I always enjoy admiring that amp Chet! Thanks!

Thank You.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I liked the article, but I do not believe in power attenuators or low wattage tube amps for practice. My 100 watt all tube half stack sounds great at low volumes. The key is simply having a good tube preamp. To me a real low wattage amp will not sound better cranked for practice levels than an good tube preamp through a high powered power amp turned low. I have been able to get some great creamy distortions by playing with the eq (roll the highs down a bit and add some mid range) in conjunction with adjusting the gain 1 and gain 2 levels in my tube preamps (Digitech 2101 and ADA mp-2). I use the mid to high gain channels and only have the gain levels at 50% or less. A small 5 watt tube amps power tube is so small that it tends to sound closer to a 12ax7 in saturation than a 6l6 to me anyway. Plus, part of the majic when cranked is the speaker itself, which is why power attenuators don't really work for me either.

I was playing the other week on a old gibson tube amp from the 50's or 60's. It had a tone knob and volume, and we cranked it to 10. I enjoyed it, but overall my tube preamp (2101) into my 1982 peavey SS backstange amp 1x10 sounded better to me. Not all things about a cranked tube amp are desirable, and not all of them go into saturation as graceful as others. For instance, the old Gibby amp cranked would still suck for metal. It really did not handle the low notes with much articulation.

I realize that not all guitarist want a complex preamp and power amp combination. But sometimes the simplicity we want can hinder us as well. I think its wort the time and effort to learn a how a good dedicated tube preamp can help us achieve our tone. Taking the time to learn what gain 1 vs gain 2 does to our sound and playing with eq's can really make the difference. For years I just cranked the gain and scooped the mids and was happy, but it takes a little more effort to nail a good bluesy distortion, but it can be achieved. I also have got great clean tones as well.

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

+1

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Can you imagine having to suffer looking at that amp day after day after day?

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Chet, do you play it every day? Also what are your thoughts on raising the amp off the floor on a stand or a 45 degree lean back for a Blues Jr.

Not every day, but every time I play.

It was originally supposed to have the baffle tilted back, unfortunately it didn't get done that way. Currently I don't have the space in the room I have it to put in a stand (although I do have one).
I did have it on a stand at one time and it sounded pretty good. I really don't like my amps pointing at my feet, much better tilted back pointing at my head.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Yeah, I think it sounds better raised and leaned back. I have stands for my amps too but usually wind up just plugging it in where it sits on the floor of my music room. Crowded in there. I'd be scared of scratching yours! although my stands are padded!

LOL, If it gets scratched I just steel wool (sand paper if it's a deeper scratch) it and oil it.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Thats me I just move them around and they end up flat on the floor most of the time. I have several snap together floor trax pieces that I set them on sometime they are like a soft rubber and work a a insulator from the floor.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson