The Ultimate Guitar Amp - Page 14

jzucker · #**391** 05-03-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posativek

Who knows what those cats really loved? I dont.

That's the point. *I DO*.

I studied with Martino and had lessons with Pass, Kessel, Ellis, Roberts and several other jazz guitarists from that era.

Bill C · #**392** 05-03-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posativek

Saying that, El gento has one of the best sounds recorded but I dont know if he used a polytone for that. I know it was recorded on his D'angelico though.

I think Joe played a D'Aquisto rather than a D'Angelico.

NiAg · #**393** 05-03-2011, 02:47 PM

>>> What we did like gets trumped and what we dont like, might have been premature pending on the guitar etc

And in my opinion, what we say we like can be a product of a moment.

And what a person may report as a quote can be modified over time, or fade into a view that supports what we want it to support, or be otherwise subject to human adjustment.

jzucker · #**394** 05-03-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posativek

Yeh sorry my bad!! Thanks for the correction.

he played a d'angelico on virtuoso I think...

twilightblue100 · #**395** 10-24-2011, 11:24 PM

Hi, Anyone from Long Island know where I can buy a Polytone Mini Brute 2 ?

ffej · #**396** 10-25-2011, 12:28 AM

I would like to make an observation about Polytone amps and see if anyone agrees or disagrees. I've had three MiniBrute IIs, one each bought new in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The 80s one (handle on top, foam grille cover) definitely sounded the best, just flip it on with a good archtop (or anything else) and it sounded great. The 90s one (handle on side, metal grille) sounds cold and devoid of personality compared to the first two, though I'm kind of addicted to them now and don't want to be without one. Comments? Thanks for your opinions. (Sorry, I know its off topic and I don't know where to get one on LI, but ebay always seems to have a few.)

jorgemg1984 · #**397** 10-25-2011, 04:15 AM

Old Polytones sound much better than new ones - that's exactly what Henriksen tried to reproduce these days: the sound of the old ones.

kawa · #**398** 10-25-2011, 05:22 AM

Polytone Mini brute 2, Setting Test
Mini-Brute2, Serial Number P-29428
Inst : '67 ES175DN V8 T10, Belden 9778/1.5m(guitar～Sw-box), 2m(Sw-box～Amps),Amp Stand/Ultimate AMP-150
Reference Amps ; '65 Twin reverb and '66 Vibrolux Reverb(C10NS),the two amps switched by footswitch in quickly for comparsion and close match.
The both amps tilted and listen the front sound directly from about 1.5m distance posision.

Setting : Master/Max(Normal Way for Master VR Type, Equal to Without Master VR.
Tonal Color Switch/Normal(Center Posituon)
Gain/3(Use to VR)
Contour/9～11 O'Clock Position
Program/Edge Position
Treble/+1
Mid/+2
Bass/+1
Results : Excelent Jazztone by use to "Sonic Circuit"

Impression : 1E and 2B's traditional Polytone rounded tone by special Eminence.
3G,4D and 5A's 5flet area tone is thin. Dynamics and rezonant are little less, then I try the Sonic Circuit and got the good sounds .

Notice !!! : Side Handle Design !!! , Prevent for the reverb unit troubles,
As well as keeping the "Upright" (in the car etc) polytone.htm

jorgemg1984 · #**399** 10-25-2011, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawa

[b]

Impression : 1E and 2B's traditional Polytone rounded tone by special Eminence.

These is usually where I don't like "jazz amps" - its hard to control the 1E and 2B sound and they always sound kind of compressed high mids instead if treble (they are usually also dark on the upper strings but that's manageable with the EQ)

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #**400** 10-25-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Old Polytones sound much better than new ones - that's exactly what Henriksen tried to reproduce these days: the sound of the old ones.

I always thought the Henriksens were producing a more "modern" jazz sound -- a cleaner, less coloured sound, sort of half way toward an acoustic amp. Anybody own both?

jorgemg1984 · #**401** 10-25-2011, 04:03 PM

To me it sounds like a very well made old Polytone. It sounds very good (much better than new Polytones) but it has sort of the same "lots of mids" sound. Its dark (I guess in order to be usable by double bass players and seven string players) but not muddy and you can dial it out. The mids are strong but that's the main "color" of the amp and I could really get used to it.

About the treble is where I actually feel the Henriksen has lots of potential but it needs some tweaking. I tried to get the schematic but Peter didn't gave it to me and tracing it was too hard work. To me an Henriksen with the 10k pot on 4.5k or 5k (in order to dial out the brightness of the first two strings), maybe with also a larger Q on the EQ pots, a nice fx reverb, an EV speaker and a regular grilling cloth would be brilliant! (but I found any good 80s solid state amp will do the same and its easier to mod and cheaper to buy)

Allenl · #**402** 10-25-2011, 07:36 PM

In terms of Solid State Amps, I've played Polytones, Evans, Acoustic Image and Henriksen. I found the Henriksen to be the most versatile, due to the various specific EQ bands. I found this amp to be the easiest to dial in a great tone, whether for jazz, blues of rock. Of course for blues & rock you would need some sort of overdrive pedal. The amp is very pedal friendly and very tube-like in sound (no hard edges to tone).

Allenl · #**403** 10-25-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffej

I would like to make an observation about Polytone amps and see if anyone agrees or disagrees. I've had three MiniBrute IIs, one each bought new in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The 80s one (handle on top, foam grille cover) definitely sounded the best, just flip it on with a good archtop (or anything else) and it sounded great. The 90s one (handle on side, metal grille) sounds cold and devoid of personality compared to the first two, though I'm kind of addicted to them now and don't want to be without one. Comments? Thanks for your opinions. (Sorry, I know its off topic and I don't know where to get one on LI, but ebay always seems to have a few.)

I have an early 80's minibrute II (diamond tolex with foam grill & no mid control) that sounds very respectable. I also have a mega-brain head (year??). Friends have 90s mini-brute IIs that I've tried and also new Polytones. I actually like my old 80's mini brute II the best. It's warm and versatile. It sounds very respectable with archtops and believe it or not, it's also very decent playing through OD pedals with a tele, strat or 335. My mega-brain sounds better than the 90s minibrute II combos I've played, mainly because I'm able to run it though various cabinets and speakers.

Allenl · #**404** 10-25-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twilightblue100

Hi, Anyone from Long Island know where I can buy a Polytone Mini Brute 2 ?

Ebay is probably your best bet.

Tony Mac · #**405** 10-25-2011, 08:18 PM

I've always been a fan of the huge-wall-of-clean. I used to play through a super-six-reverb...but that thing was enormous, and heavy, despite the wheels. Right now I play through an Ampeg B100R bass-amp. 100W, solid state, 15" speaker, Volume, three-tone-controls, and a master volume, no reverb, made in the USA, and less than $300.00 (although I dont think the new ones are made here anymore). I love it. I will qualify that by saying that I am strange.

mangotango · #**406** 10-26-2011, 04:20 PM

I know that Joe often gets slated for his tone on recordings. But this is beautiful. Two masters of their crafts, both sadly lost to us. Enjoy (how could you not?) and please check out the sidebar as there are several tunes by these guys.

Joe Pass & Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen - I Can't Get Started [1992] - YouTube

And I'm sure that they just gave him a Polytone for the gig, but whatever - to my ears at least, it's a wonderful sound.

jorgemg1984 · #**407** 10-26-2011, 04:31 PM

Actually that's the best tone I have heard heard from him - but he his using his fingers right? And is that a Poly? Still think h is sloppy on the fast runs...

NHOP was a hell of a player, his recordings with Chet Baker and Doug Rainey are brilliant... but I also don't like his double bass sound, I miss that strong bass foundation (several double bass players have agreed with me on this)

twilightblue100 · #**408** 10-26-2011, 04:47 PM

Thank's so much, and yes it is wonderful, and I think I saw a Polytone on the stage next to Joe. Really makes us want to practice, if you know what I mean!

coolvinny · #**409** 10-26-2011, 06:29 PM

I love my ZT Lunchbox. I cannot believe how loud it can be while still sounding fantastic. I play through it with a jazzy tele (humbucker). As long as someone else is providing the bass, it seems perfect!

=DK= · #**410** 10-27-2011, 06:02 PM

I'm having a problem finding an amp that gives a good jazz tone at higher volumes. I have a Princeton Reverb Reissue, and it gets too snappy and boomy at higher levels, not to mention the breakup at even higher. How about a Clarus head on a Raezor's edge cabinet?

So, how about it? Got an amp that'll stay cool even when hot?

jorgemg1984 · #**411** 10-27-2011, 06:11 PM

Sometimes I have the same problem - amp is sounding great then you turn it higher and its boomy and trebly... anyone has a good fix for this? Something related with the volume pot? Any info please!

=DK= · #**412** 10-27-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Sometimes I have the same problem - amp is sounding great then you turn it higher and its boomy and trebly... anyone has a good fix for this? Something related with the volume pot? Any info please!

Glad I'm not the only one!

I'd like to know about high volume performance on a couple models in particular:

ZT Lunchbox w/ and w/o extension cab
Fender Twin
Henriksen JazzAmp
Jazzkat
Clarus/Raezer's Edge stack
ZT Club

I'm cool with both tubes and SS.

jorgemg1984 · #**413** 10-27-2011, 07:06 PM

I have had that issue with solid state amps so... Henriksen tends to sound the same at all volumes and the volume pot is very linear - one of its advantages. I would really like one of the "experts" to give some tips on these...

twilightblue100 · #**414** 10-27-2011, 08:03 PM

This amp starts to break up after volume passes 5. And its a hybrid! Tubes and solid state! Its why I'm looking for a Polytone.I also have a '72 Twin Reverb that hisses like a radiator and is very heavy to lift on to the stage.

=DK= · #**415** 10-27-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I have had that issue with solid state amps so... Henriksen tends to sound the same at all volumes and the volume pot is very linear - one of its advantages. I would really like one of the "experts" to give some tips on these...

How loud can Henriksen get before breakup?

Also, any thoughts on the differences between the Henriksen JazzAmp 110 vs. JazzAmp 112?

Chri44ophe55 · #**416** 10-27-2011, 10:19 PM

From all the amplifiers that I have owned, I like my Roland Jazz Chorus-120 the most. It has a beautiful reverb and very usable chorus. The distortion sucks big time though.

jorgemg1984 · #**417** 10-28-2011, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =DK=

How loud can Henriksen get before breakup?

Also, any thoughts on the differences between the Henriksen JazzAmp 110 vs. JazzAmp 112?

The amp doesn't distort I think (maybe if you load with some enormous gain...). Mine never distorted... it can get quite loud but not as loud as other solid state amps I have with less watts (don't know why). Had some rough time getting along with several horns, bass and drums in unmiced concerts...

I prefer 12 speakers to 10 speaker so I would choose the 112 (that can be a little boomy and dark, maybe the 110 deals with that)

Jazz_175 · #**418** 10-29-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =DK=

How loud can Henriksen get before breakup?

Also, any thoughts on the differences between the Henriksen JazzAmp 110 vs. JazzAmp 112?

This is what Peter Henriksen replied to my question regarding the difference between 10" and 12" models

>>The 10 and the 12 are very similar, but to describe the slight difference
>>the 12" models have a larger, more open sound and carry more low
>>frequencies, whereas the 10" models have a tighter, punchier sound.

Jazz_175 · #**419** 10-29-2011, 06:31 AM

I have got the 12" model

dipam95pt · #**420** 04-16-2012, 12:53 PM

Is Fender fm 212r a good, warm souding amp?... Hope you can help! I like full of bass, rich tones... Thanks!!!