Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

I'm definitely a tube lover but, to be honest, I don't think a tube amp is the right answer for "room" volume.

Some nice advice in that post, but there is a possible solution for ya.
ENGL preamps have a 1.5W SS power amp stage, and I use this going into a 1x12 at home for practice. I live in an apartment building, and this setup works just fine for practice volume. With the master volume at about 4, it's in the 'cranked stereo' volume range.

Sonically, the ENGL preamps have 4 channels, with a wide range of tonal options, from squeeky clean to power metal and all points in between.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

I'll check them out, but I won't be able to play one I think, ENGLs are hard to find.

 

[RGN]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

The Cornford Hariquen (sp?) is rated at 6 watts and sounds great at bedroom levels. Check the sound bites at http://www.cornfordamps.com/

That is a pretty killer little amp. You may need to use a distortion pedal to get Slip Knot-type gain levels.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

I'm not that heavy...I don't like slipknot though I barely ever heard anything from them. I'm more for a Zakk Wylde ish tone.
Edit: WOAAAAAAAAAAAA it's 600 pounds. That's wayyyy out of a reach unfortunately

Also, how to get those ENGL poweramps? I didn't see them on their website.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Also, how to get those ENGL poweramps? I didn't see them on their website.

http://engl-amps.com/engl-amps/

It's the preamps that have the low wattage output.

 

[RGN]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Ohh, I get it! My first thought was "there is no way that little 1X12 weighs 600lbs."

I think they run about $1000 US.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

ENGL 530 PREAMP
Preamp:
4 channels, (2 x ECC 83), Clean, Lead, Crunch and Heavy Lead via Gain Lo/Hi switch, Bright switch in main channel 1, Contour switch in main channel 2, Preamp Defeat switch, Stereo FX loop;
Per main channel:
3-band EQ (Lead: 4-band), Gain and Volume controls;
Power amp:
2 x 1,5 watts (solid state);
Outputs:
Stereo Line Out and frequency compensated Stereo Line Out with level control; Stereo headphones/speaker 4-16 ohms, 2 x dual footswitch jacks;
Dimension & weight:
48 x 4,4 x 26 cm, 4 kg;

 

[Pierre]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

So I'd just shove this into a rack, plug the POD in the effects loop (if I used it with it) and get a 2x12 cab with celestions, and I'm set...?
Or did you mean to take the power amp off...?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

So I'd just shove this into a rack, plug the POD in the effects loop (if I used it with it) and get a 2x12 cab with celestions, and I'm set...?
Or did you mean to take the power amp off...?

Yep, that's right.
Plug into the pre, use the heaphone output, I believe, with the switch set to GUITAR CAB, and away you go. Run the POD thru the FX loop.

 

[RGN]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

For bedroom levels you don't need a 2X12. A 1X12 with a Vintage 30 would be perfect. The 1.5 Solid State isn't going to that loud. How does that Engl pre-amp sound with a high-end tube power amp TO? Is that thing pretty salty?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

For bedroom levels you don't need a 2X12. A 1X12 with a Vintage 30 would be perfect. The 1.5 Solid State isn't going to that loud. How does that Engl pre-amp sound with a high-end tube power amp TO? Is that thing pretty salty?

It'll drive a 1x12 more happier than it's larger brethren, but I've played it through a 4x12 a couple of times, too.
It sounds great through a power amp!! I run mine like this:
guitar > E540 > Fulltone Fat Boost > Marshall EL34 100/100. I link channels A & B together and run a full stack each with a 100W monoblock ... it'll definitely get the pant legs flapping!!

If you go here http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/twilightodysseymusic.htm and check out the song NEAR DARK, you will hear the Engl/Marshall combo on the harmony guitars.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Build yourself an AX84 High Octane. It's basically a JMC800 (Zakk's amp!) preamp with a single EL84 output stage. Lots of people have built them, so there's plenty of help & advise out there in cyber-land. And, you'll learn something, to boot.

www.ax84.com

 

[Pierre]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Cheers for the ENGL tip! How much do they run for in the US? Would it be less than 600 pounds you think?
And I thought about the 2x12 so that the POD could run in stereo when used with it.
Another solution would be the Marshall 20/20 poweramp, a cab and the POD I guess.

Edit: 500 euros in Germany. Good thing. A friend of mine is saying that it won't run a 12'' speaker though... And if the poweramp is solid state, wouldn't that take away most of the point in getting one?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Edit: 500 euros in Germany. Good thing. A friend of mine is saying that it won't run a 12'' speaker though... And if the poweramp is solid state, wouldn't that take away most of the point in getting one?

Your friend is wrong, the 20W Marshall is crap, and the point of getting one is because it's future proof and sounds great.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Ahh I see I see.
I have a hi fi with an analog line. Does it mean I can use the ENGL preamp in the hi fi's poweramp, and this way I won't need a cab? Would the sound be decent or not worth it?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Ahh I see I see.
I have a hi fi with an analog line. Does it mean I can use the ENGL preamp in the hi fi's poweramp, and this way I won't need a cab? Would the sound be decent or not worth it?

You can run the LINE OUTPUT into your hi fi but it won't sound very good. Hi fi speakers aren't made to handle that kind of signal.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

I see.
So yeah then I just need this ENGL and a cab, and it'll be good enough for practising and recording? Will I get the tube tone if i use the preamp that's with it? I really love the power/fireball sounds. I guess it won't come nearly as close though will it...? With that many less tubes

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

I see.
So yeah then I just need this ENGL and a cab, and it'll be good enough for practising and recording? Will I get the tube tone if i use the preamp that's with it? I really love the power/fireball sounds. I guess it won't come nearly as close though will it...? With that many less tubes

I think you will be suprised how close it will sound, actually.
I am going to be making clips with this setup with my newest guitar.
For me, it's perfect, and I'm pretty picky about stuff like that.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Would it be possible to record something with just the 530 and the cab?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Small tube amp/metal with pedals/room level...

Would it be possible to record something with just the 530 and the cab?

Yep. I'll throw something quick down for ya tonight.