I have searched, like most of you, for a sound of my own for years. Now I have found the perfect sound, although not really original, it's perfect and it was free. While looking at possible house rentals, I came across a late '40's or early '50's Webster Electric Ekotape reel to reel player/recorder in an attic of one of the properties. While I didn't take the house, the owner let me have the Ekotape. This thing is amazing! Perfect SVT tone when used with my Sansamp para drive and the combo is great with guitar and bass with no adjustments between. Really, the most musical and Beautiful tone I've ever heard. Did I mention FREE? It's the perfect recording amp! I use it with a peavey 2x15 and it pushes the poopie out of that cab. The problem, it's 12 watts. A very loud 12 watts of incredible tube smoothness, but 12 watts. Although I get complaints over noise from the neighbors, it's not quite loud enough to keep up at normal practice level with everyone else. Long story still long here is my quandary; can anyone give me a scenario where I can use this portable 12 watt reel to reel, paired with my 2x15 that I can get lots more power suitable for practice and playing live? I guess like a pre with no line level out. If I find a way to run out to a power amp, tube or solid state, will I retain my tone? I'm just trying to avoid spending $1000 for a SVT If it's not absolutely necessary.
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Have the tone, need the volume
- Thread starter bobn74
- Start date
Perhaps run the tape machine into a good DI and then seperately to the PA and a power amp?
Or just into a power amp, if you don't usually go into the PA.
A good power amp shouldn't change your input tone.
Or just into a power amp, if you don't usually go into the PA.
A good power amp shouldn't change your input tone.
Awesome find - and for free. Score!
This reminds me of Ritchie Blackmore. He used to use an old reel-to-reel as part of his effects onstage. He, like you, loved what it did for his tone with his Strat/Marshall set-up.
In an interview from the early '70's, he said one night some clown in the audience in front of him saw the unit running and was saying very loud "his solo's are recorded!"
Ritchie got pissed, turned the unit off and did a mind blowing lead right in front of this guy. He then had him thrown out in typical Blackmore fashion...
This reminds me of Ritchie Blackmore. He used to use an old reel-to-reel as part of his effects onstage. He, like you, loved what it did for his tone with his Strat/Marshall set-up.
In an interview from the early '70's, he said one night some clown in the audience in front of him saw the unit running and was saying very loud "his solo's are recorded!"
Ritchie got pissed, turned the unit off and did a mind blowing lead right in front of this guy. He then had him thrown out in typical Blackmore fashion...
How does it go at low volume?
Being tube it needs some kind of cab, with appropriate impedance load, connected at all times.
Your best outcome would come from a mic on your existing cab, but only if you're going to drown it out with the PA.
Being tube it needs some kind of cab, with appropriate impedance load, connected at all times.
Your best outcome would come from a mic on your existing cab, but only if you're going to drown it out with the PA.
