Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: fps_dean on January 22, 2008, 03:00:11 AM

Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: fps_dean on January 22, 2008, 03:00:11 AM
If you got your own signature amp built for you? what would it have?

For me...
- Volume that goes up to 11.
- Gain that goes up to 12.
- Has a matching cabinet with a self-propelling motor because it requires an army of roadies to lift.
- Three preamps with a different level of gain each to choose from: 1) Will push the poweramp nicely when dimed 2) Will abuse the poweramp when dimed 3) WARNING: Will raise demons from the abyss
- A choice of poweramps, one featuring EL34s and one featuring KT88s.
- Can be run off batteries for hours.
- Has a beer holder so I always have a place to put my beer.

When an amp comes out with all of these features, I will be happy :)
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Stevepage on January 22, 2008, 06:46:04 AM
You forgot flashy lights. That's where the tone lies
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: DeanS on January 22, 2008, 08:42:03 AM
Oh and  a built in Talent Booster..................
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Scotty477 on January 22, 2008, 09:01:07 AM
I would want an Ego Massager, just to be on the safe side  :D
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Mr Ed on January 22, 2008, 09:08:36 AM
~ Three channels, each with a second channel built in for extra versatility!

Channel 1: A = Fender Twin-like Clean.
Channel 1: B = AC-30 breaking-clean.
Channel 2: A = Classic Marshall crunch (JMP/JTM/Plexi-type)
Channel 2: B = JCM800 (or maybe the 1959RR) gain.
Channel 3: A = Modern high-gain, SLO-100 type.
Channel 3: B = Uber-gain beast for metal, dunno what exactly.

~ 4 way power switch - 100W, can be reduced to 50W, 30W or 7W.
~ FX loop.
~ Footswitch changes channels, switches between modes and provides a master switch the FX loop.
~ Each channel has volume, treble, mid, bass, presence, independent reverb and then a master volume for the whole thing.
~ High/low inputs.
~ Built-in additional EQ, operates across all channels, with the classic "V" shape to give a mid-boost for solos.
~ Valve failiure LED's.
~ Finished in a deep crimson tolex.
~ Volumes all go up to 11, fo shiz.
~ The name, whatever that is, would be transparent so the glow of the tubes shone through.

Excuse me, I need to wipe my chin now.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: indysmith on January 22, 2008, 11:11:40 AM
2x12 indestructable combo. No e.q. no volume controls, one channel. Volume depends on how hard you pick the strings. sounds like a cross between a marshall jtm45 and a matchless dc30, but can make it up to JCM800 levels of gain if picked REALLY hard.
This whole thing only weights 10lbs which is handy. It's tweed covered.
oh and i'm not sure on speakers, but for now I'll go with the vintage 30 g12h combo i have in my jcm800. oh. and built in vibrato!
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Ratrod on January 22, 2008, 11:44:11 AM
Copied straight from the Holy Grail thread:

Channel one: Blackface clean but with an added gain contol to dirty it up a bit.

Channel two: JTM45/bluesbreaker.

Channel 3: Mesa Boogie Mark IV

added features: Fender reverb, tremolo, adjustable FX loop, solo boost.

All footswichable and I'd like it to be a head with a 2X12. Not shure wich speakers but I think a combination of 1 Celestion Vintage 30 and 1 Jensen C12N would sound increadible.

This would probably have a 6L6 type power amp so there should be some Tung-Sol 5881's in there. 50-60 watts should be enough.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: gwEm on January 22, 2008, 12:52:08 PM
its a single channel 50w head, small box sized to fit on top of a 1x12.

hot rodded marshall master volume tone.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Antag on January 22, 2008, 01:14:07 PM
Quote from: Mr Ed
Excuse me, I need to wipe my chin now.

You need to try a Hughes & Kettner Triamp MkII, then you really will need to wipe your chin... :)
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: il˙ti on January 22, 2008, 01:20:04 PM
All-tube 12ax7/EL84 amp, two fully independent channels with eq, drive, presents (no, not presence, PRESENTS!) and reverb.
Channel one: ac30-like clean, but stays clean at loud volumes
Channel two: mesa mark-like OD/sustain, doesn't need to go much higher than AC/DC levels of gain but without the Marshall-buzz. I like to use my Alberta to push it into high gain territories.
Footswitchable with FX loop and all that jazz.
2x12+1x10 cabinet.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: hunter on January 22, 2008, 01:30:13 PM
Quote from: Mr Ed
~ Three channels, each with a second channel built in for extra versatility!

Channel 1: A = Fender Twin-like Clean.
Channel 1: B = AC-30 breaking-clean.
Channel 2: A = Classic Marshall crunch (JMP/JTM/Plexi-type)
Channel 2: B = JCM800 (or maybe the 1959RR) gain.
Channel 3: A = Modern high-gain, SLO-100 type.
Channel 3: B = Uber-gain beast for metal, dunno what exactly.

~ 4 way power switch - 100W, can be reduced to 50W, 30W or 7W.
~ FX loop.
~ Footswitch changes channels, switches between modes and provides a master switch the FX loop.
~ Each channel has volume, treble, mid, bass, presence, independent reverb and then a master volume for the whole thing.
~ High/low inputs.
~ Built-in additional EQ, operates across all channels, with the classic "V" shape to give a mid-boost for solos.
~ Valve failiure LED's.
~ Finished in a deep crimson tolex.
~ Volumes all go up to 11, fo shiz.
~ The name, whatever that is, would be transparent so the glow of the tubes shone through.

Excuse me, I need to wipe my chin now.


You are basically describing an Egnater MOD100 with a TV, an SL and an EG5 module.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Antag on January 22, 2008, 01:52:30 PM
I guess mine would start with a Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII, then make a few changes:

Revoice channel 3B
2 assignable FX loops
Switchable EL34/6550 power valves
Phantom-powered MIDI footboard
4x12" cab with 2x Vintage 30 & 2x Classic Lead 80 speakers

Or, to approach it another way, start with an Engl Savage, then:

Slightly thicker, warmer Ch1
Give channels 3 & 4 separate EQs
Make the 2 FX loops assignable to any channel, rather than all or 1&2 or 3&4.
Switchable 6550/EL34 Power Valves
Half power switch
Z12 or Z15 footboard (with MIDI-thru) instead of the Z10
Get rid of several of the buttons (Bright, contour, rough/smooth etc), just build my preferred settings into the "voice" of each channel
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Mr Ed on January 22, 2008, 02:15:39 PM
Quote from: Antag
You need to try a Hughes & Kettner Triamp MkII, then you really will need to wipe your chin... :)


I DON'T! If I play one, I will buy it and I cannot afford to drop a grand plus on an amp right now. BAD BOY!

Quote from: hunter
You are basically describing an Egnater MOD100 with a TV, an SL and an EG5 module.


Never even heard of it but now you've made me start looking into them... you git. :(  :wink: Go on, how much are we talking?

The MOD50 looks pretty sweet, throw in a VX and SL2 and that's quite a range.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: dave_mc on January 22, 2008, 02:50:52 PM
Quote from: Mr Ed
~ Three channels, each with a second channel built in for extra versatility!

Channel 1: A = Fender Twin-like Clean.
Channel 1: B = AC-30 breaking-clean.
Channel 2: A = Classic Marshall crunch (JMP/JTM/Plexi-type)
Channel 2: B = JCM800 (or maybe the 1959RR) gain.
Channel 3: A = Modern high-gain, SLO-100 type.
Channel 3: B = Uber-gain beast for metal, dunno what exactly.

~ 4 way power switch - 100W, can be reduced to 50W, 30W or 7W.
~ FX loop.
~ Footswitch changes channels, switches between modes and provides a master switch the FX loop.
~ Each channel has volume, treble, mid, bass, presence, independent reverb and then a master volume for the whole thing.
~ High/low inputs.
~ Built-in additional EQ, operates across all channels, with the classic "V" shape to give a mid-boost for solos.
~ Valve failiure LED's.
~ Finished in a deep crimson tolex.
~ Volumes all go up to 11, fo shiz.
~ The name, whatever that is, would be transparent so the glow of the tubes shone through.

Excuse me, I need to wipe my chin now.


that's near enough a h&k triamp, you realise (other than the wattage thing and crazy colours etc.)? i wasn't too fussed on its high gain channels though. EDIT: dang, beaten to it.

mine'd have several channels...

channel 1: fender, with switch to go between tweed and blackface
2: vox ac30, switch to go between normal and top boost (or maybe ef86 preamp and top boost)
3: marshall, switch between plexi and jcm800.
4: high gain, switch to go between hot-rodded marshall/soldano/cornford and recto-style high gain.

some kind of intelligent power amp which selects 6L6 for the fenders and mesa, el84's for the vox and el34's for the marshall.

some kind of in-built forklift truck to lift the thing.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Antag on January 22, 2008, 04:28:54 PM
Actually, I've changed my mind, I'd like a Metasonix (http://www.metasonix.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=67) :)
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: PhilKing on January 22, 2008, 06:15:45 PM
I have an all tube preamp being built by John McIntyre (in a very large foot pedal), which has the following:

Vox sound
Fender sound
Marshall JTM with a little crunch
Marshall with a lot of crunch
Boogie style OD

There is also an EL84 power amp to add power amp distortion to the last 3 sounds.  I saw the pedal about  10 years ago - it is a very slow job getting it working to John's standards and also it is now a hobby for him as he gave up amp design full time after the Lexicon Signature 284.

In the meantime I think I am getting a slightly modified Ceriatone Overtone - I love this sound that it gets http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hIDrq4E3hVo.  I have emailed Nik and I am just awaiting the pennies before I order it.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: hunter on January 22, 2008, 06:21:09 PM
nice one indeed, the ceriatone

and your pedal thing sounds like an awesome project and a killer product were it released as a series production item...
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: noodleplugerine on January 23, 2008, 06:54:28 PM
From the Metatronix site - I laughed a little...

Vast ranges of tone are available from the G-1000. We cannot even begin to explain its flexibility. The G-1000 is NOT intended for middle-aged “tone questers”, who believe that they will be able to play like Eric Clapton by simply spending a lot of $$$ on equipment. We HATE those people. The G-1000 is intended for the intrepid experimenter, not the pathetic imitator. Tone questers are invited to DIE.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: Will on January 23, 2008, 07:02:29 PM
I don't know about other amps and the fuses, but my JCM 900 has a fuse for each power stage or something, so if one of the valves dies, it can still run on half power. So if it cut out in a gig, all should be fine.

Other than that, erm, methinks a JCM 800 is what I am wanting, just with this fuse thing, and some kick ass power scaling or a good attenuating thang so its manageable
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: HTH AMPS on January 23, 2008, 08:39:06 PM
Quote from: Will
I don't know about other amps and the fuses, but my JCM 900 has a fuse for each power stage or something, so if one of the valves dies, it can still run on half power. So if it cut out in a gig, all should be fine.

Other than that, erm, methinks a JCM 800 is what I am wanting, just with this fuse thing, and some kick ass power scaling or a good attenuating thang so its manageable


the JCM900s have the cathodes of each pair of EL34s fused so that the fuse will pop if a valve starts drawing too much current.  With the standard non-fuses cathodes approach what ends up happening is the HT fuse blows and the amp goes silent.

I think the fused output stage in the JCM900s are a pretty nifty idea.

My main thing for a 'dream amp' is that it's lightweight - I'm sick of carrying 4x12s around.  If the amp could carry itself up a flight of stairs and set itself up, that would be even better.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: headtheball on January 25, 2008, 12:44:48 AM
An AC-30 and a JCM 800 on KT-88's in one Head.

Separate outputs for each side.

Ability to mix/match the preamp/poweramp stages (AC-30 through kt's, Marshall through the wee EL's, or "properly")

Powerscaling on both poweramps.

A/B/A+B switching.

Sorry, I'm totally into the two-amps-at-once thing. It's pretty addictive.
Title: Everyone design your own "super amp"!
Post by: plastercaster on January 25, 2008, 06:50:20 AM
I'd have a smokey amp, except plugging into it would automatically engage an audopsychoperception tool, and simply produce the exact tone I want, at the best volume. the 3" speker would have the same bass and projection as a 4x12.