Sound City, Dennis Kaeger et al &nbs

[Geezer]

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TryingToDo613
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 31
(5/8/05 9:57 am)
Reply  Sound City, Dennis Kaeger et al
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 Hi everyone. I'm not a tone nut by any stretch of the imagination but I love building amps and am on my second one. Recently I contacted someone here who posted some pics of a SLO he made and I'm hoping he's going to burn me a board for one soon. There is of course no Hoffman board for it, or anything else other than the few circuits that we all talk about here. And even if you go on Geralds site there are a few other patterns but not many.

Why is it that we are milling around a dozen circuits? It is it because there are so many mods for them established that you don't really run out of fun on just these we have? Is it that we're just a bunch of sheep and it's not worth Doug's time to design and template a board for us? Or maybe we just could never agree on which ones we want? I know I have about 20 amps and many of them are not clones like sovteks. Some of them have some really nifty things too, like my Sundown head with a powersoak built in, designed by Dennis Kaeger who is still doing amp stuff. Is it patents?

On ebay you don't see a Sound City head come through without a ton of action. You know even my Peavey classic 50 is quite an amp. I remember back in the day I had a Traynor that we used to sing through at small gigs. These days it's a classic amp.

Could it be that these circuits we work on really are the basis for all the others and we can get all those sounds by modding these? My 30th anniversary marshall, with it's pentode/triode switch and all the other crazy buttons it has would be an incredible amp to build. That new stilleto from boogie actually looks like it was inspired by it. I don't personally see how modding a plexi achieves anything remotely close. Even if you personally don't like the sounds, couldn't it only benefit Doug and all you board builders to have more amps to sell parts for? You'd make alot more than you make from explaining mods. And guys like me would have something else to convince our wives we really need to build because it'd be so cool to make one. -613
 
ratsnest
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 7
(5/8/05 10:38 am)
Reply  Re: Sound City, Dennis Kaeger et al
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 Wow, well put. I've wondered the same thing a lot of times after seeing 4 5F6 threads in a day or seeing someone recommended a 18W marshall build for their next amp. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and people are indeed creatures of habit, but you wonder what holds people back from trying to make a 3 or 4 channel monster (even if it is only 10-20W output) with all the variability they want out of 5 amps in one. I realize that current available transformers will only support certain tube configurations and that could be a limiting factor.

It could be the over-eager and ambitious novice in me, I guess, and mods DO make folks cash easier than new designs with new sounds and a whole host of paradigms to break down for players... but it seems like new circuit design is a lost art.
 
no more guitar solos
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 67
(5/8/05 12:21 pm)
Reply  Re: Sound City, Dennis Kaeger et al
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 Interesting thread.
I guess my interest in the "classic" circuits stems mostly from my appreciation for minimal, elegant design. I dread multichannel, channel switching, speaker emulating, effects looped monsters. But I can appreciate that someone would be into those things. Probably would save a lot of space and money!
Personally, I'd rather have a few one trick ponies than one do-it-all Frankenstein. I just prefer the most simple, robust, stripped down design possible, and it seems that the old circuits leave little room for improvement in this regard.
-dave

 
HotBluePlates
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 1156
(5/8/05 6:16 pm)
Reply  Same ol stuff
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 I can't speak for everyone, but here's a few thoughts that might shed some light...

I don't think anyone here is limited to only those amps for which Doug has designed layouts. But naturally, they are common starting points. The models that are available were dictated by what amps existed as p.c. board reissues at the time they were designed. The original goal was to improve the roadworthiness and ease of repair/modification by replacing the p.c. board. Tone was also improved by the use of better parts. The thing is, Doug doesn't build and sell those anymore, due to the amount of labor required, and the pace of his parts business.

Other vendors do produce boards/kits for a larger variety of amps, but the folks here that are really into amp building aren't constrained to only what layouts Doug has.

Another simple fact is that there's just not that wide of variation in circuits used in guitar amps. Almost all guitar amps wire preamp triodes in either common-cathode or cathode follower configurations, all output stages are single-ended, class A push-pull or class AB push-pull, and there are only 3 basic types of phase inverters (split-load, long-tail pair, or paraphase). We can operate the output tubes as triodes, pentodes, or in ultra-linear mode. We have either triodes or pentodes to use in the preamp. There are also only a few basic types of tone circuits: tweed style, the treble-middle-bass tonestack, and Baxandall. Add the Vox style treble cut, and you've got it covered. All amps also operate with either no negative feedback from the output stage, with feedback, or with feedback and a presence control. Even the novel "resonance" control is the same basic approach as a presence control (decoupling the feedback signal), but at low frequencies rather than high frequencies. And you see these basic circuits with maybe reverb, trem or both built in.

There are ways to accomplish these same tasks in ways that usually aren't used in guitar amps. It is possible to replace the phase inverter in an amp with a transformer to accomplish phase inversion and gain boost. But more transformers are expensive. We can use alternate tube topologies like the cascode (which provides the gain of a pentode, but with low noise like a triode), but we typically don't because that would use up 2 triodes stages, which provide even more gain when cascaded. The 30th anniversary Marshall uses a bunch of preamp tube stages as cathode followers to buffer every gain stage, but the benefits are minimal. We could build output-transformerless guitar amps, but any savings on the OT would be wasted by using more expensive triodes, with extra required driver stages, multiple filament circuits (some of which have to be floated up to a high d.c. level), and much increased compexity to accomplish a tonal improvement that might only be relevant to hi-fi enthusiasts. Even bias methods aren't that varied and have been tried in guiatr amps from the past (cathode bias, fixed bias, grid-leak bias, etc.).

So basically, there's nothing new under the sun; there's only so many ways to use a tube. I have a friend that has done something seemingly as impossible as driving output tubes with the input signal sent to the plate, and the output signal taken out of the grid. But there is no point in doing that other to show that it can be done.

And there's a fairly narrow range of sounds that guitarists consider to be good tone. "Good" clean tones are very effectively captured using amps from the 50's and 60's. Most amps more modern than that have been solely focused on adding more distortion, or getting that distortion at a lower volume. On-board effects haven't really grown beyond reverb and trem/vibrato, and when they have, it's been in an IC-based modelling amp. And why not? It's cheaper and easier to build those effects in a pedal.

So, for me, amp building has come down more to building amps that are collectable and more expensive to purchase than to build. Unless I'm copying a modern boutique amp, it's cheaper to buy the new amp than to build it at home. And most boutique amps are either replicating old Fenders/Marshalls/Voxes, or simply adding reliability and/or functionality to those circuits. I personally like to see more people building Hiwatt style amps, but virtually everything else is some variation of a Fender, Marshall or Vox.

The deeper you get into amps, the smaller the differences seem, and the more that any changes just look like tweaks on existing approaches.



 
wayneosdias
I will work on all amps
Posts: 358
(5/8/05 7:58 pm)
Reply  agreed
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 Exactly HBP

Thats what make Mesa look so rediculous w/a all the patent pending crap.

My "new design" that I initially thought was so unique boils down to paralleled tweed/18w channels feeding a SE au7 via a tweed mixer.

Nothing but borrowed technology from decades past. I think the next guy who is able to build a purely analog computer that DOESNT fill an entire room may have claim to some new spin on the tube.

This is what also makes the TUT books so interesting, not just theory, but some good history behind icnoic circuits.

wayne
 
Lucid Alice
I will work on all amps
Posts: 322
(5/8/05 9:11 pm)
Reply  Re: agreed
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 By the time you've built a half dozen 'classic' circuits from layouts like Doug's and debugged, tweaked, and modded them you don't need a net anymore. You should be capable of taking any schematic, or your

[Geezer]

Re: agreed
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 By the time you've built a half dozen 'classic' circuits from layouts like Doug's and debugged, tweaked, and modded them you don't need a net anymore. You should be capable of taking any schematic, or your own design, and developing your own layout. Many of the amps built by members here are exactly that.

As stated by the knowedgable individuals that posted above me, the basic building blocks, for nearly any tube amp design are found in the classics. Doug has provided all you need to master the classic circuits, plus a few tricks, plus how to troubleshoot problems, plus how to service amps, and much much more.

If you can come up with a schematic of what you want to build, you should be set. If you need help, everyone here will do what we can.


 
6G6
I will work on all amps
Posts: 400
(5/9/05 7:20 am)
Reply  Re: agreed
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 True, there are only so many classic circuits, but the number of variations on them is endless.
If you notice, many of the amps built by the members here are based on classics, but changed in some small way to season the flavor of it to the builder's taste.
There is probably not much that can't be done by combining features from existing amps.
That dosen't mean I am against inovation, though.
 
zachsdad
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 167
(5/9/05 9:02 am)
Reply  Re: agreed
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 Why would you want to just depend on someone else to design the circuit, come up with the correct layout, build the board and send you all the correct parts in a baggie? Ok for the first amp or two. There are lots of people in Asia that just put parts in boards but I would hardly call that building an amp. I would tell someone just getting started in this hobby to learn the safety rules, clone a Champ, build an AB763, then start thinking, and experimenting. Dont be afraid to try something new and/or different. Take some initiative. The worst that can happen is it won't work. Even then some knowledge has been gained and you're ready for the next idea.

Sorry for the rant, but that's the way see things.

Les
 
j allen shaw
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 669
(5/9/05 9:28 am)
Reply | Edit
  Re: agreed
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 An example of what Leslie (Zachsdad) said:
A few months ago I designed a Super Single Ended amp (dubbed the "Howlin' Wolf"). It had all sorts of weird ideas I wanted to try.
To make a long story short....it sucked.

BUT.....In the process of working thru the bugs of that design, I learned much about what it takes to design a circuit and the factors that need to be taken into consideration. I am now more confident in my amp building/tweeking, and that chassis has become my "test bed" for new ideas (the latest of which is a fixed bias 2xEL84 unit with a Tweed style preamp).

Jeff
 
TryingToDo613
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 32
(5/9/05 9:44 am)
Reply  Elegance
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 Oh, sorry guys. I thought most of the people on here were Americans. Elegant minimalism is more of a sissy european thing. Americans generally want things bigger and badder and new and improved. It's a cultural thing, you probably wouldn't understand. Don't worry, we'll still win your wars for you though.

Ok, I understand that there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to the physics of how a sound is distorted and amplified through a tube circuit. But even you hardcore guys who can see how the circuits work in your head have to have been impressed when someone put in a switch to run tubes in two different modes, or when boogie or soldano came along and made a crushing sound by running things into each other. Sure, you could've done that, but you *didn't*. And they did.

And there is a whole other issue that I've tried to explained to people on this board before. I am even proud to say that I have warranted a "don't tell me how to run my business" flame from old man EL34 himself.

For every one of you smart guys there are ten schlumps like me. I have three kids under three and run my own business. Maybe a few hours I week I can sit with my kids at my feet and solder stuff together. And when I finish maybe I'll play the amp a dozen times before they put me in my custom pine box. It's not about tone for me, or elegant or classic. It's a nifty hobby with alot of brain food and a really high quality discussion board of yet more brain food in between diapers and email.

And a big factor in this, and why I ask the question in the first place, is that us schlumps are good customers and spend a ton of money. I don't poke around on this board looking for people to help me beat the costs of building amps. I've ordered several boards from people on Doug's official list and plan to build every one of them into a completed amp buying parts almost entirely from Doug. I find his approach head and shoulders above the big name in this industry and I plan to keep my business here.

I'd just like to build other stuff. I've never been a big fender fan to begin with, and the interworkings of the electronics I find as enjoyable as the sounds that come out of the amps. I want to build a triple rec. I want to build this crazy 30th anniversary. And while I have other quirky things I want to build, like this Kaeger thing that is like a power soak but doesn't seem to hurt amps, most of the stuff I want to build is mainstream and there are oodles of people who would really love to just buy the stuff on the parts list and put it together. How tough is it for you guys to template a board, make a layout diagram and give me a parts list, or even better, a shopping cart item with all the parts (this is the point where the EL34 flame came last time)?

I understand the very giving "don't worry, we'll help you do whatever you want". But I'm not a socialist. I'm a capitalist. I'd rather pay you to make me a board because getting into a shop to drill stuff for an hour or more isn't even possible for me right now. If I pay you for your time, which I consider as valueable as my own, then I have much less of a problem asking you a stupid question later. This is America. Pretend I'm a high paid consultant telling you how to exploit a niche market with little or no risk.

Ok, I'm ready this time. Let me get my gloves on.  
-613


 
wayneosdias
I will work on all amps
Posts: 359
(5/9/05 10:13 am)
Reply  613
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 Trying,

Not trying to pick a fight here just, giving you my opinion on you original Q, which at this point I dont know if I got right.

Why doesnt Doug sell every amp design created?
- not to poke fun, but this is a silly Q, especially after you state your a capitalist and not a socialist. If I was in Doug's head I could probably guess 2 reasons, money and becuase he is confident in the select product he sells.

Im also an American, who is looking to build something smaller and fuller, and I really dont understand how this plays into the question you put forth.

Wayne


 
HotBluePlates
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 1157
(5/9/05 10:29 am)
Reply  New board models
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 I think I took the opening lines of your post with the humor they were written in. In the same spirit, I'll mention that I recently completed my enlistment in the U.S. Navy.

If you contact the builders on Doug's recommended list, I'd bet at least some would be happy to provide a board for any amp you might want to build. I used to be one of the builders on that list, and occasioanlly fielded requests for something other than the standard boards. Eventually, I shied away from it, because a lot of people e-mailed with requests that turned out to be "kicking the tires" even though they didn't realize it at the time. And coming up with the new layout is often extremely time consuming, because now you have to find the right chassis, transformers, etc. to mate with the circuit board. Aftre the first few time of wasting days of production time creating new boards with no return, I eventually just fell back to the standard boards. And at the time, I was active duty military, and so my limited free time wasn't worth having only 1 or 2 extra boards sold.

If I remember, that was what Doug had said about the same issue. The board models offered filled the vast majority of requests, and there just wasn't enough interest for other models. There will always be some people interested in building their own Mesa-style amp. My point earlier was that Mesa amps are not that far from the Fender amps they evolved from origianally, and so it is possible to take a Fender or whatever with the same number of tubes, and mod it into a Mesa or beyond. That's why you see the threads about modding stock circuits.

The other problem is copying someone's patented circuit, and selling it. If you build a patented circuit for your own use, nobody will bother you. If you build it and offer it for sale, you're guilty of patent infringement and are open to legal hassles. So I could tell you how to mod an amp into anything ever offered by Mesa or any other company, but I can't sell you a ready-to-build kit for it (anyone remember the Dumble sh*tstorm a while back?).

Again, my view is that there aren't that many different options that can be taken with each part of an amp, and that by selecting how those options are employed in an amp, you can radically change the tone of the amp and its capabilities.


 
HotBluePlates
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 1158
(5/9/05 10:42 am)
Reply  Oh yeah...
--

[Geezer]

Oh yeah...
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 I last point is that the old Fender/Marshall/Vox circuits are fairly simple and straightforward to build. Yet it is common for home builders to run into problems building these circuits (look at all the posts dedicated to troublehsooting/debugging these amps on this and other forums).

Offering amp board with many more complex features (although the experienced builder won't think they're that complex) would likely add to the chances for the builder to miswire/damage something. Those offering boards could produce a set of instructions that are like the old Heathkit amps, where they literally tell the builder how to connect each wire, step-by-step, but the fear is that if the builder requires that level of instruction, then they won't know the safety measures to take when testing a live chassis.
 
zachsdad
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 170
(5/9/05 11:06 am)
Reply  Re: Oh yeah...
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 Don't take much to build a fire around here, huh.


And by the way, for you guys that have served this country, active, inactive or retired, thanks for protecting the freedom to voice my opinion.

Edited by: zachsdad at: 5/9/05 11:11 am
 
Ritchie200
Hey get your own solder
Posts: 283
(5/9/05 12:32 pm)
Reply
  Re: Oh yeah...
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 613,
IMHO, I think Doug has provided exactly what you are after. No, he does not sell the obscure designs. No, he does not provide a board and a baggy filled with parts - he has been down that road and it did not cost justify. HOWEVER, as HBP said, he provides a nifty place for builders to advertise. Contact any number of those listed and flash some green. I'm sure there are more than a few who would have the time and patience to accommodate you with a board and a baggy of parts.

"And by the way, for you guys that have served this country, active, inactive or retired, thanks for protecting the freedom to voice my opinion."

Amen brother. Be safe HBP.
Jim
 
Tyrannocaster
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 525
(5/9/05 3:53 pm)
Reply  ?
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 "Oh, sorry guys. I thought most of the people on here were Americans. Elegant minimalism is more of a sissy european thing. Americans generally want things bigger and badder and new and improved. It's a cultural thing, you probably wouldn't understand. Don't worry, we'll still win your wars for you though."

Looks like you picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue. As long as you keep to amps nobody gives a rip what you say but let's keep it on topic, okay? Your cultural biases don't belong here, only fixed or cathode bias allowed.
 
j allen shaw
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 672
(5/9/05 4:12 pm)
Reply | Edit
  Re: Good point!
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 I knew T-Caster would have a good response!

"Your cultural biases don't belong here, only fixed or cathode bias allowed. "

That's one thing that has always amazed me about this forum....we hold personal beliefs ranging from flaming liberal to right wing zealot, from born again believers to staunch atheists. However, those things have never stopped us from being just plain decent human beings & sharing in this hobby that we all love!
Can 'ya feel the love?

 



Edited by: j allen shaw at: 5/9/05 7:40 pm
 
ratsnest
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 8
(5/9/05 9:24 pm)
Reply  Re: Good point!
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 Not to keep this flame war going, but maybe to glean some more insight into why the old timers are the way they are, but -

WHY would you not want to build a switching channel amp? From KOC's books even as well, there's a blatant lack of multi-channel amps (although he does cover the switching methods of doing so rather well) and just the simple iconic circuits. There's enough methods from all the various electronics to try many features out...

WHY would you not want to try an effects loop out? From parallel to series, wet level, etc...yet again another very customizable area for your customer to have the feeling of "individuality"...

WHY would you not want to do the bells and whistles? Kinda self explanatory...

It would seem to me in the general interest of feeding one's brain that you would delve into those concepts once the "simple and elegant" circuits are mastered. Debugging will always have some appearance with any amp it seems like, and avoiding things like channel switching and effects loops and what not as amp builders who serve a certain public would be selling some of your customers short, maybe?

I guess what I'm maybe trying to ask is : Simple has its place, and Complex has its place. Why not master or attempt to be proficient at as much as you can? I realize there are a bit of folks here who are trying out a ton of things and having their successes/"learning experiences" (aka MISERABLE FAILURES), but I guess I am trying to understand why someone wouldn't want to have an interest in the cleanest of the clean single channels to a monstrous gain 3 or 4 channel. Is it fear of failure on the complex designs? Monetary constraints? Lack of support from peers?

That's enough wind for now!
 
Ritchie200
Hey get your own solder
Posts: 284
(5/9/05 11:55 pm)
Reply
  What?!?!
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 Ratsnest,
I notice you have 8 posts to your fame. Let me make a suggestion. All you have to do is peruse the 20 odd pages of this forum and also the ones that have been archived. I have lurked, shared, celebrated, agonized over, and at rare times given suggestions to: problems, builds, conversions, repairs, successes, failures, etc.... And you know what? I learned HEAPS from some pretty terrific guys and gals. Everything you have listed as being "complex" and "all the bells and whistles" has been tried by the "old timers" here. If there was truly a market for a 18 channel 8 preamp tube buzzsaw, do you not think there would be more notable "name" builders out there doing it? But if that is what you want to build - GO FOR IT! I guarantee there will be maybe even a handful of "old timers" who have done the same thing. AND they would be more than happy to help you out, should you run into problems. I have been here about 4 years and I have never seen anyone turned away (unless you are a constant motorboater with negative feedback!). One thing you will find is that the more extreme you get in design, the more subjective your (potential) customer's tone preference will become. If you want to chase that animal, more power to ya!

Please don't think I am talking down to you because I am not. What I am saying is that what you think is new is really old - really, really old! There are no "new and improved" tube technologies that have not already been tried. What this site excels in is giving a new to experienced builder a resource to the basic designs that are tried, true, and great sounding. Where you go from there.....hey, the sky is the limit and we will all be here to cheer you on. Spend some time looking around the site, I think you will be surprised.
Good luck!
Jim
 
no more guitar solos
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 69
(5/10/05 12:57 am)
Reply  What?!?!
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 Hi All,
It's the original euro-sissy from Detroit speaking.
I like simple because it's what I require for live playing. I can play quiet and clean, loud and raunchy, and then for more I hit the RAT pedal. With one channel, one amp. That is all I need, and more than that, I need it to be there dependably every night. Extra headaches is what I don't need form a live amp. So the simpler the better, for my needs.
For recording, I bring more amps and swap between them. For my last recording I used four amps: My blackface Bassman, a borrowed AC15, my 5E3 clone and my AC30 clone (the last two built with the help of Y'ALL! THANKS!). When you can record multiple guitar tracks, what is the need for a channel switching amp? Heck, this way you also get the advantage of different speaker and cab sounds.
I can understand the need to tinker and experiment. I can even see that at some point I might be interested in that. But for now, I just need my amps to do what they do dependably.
Clear? Any more middle-American pot-shots??
Thanks very much to this forum for supporting helpful discussion of these topics.
-dave
 
TryingToDo613
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 34
(5/10/05 1:32 pm)
Reply  Re: What?!?!
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 Hi Everyone. Yes, the comment was meant to give the sissy from detroit a laugh. But I'm honored to have offended so many people. Just call me the Rush Limbaugh of tube amps.

From the non-rediculous posts I've gleaned what I suspected. It's just not worth it. Already there are too many stupid questions to answer and too many mistakes possible, and once you've done the basics you can readiilly disect any available schematic and make your own board.

So you see, now I have proof for my wife that I really do need a shop in our new house when we move. If I'm going to have to make my own boards I'll need a drill press set up all the time, and of course a metal shear and brake for making chassis, and a punch press, and a table saw and finger jointer. See that. You've proved my point that if I really want to enjoy my hobby I need a fully equiped shop. I hope they have three phase on my street. -613
 
wayneosdias
I will work on all amps
Posts: 360
(5/10/05 2:24 pm)
Reply  reality check
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[Geezer]

reality check
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 What about your home custom PT/OT winder? How about your own line of oil can caps?

You should tell your wife your gonna need an office girl to take all the orders of your "Triple Recto for the Novice" kits that you cant keep in stock.

I dont think youve offended anyone, just brought into question the legitamacy of your posts. If anything Im upset w/myself for taking time to respond to this thread, but hey its better than solitaire.

wayne
 
zachsdad
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 172
(5/10/05 5:47 pm)
Reply  Re: What?!?!
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 You mean you don't already have all of this stuff. How have you been living without it. HAR
 
HotBluePlates
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 1161
(5/10/05 5:53 pm)
Reply  Why not?
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 Someone above asked why not have all the bells and whistles? I say that if you want them, you SHOULD DEFINITELY have them. Build a new amp that incorporates them, or modify an existing amp to take advantage of what they have to offer.

I have a chassis, mahogany head cabinet, transformers, board and all the parts to do a Standard (or anything else) from O'Connor's books, but I just haven't gotten around to completing it. I personally really like the idea of changing an amp's tone by manipulating the power section.

But everyone here has a different opinion in what they want to hear, and what they want from their amp. I haven't played out in a long time, and play mostly at home. I like my 5E3 and my 5F4, for both their clean and distorted sounds, and that's good enough for me. I have a preference for "vintage" style amps, started when I played through my first real tube amp, a blackface Princeton Reverb. And I've owned a lot of the classic amps: almost one of every model Fender ever made, an early 70's metal-face Marshall, a DR504 Hiwatt, a Matchless Clubman, a Vox AC-30, and a number of Gibson and Supro amps. At one time, I did a fair amount of studio engineering, and since the easiest way to get a great recorded sound is to start with a great source, the easiest way to change guitar tones was to use a different guitar with a signature tone or a different amp.

I also feel that you can make an amp do many different things, but there are times when the same amp won't do any of them perfectly due to the tradoffs involved.

But these are only my opinions, and my preferences aren't necessarily shared by everyone. I'd never want a Marshall Major and an SVT would be absurdly loud for playing at home, but I can admire Ritchie and ganzonimx for building the amps that *they* enjoy. And reading posts about someone else's amp, no matter how far from my ideals their design might be, broadens my view about what can be done, and always gives me new ideas to consider.

Don't worry about what others' are or aren't building. Make what appeals to you. You have plenty of backup ready to help you along.
 
thermion
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 87
(5/11/05 12:03 pm)
Reply  ?
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 i wouldn't want to be the rush limbaugh of anything...
 
Superlow
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 94
(5/12/05 12:15 am)
Reply  Wow
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 Try not to elctrocute yourself in the process of building that quadruple rectifier, ass clown.
I am no tube amp genuis but the wealth of knowledge I have gained from hanging out on this board periodically is insurmountable.
These are some of the friendliest most knowledgable people around.
You now why all these wisened people stick with the old circuits, because they work and they sound good.
You name any modern player out there writing crappy rock music for the radio and I bet in the studio he's only using the anal rectifier part of the time. The rest of the time it's an old fender or marshall, hiwatt cranked to 11. That's where the tone is, in the power section. You can't get that from a mesa with the input gain cranked to 40 and the master at 1.5, just not gonna sound good. It's a fact that I learned from the pussies on this board.
Rush Limbagh is a pill popping moron, a total hypocrite. Nothing worse than someone hooked on legal, pharmaceutical grade junk spewing lies.
Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. At least reading this thread was worth a few laughs.



Edited by: Superlow at: 5/12/05 12:17 am
 
ampcabinets
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 124
(5/14/05 2:53 pm)
Reply  i guess I'll throw i mine.....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 since I served my country during the vietnam era, am a carpenter by trade, electronics tech and computer scientist by education,automation engineer by education, brick layer, ace mechanic, licensed electrician, have every tool in the world, and know how to use them kind of guy and although everyday is an education with you guys, (I love learning from the pros...and I thank you), the original poster of this thread would probably say I am not an american either.
what a putz........
americans do not always want to be bigger and better. Where did this guy get his education...the back of someone's hand? Since I have gotten older, I look for that amp that has a big sound, is SMALLER and easier to carry around. That is not neccessarily better, but is better for ME!!!
if you want to get on you high horse, go to radicalrob.com or some other blog site and have at it. If you think you are the ideal american because you want to get on people's backside, go flush yourself back to where you came from.

Like it says above rush only cares about rush and will say anything to keep rush in the spotlight of rush, by rush and only for rush. If that is what you want to be, then start your own rush site.
this forum is supposed to be about high voltages and low current, not high horses and low blows.

I for one like the new education I get from these guys because they teach you to open your eyes and seek to help yourself, not to mention experiment, and ask for help when you are stuck with a problem or need another head to bang against for ideas.
I have yet to see them ever push their ideas on anyone, or even try.
my 2 cents...........
 
 
 
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