Amp Suggestions

Just get a Peavey bandit or something. If you have to get a tube amp then a blues jr makes sense as a reference platform since so many people own them.

Getting something ubiquitous makes sense if you're using it to demo pedals. A common denominator.
 
I have built a wee 5F1 clone in a 1790NS enclosure, transformers are from an old tube radio. This thing rocks and I use it at band practise. Cost about $ 70 US I reckon.
Easy enough to build, no tone stack though, not that I miss it much at all. I gave it a bright switch though.
 
BurntFingers said:
Just get a Peavey bandit or something. If you have to get a tube amp then a blues jr makes sense as a reference platform since so many people own them.

Getting something ubiquitous makes sense if you're using it to demo pedals. A common denominator.
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+2 I have a silver stripe Envoy 110 and a silver stripe bandit 112. The envoy is an awesome little home practice amp and my bandit is a dream that thing sounds so good. Its really a lot for in the house. This might upset tube amp purists (obviously I like tube amps... who doesnt?) but whatever the hell transtube is doing, it sounds really damn nice for SS. I can actually get pretty decent and sensitive edge of breakup sound with them.
 
Okay, so I went ahead and ordered a THR10ii this morning.

Not because it's the superior choice, but because Amazon can get it here by tomorrow and I really need it here as quick as possible. I have a pile of new boards to verify and that will go much quicker if I don't have to leave my bench.

The Spark looks awesome. I would get one of those just based on the cosmetics alone, but I can't risk having to wait 2 - 3 weeks for it to arrive.
 
Yeah I read some of the horror stories. It at least seems like that has improved somewhat recently.

I completely understand delays, I'm just a bit pressed for time on this one.

Lots of new projects to verify, and just as many new designs to prototype.
 
The THR10 arrived yesterday.... I can't say that I'm incredibly impressed.

The high gain sounds are surprisingly alright for such a little box, but the clean tone just isn't cutting it.

Anyone have a Princeton Reissue? If so, what are your thoughts? Does it take pedals well?
 
Robert said:
The THR10 arrived yesterday.... I can't say that I'm incredibly impressed.

The high gain sounds are surprisingly alright for such a little box, but the clean tone just isn't cutting it.

Anyone have a Princeton Reissue? If so, what are your thoughts? Does it take pedals well?
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That's always been my experience with digital amps. For high-gain & delay 'rock star' settings, they're pretty decent, but the clean is flat, dull and kinda 'off.'
 
Robert said:
Yeah I read some of the horror stories. It at least seems like that has improved somewhat recently.

I completely understand delays, I'm just a bit pressed for time on this one.

Lots of new projects to verify, and just as many new designs to prototype.
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Mine took like two weeks
 
Oddly enough today I fired it up and it sounds pretty dang good.

I wonder if the temperature/humidity change caused moisture on the speakers or something... It's pretty hot and humid here in south Georgia.
 
Robert said:
Oddly enough today I fired it up and it sounds pretty dang good.

I wonder if the temperature/humidity change caused moisture on the speakers or something... It's pretty hot and humid here in south Georgia.
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P;lay around with it a bit - I find the same - that you have to hit the sweet spot. Most of the presets suck. I have the THR10C (older unit no bluetooth)
I forget but there's also a speaker stereo spread or something that it has to sound "full". On some presets etc it's awesome others not so much.
 
Robert said:
Anyone have a Princeton Reissue? If so, what are your thoughts? Does it take pedals well?
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I've got one and it takes pedals so well, gearmandude on YouTube has been using one for his demos over the past 6 months as well if you want to hear a good player in a demo context

I also use the Boss Katana air at home, and with humbuckers the clean setting is really nice as a pedal platform, but it doesn't love single coils as much
 
untamedfrontier said:
I've got one and it takes pedals so well, gearmandude on YouTube has been using one for his demos over the past 6 months as well if you want to hear a good player in a demo context
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Ahh yeah, Gearmandude is one of the first videos I watched.

Is yours the 65 or 68 Custom?
 
I recently tried one of the Fender Tonemaster '65 Deluxe Reverbs - I tried the newer blonde one because it simulates a Deluxe with the bright cap snipped. I hate bright caps! It's still plenty bright but should work better with OD pedals. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded. Crazy light too, with a neo-magnet Creamback in there. Cranking it with or without the wattage reduction sounded as you would expect, ie as crap as an old Deluxe (unless you like that sound!). But the cleans were excellent and I suspect it would be great for testing pedals. No tubes to wear out either.

And it's cheaper than a tube Deluxe. Sounds way better than a Blues Junior IMHO. If I got a '65 RI Deluxe Reverb I would be inside it immediately changing stuff. I thought the Tonemaster blonde sounded better.
 
I considered a Deluxe Reverb but the physical dimensions won't work for where I need to put it...

It either needs to sit above my bench on a shelf (too heavy for that) or below the bench (too tall for that).

Otherwise I'd use the Twin, it's perfect, it just won't fit.
 
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