Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

jcthejester13

jcthejester13

member
... So I am looking at having a local guy custom build me an amp. Without knowing a lot about the tube circuitry and theory I have come down to the sort of sound and tone I would like to see from an amp head.

What do you think of the follow? This is from an email I sent to him about what I am looking for. I will leave the circuit building up to him since he knows what he is doing.

The more I listen to demos and try different amps the more I think I am starting to find the sound I am looking for from an amp. Let me know if this is something doable because it seems like this is more and more like the specs I am looking for:

Bassman 59 LTD type sound with a full bottom end and great clarity (in a head)
60w (or enough to give me clear high end through 3/4 of the volume. I want to make sure that I can be heard over a drummer without being mic'd while still maintaining clarity)
2 Channels (1 crystal clear and 1 with a bit of dirty drive)
A subtle reverb sound like the Trainwreck I am demoing now
A pedal to go from clean to drive
Controls: Bright switch, clean volume, dirty volume, low, mid, high, reverb, and presence
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

sounds like a winner to me. I mean, channel switching, bassman-esque, and onboard reverb, in a 60W head... sounds like a gigging amp through and through.
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

trainwreck with reverb?
Ken Fisher said:
I dislike spring reverb myself. For me it’s a cover-up for an amp that’s flat and dry sounding
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sounds like a good set of features. 60w is really loud thru efficient speakers.

you dont want a gain control for the dirty sound?
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

I am always cautious of most 'local' amp builders... most just buy ceriatone kits and slap a badge on them or tweak it a little and charge a bunch. Just my 2 cents. It's really easy for anyone these days too be a 'pro'. Plus, if you don't like it, it will be really hard too sell something that is 'custom' and or a one off from someone nobody knows. Just be carefull is all I'm saying.
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

xxxplorer said:
I am always cautious of most 'local' amp builders... most just buy ceriatone kits and slap a badge on them or tweak it a little and charge a bunch. Just my 2 cents. It's really easy for anyone these days too be a 'pro'. Plus, if you don't like it, it will be really hard too sell something that is 'custom' and or a one off from someone nobody knows. Just be carefull is all I'm saying.
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As a "local amp builder", please don't paint us all with the same brush.

That said, I would be hesitant to order a custom amp unlike anything the guy's built before. I've built three Blackface Fenders and can tell you that the third one is MUCH better in terms of construction and tuning than the first one was. (Note: sold 1st to old friend for cost of parts & he knows where I live :wink: )

Most of us tend to find a niche and explore in that small area of circuits. Even the boutique amp companies tend to go in that direction, like Victoria for example. Find out what the guy likes to build and has experience with. If that's close to what you're looking for, GREAT. OTOH if he's never built an amp with reverb and/or pedal-operated channel switching you might want to look elsewhere.

Hope that helps,

Chip
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

xxxplorer said:
I am always cautious of most 'local' amp builders... most just buy ceriatone kits and slap a badge on them or tweak it a little and charge a bunch. Just my 2 cents. It's really easy for anyone these days too be a 'pro'. Plus, if you don't like it, it will be really hard too sell something that is 'custom' and or a one off from someone nobody knows. Just be carefull is all I'm saying.
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Agreed.

I can tell you right now that this is the perfect amp for VVT Amps to build. You should call Jim and talk to him. It's right up his alley. Also, if you want it to stay clean through 3/4 of the volume you'll probably need to go to 100 watts. You'll like it better anyway, it'll be beefier.

Call Jim Hill and tell him Donnie sent you. You've got nothing to lose, and I can guarantee you'll LOVE what he can do for you if you guys can work out a deal.

http://www.vvtamps.com
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

I agree that an amp ought to sound great without reverb, but I guess Fisher wasn't a surf fan...
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

xxxplorer said:
I am always cautious of most 'local' amp builders... most just buy ceriatone kits and slap a badge on them or tweak it a little and charge a bunch. Just my 2 cents. It's really easy for anyone these days too be a 'pro'. Plus, if you don't like it, it will be really hard too sell something that is 'custom' and or a one off from someone nobody knows. Just be carefull is all I'm saying.
Click to expand...

This guy is legit. He has amps being used in recording studios by pros. He also took me into his shop and showed me all his tubes, components, boards, and whanot. I demo'd probably 12 of his amps and he sent me home with two amps to hook up and gig a wee bit. This guy knows his business.
 
Re: Possible Custom Amp. What Do You Think Of The Idea?

Two sources…

Ceriatone

Celtic Amplifiers
 
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