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which is the most important part of the amp?
Preamp tubes 17%  17%  [ 6 ]
Output transformer 6%  6%  [ 2 ]
Filter choke 6%  6%  [ 2 ]
Power transformer 8%  8%  [ 3 ]
Power tubes 17%  17%  [ 6 ]
Rectifier 8%  8%  [ 3 ]
Phase Inverter 6%  6%  [ 2 ]
Circuit Board/components 8%  8%  [ 3 ]
Jacks 3%  3%  [ 1 ]
Something Else 22%  22%  [ 8 ]
Total votes : 36
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Post subject: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:38 pm
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The "soul" of the amp so to speak?

For the purposes of this poll, I'm leaving out speakers, because that could be seen as having different component parts as well, and some amps have separate cabinets, so no speakers on this poll.


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:18 pm
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Man...I was going to say speaker,'cause that's what you hear,but now I can't.


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:04 pm
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"But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness."

In other words, all of the parts are equally important, from the OT to the lowliest resistor. Probably the parts that have the most effect on tone would be the preamp and/or output tubes. I can't pick only one, so I won't. Many people would say that the OT is the "soul" of the amp, whatever that means (I think that it's a catch phrase for a tranny company). Maybe there will be amps in Heaven? :)

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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:51 pm
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This poll is a non sequitur.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:10 am
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I would say everything there is important, one thing could not work without the other


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:58 am
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The parts of an amp are like a platoon, They must all work in unison. If one part breaks down, the machine breaks down. An if the machine breaks down, they all break down. And I refuse to let that happen.

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A pic of a pic morning mine sweeps on the DMZ.


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:52 am
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I guess if I had to choose a component that really gives an amp its "classic" tone signature---I'd go with the iron (both power and output trannies). Prolly why Marshalls (at least early ones) have that "on-the-brink-of-blowing-up" tone versus similar era Fenders. Very early Marshalls even used 5881 (like the Bassman, which circuit Jim "copied" so-to-speak) or expensive, tough KT-66, in his early amps. But they still have this tone that just sounds so saturated compared to a tweed or BF Bassman.

You look at the iron and you can see why. The RadioGrade Hygrade trannies are like 1/2 the weight of the units that Fender used. Most of the rest of the circuitry is not that much different between these early Marshalls and Fenders. Oh, except for that great Mullard EL34... best left for another thread. :mrgreen:

Then you look at, say a Hiwatt. With their Partridge anchors and you know this amp is going to "crush" anything around it. Same EL34 power tubes. But, what a totally different tone than a Marshall.

Anyhow, Tone Lizard is kinda cool site discussing myths & facts of amps, through the ages. :)


http://www.tone-lizard.com/Marshall_Myths.htm


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:14 am
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Nah. You're all wrong. The most important part of an amp is the power cord! Without it, nothing will work. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:34 am
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Ah... BlueSky! My incredible dissertation reduced to where it belongs, in one sentence. :(

Now you've done it! I'm going to heat up the soldering iron and burn some holes through some perfectly FINE wire. Boy, you'll be sorry. :twisted:

Hey, have a cool day. Gonna Google some Holy Grail power cords, after a couple of Old English 800's.


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:55 pm
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Standby switch :mrgreen:

You gotta warm them tubes up and let 'em cool down...


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:23 pm
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I cant believe the convenient outlet isnt on the poll. :twisted: What do they think gives those vintage amps their mojo? And you can use it to power your hot plate too. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:27 pm
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TTSC...are you one of those grunts?


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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:20 pm
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cedarblues wrote:
Standby switch :mrgreen:

You gotta warm them tubes up and let 'em cool down...


Not all tube amps have standby switches. :D

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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:23 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Ah... BlueSky! My incredible dissertation reduced to where it belongs, in one sentence. :(

Now you've done it! I'm going to heat up the soldering iron and burn some holes through some perfectly FINE wire. Boy, you'll be sorry. :twisted:

Hey, have a cool day. Gonna Google some Holy Grail power cords, after a couple of Old English 800's.


If you're a DIY kind of guy:

http://www.venhaus1.com/diymains.html :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Most important part of amp?
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:31 pm
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budglo wrote:
I cant believe the convenient outlet isnt on the poll. :twisted: What do they think gives those vintage amps their mojo? And you can use it to power your hot plate too. :lol:


And a curling iron!

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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