Played my first tube amp yesterday.

[Artie]

A friend of mine bought a Hughes & Kettner Edition Tube 20th Anniversary amp on eBay. It arrived yesterday and we checked it out. The owner had H & K service replace the speaker with a Celestion Vintage 30, and added a beam blocker.

First off, I have a better understanding of "tube watts" now. Both he and I own the H & K Edition Blue 60 (SS) amps. Mine is the "reverb" model, his is the DFX model. The 20 watt tube amp blows both of these into the ditch. I didn't expect this dramatic of a volume difference. The two 60-watter SS amps are strictly "bedroom" amps. Maybe, in a small room like a house party or a coffee house, they'ld be fine. I think we could do Shea Stadium with the 20-watter.

Lord have mercy!

We could only crank it into "tube-distortion" region for a moment or two for fear of shattering windows, blowing out eardrums, and invoking the wrath of neighbors and "the man". I just had no idea. Its a whole new world.

Btw - running "clean", this sucker is killer. Unbelievable. I see my J-Station collecting dust. There is one little problem, but I'll address that in another thread. (Bottle rattle on certain notes?!)

I have seen the light. (Kind of an orange glow.)

Artie

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

It is only going to get worse as your AMP gas starts to flame.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

Fun, isn't it? I remember my first time, cranked Bassman it was like I saw God.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

Lies!

 

[Mephis]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

The next step is to crank up a 100watt half stack or full stack.

I remember my 1st tube amp. I was so into super scooped tone and EMG pickups that I didn't like it. Ah the days of stupidity...

 

[Artie]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

The next step is to crank up a 100watt half stack or full stack.

You crank yours. I'll step out on the back porch and listen.

 

[greco]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

You are now officially hooked...

BTW the only known "treatment" is to get a tube amp.

With all your electronics knowledge and experience, I'm surprised that you aren't considering building a tube amp.
Have you considered this option?

Dave

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

And folks don't think 20w is loud

My 20w Fuchs thru a 2x12 w/G12-65s sounds MONSTROUS at 11:00 on the volume !!!!

 

[Artie]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

With all your electronics knowledge and experience, I'm surprised that you aren't considering building a tube amp.

I am, I am. I just gotta find a 1-watt schematic. That AX84 Firefly, (5 watts), is looking pretty good about now.

 

[Curly]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

you have been MESMERIZED by the golden aura

 

[Artie]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

you have been MESMERIZED by the golden aura

Cool! I thought I was kicked in the nads by grandpa's technology.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

Aren't you a grandpa yourself?

Congrats Art! You'll be won over quickly, I know I was hehe... after only one year of playing! I really want to build a small 5Watter head at some point too.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

It is a nice addiction methinks...the more the better

 

[milkbone]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

I had the same amp for a while and sold it (regretfully). I LOVED the clean on it. Does he have the footswitch?

 

[Artie]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

Aren't you a grandpa yourself?

Yeah, but I was raised on "digital".

Does he have the footswitch?

No, but its a simple on-off switch. We can build one. We have the technology.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

Artie never played toobs? You must be kidding.

 

[Artie]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

Artie never played toobs? You must be kidding.

Nope. I have a vague recollection of an acquaintance with a Fender Twin Reverb, 30 years ago. But that was for a few minutes before I could play. No tubes since then.

But I still have time to learn. Don't write me off just yet.

 

[greco]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

I am, I am. I just gotta find a 1-watt schematic. That AX84 Firefly, (5 watts), is looking pretty good about now.

What about a Fender "classic" like a Princeton or Champ?

 

[Artie]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

I'll look into those, but what I don't want to do, is spend money on "collectible" nonsense. The little Fender Pro Juniour looks good too.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Played my first tube amp yesterday.

This is smashing news Artie! You may really like a 6550/KT88 powered amp for the headroom.