Verellen Meatsmoke Hybrid experience?

[Insouciance]

Has any one purchased or played the Verellen Meatsmoke Hybrid? I am in the market for a high end head, and although the all tube Meatsmoke would be awesome, the price and weight of the Meatsmoke Hybrid are very attractive.

 

[jsper]

I've been using a Verellen Kalaloch, a stereo amp, which was modded to have the preamp sections replaced with two Meatsmoke preamps. The tone is great and very easy to dial in. Dirt pedals sound amazing through it, and the clean channel seems to have tons of headroom and can handle whatever you throw at it. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do regarding the OD channels (might tube roll it to 12at7's in order to reduce the gain) because it breaks up way too quickly and I wish I had maybe got the circuitry modded to have more of a tight OD flavor instead of the looser, fuzzy sound I get. But I get most of my dirt from pedals anyway so honestly it's not a huge issue.

Anyway, yes, I recommend the amp wholeheartedly. It can be super clean and clear or as dirty and chunky as you want.

 

[Milo's]

I haven't, but I have ran a Meatsmoke preamp through the effects return on an Orange Terror Bass 1000W and if the experience is anywhere analogous you would be in for a good time. I liked it so much that I decided to purchase a tube version when it came up for sale. I would say in a lot of ways it sounds the same tonally, but there is a bit more oomph with the 300 watt tube version that is hard to define. I was completely and thoroughly satisfied with the drive, and overall tone. That being said, I would certainly bet that it rules completely. Oh yeah, and it weighs about 60 lbs less and looks the exact same. Win win all around.

 

[edcars]

still waiting on mine. but as soon as i get it, i'll share my thoughts.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Mine arrived today!! Review this weekend

I also have the Meatsmoke Tube amp and the Kalaloch to compare to

 

[LowWatt]

Mine arrived today!! Review this weekend

I also have the Meatsmoke Tube amp and the Kalaloch to compare toView attachment 1082464

Can't wait to hear the review. I use an original Meatsmoke preamp into the power amp of a Trace Hexavalve and would love to simplify my rig, but I'm afraid I'll be giving up too much by moving away from the tube power amp.

 

[Insouciance]

Beautiful! Anxious to hear your findings.

 

[mpdd]

the tube head is epic, but if i couldn't wait to hear about the hybrid i might just....

run my rat tail into a quilter bass block 800 and make a meatsmoke headcase out of cardboard and foamcore

 

[DirtyDuke]

So I tested the Hybrid tonight.

I have a Roscoe Beck passive and a Fodera Monarch active as test basses.

Cabs were Barefaced 810 and barefaced Big Twin II

I used the Radial Headlight amp switcher

I installed the same preamp tubes in both amps. I used the JJ's they came with. Even though I swapped in some Jan GE's and Telefunkens after the test

First impression. The hybrid is light. Very light. Which is what I was hoping for

I tried using the exact settings on each amp but the Volumes were a little different to match outputs, probably due to different speakers. I did switch cabs halfway through as well

The hybrid can do everything the tube amp can do. But it does miss some heft, or that extra dimension tube amps seam to have.

The all tube version seamed to have a more compressed low end. A little tighter. But a little compression and they are similar again.

Once the band kicked it it was impossible to tell one from the other. I grilled my band mates and other than they love the sound they couldn't tell the difference

My thought is I'll gig the Hybrid and keep the all tube version as well for recording and whatnot.

However, there will be a Kalaloch for sale

 

[Insouciance]

Very good to hear! My mind is made up...still gotta pinch the pennies for a bit, but I think I am gonna pull the trigger.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Very good to hear! My mind is made up...still gotta pinch the pennies for a bit, but I think I am gonna pull the trigger.

Verellen is having a 25% off sale

 

[LowWatt]

Any difference in how much volume you can get out of the hybrid vs. the full tube Meatsmoke?

 

[Mr. Foxen]

The hybrid can do everything the tube amp can do. But it does miss some heft, or that extra dimension tube amps seam to have.

Mojo is in the power section confirmed.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Any difference in how much volume you can get out of the hybrid vs. the full tube Meatsmoke?

Yes. My Hybrid is 1400 watts. My meatsmoke is 300 tube watts. The hybrid can get louder. Much louder. I'd say double the output. I understand the idea of tube watts. I also have a Mesa strategy 888 at 465 watts.

With the Hybrid and a good compressor, like a Fea or Onvilabs Smoothie, or a magic box preamp, like the Submarine, Ictineo, or similar I can get them close enough that I don't think Ben himself could tell them apart

I also have the Kalaloch and Ben is making me a custom meatsmoke style 2 channel preamp. I will post results when the new preamp arrives!

 

[monsterthompson]

Interesting stuff.

 

[Insouciance]

I ended up taking advantage of the sale and putting a down payment on a Meatsmoke Hybrid. Thank you DirtyDuke for the report, it's gonna be a long 6 weeks for the wait!

 

[saltymonkey]

Can someone who has this head please post the width. The dimensions aren't listed on the Verellen site. Thanks.

 

[helenforsdale]

I've got one of the Hybrid Meatsmokes - and it's awesome, but I might have to sell it to pay for a new computer :/
I had mine modded to have a record out and an effects loop in/out.

If yr interested in picking one up, let me know. I've gotta think about this for a bit, it's gonna break my heart.

 

[helenforsdale]

Yes. My Hybrid is 1400 watts. \

It's actually 700 watts per channel - not 1400 total. It's a little confusing the way it's advertised.

 

[DirtyDuke]

It's actually 700 watts per channel - not 1400 total. It's a little confusing the way it's advertised.

Yes with 2 speakers.it is a little confusing. My ashdown Is that way