I think I'm backwards

[toneseeker74]

I think that I'm in the minority of guitar players that does not like how tube amps get fat and compressed once you turn the volume past mild breakup. I am talking about non-master-volume amps here (Traynor YBA-1, Gibson GA-8 Discoverer, Epiphone EA-33RVT Galaxie for example). Once the fat & compression come into play I find my amps to lose way too much definition, going more and more toward the sound of a fuzz pedal. I have used Celestion G12-65 and Vintage 30 speakers with the Traynor, Jensen C12R with the Discoverer, and Eminence Copperhead with the Galaxie.

Give me a tube amp with lots of headroom, no more than what most people would consider mild breakup, cutting midrange, and breakup that is crunchy and bristling with harmonics rather than smooth fuzz. Any suggestions?

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: I think I'm backwards

Look to the Fender line-up. Should be able to find one that meets your volume requirements there.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: I think I'm backwards

Enough headroom/volume to be loud enough with out compressing, cutting mids, and crunchy break up? Sounds to me like you're describing a 100W Plexi.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: I think I'm backwards

Hiwatt of old times...
Dr103 or DR 504...if you want obscene cleans...DR 201..

 

[dystrust]

Re: I think I'm backwards

+1 on the HiWatt.

It isn't exactly the same, but I don't like running my Marshall Jubilee past the onset of power amp breakup. The tubes really get cooking at about 4 on the output master and sound great up to about 6. Beyond that it turns into over-compressed mush.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: I think I'm backwards

Or if you can get your hands on a used MiK Blackstar Artisan 100 (not the new MiC version)....
That will also give you plenty of headroom.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: I think I'm backwards

Great calls guys.

Also you might want to take a look at the VOC AC line. They are defined like hell. The only drawback is their strength arrives around some elephant roaster volume.


Anyway, I hear ya man. Back in my big studio days there was a load of amps and various recording projects in every style but we never run the amps over mild power tube breakup when recording or re-amping. Most of times, the best tones (to record) arrived far below, around 1/3 volume that means an ample of headroom. The tone had the best dynamics / definition that way. Playing onstage is a whole lotta different story, it is all about the feel and the power.