Half-stack time (advice)

Robert Delahunt

Robert Delahunt

Showmasterologist
Ok, so I saw the Epiphone Triggerman 4x12" half stack today. With four Celestion Vintage 30's, this thing is probably what I want.

So I'm thinking about selecting a head for it. High wattage might be nice, if the volume knob isn't too touchy. I just want a superb clean sound. I'd prefer all tube, and I don't really need to go 280W limit of the stack I'd prefer.

Essentially, would you guys recommend something to me? I play mainly cleans and solo stuff. I already have a good effects package that I like a lot, so I'm not necessarily needing built-in effects (although running my ME-50 with a Fender Stagemaster (two channel distortions, one effects button, one reverb button) gave me a ton of tone options). Main desire is an excellent clean tone, second in importance (though important) is being smooth and articulate for clean tones.

Feel free to recommend any head and/or half-stack. I'm just trying to figure out if I can get what I want (which is the equivalent of a Fender super reverb 4x10") cheaper than it would normally cost (i.e. buying a Fender Super Reverb brand new: my aversion is because I'm told the reissue amps are not point to point wired). Thanks!
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

For about $1600 you can get a Reeves DR504 head. 50 watts, looks and sounds like an old Hiwatt. Basically, loud and clean. Change the sound with your guitar itself and effects. I love Reeves/Hiwatt type stuff.

Or it that's too much, they've got a 20-watt version for about $1300. But you didn't really say what your budget it, so... :(
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

TwinReverb said:
Ok, so I saw the Epiphone Triggerman 4x12" half stack today. With four Celestion Vintage 30's, this thing is probably what I want.

So I'm thinking about selecting a head for it. High wattage might be nice, if the volume knob isn't too touchy. I just want a superb clean sound. I'd prefer all tube, and I don't really need to go 280W limit of the stack I'd prefer.

Essentially, would you guys recommend something to me? I play mainly cleans and solo stuff. I already have a good effects package that I like a lot, so I'm not necessarily needing built-in effects (although running my ME-50 with a Fender Stagemaster (two channel distortions, one effects button, one reverb button) gave me a ton of tone options). Main desire is an excellent clean tone, second in importance (though important) is being smooth and articulate for clean tones.

Feel free to recommend any head and/or half-stack. I'm just trying to figure out if I can get what I want (which is the equivalent of a Fender super reverb 4x10") cheaper than it would normally cost (i.e. buying a Fender Super Reverb brand new: my aversion is because I'm told the reissue amps are not point to point wired). Thanks!
Click to expand...

My best advice is to have your Twin Reverb refurbished...new tubes, tranny, filter caps and whatever else is needed along with some real nice speakers.

You already own the industry standard of good clean tube tone or.......



































you could sell me the Twin for 50 bucks. :)
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

Yeah, you have the clean of cleans....if you just wanted to check out other amps for fun, the Carvin Legacy had some cleans that just stick in my memory as being really good. Also, the Mesa F-series had some really cool cleans, I have an F-30 and love it for that.
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

bungalowbill said:
My best advice is to have your Twin Reverb refurbished...new tubes, tranny, filter caps and whatever else is needed along with some real nice speakers.

You already own the industry standard of good clean tube tone or.......

you could sell me the Twin for 50 bucks. :)
Click to expand...

LOL Dang, how stupid do people think I am? :D

Well I should've said this to everyone, so sorry....

I'm just curious. My budget is $1000, but the head/cabinet must be point to point wired. Clean is the main concern. Either a head and cabinet, or a recommendation as to what cabinet to add-on to my Twin Reverb. I'm looking at what I consider the industry standard (the Fender Super Reverb), or close to it, but for less money. The Epiphone Triggerman cab (4 x 12") is on sale right now, and I'd love to hook that into a head. It's practically a steal!
 
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Re: Half-stack time (advice)

TwinReverb said:
LOL Dang, how stupid do people think I am? :D

Well I should've said this to everyone, so sorry....

I'm just curious. My budget is $1000, but the head/cabinet must be point to point wired. Clean is the main concern. Either a head and cabinet, or a recommendation as to what cabinet to add-on to my Twin Reverb. I'm looking at what I consider the industry standard (the Fender Super Reverb), or close to it, but for less money. The Epiphone Triggerman cab (4 x 12") is on sale right now, and I'd love to hook that into a head. It's practically a steal!
Click to expand...

The Epi, IMHO, is a step down from what you already have. Have you played a Super before? They do have nice cleans, but they will break up, albeit at a loud volume.

If you want head and cab at your price point and point to point wired, it's gonna be slim pickens.

Why not have Scott build you an amp based on a Super?......you will get exactly what you want.
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

bungalowbill said:
The Epi, IMHO, is a step down from what you already have. Have you played a Super before? They do have nice cleans, but they will break up, albeit at a loud volume.

If you want head and cab at your price point and point to point wired, it's gonna be slim pickens.

Why not have Scott build you an amp based on a Super?......you will get exactly what you want.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! I was trying to find something good, didn't know it would be this difficult.

I had an idea, too. I'd prefer that the half stack come in one-speaker-per-box arrangement so that it would be easier to transport. Do you think that would be a good idea, or a nuissance?

Oh well, time to /msg Scott :D
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

TwinReverb said:
Thanks for the advice! I was trying to find something good, didn't know it would be this difficult.

I had an idea, too. I'd prefer that the half stack come in one-speaker-per-box arrangement so that it would be easier to transport. Do you think that would be a good idea, or a nuissance?

Oh well, time to /msg Scott :D
Click to expand...

I prefer small combos...I got tired of lugging the heavy weights around. I lugged a 2X12 tremoverb combo for 10 years or so, all 106 lbs. of it.

Part of the sound of the Super is the open back cab.
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

TwinReverb said:
Ok, so I saw the Epiphone Triggerman 4x12" half stack today. With four Celestion Vintage 30's, this thing is probably what I want.

So I'm thinking about selecting a head for it. High wattage might be nice, if the volume knob isn't too touchy. I just want a superb clean sound. I'd prefer all tube, and I don't really need to go 280W limit of the stack I'd prefer.

Essentially, would you guys recommend something to me? I play mainly cleans and solo stuff. I already have a good effects package that I like a lot, so I'm not necessarily needing built-in effects (although running my ME-50 with a Fender Stagemaster (two channel distortions, one effects button, one reverb button) gave me a ton of tone options). Main desire is an excellent clean tone, second in importance (though important) is being smooth and articulate for clean tones.



Feel free to recommend any head and/or half-stack. I'm just trying to figure out if I can get what I want (which is the equivalent of a Fender super reverb 4x10") cheaper than it would normally cost (i.e. buying a Fender Super Reverb brand new: my aversion is because I'm told the reissue amps are not point to point wired). Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you have a decent OD distortion pedal I would highly recommend the Fender Dual Showman with Reverb. This amp is essentially a Twin in a head and with 4 Vintage 30's I would imagine it would sond great! The original Showman cabinets had 2 Jensen 15" rated at 130Watts so the 4 V30's should be fine! You won't find a better clean amp in a head than a Dual Showman Reverb.

I'm not sure when they stopped making them but they can be had pretty reasonable. Its sort of like a Twin, most people don't like them because they are very loud, but also very clean.... If clean and loud is what you need this is it!

I see that some here are recommending the Super Reverb. If you want cleans the Super is not the amp. I own a 1968 or 69 SFSR and it is a great amp, but it won't be as clean as the Twin or Dual Showman Reverb. The extra power of these will give you all the headroom anyone could want! The Super is a great amp, but at about 5 on the volume knob it starts to drive the tubes pretty hard. IF you can keep the Volume down to 3 to 4 it will stay clean (thats how I always used mine) and a good pedal will kick it in the butt and get you where you need to be for solos.
 
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Re: Half-stack time (advice)

Why must it be point to point wired?
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

Ok, since you guys think I should stick with the Twin Reverb, I'll do that, and thanks for the advice!

Ok, what cabinet would you use to add-on to the Twin Reverb? The TR I have has Celestion Classic Lead 12's in it, and while this would be my first choice for speakers, Vintage 30s would be cool, and probably better, as it would give me a more broad tone (i.e. when used with the Classic Leads).
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

the triggerman does not have vintage 30s in it, I am 99.9% sure.
they list them as
"4 special-design 12" speakers"
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

MartinSixStringCustoms said:
Why must it be point to point wired?
Click to expand...
+1. The improvement in tone is very minimal compared to the price hike.

As somebody who used a Super for the first 5 years he played, you won't like the cleans after having a Twin. Yeah, its clean, but they're only like 35W and have 10" speakers, so they don't stay clean.

I say get another cool Fender, like maybe an old nasty looking Tweed and run it with your Twin.
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

JB_From_Hell said:
+1. The improvement in tone is very minimal compared to the price hike.

As somebody who used a Super for the first 5 years he played, you won't like the cleans after having a Twin. Yeah, its clean, but they're only like 35W and have 10" speakers, so they don't stay clean.

I say get another cool Fender, like maybe an old nasty looking Tweed and run it with your Twin.
Click to expand...

But serviceability is nonexistent with circuit cards when the warranty runs out. Cards usually require a complete replacement, and since they're probably built as one or a couple very large boards, replacement cost can be prohibitively expensive. As soon as I get some experience with my amp, however, it's point to point, which means I either test components like resistors, or capacitors (assuming I buy the special testers) or just swap them out, which I'm already USAF certified to do. I just want to be actually taught the ins and outs of tube amp point-to-point repair to make sure I don't accidentally do something wrong. I've been through all the required instruction on what not to do with electrical devices, components, etc, and I understand electrical theory very well, I'm just cautious. I mean, after all, it's my baby :D

Anyways........... So, extension cab. Some people recommend the 4x10", some the 2x12". I'm curious, however: would I / could I get stereo out of the extension? I know that really isn't the point, but I'm curious....
 
Re: Half-stack time (advice)

There's one amp I think you'd like. I loved mine, but sold it because I had too many amps.......The Fender Pro Tube Series Concert Reverb 4-10. They're $1300 amps that depreciated quite a bit from 2001, when they came out.
It's essentially a Super Reverb with a deeper cab, a great gain channel, and a lot of options like 1/4 power, tube reverb and tremolo. If you shopped around on Ebay, you could get one for around $800, and it's 3 times more versatile than a Super Reverb, but looks almost identical. It's definitely one of Fender's 'sleeper' amps.

Another amp that's grabbed my eye lately is the new Kustom tuck'n'roll 72 Coupe Hardtop. I really like the looks and features of the new Kustom head, but I haven't seen one to try out yet. All tube, 4 6L6, and you could also get it in the combo version.

Look!
http://www.theguitarfiles.com/guitarfile647.html
 
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Re: Half-stack time (advice)

Why not just build, or have built, a head cabinet for your existing twin reverb chasis? You may have money left over for a couple of different of speaker cabs large and small.
 
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