AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
- Thread starter emilio
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devastone
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
Yes, it's my amp. It's not really a pedal, it's a 3 channel preamp on the floor, but I think you get that. I have one on my pedalboard with a phase, flanger, and overdrive in front and a TC delay and reverb in the AMT's loop. The output goes to a ISP Stealth power amp for cabs or you can turn on the cab sim and run direct, unfortunately it's either or, there is only one output as opposed to the SS-30 which had separate outputs for power amp or cab sim.
It runs the tubes at the proper high voltages, not starved and sounds great. It has a lot of gain on the lead channel, but it kind of depends on what kind of music you play, it's more 80s/90s Vai, Lynch, maybe Moore type gain, I wouldn't quite call it modern metal.
FWIW, I've actually used the SS-11B, the SS-20, and the SS-30 and they all sound great, the 30 is FET and I really liked it too, they are all just different flavors.
The SS-20 is probably closer to modern metal than the 11A, the 30 can probably bridge the gap between the styles better, can get a little nastier than the tube ones. I actually had the 11A and the 30 at the same time and had trouble deciding which one to keep. The 20's downfall is that it's more 2-1/2 channels than 3, the crunch and lead channels have separate gain controls, but share the same volume control, although it may have been my favorite sounding one.
Hope this helps, lots of demos on youtube of all of them, definitely check them out, the demos by people that can actually play are pretty accurate.
Of course this video may nullify my statement about the 11b and modern metal.
Point is, I recommend all of them, depends on your style.
Yes, it's my amp. It's not really a pedal, it's a 3 channel preamp on the floor, but I think you get that. I have one on my pedalboard with a phase, flanger, and overdrive in front and a TC delay and reverb in the AMT's loop. The output goes to a ISP Stealth power amp for cabs or you can turn on the cab sim and run direct, unfortunately it's either or, there is only one output as opposed to the SS-30 which had separate outputs for power amp or cab sim.
It runs the tubes at the proper high voltages, not starved and sounds great. It has a lot of gain on the lead channel, but it kind of depends on what kind of music you play, it's more 80s/90s Vai, Lynch, maybe Moore type gain, I wouldn't quite call it modern metal.
FWIW, I've actually used the SS-11B, the SS-20, and the SS-30 and they all sound great, the 30 is FET and I really liked it too, they are all just different flavors.
The SS-20 is probably closer to modern metal than the 11A, the 30 can probably bridge the gap between the styles better, can get a little nastier than the tube ones. I actually had the 11A and the 30 at the same time and had trouble deciding which one to keep. The 20's downfall is that it's more 2-1/2 channels than 3, the crunch and lead channels have separate gain controls, but share the same volume control, although it may have been my favorite sounding one.
Hope this helps, lots of demos on youtube of all of them, definitely check them out, the demos by people that can actually play are pretty accurate.
Of course this video may nullify my statement about the 11b and modern metal.
Point is, I recommend all of them, depends on your style.
emilio
New member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
Exactly. The reason I won't go for the SS-20 is because of that very reason. I want the crunch and lead to have separate volume controls like the 11B and 30. I like the 11B because of the fact that it is tube and it's sound wi great. Based on the demos, I fear that the crunch doesn't have enough gain for a thrash metal sound. I really don't want to have to push it either. I would have to sell my dist and od pedals for this. The 30 sounds great as well, but i'ts not tube. Why does it matter? Because I can only hear the difference between tube and great solid state in person, not through Youtube. Plus the whole "feel" thing... Which would you take between the two for thrash metal? This is what I play:
Exactly. The reason I won't go for the SS-20 is because of that very reason. I want the crunch and lead to have separate volume controls like the 11B and 30. I like the 11B because of the fact that it is tube and it's sound wi great. Based on the demos, I fear that the crunch doesn't have enough gain for a thrash metal sound. I really don't want to have to push it either. I would have to sell my dist and od pedals for this. The 30 sounds great as well, but i'ts not tube. Why does it matter? Because I can only hear the difference between tube and great solid state in person, not through Youtube. Plus the whole "feel" thing... Which would you take between the two for thrash metal? This is what I play:
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
I like the SS-20 enough, it covers a wide range of tones for me really. If I want my rythm based on the crunch channel I tweak the EQ for that channel and set the lead gain to have the volume boost I need because that is what a lead channel is meant for in this scenario. For example I am playing some Eric Johnson tunes lately and it give me my the clean, crunch and lead tones (ok, maybe not the exact EJ tone but you get what I mean) just by stomping the foot switches, I just don't go crazy with the gains and trust me the crunch tones of the SS series is nice and versatile.
If I want to play metal rythm then I engage the Lead channel and EQ as needed and a boost (maybe a clean boost or a eq boost) after the SS-20 and before the ISP Stealth (I have it too) is the way to go as pushing an already heavily distorted lead channel won't give you more volume really and I think that happens with a lot of metal players out there.
So if you want more volume control the SS-11b sounds like your thing, but for that kind of metal I think a boost after the preamp is something you just cannot avoid to stand out for your soloing and I think that happens with any super distorted amp anyway.
Edit: For the SS-20 both the CabSim and the PreampOut work at the same time so you can have stage sound with a power amp and cabs while going to the mixer and PA for the venue sound. The SS-11b was updated last year so maybe you can send an e-mail to AMT Electronics support asking if new version can work simultaneous or not, they do reply.
Edit 2: Nevermind, I just looked at the AMT webesite for a picture of the new version of the SS-11b and it has only oune output with selectable siwthc for CabSim or PreamoOut so it is one or the other.
I like the SS-20 enough, it covers a wide range of tones for me really. If I want my rythm based on the crunch channel I tweak the EQ for that channel and set the lead gain to have the volume boost I need because that is what a lead channel is meant for in this scenario. For example I am playing some Eric Johnson tunes lately and it give me my the clean, crunch and lead tones (ok, maybe not the exact EJ tone but you get what I mean) just by stomping the foot switches, I just don't go crazy with the gains and trust me the crunch tones of the SS series is nice and versatile.
If I want to play metal rythm then I engage the Lead channel and EQ as needed and a boost (maybe a clean boost or a eq boost) after the SS-20 and before the ISP Stealth (I have it too) is the way to go as pushing an already heavily distorted lead channel won't give you more volume really and I think that happens with a lot of metal players out there.
So if you want more volume control the SS-11b sounds like your thing, but for that kind of metal I think a boost after the preamp is something you just cannot avoid to stand out for your soloing and I think that happens with any super distorted amp anyway.
Edit: For the SS-20 both the CabSim and the PreampOut work at the same time so you can have stage sound with a power amp and cabs while going to the mixer and PA for the venue sound. The SS-11b was updated last year so maybe you can send an e-mail to AMT Electronics support asking if new version can work simultaneous or not, they do reply.
Edit 2: Nevermind, I just looked at the AMT webesite for a picture of the new version of the SS-11b and it has only oune output with selectable siwthc for CabSim or PreamoOut so it is one or the other.
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IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
Emilio,
If you are looking for a solid state preamp for really heavy metal then you can also look for the ISP Theta Preamp Pedal. I tried it once in "Guitar Gear" in DF, very close to the WTC, when I was testing my ISP Stealth power amp. I think it is great option for metal, if Dominus reads this thread I think he can further comment. Also AMT has some nice emulations R2 and P2 for Mesa Dual Rectifier and Peavey 5150 and the demos it is hard to hear the difference(I mean it sounds like the real amps), I think you can call "Quality Guitars" in Mexico city and check if they have any AMT pedals in stock to try.
By the way, I am hearing your album in youtube and soundks killer!!! When are you playing in Mexico city dude?
Emilio,
If you are looking for a solid state preamp for really heavy metal then you can also look for the ISP Theta Preamp Pedal. I tried it once in "Guitar Gear" in DF, very close to the WTC, when I was testing my ISP Stealth power amp. I think it is great option for metal, if Dominus reads this thread I think he can further comment. Also AMT has some nice emulations R2 and P2 for Mesa Dual Rectifier and Peavey 5150 and the demos it is hard to hear the difference(I mean it sounds like the real amps), I think you can call "Quality Guitars" in Mexico city and check if they have any AMT pedals in stock to try.
By the way, I am hearing your album in youtube and soundks killer!!! When are you playing in Mexico city dude?
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devastone
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
The Palladium sounds great in the demos, but I think he is looking for a preamp to replace his amp, not sure what he is planning to run into, a power amp or direct. So, not sure how viable the Palladium is for his application (emilio?).
The ISP is killer too, I've tried that, but to use it as a preamp I had to build a custom footswitch for it to work for me because I don't want a preamp that goes to bypass and I don't want to have to hit 2 switches at once to make the change I want. It also doesn't have a cab sim but you can add a Red Box or something. That said, the footswitch is easy to build and I still have mine if anyone is interested.
I understand your concern about the crunch channel on the 11B, and you are probably right, it doesn't have as much gain. I would probably recommend the SS-30 for the tones you are looking for, and don't worry about the feel, it is there.
Also be aware that the SS-30 doesn't come with an 18V adapter, so you'll have to get one of those if you don't have one.
If you want metal, here is one, and he is using the crunch channel for rhythms.
Anyway, my <$0.02...
The Palladium sounds great in the demos, but I think he is looking for a preamp to replace his amp, not sure what he is planning to run into, a power amp or direct. So, not sure how viable the Palladium is for his application (emilio?).
The ISP is killer too, I've tried that, but to use it as a preamp I had to build a custom footswitch for it to work for me because I don't want a preamp that goes to bypass and I don't want to have to hit 2 switches at once to make the change I want. It also doesn't have a cab sim but you can add a Red Box or something. That said, the footswitch is easy to build and I still have mine if anyone is interested.
I understand your concern about the crunch channel on the 11B, and you are probably right, it doesn't have as much gain. I would probably recommend the SS-30 for the tones you are looking for, and don't worry about the feel, it is there.
Also be aware that the SS-30 doesn't come with an 18V adapter, so you'll have to get one of those if you don't have one.
If you want metal, here is one, and he is using the crunch channel for rhythms.
Anyway, my <$0.02...
emilio
New member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
I guess... I Definately don't want to go solid state, that's why I'm so reluctant of getting the ss30. I wouldn't be using both house audio PA and amp, it would be either or. Those Legend amps sound amazing! I'd really like to go for the other preamps though, 3 channels, dual EQ and tube. I've never heard of that place. I'll look for it next time I go, I hope they do so I can try them.
Thanks a lot man! If you'd like you can download everything for free at our Facebook page. We play with Barón Rojo at La Sala on 4/24 and again in Mandrágora Metal Monsters, but we don't have a set date for that yet.
I guess... I Definately don't want to go solid state, that's why I'm so reluctant of getting the ss30. I wouldn't be using both house audio PA and amp, it would be either or. Those Legend amps sound amazing! I'd really like to go for the other preamps though, 3 channels, dual EQ and tube. I've never heard of that place. I'll look for it next time I go, I hope they do so I can try them.
Thanks a lot man! If you'd like you can download everything for free at our Facebook page. We play with Barón Rojo at La Sala on 4/24 and again in Mandrágora Metal Monsters, but we don't have a set date for that yet.
emilio
New member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
Right, that's exactly what I need. Something to replace my amp. I'll be going either direct but, mostly into return loop. The two switch thing you mention is exactly why I haven't gone for the Two Notes LeLead which sounds godly. That video that you just posted is exactly the one that made me question between the 11B and the 30. I guess I was hoping for a get this reaction, but it still reads pretty split between the two. lol.
The Palladium is a great sounding pedal. Thanks to that pedal I started looking for preamp types and then found out that preamps in pedal housings do exist. I loved the way the Palladium sounds but, no loop and two channels. If it had that, I'd go for it all the way! I really love the SD pedals. I want hte Vapor Trail, Catalina and 805.
Right, that's exactly what I need. Something to replace my amp. I'll be going either direct but, mostly into return loop. The two switch thing you mention is exactly why I haven't gone for the Two Notes LeLead which sounds godly. That video that you just posted is exactly the one that made me question between the 11B and the 30. I guess I was hoping for a get this reaction, but it still reads pretty split between the two. lol.
The Palladium is a great sounding pedal. Thanks to that pedal I started looking for preamp types and then found out that preamps in pedal housings do exist. I loved the way the Palladium sounds but, no loop and two channels. If it had that, I'd go for it all the way! I really love the SD pedals. I want hte Vapor Trail, Catalina and 805.
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
As the palladium does not have a cabsim output I don't think it is a problem it does not have an FX loop. The FX loop in the AMT is nice to get your same FX loop out to the power amp and the PA. In the case of the Palladium the output goes to your FX pedals then to a CamSim pedal to got to PA and power amp at the same time.
As the palladium does not have a cabsim output I don't think it is a problem it does not have an FX loop. The FX loop in the AMT is nice to get your same FX loop out to the power amp and the PA. In the case of the Palladium the output goes to your FX pedals then to a CamSim pedal to got to PA and power amp at the same time.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
Yes, it would, but I didn't think that was an option ;-)
Yes, it would, but I didn't think that was an option ;-)
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
I just called this store called Quality Guitars, as I am GASing for an S2
and asked about the AMT tube based preamps in stock. Currently they have the SS-10 which is the rack version. Not sure if that is of your interest but the price the guy told me was very good for a rack preamp like this. The SS-11B is not there so you may need to order it or if you are lucky they will have more L1/L2 pedals comming some time next week but he said those pedals don't stay too long in stock. Good luck with your search.
I just called this store called Quality Guitars, as I am GASing for an S2
and asked about the AMT tube based preamps in stock. Currently they have the SS-10 which is the rack version. Not sure if that is of your interest but the price the guy told me was very good for a rack preamp like this. The SS-11B is not there so you may need to order it or if you are lucky they will have more L1/L2 pedals comming some time next week but he said those pedals don't stay too long in stock. Good luck with your search.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
Seriously - forget the tubes.
The ISP Theta pedal will have more than enough gain. And this is coming from a death metal / industrial guy. It also has the best noise gate on the planet built in.
FYI, ISP also made a Theta amplifier which was solid state, and tube guys were blown away by it.
Seriously - forget the tubes.
The ISP Theta pedal will have more than enough gain. And this is coming from a death metal / industrial guy. It also has the best noise gate on the planet built in.
FYI, ISP also made a Theta amplifier which was solid state, and tube guys were blown away by it.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
The ISP is great, I've used one, but it doesn't have a cab sim for going direct which is part of what he is looking for (if I understand correctly), it also doesn't have separate volume controls for the 2 gain channels (again, if I understand correctly, is something else he is looking for).
The other problem for using the ISP as a preamp for me was to switch from the clean channel to the dirty channel(s) with one button required building a custom footswitch and using the footswitch jacks on the back, which ate up a lot more space on my pedal board, especially when you added in a Red Box so you had a cab sim, there went pretty much half of the real estate on my small board. Again, it sounds great, I've thought about going back to it because is sounds so good, it just has a lot of extra baggage for me, of course this is my <$0.02 and YMMV, but it doesn't have everything the OP is looking for in one package.
FWIW, I actually went down this road after the church that I play at decided to go all direct and get rid of amps onstage. My amp was a Randall RM50 head with a clean and XTC module through a Freda 1-12 cabinet that sounded great, I loved that amp. So, I wanted to create a setup that I had the option of going direct or could run through a power amp and cabinet that sounded as good and was as fun to play as my amp. No, we don't play thrash at church, but I have played it and want the option of those kinds of sounds. So, I went through a bunch of pedal preamps through an ISP Stealth power amd and an AMT TC-3 power amp (which is surprisingly loud for it's rated 3W). I tried the ISP (with a Red Box for direct sounds), an AMT SS-20, SS-30, and SS-11b, an AMT P2, Tech 21 British and Leeds, and maybe one or two more, basically overkill. They all sound good, the British is great for Marshall sounds, needs a boost for thrashy sounds and it doesn't have a clean channel. The ISP is awesome, but as stated earlier, I wish they had put a few more functions in the box. It really sounded great and the built in Decimator circuit made it that much cooler! The P2 also sounds great, great sounding cleans and high gain, but not much in-between. The SS-20 may be my favorite if it only had a separate volume control on the lead channel. I ended up with the SS-30 and SS11b and had a hard time choosing between the 2, the 11 sounded a little warmer and organic, but given the choice to make again, I might pick the 30, who knows.
Honestlly, they all sound good, and I could recommend any of them depending on what you want to accomplish. If you are wanting to get high gain amp sounds out of a Twin Reverb or JC120, I would say get the ISP! But for what my understanding of what the OP wants to accomplish, and the fact that he doesn't want to spend more $ on extras, the ISP probably isn't the best choice.
Man, it's Saturday night and I'm typing this much, I really need a life. So, take this with a grain of salt, YMMV, etc...
The ISP is great, I've used one, but it doesn't have a cab sim for going direct which is part of what he is looking for (if I understand correctly), it also doesn't have separate volume controls for the 2 gain channels (again, if I understand correctly, is something else he is looking for).
The other problem for using the ISP as a preamp for me was to switch from the clean channel to the dirty channel(s) with one button required building a custom footswitch and using the footswitch jacks on the back, which ate up a lot more space on my pedal board, especially when you added in a Red Box so you had a cab sim, there went pretty much half of the real estate on my small board. Again, it sounds great, I've thought about going back to it because is sounds so good, it just has a lot of extra baggage for me, of course this is my <$0.02 and YMMV, but it doesn't have everything the OP is looking for in one package.
FWIW, I actually went down this road after the church that I play at decided to go all direct and get rid of amps onstage. My amp was a Randall RM50 head with a clean and XTC module through a Freda 1-12 cabinet that sounded great, I loved that amp. So, I wanted to create a setup that I had the option of going direct or could run through a power amp and cabinet that sounded as good and was as fun to play as my amp. No, we don't play thrash at church, but I have played it and want the option of those kinds of sounds. So, I went through a bunch of pedal preamps through an ISP Stealth power amd and an AMT TC-3 power amp (which is surprisingly loud for it's rated 3W). I tried the ISP (with a Red Box for direct sounds), an AMT SS-20, SS-30, and SS-11b, an AMT P2, Tech 21 British and Leeds, and maybe one or two more, basically overkill. They all sound good, the British is great for Marshall sounds, needs a boost for thrashy sounds and it doesn't have a clean channel. The ISP is awesome, but as stated earlier, I wish they had put a few more functions in the box. It really sounded great and the built in Decimator circuit made it that much cooler! The P2 also sounds great, great sounding cleans and high gain, but not much in-between. The SS-20 may be my favorite if it only had a separate volume control on the lead channel. I ended up with the SS-30 and SS11b and had a hard time choosing between the 2, the 11 sounded a little warmer and organic, but given the choice to make again, I might pick the 30, who knows.
Honestlly, they all sound good, and I could recommend any of them depending on what you want to accomplish. If you are wanting to get high gain amp sounds out of a Twin Reverb or JC120, I would say get the ISP! But for what my understanding of what the OP wants to accomplish, and the fact that he doesn't want to spend more $ on extras, the ISP probably isn't the best choice.
Man, it's Saturday night and I'm typing this much, I really need a life. So, take this with a grain of salt, YMMV, etc...
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IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
I tried the Theta and I liked it high gain tone a bit better than the SS-20 lead, if I was an only-metal player Theta would have been my preamp but I went after the one with tubes because of the clean/overdrive/crunch tones that tubes are great for, I was more into versatility than speciality.
I tried the Theta and I liked it high gain tone a bit better than the SS-20 lead, if I was an only-metal player Theta would have been my preamp but I went after the one with tubes because of the clean/overdrive/crunch tones that tubes are great for, I was more into versatility than speciality.
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
I think emilio should try the AMT P2 too, I think it is the most affordable of all discussed and is made for that kind of music. I know it does not have tubes but users out there have compared it with the real amp and is too hard to hear the deference and I think an audience would not care.
I think emilio should try the AMT P2 too, I think it is the most affordable of all discussed and is made for that kind of music. I know it does not have tubes but users out there have compared it with the real amp and is too hard to hear the deference and I think an audience would not care.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: AMT SS-11B: Anyone tried it?
I had one of those too, actually used it a few times direct at church too. The Legend II series are great, the P2 sounds great at high gain, doesn't do the mid-gain thing as well. I was also amazed at how good the clean channel on those sounded, especially considering they only have the level control and boost button.
I had one of those too, actually used it a few times direct at church too. The Legend II series are great, the P2 sounds great at high gain, doesn't do the mid-gain thing as well. I was also amazed at how good the clean channel on those sounded, especially considering they only have the level control and boost button.
