Ampeg Amps to Get that ‘50s Jazz Guitar Sound

**Greentone** · 03-16-2019, 09:16 AM

I am sipping coffee on a sunny, chilly Saturday morning, trying to remember an Ampeg amplifier that I didn't like. (Here, I am talking about Ampegs made from the company's origin up through, say, the 1970s. Current Ampegs are good amps, but they aren't the same as the old amps, for the most part.)

As I think about the combo amps from the 50s through the powerful "V" amps of the 70s, I don't believe I can recall an amplifier that is even remotely a dud.

**KirkP** · 03-16-2019, 11:59 AM

Since we don’t have a time machine to hear live performances in the 1950s, I think what we consider to be a 1950’s tone is as much a product of the recording technology as the amps. I suspect the sound in live performance was significantly different from what we hear on recordings—probably a bit brighter.

**Greentone** · 03-16-2019, 02:09 PM

50s recording technology was pretty good. The microphones were excellent. Listen to the cymbals on the drum kits of Max Roach or Philly Jo Jones.

Oleo from 1956's Relaxin by the Miles Davis Quintet sounds good. Sorry, no guitar. If you want guitar, listen to the Poll winners albums from the 50s--Barney Kessel, Ray Brown, Shelley Manne. Great recorded sound from 1957.

**ruger9** · 03-17-2019, 08:10 AM

Personally, I'd go Vintage 47 or Nocturne Moonshine 39 for this sound. What I REALLY want is the Elektra made in Europe.

**Bill Eisele** · 03-17-2019, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

I'm no audiophile, I swear, I never touched that knob!

Has anyone ever noticed the inverse correlation with the level of musicianship and home audio systems, particularly among professional musicians? I’ve seen it many times where the the professional musician will own rudimentary home audio systems. And, amateur musicians with less polished skills will own more expensive and involved systems. I wonder if it has anything to do with the professional musician being able to play music at a higher level, is surrounded by others playing at the same level, and is therefore immersed in live music on a daily basis. There’s no need to hear recorded music at a higher level of fidelity because getting as close as possible to live music is the goal of these higher level home systems.

By the way, I own a nice home audio system.

**Bill Eisele** · 03-17-2019, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by ruger9

Personally, I'd go Vintage 47 or Nocturne Moonshine 39 for this sound. What I REALLY want is the Elektra made in Europe.

From what I have read, all really wonderful current day amps with octal tube preamps. Also, SeQuel amps (SeQuel Jazz Amplifiers) distributed by Sound Island Music.

**ruger9** · 03-17-2019, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Bill Eisele

From what I have read, all really wonderful current day amps with octal tube preamps. Also, SeQuel amps (SeQuel Jazz Amplifiers) distributed by Sound Island Music.

Wow, had never heard of them! They have a model that goes for the Johnny Smith sound... the "Vermont"

Ampeg Amps to Get that ‘50s Jazz Guitar Sound-av-jpg

SeQuel VERMONT [to Johnny Smith] - SeQuel Jazz Amplifiers

**es347** · 03-17-2019, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Bill Eisele

Yes, I’ve been interested in the SeQuel amps. Don’t seem to be many out there. I’m curious about their line. Most have tube power sections but the Vermont has a 350 watt solid state class D power section. The other amps in their line have clips on the website (they sound great) but not the Vermont. I wonder how it sounds and if anyone on the forum owns one and could report on their experience with it.

I have the Sequel Vermont. It is the best amp I have ever played. In my opinion, this amp lacks nothing.

**Bill Eisele** · 03-17-2019, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by es347

I have the Sequel Vermont. It is the best amp I have ever played. In my opinion, this amp lacks nothing.

Thanks for the information, Vermont. How does the Class D power section compare to a tube amp power section tone wise? Early implementation of Class D switching power modules in audio power amps got a bad rap, but have come a long way since then with some of the best audio manufacturers using them with great success. The main benefit is a high, stiff power output with minimal weight which is something to consider if you have to haul the amp around.

**ruger9** · 03-17-2019, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by es347

I have the Sequel Vermont. It is the best amp I have ever played. In my opinion, this amp lacks nothing.

With the solid state power section, will the amp "give" (compress/distort) when you hit it hard, like on so many old Charlie Christian recordings? Or is the Vermont more of a clean machine, as opposed to something like the octal amps, which were famous for that "edge of dirt" clean thing?

**marcwhy** · 03-17-2019, 07:07 PM

Earlier thread on the SeQuel.

**es347** · 03-18-2019, 05:02 PM

Bill & Ruger9
I have always been a “tube guy”. Prior to purchasing the Vermont, my main amp was a a tube rectified, quad 6V6, octal pre amp tube unit; I still have it and it is a very nice sounding amp!

Still I prefer The Vermont hands down. You know that sweet spot with a tube amp? Where the guitar is perfectly responsive, the tone pops out strong and fatt? It’s a wonderful spot to be in!!! But then the dynamics change, if you’re out of head room thing get a bit crunchy. Or you have the headroom you fiddle with master volume and volume ( maybe have to adjust bass and treble)to get back to sweet spot. Or if you turn down the guitar the tone may get wimpy.

The Vermont is always in the “sweet spot”!! It always has headroom! Set it and forget it! Furthermore, if my tube amp could magically always be in the sweet spot, the tone of the Vermont is still superior to my ear. And yes, hauling a 25lb combo that is louder than a B3 sure beats a separate tube amp head and speaker.

I hope this helps, it’s the best way I can describe it. Maybe I’ll put together a video if anyone is interested and time presents itself.

**Bill Eisele** · 03-19-2019, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by es347

Bill & Ruger9
I have always been a “tube guy”. Prior to purchasing the Vermont, my main amp was a a tube rectified, quad 6V6, octal pre amp tube unit; I still have it and it is a very nice sounding amp!

Still I prefer The Vermont hands down. You know that sweet spot with a tube amp? Where the guitar is perfectly responsive, the tone pops out strong and fatt? It’s a wonderful spot to be in!!! But then the dynamics change, if you’re out of head room thing get a bit crunchy. Or you have the headroom you fiddle with master volume and volume ( maybe have to adjust bass and treble)to get back to sweet spot. Or if you turn down the guitar the tone may get wimpy.

The Vermont is always in the “sweet spot”!! It always has headroom! Set it and forget it! Furthermore, if my tube amp could magically always be in the sweet spot, the tone of the Vermont is still superior to my ear. And yes, hauling a 25lb combo that is louder than a B3 sure beats a separate tube amp head and speaker.

I hope this helps, it’s the best way I can describe it. Maybe I’ll put together a video if anyone is interested and time presents itself.

Thank you for your very informative insights regarding the Vermont, es347. I’ve been very curious about the SeQuel amps in general and specifically about the Vermont. It can be difficult to get into that sweet spot. But once you’re there, you want to stay there as you indicated. Really nice to know that you can stay in the sweet spot with this amp. So, I’m assuming that this is due to the amp being a hybrid with a very stiff solid state power section that won’t go into overdrive. And, the warmth of the tone is maintained by the tube preamp section. The non-interactive tone controls must also help with finding and staying in the sweet spot.

I’m curious about the power output. 350 watts far exceeds any jazz guitar oriented amp that I’m aware of. Are there any downsides to it in terms of dialing in a volume appropriate to the size of smaller rooms. I think you indicated that there is no loss of a fat tone with lower volumes as well. But, I’m assuming that you would not be able to add any “hair” to the tone given the huge power output and lack of a separate preamp gain control.

It would be great for you to put together a video for us to hear the amp if time permits. There aren’t any Vermont sound samples on the SeQuel website and I was able to find only one YouTube video of the amp being played through:

I believe John Stowell is playing through the Vermont but not sure and it was difficult for me to really pick up on the tonal quality of the amp in this video.

Thanks again!

**ruger9** · 03-19-2019, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by es347

Bill & Ruger9
I have always been a “tube guy”. Prior to purchasing the Vermont, my main amp was a a tube rectified, quad 6V6, octal pre amp tube unit; I still have it and it is a very nice sounding amp!

Still I prefer The Vermont hands down. You know that sweet spot with a tube amp? Where the guitar is perfectly responsive, the tone pops out strong and fatt? It’s a wonderful spot to be in!!! But then the dynamics change, if you’re out of head room thing get a bit crunchy. Or you have the headroom you fiddle with master volume and volume ( maybe have to adjust bass and treble)to get back to sweet spot. Or if you turn down the guitar the tone may get wimpy.

The Vermont is always in the “sweet spot”!! It always has headroom! Set it and forget it! Furthermore, if my tube amp could magically always be in the sweet spot, the tone of the Vermont is still superior to my ear. And yes, hauling a 25lb combo that is louder than a B3 sure beats a separate tube amp head and speaker.

I hope this helps, it’s the best way I can describe it. Maybe I’ll put together a video if anyone is interested and time presents itself.

"Always in the sweet spot"???? That's like the holy grail. I would not have expected to hear that with a solid state power section.

So, the amp is responsive? - if you play lighter it's clean, if you hit it harder it overdrives a little (again, I thinking of Charlie Christian... I have even heard Johnny Smith's double stops get a tad hairy at times...)

It certainly is a gorgeous amp!

**es347** · 03-23-2019, 01:56 AM

It looks like Ulf is playing through the Vermont not John Stowell.

As for for small rooms, the amp is fine at low volumes. The tone is consistent throughout the volume range. You just get more headroom than you’ll ever need.

You can get a little “hair” if you lay into it with double stops or a stack of fourths, but not like you do with old school amps. The Vermont has a tube preamp after all and is not sterile by any means.

cheers!

**ruger9** · 03-23-2019, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by es347

It looks like Ulf is playing through the Vermont not John Stowell.

As for for small rooms, the amp is fine at low volumes. The tone is consistent throughout the volume range. You just get more headroom than you’ll ever need.

You can get a little “hair” if you lay into it with double stops or a stack of fourths, but not like you do with old school amps. The Vermont has a tube preamp after all and is not sterile by any means.

cheers!

Thanks for that. So, it sounds more "Johnny Smith" than "Charlie Christian". Makes sense.

**Bill Eisele** · 03-23-2019, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by es347

It looks like Ulf is playing through the Vermont not John Stowell.

As for for small rooms, the amp is fine at low volumes. The tone is consistent throughout the volume range. You just get more headroom than you’ll ever need.

You can get a little “hair” if you lay into it with double stops or a stack of fourths, but not like you do with old school amps. The Vermont has a tube preamp after all and is not sterile by any means.

cheers!

Yes, you’re correct. Ulf is playing the Vermont. And, that happens to be more helpful because his tone is easier to pick up on for some reason. Thanks for the additional information!