Why are Vintage amps better than RI?

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Why are Vintage amps better than RI?

Back in the day when CD's first came out, we readily gave up the vinyl for CD. There was a crispness and dynamic about the CD that we accepted, no questions asked...good by to that nasty hiss.

Hah I bought my first cd-player in 1990...hated them, still do but it is convinient, and I am looking for another turntable, the old highend ones can be bought for silly prices now.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Why are Vintage amps better than RI?

Although I don't hear it calling my name. I do have the schematics for the Deluxe Reverb by the way, and also a diagram for making a simple reverb unit but I have not check out if the components are available.

I'm sure that I will not build one, but what do you reckon the cost of all the components would be to build a deluxe reverb or Bassman? How much assembly time would be required? It's likely to be way out of my league.

Actually if I were to custom order an amp I probably want to build a lower wattage Bassman 25W instead of it's 40w, or a little more powerful Blues Jr 25W instead if it's 15w.

 

[Amateur]

Re: Why are Vintage amps better than RI?

I'm sure that I will not build one, but what do you reckon the cost of all the components would be to build a deluxe reverb or Bassman? How much assembly time would be required? It's likely to be way out of my league.

Actually if I were to custom order an amp I probably want to build a lower wattage Bassman 25W instead of it's 40w, or a little more powerful Blues Jr 25W instead if it's 15w.

I would not suggest you go and build yourself a tube amp unless you really know your electrical stuff. Those transformers always seem to stare at me and say "I'll kill you if you lay you hands on me!"

I can't really give you an accurate cost estimate on the components right now because I have not built a tube amp recently, but I can tell you that you probably have to do some real digging for parts especially if you want the vintage type reverb unit. You will be better off if you have it custom built and let the shop take care of that for you. The time and agony you save will well worth the money, which is not much more than you building it yourself. They can usually get the components cheaper than you can.

I would suggest you get the 40 watt Bassman and hook up some FX to it because I am not confident that old FX or reverb designs is adequate for modern style demand. The 15 extra watts give you more to play with in case you need it and is not that much different in sound level. My person experience is that these amps sound best when they are at 5-6, not fully up. Make sure you get good speakers that have the right response to your playing style too.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Why are Vintage amps better than RI?

I would not suggest you go and build yourself a tube amp unless you really know your electrical stuff. Those transformers always seem to stare at me and say "I'll kill you if you lay you hands on me!" Thanks to all the Mom's and Dad's of the forum for that. We can never be too carefull with electricity or any safety issues....and always remember to buckle up. and use a designated driver.

I can't really give you an accurate cost estimate on the components right now because I have not built a tube amp recently, but I can tell you that you probably have to do some real digging for parts especially if you want the vintage type reverb unit. You will be better off if you have it custom built and let the shop take care of that for you. The time and agony you save will well worth the money, which is not much more than you building it yourself. They can usually get the components cheaper than you can.

I would suggest you get the 40 watt Bassman and hook up some FX to it because I am not confident that old FX or reverb designs is adequate for modern style demand. The 15 extra watts give you more to play with in case you need it and is not that much different in sound level. My person experience is that these amps sound best when they are at 5-6, not fully up. Make sure you get good speakers that have the right response to your playing style too.

It was more of a rhetorical question really. More than one guy has given me the "you'll put your eye out" line via "Working on amps is very dangerous, high voltage will kill you if you don't know what your doing"! I work at a power plant actually, but not with the electrical part, the steam and water chemisty side. Thanks to all the moms and dads of the forum...we can't be too lax with electrical safety...and remember to always buckle up and use a designated driver.

Don't worry I ain't gonna build an amp.

I would love to have a Deluxe, a Champ, a Princeton, a DR, a SR, a Bassman and a Marshall Bluesbreaker, a Marshall 18W, the New Vox AC30 CC, and one Scott_F Franklin Combo in my amp collection. If I had one of each I would be pretty well set.

I'll get to work to fill out my list. But, first I've gotta finish this grad school thing.

Thanks again guys. This has been a really cool thread. Well done.