Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on November 07, 2010, 01:04:55 PM
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Well, it's been a little while since I bought anything guitar related due to band uncertainty. Until very recently it looked like all my projects had completely folded but, after a parting of the ways with Martin of MJW Amps, my rock covers band is going to continue under the new name "Jump The Shark". So I need new gear don't I? ;)
First up is a the mighty Klone Centaur, built by JuanSolo here on the forum. I'm a big fan of John's work, and as always this pedal is superbly built. For tone, this thing is just incredible. I've played loooooooooooooooooooooooads of boost/overdrive pedals and this is the best of the lot. Believe the hype. If you've got a great amp and need a pedal that makes it "more", these are it. Fantastic! It now sits on my smaller pedal board for home and rehearsal use.
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Misc/klon-o.jpg)
Secondly, as I'm going to start maintaining my own amps, I've ordered a Weber Bias Rite from the US which has just been despatched. Should save me a few quid in the long run!
(http://taweber.powweb.com/biasrite/vibr4octal.jpg)
Lastly, and much more expensively, is one of the beasties below. I've been following the blog over the last 9 months, and had my eye on one since the beginning but couldn't really afford/justify one. I found out last week that I'm not going to be made redundant after all (I've been under threat for 6 months), so as a celebratory gift to myself I went straight to Sounds Great and put a deposit on one of the three they're getting!
I love my Bogner XTC for live use but it's too loud to use at home as the pots are off or ON! The power scaling will be superb for me, plus the auto-biasing and valve flexibility will be fun to play with.
It should arrive within the month...!
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Misc/AFD100-1.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Misc/AFD100-2.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Misc/AFD100-3.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Misc/AFD100-4.jpg)
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from what I've heard, the power scaling on those amps is a bit of a porkie, its just a PPI master volume. however, if it works, it works - nuff said.
the clips of the amp are great, really nailed that tone Slash was getting back in the day.
nice work by Juansolo on the Klone, had that on my list of things to do for years.
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It was never going to be a long wait, was it? :lol:
I like the look of the Klone Centaur, very tidy tribute to the Klon!
And the Slash amp has power scaling, does it? I had no idea Marshall were embracing that technology.
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The Klon surprised the hell out of me. Really, really fantastic thing. So much so I now have to build one for me and I'm not a fan of overdrives. Though mine will be a Crom... ;-)
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HTH - if you're right then Marshall are lying. I would suggest your info is wrong?
http://www.afd100.com/blog/stage-1-engineering-complete/
"this amplifier features an auto-biasing function which works together with the output power control........The power control allows the user to obtain power amp distortion at volumes as low as 0.1W going to full 100W with the simple twist of a knob"
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All looks good Dave - the only thing that doesn't do it for me is the Weber :) That Klone looks great - I'm assuming you'll be getting some clips up soon for it :wink: :wink:
I've not really had any GAS for ages. I've dabbled in a few things but nothing serious. I'd love to get a Marshall Silver Jubilee one day.
Quick edit - the amp sounds pretty great here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iG_OHT7JXw&feature=related
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Sounds superb here too being played by Chris George:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehwnoo1sFxU
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It does indeed. Watched that one just before the Slash one. Was great to hear some classic G'n'R being played through it.
Are you now MJW-less Dave?
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All bar one mate, I've just got the JTM45/100 half stack (which is actually Ceriatone based with MetroAmp transformers, and cabinets built by Jeff at Matamp. Jeff built my 2x12 too) . It's my 'classic' amp, and the one I'll use if YC/DC do any random gigs from time to time. A man's gotta have a half stack, right? ;)
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HTH - if you're right then Marshall are lying. I would suggest your info is wrong?
http://www.afd100.com/blog/stage-1-engineering-complete/
"this amplifier features an auto-biasing function which works together with the output power control........The power control allows the user to obtain power amp distortion at volumes as low as 0.1W going to full 100W with the simple twist of a knob"
what I've heard may indeed be wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time a manufacturer had been economical with the truth. from what it says on the AFD100 website, it doesn't much sound like a PPI-MV to be fair.
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Yeah, you never know I guess but the wording is quite specific isn't it? With the all the biasing technology in there, I don't see why they wouldn't be scaling power as they say they are.
I'll find out when I get it I suppose as I can stick the bias rite on it and check the voltages....
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nice!
cool name for the band :lol:
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CHeers Dave - our bass player is an IT and web subculture geek! :lol:
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my rock covers band is going to continue under the new name "Jump The Shark".
So who's Fonzie?
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Yeah, you never know I guess but the wording is quite specific isn't it? With the all the biasing technology in there, I don't see why they wouldn't be scaling power as they say they are.
I'll find out when I get it I suppose as I can stick the bias rite on it and check the voltages....
Kevin O'Conner of London Power, who owns the trademark "Power Scalling", claims that he was in negotiation with Marshall re a licencing deal to use power scaling but that this fell through.
This would suggest that Marshall have been working on some implementation of variable voltage control, so I suspect that this amp uses similar technology to Power Scaling.
Tubesync have a "bias engine" that will automatically adjust the bias (I think that this was developed for use in Hughes and Kettner amps), and it looks as if Marshall have developed something similar.
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So who's Fonzie?
Well I once fixed a car using Fonzie's trick on the Juke Box, so maybe it's me :lol:
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the bias rite is a superb piece of gear. truly helped me set my amp's tone how i like it without breaking anything!
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As soon as I saw the title and the name of who posted I had to smile! :lol: Congrats on both keep your job and your new purchases.
That pedal looks superb, I know that you guys rave about Juan's pedles and I'd love to get either one of those built or maybe a King of Tone clone (K.O.C?) :D . One day.
The Marshall should be good from the clips I've seen and it should hold it's value anyway. I'm not a big fan of Marshall amps to be honest although I'd entertain one of those if I ever got rid of the little Joob combo.
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That pedal looks superb, I know that you guys rave about Juan's pedles and I'd love to get either one of those built or maybe a King of Tone clone (K.O.C?) :D . One day.
Cleggy is away at the moment so everything is on hold until I get some painted enclosures back. So it would probably be after xmas now. But certainly could do King of Clone or what have you once I've caught up on the backlog.
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I'm looking at those AFD100s a lot.
But I have 4 proper amps right now, not sure if I can justify more.
Also have a Bias Rite already (I got the one with two Octal and two EL84 plugs).
What I did order recently is a Heil PR20 mic, the same as Cantrell is using live for guitar. I heard some comparison clips with SM57s and I was very pleased with the PR20s crispness and punch.
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Congrats on the new purchases. Shame you and martin have fallen out though. That said good new though that you are still going to be giging. and that the job front looks good. Enjoy tyhe purchases!
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I'm NOT jealous! I'm NOT jealous! I'm NOT jealous! I'm NOT jealous! I'm NOT jealous! I'm NOT jealous!
:(
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roland_rat:
Cheers mate, I'm hoping the new band will be good. It's a real shame we couldn't continue with Martin. We had all originally planned to quit gigging completely, but as it turned out the four of us could find a middle ground regarding rehearsals/gigs/material that suited us all that we couldn't as a five piece :(
And sorry Fernando! :lol:
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Me thinks I need to PM John about a Klone as per our convo at the meet! :twisted:
Congrats on the gear, those AFD amps look awesome.
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Cheers brow - it was your Splawn at the meet that made me realise I'm more of a hot rodded Marshall kinda guy than I thought I was!
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Just listening to a few clips of this amp again (and some splawn) and I'm really liking it. I've nearly always been a vintage type of guy and am hoping that is stays that way - can;t afford to have too many different tastes!
Still very gutted that I missed that meet!
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Very nice new gear Dave. Glad to hear your jobs safe too.
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It's a real shame we couldn't continue with Martin. We had all originally planned to quit gigging completely, but as it turned out the four of us could find a middle ground regarding rehearsals/gigs/material that suited us all that we couldn't as a five piece :(
That sounds a bit like Status Quo telling Alan Lancaster they were splitting up, then reforming when he was a safe distance away in Australia.... :wink:
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It wasn't like that at all Phil - I'm no scheming bar-steward!
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Cheers brow - it was your Splawn at the meet that made me realise I'm more of a hot rodded Marshall kinda guy than I thought I was!
Obviously I wasn't at the meet, but your posts/acquisitions over the last few months have had me wondering this ... Like Ian, hearing a "died-in-the-wool JTMer" changing his tastes is making me wonder about my own tastes :lol:
Good to hear about the job security :D
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It wasn't like that at all Phil - I'm no scheming bar-steward!
Just kidding Dave! PDT_002
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Thanks Andy :)
I've always liked the gainier side of things and have usually used the amp for rhythm gain and a pedal in front. Since getting the Bogner XTC I much prefer the 'all amp' tone, so I'm sticking with that as it suits me better. I also like hotter pickups that PAFs too :o
It's the 80s hair-rocker in me coming out to play. Poison/Quireboys/Bon Jovi/Guns N Roses anyone???
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Poison/Quireboys/Bon Jovi/Guns N Roses anyone???
Not for me, ta, but I'll have a bit of Winger/Dokken/Enuff Z'Nuff/Saigon Kick/Tesla. :)
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^ I'll have it all :lol:
CHeers Dave - our bass player is an IT and web subculture geek! :lol:
yeah I'm not sure how I heard the phrase first. I think I was messing about on wikipedia and came across it :lol: I remember thinking it'd make a good band name :D
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I don't know a lot about amp construction etc but I have a question about the Marshall,
I have read the tubes are mounted directly to the PCB and this is not really ideal, coupled with Marshall's sometimes questionable build quality, do you have any concerns about the reliability of the amp ?
ignore me if I am talking shitee
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To be honest, I don't care how it's built if it sounds good! :lol:
It'll have 12 months warranty and can always be sent back to Marshall after that to be fixed, they're bound to have spare parts.
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Poison/Quireboys/Bon Jovi/Guns N Roses anyone???
Not for me, ta, but I'll have a bit of Winger/Dokken/Enuff Z'Nuff/Saigon Kick/Tesla. :)
Dokken, Motley Crue, Ratt, Black N Blue, Great White, Winger, Warrant, Teeze, Tesla , Bon Jovi (first 3LPs)
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^ That's a quality list of mildly off topic 80s rock :D
Always welcome in any thread
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Poison/Quireboys/Bon Jovi/Guns N Roses anyone???
Not for me, ta, but I'll have a bit of Winger/Dokken/Enuff Z'Nuff/Saigon Kick/Tesla. :)
Dokken, Motley Crue, Ratt, Black N Blue, Great White, Winger, Warrant, Teeze, Tesla , Bon Jovi (first 3LPs)
Oh, and
BADLANDS!!!!
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I don't know a lot about amp construction etc but I have a question about the Marshall,
I have read the tubes are mounted directly to the PCB and this is not really ideal, coupled with Marshall's sometimes questionable build quality, do you have any concerns about the reliability of the amp ?
Most amps these days have valves mounted on the PCB.
To use chassis mounted valves sockets requires that they are wired by hand, which will significantly increases the production cost of the amp (assuming you can find enough people with the requiste skills to hand wire the sockets).
The 2 main issues with PCB mounted sockets are broken solder joints due to mechanical disturbance when valves are replaced, and collateral damge to the PCB if a power valve shorts.
Power valve shorts in this amp should be eliminated by the active bias/ power supply management in this amp.
Although some of Marshall's recent products haven't been that well executed to say the least, they have an excellent service department and give very good technical support.
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Just a quick update on my AFD100. No delivery as yet, fingers crossed it'll turn up at Sounds Great before the New Year.
I see Guitarist have reviewed one and given it the full 5 stars for everything and the Gold Award. I would imagine any remaining amps will now get snapped up fairly quickly......