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Jay Ganz Straight Ahead Power Amp

9317A50D-81EE-4F63-9C88-CEAF956973F5.jpeg BA3FB32B-A057-465C-93CE-71DE939E900C.jpeg I have one that I picked a while ago that I am looking to part with. Any suggestions on what these go for currently?
 
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I'm not sure I can tell you this as I'm uncertain about the classifieds availability to non paying members.
If you have access it's an easy search.
Also, if yours is the bass model, I am interested.
 
From earlier posts in this thread...

The "bass version" had larger/more power supply capacitors, but that is now the standard PS configuration, so there is no "bass version" any more.
I think you're right about it being the standard build now but he did still call it the "bass version" when he quoted me an est. delivery time and price yesterday. And that was without my saying what instrument it was for.
 
Finally got to play mine the other day. I play an American P bass through a Nunez Annex Bass Channel pedal as a pre amp through the SA Power amp with a 2X15 Mesa cab. I had zero issue with volume keeping up with a super loud drummer and 2 guitar players. I play with a heavily distorted tone, so I turned the SA all the way up and controlled the volume and EQ from the pedal. Didn't notice any extra distortion at that volume and doubt I was even close to an actual peak of the amp.
Only thing I kind of wish it had was a power light indicator on the front of the amp.

I have been using a Quilter Bass Block 802 for rehearsal and haul the SVT Classic to gigs typically.

I can now split up all my amps with their cabs at 2 rehearsal spots. And keep the Quilter at home since I can use it with headphones. IMO the SA is worth every penny of the $289 price tag.
 
From earlier posts in this thread...

The "bass version" had larger/more power supply capacitors, but that is now the standard PS configuration, so there is no "bass version" any more.
Jay had quoted me two prices about a week ago.
One with the extra caps and one without. The cost difference was minimal.
 
Hey all. I received my Straight Ahead Power Amp today.

First impressions are very positive.

The build is really solid and has a nice sort of retro look to it which I really enjoy. One input, one speaker out at 4/8ohms, and one easy to use line level control knob.

I ran it through my Fender Rumble 210 Extension cab and used a Darkglass Harmonic Booster Preamp to test it out. Unbelievably clean tone and solid volume. I’m excited to try this out at my next practice in a band setting.
 
I've had one for over 2 years, I've mostly used it as a back-up and to fool around with different preamps at home. Last week I took it out of the closet with the thought of setting up a new pedalboard and mounting it right on there. It popped when I plugged it in and did not work.

One email to Jay and he offered to fix it. He stated that I would have to pay for any parts and that his time and labor would be covered. I mailed it to him and he repaired it in less than 24 hours, and it's now on the way back to me. No charge at all.

If anyone is looking for a transparent power amp, the SAPA is a great product and it is backed by the best support and customer service I've ever encountered. It's deeply satisfying to buy and use music gear from an actual, authentic human doing something he cares deeply about than a faceless, unaccountable corporation. You can't go wrong and I could not be happier with this purchase.
 
Last week I took it out of the closet with the thought of setting up a new pedalboard and mounting it right on there. It popped when I plugged it in and did not work.

I should be clear: the amp "popped" because I had stored it with a box on top and squished some of the components inside. There was nothing intrinsically wrong with the amp, its design, or its construction. It was 100% my error and Jay still took care of it beyond my expectations. I just got the amp back on Friday, gigged it on Saturday, and it's awesome!
 
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After watching and rereading this thread I have decided to keep mine. The price vs value is just too great to let it go.

I used it with a Two Note Le Bass pedal driving it. With the power amp at full I liked the clarity I was getting (I’m still not quite sold on the Le Bass for my style -going to look for another preamp to drive it).

i have also used it as an amp to drive pa monitors in a pinch, taken it to test speakers before buying, and kept it in my gig bag as a Swiss army solution.