• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Arkham Sound Club

#401
The UL 100 landed safely due to Micah's fantastic packing:
(note the plywood strip on top of the transformers)

Invalid Link Removed

Double-boxed and cocooned in industrial-grade pallet wrap, with the tubes cushioned between the transformers:

Invalid Link Removed

Coupled with a Mesa Subway 115, this amp has true authority. It would bring the thunder through a pair. It is clean and louder than I care to play these days. This is the first tube amp I've seen with a switchable high-pass filter and it is effective. My previous experience with a 'Super B-15' was Kevin Shaw's amazing B-150, which has a six-position mid-response selector switch. I prefer the variable "range" control on the UL 100 for tuning in the mids. The "HI" switch is excellent, bringing power and clarity in the upper range. This thing is built like a tank. I don't have a scale here to safely weigh it, but it feels about fifty pounds.

Invalid Link Removed

This is a gorgeous sounding amp, but not exactly a 'Super B-15', due to its ultra-linear operation as seen in certain Sunn amps such as the Model-T. If you're into beautiful tube tones, it will make your mouth grin and your ears happy. 😍 I like the overall design and appearance. Elegant and minimalist. I like having the transformers on full display - no need to hide them in cans. The tube cage is heavy-duty and isolated from the chassis with rubber on each end. It's cool that the two blue led's that illuminate the logo are also the 'power on' indicators. :cool:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Murch, XsoGol, tombowlus and 8 others
#404
Just got back from amazing tone land. Yesterday's test bass was a Dingwall Super P with alnico magnets. Today, I plugged in my Afterburner with FDV (alnico) magnets. With the control set on the UL 100, you don't need parametric eq, they are so flexible, subtle, and powerful. Did I mention how gorgeous this thing sounds? I know I did, but I have to repeat for emphasis. I like running with the high and low boost and HPF engaged with the range at 2:00, slight treble cut, and the bass at 9:00. Amazing. 😍 There I go repeating myself again...

Additional info on the UL: The new power transformers are beefier than those in the first-run UL 70's, enabling them to power KT-120 output tubes with ease. That's why the UL 100 happened. Micah had to go for it, obviously. :cool:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: XsoGol, John D Harris, LSM07 and 2 others
#406
I'm back in the Arkham world after purchasing ResistOrDie's oracle. Love it. Had a bullet previously and this is even better, obviously. Even better, the drummer last night (not known to notice things) said he liked the glowing eye on my pedalboard.
I'd love to know where folks end up on their range knobs, but I'm guessing it's quite personal since it's based on the interaction with the other knobs and switches..?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr Joshua, mikeGJ, XsoGol and 3 others
#407
bdowd said:
I'm back in the Arkham world after purchasing ResistOrDie's oracle. Love it. Had a bullet previously and this is even better, obviously. Even better, the drummer last night (not known to notice things) said he liked the glowing eye on my pedalboard.
I'd love to know where folks end up on their range knobs, but I'm guessing it's quite personal since it's based on the interaction with the other knobs and switches..?
Click to expand...

I have the same preamp in my Ultra Linear 100 and run the range at the second mark (2:00). Other settings tonight: treble just over 1:00, bass between 11 and 12:00 with Hi and Lo boost engaged (with the tweeter full-up on my Mesa Subway 115). :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikeGJ, XsoGol, bdowd and 1 other person
#412
bdowd said:
I'm back in the Arkham world after purchasing ResistOrDie's oracle. Love it. Had a bullet previously and this is even better, obviously. Even better, the drummer last night (not known to notice things) said he liked the glowing eye on my pedalboard.
I'd love to know where folks end up on their range knobs, but I'm guessing it's quite personal since it's based on the interaction with the other knobs and switches..?
Click to expand...
I usually roll my Beast with bass at 3, treb at noon, range at 1:30, and the mid switch engaged. Works super well with the B-15 cab I usually pair with it as well as my Subway 215.
 
  • Like
Reactions: XsoGol, Stubb, LSM07 and 1 other person
#413
I couldn't resist opening up the UL to check out the master's work:

Invalid Link Removed

Beautiful. I asked Micah about why he doesn't use tube shields in this design. He said that they weren't worth the trouble and can be a source of sympathetic vibration/rattling in a bass amplifier. There is nothing in danger of coming loose and rattling in this amp. Every single nut securing a bolt is the nylon locking type. Another nice detail - both sides of the bottom panel are finished. If you look at the top left of the pic, you'll see a small area of bared metal. There is a corresponding bared area on the panel so that when it is secured to the chassis, they will be grounded to each other. This amp could meet and exceed MilSpecs (military specifications) for durability. 😍
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Rumblefisher, XsoGol, SteveFromBerlin and 4 others
#415
Interesting. I was reading about the Zephyr preamp and discovered that the wiring is Milspec teflon. I like how Micah states that he stands behind (warrants) his equipment for life. :cool: I haven't mentioned it in this thread, but the UL 100 is officially my retirement amp. You'd have to hear it yourself to believe how good it sounds. It's good that Ampeg never thought of having a custom shop. Micah has done it better than they ever could have. :cool:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Stubb, tombowlus, Joshua and 3 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back