All Tube Heads - which one?

[dairyman3833]

I don't disagree with you from the standpoint of quality of PCB design, and yes a good tech can repair a PCB board unless it is really fried (a Traynor YBA 200 that I was asked to repair came to mind-burnt pretty bad from a tube failure). The key for me is getting the amp back in operation, and turret board design is easier for me to repair when I am away from home. And often times I find that PCB designs also take shortcuts on quality parts on the boards, but not always. And others do dumb things like mount the control pots, input jacks and more to the PCB board which can make disassembly a pain. My Ampeg V4 is PCB and there are no issues with its sound or reliability, but it was built right. Again, I won't own an amp that has the tube sockets and all this other stuff on the PCB.

Hmm. I agree I think(lot of technical jargin in here for me). Had a bunch of amps blow up on me so. Know any good techs in the Chicagoland area that can do crazy custom poopie?

 

[Korladis]

Many years back I worked for Perkin-Elmer as an electro-optical inspector/QA guy. I'm no EE, but I did inspect a good deal of mil-spec work, quite literally defense contract gizmos.... infra-red air to gound missile detection/guidance systems for helicopters and other stuff like that. Mil-spec is about a higher specificity regarding everything ... components, materials, quality of solder joints, and appropriate isolation and placement for heat dissipation. I don't know for sure, but I would be surprised if so claimed mil-spec amps are actually made to the standard, because that would be overkill with regard to some componentry. This ain't NASA, (actually, there is a NASA spec that exceeds Mil-spec), this's rock 'n roll. But there's no downside to a mil-spec quality solder joint.

The band Sleep should use NASA-spec amps, lol.

All that preamp gain doesn't do it for me. That's why I like the Science so much, its master volume is a PPIMV (post-phase inverter) and you get the power section crunch more associated with a Marshall. Seriously, Alex tailored my amp for me. I wanted it to be quick to breakup so we decided on the '71 SL's tone stack for extra edge, plus he put the '71 bright caps on my gain controls for more definition at low gain. And I like to just use a ton of volume as opposed to gain, for me it's all about chest thumping guitars and crunchy bass (the bass still needs to be giving the audience a heart attack though).

Kinda like my Mesa D-180.

 

[waltdogg]

Who's Alex?

Alex Gaziano. He's the one man behind Science Amps.

The band Sleep should use NASA-spec amps, lol.


Kinda like my Mesa D-180.

Haha, instead of Matamps that blow all the time? Someone paid $15,000 for Al Cisnero's 300 watt slave that has such a reputation!

I had a 400+ that didn't quite have that kick and I knew a V-4 wouldn't have enough headroom that's why I got my SVT-VR I just prefer non-MV amps.

 

[Korladis]

Alex Gaziano. He's the one man behind Science Amps.


Haha, instead of Matamps that blow all the time? Someone paid $15,000 for Al Cisnero's 300 watt slave that has such a reputation!

I had a 400+ that didn't quite have that kick and I knew a V-4 wouldn't have enough headroom that's why I got my SVT-VR I just prefer non-MV amps.

Al Cisneros uses SVTs and various guitar halfstacks/fullstacks now, it seems. I assume the SVTs are for clean and low, and the guitar rigs are for overdriven mids, or something like that.

I do miss his green 4x15 cabs, though.

 

[waltdogg]

Al Cisneros uses SVTs and various guitar halfstacks/fullstacks now, it seems. I assume the SVTs are for clean and low, and the guitar rigs are for overdriven mids, or something like that.

I do miss his green 4x15 cabs, though.

Last time I saw Sleep I think he was using four SVT stacks and a Portaflex or two into a Marshall full stack. It was ridiculous, he was moving so much air the guitar could hardly be heard. The soundman was probably also running him through the FOH for no reason other than that he could. Green colored gear is the best. I'm waiting to see someone order a Science with a rich green Tolex like is on the Electrics/Matamps.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Last time I saw Sleep.....he was moving so much air the guitar could hardly be heard.

Well, it's about time!

 

[elkkid2]

I've owned several Ampeg all tube Heads..And they've always sounded great and never given me problems. I've never own one made overseas and have never tried the VR Head...but Ampeg rules!

 

[JimmyM]

There's a pic of Al Cisneros on Ampeg's Facebook page today with four SVT-VR's and four 810e's. I like the look of the AV cabs better with the VR, but I imagine it sounds real good

 

[Korladis]

Last time I saw Sleep I think he was using four SVT stacks and a Portaflex or two into a Marshall full stack. It was ridiculous, he was moving so much air the guitar could hardly be heard. The soundman was probably also running him through the FOH for no reason other than that he could. Green colored gear is the best. I'm waiting to see someone order a Science with a rich green Tolex like is on the Electrics/Matamps.

That's how it was last time I saw them. Though the guitar was still quite audible.

Pretty much the loudest thing I've ever heard.

There's a pic of Al Cisneros on Ampeg's Facebook page today with four SVT-VR's and four 810e's. I like the look of the AV cabs better with the VR, but I imagine it sounds real good

And that's only part of his rig, lol. He's also usually got a guitar stack as well.

It does sound great, though.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

The soundman was probably also running him through the FOH for no reason other than that he could.

They take their sound guy pretty seriously, they fly him out from Bristol UK to do it, because gotta have someone you trust.

Alex Gaziano. He's the one man behind Science Amps.


Haha, instead of Matamps that blow all the time? Someone paid $15,000 for Al Cisnero's 300 watt slave that has such a reputation!

That rumour was spread by the US dealer when MAtamp fired him. Both things were him down to him tinkering with them, like putting 6550 in guitar amps to sell them as bass amps, since Matamp made no bass amps at the time. He showed up here recently and didn't make himself too popular.

 

[nshuman]

They take their sound guy pretty seriously, they fly him out from Bristol UK to do it, because gotta have someone you trust.


That rumour was spread by the US dealer when MAtamp fired him. Both things were him down to him tinkering with them, like putting 6550 in guitar amps to sell them as bass amps, since Matamp made no bass amps at the time. He showed up here recently and didn't make himself too popular.

Ah yes, he who shall not be named. I have to say, I had heard about him many times before he showed up here and he managed to live up to every horror story ever told to me about him.

 

[Dogghouse]

Love Love Love my SVT-VR

 

[FFTT]

I spent 30 + years taking care of everybody else raising three kids, seeing them through college and eating more humble pie
than any of you could ever imagine.
I gave up chasing my dreams so my kids could have the stability to chase their own.

After all that and much more, I'm not going feel the slightest bit of guilt buying the best bass amp on the planet as my reward.

Consider it my iron fortress against the rat race I just retired from.

The Reeves 225 not old deliver the best bass tones I've ever gotten, but for guitar, I'd put it up against John Mayer's Steel String Slinger and drive a Loaded Tundra 4X4 for the difference in cost.

 

[FFTT]

As much as I love my amp, must give credit where credit is due.

Just noticed the new Divided By 13 RDT 200

It's a Hiwatt build too.

Didn't look at price but its gosh dang gorgeous!!!!
Probably well into $3K territory.

And they come in all kinds of colors.

If Fred is good enough to keep Sir Paul content, you gotta give him a look.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

SVT

 

[Jeff Scott]

As much as I love my amp, must give credit where credit is due.

Just noticed the new Divided By 13 RDT 200

It's a Hiwatt build too.

Didn't look at price but its gosh dang gorgeous!!!!
Probably well into $3K territory.

And they come in all kinds of colors.

If Fred is good enough to keep Sir Paul content, you gotta give him a look.

P u t the mouse down and step away from the keyboard..................

 

[FFTT]

P u t the mouse down and step away from the keyboard..................

Yes, you're right gotta get some work done!

Gotta admit his re-thinking of the DR-201 circuit is unique.

 

[nshuman]

There is a Divided by 13 dealer up here. I only ever heard their guitar amps but they sound very good. Maybe they will have a bass version up here one day. Not holding my breath because that particular store already has tons of bass stuff.

 

[Mastermold]

I like SVTs but that Mesa is really nice too.