NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

FretFire

FretFire

SingedFingerologist
I worked out a trade for this amp recently, and it landed yesterday. This model is now called the Monterey, and it wound up being the high power version (think double Deluxe).

Tube compliment is an EF86 and two 12AX7 in the preamp, four 6V6 in the power section, and a 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier. You can run it at full or half power, and it's got what might be the best master volume I've ever heard (they call it "master voltage"). So, this should be a good, flexible alternative to my Bandmaster.

However, after I unboxed it yesterday I took off the back panel and made sure all the tubes were seated properly, then plugged in to test. After a few minutes I started getting some popping, crackling, and volume drops. It seemed to happen more when the "bump" feature was turned on (increases mids, gain, and volume) and/or when I dug in more with a percussive attack. I swapped a few tubes with no luck, then noticed if I tapped on the head while it was running I got the same noise. If I kept the volume low enough that the cab didn't vibrate the head, I had no problems. But once it was cranked and vibrating some, the noise was back.

So, I'm going to drop it off with a local amp guru today to have him look at it. It could be something as simple as a bad solder joint, hopefully nothing major. The guy I got this from in trade has already told me that he'd reimburse me, which is cool. I assume it just got banged up a bit in shipping.

Overall I'm excited about this amp, I didn't want to risk playing it much right now. But, once I have it looked over I'll spend some time with it and give it a more thorough review.

65.jpg

tubes.jpg
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

I'm curious to know what you traded it for.

Also, jealous because I love 65 Amps. Search that name on here and you'll come across a lot of good stuff. .....particularly, my picture thread.

A few years ago, I went to the 65 Amps party/open house. I got to hang out and drink with Dan Boul and Myles Rose late into the night. That was a dream come true for a tube junkie.

You're lucky you got an amp that has a discontinued name. It's rarity makes it even better. 65 Amps will be one of those companies who's products will be highly collectible, like Bogner, Matchless, Bad Cat, Dr. Z, Soldano, Diezel, etc.
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

Yep, 65 Amps are top notch. I'm sorry to hear she was DOA, but take comfort in the fact that it's going to sound incredible once repaired. I'll never forget plugging into the London for the first time, it sounded pretty impressive from the first chord. I'd love to hear more about the Memphis once it gets sorted out.
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

That90'sGuy said:
Yep, 65 Amps are top notch. I'm sorry to hear she was DOA, but take comfort in the fact that it's going to sound incredible once repaired. I'll never forget plugging into the London for the first time, it sounded pretty impressive from the first chord. I'd love to hear more about the Memphis once it gets sorted out.
Click to expand...

I could definitely hear that it's an impressive amp. If I kept the volume low enough to prevent vibration, or set the head off the cab and turned it up, I could play it without noise.

It's got a Fender Deluxe vibe in the cleans, but as you turn it up and it starts to clip it feels a bit more British. I assume that's the EF86's voice, but you still get the smooth growl of the 6V6 power section. I'm really looking forward to getting to crank it up with a band soon.

I took it to a local amp guru over the weekend, he's going to look it over. He's got a great reputation around town and on the web, so I'm sure it'll be running great within a few days.

Here's a pretty cool demo of the amp (now called the Monterey):

 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

Judging by those clips, I think you're going to have A LOT of fun with that one. Congrats again! :)
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

keep us up to date on it...hope you get it all worked out!!!
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

I got it back from my tech last night, he said there were 3 solder joints that needed attention. So, thankfully it was a $25 fix and not something more serious. I'll mess with it some today, but I have rehearsal with the band tonight to really see what this thing can do :)
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

65 amps might warranty it for you in the future. They're supposed to be great guys, even if you're not the original owner.
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

Scott_F said:
65 amps might warranty it for you in the future. They're supposed to be great guys, even if you're not the original owner.
Click to expand...

Yep, they will. They just ask that you send it to them for a checkup/refresh, and they transfer the warranty to you. Pretty cool, and I'll take advantage of that at some point.

I have rehearsal tonight, so I'll get to see what it can do at volume. I played it a bit today at various (lower) volumes, and am pretty excited to hear it going balls-to-the-wall.
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

Great news it was a simple fix!

Dan and Peter both are good guys and 65 stuff is top notch!

I like that amp a lot BTW...great tones all around!

Enjoy it!
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

Damn AJ..how'd I miss this thread????


SUPA cool amps. Congrats. The Tupelo has been on my lotto list for a couple years now.

However, now that the PRS is out of the picture, whats your main squeeze? Still have the strat?
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

JeffB said:
Damn AJ..how'd I miss this thread????


SUPA cool amps. Congrats. The Tupelo has been on my lotto list for a couple years now.

However, now that the PRS is out of the picture, whats your main squeeze? Still have the strat?
Click to expand...

My main guitar for the past few months has been my tele, the PRS was playing backup duty and wasn't really getting used a lot. I need to come to terms with the fact that I'm not a humbucker guy :laugh2:.

I used the 65 for two different rehearsals last night. One was for Sunday services where I'm playing melody lines/fills and a bit of higher inversion chording to fill space, the other for VBS next week where I do more rhythm work and even a bit of slide.

So, I needed a lot of different tones and this amp just killed it. It sounded clearer than my Bandmaster, more defined and chimey. It took my OD pedals like a champ. It got several compliments from the rest of the band, so I'd say it's a keeper.

photo.jpg
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

Thats what ya said about the MESA, and the..and the...


Been there done that :)

Also came to the same realization about buckers. Vast majority of my heros used them, and many of my fave tones to listen to are humbuckers. But with my hands, and my ears listening in the room with the amp, i'm never happy.

PS awesome rig.
 
Re: NAD: 65 Amps Memphis

JeffB said:
Thats what ya said about the MESA, and the..and the...


Been there done that :)

Also came to the same realization about buckers. Vast majority of my heros used them, and many of my fave tones to listen to are humbuckers. But with my hands, and my ears listening in the room with the amp, i'm never happy.

PS awesome rig.
Click to expand...


:laugh2: You got me. I had every intention of keeping the Mesa, then made the mistake of walking into a shop here in town that deals a lot of vintage gear. Then I made the second mistake of asking if they had a Bandmaster, something I'd been looking for for years. Game over!

I'm slowly but surely figuring out what *my* sound is, and the BM and this amp are right in that vein. Our worship leader has even picked up on it, he tracked some rhythm guitar on an album recently and said "I dialed in this cool gritty cleanish tone, I was channeling AJ on that song" :D
 
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