Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

thanks y'all, many excellent, thoughtful and helpful recommendations.
tested the Vibrolux, knew from the first chord that it is an excellent amp but not in the same league as my Twin. can't say you didn't warn me but still a disappointment. sorta funny thing, Chuck the music store guy said he has seen several people with twins looking for the same thing. Said their tech has splitbthe amp and speakers for a quite a few. Leaves the speakers in the cabinet and builds a head for the amp. works out to be something like a little over 30 pounds for head and something like 40 pounds on for the cabinet. thinking about going this rout and joining a gym lol.
any opinions on this?
thanks again for all the information.

I agree with this idea. You split the amp into two manageable pieces. You just make two trips between the stage to the car. I have decided to do this with all my combo amps and have basically set a rule for myself to only buy heads if I buy a new amp. With a head you can use it with a 2x12 or a 1x12, or even a 4x12, depending on the circumstances too. Of course, joining a gym will be good for you regardless.

 

[brbadg]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

Taking the chassis out and putting it in a head box is the way to go.
A Pro Reverb is damn close but you dont save that much on weight.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

Chuck the music store guy said he has seen several people with twins looking for the same thing. Said their tech has splitbthe amp and speakers for a quite a few. Leaves the speakers in the cabinet and builds a head for the amp. works out to be something like a little over 30 pounds for head and something like 40 pounds on for the cabinet. thinking about going this rout ...

Somewhere around here is a thread where I took an old Guyatone clone of the Pro Reverb and added a new power transformer in order to give it a tube rectifier. In the process I discovered the Guyatone circuit had two resistors that were different values to the same components in the same location in the Pro Reverb. The Guyatone was originally very clean most of the way up, like a half-power Twin.

Thus it would be very simple and cheap to do the same thing in reverse and make a Pro Reverb almost identical in sound to a Twin.

The next stage in the evolution of my Guyatone combo is to separate the head and cabinet for greater portability and options (I mostly use a couple of 2 x 10 cabs these days for playing anywhere away from home). The wood (solid pine) is cut and all the necessary hardware is on hand, I just need to do the assembly. I have created head-cabinets many times, it's not difficult, and you can buy the matching hardware to make the end result match the original cabinet perfectly. I will get to this very soon and create a pictorial thread of the process and result.

Swapping a traditional Fender amp chasis back and forth between it's original combo cabinet and a headshell cab is a very quick and easy operation, basically four bolts and five minutes work. It's something extremely well-worth doing in my view, both for portability and versatility.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

I usually don't suggest costly solutions, because I know many here won't step up to the plate, but I will with serious players.

There's a few boutique companies that worship at the altar of Leo, and do it even better. My favorite Leo protege owns Electroplex.com and his amps will blow your mind. Also, Divided by 13, Tone King, Red Plate, and Vintage Sound. You can confidently sell off some amps, add some money, and get them to build the amp of your dreams.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

Somewhere around here is a thread where I took an old Guyatone clone of the Pro Reverb and added a new power transformer in order to give it a tube rectifier. In the process I discovered the Guyatone circuit had two resistors that were different values to the same components in the same location in the Pro Reverb. The Guyatone was originally very clean most of the way up, like a half-power Twin.

Thus it would be very simple and cheap to do the same thing in reverse and make a Pro Reverb almost identical in sound to a Twin.

The next stage in the evolution of my Guyatone combo is to separate the head and cabinet for greater portability and options (I mostly use a couple of 2 x 10 cabs these days for playing anywhere away from home). The wood (solid pine) is cut and all the necessary hardware is on hand, I just need to do the assembly. I have created head-cabinets many times, it's not difficult, and you can buy the matching hardware to make the end result match the original cabinet perfectly. I will get to this very soon and create a pictorial thread of the process and result.

Swapping a traditional Fender amp chasis back and forth between it's original combo cabinet and a headshell cab is a very quick and easy operation, basically four bolts and five minutes work. It's something extremely well-worth doing in my view, both for portability and versatility.

-
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...Clone-(and-other-upgrades)&highlight=guyatone -

 

[Mincer]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

The closest I've heard to a real Twin, honestly, is a Fractal. No other amp (especially lighter weight) comes close.

 

[philthis]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

jump on the net and investigate the "Nashville mod" and the "Twin Reverb mod" to the tone circuit of maybe a Vibrolux or a Deluxe Reverb. lower wattage plus closer to Twin sound and less weight. I bought a Costco dolly to haul mine cuz I love the tone of it so much but something around 22 to 35 watts thats close to the Twin tone is easy to haul and gig with. If you really want to break up the weight get a amp head and cab to break up the weight.

 

[RogerMexiko]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

thank you all again am very impressed with the breadth of knowledge floating around on this forum. Seymour Duncan not only revolutionized electric guitar pickups he created this knowledge source that encompasses not only pickups but every link in the chain and beyond where no man has gone before (in honor of tje resident Treky). Off the soap box now.

my wife suggested this as a Christmas gift-


But seriously am convinced there is no sound like a Twin must have magic Leo dust sprinkled in the circuits. gonna turn it over to Chuck and let them cut it in two.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

the bassbreaker 45 is el34 and 55lbs but it is a cool amp for sure

I love the Bassbreaker but it uses EL34 tubes, not 6L6s.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

When I suggested Electroplex and Tone King, it got me remembering how much I loved those companies when I demoed them at amp shows and boutique music stores. At some point, I need to sell some stuff and make the step up.

As much as I love my 74 Pro Reverb and 97 Matchless Chieftain, some of the companies I mentioned create a clean tone that's awe inspiring in every way.

 

[RogerMexiko]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

When I suggested Electroplex and Tone King, it got me remembering how much I loved those companies when I demoed them at amp shows and boutique music stores. At some point, I need to sell some stuff and make the step up.

As much as I love my 74 Pro Reverb and 97 Matchless Chieftain, some of the companies I mentioned create a clean tone that's awe inspiring in every way.

am interested but so far the electroplex and tone kings have seen have either 6V6s or EL8xs in them. will have to take a trip into the city and see how they sound firtst hand. should have my two piece Twin in a week so might wait and see how that sounds first.

 

[philthis]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

When I suggested Electroplex and Tone King, it got me remembering how much I loved those companies when I demoed them at amp shows and boutique music stores. At some point, I need to sell some stuff and make the step up.

As much as I love my 74 Pro Reverb and 97 Matchless Chieftain, some of the companies I mentioned create a clean tone that's awe inspiring in every way.

Joneser...........Dont sell that Pro Reverb unless the world is literally ending and your starving to death. Meanwile enjoy it you lucky bastige!

 

[RealtyViking]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

DV Mark DV40

37.4 pounds, 2 x 12 neo speakers and el34 power section. This is the 1 x 12, but you get the idea.

It is also made to easily convert to 6L6 power tubes.

 

[RogerMexiko]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

Thank you, very impressive. I will have to hunt one down and see how they sound. However, the latest is that my bisected Twin should be finished this coming Thursday.

 

[brbadg]

Re: Amp suggestions - my Twin Reverb is getting to heavy for me to lug around

That's great,it really is the best solution.It's not too bad.You can even experiment with different cabs too.
I had a 2 x 10 cab made that 's on the way.I'm also getting a 2x8 done for the 2 smaller bars I play.