Amps other the Vox,Mesa Boogie& Matchless

[Fender Bender]

Hi To All

I often wonder what other guitar amps can be suitable to achieve the sound other then mentioned or used by HM.I think Charlie touched briefly on this topic but did not mention any particular brands and models.

It will be nice to know if whether there is other possible amps to get that sound.Over to sound experts !!!

Cheers

Louis

[peterbower]

Hi
I use Charlie's Acetone as it was designed and tweaked to give that sound. I still use it but sadly, its no longer available.

I'm no expert, but i was very impressed with the Laney LC-30 Mk 2 especially now that Laney fit a Celestion speaker in it.
The new limited edition AC-15 is very impressive and i think more so than an AC-30. Big bucks though!
I also like the Fender twin, but not sure which model, but i do know according to Jet that Hank plugged into one on occasions when they were recording at Abbey Road. Charlie may know more about this than me. I have always suspected that 'some' of those early Shadows tracks were on a Fender twin.
Hope this helps.
Peter

[Len]

Hi Louis

You haven't, or wouldn't consider amp simulations I suppose? I use them even though, in one case I have the real thing. It is difficult with some of them to tell from the real thing, at least to my ears and the ear of many others.

Regards
Len

[abstamaria]

I understood one of the Matchless models was based on, and was touted as a better-built version of, the Vox AC30. They are quite expensive, however, and I am not sure whether the change from the original owners affected quality.

Since the current Vox Heritage models are available, there has been little incentive to look at the Matchless, which at best can only try to sound like the Vox, but the Matchless amps are still quite interesting.

Has anyone used them?

Andy

[abstamaria]

Here's a quote from Music Gallery's site on Matchless amplifiers:

Matchless Amplifiers
Matchless Amplifiers got their start in 1989 and we designed to be the best sounding, least problem prone amps on the market. Originally, they were heavily based of the famed Vox AC30 which helped put the company on the map. Once established, the company had a bit more freedom to implement some new models. After some difficulities in the late 1990's the company came back, better than ever with more tones, options and models than ever available. These amps fill a room with sound in a way that is truly unique. There are many reasons you are seeing more and more Matchless amps on stage with heavy hitters.

[peterbower]

Hi fender bender

You didn't say if you had a budget or not, if money is no object then a Matchless is a pretty good bet.
Charlie's Pinnacle amp sounds very authentic for the Shads sound, but then that is only my opinion.

The trouble is with this sort of question, you are going to get a million opinions and suggestions as every body hears it slightly different.
Go with your own ears.

Cheers
Peter

[sheendigs]

Hi There
If your budget is tight you should get a VT15 or VT30....nice little amps and they do have a nice sound. Else try the heritage AC15H1TV 1 x 12..The sound is amazing..I sent one to a friend (with a Blue speaker) in Brazil to Roberto..and you can hear his clips on Youtube..
The amplifier has two channels..classic with EF86 preamp and the other with 1963 Top boost unit.Add the option to choose Pentode and triode operation (Triode being a dirtier half-power mode)..three position brilliance switch and a two position bass switch..
Here are his clips:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCMvhKt0Zes&feature=related
Sheendigs

[Fender Bender]

Hi Peter and All

Yes,budget is always a problem.I do have a late sixties Vox AC 30 top boost[JMI] head with a genuine Vox cab loaded with celestion vintage 30's.Unfortunately I don't have the original alnico's in the cab.I only use the Vox when playing at the Shads Club in Cape Town.

For normal gigs I use my Fender Twin Reverb [135 W] and Boss GT8.I also have a marshall 20/20 valve power amp which I attend to use when I can get hold of a Vox Tonelab LE.I hear that the AC 15 and AC 30 simulation are very good in those units.I had my Vox cab modified to switch from mono to stereo as two speakers must run separate when playing with the marshall poweramp.

I heard a lot about the Acetone amps when I was in contact with Ian McCutcheon when I ordered some backing tracks from him some time ago.I'm looking for a Q2 or Q20 to load Charlie's EFTP on but can't find any in Cape Town.I can get the sound close enough with what I have but really miss the correct echoes.

I use to play with a Roland 201 echo unit for long and used a DD 2 to add the extra echo but it packed up.I eventually sold it for spare parts to a collector.

Are there any suggestions on how to get hold of a Q2 or Q20 ?

Regards

Louis [ Fender Bender ]

[tonybiker]

Hi Robert. The Matchless DC30 will be close to the ultimate tone, however, they are nearly £3000, weigh twice as much as a Vox AC15 and even on half power using the switch, its too loud. You need it on full power for that tone and normal gig use when its mic'd up, and its impossible for home use to get that tone. I was lucky enough to own one in the 90's, and impressive as it was, I don't miss carrying it. The Vox AC15 (tubed) to be honest was just as good and easy to carry. If you hear one on full cry you would swear its more than just 30 watts.

[peterbower]

Fender bender

I know blokes over here looking for Q-2 & Q-20 echo units but they seem to have dried up on the second hand market. I guess people are hanging on to them.

Back to your quest. Its a sort of holy grail amongst the Shads fraternity. There are a few players that get close, no names mentioned, but in my estimation they are only about 75% there, well that's pretty good i would have thought.

Its a very loose formula, with many factors dictating the end result which is never really going to be 100%.

We are all or most of us in the right ball park and perhaps just a few down to the size of a tennis court but my feeling is that it is as far as it will go. Perhaps one day some one will just stumble by accident on to that sound taking it that bit nearer.
Charlie is the best person to ask about echo units and i always value his advice.
I'm not being negative, just a realist.

Good luck

Peter

[sheendigs]

Hi Fender Bender
I just posted in the General section a link for a small new amp from ZT amplifier..hold your horse before buying any other amp....and check this one..if available in your country!
Sheendigs ;D