• 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.

Tiers Amplification

Red Planet

Red Planet

Inactive
May 29, 2005
6,487
2,152
Atlanta
Disclosures
I'm cranky in my old age.
#1
OK discuss.

Jerrold made mention he might be open to the idea and was toying with some things. Not sure what. I think it's hi time we talk about it.

What would you want to see from Jerrold?

I'd like to see a nice all tube Preamp and perhaps an all Tube head version of that say 200 watts and perhaps some kind of hybrid.
 
#2
Let's assume the following regarding Jerrold and becoming an independant manufacturer:
* He is not going to copy other designs (although it wouldn't break my heart)
* He is not going to put up large amounts of $$ for R&D time and materials
* He is not going to work on these projects 40 hours a week
* If he builds something, he will want it to be popular and sell some units (as opposed to being a white elephant)

If any of the above are true I would think that a mid to high power tube bass amp is not viable.
If it were me, I'd be looking at a smallish tube guitar amp, a 30 watt B15 type head, and a bass preamp with a simple compressor, treble, bass and sweepable mids
 
#3
i'd like to see him do what makes him happy and proud to put his name on. honestly, i just want to see him come up with whatever he wants, and then we'll nitpick it to death when it comes out ;)
 
#5
Jim C said:
Let's assume the following regarding Jerrold and becoming an independant manufacturer:
* He is not going to copy other designs (although it wouldn't break my heart)
* He is not going to put up large amounts of $$ for R&D time and materials
* He is not going to work on these projects 40 hours a week
* If he builds something, he will want it to be popular and sell some units (as opposed to being a white elephant)

If any of the above are true I would think that a mid to high power tube bass amp is not viable.
If it were me, I'd be looking at a smallish tube guitar amp, a 30 watt B15 type head, and a bass preamp with a simple compressor, treble, bass and sweepable mids
Click to expand...

Lets not assume anything and yes he could build a Tube amp, heck I could build a tube amp. It aint rocket science.


JimmyM said:
i'd like to see him do what makes him happy and proud to put his name on. honestly, i just want to see him come up with whatever he wants, and then we'll nitpick it to death when it comes out ;)
Click to expand...

I'm down with that. Just curious what folks would want.

No Ampegs.
 
#6
I would think the guy is smart enough not to get into a project that would intentionaly make him unhappy; funny how the best made plans don't always turn out that way though

Clealy he could build a high powered tube amp and sounds like you could too; doubt if either of you could sell enough to recoup the initialy parts cost buy in on a small time marketing and production level

I suspect that it is entirely possible that since Jerrold did design work for Ampeg, a lot of that signature sound is what he likes as well
.02
 
#8
Jim C said:
I would think the guy is smart enough not to get into a project that would intentionaly make him unhappy; funny how the best made plans don't always turn out that way though

Clealy he could build a high powered tube amp and sounds like you could too; doubt if either of you could sell enough to recoup the initialy parts cost buy in on a small time marketing and production level

I suspect that it is entirely possible that since Jerrold did design work for Ampeg, a lot of that signature sound is what he likes as well
.02
Click to expand...

It is a wonder anything ever got built by anyone. :D
 
#9
In this day and age of mass production by an overseas work force that is paid far below any sort of reasonable wage (by US standards), I find the only folks that can make an electronics product on a small scale can succeed by:
* Having a patent
* Offering a very expensive botique piece that has limited demand
* Do so because they love to make things and it is their hobby

Very few MI amps or preamps (other than botique) are made in the states that are offered in small production runs; for that matter what other large scale production amps other than some GK, Genz, the new Ampeg Heritage line, and Carvin are made in the states?

Wonder if Mr. Tiers is really interested in pursuing this; one would think the product would be very good based on his experience and expertise
 
#11
Well perhaps Jerrold will sound off on the subject. Yeah the economy sucks, no doubt.

I'm guessing he would do a very small scale boutique type thing and there lots and lots of builders out there paying the bills doing this.

Frankly to stand back and say it can't be done is meaningless.
 
#13
SVTs have "been done"

In fact they are "being done". ;)

I certainly wouldn't do that yet again, it isn't needed. To sell now, you need to be special, and that is not copying, re-issuing, etc. Not unless you are the original company, or a direct derivative.

Comments on the economy are very relevant... you can get away with "me too" stuff when the money is flowing, but not otherwise.

I would certainly not do anything that is currently being done, and I wouldn't suggest anyone hold their breath waiting. The wind power area I am primarily involved with is pretty hot right now, and if the parts supply tightening up in the last 8 weeks is any indicator, there is a lot of new stuff happening in power electronics now. We have 12kW, 60kW and 200 kW inverters to work on........

But, IF I do anything along the amp path, it will not be physically big, although it would be intended to be "sonically big".....

Someone asked about the power block.......... it so happens that I know the Power Block guy pretty well (he is making high dollar custom basses at the moment) , and some other folks too..... so it could be done... And low production amps would fit with custom basses.

But, the time is definitely NOT right.
 
#14
i just got a power block yesterday. with a different preamp that thing might have been a hit with bassists. it's real sweet with guitar but definitely works better with an external pre for bass. would have been nice if he could have routed the effects return to the di, but for $90 i ain't complaining. too bad the time isn't right for a bold move like that. the power block should have had a bigger audience than it got. that was a pretty original product for its time. wasn't perfect but it does a hell of a lot.
 
#15
I have a Power Block.

My gripe with it is the Speaker Emulator can not be lifted from the Preamp out. I forget what but I was trying to use it as a preamp for an acoustic guitar to go to FOH and could not get around the emulator cicuit. With that disabled the dang thing would have made a great acoustic amp as well.
 
#16
ya, that gives me a little cause for concern, too, since the effects loop is before the simulation. i'm really hoping it'll work out with a band situation. i don't need real deep lows but i need something down there.
 
#18
idiots. bass version would have ruled. i used it on today's little old time jazz trio gig with my upright and a b-15 cab and it sounded really good. didn't hear any distortion or anything, even without an external pre.
 
#19
JimmyM said:
ya, that gives me a little cause for concern, too, since the effects loop is before the simulation. i'm really hoping it'll work out with a band situation. i don't need real deep lows but i need something down there.
Click to expand...

IIRC the speaker simulator can be bypassed with a cable, but I don't remember exactly how.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back