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Post subject: tube/digital amps
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:15 pm
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djl2s0RVo5M

how do you guys like digital effects?

does anyone have the Bandmaster VM?

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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:52 pm
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Shortly after the Bandmaster VM came out, I was considering getting one. I heard/watched several professional demos of all the facets of the amp. One by Greg Koch was phenomenal, the second lacked the fantastic tone (could have been the mics and recording process).

It's one thing to play or listen to an amp in a very controlled environment and be highly critical of its tone and various sounds. It's quite another to play in a group where there are other fairly loud instruments and drums.

I like the convenience of all the features on the Bandmaster and the tone and effects are IMO more than acceptable, if not perfect. I may still get one down the road.

Now all the tone fanatics can refute my comments and tell you how ridiculous you are for even asking such a question and tell you the proper amp to buy! :oops: But, I see it as a decent choice.

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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:02 pm
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After owning a 74 SF Bandmaster the the Vintage Molested series really pales in comparison. You can get the real deal for the same money and have a well built and great sounding amp without all the digital junk in there. I tried a VM hoping to recapture my younger days and was seriously disappointed in both the tone and build quality. It really doesn't even deserve to wear the Bandmaster name IMHO.


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 6:51 pm
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I agree with Supro, you can buy a vintage model for similar money. Not to say you shouldn't buy a VM if you like it but Greg Koch could make a $50 Wal Mart amp sound good.


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 7:09 pm
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Quote:
I agree with Supro, you can buy a vintage model for similar money. Not to say you shouldn't buy a VM if you like it but Greg Koch could make a $50 Wal Mart amp sound good.


I'd choose a new amp over what possibly may be a better 25-35 yr. old amp if I planned on gigging with it regularly.

I can't buy the idea that Greg Koch can make the tone/sound of an inferior amp sound better that a good player can (I'm excluding beginners). We're not talking playing techniques and skills, but sound and tone. That's a really weak argument IMO.

But, in the end it's all opinion and that is what was asked for. :)

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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 7:29 pm
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RVM lead wrote:
Quote:
I agree with Supro, you can buy a vintage model for similar money. Not to say you shouldn't buy a VM if you like it but Greg Koch could make a $50 Wal Mart amp sound good.


I'd choose a new amp over what possibly may be a better 25-35 yr. old amp if I planned on gigging with it regularly.

I can't buy the idea that Greg Koch can make the tone/sound of an inferior amp sound better that a good player can (I'm excluding beginners). We're not talking playing techniques and skills, but sound and tone. That's a really weak argument IMO.

But, in the end it's all opinion and that is what was asked for. :)
Alot of people gig with older vintage amps.Neil young has some of the oldest amps I have seen on the road.It would depend on the new amp, but remember a 35 year old amp is point to point wiring which is gonna hold up better than say a hot rod deluxe.I guess if you look at what amps the large bands gig with , what you will probably find are alot of vintage stuff being dragged all over the world,now thats rugged.


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:02 pm
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Alot of people gig with older vintage amps.Neil young has some of the oldest amps I have seen on the road.It would depend on the new amp, but remember a 35 year old amp is point to point wiring which is gonna hold up better than say a hot rod deluxe.I guess if you look at what amps the large bands gig with , what you will probably find are alot of vintage stuff being dragged all over the world,now thats rugged.


Many of the well known artists I read about in the various guitar magazines have access to free equipment through endorsements. Some specify what must be placed on stage for them rather than take their own. Others are major 'tinkerers' like many of us and have highly modified equipment. Neil Young is a very idiocyncratic individual who has some special invention which, in essence, has motorized the control knobs for his amp. I'd be surprised if the base amp wasn't also either highly modified or overhauled.

For those who may use vintage amps, do you think they have not had major overhauls (i.e. new capacitors, transformers, perhaps wiring and other components that deteriorate with time and heat), or modifications?

If I believed that there was a significant improvement in tone to be had by a vintage amp (and that such tone would be noticed by the majority of listeners in the enviornment it is used) and I wanted to use it routinely (frequently) for gigging, I'd have to allow for some significant overhauling and if I'm not electronically experienced, that spells $$$ on top of the purchase price. This point means very little to the big stars, but for the average guy on Fender's Forum it's valid. A five year warranty is important for the average guy.

Wonder what the reports are for failure rates on the new Bandmaster VM? That would be worth knowing.

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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:36 am
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It's not really even the old vs new debate. I just think the VM series are geared toward a younger crowd who are into digital effects and have no real experience with older vintage amps or even the reissues. Just look at some of the folks playing on youtube and you'll see what I mean. Hi gain no mids, the amp buzzing like a can of bees and why do so many people who play on youtube cut their heads off in the videos?

Neil Young's "Whizzer" controller is pretty cool. It's seriously old school too.

Not all professional musicians perform with equipment from endorsement deals. Those amps may be what you "see"onstage, but in many situations the musician will have a mic'd amp of a different manufacturer in the wings out of site. Professional will not sacrifice tone or reliability for the sake of endorsements.


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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:25 am
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Quote:
It's not really even the old vs new debate. I just think the VM series are geared toward a younger crowd who are into digital effects and have no real experience with older vintage amps or even the reissues. Just look at some of the folks playing on youtube and you'll see what I mean. Hi gain no mids, the amp buzzing like a can of bees and why do so many people who play on youtube cut their heads off in the videos?


Good point. That is the bigger issue!

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