I’m in a 2 guitar band and my mates Lazy J is hands down the best sounding small combo I’ve ever heard. I’ve had 4 other amps to try and at least be in a matching tone landscape. Every guitar he puts through it sound great and every pedal colours exactly as it should. Amazing amps.
Friend I've got a $150. Stage right amp with its reverb tank changed to an 18-inch Fender reverb tank and a $35. tremolo pedal package that probably blows that thing away! Sorry, you wasted your money. $$$$$8,000 thousand smackaroos for that thing is bad judgement!
I bought the cheapest 5e3 kit on eBay last year to start my journey/obsession into amp building. The chassis that it came with looks SO much better and I'd dare say my very first build is tidyer than that. And I am in no way patting myself on the back, I'm a noob for sure. I was so excited to see a lazy j.. what a letdown.
I have a lazy j 20 which bought about 6 years ago, but without trem or reverb, it the best amp i,ve ever had. I,ve done at least 200 gigs with this amp and never had any problems with it. It,s the best sounding i ,ve ever played through. I have few old vintage fenders, 65 bandmaster head , 64 tremolux head/ a s/f bassman/and a 68 bandmaster reverb , but i always gig the lazy j . best amp ever.
Well that's fantastic. I'm happy they've built at least one reliable amp. The biggest weak points in this amp are how the trem and reverb were implemented, which explains why yours is likely more reliable.
Hey Brad thanks for the insight. Just shows you that an amp can be pretty and sound ok but looking close can reveal all fur coat and no knickers . I know the that pedal show guys big up the lazy js and boogies .....it's like guys that know how to drive a car but don't know how to change a wheel . Great content .❤
I had one of these. Fitted with VAC and reverb unit. It went on fire! Completely melted the mains transformer and all taps were open circuit. Smoke belched out the back. The maker had bolted a fan to the side of the transformer which was a puny Mojotone model totally unsuited for the 6L6GC and extra valves in the reverb unit. He also takes the entire preamp signal out the chassis to the reverb unit and back again. I got it fixed with a new Hammond but I was always wary of it and sold it not that long after. Shitty kit amps in my opinion.
Holy shit! Thanks for sharing, mate! How these builders keep getting away with this I have no idea. More detailed analysis to come in the next episodes.
@@BradsGuitarGaragealso check the VAC control. He doesn't regulate the screen voltage at the same time as the plate. It stays at full voltage. There is a Hammond model with 6A on the 6.3V line. It just fits.
Yeah, I corrected the scaling in the one I had so it varied the screens too. Had to move the LFO to a different node. And remove a ton of ground loops. Literal hot garbage.
This one varies the output from the rectifier, all nodes other than the trem node are derived from the VVR output. The trem node pulls via a 4.7K dropper from the rectifier. At least it looks like he resolved that. But the transformer choice is inexcusable. There must be a lot of angry people out there.
@@BradsGuitarGarage Indeed. I was one of them. I'll never buy another of his. I should also mention the blown speaker which can't handle the output and the faulty reverb unit which had to be replaced when it started cutting out. This was after I paid £400 to get all the problems fixed. Mind you, in France somewhere, there is an indestructible Lazy J20 somewhere after I sold it.
I thought your comments were right on. I have one in for repair ATM in QLD Australia. Amps made in other countries are often a topic of debate. The transformer in question. In Australia forget voltage on the mains for a moment but look at frequency. In OZ we run at 50Hz and in the US 60 HZ. If the transformer is not rated for 50Hz frequency it will most likely fail due to higher losses and core saturation, and the resultant higher temperature rise. In your part 3 using a Hammond transformer its rated for 50/60Hz operation this would be my choice as well. As a repairer I get people buying directly from USA and use a stepdown transformer 240-120. While this step-down's the voltage it does not change the frequency. Lucky most old fenders running on 120 volt 60 Hz transformers have enough iron to cope with the frequency difference. But many products use Chinese low-cost transformers, and they run extremely hot. Love the video.
Greetings all, Adam here from Premier Guitars in Sydney. We are one of the dealers for Lazy J Amplifiers in Australia. Just wanted to firstly clear up the incorrect price stated on this video - a brand new Lazy J J20 with reverb and tremolo is approximately AUD $4.5k landed in Australia (depending on exchange rates), not $8k as stated in this video. I've sold over 40 of these amps with only extremely positive feedback from all buyers. I also personally own a Lazy J J20 and couldn't be happier with it. Personal preference with regard to construction methods is not necessary as these construction methods (wood screws etc) have been used for over 50 years. Not here to burst anyones bubble, just wanted to clear a few things up, mainly correcting the price and to mention user experience, which is resoundingly positive. If anyone has any further questions about Lazy J products you can get in touch with me - more than happy to answer any enquiries. Cheers, Adam
Hi Adam, yes I was off on the pricing which I clarify in later episodes. I had nothing to go off other than the 2nd hand market and your pricing on your website was last updated April 2020 and as I'm sure you're aware, the pricing on everything (especially labour, valves and valve related components) has increased dramatically since. In hindsight I should have rung you to get an accurate up to date quote. All of the technical issues still stand, however. My international network of tech friends have confirmed this. I'm just reporting what I find from a technical standpoint. Can I ask what the warranty policy is on a transformer failure in an amp built on 9/2/22 for others reading along? At any rate, thanks for reaching out and any clarification on the other technical stuff would be appreciated.
Hi Brad, the reason why the price hasn't been updated on our website since April 2020 is because it is still the same price! I think that pulling figure like $8k out of thin air is irresponsible and certainly detrimental to Jesse's brand, especially considering the negative comments it has generated (having the incorrect price in the thumbnail photo on the video doesn't help). I spoke with Jesse last night, and with regard to warranty - there is a year warranty on parts and labour. If the owner experiences any problems they simply would have to contact Lazy J directly, or even a dealer like us. We would be more than happy to resolve the problem immediately - Jesse even said 'I just want my customers to be happy' and he often has fixed issues outside of the warranty period. I must say that Jesse is a lovely guy, and it is disappointing to see such negativity about someone who cares deeply about his product, his customers and the music community. Feel free to reach out if there are any further questions. @@BradsGuitarGarage
I don't care who is a lovely person. AGAIN, I OBJECTIVELY review equipment from a technical standpoint. Why do you try to bring emotion into it to manipulate my opinion? I repeated the fact that I derived the price from the inflated used market. Here's one that would approach $8k if customs costs were included, as there were no ones for sale in Australia and at the time of publishing I was unaware that there was an official Australian dealer. ( For example: reverb.com/au/item/74225587-lazy-j-lazy-j-j20-with-reverb-vac-and-tremolo-in-lacquered-tweed?INTL-AU-Shop_unpaid& ) You seem to be ignoring the fact that the technical issues still stand. I didn't write the rules on electronics. Don't blame the messenger. A retraction regarding the pricing will be posted, however I stand by all my observations regarding the architecture and operation of the amplifier. Of course everyone defending the amp with regard only to the pricing accuracy is diverting from the real issue. It's an expensive amplifier with several serious issues. Two of which makes the power transformer fail. Which is exactly what happened here. I owe my customers and followers honesty and that's what I'll give them which is why I'll change the thumbnail and post a retraction ONLY with regard to the pricing. I really don't care at all if manufacturers or dealers still have a problem with that. 50-60% dissipation on a cathode biased amp? Really? Do you know what that means? Business cards used as insulators? Really? Crossover distortion? Noise? Hiss? Hum? Tremolo pumping? Ground loops? Are you aware of these concepts? I showed them all in these videos. Did you watch them? Did you understand them? If not, you have no right to comment on the validity of my observations. If you feel it was not a fair review or that this model was not representative of a Lazy J amplifier, send me one for review. Put your money where your mouth is, otherwise, just don't bother commenting. I objectively review equipment from a technical standpoint. That will never change.
@@premierguitarsI think you missed the whole objective, which is regardless of Jesse's "feelings", and that is the lack of care in building an amplifier that can't pass Australia's current electrical safety standards for one. Secondly, even at $4500 AUD, this is still a very inferior built, expensive mojotone kit with a different badge on the front. Trying to muscle any kind of apology out of Brad because of the truth makes you and Jesse look even more like a fool, regardless of what the price point is. maybe focus on importing better products in the future instead of this crap!
@@premierguitarsWhat part of the review did you find technically inaccurate? 'Negative' and 'negativity' are fairly nebulous descriptors, I could use more quantitative ones in your argument.
I'm actually amazed that someone who charges north of $5k USD for this heap of nightmare fuel actually found enough buyers to develop any reputation at all. You could have a Super Reverb AND a 5E3 for that, without all that pesky immolation...
"how it came from the factory", there is no factory. It's 1 guy making it in a spare room in his house....I've been there in person to pick mine up. It is the definition of boutique.
Appreciating the wit here in England , champion! But this is all very odd. These are hugely respected amps in the UK, built by a very trusted amp tech called Jesse Hoff who is one of the loveliest guys you could meet. He does almost zero marketing - most stuff sold by word of mouth and reputation with frequent orders from huge names like Gilmour, Pete Townshend et al. He will sort problems at the drop of a hat if you call him. That transformer looks odd to me. I wonder if someone else has been at that amp since it was first built or whether it’s been damaged somehow. My valves definitely aren’t bent (your honour) and it sounds glorious with 6L6s.
I’ve seen a couple of Lazy J amps that needed all the solder joints re-doing. One of which had been back twice to Jessy himself and he was unable to fix the problem. Dry joints everywhere!
I would gladly pay 8000aus for a 5e3 if it had a foam machine and blue strobing leds included! Great video Brad, looking forward for part 2 and for a peak inside those inclosures.
6V6 tubes use .45 amps of heater current each but 6L6's use .9 amps apiece. Add in 3) 12AX7's at 300 milliamps each, and the transformer has to produce 1.8 amps more than it would for a regular Deluxe amp.
To me, the fact it is allegedly a 20 watt amp and they have fitted a 15Watt RMS speaker to it is a massive red flag before you start - no disassembly or technical knowledge required to see that.
@@BradsGuitarGaragecouldn’t agree more and his current line is such an enigma to me design wise. Would love to hear some detailed insight like this into how he’s accomplished what he dude with the tone controls, interstage transformer, etc.
Have you ever seen a negative review of anything on "that pedal show" or shows like it?. Didn't think so, your own ears are the best defence against listening with your eyes!. Beware of snake-oil salesmen.
“Also, since modern mass production techniques are usually cost driven, one often finds that corners are cut in the quality of the parts that are used as well as the production process…’good enough’ is often sufficient. Conversely, when you build amps by hand, you can choose to do better than that. You can choose to make things better than they have to be…” 😉
For 8k with no chokes , no regulated bias , and too small a main transformer value then ? For 8k it should be a M1A tank with regulated heaters and over built power supply .
John Farnham is just a legend. This amp is just a POS kit amp with a great speaker. Really, WTF. Great video, Brad. Its like a Mesa. So professional you kept your cool.
Thanks Brad, I really enjoy your repairs. The commentary just so funny. On the serious side how you go into detail. Only a Tech will understand what you mean. I've already given Shane from IntheBlues YT channel the nickname the Professor and his mate Rick the Doctor unreal guitar play. Brad your name would be "The Emperor" your words of truth, honesty and knowledge share amongst the mortals. Bloody funny with a swear word and good old Aussie stick that in your hat and smoke it approach. Love the line come on Fender you Dickheads putting in cheap filter caps on a Deluxe. I watch these videos' at 2 or 3 am because I suffer from Insomnia. Laugh my head off at that time of the morning because your so funny with the comments but my wife gets pissed off. Pay back she snores so we are even LOL.
G'day Brad. Andrew here - medium time watcher, 1st time bloody legend. I've only watched 4 minutes of your video so far, but I've already figured out the price-vs-fittings issue you've mentioned - that's the performance Porsche model. You can buy a base 911 Porsche for $120K, or you can buy upgraded models. To upgrade a 911, Porsche leave off parts, add more letters to the model name, then charge you more money for it all. Obviously, you're working on the GT3-RS of guitar amps. And yes, I do get the John Farnham jokes, but I prefer the Thorpie & Angus jokes. I'm enjoying your videos, so I'll get back to this one. Keep up the good work Andrew
If you know what you are doing, (most techs) jobs like this are run of the mill work. The transformer can be re-wound no probs. I'd rather work on an 8k amp than a < 1k Chinese job. :)
Removing that foam will take the pressure down, Sadie the cleaning lady can dust the control panel and before you know it you're the voice of rock n roll.....😂
As someone who spent months building and customizing a 5E3 kit, this makes me sad. Why would you take such a classic circuit and then change every single thing about it? If you wanted 6L6es wouldn’t it make more sense to start with a Fender 6L6 design from the same era? I do like the blue speaker - mine has that one too.
I would find out if this is the real deal before slating it too much, there are lots of fakes around, lazy j will happily verify it. They are hugely respected in the uk and have a massive waiting list to get one, if they were badly made they definitely wouldn’t have the rep they do over here.
Please tell me there's a video of recommended amps :)) Like many I've looked at amps like this, but don't know what to make of the quality or build as that's not my field. Online research is virtually useless as most are only concerned with reliability and tone.
To be honest, there's not many on the market from the big names at the moment, mate! Some Voxes are great, Suhr, Friedman, some Orange, etc. It depends on a lot of factors, like what style music, what features, power level, budget, you name it.
@@BradsGuitarGarage Well that's just sad :D I sold a Roadster I'd only had about a year because I could foresee this sort of thing down the road as it's a 90s amp. I've been looking for an amp and honestly it just makes me want to go with a modeller or something. Was considering 5150 iii, but this sort of thing is everywhere as you say and without the background you just don't know what you're getting. Love the vids by the way.
@@sunnibirdmy take: if you want a reliable amp with multiple channels and other bells and whistles it’s gonna cost you, simple as that. Friedman, Suhr, Diezel. The other option is to look for simple, serviceable amps and use pedals to get what you want. Fenders are also good because every tech knows them and their typical issues. You could even ask a tech to fix the usual issues before they make themselves known.
Wow, just a brief check online, these things are a major pain in the ass to buy too. Not that I'm interested, I just used to work in music retail so my brain goes straight to 'I wonder who's responsible for stuff like this coming into the country?'. Turns out there's no wholesaler, no real retailers as such, just some random dudes from a shop in Sydney and another in Canberra who act as agents to take a deposit and put you in touch with the builder directly and they sort the rest out from there. Not sure where the $8K comes from, current pricing seems to suggest more like $5.5K AUD, but that's still outrageous. Prices are based on whatever the UK to Aussie exchange rate is on the day. Import duties, shipping and taxes are added on top. So... no firm prices? No warranty I presume? F*** that. Imagine spending all that money and this pile of turd turns up. And then catches on fire.
If I were to build a "Deluxe" with reverb and tremolo, I'd use a Pro chassis, cabinet and iron. Tweed baffles are ridiculously simple to swap around. I know that some modern "5E3" transformers can NOT handle anything but the 5 tubes in the original design. You can get ones that will handle the extra current fairly easy. Is there $8k worth of amp here? No. There's maybe $1000 in parts and the speaker is $400 of it.
I'd quote $1200 for the basic 5E3 + $400 for the blue speaker. All that extra crap, maybe add another $1200-$1600 and it comes with transformers that will run 6L6s and extra 12A__7s. You are still all in for around $4000.
@@Satchmoeddie I would charge around $1800 - $2000 usd for a "Pro-Luxe" with reverb and tremolo. It's basically a black panel Princeton without the TMB tone stack and a couple different values here and there. And that's using all the "nice" parts. Jupiter caps, Mercury iron, Weber/Jupiter speaker etc.
I bought an artist tweed tone v 5w tube amp for $150 AUD. Sounds the same as this and no one can tell the difference and no one cares about my gear lol. Win!
Build quality is not in the order of the day. Profit is. I know I lose money when the job is done properly, but still I try to do it well. If that customer does not return because he does not need to, someone else will be come through him. The same applies to builders. They should aim for quality, so more people would see their products as a reference, not as replaceable with something cheaper and better.
Do we know? Definitely that this amp came with 6l6s. Some people believe that they are interchangeable with a six v6. If the owner changed it can't blame the amp company
Omg that amps like the vintage Barracuda Kevin Hart almost killed himself in because it was "upgraded" with a modern supercharged 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine! Old is OLD!
Musicians, particularly hobbyists, don't know much about this side of things. None of amp builders offer any insight as to what goes into there amps, and until you stumble across a channel like this.... well good luck. This sort of thing is rarely talked about in forums. It's all about "tone". The local music store doesn't allow for you to bring your amp tech in for a tear down.
I got the Farnam joke mate, my reflexes are fast and I caught it 😂 So someone obviously bought this hodge podge for $8K? maybe I should double my price lol
@@BradsGuitarGarageuseless fan, messy solderwork, what looks like a ground loop... I don't even know if I can see separated chassis ground from the video, but I wasn't trying to find it. but the 1590 enclosures for the addon circuits and not even proper faceplate when you spend so much money... that's just outright robbery
There's about 5 ground loops, mate! The biggest issue is the use of 6L6GC's, but that can be easily resolved. Once you know, anyway. See the other commenters whose J-20's have literally caught fire!
Another prime example of a salesman getting into amp building, providing a substandard product with all the right buzz words to make the tone hounds salivate. This is the difference between people like The Pedal Show guys loving it because it sounds ok, and a technician or engineer looking at it and seeing the realities of it's build quality and flaws. There is nothing here to justify the price tag and this will be used as more proof why buyers should avoid most boutique builders.
Search the brand name. There are fakes being made according to posts online... Seems like this owner might have bought a copy or a fake... If you can copy a $5000 handbag you can sure as shlt copy an $8000 amp Did it have a serial number or marks from the builder on it?
If this was fake, how can the fan for the mains transformer be explained/excused? Cuz someone doing a clone wouldn’t bother adding a fan unless it was part of the original design. And if it was part of the original design, that is a bad choice to begin with, trying to compensate for a bad spec/design choice instead of fixing it. Kinda circles back.
@@lordgraga if you're building a fake with cheapest parts, it would make more sense to have whatever transformer, and to put a fan in, not knowing that it won't solve the issue...
It's also got negative feedback, a different tone stack, different rectifier, several other differences. But I assumed even the most casual observer would understand I was talking about the feature set, mate.
G’day mate. Your channel just “popped up” into my recommended’s! Nice work! You may wanna check out Kendrick amplifiers, (if you haven’t already). Gerald Weber is the owner and builder! He’s the man when it comes to ‘59 Bassman amps. I’ll check out more of your content 👍
I dont get the concept of this amp. $8K and your reverb and trem pots are buried in the back of the amp??? How long is that $500+ speaker going to last? lol
You know you're in for a load of bullshit as soon as you see the pot in the hole for the ground switch. It's obviously a backyard job, even if they've got a brand and an exorbitant price tag! $8,000? GTFO!
What the... I'm just trying to figure out why anyone thought making an amp this way would be a good idea? Like you said, seriously just get a Princeton. Jeez. Can't believe they paid that much for an amp that is just gonna eat power transformers.
Unclear where the "$8,000" claim is coming from... that has to be some lame used "none in stock, so overpay for mine!" price. New, a few years back, they were under $2,000 and latest NEW I've seen is between $3,750 - $3,999. Granted this is over priced (but, you're paying for hand built, low-volume (# of units)), but it's a lot of cash for a modified tweed, regardless of the nuanced added build and tonal qualities. But, in today's world you could look at Dumble and say the same thing x100. Lazy J does make some of the best tweed amps out there, but for the money I'll stick with my TK Imperial MkII that gets me a modern take on a Blackface and a Tweed (1 yr old used CME lacquered tweed ltd edition for $1,750 - can't beat that with a stick). However, IF I had the cash to burn in front of my wife and the patience to shop for one, I'd love to own the latest iteration of the J10. :-)
Is that even really power scaling? Just looks like a common VVR. You’d think $8k would get you an actual London Power Scaling kit in it. I mean I could see maybe $1500 (USD) for the amp.
I think it's simple why these have a great reputation. The reputation is given by the "celebrity guitarists" whose amps have had special care and attention to make sure theirs is exceptional. That's where all the time goes at "lazy j" because the rest look like cookie cutter kits churned out for maximum profit!. Very sad indeed.
Quite the rats nest going on there. Random wire snaked outside the chassis, and others snaked in the back. I guess a person doesn't get much for 8 grand these days....
A Tweed Deluxe isn't really like any Princeton. The Tweed Princeton was single-ended -- it was really a Champ with a tone control. The Brownface Princeton added a second 6V6 and the tremolo circuit, but still only had one channel. The Tweed Deluxe had two channels, but a shared tone control. So the tone of the channel you were using was affected by the volume setting of the channel you weren't!
@PsionicAudio As he actually said "If you want all that stuff, go get a Princeton Reverb: it's essentially a Deluxe plus that shit", his point is not that obvious. "Essentially" may not be the mot juste 😅
Sloppy build. There is an old saying, would you like seven shiny pennies or an old tarnished quarter? For the amount spent on this amp, a person could purchase a couple of professionally restored vintage Fender Princeton tweed amps or a modern design amp or two from a reputable manufacturer.
@@BradsGuitarGarage I confess I have a Lorantz greenback clone in my homebrewed 5E3 clone. Reckon I might even have the same chassis! Looks like crap, just like this one.
A friend of mine has one,its ten years old.Seems to be a much better build than this one.....maybe Brexit costs had played a factor into the final price tag.....
@@BradsGuitarGarage If I remember,when they first came out all the big guns like Jeff Beck,Pete Townsend,Clapton and Richard's had them....maybe the amps were better back then👍👍
A half baked idea with an execution that never made it to the oven imho..what a pile of garbage. It looks like they wired it up with stranded wire from Radio Shack. Lmfao..!
what the customer doesnt see is the 2 hours squinting through hammond data sheets trying to find right transformer....absolute nightmare finding correct spec and size for that....
That's why it's a "Lazy J" and not the less popular but more reliable "Thought This Through J"
Or Conscientious J or Overachiever J.
😅
I’m in a 2 guitar band and my mates Lazy J is hands down the best sounding small combo I’ve ever heard. I’ve had 4 other amps to try and at least be in a matching tone landscape. Every guitar he puts through it sound great and every pedal colours exactly as it should. Amazing amps.
Which is in spite of the obvious issues, not because of them.
Friend I've got a $150. Stage right amp with its reverb tank changed to an 18-inch Fender reverb tank and a $35. tremolo pedal package that probably blows that thing away! Sorry, you wasted your money. $$$$$8,000 thousand smackaroos for that thing is bad judgement!
Does it keep up with your amp and the drummer? What wattage is it? Wondering if 20 watt will be loud enough
Plenty loud enough. Think Deluxe volume but more clean headroom if you need it.
@@Guitar11player I doubt it. Those amps are toys but if it works for you … enjoy.
I bought the cheapest 5e3 kit on eBay last year to start my journey/obsession into amp building.
The chassis that it came with looks SO much better and I'd dare say my very first build is tidyer than that. And I am in no way patting myself on the back, I'm a noob for sure.
I was so excited to see a lazy j.. what a letdown.
WOW! As a Canadian our dollar is pretty much on par with the Ausey dollar and there is no way in hell I would pay 8K for something like that.
I have a lazy j 20 which bought about 6 years ago, but without trem or reverb, it the best amp i,ve ever had. I,ve done at least 200 gigs with this amp and never had any problems with it. It,s the best sounding i ,ve ever played through. I have few old vintage fenders, 65 bandmaster head , 64 tremolux head/ a s/f bassman/and a 68 bandmaster reverb , but i always gig the lazy j . best amp ever.
Well that's fantastic. I'm happy they've built at least one reliable amp.
The biggest weak points in this amp are how the trem and reverb were implemented, which explains why yours is likely more reliable.
I have Amp Comment Bingo!!!
I built mine for a few hundred. It is EPIC sounding. I had to do a lot to get it into the sweet spot but $8K USD or AUD is nuts for any amp.
Hey Brad thanks for the insight. Just shows you that an amp can be pretty and sound ok but looking close can reveal all fur coat and no knickers . I know the that pedal show guys big up the lazy js and boogies .....it's like guys that know how to drive a car but don't know how to change a wheel . Great content .❤
Looking forward to part 2 of this Lazy mess.
I had one of these. Fitted with VAC and reverb unit. It went on fire! Completely melted the mains transformer and all taps were open circuit. Smoke belched out the back. The maker had bolted a fan to the side of the transformer which was a puny Mojotone model totally unsuited for the 6L6GC and extra valves in the reverb unit. He also takes the entire preamp signal out the chassis to the reverb unit and back again. I got it fixed with a new Hammond but I was always wary of it and sold it not that long after. Shitty kit amps in my opinion.
Holy shit! Thanks for sharing, mate!
How these builders keep getting away with this I have no idea.
More detailed analysis to come in the next episodes.
@@BradsGuitarGaragealso check the VAC control. He doesn't regulate the screen voltage at the same time as the plate. It stays at full voltage. There is a Hammond model with 6A on the 6.3V line. It just fits.
Yeah, I corrected the scaling in the one I had so it varied the screens too. Had to move the LFO to a different node. And remove a ton of ground loops.
Literal hot garbage.
This one varies the output from the rectifier, all nodes other than the trem node are derived from the VVR output. The trem node pulls via a 4.7K dropper from the rectifier.
At least it looks like he resolved that.
But the transformer choice is inexcusable.
There must be a lot of angry people out there.
@@BradsGuitarGarage Indeed. I was one of them. I'll never buy another of his. I should also mention the blown speaker which can't handle the output and the faulty reverb unit which had to be replaced when it started cutting out. This was after I paid £400 to get all the problems fixed. Mind you, in France somewhere, there is an indestructible Lazy J20 somewhere after I sold it.
I thought your comments were right on. I have one in for repair ATM in QLD Australia. Amps made in other countries are often a topic of debate. The transformer in question. In Australia forget voltage on the mains for a moment but look at frequency. In OZ we run at 50Hz and in the US 60 HZ. If the transformer is not rated for 50Hz frequency it will most likely fail due to higher losses and core saturation, and the resultant higher temperature rise. In your part 3 using a Hammond transformer its rated for 50/60Hz operation this would be my choice as well. As a repairer I get people buying directly from USA and use a stepdown transformer 240-120. While this step-down's the voltage it does not change the frequency. Lucky most old fenders running on 120 volt 60 Hz transformers have enough iron to cope with the frequency difference. But many products use Chinese low-cost transformers, and they run extremely hot. Love the video.
Greetings all, Adam here from Premier Guitars in Sydney. We are one of the dealers for Lazy J Amplifiers in Australia. Just wanted to firstly clear up the incorrect price stated on this video - a brand new Lazy J J20 with reverb and tremolo is approximately AUD $4.5k landed in Australia (depending on exchange rates), not $8k as stated in this video. I've sold over 40 of these amps with only extremely positive feedback from all buyers. I also personally own a Lazy J J20 and couldn't be happier with it. Personal preference with regard to construction methods is not necessary as these construction methods (wood screws etc) have been used for over 50 years. Not here to burst anyones bubble, just wanted to clear a few things up, mainly correcting the price and to mention user experience, which is resoundingly positive. If anyone has any further questions about Lazy J products you can get in touch with me - more than happy to answer any enquiries. Cheers, Adam
Hi Adam, yes I was off on the pricing which I clarify in later episodes.
I had nothing to go off other than the 2nd hand market and your pricing on your website was last updated April 2020 and as I'm sure you're aware, the pricing on everything (especially labour, valves and valve related components) has increased dramatically since.
In hindsight I should have rung you to get an accurate up to date quote.
All of the technical issues still stand, however.
My international network of tech friends have confirmed this.
I'm just reporting what I find from a technical standpoint.
Can I ask what the warranty policy is on a transformer failure in an amp built on 9/2/22 for others reading along?
At any rate, thanks for reaching out and any clarification on the other technical stuff would be appreciated.
Hi Brad, the reason why the price hasn't been updated on our website since April 2020 is because it is still the same price! I think that pulling figure like $8k out of thin air is irresponsible and certainly detrimental to Jesse's brand, especially considering the negative comments it has generated (having the incorrect price in the thumbnail photo on the video doesn't help). I spoke with Jesse last night, and with regard to warranty - there is a year warranty on parts and labour. If the owner experiences any problems they simply would have to contact Lazy J directly, or even a dealer like us. We would be more than happy to resolve the problem immediately - Jesse even said 'I just want my customers to be happy' and he often has fixed issues outside of the warranty period. I must say that Jesse is a lovely guy, and it is disappointing to see such negativity about someone who cares deeply about his product, his customers and the music community. Feel free to reach out if there are any further questions. @@BradsGuitarGarage
I don't care who is a lovely person. AGAIN, I OBJECTIVELY review equipment from a technical standpoint.
Why do you try to bring emotion into it to manipulate my opinion?
I repeated the fact that I derived the price from the inflated used market. Here's one that would approach $8k if customs costs were included, as there were no ones for sale in Australia and at the time of publishing I was unaware that there was an official Australian dealer.
( For example: reverb.com/au/item/74225587-lazy-j-lazy-j-j20-with-reverb-vac-and-tremolo-in-lacquered-tweed?INTL-AU-Shop_unpaid& )
You seem to be ignoring the fact that the technical issues still stand.
I didn't write the rules on electronics. Don't blame the messenger.
A retraction regarding the pricing will be posted, however I stand by all my observations regarding the architecture and operation of the amplifier. Of course everyone defending the amp with regard only to the pricing accuracy is diverting from the real issue. It's an expensive amplifier with several serious issues. Two of which makes the power transformer fail. Which is exactly what happened here.
I owe my customers and followers honesty and that's what I'll give them which is why I'll change the thumbnail and post a retraction ONLY with regard to the pricing. I really don't care at all if manufacturers or dealers still have a problem with that.
50-60% dissipation on a cathode biased amp? Really? Do you know what that means? Business cards used as insulators? Really?
Crossover distortion? Noise? Hiss? Hum? Tremolo pumping? Ground loops? Are you aware of these concepts? I showed them all in these videos. Did you watch them? Did you understand them?
If not, you have no right to comment on the validity of my observations.
If you feel it was not a fair review or that this model was not representative of a Lazy J amplifier, send me one for review. Put your money where your mouth is, otherwise, just don't bother commenting.
I objectively review equipment from a technical standpoint. That will never change.
@@premierguitarsI think you missed the whole objective, which is regardless of Jesse's "feelings", and that is the lack of care in building an amplifier that can't pass Australia's current electrical safety standards for one. Secondly, even at $4500 AUD, this is still a very inferior built, expensive mojotone kit with a different badge on the front. Trying to muscle any kind of apology out of Brad because of the truth makes you and Jesse look even more like a fool, regardless of what the price point is. maybe focus on importing better products in the future instead of this crap!
@@premierguitarsWhat part of the review did you find technically inaccurate? 'Negative' and 'negativity' are fairly nebulous descriptors, I could use more quantitative ones in your argument.
I'm actually amazed that someone who charges north of $5k USD for this heap of nightmare fuel actually found enough buyers to develop any reputation at all. You could have a Super Reverb AND a 5E3 for that, without all that pesky immolation...
"how it came from the factory", there is no factory. It's 1 guy making it in a spare room in his house....I've been there in person to pick mine up. It is the definition of boutique.
Appreciating the wit here in England , champion! But this is all very odd. These are hugely respected amps in the UK, built by a very trusted amp tech called Jesse Hoff who is one of the loveliest guys you could meet. He does almost zero marketing - most stuff sold by word of mouth and reputation with frequent orders from huge names like Gilmour, Pete Townshend et al. He will sort problems at the drop of a hat if you call him. That transformer looks odd to me. I wonder if someone else has been at that amp since it was first built or whether it’s been damaged somehow. My valves definitely aren’t bent (your honour) and it sounds glorious with 6L6s.
I’ve seen a couple of Lazy J amps that needed all the solder joints re-doing. One of which had been back twice to Jessy himself and he was unable to fix the problem. Dry joints everywhere!
Hi Brad, I used a Hammond deluxe reverb in my 5E3, got it from EVATCO and suits their 5E3 chassis and also the Mojotone chassis
…Friday arvo build QC check maybe …thoroughly enjoyed your super dry review ..reminded me of Rango at his very best 👍😎
I would gladly pay 8000aus for a 5e3 if it had a foam machine and blue strobing leds included! Great video Brad, looking forward for part 2 and for a peak inside those inclosures.
6V6 tubes use .45 amps of heater current each but 6L6's use .9 amps apiece. Add in 3) 12AX7's at 300 milliamps each, and the transformer has to produce 1.8 amps more than it would for a regular Deluxe amp.
I'm going to take this one back to 6V6, even with the new higher rated transformer.
I guess I should have read this before I said the same thing
@@billsutherland9193 great minds think alike? 🤔😉
To me, the fact it is allegedly a 20 watt amp and they have fitted a 15Watt RMS speaker to it is a massive red flag before you start - no disassembly or technical knowledge required to see that.
Love your channel. Can we get a series like this on the Bartel Roseland or Starland?
If you want to send me one!
They are breathtaking amplifiers.
Mark Bartel is one of the best luxury amp builders on the planet. If not THE best.
@@BradsGuitarGaragecouldn’t agree more and his current line is such an enigma to me design wise. Would love to hear some detailed insight like this into how he’s accomplished what he dude with the tone controls, interstage transformer, etc.
Dan from That Pedal Show loves his
Have you ever seen a negative review of anything on "that pedal show" or shows like it?.
Didn't think so, your own ears are the best defence against listening with your eyes!.
Beware of snake-oil salesmen.
The one thing which isn’t lazy is the pricing.
“Also, since modern mass production techniques are usually cost driven, one often finds that corners are cut in the quality of the parts that are used as well as the production process…’good enough’ is often sufficient. Conversely, when you build amps by hand, you can choose to do better than that. You can choose to make things better than they have to be…”
😉
For 8k with no chokes , no regulated bias , and too small a main transformer value then ? For 8k it should be a M1A tank with regulated heaters and over built power supply .
John Farnham is just a legend. This amp is just a POS kit amp with a great speaker. Really, WTF. Great video, Brad. Its like a Mesa.
So professional you kept your cool.
Does this pos carry any approvals markings? The transformer would have failed temp rise on 60335.
Thanks Brad, I really enjoy your repairs. The commentary just so funny. On the serious side how you go into detail. Only a Tech will understand what you mean. I've already given Shane from IntheBlues YT channel the nickname the Professor and his mate Rick the Doctor unreal guitar play. Brad your name would be "The Emperor" your words of truth, honesty and knowledge share amongst the mortals. Bloody funny with a swear word and good old Aussie stick that in your hat and smoke it approach. Love the line come on Fender you Dickheads putting in cheap filter caps on a Deluxe. I watch these videos' at 2 or 3 am because I suffer from Insomnia. Laugh my head off at that time of the morning because your so funny with the comments but my wife gets pissed off. Pay back she snores so we are even LOL.
When part 2???? Can't wait.
Literally editing it over a beer right now, mate!
It's not pretty.
@@BradsGuitarGarage So waiting for it shame can't hit like more than once💯
G'day Brad. Andrew here - medium time watcher, 1st time bloody legend.
I've only watched 4 minutes of your video so far, but I've already figured out the price-vs-fittings issue you've mentioned - that's the performance Porsche model. You can buy a base 911 Porsche for $120K, or you can buy upgraded models. To upgrade a 911, Porsche leave off parts, add more letters to the model name, then charge you more money for it all. Obviously, you're working on the GT3-RS of guitar amps.
And yes, I do get the John Farnham jokes, but I prefer the Thorpie & Angus jokes.
I'm enjoying your videos, so I'll get back to this one.
Keep up the good work
Andrew
Thanks for joining us, mate!
@@BradsGuitarGarage No wuckin' furries.
@hisproperty1438 Aussie confirmed!
$8k, for real?
This guy is fortunate you would even attempt fixing this mess. Most repair techs would probably pass on this job.
If you know what you are doing, (most techs) jobs like this are run of the mill work. The transformer can be re-wound no probs. I'd rather work on an 8k amp than a < 1k Chinese job. :)
@@terrydemol5354I'm most cases yes but there are exceptions. For example, I'd rather work on a JCA then a modern Mesa.
Removing that foam will take the pressure down, Sadie the cleaning lady can dust the control panel and before you know it you're the voice of rock n roll.....😂
Hasn't Martin Rotsey of Midnight Oil been using a pair of these amps?
Are you fucking kidding me?!?! 8K for a high school project??
I meant Deluxe reverb PT from Evatco
As someone who spent months building and customizing a 5E3 kit, this makes me sad. Why would you take such a classic circuit and then change every single thing about it? If you wanted 6L6es wouldn’t it make more sense to start with a Fender 6L6 design from the same era?
I do like the blue speaker - mine has that one too.
I would find out if this is the real deal before slating it too much, there are lots of fakes around, lazy j will happily verify it. They are hugely respected in the uk and have a massive waiting list to get one, if they were badly made they definitely wouldn’t have the rep they do over here.
This is the real deal. Exactly the same as the one I had on my bench, exactly the same as the shots on their website.
@@PsionicAudioyou dream killer 😂😂😂🎉😢
Please tell me there's a video of recommended amps :)) Like many I've looked at amps like this, but don't know what to make of the quality or build as that's not my field. Online research is virtually useless as most are only concerned with reliability and tone.
To be honest, there's not many on the market from the big names at the moment, mate! Some Voxes are great, Suhr, Friedman, some Orange, etc. It depends on a lot of factors, like what style music, what features, power level, budget, you name it.
@@BradsGuitarGarage Well that's just sad :D I sold a Roadster I'd only had about a year because I could foresee this sort of thing down the road as it's a 90s amp. I've been looking for an amp and honestly it just makes me want to go with a modeller or something. Was considering 5150 iii, but this sort of thing is everywhere as you say and without the background you just don't know what you're getting. Love the vids by the way.
@@BradsGuitarGarageI'll ship you one of mine, then clench my butthole for the review 😂
@@sunnibirdmy take: if you want a reliable amp with multiple channels and other bells and whistles it’s gonna cost you, simple as that. Friedman, Suhr, Diezel. The other option is to look for simple, serviceable amps and use pedals to get what you want. Fenders are also good because every tech knows them and their typical issues. You could even ask a tech to fix the usual issues before they make themselves known.
Love this content, Bradley. Top quality production too, big boi.
is this try not to laugh challenge?
Wow, just a brief check online, these things are a major pain in the ass to buy too. Not that I'm interested, I just used to work in music retail so my brain goes straight to 'I wonder who's responsible for stuff like this coming into the country?'. Turns out there's no wholesaler, no real retailers as such, just some random dudes from a shop in Sydney and another in Canberra who act as agents to take a deposit and put you in touch with the builder directly and they sort the rest out from there. Not sure where the $8K comes from, current pricing seems to suggest more like $5.5K AUD, but that's still outrageous. Prices are based on whatever the UK to Aussie exchange rate is on the day. Import duties, shipping and taxes are added on top. So... no firm prices? No warranty I presume? F*** that. Imagine spending all that money and this pile of turd turns up. And then catches on fire.
If I were to build a "Deluxe" with reverb and tremolo, I'd use a Pro chassis, cabinet and iron. Tweed baffles are ridiculously simple to swap around.
I know that some modern "5E3" transformers can NOT handle anything but the 5 tubes in the original design. You can get ones that will handle the extra current fairly easy.
Is there $8k worth of amp here? No.
There's maybe $1000 in parts and the speaker is $400 of it.
I'd quote $1200 for the basic 5E3 + $400 for the blue speaker. All that extra crap, maybe add another $1200-$1600 and it comes with transformers that will run 6L6s and extra 12A__7s. You are still all in for around $4000.
@@Satchmoeddie I would charge around $1800 - $2000 usd for a "Pro-Luxe" with reverb and tremolo.
It's basically a black panel Princeton without the TMB tone stack and a couple different values here and there.
And that's using all the "nice" parts. Jupiter caps, Mercury iron, Weber/Jupiter speaker etc.
I bought an artist tweed tone v 5w tube amp for $150 AUD. Sounds the same as this and no one can tell the difference and no one cares about my gear lol. Win!
Build quality is not in the order of the day. Profit is. I know I lose money when the job is done properly, but still I try to do it well. If that customer does not return because he does not need to, someone else will be come through him. The same applies to builders. They should aim for quality, so more people would see their products as a reference, not as replaceable with something cheaper and better.
Do we know? Definitely that this amp came with 6l6s. Some people believe that they are interchangeable with a six v6. If the owner changed it can't blame the amp company
It definitely did. It says so on the tube chart stuck on the inside of the cabinet and on the website.
It looks a bit home made. 🤣🤣👍👍
If this is boutique, I'll take off the rack, thank you!
Well said!!!
Omg that amps like the vintage Barracuda Kevin Hart almost killed himself in because it was "upgraded" with a modern supercharged 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine! Old is OLD!
There is a sucker born every minute
Musicians, particularly hobbyists, don't know much about this side of things. None of amp builders offer any insight as to what goes into there amps, and until you stumble across a channel like this.... well good luck. This sort of thing is rarely talked about in forums. It's all about "tone". The local music store doesn't allow for you to bring your amp tech in for a tear down.
I got the Farnam joke mate, my reflexes are fast and I caught it 😂 So someone obviously bought this hodge podge for $8K? maybe I should double my price lol
There is soooooo soooooo much more horror on the way in the following vids, mate.
This thing is not fit for purpose in like 50 different ways.
@@BradsGuitarGarageuseless fan, messy solderwork, what looks like a ground loop... I don't even know if I can see separated chassis ground from the video, but I wasn't trying to find it. but the 1590 enclosures for the addon circuits and not even proper faceplate when you spend so much money... that's just outright robbery
There's about 5 ground loops, mate!
The biggest issue is the use of 6L6GC's, but that can be easily resolved.
Once you know, anyway.
See the other commenters whose J-20's have literally caught fire!
Where can I buy a "f#ck you, You mean NOTHING to me" Brads Guitar Garage Tee Shirt?
Another prime example of a salesman getting into amp building, providing a substandard product with all the right buzz words to make the tone hounds salivate.
This is the difference between people like The Pedal Show guys loving it because it sounds ok, and a technician or engineer looking at it and seeing the realities of it's build quality and flaws. There is nothing here to justify the price tag and this will be used as more proof why buyers should avoid most boutique builders.
That is a lot of cabbage right there at current exchange rates.
Guitarist Magazine gave this amp the Gold Guitarist Choice medal when they came out!!
Funny how they call themselves the Guitarists Bible!!?!!
cheers
Eight thousand dollars 🤣😮 for a 20 watt amp, wow!
Search the brand name. There are fakes being made according to posts online...
Seems like this owner might have bought a copy or a fake... If you can copy a $5000 handbag you can sure as shlt copy an $8000 amp
Did it have a serial number or marks from the builder on it?
I can verify this piece of shit is 100% authentic Lazy J.
If this was fake, how can the fan for the mains transformer be explained/excused? Cuz someone doing a clone wouldn’t bother adding a fan unless it was part of the original design. And if it was part of the original design, that is a bad choice to begin with, trying to compensate for a bad spec/design choice instead of fixing it. Kinda circles back.
Plus their own website has links to reviews and at least one has a gutshot which looks identical.
@@lordgraga if you're building a fake with cheapest parts, it would make more sense to have whatever transformer, and to put a fan in, not knowing that it won't solve the issue...
@@sjgreaves ok, that might be more evidence to suggest it's legit... Always important to be skeptical...
Was there a serial number on this amp?
Why would anyone spend that much money on a questionable clone of a vintage amp?
👀👀👀
It's only overpriced if they don't sell any. We can see they must be shifting some.
There are Aussie builders who make tgese for a lot less.
Achilles and Johnson to name but two.
Here’s an idea. Use 6v6s.
That's the plan, mate!
A bf Princeton is fixed bias with a different preamp, so no, champ - not the same.
It's also got negative feedback, a different tone stack, different rectifier, several other differences. But I assumed even the most casual observer would understand I was talking about the feature set, mate.
G’day mate. Your channel just “popped up” into my recommended’s! Nice work! You may wanna check out Kendrick amplifiers, (if you haven’t already). Gerald Weber is the owner and builder! He’s the man when it comes to ‘59 Bassman amps.
I’ll check out more of your content
👍
Jeezus!
I dont get the concept of this amp. $8K and your reverb and trem pots are buried in the back of the amp??? How long is that $500+ speaker going to last? lol
8,000 AUD converts to 5150 USD.
HA! Ghost of EVH haunting the exchange rate!
More than any Marshall. More than any Laney. Or Orange. Or Fender. Or anything. Except the most expensive amp for its class. I'll get back to you...
8000 bucks!? I'm not willing to 80 buck for it! What a sh*t build!
You know you're in for a load of bullshit as soon as you see the pot in the hole for the ground switch. It's obviously a backyard job, even if they've got a brand and an exorbitant price tag! $8,000? GTFO!
I smell so astute.. amongst me-self. *scoffs at transistors & lawnmowers*
Seems like the person should have bought a blackface or silver face amp if reverb and tremolo were important to his tone.....
80 dollars US
What the... I'm just trying to figure out why anyone thought making an amp this way would be a good idea? Like you said, seriously just get a Princeton. Jeez. Can't believe they paid that much for an amp that is just gonna eat power transformers.
Unclear where the "$8,000" claim is coming from... that has to be some lame used "none in stock, so overpay for mine!" price. New, a few years back, they were under $2,000 and latest NEW I've seen is between $3,750 - $3,999. Granted this is over priced (but, you're paying for hand built, low-volume (# of units)), but it's a lot of cash for a modified tweed, regardless of the nuanced added build and tonal qualities. But, in today's world you could look at Dumble and say the same thing x100.
Lazy J does make some of the best tweed amps out there, but for the money I'll stick with my TK Imperial MkII that gets me a modern take on a Blackface and a Tweed (1 yr old used CME lacquered tweed ltd edition for $1,750 - can't beat that with a stick). However, IF I had the cash to burn in front of my wife and the patience to shop for one, I'd love to own the latest iteration of the J10. :-)
Is that even really power scaling? Just looks like a common VVR. You’d think $8k would get you an actual London Power Scaling kit in it. I mean I could see maybe $1500 (USD) for the amp.
I think it's simple why these have a great reputation.
The reputation is given by the "celebrity guitarists" whose amps have had special care and attention to make sure theirs is exceptional.
That's where all the time goes at "lazy j" because the rest look like cookie cutter kits churned out for maximum profit!.
Very sad indeed.
I cringed as soon as I realized they’d used 6L6’s - almost puked when I saw the 6L6 on the speaker.
wow. what a mess. and 8000 dollars? shameful. stay positive I guess. great videos Brad.
#138_comment. Nov.-12-2023. 😳I had to make this my 1st visit to this channel, watt hey wakeup⚠️. Ewe half my sympathy. I guess?
Quite the rats nest going on there. Random wire snaked outside the chassis, and others snaked in the back. I guess a person doesn't get much for 8 grand these days....
The clue was in the name haha they could have called it the lazy 8k
And you get what you pay for? Mick and Dan from That pedal show rave about theirs, horrifying if that's what you could expect.
Positive? I'm positive anyone with 8k to throw at this joke has gotten ripped off.
A Tweed Deluxe isn't really like any Princeton. The Tweed Princeton was single-ended -- it was really a Champ with a tone control. The Brownface Princeton added a second 6V6 and the tremolo circuit, but still only had one channel. The Tweed Deluxe had two channels, but a shared tone control. So the tone of the channel you were using was affected by the volume setting of the channel you weren't!
Brad knows that, and that wasn’t his point.
Tweed Deluxe didnt have tremolo or reverb either!!!!!
@PsionicAudio As he actually said "If you want all that stuff, go get a Princeton Reverb: it's essentially a Deluxe plus that shit", his point is not that obvious. "Essentially" may not be the mot juste 😅
4000 US dollars for this? Are they kidding?
Over $5000 right now and soon to be even with AU.
You deserve my subscription! Wish I could help, would a prayer be enough?✝️
Sloppy build. There is an old saying, would you like seven shiny pennies or an old tarnished quarter? For the amount spent on this amp, a person could purchase a couple of professionally restored vintage Fender Princeton tweed amps or a modern design amp or two from a reputable manufacturer.
Sorry, being positive: nice speaker.
And under-rated for the amp, but okay if it doesn't get pushed, I guess.
@@BradsGuitarGarage I confess I have a Lorantz greenback clone in my homebrewed 5E3 clone. Reckon I might even have the same chassis! Looks like crap, just like this one.
Lots of fake Js around. People fake desirable things.
Confirmed as genuine.
A friend of mine has one,its ten years old.Seems to be a much better build than this one.....maybe Brexit costs had played a factor into the final price tag.....
To be fair, out exchange rate is dogshit at the moment, so that's a factor in the local price anyway. But still, pretty over the top for what you get!
@@BradsGuitarGarage If I remember,when they first came out all the big guns like Jeff Beck,Pete Townsend,Clapton and Richard's had them....maybe the amps were better back then👍👍
A half baked idea with an execution that never made it to the oven imho..what a pile of garbage. It looks like they wired it up with stranded wire from Radio Shack. Lmfao..!
Is any $8000 guitar amp worth it? Hell no. I have a Kemper.
😂 $8k
Ridiculous.
8 grand for an amp???...did hear right? This screams ripoff
That is a pretty bad example of electronics assembly
what the customer doesnt see is the 2 hours squinting through hammond data sheets trying to find right transformer....absolute nightmare finding correct spec and size for that....