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Post subject: non- collectors
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 4:14 am
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Just thought I'd voice an opinion. Many of us only have one vintage amp(I'm lucky enough to have three) and the advantage is that we can lavish attention on this amp. Even if it takes months or years, we can save-up for really nice tubes and components. Being an amp tech-player, I've spent years getting my guys in a reasonably sweet spot. All I'm saying, is that we don't have to have deep pockets to get our amps in the real sonic heaven. Patience and the long view, can make it all come together! Don't mean to bore or cause Shimmy a problem! JMHO Art

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:04 pm
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Art, I've noticed there are two main types of guitar/amp nuts. Those that hunt for tone through various amps. And those that hunt for tone through various guitars and EFX boxes.

A lot of guys I know have a LOT of guitars (with various setups) and stomp boxes. But, maybe only three amps they gig with--- max. And then there are those that have maybe 4-6 guitars, a basic stomp box panel or two--- and 15 amps.

I'm afraid you prolly know which catagory I fall into. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:36 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Art, I've noticed there are two main types of guitar/amp nuts. Those that hunt for tone through various amps. And those that hunt for tone through various guitars and EFX boxes.

A lot of guys I know have a LOT of guitars (with various setups) and stomp boxes. But, maybe only three amps they gig with--- max. And then there are those that have maybe 4-6 guitars, a basic stomp box panel or two--- and 15 amps.

I'm afraid you prolly know which catagory I fall into. :mrgreen:


Steve...good points all, but I guess when I was gigging pretty steady, I was the exception, one good amp, and one guitar. In the 70's. it was 2x12 Marshall combo and a 62 Strat, then a Les Paul, in the mid 80's it was a Concert (II) and a 57 Reissue Strat and a MIJ Esquire.

The collecting just kind of happened over the last 15 years or so...I woke up and had added 5or 6 more amps and cabs...but if I was to gig tomorrow...would take my trusty 65 SR and my MIM 60s Series Strat!

FWIW

T2

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:27 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
but if I was to gig tomorrow...would take my trusty 65 SR and my MIM 60s Series Strat!


And no rig would ever sound tastier!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:58 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
but if I was to gig tomorrow...would take my trusty 65 SR and my MIM 60s Series Strat!


And no rig would ever sound tastier!

8)

Arjay



You sure about that? Would have thought you would go with the Spankmaster Deluxe Reverb for solo duty?

T2

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:12 pm
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There's no debate when it comes to a classic piece of Fender issue like a '65 Super Reverb -- just varying degrees of "ooh" and "aah".

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:47 am
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aclempoppi,

I find your views very interesting. I'm in the same situation as you, a technician and a guitarist.
This gives us the chance to repair our amps is cheap and also to buy defective without having to pay for repair.
Which is unfortunately not the case for many people.
I was lucky to find some amplifiers discarded and I repaired.

I now have a dozen vintage. It gives me a wide variety of sound.


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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:07 am
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stratele52 wrote:
I find your views very interesting. I'm in the same situation as you, a technician and a guitarist.
This gives us the chance to repair our amps is cheap and also to buy defective without having to pay for repair.
Which is unfortunately not the case for many people.
I was lucky to find some amplifiers discarded and I repaired.


+1

I too am fond of *adopting* abused/neglected vintage Fender amps then restoring them back to serviceability and cosmetic perfection using my modest electronic and cabinetry skills. It's quite satisfying to return a basket case to catalog-photo condition and showroom performance.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:33 am
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I don't gig - I just not interested in it. I play for my own enjoyment and relaxation. I've been playing since I was 10 and played publicly a few times when I was in school. Miss Miles' sixth grade Spring music concert was never the same after my buddy and I convinced her to let us accompany a couple of songs. :lol: I've been in my share of garage bands. :lol:

My path to vintage amps was quite by chance.

I had a Hot Rod Deluxe that went from zero to ear splitting. The family was none to happy when I played. I was looking for something small to take its place and ended up trading the HRD for a BF Champ.

I've owned a Vox Valvetronix and a Vibro Champ XD. BTW - I sold the Vox to get the Princeton no-verb and my VC XD to get a '73 Vibro Champ ($250). I'm a bit of a horse trader. :oops:

I am buying vintage amps because I can get a great amp at or near the same price as a modern amp. And the vintage amps have the tones I like.

For example..... that gnarled pine box I got early this week. I paid $125 for it. Compared to a modern Champion 600 for $149.... which would you prefer. And that GA-5 is a player - not a collectable :lol:

I got my SF Princeton Reverb for $250 less than the modern reissue. And my '69 Princeton no-verb for $325. The comparable modern amp would probably be a Pro Jr. or Blues Jr. (I'm thinking speaker size and wattage).

So I encourage people to walk pass the modern amps with all the COSM effects and modeling and spend the same or less money on a vintage amp. Sure... if you want a '59 Bassman or '57 Deluxe or a cherry brownface or blackface Pro or Deluxe Reverb, get ready to spend some cash. But I like those small amps and they really don't break the bank.


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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:36 pm
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" And that GA-5 is a player - not a collectable "

That thing is a tone monster. That's all that matter. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:16 pm
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Totally concurr, about the GA-5!!! Also only had one main amp when playing in bands. Whether it was a Musicman, Twin Reverb, Band Master, or the Clubman-35. Just two axes, one for standard tuning and one for slide, in the bands. Never could get into pedals, but I know for a wide variety of musical styles, some folks can really make them work in the mix. Whatever it takes, is all cool!!! Art

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:41 pm
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For years when my sons were small,I was a one amp one guitar man,throughout much of the '70s early '80s it was a Les Paul and a 2x12 Marshall combo.
It's only been in the last 15 years that I've been buying the vintage Fenders....but when it comes to gigging I still have my one favorite guitar and amp,I always take backups,but with the #1 amp and guitar,I tweak the tone fairly often changing at first more important parts like pickups and then pots,and after the amp is really road worthy,I'll play around to get the close to perfect speaker(s)....then I think about what else I can change. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:23 pm
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I hear ya, Reb! I'm thinkin' about poppin' open the Strat and swappin' out the the Poly tone cap for a vitamin Q pio. What kind of pots are your choice for amps? I tried some PEC pots in the Bassman and they seem to be very good(pretty tight fit though). BTW It's good to hear from my Canadian bro! Art

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:15 pm
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xxx duplicate

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Post subject: Re: non- collectors
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:13 pm
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aclempoppi wrote:
I'm thinkin' about poppin' open the Strat and swappin' out the the Poly tone cap for a vitamin Q pio.


Earlier this year I finally wore out the pots and switch in my '98 '50s Classic Strat so I replaced everything under the hood with new components. Cedarblues had sent me a Mojotone .022ufd cap so I installed it as well and all I can say is "wow"! It really made a difference when rolling the tone control back -- the mids are *morbidly obese* and the transition to full-bass "woman tones" using the neck pickup is really remarkable. You might give one of those caps a try (Cedarblues also sent me a .033ufd but I haven't had the opportunity to test it out yet).

Arjay

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