New Head: Valkyrie from Baer Amps... Thoughts?

[Matt Dean]

same here! I'll keep everyone posted

Thanks... I'm also getting a little about this. I'm planning to get a new head sometime this year and the Valkyrie is a front runner based on specs alone.

 

[thepest]

Me likey!

 

[kringle77]

I know that it's way too early for this but, Im pressing for a preamp version. Single rackspace. Make it happen and I'll buy one today.

 

[kringle77]

I've got to say, the only thing that slightly worries me about the specs is the +/-6db on the lowest control and the +/-10db on the rest of the eq. That seems alittle weak to me but, the amp may not need much adjustment anyway. Once you get up to a rock gig volume, I use eq mostly for cab and room adjustments more than tone shaping. I probably spike the high mids at around 2.5k pretty good for attack but, the rest depends on the cab and room. Or, if Im playing direct through a different pa. Any thoughts?

 

[KJung]

I've got to say, the only thing that slightly worries me about the specs is the +/-6db on the lowest control and the +/-10db on the rest of the eq. That seems alittle weak to me but, the amp may not need much adjustment anyway. Once you get up to a rock gig volume, I use eq mostly for cab and room adjustments more than tone shaping. I probably spike the high mids at around 2.5k pretty good for attack but, the rest depends on the cab and room. Or, if Im playing direct through a different pa. Any thoughts?

+/- 6db way down low is HUGE..... zero issue here.

 

[tombowlus]

+/- 6db way down low is HUGE..... zero issue here.

+1 In fact, I'd be more concerned if it was more powerful than the other EQ controls.

 

[kringle77]

I tend to cut lows off below 60hz very sharply. Thats all. It helps give ported cabs a sealed sound.

 

[R Baer]

I've got to say, the only thing that slightly worries me about the specs is the +/-6db on the lowest control and the +/-10db on the rest of the eq. That seems alittle weak to me but, the amp may not need much adjustment anyway. Once you get up to a rock gig volume, I use eq mostly for cab and room adjustments more than tone shaping. I probably spike the high mids at around 2.5k pretty good for attack but, the rest depends on the cab and room. Or, if Im playing direct through a different pa. Any thoughts?

We are really trying to achieve what we think is the fine balance between having enough EQ to get the job done without having so much EQ that you can get yourself in trouble. Not all players are as gear savvy as the players here on TB. Also, we found that with the +/-10dB set up, you get a more precise control over the entire range of the pots rotation. I don't like EQ's that jump out at you when you barely turn the pot, and really, how many of us feel comfortable cranking an EQ knob up to it's extreme positions?

The +/- 6db on the DEEP control was designed to let you fatten up your sound a bit without providing so much boost as to damage your speakers or muddy up your tone at high volume. Personally, I only use this when playing with a pick. A little bump here really helps put back that rich low end that you loose from using a pick. Also, having this control on a pot instead of a switch gives you the ability to roll some low end off if you are in a boomy room or playing on a platform stage. In some situations, cutting a little DEEP and using the BASS control instead for low end boost can really clean up your note definition when dealing with a less than friendly venue.

p.s. I doubt you would boost as much @ 2.5k using mid loaded cabs.

 

[Chef]

That sounds like a great approach to that!

 

[kringle77]

Baer, thats a good point about the knob rotation. Your right about the mid driver. I don't boost that much with my mid loaded cab but do with my others. Again, I really agree with so much of what you have said to others and in e-mails back and forth. I just wish we didn't have to wait so long to see the amp come out. 4-5 months on this page is a lifetime!

 

[Hollow Man]

Agreed! I'll be looking veeeeery hard at these when the finally hit the market!

 

[kringle77]

I could be wrong but, thought I read that the head would be available in August? Cabs alittle earlier.

 

[Hollow Man]

I could be wrong but, thought I read that the head would be available in August? Cabs alittle earlier.

Yes, that's what Roger wrote me when I asked him.

 

[kringle77]

For anyone who was lucky enough to play Roger's amp at NAMM 2010, could they compare it to any other amp? Does the overdrive sound like anything else? I've already put aside some cash for one of these but would really like to hear any reports. I know that everyone liked the eq and od but didn't really go into specifics. Eq bandwidths, tonal character, etc. Thanks!

 

[KJung]

Hey Roger,

Cool props in the new Bass Player magazine 'best of NAMM' review. You got 'top honors' (or at least the biggest picture at the top of the page) in the amp category!

 

[R Baer]

Thanks Ken. It means a lot to us to be mentioned on the same page with such great companies!

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks Ken. It means a lot to us to be mentioned on the same page with such great companies!

dude, you had to come along with this amp when i go firmly back to tube amps! otoh, i can be bought. so how would you like to have the marketing power of the name "bowzer from sha na na" behind you?





boy, those crickets sure got loud!

 

[Chef]

now that's just funny

seriously though...i can't wait to get my hands on this one.

 

[kobass]

seriously though...i can't wait to get my hands on this one.

+1. Definitely interested in it as well!

 

[R Baer]

dude, you had to come along with this amp when i go firmly back to tube amps! otoh, i can be bought. so how would you like to have the marketing power of the name "bowzer from sha na na" behind you?

Jimmy, not sure how much that would really help our marketing. If you asked my kids who Bowzer is, they would tell you he is a character from Mario Bros. Then again, I can almost picture the ad with Bowzer standing next to the amp, white T-shirt sleeves rolled up, doing "The Pose"..hmmm, has possibilities.