Small giging amp

[tubeswell]

I second whoever said princeton reverb!

Amongst all my other amps I have a Weber 6A14 I built about 18 months ago, which is sort of between a BFPR clone and a BFDR clone - that is it is a BFPR circuit with a DR-spec output transformer and a 12" speaker. The voltages are DR spec (a few volts higher than the PR) and it does clean reaaaally well if I may say so myself.

I also made some extra additions of my own like a mosfet source-follower after the trem oscillator (to drive the 6V6 grids more efficiently for a quite hypnotic bias-vary trem), and instead of the traditional PR cap can filter set-up, I used Merlin Blencowe's (a.k.a. 'The Valve Wizard's) galactic grounding method with separate filter caps, and the noise floor is ultra quiet.

Being a PR-sized box the cab is really compact and easy to lug around, and the weber speaker makes it sound outta this world. All sorts on cool clean sounds. And even better when you plug in an extn cab.

The reverb tank is a 3-spring type, so it has that typical over-the-top blackface 'verb.

Plus I got the cab ordered with black-embossed paisley tolex, which looks like cowboy-tooled leather.

There are some soundbytes here http://www.nzguitars.com/forum/downl...le.php?id=8334 (mic'd with a SM57 through my mixing desk and into garbage-band on my mac - you can hear me take the 'verb footswitch off off in the 3rd chorus after the bridge).

[Gabe]

I've been playing out lately with a Crate Powerblock into a Jet City 1x12 cab, sounds pretty good. Its also super light so I can stick a guitar in a gig-bag, put the Crate in its carry case and then just walk into the venue in one trip. Its also super fast to set up.

Great cheap little setup, I think in total it cost me just shy of £180 for a totally giggable setup.

[FattMusiek]

I'm about to buy a red Roland Cube from someone off of craigslist for $50 bucks. I'm hoping this is a good deal.

[Gramps]

let us know how you like it

[JSM100]

guys, thank you very much, but i actually want a tube amp. i know, i know you get a wonderful clean sound out of non-tube amps, but the tubes give the sound a bit more character!! i actually wanna stick to the fender-type sound!
JSM

[frogeye]

Originally Posted by JSM100

guys, thank you very much, but i actually want a tube amp. i know, i know you get a wonderful clean sound out of non-tube amps, but the tubes give the sound a bit more character!! i actually wanna stick to the fender-type sound!
JSM

Well, why not then buy a fender amp? The Blues Jr that you are already considering is a great amp for Jazz in my book and can be obtained inexpensively. I bought mine used for USD250.00 and after owning it for a few years (and liking the sound) I brought it to BillM (google Billmaudio) here in New Jersey for a few mods to make it even better. Resulted in additional clean headroom and overall improved sound. I then swapped out the stock speaker for something with more bottom end. Amp sounds simply beautiful, period. Total cost under 600.00. Domo.

The stock accutronics reverb tanks in the Bjr tend to break after a while (inside of connectors). Replacements are available inexpensively (~25 bucks), when the reverb on my amp failed last year I switched out of curiosity to a "Ruby" tank that has a slightly longer decay. I would not recommend one over the other, both do the job but they sound different. You will need to try yourself .

To be clear I like Princetons a lot as well. To me they represent more the good old clean Fender sound compared to a BJr. Older Fender Deluxes IMHO are very cool as well, a friend of mine plays one and it's a super nice amp. That said I'm very ( did I say very ?) happy with my 15 Watt Blues Junior. And for the rare case that I need more wattage I pull out the venerable SF pro reverb .

Good Luck.

I have owned an Polytone 102 (Joe Pass used to play one of these in the 70's) for a while that I don't play anymore and will be selling because of the aforementioned amp....

[FattMusiek]

Originally Posted by Gramps

let us know how you like it

The Roland Mini Cube sounds pretty darn good. I'm still messing around with it. It's small enough that I can fit it into a backpack. You can play it anywhere with 6 AA batteries, which is awesome. The person I bought it from did not have the original power supply. I'm using the power supply and multi-outs that power my pedals.

There are some drawbacks. For instance, the amp does not have the traditional low-mid-hi pots. It has a knob with six or so amp models, a tone knob to adjust brightness/presence, a knob with chorus/flanger/tremolo, one with delay/reverb, and a volume switch.

There's also no handle on the amp. Strangely, it has strap knobs on both sides, so you can wear the amp with a guitar strap. I don't know whether a a brand new one comes with something to use as a reliable handle. There really should be a handle...no clue what they were thinking there.

I'm sure there are amps out there that are about the same size (and perhaps price) that are more suitable for jazz, but if you're looking for a small and versatile amp, try out the cube!

[JSM100]

hey guys. I'm back with a tough one . i saw a mesa boogie blue angel 4x10 Combo on ebay for a very reasonable 960€. does anyone have some experience with mesas? i think its a single channeled amp, i quite like the idea of an mesa, do you?
JSM

[SteveCarter]

I just bought a Traynor Dark Horse head, which is called a "lunchbox" amp. I comes in a small bag that you can throw over your should and it really looks like you brought your lunch to the gig. I don't like the Traynor cab and speaker so I bought a Lite cabinet from MojoTone and put an Eminence Delta Pro 12A in it. With a lighter speaker, your whole rig would weigh in around 30 pounds.

I love this rig. I've written about it on my Player's Journal and I'll be posting some sound clips from gigs soon.

Steve

[Double 07]

Originally Posted by JSM100

hey guys. I'm back with a tough one . i saw a mesa boogie blue angel 4x10 Combo on ebay for a very reasonable 960€. does anyone have some experience with mesas? i think its a single channeled amp, i quite like the idea of an mesa, do you?
JSM

Yes, it's not a jazz amp at all IMO period. That amp is geared more towards mild overdrive to classic rock distortion. I do love the sound of a great tube amp for jazz playing but unfortunately that usually means big and heavy. Although it could be done in a smaller more lightweight "tubeafied" package not many manufacturers are actually doing it. They're too busy going after the pimple faced bedroom shredder market and the beer belly bar blues band market lmao . Fortunately there is a good variety of Solid State light in weight amps that sound great for jazz. The ss amps have a faster attack, a more linear response, and (the really good ones have) a ton of headroom which are all attributes that are very conducive to jazz guitar playing.

That was my experience with that amo yours might be different but you asked so I offered my opinion.

[JSM100]

I've bought the mesa boogie today for 880€! It is absolutely amazing!!! You can get every cleansound out of it! And it doesnt break up as early as many think, its a proper jazzamp! Fair enough, it isnt the smallest amp, to be honest its quite a biggy but it provides supreme tones and has enough power to stay clean for most gigs! I'm chuffed by my acquisition!! But thanks a lot guys for your help and time!!
Jsm

[Double 07]

Great, glad that you went for it and that you like it! Everybody's got opinions about this or that guitar, amp, sound etc but just because it didn't suit some guy's tastes doesn't mean it won't be a perfect fit for someone else. Everyone should find the gear / sound etc that works for their own personal taste / vibe etc. I know Kevin Eubanks had one of those on his back line when he was the Tonight Show bandleader.

Like I said I LOVE the sound of a great tube amp for jazz or other styles for that matter. Mesa Boogie's are great amps IMO, I've heard some amazing sounds come out of them live and in-person. No matter what style(s) you play or what sound you like Boogie probably makes an amp(s) that suits that style / sound you like. Gotta love that, Enjoy

[Sailor]

I love my Polytone mini-Brute so much...


Sailor

[Double 07]

Originally Posted by Sailor

I love my Polytone mini-Brute so much...


Sailor

Is it a newer one or a vintage model?