Valvetrain Brandywine

[Muyy]

Hey everyone, I was super excited to hear about this amp and thought it sounded great from even the not-so-great Youtube demos. Has anyone played one in person or used it to record yet? I know it is pretty pricey but I think it could be a good studio amp. I just want to hear some decent audio of this bad boy in action.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Links, Pics?

 

[Muyy]

This is the amp, Invalid Link Removed It is supposed to capture the old Motown studio amp sound and it seems like it does a pretty good job but there is no decent audio of the thing performing anywhere. Just wondered if anyone else even knew it exists yet or has played one.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Looks promising. The head is really lightweight for it's power output and physical size/construction, I wonder how big the transformers are, and whether this has a SMPS in it to get the weight down.

 

[Muyy]

Here is a link to Bass Central detailing the amp. Would anyone really be interested in me going and taking some sound samples?

 

[Jeff Scott]

I saw that on the VT website. The two vid demos by Vail Johnson don't tell squat about how the amp really sounds. He's just playing a bunch of twiddly noise, not the best way to hear real tone IMO.

 

[Muyy]

That's what I'm saying! The whole point of this amp is tone and there are no good samples showing off how good it really sounds. Ed Friedland needs to get on the case.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Going to bump this thread. I am also considering a new amp and am looking at the Ampeg Heritage B-15N and Valvetrain. The Valvetrain looks promising but there are no reviews or good sound clips anywhere. Anyone visit BC recently that can comment on it?

 

[tombowlus]

We heard this amp and cab at Summer NAMM, and were blown away! It sounded fantastic, and ended up winning one of our Bass Gear Magazine Best of Show Awards. We hope to get the head and cab in for review sometime soon.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I have no interest in a 50W amp of any kind. If one does a lot of recording I can see a use for it but that's it.

 

[draygriff]

PLEASE NOTE: I, Dan, suffer from a terminal case of GAS.

I just got back from Bass Central (basscentral.com) where I tried this amp out. Besides being the top eye candy of the bass amps in stock this thing sounds great. I used my Yamaha Billy Sheehan with just the P pickup and I was immediately transported to the Motown sonic realm. I engaged the neck pickup and the 15" greeted me with a gigantic blanket of wooly warmness. I had all the tone controls on the amp set at noon. The HIGH switch made a dramatic difference. Personally I don't think I would ever use this switch much since I'm a finger picker. It might have a use for the Slap-n-Pop player. The LOW switch did increase lows and was much more usable for me. The GOVERNOR circuit works extremely well and would definitely have a use for low volume practice. I didn't do the overdrive test (GOV knob acting as a master with the VOL acting as the pre) since I won't ever (?) need overdrive. They tout this as a "studio" amp. "I don't think so, Tim." I cranked the VOLUME knob to 12 o'clock and the amp just sounded even more amazing. I can see this amp used on a stage for low to medium volume gigs. That's where I make my gig money. Frankly, I went to BC to check out some Sadowsky and Fodera basses but was floored by the Brandywine. Anyone interested in buying my Mesa rig?

 

[twinfallsbass]

Picked one of these up recently and all I can say is WOW. Agree with everything stated above. It’s a very loud 50W and sweeeeet tones emanate from it. Can definitely see this being used at low to mid size gigs with a 2x12 or 2x15 setup ( both of which I have ). Would love to add two of the matching 15” cabs Valvetrain offers.

 

[Blunder]

We heard this amp and cab at Summer NAMM, and were blown away! It sounded fantastic, and ended up winning one of our Bass Gear Magazine Best of Show Awards. We hope to get the head and cab in for review sometime soon.

Did you and your crew ever review this amp Tom?

 

[tombowlus]

Did you and your crew ever review this amp Tom?

Unfortunately, no. We transitioned Technical Editors for amps around the time that I first picked up the Brandywine (and 1x15), and this caused a huge backlog on our "full reviews" for amps. I really should revisit some of those "orphaned reviews" (for the gear I still have on hand), when time allows (which it almost never does). I recently picked up an Arkham Ultra Linear 70w tube head, and I also have a PF-50T. Could make for a fun little "under 100w tube head roundup."

 

[Jefenator]

I've had one of these for a few years and I absolutely freaking love it.

I had intended to use it for cocktail jazz, but wound up using it more for rock. (The right smaller cab might help.)
I usually pair it with my Bag End S-15D which is more "sensitive" than most other cabs. That does indeed make for a pretty loud 50W. It's covered outdoor parties with the 4Ω stack without PA support.

I use the "DI" output quite a bit. Post-power for maximum mojo. It's 1/4" which is fine for my own little PA mixer. (An XLR send would have been handy for larger venues; I go ahead & convert with my passive DI.) Lack of independence from my stage level has never been a problem thus far; I find this amp gives me a ton of latitude. (I can be a little soft & still hear myself – or a little hot without smothering everything.)
I can't recommend the Brandywine highly enough. If something happened to mine, I'd seriously consider ordering a brand new one.