Over the past couple of days over on www.jazzguitar.be/forum/ we've been discussing valve amps, wattage and headroom. The common majority seem to feel that a twin is overkill in most gigging environments - only really useable at massive un-mic'ed gigs. A lot of people have been recommending getting something like a Deluxe Reverb and putting a efficient speaker in - the Eminence Cannabis Rex was mentioned as it has a very high sensitivity rating.
I was just interested to see what your opinions are when it comes to the effect of speakers and headroom?
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:00 pm
by timhulio
Yeah the Deluxe Reverb is better, but they're more expensive used because they're a more practical gigging amp.
Dunno about clean headroom. I gig a 12w Musicmaster Bass amp with a century vintage speaker and it sounds pretty clean to me.
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:45 pm
by Gabriel
Well with a quick search the DRRI's seem to be going for around £500 - which is more or less the same as all the twins that have been selling on ebay lately. The silverface ones are more expensive.
I've been looking for Ampeg's as well now, the Gemini i looks lovely, apparently after a speaker swap they can get very loud and very clean - a lot of the classic jazz recordings were done with them.
There's also a Wienbrock over on musicradar that looks lovely.
Does anyone have experience with the Eminence Cannabis Rex? Apparently that is one of the most efficient speakers on the market?
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:47 pm
by Gabriel
Got my eye on a couple of amps... Of course there are several twins but some other more interesting options.
Firstly, the most likely choice if I can get over the boring looks - Rivera R55, can be fitted with 6l6s which should make it perfect for me (comes stock with EL34 which I'm not a fan of).
The one I'm most intrigued by though is the Kustom 72 Coupe, someone recommended one over at hcfx and they look cool. Demos on youtube are mixed though, some sound great, some just awful. Does anyone have any experience with them?
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:11 pm
by Ankhanu
The Kustom does look kinda sex... but, I have no experience with them. My experience with Kustom bass amps has been mixed, though; but none have been bad, just not particularly noteworthy.
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:26 pm
by Gabriel
It sounds amazing in this demo:
[youtube][/youtube]
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:04 pm
by Gabriel
So I've finally bought an amp. Initially I had a deal going through on a Rivera R55, however by chance I stumbled upon a Chubster 55 on gumtree (same amp but with a deeper cabinet and a different speaker). This amp sounds great! With the mid notch switch pulled out on the american channel I can get a great twin sound, drive sound goes from plexi to jcm800 tones easily. Chuffed!
Cruddy mobile phone picture:
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 5:40 am
by singlepup
Wow, excellent. Rivera makes some great amps. I am a big fan of his designs for Fender as well.
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:45 am
by lorez
Nice score Gab
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:47 am
by rps-10
Looks chunky and bet it sounds as good as it looks.
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 2:28 pm
by Gabriel
Been doing a little more playing with this amp, its crazy versatile - more or less a four channel amp with all the boost options.
Also dug the old ampstand out, sounds better with the speaker pointed at my head.
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:21 pm
by AaronGuitarDude
how many watts? :O
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:30 pm
by Ankhanu
Looks awesome... but need sound clips!
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:49 pm
by Gabriel
AaronGuitarDude wrote:how many watts? :O
55 Watts, its rather loud. Trying it out in rehearsal later this week, am excited!
and bet it sounds as good as it looks.