JCM800 50watt head? 2 pots need replacing.

Mickey1992 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:50:41 PM »

Santa is bringing me this from thinkgeek.com

fartwinkle · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:51:18 PM »

Skuzzy you have a very valuable amp.
Tube amps are the way to go IMHO they just sound warmer.
The way the rectifirer tube sags at volume is a thang of beauty.

Took me a year of saving but I got this baby last month.

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=8140000000

For tubes you might try this site.

http://www.groovetubes.com

http://www.kcanostubes.com/content

Mustaine · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:55:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
So, have they quit making digital amps now (couldn't do that soon enough if you ask me)? Or are they making them in conjunction with tube amps?

I do like the sound of my amp. Hehe, makes my Fender Mustang sound good. LOL!

they make both...

saw a local band last week, he was playing a solid state, and hated it, but couldn't afford a real tube amp.

they are so dmn expensive only pros can afford them now.

i think i mis-spoke before, they sell better to pros, joe on the street can't afford them usually. i think a 50 watt marshall head is like $1000 all tube maybe more.

been about 2 years since i looked at local prices.

SunKing · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:55:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mickey1992
Santa is bringing me this from thinkgeek.com

Mickey .. check out the "Guitar Port" by line6. I've been using it for a year or soo. With the riff tracker program its the way to go for guitar/pc recording and a ton of amps/effects to boot.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:57:06 PM »

Thanks fw! Valuable? Who'd a thunk it? And to think I almost tossed it out a couple of years ago when one of the tubes went out and I could not find it, but then found the spare one I had bought a while before that.

I am going to have to pull the tubes this weekend and make a shopping list.

Waffle · « **Reply #28 on:** December 16, 2005, 05:03:49 PM »

depending on condition and specifics -you could probably get $700-$1000 for it Skuzzy...

Is it a seperate head/amp / with a seperate speaker cabinet? (2x12)

Best bet to take it to an amp guy - gotta bias the tubes and other stuffs...I'll check and see if theres any good tube amp repair guys near you.
If not, you could call that Sewell guy in Richarson, and I'm sure he could turn you on to someone.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #29 on:** December 16, 2005, 05:08:05 PM »

Yes it is a separate Waffle (dunno what I was thinking before when I said combo, DOH! moment). The speaker cabinet houses 2-15" drivers. I think the head is 100W, or somewhere along those lines.

It looks and sounds like new. I could not replace for a $1,000, so I will keep on maintaining it. Tube stuff is so easy to work on and its not like they blow out every month. I usually go a few years between burnouts (tubes that is).

EDIT: I have the tools to work with tubes and know how to set them up so all I need was a good source for them. Thanks again guys!