• 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.

Holden/Wasp club

#41
i too would like to be a part of this elite club of 7 i think its up to now? im just a young sucker who walked into a vintage amp store, with a guitar not expecting to walk out with a holden wasp xl... i believe it is only 80 watts according to the store manager. the preamp board says holden XL 23 if that means anything to you guys??? i am also lead to believe it was one of the last 50 made in NZ going by the serial number 1951.

it came loaded with 6550's however its got pretty big tranys and i could maybe beef it up with kt88's if i need more power
 
#43
About time I added mine to this thread. I bought it nearly a year ago based largely on Smo's constant ravings ;) This thread pushed me over the line.

I'm glad I did, it's a great amp with a nice grind or a rubbery clean, the amount of dirt is easily controlled from the volume knob on my bass. :hyper: I run it with a single Lorantz 200 watt 15".

It's a baby compared to every other Wasp I've seen. It runs 4 X EL34 in the power section. The transformers would be big by any other standard but are bonsai size for a Wasp. I think it's a later model. Possibly the ugliest looking amp I've ever owned ... blue piping :hmm: but it more than makes up for it soundwise.

IMG_2985.jpg


IMG_2986.jpg


rear1.jpg


rear2.jpg


frontchassis.jpg


underside.jpg
 
#44
I'm going to give this thread a great big BUMP by joining the holden/wasp club.
I have a vbl 200 that I use for bass.Having two seperate input channels is great,as I can effectively bi-amp in one setup.After a trip to the tech one day,she came back a VBL 230,having had the tubes replaced (the original mullards were still in there!).
Coming out of an 8x10,there is just low end for days and after a little warming up,it growls like a beast.
And to top it off,It didn't cost me a cent!
I won $1000 out of the blue in competition to vote back a flavour of Big M,and the wasp was what resulted.
 
#46
Outstanding ... unless you invented that cherry ripe flavour in which case you are a freak, yuck!

+1 on the pics. Please.

Still gigging mine with the Lorantz as above, loving what it does and most amazing thing of all is I don't feel any GAS urges for another amp even after nearly two years.

I'd love to try it through a big 8 X 10 fridge though :bassist:

Welcome to the club :)
 
#49
first christchurch made head in the thread! prototype 1976 model, a VBL 2 (Vocals Bass Lead) running on 2 EL34s @ 100w. rare as hell, and even comes with that tragic late 70s carpet on it. will be running it through an orange 4x10 with a rickenbacker 4001 very very soon..

(will post some high quality gear porn once the whole rig is set up..)
 

Attachments

  • 205243080_full.jpg
    205243080_full.jpg
    37.8 KB · Views: 129
#52
amazingly enough, it does have a master volume! one of the only models to have one. i will be patching the channels too - if you are using a holden for bass, you basically HAVE to do it if you want that beautiful rock tube sound they are famous for. i plug into channel two then patch into channel one on the current holden i am using (run patch lead from the top right jack to bottom left).

the guy i bought it from also installed a switch in the back to switch it from 100w output to 60w output to get to the clipping stage earlier or for smaller venues. genius. looking at picking up a second chch made with 2x kt88s for a fancy ric-o-sound rig as well.

definitely recovering that ugly carpet as soon as it arrives, ha.

edit: like fuzzbassian above, you can also run two separate channels into the amp at once, same deal as patching, but if you're using a rickenbacker (split) or any kind of dual-mono setup it sounds a dream. natural clean blending for all your nasty fuzz desires.
 
#54
i am really impulsive.. just bought this.

edit: yup, that's a DC208.. been looking for a GBL for a long time but i don't think one will pop up for a long time! going to be using this baby to run in ric-o-stereo with the other one. who says you can't have tube and solid state?
 

Attachments

  • 207511108_full.jpg
    207511108_full.jpg
    43.4 KB · Views: 124
#57
Niff said:
i am really impulsive.. just bought this.

edit: yup, that's a DC208.. been looking for a GBL for a long time but i don't think one will pop up for a long time! going to be using this baby to run in ric-o-stereo with the other one. who says you can't have tube and solid state?
Click to expand...

man... Star and Garter, Hillsborough Tavern, Gladstone Hotel (opposite Petes Burger Bar), Aranui Hotel......gigs back in the 80's.......LOVED my old Holden DC208..*sniff :bassist:
 
#60
Hey ! ive got a wasp too its 2 channel clean and sustain with master volume and you can blend the 2 channels its got an xl23 board also dont know about the output but runs a pair of 6550s want to install a variable pot in it to adjust the valve bias any ideas? I run it through a jbl 15 " rig sounds the biz. Ahhh the 70s great tines this beast takes me back.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back