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Post by LVF on Mar 2, 2022 14:24:17 GMT -5
...Maybe you have more to spend? What is it and why? I'm in a place right now where I can think of such a thing. I'm not looking for a anything in the 'head banging' range. I like playing clean with the occasional dirt mixed in but, never anything earth shattering. I have some amps that most would think fit the bill of what I'm looking for. My current set up would qualify in this regard. Both of these amps do exactly what I'm looking for in an amp plus, they take pedals really well and that is without question. However, that's mainstream goodness and I'm wondering about the not so attainable brands of amps. I believe everyone that plays should have a really high end amp at some point. I have a few in mind but, the one that sticks out in my mind is a Magnatone but, I don't want it to be the only one I'm thinking about. So, back to the question, what is yours?
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Post by Leftee on Mar 2, 2022 14:36:10 GMT -5
I agree with Magnatone. Also, the old Ampegs are things of beauty. So sweet and lush.
For something different (even within the Marshall world) a Marshall 1974x would be a nice yet different choice. Those 18 watters are amazing. Great singing overdrive.
How about a Vox AC30?
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leftrightout
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Sometimes I pretend to be normal and then it becomes boring..............
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Post by leftrightout on Mar 2, 2022 14:55:15 GMT -5
+1 on the Marshall 1974X - though a VOX AC30 hmmm would consider that as well,
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Post by Leftee on Mar 2, 2022 15:03:58 GMT -5
+1 on the Marshall 1974X - though a VOX AC30 hmmm would consider that as well, I lean towards these two as well. I don’t have an AC30… yet. I do have a VHT Standard 18 which does the 1974 thing very well.
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Post by LVF on Mar 2, 2022 15:45:14 GMT -5
This is the Magnatone I was thinking of. I like the specs and the weight of it @ just over 36 lbs. I like that it has 2 tens in it and the effects are intriguing. I like the video they have of this as well. I also looked at a combination of the AC30's as well along with the Marshall Bluesbreaker. I suppose my preference for this cost range of amps are the features of effects as well which is why I've stayed away from looking at amps that offer none. That Magnatone is very appealing to me but, I must resist the urge at this point in time. It has the combination of specs I'm looking for so it's sort of the benchmark in my research. Edit: Heh, I didn't realize I put just the pic up for the Magnatone. This is the one I was referring to and where.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 2, 2022 16:01:48 GMT -5
The BB isn’t far down the evolutionary line from the Bassman. It was the Marshalls after the BB that really started to come into the Marshall voice.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 2, 2022 16:08:50 GMT -5
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Post by LVF on Mar 2, 2022 16:24:39 GMT -5
That's the one. Ain't it sweet? It's the amp that all others in current quest will be judged by.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 2, 2022 17:10:08 GMT -5
It is tremendously sweet!
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Ayns
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Post by Ayns on Mar 2, 2022 18:37:10 GMT -5
The singer/ guitarist in my previous band used to have a Bassman and it sounded fantastic.
I’ve never spent anything close to £2k on an amp, but I’m now in a position where, if a once in a lifetime amp came up,I might consider it.
I’m currently considering a Redplate, various Suhrs, and of course the ubiquitous Two Rock.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Mar 2, 2022 18:38:36 GMT -5
But I’m more than happy with my Quilter Superblock US, and Blues Cube as backup. :-)
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Post by Taildragger on Mar 2, 2022 18:52:32 GMT -5
•Versatone Panoflex
•Mesa Subway D800+ head and two, matching Mesa Subway 2X10 cabs (for bass)
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Post by Leftee on Mar 2, 2022 18:58:21 GMT -5
What I lack in price I make up for in numbers. 🤓
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Post by larryguitar54 on Mar 2, 2022 18:58:52 GMT -5
That budget offers a lot of options. I did the same analysis some time ago and decided I wanted at least one authentic hand wired vintage amp in my collection. I went with a 1966 Fender Pro Reverb in mint condition for about $2400 and have not regretted it. It looks like it just came out of the factory last week. It had a cap switch and the wiring modded to modern ground requirements. Later I did spring for some expensive NOS tubes. It is very similar to a Twin but you can go to 3 to 4 comfortably. Here it is.
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Post by LVF on Mar 2, 2022 21:16:31 GMT -5
That is a wonderful amp right their. My premise for the search is a authentic hand wired amp as a must have. I do have one in the Silvertone Twin 12 I have but, I'm looking for a new one like the Magnatone. I was going to say a more modern amp but, the Magnatone is kind of retro, no? Other than the fact that it is a unique stereo set up with it being like two amps in one. So far, I haven't run across an amp that I can compare to that Magnatone. I don't want to take a lot of time looking either. For what it's worth, I should be through with the quest for new and different equipment but, I don't want to be! I like looking 'round the next bend for new and different stuff.
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Post by LVF on Mar 4, 2022 12:50:50 GMT -5
One of my preferences to getting an amp in the price range I selected for this post was it should be hand wired. I'm also going to suggest that I would not be looking for something used. Already went that route with the Silvertone I have and although it doesn't look it, it's showing it's age so, I wouldn't want to go down that road. No. This has to be a brand new amp. Now, as far as hand wired, I am disappointed in the amount available in the price range I selected. I am surprised that most amps in this price range are not hand wired. That includes the Magnatone I've been eying. Maybe I'm expecting 'hands on' quality than is being shown.
After all, If these amps are using a PCB for the electrics, it says to me that the 'wiring' is being done by a machine. That's production line stuff and I've already got plenty of amps in that category. Going beyond that and analyzing, somewhat, the build of these expensive amps as a whole, where is the expense in building them? I know they use people in the production of these amps. But, where is the extra cost? do they add one or two more people to the production? I don't see a real difference in the materials or parts they are using to justify the extra cost for these amps. I was doing more research into my quest this morning and focused on Morgan amps. Most of them are in the 2 to 3 grand range and all of them use one 12 inch speaker. Most of them are equipped with Celestion Cream backs. My TRRI came with Cream Backs. Didn't cost anything close to the Morgan's I was looking at and mine has two Cream Backs. Apparently most Morgan's are not hand wired either except for one, their cheapest one for under 1800 bucks!!! Curious.
Bottom line, There's no real difference in a 1600 dollar amp and any amp in the price range I put up. There is nothing special or any that are a stand out that would seem to justify the expense unless having their name on their amps adds a couple of grand to the price. The Magnatone still does have a uniqueness to it and does stand out, to me anyway, above all the ones I've been looking at. Their use of effects and the arrangement are unique as well as the fact that they use their own speakers. If the model I'm looking at was hand wired, that would really make it stand out among any I've looked at to this point. It's on the top of the list even though it is not hand wired and so far there is no number 2.
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Post by rdr on Mar 4, 2022 13:11:48 GMT -5
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Post by LVF on Mar 4, 2022 15:44:54 GMT -5
Here is another kind of twist to an amp being hand wired. It would seem the construction of the circuitry is all done by hand with the use of PCB. Hand wired and hand soldered construction. You have to dive a little deeper into this to get the answer. So, just because it is not advertised as hand wired doesn't mean it's not. At least, in the traditional sense. Still hand wired but, with the use of a PCB. Hand constructed. You have to go beyond the ads in the internet stores to find this info. Thanks for the links to those two sites, rdr. I looked at all the amps that were offered on their respective sites. They had some very interesting offerings. Prices are very reasonable as well. I was looking at the Allen site and the 'Encore' amp of which they offer it with 2 10 inch speakers. I was a bit confused with the pics they had that showed one with a 10/12 inch combo but, no info for it in the above and no pic for the Encore with the 2 10's. I'm still leaning toward the Magnatone , especially after finding out more on how it is constructed. At any rate, I shall carry on.
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Post by reverendrob on Mar 4, 2022 17:14:28 GMT -5
I do NOT like the external speaker jack options on that Magnatone for location.
WAAAY too easy to plug the wrong thing thing in there reaching around the back.
Reminds me of my DOD 1970s "Phasor" with a 1/4" power input - that thing terrified me for years when hooking up for gigs, that I'd plug that mistakenly into the amp or the Space Echo.
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Post by LVF on Mar 4, 2022 17:34:13 GMT -5
Hmmm, I really didn't look at that part but, now that you mention it, it has two speaker outs. A left and a right. I have two speaker cabinets, both with two twelves in them plus, a Fender 412s cab. This could become very interesting. Guess I should consider the diversity as well.
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Post by reverendrob on Mar 5, 2022 8:46:26 GMT -5
Oh, I love the dual jacks, just not on the same plane as the input and controls!
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Post by rdr on Mar 5, 2022 9:33:08 GMT -5
Oops, Allen amps have suspended orders as Dave prepares to retire and sell the business.
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sirWheat
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For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
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Post by sirWheat on Mar 5, 2022 9:41:39 GMT -5
You might check out RedPlate amps too. I don't think they offer a stereo rig like the one you're looking at but they're hand-wired here in the U.S. The one I have is fantastic.
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Post by LVF on Mar 5, 2022 12:05:29 GMT -5
I'm checking out RedPlate as I write this. They are very proud of their hand wired connection. Very nice looking amps. I don't think I've run across an amp using voicing switches to adjust to the pick ups types of the guitar your using. Interesting. That's the Blues Machine amp. The one thing that seems to be a constant with me is the stereo effect. It's like a bug with me. I change my set up all the time and the thing that is always constant with me is I always have two amps going so that I can go stereo as an option. However, it was not a consideration when I started this thread although I pretty much started off with a stereo Magnatone. Now, it seems, that may have been a big part of the consideration all along. I really just wanted to find my hand wired, spendy amp that all should have as a must. Having it be stereo isn't even a bonus with me. It's more of a basic or standard requirement that I didn't know was a requirement. It just seems that it has been the one constant in this whole conversation with me. After all, I've been surrounding my playing area with this potential set up for some time even going to the extent of buying a second Blues Jr to feed my stereo need...feed your stereo need! Sounds like a good logo for an ad! So, if I'm going to be spending that kind of money for an amp, maybe I should consider the added feature of stereo to the mix. Ok, enough of me blabbing. I'll look into that of which is a stereo amp option and see what falls out of the sky.
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Post by LVF on Mar 5, 2022 12:31:41 GMT -5
Wow, check this out. In 1959, stereo was a relatively new thing and Gibson was on the case early it seems. I don't know how old this link is. Gary has a AOL address. Is AOL still a thing? It's the first thing I saw when I started this new 'stereo amp' search. I must confess that I have a couple of stereo amps already. A Roland Jazz Chorus 40 and a Roland Mobile brick thing. I think my Cybertwin is stereo optioned as well. But, none of them are hand wired. That Gibby is though.
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sirWheat
Wholenote
For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
Posts: 319
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Post by sirWheat on Mar 6, 2022 6:42:09 GMT -5
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Post by LVF on Mar 6, 2022 11:05:29 GMT -5
Under normal circumstances I would ask, "which one, there are 7 jacks. But, I aim going to go out on a limb and guess you are talking about the one in the middle, above the chevron which would be for footenswithin (new word). I could swear there was a post that prompted me to create the answer I did. "What's the 1/4" Phono jack for coming out the back of the Magnatone. That was the question...or, there abouts.With that, I think I've done enough research into my quest and come to the conclusion that, for me anyway, the one spendy amp in the 2k to 4k price range that I would have is the Magnatone Panoramic Stereo. And...to that end, I dive off the cliff and order said amp from Sweetwater. It ends up in the middle of the price range suggested in this thread. How appropriate.
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Post by rickyguitar on Mar 6, 2022 20:00:32 GMT -5
I have listed after several Dr Z amps.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Mar 6, 2022 22:57:15 GMT -5
If you like the Magnatone pitch-shifting harmonic vibrato and the portability of the original Maggie Troubadour 214 (~18w 1x12 combo) but want top-shelf components and flawless true point-to-point circuitry in a brand new amp, it gets no better than the John Kasha Columbia: www.kashaamplifiers.com/product-page/columbia-comboThe Columbia is the Kasha-branded version of his original limited-edition Evil Robot amps he built for Fretted Americana several years ago. I have one of those and it is a BEAST of an amp. You can swap out the pair of 6V6s for EL34s or 6L6s, or leave one tube out, running just one power tube. John told me the amp is impossible to break by doing this stuff, and he was right...I tried it and it worked fine. That would kill most other amps. I also have the 30-watt version (quad 6V6) of this amp. I have a 1961 Ampeg Reverberocket (the 2x 6V6 version with octal preamp tubes) and it's another beast of an amp. It sounds huge and the reverb is deep and lush. It's cleaner than the Columbia when cranked way up. The amps in the rear are the Evil Robot 18 and 30.
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Post by funkykikuchiyo on Mar 7, 2022 10:19:54 GMT -5
I had a Reverberocket like that years ago, mine was a '62. Unloaded it because I was moving and because the only octal tubes I could find were expensive and sold "as-is". That is the amp that made me fall in love with bias tremolo.
My dream amp.... maybe buy the best components and build something? I'm not an expert, but I could handle a paint-by-numbers kit pretty easily.
I had a SRRI for years and loved it. I got sick of schlepping it for cross country moves and it was usually overpowered for anything I did (though I never was bothered by keeping the volume low). I sold it and bought a DRRI. I talked myself into thinking I'd like it just as much, but I don't. Maybe some variation of a Vibrolux? 12s ALWAYS seem better on paper, but 10s, especially when you have many of them, just do something incredible. It is like the fullness of a modulation effect when you're completely clean.
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