I've built all my own amps: 5F6A, 5E8A, 5F1, Champion 600, Trainwreck Express. All have my own little tweaks in their design to make them my own. When I can no longer play (nearing 71 years old with a bad right hand) I will donate them to an organization that will get them to people who need them.
I have pain in my right shoulder, and joint pains in both hands. Long story short I find chunky picks helps a bit. Jim Dumlop have some of their old style primetone picks in 5mm, and they also have the Flow Jumbo at 4.2mm. May be you can try them out if you haven't already. To my ears they sound a little darker the thicker they go, but that's a hiccup I am prepared to ignore.
There are allot of content creators that cover guitar tube amp repair but the first name that was totally missed is Uncle Doug. I think as a person and instructor of tube amp electronic, Uncle Doug is way ahead in content and longevity than any name you dropped. GO to UD first and learn everything he has before moving on to the next level mods that aren't in standard playbooks. I agree that BGG and rift have great content.
I have a Roland MicroCube and an Epiphone Dot. They're currently sitting a few thousand miles away from me. I would love to buy a Tele with a chunky neck and a Supro Delta King (5 watt). I am also dead broke at the minute. I'm putting this here so that internet love and vibes conspire to make my situation better and I get back on my feet soon.
Myself and most of my friends are still using combos for live gigs. Most of them are valve/tube and the range between 15 watts to 50 watts seems to be the general preference. Not a lot of us who regularly gig but also work 9-5 jobs have a lot of extra money for modelers and more high tech stuff. The tried and true amps are still working just fine.
I just bought myself a ‘64 Vibroverb custom. That amp is absolutely a keeper. The modified switch is almost like an attenuator, it makes it sound absolutely cranked at low volumes and has that real blackface sound. If I want a Marshally tone I have an original Guv’nor that does the trick real nicely.
Good shouts on those tech channels. I watch Brad and Lyle too. I had my college age dream amp for a while, a 2 channel Dual Rectifier Trem-o-verb. Through the Mesa 2x12, it was absurdly loud and sounded amazing. If we both watch similar tech channels, we probably aren't holding onto a Mesa amp for too long ;-). Also had a '65 Bassman, and a rehoused '72 Marshall 50 watt lead. Sold them all because I could only really play them clamped down with an attenuator. I prefer a medium to low power amp these days with a good master volume. Also I use my Quad Cortex for practice and writing because it doesn't scare the cats and saves on tinnitus 😂
Got into watching you to help decide what modeller to buy. Now I’m very happy to stick with my 1 amp approach :) Love your content and presenting style
I recently tried studio monitors, as every told me they're the best way to experience the 'true' tone on a modeller. My home rig is a Line 6 Floor into a EVH 5150 III Stealth 50w and a EVH 2x12. either using the Helix straight into the front as a preamp, or bypassing the amp modelling and using it as an effects unit. The studio monitors just didn't do it for me. Yes, very hi-fi, very transparent, very crisp, but it just didn't have the grunt of a real amp. After playing through each setup for a while, I reached the conclusion that the amp just sounded way, way better in almost all applications. I think if you need to mix and master your own music, monitors are great. If you live in an apartment and want a decent tone at a low volume, they might be a great option. A FRFR cab might be a good compromise but I'll be sticking with my impractical tube amps. Everyone's needs are different, I'm fortunate to have the space to use a tube amp and for me, whether I'm practicing, jamming or playing live, the amp wins by that 'amp in the room feel', the bass response, the way it moves the air and shakes the room around when you crank it up. Long live the heavy, impractical and outdated tube amp. In the spirit of the video, I may buy another one. ENGL Steve Morse, perhaps....
Great time if you are a used amp buyer. I bought a Super Reverb and a Princeton, both ‘65 reissue amps. Prices were very fair for excellent condition amps.
I'm almost 60, so my Fender Bassbreaker 15 tube amp is my amp of choice because it's not crazy heavy and sounds great for the tone I want. But I prefer to carry the HX Stomp because it weighs even less. it IS a good time to buy an amp because lots of people are going with modelers. I prefer to own both (tube amp and modeler.)
I held back from getting a DSL100 HR partly because of how much juice it pulls from the wall. "Every little helps" as they say. I am all up for having one heating my place, and according to KDH they can double up as toasters. However, if a Headrush or similar can tide me over till I depart this dimension, and at the same time put less demand on my electric bills, guess which one I'll pick? Possibly a DSL1 😂
Most of my tube amps are 100W, including a 1959SLP, and I have two Fender Super Twin amps that are rated at 180W each, with six 6L6GC power tubes. Marshall, Mesa, Engl and Diezel 100W, and I do have 50W and 40W Marshalls. I play them at home, loud, and no attenuator just ear protection. I usually use 1-2 Marshall 4x12 cabs, or a pair of Engl or Mesa 2x12 cabs. I wish prices for 100W tube amps and 4x12 cabs were less!
I've been real close to grabbing a catalyst since they're blowing them out for 199 just as a smallish combo I can take to my bimonthly jazz jam. I've got a bunch of other amps, but the only combo I have is a 2x12 Rivera K-tre that weighs like 80 lbs and it's ten times the amp that I need for our small jazz noodles.
Earlier in the year I was looking into getting into a new amp. I started out looking at the digital Tone Master Fenders. Then I found out about the solid state Blackstar Debut 50. In the end I got a tube Marshall Origin 20 combo. My choice in the end had nothing to do with tube preference - I’ve been using both solid state and tube technologies equally for years, and digital models as well now for the last three years. I am finding myself mainly drawn to finding good solid state amps nowadays though. I may still pick up a Debut 50 combo at some point.
Saving up for a deluxe reverb at the moment. I do gigs alot right now that don't have PAs available. I also do alot of mostly clean, mostly dry stuff. Which is where I feel that digital doesn't quite match up.
im gigging a fender stage 100 with a celestion g12t speaker that i bought used on guitar center for $89... just going straight into the return with a modeler... i was previously playing with a band that had their own pa so i never needed an amp...but now playing with a drummer and a bass player as a 3 piece funk inprov band so i got lucky to find that fender amp
It's a great time to buy an amp and it down have to be used. Fantastic prices on Marshalls of all watts and sizes at least in Europe. Guitar prices on the other hand are off the charts right now.
Just sent back a spark amp … couldn’t stand the thing, when I plug in to play I don’t want to look at another screen it’s just a black hole. I play with a friend who uses a Spark amp and between songs he’s got his face in the screen for a few minutes while I can dial up the next sing in literally 2-3 seconds. More playing less messing about. I use an old Bugera 5watt with a celestial speaker upgrade cost $30.
I recently bought a hand wired Cornell Traveller and long story short - best home / small gig amp I have EVER heard, let alone owned. Dennis recently built to the Studio Rats spec. A couple of great amps with the man himself - PLEEZ check them out, better still review - thank you
I kept wanting to get a Boss Cube LX or Spark 2 or something small ...but now I'm really leaning towards a 30w Roland Jazz Chorus 22 ...new $539 including shipping because it can take pedals really well...FX Loop, line in, line out...already has a really decent chorus and reverb effect and since I am more interested in playing jazz....well many jazz players have or do use the Roland. Can't afford a Fender. I'm leery buying from Facebook marketplace or Craigslist...I kind of want the warranty from a retailer. I don't need a lot of power.
I’m an amp guy through and through, one issue as I’ve been digging around for my next fix, is that the youtube demos of boutique amps are, with very few exceptions, appalling. Compared to the instant gratification processed sounds of modellers etc, I can imagine why newer players would be scratching their head as to bother. Those in the know get the used bargains resulting, but for the new market, boutique amps companies need to up their game with quality demos in the new age.
5:40 - did you really just suggest that a dungspreader would work as a guitar amp? Am I a victim of the ole British sarcasm? I did not know that Marshall made these units. If it weren't for the smell, I might just go for it.
I love my FM9 and have the new fender FRFR. But I’d love to get all the great features of the fm9 but use my real amp. I know it can be done but I’m not geeky enough to figure it out.
Et oui, il y a plein de boomers qui cassent leur pipe ! Ça libère du matos et il y a peu de gens intéressés, en comparaison, dans les générations suivantes... Quand les fils de boomers auront passé l'arme à gauche, il restera peu d'acheteurs potentiels, à moins que la guitare redevienne à la mode.
So, you think only people 60-80 years old, are who own all the gear? Just think about how much new gear is built every year. New guitars, amps, pedals and various audio equipment needed for recording or gigging. It never all sells, and there are many tens of thousands of unsold guitars, just sitting in warehouses, and the backs of the shops still open. Not to mention the folks who have storage units full, and exclusively sell online. Everything comes back into style. The current state of mainstream music will change, and there will be younger generations who reject modelers and the pop mainstream, who bring back rock music. Then it will run its course, and something else will be the thing.
I buy an amp every 25 years whether I need one or not.
Just like my bath schedule. 😝
I've built all my own amps: 5F6A, 5E8A, 5F1, Champion 600, Trainwreck Express. All have my own little tweaks in their design to make them my own. When I can no longer play (nearing 71 years old with a bad right hand) I will donate them to an organization that will get them to people who need them.
Maybe you should teach young people to build amps instead.
I have pain in my right shoulder, and joint pains in both hands. Long story short I find chunky picks helps a bit. Jim Dumlop have some of their old style primetone picks in 5mm, and they also have the Flow Jumbo at 4.2mm. May be you can try them out if you haven't already. To my ears they sound a little darker the thicker they go, but that's a hiccup I am prepared to ignore.
There are allot of content creators that cover guitar tube amp repair but the first name that was totally missed is Uncle Doug. I think as a person and instructor of tube amp electronic, Uncle Doug is way ahead in content and longevity than any name you dropped. GO to UD first and learn everything he has before moving on to the next level mods that aren't in standard playbooks. I agree that BGG and rift have great content.
I bought a Vox ac30 with 2 alnico blue speakers for 500.00 bucks. It sounds so nice and in pristine condition.
Damn right it's a great time to buy a tube amp! Happy to build anyone a great heirloom quality amp!
I have a Roland MicroCube and an Epiphone Dot. They're currently sitting a few thousand miles away from me. I would love to buy a Tele with a chunky neck and a Supro Delta King (5 watt).
I am also dead broke at the minute. I'm putting this here so that internet love and vibes conspire to make my situation better and I get back on my feet soon.
Sending you energy 💛
Bought a combo 35 years ago, still use it.
Beautiful intro. I want a Twin, haven't had one in 30 years or more. I also want another Peavey Classic 50.
Myself and most of my friends are still using combos for live gigs. Most of them are valve/tube and the range between 15 watts to 50 watts seems to be the general preference. Not a lot of us who regularly gig but also work 9-5 jobs have a lot of extra money for modelers and more high tech stuff. The tried and true amps are still working just fine.
I just bought myself a ‘64 Vibroverb custom. That amp is absolutely a keeper. The modified switch is almost like an attenuator, it makes it sound absolutely cranked at low volumes and has that real blackface sound. If I want a Marshally tone I have an original Guv’nor that does the trick real nicely.
Good shouts on those tech channels. I watch Brad and Lyle too. I had my college age dream amp for a while, a 2 channel Dual Rectifier Trem-o-verb. Through the Mesa 2x12, it was absurdly loud and sounded amazing. If we both watch similar tech channels, we probably aren't holding onto a Mesa amp for too long ;-). Also had a '65 Bassman, and a rehoused '72 Marshall 50 watt lead. Sold them all because I could only really play them clamped down with an attenuator. I prefer a medium to low power amp these days with a good master volume. Also I use my Quad Cortex for practice and writing because it doesn't scare the cats and saves on tinnitus 😂
The Peavey Classic 30 (combo) and Classic 50 (head or 4x10) are great underappreciated amps, also the Peavey Bravo 112.
I’ve got a Peavey Bravo 112 it’s a great little combo,fender tonality on the clean channel and Marshall jcm800 on the gain channel.
@@BrianCope-ff4yq I have a Classic 50 head, and it's one of the best amps I've ever owned.
5:35 The Marshall 75 Dungspreader is a great pedal platform, and probably the top choice if you’re trying to nail that “brown note.”
Got into watching you to help decide what modeller to buy. Now I’m very happy to stick with my 1 amp approach :)
Love your content and presenting style
Sold my heavy Fender HRD a while ago and replaced it with a Blues Cube Artist. Couldn't be happier. Would like to see you review the blues cube stuff
I recently tried studio monitors, as every told me they're the best way to experience the 'true' tone on a modeller. My home rig is a Line 6 Floor into a EVH 5150 III Stealth 50w and a EVH 2x12. either using the Helix straight into the front as a preamp, or bypassing the amp modelling and using it as an effects unit. The studio monitors just didn't do it for me. Yes, very hi-fi, very transparent, very crisp, but it just didn't have the grunt of a real amp. After playing through each setup for a while, I reached the conclusion that the amp just sounded way, way better in almost all applications.
I think if you need to mix and master your own music, monitors are great. If you live in an apartment and want a decent tone at a low volume, they might be a great option. A FRFR cab might be a good compromise but I'll be sticking with my impractical tube amps. Everyone's needs are different, I'm fortunate to have the space to use a tube amp and for me, whether I'm practicing, jamming or playing live, the amp wins by that 'amp in the room feel', the bass response, the way it moves the air and shakes the room around when you crank it up.
Long live the heavy, impractical and outdated tube amp. In the spirit of the video, I may buy another one. ENGL Steve Morse, perhaps....
Great time if you are a used amp buyer. I bought a Super Reverb and a Princeton, both ‘65 reissue amps. Prices were very fair for excellent condition amps.
Just got my first head and cab after having the Helix Floor for years. Definitely love having a real amp and look forward to using it live 🎉
I'm almost 60, so my Fender Bassbreaker 15 tube amp is my amp of choice because it's not crazy heavy and sounds great for the tone I want. But I prefer to carry the HX Stomp because it weighs even less. it IS a good time to buy an amp because lots of people are going with modelers. I prefer to own both (tube amp and modeler.)
I held back from getting a DSL100 HR partly because of how much juice it pulls from the wall. "Every little helps" as they say. I am all up for having one heating my place, and according to KDH they can double up as toasters. However, if a Headrush or similar can tide me over till I depart this dimension, and at the same time put less demand on my electric bills, guess which one I'll pick? Possibly a DSL1 😂
I support this message. 😅
Wicked deal on that dungspreader...might need to replace the filter craps though.
Suhr Badger 18 and Hombre are at the top of my list.
I just want to know the signal chain on that Demo recording?!
I’ve been seeing more used amps for sale than ever. I suspect it is because people are all switching direct to PA or FRFR using a multi-fx pedal.
I’m currently in negotiations to purchase a Boogie Mark III from a friend - really not sure why but it feels like a piece of history
Most of my tube amps are 100W, including a 1959SLP, and I have two Fender Super Twin amps that are rated at 180W each, with six 6L6GC power tubes. Marshall, Mesa, Engl and Diezel 100W, and I do have 50W and 40W Marshalls. I play them at home, loud, and no attenuator just ear protection.
I usually use 1-2 Marshall 4x12 cabs, or a pair of Engl or Mesa 2x12 cabs.
I wish prices for 100W tube amps and 4x12 cabs were less!
I've been real close to grabbing a catalyst since they're blowing them out for 199 just as a smallish combo I can take to my bimonthly jazz jam. I've got a bunch of other amps, but the only combo I have is a 2x12 Rivera K-tre that weighs like 80 lbs and it's ten times the amp that I need for our small jazz noodles.
I’m just waiting for the quad cortex 2 to get fully digital
I hope it will happen this year
Wat 😂
Earlier in the year I was looking into getting into a new amp. I started out looking at the digital Tone Master Fenders. Then I found out about the solid state Blackstar Debut 50. In the end I got a tube Marshall Origin 20 combo. My choice in the end had nothing to do with tube preference - I’ve been using both solid state and tube technologies equally for years, and digital models as well now for the last three years. I am finding myself mainly drawn to finding good solid state amps nowadays though. I may still pick up a Debut 50 combo at some point.
Saving up for a deluxe reverb at the moment. I do gigs alot right now that don't have PAs available. I also do alot of mostly clean, mostly dry stuff. Which is where I feel that digital doesn't quite match up.
Bought myself a used Mesa OS Recto 412 in 2023 for half of its new price. Totally love it. Get yourself a 412 😛
im gigging a fender stage 100 with a celestion g12t speaker that i bought used on guitar center for $89... just going straight into the return with a modeler... i was previously playing with a band that had their own pa so i never needed an amp...but now playing with a drummer and a bass player as a 3 piece funk inprov band so i got lucky to find that fender amp
It's a great time to buy an amp and it down have to be used. Fantastic prices on Marshalls of all watts and sizes at least in Europe. Guitar prices on the other hand are off the charts right now.
Love my vibro champ, just purchased a Princeton, all tube, stereo love.
Just got an Orange AD30 so nice with Langrex matched EL84s
What was the signal chain for the intro? Sounded great
Dual rectifier, rockerverb or a JVM210H would be the dream. I got my dream 2x12 cab with creambacks for Xmas this yr so baby steps!
Just sent back a spark amp … couldn’t stand the thing, when I plug in to play I don’t want to look at another screen it’s just a black hole. I play with a friend who uses a Spark amp and between songs he’s got his face in the screen for a few minutes while I can dial up the next sing in literally 2-3 seconds. More playing less messing about. I use an old Bugera 5watt with a celestial speaker upgrade cost $30.
I recently bought a hand wired Cornell Traveller and long story short - best home / small gig amp I have EVER heard, let alone owned.
Dennis recently built to the Studio Rats spec. A couple of great amps with the man himself - PLEEZ check them out, better still review - thank you
Ah… you can be that guy that bought one on Reverb
I kept wanting to get a Boss Cube LX or Spark 2 or something small ...but now I'm really leaning towards a 30w Roland Jazz Chorus 22 ...new $539 including shipping because it can take pedals really well...FX Loop, line in, line out...already has a really decent chorus and reverb effect and since I am more interested in playing jazz....well many jazz players have or do use the Roland. Can't afford a Fender. I'm leery buying from Facebook marketplace or Craigslist...I kind of want the warranty from a retailer. I don't need a lot of power.
I’m an amp guy through and through, one issue as I’ve been digging around for my next fix, is that the youtube demos of boutique amps are, with very few exceptions, appalling. Compared to the instant gratification processed sounds of modellers etc, I can imagine why newer players would be scratching their head as to bother. Those in the know get the used bargains resulting, but for the new market, boutique amps companies need to up their game with quality demos in the new age.
I've seen some fairly good deals recently. Unfortunately just about to more than double our mortgage so I've had to resist any impulses
Never found the input jack on a dungspreader 😊
5:35 that Marshall is the shit!
Fender supersonic 60 or Marshall Origin 50? 🤔
mesa boogie lonestar special for $800 on Craigslist. Should i get it.
5:40 - did you really just suggest that a dungspreader would work as a guitar amp? Am I a victim of the ole British sarcasm?
I did not know that Marshall made these units. If it weren't for the smell, I might just go for it.
If 50W Single Recs go back down to $500 I'll bite
The new lighting and shadows ain’t working John . A difficult watch ( for me at least )
I love my FM9 and have the new fender FRFR. But I’d love to get all the great features of the fm9 but use my real amp. I know it can be done but I’m not geeky enough to figure it out.
4 cable if you have an effects loop, it’s great, google the manual to hook it up and run the editor for it, works great
Yes, it’s time to buy another amp or two.
Please please do a review of the Marshall 75 Dungspreader. 💩👍
Marshall 75 Dungspreader 😂😂😂 has a warm steamy tone but still sounds crappy
No, it's time to get over gear review videos and let them finally go into oblivion.
I’ll bet the low end on that dung spreader is out of this world
I really think that the right amp for you would probably be a blues breaker combo. I could really see you goosing that with a nobles and maybe a GE7.
100% truths in this video
Et oui, il y a plein de boomers qui cassent leur pipe ! Ça libère du matos et il y a peu de gens intéressés, en comparaison, dans les générations suivantes... Quand les fils de boomers auront passé l'arme à gauche, il restera peu d'acheteurs potentiels, à moins que la guitare redevienne à la mode.
So, you think only people 60-80 years old, are who own all the gear?
Just think about how much new gear is built every year. New guitars, amps, pedals and various audio equipment needed for recording or gigging.
It never all sells, and there are many tens of thousands of unsold guitars, just sitting in warehouses, and the backs of the shops still open.
Not to mention the folks who have storage units full, and exclusively sell online.
Everything comes back into style. The current state of mainstream music will change, and there will be younger generations who reject modelers and the pop mainstream, who bring back rock music. Then it will run its course, and something else will be the thing.
First!