Post by Kevin on Oct 28, 2008 13:01:56 GMT
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 (Original Message) Sent: 08/02/2008 10:16
Hi All,
Has anybody got an opinion on the Orange Tiny Terror valve amp, or the Laney LC15R
I would like to upgrade from my AD15VT but cannot justify the cost for the Vox Heritage.
I do not need volume, this is for home use only.
All opinions welcomed.
Cheers
Alan H
First Previous 2-11 of 26 Next Last Delete Replies
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Recommend Delete Message 2 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 08/02/2008 10:34
You don't need volume so sound must be the only criteria.
I thought the AD15 was suupposed to be one of the best amps of its type for the sound it is supposed to produce, but I would hazard a guess that the all valve models might be louder. Has it always sounded the same as far as you can tell?
I think it is unlikely that either of the other amps you mention would give the old sound that the Heritage could give, so just trying to work out your reasoning with those choices.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 3 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 08/02/2008 11:46
Hi Charlie,
No the Vox has not changed at all, or given me any problems.
I have had it for some time though, and have read very good reviews about the Orange and the Laney.
.My magicstomp with your patches is the bees knees, and I know that I should really have the AC15, to compliment it, but as I said before, I cannot justify the dollars. Maybe I will not be able to improve on the sound I am getting with the AD15
Cheers
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 4 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 08/02/2008 12:07
I think the only way you will know is to try them with your own guitar and pedal.
Unless the reviews stated specifically that the amps are good for Shadows sounds, you can't be sure that they will be. There is no such thing as a perfect amp that can do it all and personal preferences are the only way to go.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 5 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameFender_Dave1964 Sent: 09/02/2008 16:36
Hi Alan,
I've owned an AD30VT and now have a 50 ( I need the volume), does the 15 have the power Attenuator knob on the back like the 30 & 50?. If not, Then consider the 30 for home use. I wouldn't recomend a 50, as it is too big for home and is also noisy, from the cooling fan. (The 30 doesn't have one)
Cranking both Volumes to the hilt and using the power attenuator on the back to lower the overall voutput gives a better sound (at Home ) than an Old original AC15 does at the same "acceptable" level!!! ( I know i've tried it) hope this helps.
Regards
Dave
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 6 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 10/02/2008 07:13
Hi Dave,
The AD15 does not have the power attenuator like the rest......but I do have both volume controls on max. and I use the AC15 model .
Your comments are interesting, because if I did go mad and lash out on the AC15 Heritage, and then found that the tone was not much better than the AD15, I would be really p,,,,,,d off.
Charlie's settings for the M.S. are very good, but I am not getting the tone I want, and I put it down to the fact I am using an amp modeller instead of the real thing.
Cheers
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 7 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 10/02/2008 10:41
Both volume controls on max? Do you mean the controls on the amp or the guitar and amp?
I haven't seen or tried an AD15 but I would not expect to have to turn all amp volume controls to max, not on any amp, especially at home. Make sure your guitar has its volume on 10. If it already is, and your amp is not distorting at those settings, I feel that there might be a problem with the amp. You could try changing the valve for a new one to see if that gives more gain and allowing a lower drive setting on the amp.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 8 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 10/02/2008 10:43
You could also try connecting the guitar directly to the amp without the Magicstomp. If it is louder, then the volume control on the Magicstomp might be set wrongly.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 9 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 10/02/2008 11:35
Charlie,
The gain on the AD15 is set at 10oclock. Anything above that and the sound is not clean at all.
The Vol. & master Vol. are set to max. That is what I understood was required to get a decent sound. The message I have been getting is "drive it hard"
My guitar is always on Max volume.
I then make any adjustments with the MS volume and EQ pedal volume.
Cheers
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 10 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 10/02/2008 13:21
Hi Alan,
I understand now. I thought you meant that you had all the volume settings (including the gain) full up. Yes, the cleanest sound will result from setting it that way. If it gets dirty you have to turn down the gain.
I don't have any other ideas at the moment without hearing the amp and the rest of your setup. I'll se if I can look at the online manual later.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 11 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameKipper4197 Sent: 10/02/2008 14:19
hi i have the ad15vt and a vox ac15 just the standard not the heritage version. and i think the ac15 is the best amp around at the price, and above that price range. i tried a marshall valve which was very good and twice as much but the ac15 though my magicstomp is brilliant. and i use it at home, and i think you could gig with it as well loads of punch. they are under £300 and easy to use. peter
From: MSN Nicknamevalvewhiz1 Sent: 10/02/2008 19:35
Hi,
I too have the AC15CC1 and it's a cracking little amp!
They go reasonably cheaply on the well known auction site too! mine cost 285 GBP
including P+P, they are made in the same factory as the
Heritage in China.
It's true it is louder than the all transistor Pathfinder 15!
Regards
Amanda
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 13 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameDavidMartin_ Sent: 11/02/2008 10:55
Consider an Epiphone Valve Junior... ecc83, single el84, no tone control, just volume... and £99 or thereabouts. I love the tone of these amps played clean, but wind it up with a humbucker and glorious overdriven sounds emerge too...
This is a great intro to valve amps and may be loud enough to meet all your needs. (I suggest removing the back grill, or indeed the whole of the back panel, which improves tone.
www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-valve-5w/68250
Reply
Recommend (1 recommendation so far) Delete Message 14 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 11/02/2008 23:38
I have looked at the manual for the AD15VT. I think I have referred to it before to help someone else with a similar problem.
For early Shadows sounds use the AC15 model. For later Shadows and Hank sounds use the AC30TB model.
I will give a quick explanation to set the tone controls so that you will have some control over what you are trying to achieve.
For each test, use the guitar pickup that you think was used for the tune(s) you want to play.
Choose one of the amp models above. Turn the bass to about halfway. Turn the treble and middle controls off. Now, keep playing the guitar and gradually turn up the treble until you find the sweet spot, this is when the treble begins to be heard. Do not set it higher than that spot just yet. Now turn the middle up until there is enough body in the tone of every string on the guitar. Now turn the bass control up or down to get the best tone balance between high and low notes. Re adjust the gain control if necessary for the cleanest sound you need.
Finally, store these settings in a spare location. They will be your basic setting from which all other settings will refer to.
Now choose the other amp model and repeat all of the above.
For older Hank and Shadows use the AC15 model. Now for fine tuning the basic sounds. If you want the sound on the treble strings a bit brighter sounding, turn the treble up, a small amount at a time until you get what you want. If it sounds too bright or hard, turn the treble down again a bit at a time. Then check the sound of the bass strings and adjust the bass until you get the sound you want from the bass strings. If it sounds too thin whatever you try to do, turn the middle up a bit and try the trable and bass settings again. When happy, save this new setting as well to a new location. It can be considered as the final version of the basic one you stored earlier. You still have the basic one to work from in case you fancy a change, or need different settings for different guitar pickup selections.
For later Hank and Shadows, use the AC30TB model and repeat all of the above.
For the Burns sound, turn the treble and the bass higher, so that the balance is reasonable between the high and low notes. Turn the middle all the way off. Check that this sound is what you want for Burns tunes, make further adjustments to the bass and treble if necessary. Save this setting as your Burns sound.
The basics of the tone settings as above is how I approach the setting of almost all guitar amps (because they have similar tone control structures, although variations in component values help to make one brand of amp sound different to another), especially an amp that I have not used before. The main part of the idea is to turn the middle down before you set the treble. Only turn the middle up again when you are happy with the treble setting. By doing this you learn to find the individual amp's (or amp model's) character. This is the best way to deal with an amp that you don't otherwise know how to set to get the result you want. You won't get it exactly right with every amp, but you will be fairly sure you'll have got the best you can do with any particular amp.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 15 of 26 in Discussion
From: Didier Sent: 12/02/2008 08:19
If you want the cheapest possible tube amplifier, look here : www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_ga5.htm It's a clone of the Epiphone Valve Junior for 71 £...
With 5 W, it's not loud enough to play in a band (I have heard it), but a more powerful 15 W model is coming : www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_ga15.htm for 114 £...
Didier.
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 16 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 12/02/2008 10:36
Charlie,
Thanks for that explanation on how to adjust an amp.
You have given some great tips and tricks I had not been aware of before now.
I am going to go and have a play right now, to see what sound I can come up with. Then I will decide if I need to visit the music shop to look at amps.
Thanks again
Cheers,
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 17 of 26 in Discussion
From: Didier Sent: 12/02/2008 11:03
I have heard someone using a Vox AD15VT and a Zoom G7 at a club meeting, and the sound was excellent, and quite loud enough enough for band playing.
In fact, I was not expecting that a 15 W transistor amp could sound so loud !...
Didier
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 18 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 12/02/2008 17:35
Hi Didier,
Some newer solid state amps have current feedback, which can give a higher output impedance more like a valve amp, and so that the speaker(s) will react more like it would with a valve amp. For this to work, the solid state power amp must have more power available than it would normally have. For example, if I was designing a 30 watt solid state amp, I would use perhaps a 50 watt or even a 100 watt power amp and then use current feedback. The current feedback would probably lower the available power on a bench test (because the output impedance is higher and axctually a worse match than it would be otherwise) but when connected to a speaker the amp would sound louder than expected. It could be that the Valvetronics amps are designed like this. I think that the Marshall Valvestate power amps work like this as well.
Curerent feedback is achieved by having a wirewound resistor in series (maybe something like 1 ohm) between the speaker and ground. The feedback is taken from the point where the resistor and speaker are connected, and fed back to an earlier stage in much the same way as a voltage feedback signal would be. Voltage feedback is taken directly from the speaker output (i.e. the other end of the speaker terminal). It is also possible to have 2 feedback signals set up in this way. Voltage feedback reduces output impedance, while current feedback increases output impedance.
Valve amps can also have current feedback as well as voltage feedback. Varying the current feedback acts as a damping control. The Peavey 5150 is one model with this feature. Fender Twin amps have a lot of negative voltage feedback with more damping than other valve amps, which explains why they can sound very clean, sometimes too clean for some players. When clipping occurs the distortion is more sudden.
AC30 amps have no feedback at all, so it makes the sound looser and distorts more gradually. This makes it even more difficult to get a similar character of damping from a solid state amp. As for the gradual distortion, this is where the valve of the Valvetronics amps comes into effect. It is more difficult, but not impossible, to get this gradual distortion from solid state alone.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 19 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameShadowtonio2 Sent: 12/02/2008 18:46
Hello Alan,
Just get a AC15CC1 ,,,,ot the Heritage Vox,, the best is with the blue speaker,,,,,,,,,,,,,you will have a great sound,,,,,,,
Echo: try the Magic stomp with the EFTP,,,,,,,,,,
------------------------------------------------------------------
I also had The AD15VT, its no good for the Shadow Sound, you want, just sell it
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck,
tonio
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 20 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 13/02/2008 11:28
Tonio,
Thanks for that tip. Good to hear from someone who has used the AD15
I have been thinking recently that I should get away from amp modeling, and your comments back that up. I am not very keen on the Vox clean sound of the G7 either.
Although I have to say that our French friend with his tonelab sounds close enough to the that sound, to leave some doubt in my mind.
Cheers
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 21 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameLaterJOHN Sent: 13/02/2008 15:43
i have a vox ad50 avt 1x12" ,upgraded preamp valve.( converted to look like 60s with old black cloth )
like they say, both volumes up full, control loudness via attentuator on back, lot clearer, more ringing sound.
i also have an epiphone junior valve head ,5w, upgraded fitted new gold pin jj tesla preamp and power amp valves. better cleaner higher headroom.
can link via vox combo cab ( 1x x12" ), or second spare vox cab with 2 x jensen vintage repro 12" speakers, linked in 2 x mono OR stereo , switchable, also 3rd cab !! being built to comprise : celestion vintage 30 & greenback, individually switchable also, to cover all possibilities !!!
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 22 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 13/02/2008 17:09
Hi LaterJOHN,
There seems to be an element of luck required when using two mismatched speaker types together. The result also depends on whether they are wired in series or parallel. When in parallel, the two speakers tend to motor each other, in series the results are probably less predictable.
You probably know that the Matchless DC30 uses a Vintage 30 and a greenback (although I have also heard of other combinations being used as well). The speakers are wired in series. Hank told me that none of his Matchless amps sounded the same. I believe that the reason for this was the unpredictable nature of the speaker combination.
This page is a useful information source:
www.webervst.com/sptalk.html
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 23 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameFenderwim Sent: 13/02/2008 19:55
Hi Allan
If it is for home use only why donot you buy a Fender Champion 600. Costs little, if needed you can put in better tubes and seems to sound very good.
Cheers
Wim
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Recommend Delete Message 24 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameDavidMartin_ Sent: 14/02/2008 07:44
I have a Fender Champion 600 along side my Epiphone Valve Jr and AC30... it's very good and has that characteristic Fender sound, but is rather "fizzy" when used with humbuckers through the "High" input, whereas the Epi sound very like an AC15 at lower volume settings and roars like a lion when flat out...
p.s. Had to change the preamp tube on the Champion straight away - some nasty duff valve sounds.... but the main power tube is fine, even better than the Tung Sol I compared it with...
My advice would still be to stick with the Epi... better sounds, bigger speaker, more volume... (and check out duhvoodooman.com/VJr/VJr_mods.htm)
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Recommend Delete Message 25 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameDavidMartin_ Sent: 14/02/2008 08:18
pps The comments about hum on the original Epi Jr led the company to revise the spec so now it doesn't!
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 26 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN Nicknametwang46 Sent: 14/02/2008 11:31
Hi Alan.
You could buy my valve amp.
It's a single ended 5w hand wired (turret board) in a vintage style cabinet with 12" celestion with a full tone stack.
The amp will not be cheap but it's a good 'un.
If interested, mail me for pics/specs etc...
It's time for a new project for me.
Cheers.
Dick.
Hi All,
Has anybody got an opinion on the Orange Tiny Terror valve amp, or the Laney LC15R
I would like to upgrade from my AD15VT but cannot justify the cost for the Vox Heritage.
I do not need volume, this is for home use only.
All opinions welcomed.
Cheers
Alan H
First Previous 2-11 of 26 Next Last Delete Replies
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Recommend Delete Message 2 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 08/02/2008 10:34
You don't need volume so sound must be the only criteria.
I thought the AD15 was suupposed to be one of the best amps of its type for the sound it is supposed to produce, but I would hazard a guess that the all valve models might be louder. Has it always sounded the same as far as you can tell?
I think it is unlikely that either of the other amps you mention would give the old sound that the Heritage could give, so just trying to work out your reasoning with those choices.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 3 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 08/02/2008 11:46
Hi Charlie,
No the Vox has not changed at all, or given me any problems.
I have had it for some time though, and have read very good reviews about the Orange and the Laney.
.My magicstomp with your patches is the bees knees, and I know that I should really have the AC15, to compliment it, but as I said before, I cannot justify the dollars. Maybe I will not be able to improve on the sound I am getting with the AD15
Cheers
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 4 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 08/02/2008 12:07
I think the only way you will know is to try them with your own guitar and pedal.
Unless the reviews stated specifically that the amps are good for Shadows sounds, you can't be sure that they will be. There is no such thing as a perfect amp that can do it all and personal preferences are the only way to go.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 5 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameFender_Dave1964 Sent: 09/02/2008 16:36
Hi Alan,
I've owned an AD30VT and now have a 50 ( I need the volume), does the 15 have the power Attenuator knob on the back like the 30 & 50?. If not, Then consider the 30 for home use. I wouldn't recomend a 50, as it is too big for home and is also noisy, from the cooling fan. (The 30 doesn't have one)
Cranking both Volumes to the hilt and using the power attenuator on the back to lower the overall voutput gives a better sound (at Home ) than an Old original AC15 does at the same "acceptable" level!!! ( I know i've tried it) hope this helps.
Regards
Dave
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 6 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 10/02/2008 07:13
Hi Dave,
The AD15 does not have the power attenuator like the rest......but I do have both volume controls on max. and I use the AC15 model .
Your comments are interesting, because if I did go mad and lash out on the AC15 Heritage, and then found that the tone was not much better than the AD15, I would be really p,,,,,,d off.
Charlie's settings for the M.S. are very good, but I am not getting the tone I want, and I put it down to the fact I am using an amp modeller instead of the real thing.
Cheers
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 7 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 10/02/2008 10:41
Both volume controls on max? Do you mean the controls on the amp or the guitar and amp?
I haven't seen or tried an AD15 but I would not expect to have to turn all amp volume controls to max, not on any amp, especially at home. Make sure your guitar has its volume on 10. If it already is, and your amp is not distorting at those settings, I feel that there might be a problem with the amp. You could try changing the valve for a new one to see if that gives more gain and allowing a lower drive setting on the amp.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 8 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 10/02/2008 10:43
You could also try connecting the guitar directly to the amp without the Magicstomp. If it is louder, then the volume control on the Magicstomp might be set wrongly.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 9 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 10/02/2008 11:35
Charlie,
The gain on the AD15 is set at 10oclock. Anything above that and the sound is not clean at all.
The Vol. & master Vol. are set to max. That is what I understood was required to get a decent sound. The message I have been getting is "drive it hard"
My guitar is always on Max volume.
I then make any adjustments with the MS volume and EQ pedal volume.
Cheers
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 10 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 10/02/2008 13:21
Hi Alan,
I understand now. I thought you meant that you had all the volume settings (including the gain) full up. Yes, the cleanest sound will result from setting it that way. If it gets dirty you have to turn down the gain.
I don't have any other ideas at the moment without hearing the amp and the rest of your setup. I'll se if I can look at the online manual later.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 11 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameKipper4197 Sent: 10/02/2008 14:19
hi i have the ad15vt and a vox ac15 just the standard not the heritage version. and i think the ac15 is the best amp around at the price, and above that price range. i tried a marshall valve which was very good and twice as much but the ac15 though my magicstomp is brilliant. and i use it at home, and i think you could gig with it as well loads of punch. they are under £300 and easy to use. peter
From: MSN Nicknamevalvewhiz1 Sent: 10/02/2008 19:35
Hi,
I too have the AC15CC1 and it's a cracking little amp!
They go reasonably cheaply on the well known auction site too! mine cost 285 GBP
including P+P, they are made in the same factory as the
Heritage in China.
It's true it is louder than the all transistor Pathfinder 15!
Regards
Amanda
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 13 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameDavidMartin_ Sent: 11/02/2008 10:55
Consider an Epiphone Valve Junior... ecc83, single el84, no tone control, just volume... and £99 or thereabouts. I love the tone of these amps played clean, but wind it up with a humbucker and glorious overdriven sounds emerge too...
This is a great intro to valve amps and may be loud enough to meet all your needs. (I suggest removing the back grill, or indeed the whole of the back panel, which improves tone.
www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/epiphone-valve-5w/68250
Reply
Recommend (1 recommendation so far) Delete Message 14 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 11/02/2008 23:38
I have looked at the manual for the AD15VT. I think I have referred to it before to help someone else with a similar problem.
For early Shadows sounds use the AC15 model. For later Shadows and Hank sounds use the AC30TB model.
I will give a quick explanation to set the tone controls so that you will have some control over what you are trying to achieve.
For each test, use the guitar pickup that you think was used for the tune(s) you want to play.
Choose one of the amp models above. Turn the bass to about halfway. Turn the treble and middle controls off. Now, keep playing the guitar and gradually turn up the treble until you find the sweet spot, this is when the treble begins to be heard. Do not set it higher than that spot just yet. Now turn the middle up until there is enough body in the tone of every string on the guitar. Now turn the bass control up or down to get the best tone balance between high and low notes. Re adjust the gain control if necessary for the cleanest sound you need.
Finally, store these settings in a spare location. They will be your basic setting from which all other settings will refer to.
Now choose the other amp model and repeat all of the above.
For older Hank and Shadows use the AC15 model. Now for fine tuning the basic sounds. If you want the sound on the treble strings a bit brighter sounding, turn the treble up, a small amount at a time until you get what you want. If it sounds too bright or hard, turn the treble down again a bit at a time. Then check the sound of the bass strings and adjust the bass until you get the sound you want from the bass strings. If it sounds too thin whatever you try to do, turn the middle up a bit and try the trable and bass settings again. When happy, save this new setting as well to a new location. It can be considered as the final version of the basic one you stored earlier. You still have the basic one to work from in case you fancy a change, or need different settings for different guitar pickup selections.
For later Hank and Shadows, use the AC30TB model and repeat all of the above.
For the Burns sound, turn the treble and the bass higher, so that the balance is reasonable between the high and low notes. Turn the middle all the way off. Check that this sound is what you want for Burns tunes, make further adjustments to the bass and treble if necessary. Save this setting as your Burns sound.
The basics of the tone settings as above is how I approach the setting of almost all guitar amps (because they have similar tone control structures, although variations in component values help to make one brand of amp sound different to another), especially an amp that I have not used before. The main part of the idea is to turn the middle down before you set the treble. Only turn the middle up again when you are happy with the treble setting. By doing this you learn to find the individual amp's (or amp model's) character. This is the best way to deal with an amp that you don't otherwise know how to set to get the result you want. You won't get it exactly right with every amp, but you will be fairly sure you'll have got the best you can do with any particular amp.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 15 of 26 in Discussion
From: Didier Sent: 12/02/2008 08:19
If you want the cheapest possible tube amplifier, look here : www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_ga5.htm It's a clone of the Epiphone Valve Junior for 71 £...
With 5 W, it's not loud enough to play in a band (I have heard it), but a more powerful 15 W model is coming : www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_ga15.htm for 114 £...
Didier.
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 16 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 12/02/2008 10:36
Charlie,
Thanks for that explanation on how to adjust an amp.
You have given some great tips and tricks I had not been aware of before now.
I am going to go and have a play right now, to see what sound I can come up with. Then I will decide if I need to visit the music shop to look at amps.
Thanks again
Cheers,
Alan H
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 17 of 26 in Discussion
From: Didier Sent: 12/02/2008 11:03
I have heard someone using a Vox AD15VT and a Zoom G7 at a club meeting, and the sound was excellent, and quite loud enough enough for band playing.
In fact, I was not expecting that a 15 W transistor amp could sound so loud !...
Didier
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 18 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 12/02/2008 17:35
Hi Didier,
Some newer solid state amps have current feedback, which can give a higher output impedance more like a valve amp, and so that the speaker(s) will react more like it would with a valve amp. For this to work, the solid state power amp must have more power available than it would normally have. For example, if I was designing a 30 watt solid state amp, I would use perhaps a 50 watt or even a 100 watt power amp and then use current feedback. The current feedback would probably lower the available power on a bench test (because the output impedance is higher and axctually a worse match than it would be otherwise) but when connected to a speaker the amp would sound louder than expected. It could be that the Valvetronics amps are designed like this. I think that the Marshall Valvestate power amps work like this as well.
Curerent feedback is achieved by having a wirewound resistor in series (maybe something like 1 ohm) between the speaker and ground. The feedback is taken from the point where the resistor and speaker are connected, and fed back to an earlier stage in much the same way as a voltage feedback signal would be. Voltage feedback is taken directly from the speaker output (i.e. the other end of the speaker terminal). It is also possible to have 2 feedback signals set up in this way. Voltage feedback reduces output impedance, while current feedback increases output impedance.
Valve amps can also have current feedback as well as voltage feedback. Varying the current feedback acts as a damping control. The Peavey 5150 is one model with this feature. Fender Twin amps have a lot of negative voltage feedback with more damping than other valve amps, which explains why they can sound very clean, sometimes too clean for some players. When clipping occurs the distortion is more sudden.
AC30 amps have no feedback at all, so it makes the sound looser and distorts more gradually. This makes it even more difficult to get a similar character of damping from a solid state amp. As for the gradual distortion, this is where the valve of the Valvetronics amps comes into effect. It is more difficult, but not impossible, to get this gradual distortion from solid state alone.
Regards,
Charlie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 19 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameShadowtonio2 Sent: 12/02/2008 18:46
Hello Alan,
Just get a AC15CC1 ,,,,ot the Heritage Vox,, the best is with the blue speaker,,,,,,,,,,,,,you will have a great sound,,,,,,,
Echo: try the Magic stomp with the EFTP,,,,,,,,,,
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I also had The AD15VT, its no good for the Shadow Sound, you want, just sell it
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Good Luck,
tonio
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Recommend Delete Message 20 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameAlanH4132 Sent: 13/02/2008 11:28
Tonio,
Thanks for that tip. Good to hear from someone who has used the AD15
I have been thinking recently that I should get away from amp modeling, and your comments back that up. I am not very keen on the Vox clean sound of the G7 either.
Although I have to say that our French friend with his tonelab sounds close enough to the that sound, to leave some doubt in my mind.
Cheers
Alan H
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Recommend Delete Message 21 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameLaterJOHN Sent: 13/02/2008 15:43
i have a vox ad50 avt 1x12" ,upgraded preamp valve.( converted to look like 60s with old black cloth )
like they say, both volumes up full, control loudness via attentuator on back, lot clearer, more ringing sound.
i also have an epiphone junior valve head ,5w, upgraded fitted new gold pin jj tesla preamp and power amp valves. better cleaner higher headroom.
can link via vox combo cab ( 1x x12" ), or second spare vox cab with 2 x jensen vintage repro 12" speakers, linked in 2 x mono OR stereo , switchable, also 3rd cab !! being built to comprise : celestion vintage 30 & greenback, individually switchable also, to cover all possibilities !!!
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Recommend Delete Message 22 of 26 in Discussion
From: Charlie Hall Sent: 13/02/2008 17:09
Hi LaterJOHN,
There seems to be an element of luck required when using two mismatched speaker types together. The result also depends on whether they are wired in series or parallel. When in parallel, the two speakers tend to motor each other, in series the results are probably less predictable.
You probably know that the Matchless DC30 uses a Vintage 30 and a greenback (although I have also heard of other combinations being used as well). The speakers are wired in series. Hank told me that none of his Matchless amps sounded the same. I believe that the reason for this was the unpredictable nature of the speaker combination.
This page is a useful information source:
www.webervst.com/sptalk.html
Regards,
Charlie
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Recommend Delete Message 23 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameFenderwim Sent: 13/02/2008 19:55
Hi Allan
If it is for home use only why donot you buy a Fender Champion 600. Costs little, if needed you can put in better tubes and seems to sound very good.
Cheers
Wim
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Recommend Delete Message 24 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameDavidMartin_ Sent: 14/02/2008 07:44
I have a Fender Champion 600 along side my Epiphone Valve Jr and AC30... it's very good and has that characteristic Fender sound, but is rather "fizzy" when used with humbuckers through the "High" input, whereas the Epi sound very like an AC15 at lower volume settings and roars like a lion when flat out...
p.s. Had to change the preamp tube on the Champion straight away - some nasty duff valve sounds.... but the main power tube is fine, even better than the Tung Sol I compared it with...
My advice would still be to stick with the Epi... better sounds, bigger speaker, more volume... (and check out duhvoodooman.com/VJr/VJr_mods.htm)
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Recommend Delete Message 25 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN NicknameDavidMartin_ Sent: 14/02/2008 08:18
pps The comments about hum on the original Epi Jr led the company to revise the spec so now it doesn't!
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Recommend Delete Message 26 of 26 in Discussion
From: MSN Nicknametwang46 Sent: 14/02/2008 11:31
Hi Alan.
You could buy my valve amp.
It's a single ended 5w hand wired (turret board) in a vintage style cabinet with 12" celestion with a full tone stack.
The amp will not be cheap but it's a good 'un.
If interested, mail me for pics/specs etc...
It's time for a new project for me.
Cheers.
Dick.
