The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Electric Guitars

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 08-06-2017, 12:08 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,427
Default Joy of a real tube amp

Had a 1974 Les Paul Custom I bought used years ago. Always used pedals. Bought a Mesa Boogie TA-15 used and it lets you overdrive the tubes with only 5 watts of power. You can see how the greats like Neil Young got their sound. Much more organic and experimental. The amp becomes part of the music.
__________________
Steve
2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top
2005 McKnight SS Dred
2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby
2014 Godin Inuk
2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo
2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck
2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice
2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD
1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck
1987 Ovation Collectors
1993 Ovation Collectors
1967 J-45 Gibson
1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-06-2017, 02:30 PM
Gutch's Avatar
Gutch Gutch is offline
Cocobologist
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Over by 'dere...
Posts: 4,475
Default

There is a magic to tube amp tone vs. solid state amps. That being said, modern modeling technology has gotten so good, there's really no longer a need to lug around a heavy amp and cab or combo.

I picked up a Line 6 Helix a couple months ago and, I gotta tell you, they've gotten the tone and playing characteristics of tube amps down solid! You can even adjust the bias, the tube sag, and even the hum level! Playing touch and dynamic reaction to the player's attack are there! Then there's the ease of set up and use for gigs and recording.

My Fender Hot Rod Deluxe has been in the corner collecting dust since the Helix came home...
__________________
‎"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
- Plato

| '02 814c Custom (Coco/Sitka) | '03 912ce Custom (Coco/Engelmann)| '06 K65ce | '17 J45 Std. | '10 Breedlove Revival OM DLX (EIR/Adi) | Lots of electrics...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-06-2017, 03:48 PM
Rodger Rodger is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 2,079
Default

Great minds think alike Steve...

My 1973 Les Paul Custom I bought new when I was 19. Dimarzio SuperDistortion in the bridge and Dimarzio PAF in the neck position. I still have the original pickups. Gigged the heck out of it back in the day.



1982 Mesa Mark IIB bought new via their paper catalog. 60/100 watt option. Never needed the 100 watt setting. 60 watt setting, Volume at 3 is ear piercing in a small room.



2011 Mesa 5/25 Express bought used a few years ago off of this Forum. Haven't had it off of the 5 watt setting yet. Use it for recording. Sounds fantastic.

__________________
Rodger

Last edited by Rodger; 08-06-2017 at 04:20 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-06-2017, 04:15 PM
muscmp muscmp is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: socal
Posts: 8,123
Default

the amp has always been considered as a part in a guitarist's music. some people believe it is 40% of the sound. each and every amp i use, i tweak it to fit the guitar i'm playing. all of the parts have to jive together.

my favorite amps are my small wattage ones. tweed deluxe, tweed princeton, blackface deluxe reverb, silverface champ and vibrochamp as well as my vox ac15c1---15 loud watts!

play music!
__________________

2014 Martin 00015M
2009 Martin 0015M
2008 Martin HD28
2007 Martin 000-18GE
2006 Taylor 712
2006 Fender Parlor GDP100
1978 Fender F65
1968 Gibson B25-12N
Various Electrics
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-06-2017, 04:22 PM
muscmp muscmp is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: socal
Posts: 8,123
Default

[QUOTE=Rodger;5435419]Great minds think alike Steve...


1982 Mesa Mark IIB bought new via their paper catalog. 60/100 watt option. Never needed the 100 watt setting. 60 watt setting, Volume at 3 is ear piercing in a small room.



i have an 83 markIIB 60 watt version. i don't know how you can get it to 3!

play music!
__________________

2014 Martin 00015M
2009 Martin 0015M
2008 Martin HD28
2007 Martin 000-18GE
2006 Taylor 712
2006 Fender Parlor GDP100
1978 Fender F65
1968 Gibson B25-12N
Various Electrics
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-06-2017, 05:07 PM
KevWind's Avatar
KevWind KevWind is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Edge of Wilderness Wyoming
Posts: 19,884
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodger View Post
2011 Mesa 5/25 Express bought used a few years ago off of this Forum. Haven't had it off of the 5 watt setting yet. Use it for recording. Sounds fantastic.

What a great looking amp love the natural wood and light tan grill cloth color combo . If it sound also great what bonus.

My first ever electric amp was purchased in the fall last year. A new Supro Titan 50 watt tube amp and matching cab I do love the sound of it .

__________________
Enjoy the Journey.... Kev...

KevWind at Soundcloud

KevWind at YouYube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD

System :
Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1

Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-06-2017, 05:48 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,427
Default

The 1974 Custom, 20th Anniversary. All stock, bought it used in the 1980's for $550. Shame I have played it so little.



They don't make the Mesa Boogie TA-15 any more but it was the coolest lunchbox amp. Could be a Vox, Tweed, Marshall, or Mesa. 5, 15, 25 watts. At 5 you could be in your bedroom and still overdrive like crazy. I played acoustic mostly all my life but with this set up I can be Neil Young for a moment. Meet you "Down By the River" lol

__________________
Steve
2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top
2005 McKnight SS Dred
2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby
2014 Godin Inuk
2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo
2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck
2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice
2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD
1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck
1987 Ovation Collectors
1993 Ovation Collectors
1967 J-45 Gibson
1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom

Last edited by Doubleneck; 08-06-2017 at 05:56 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-06-2017, 05:55 PM
DavidE DavidE is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 4,106
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doubleneck View Post
The 1974 Custom, 20th Anniversary. All stock bought it used by in the 1980's for $550.



They don't make the Mesa Boogie TA-15 any more but it was the coolest lunchbox amp. Could be a Vox, Tweed, Marshall, or Mesa. 5, 15, 25 watts. At 5 you could be in your bedroom and still overdrive like crazy. I played acoustic mostly all my life but with this set up I can be Neil Young for a moment. Meet you "Down By the River" lol

I still have mine. It would be perfect if only it had an effects loop.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-06-2017, 05:59 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,427
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidE View Post
I still have mine. It would be perfect if only it had an effects loop.
Does Neil use a loop?
__________________
Steve
2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top
2005 McKnight SS Dred
2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby
2014 Godin Inuk
2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo
2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck
2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice
2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD
1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck
1987 Ovation Collectors
1993 Ovation Collectors
1967 J-45 Gibson
1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-06-2017, 05:59 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 43,429
Default

Yep, something special about a tube amp, especially with a nice OD in front of it, crank the OD's volume keep the OD's gain low ... my Les Pauls love it.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-06-2017, 06:21 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Staten Island, NY - for now
Posts: 14,985
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doubleneck View Post
Had a 1974 Les Paul Custom I bought used years ago. Always used pedals. Bought a Mesa Boogie TA-15...Much more organic and experimental. The amp becomes part of the music.
Sometimes all you really need is guitar-cable-amp...
__________________
"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool"
- Sicilian proverb (paraphrased)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-06-2017, 06:46 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,427
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa View Post
Sometimes all you really need is guitar-cable-amp...
I am approaching it kind of like a acoustic guitar player, producing the sound naturally from the adjusting the overdrive and saturation with the volume, gain knobs. The TA-15 is really a throwback having a Vox side and a Tweed side with a infinite amount of variation in sound from twisting knobs. Very organic, like a acoustic.

I'm sure if your giging you need that push button digital repeatability. But playing with tubes is new and fun to me.

This guy did a good UTube on the amp.

https://youtu.be/dfbYiJI6VKw
__________________
Steve
2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top
2005 McKnight SS Dred
2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby
2014 Godin Inuk
2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo
2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck
2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice
2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD
1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck
1987 Ovation Collectors
1993 Ovation Collectors
1967 J-45 Gibson
1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom

Last edited by Doubleneck; 08-06-2017 at 06:53 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-06-2017, 07:32 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Staten Island, NY - for now
Posts: 14,985
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doubleneck View Post
I am approaching it kind of like an acoustic-guitar player, producing the sound naturally from adjusting the overdrive and saturation with the volume/gain knobs...Very organic, like a acoustic.

I'm sure if you're gigging you need that push button digital repeatability. But playing with tubes is new and fun to me...
Once you really learn your way around your amp, repeatability won't be a problem - if you're using the same instrument all you should need is minor adjustments to compensate for room size/acoustics; BTW until the early/mid-70's that's the way it was done - just amp/guitar controls dialed in to achieve your signature sound - and if you're most comfortable going that route you'll be in some very good company...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gutch View Post
...I picked up a Line 6 Helix a couple months ago...My Fender Hot Rod Deluxe has been in the corner collecting dust since the Helix came home...
Feel free to send it to me; I'll give it a good home - and a couple easy DIY mods I have in mind, that'll turn it into a latter-day Ampeg VT-22 for those '70s Keef tones...
__________________
"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool"
- Sicilian proverb (paraphrased)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-07-2017, 04:10 AM
ghostnote ghostnote is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,653
Default

I love my tube amps, always will. I only play them at home where I'm free to make the sounds I want. There is nothing like the sound of organic, archaic technology cranked nice and loud. I also use them for recording. With our band I use SS amps - they're light weight, sound really good, and let's face it: at stage volumes, nobody in the audience can hear the subtle nuances and sweet overtones that tubes provide. If we were playing AC/DC tunes, - we don't - I'd probably use the tube amps - turned up to 10! Sometimes you need a sledgehammer...
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-07-2017, 05:12 AM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,427
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gutch View Post
There is a magic to tube amp tone vs. solid state amps. That being said, modern modeling technology has gotten so good, there's really no longer a need to lug around a heavy amp and cab or combo.

I picked up a Line 6 Helix a couple months ago and, I gotta tell you, they've gotten the tone and playing characteristics of tube amps down solid! You can even adjust the bias, the tube sag, and even the hum level! Playing touch and dynamic reaction to the player's attack are there! Then there's the ease of set up and use for gigs and recording.

My Fender Hot Rod Deluxe has been in the corner collecting dust since the Helix came home...
Looked at some UTubes on the Line 6 Helix and it certainly looks like it can do about anything! (Mic simulations and then the distance of mic from the cab as example). I would get lost in there I am sure. Given I'm mainly a acoustic player that's a bit of overkill. Given my age I'm stuck in the 60s early 70s so the TA-15 covers that pretty well and I love all those mini switches and watching the tubes heat up. Seems real, like Sitka on Madagascar Rosewood. Lol
__________________
Steve
2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top
2005 McKnight SS Dred
2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby
2014 Godin Inuk
2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo
2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck
2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice
2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD
1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck
1987 Ovation Collectors
1993 Ovation Collectors
1967 J-45 Gibson
1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Electric Guitars

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:42 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=