Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: hunter on November 05, 2009, 03:45:42 PM

Title: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: hunter on November 05, 2009, 03:45:42 PM
Got this amp here a few days for trying ... and it's  :o :o :o

Have to ... keep ... must ... sell ... something ...  :?

Don't like so much the 6L6es, but switching the bias selector to EL34 and throwing in some =C=s might be just what the doctor ordered. This amp has endless features, though is still really easy to use. Basically two sets of EQs, one for clean and one for the gain side. 4 Channels each with gain, two switchable masters and a switchable loop with separate (master) volume. There are 3 different boosts (gain- mid- and bright boost) which work on all channels and their status can be stored as well as the channel, the master and the loop status, in up to 99 midi programs.

The included foot switch can either directly access amp functions like channels, boost, master or FX loop, or it can work in 3 banks to 4 programs like a mini midi switcher, where all the different boost/channel etc settings are changed with just one foot step.

with just the 4 channels and the 3 boosts in all the possible variations it already has 28 different sounds LOL. Not intending to use them all though :O)

Here a short clippage, it's a bit stiff at low volumes, not unlike an SLO it needs to be opened up. Can't wait to try some EL34s ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShMrHHtzoyI


(http://steavens.com/images/pc100_8.jpg)
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: FernandoDuarte on November 05, 2009, 04:30:05 PM
A lot hell of knobs :o
I guess that only this amp would be enough, but I guess not to you :P
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: horsehead on November 05, 2009, 05:34:34 PM
 :( no love for 6l6's

that thing looks like the panel of a space station, I need things simple...like me

It sounds very 5150-ish

----------------
Now playing: T Rex - Get It On (http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/t+rex/track/get+it+on)
via FoxyTunes (http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/)
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: hunter on November 05, 2009, 05:37:43 PM
:( no love for 6l6's

that thing looks like the panel of a space station, I need things simple...like me

----------------
Now playing: T Rex - Get It On (http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/t+rex/track/get+it+on)
via FoxyTunes (http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/)

What's so complicated about it?
It's just
4xgain
2xmaster
2x bass/mid/treble
Resonance/Presence

Then the channel selector switches and the ones for boosts and the loop.

No rocket science.
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: Antag on November 06, 2009, 08:09:47 AM
Nice.

Just for interest's sake (really ;)) how much is it & where can I did you get one it?  I love the idea of something relatively rare that hardly anyone else has....
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: hunter on November 06, 2009, 08:59:00 AM
Nice.

Just for interest's sake (really ;)) how much is it & where can I did you get one it?  I love the idea of something relatively rare that hardly anyone else has....

Bernhard Stephan (Steavens) has been around since the 80s and learned his trade when Reinhold Bogner and Peter Diezel were also modding Marshalls. His company was quite known late 80s to mid 90s but he got into some issues and stopped it. Today he is back and building small numbers. He has a very good reputation in the industry, and no less than Mike Fortin himself, who also used to own a Poundcake MkII, encouraged me to give it a try.

Bernhard (Steavens) also offered me via email that I can come and he would tweak the head to my taste if required - for free.

I saw it at a shop in Germany which is also the only retailer for Larry amps (www.music-station.eu). They had it as demo-selloff and made a mistake with the VAT on the shop, so after some back and forth with them we found a gentlemens' agreement, and let's say I got it for a very good deal. I am still on trial period (31 days) but guess I'll keep it and sell the Triamp + Cab to fund it.

You can also order one direct from Bernhard (www.steavens.com), but he is very busy and it can take a long time until he replies. I think he has a day job and does the amp stuff on the side nowadays.
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: choucas09 on November 06, 2009, 03:17:44 PM
I'd be well happy with a sound like that.
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: Denim n Leather on November 06, 2009, 03:44:41 PM
That amp is butt ugly.
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: Afghan Dave on November 06, 2009, 03:58:36 PM
Tis ugly but I like that and the concept sounds cool!  :?

Kinda brutal... I'd put it on a Marshall Mustaine cab for giggles 
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: Lew on November 06, 2009, 08:41:36 PM
Poundcake - cool EVH reference. Sounds good, panel could be organized better though!
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: hunter on November 07, 2009, 12:13:04 AM
Yeah it doesn't get a price for its looks.
But actually the high head shell looks kinda nice on a 4x12.

Just having the amp since a few days, I am already considering a retolexing.

Control layout seems weird at the beginning, but once you use the amp it makes a lot of sense. In fact I haven't touched the knobs much once I had set the EQ and gains. I was more experimenting with the different boosts and stuff.

If you change guitars and you go for example from a hot humbucker guitar to a vintage single coil strat, you have all the 4 gains in one place and adjusting is a matter of seconds.

Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: Dmoney on November 07, 2009, 12:32:45 AM
that looks badass.

ill be honest and say ive never heard the name before, hence not getting your clues.

man im pretty jealous of all the good gear you find on the mainland. i never see stuff like this in the UK
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: Antag on November 07, 2009, 09:06:45 AM
I'll keep it and sell the Triamp + Cab
:eek: :eek:

Dude, we need to talk.  Stop putting temptation in front of me! :lol:
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: hunter on November 07, 2009, 12:13:13 PM
I'll keep it and sell the Triamp + Cab
:eek: :eek:

Dude, we need to talk.  Stop putting temptation in front of me! :lol:

Man, don't worry, you don't need all this shite. It's all in the fingers and the audience won't notice anyways  8)
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: Afghan Dave on November 07, 2009, 12:44:30 PM
I'll keep it and sell the Triamp + Cab
:eek: :eek:

Dude, we need to talk.  Stop putting temptation in front of me! :lol:

Man, don't worry, you don't need all this shitee. It's all in the fingers and the audience won't notice anyways  8)

Yeah.... er... watch this and sing the chorus ...  :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtWIx2zLtk
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: hunter on November 08, 2009, 12:54:10 AM
I'll keep it and sell the Triamp + Cab
:eek: :eek:

Dude, we need to talk.  Stop putting temptation in front of me! :lol:

Man, don't worry, you don't need all this shiteee. It's all in the fingers and the audience won't notice anyways  8)

Yeah.... er... watch this and sing the chorus ...  :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtWIx2zLtk

;)
Title: Re: Steavens Poundcake MkIII
Post by: shaman on November 08, 2009, 01:07:47 AM
That amp is butt ugly.
no doubt!...but,who is lookin'???I HOPE people aren't judgin'my output BY my image!!...(cause I am butt ugly!!!) :D..of course, your mileage MAY vary