Author Topic: Which amp for Apache, crispy vintage sound? (Read 6777 times)

Mutlu · « **on:** July 03, 2007, 12:53:04 PM »

Hi everyone,
I am glad to find this forum and crazy people like me, finally:)
What do you think about the "best" combinations of guitars, amps and pickups?
Is there a receipt for shadows' crispy great vintage tone for example? Apache pickup, a maple neck strat and ?....? Vibrolux? Twin reverb? Blues de ville? What is the corresponding amp of Fender? Or a Marshall? What can you suggest?
Rgs,
Mutlu

deg0ey · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:30:33 PM »

IIRC, amp-wise Hank used a Vox AC15/AC30, so that would be your best bet (along with the maple neck strat and apache's) :)

Mutlu · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:49:30 PM »

Really? I always thought it was a Fender?
Thanks for the information and quick response. UK made AC30s are good enough as vintage ones now? I have a Korean made AC15 and it really sucks. Terrible.
I mean, are there still UK made AC30s produced?

deg0ey · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2007, 01:58:21 PM »

Just had a check round the net (not all of it, obviously) and it was definitely the ACs that he was using...

I've never actually played an AC30, so I can't tell you whether the current ones are any good, although I've heard good things about the 'Custom Classic' series - I'm sure someone else'll be along shortly to offer some help

Elliot · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2007, 04:05:41 PM »

According to an interview in an old Guitar Techniques Hank used an AC30 when recording Apache having moved up from an AC15.

In light of modern amps - a Fender Blues Junior or Blues Deluxe does that sound really well.

Woogie · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2007, 04:07:02 PM »

I thought it was about having Apache pickups!! Doh.

Laney VC30 will do it seeing as its an AC30 clone just about. Speaking of which.. look at my sig :P

38thBeatle · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2007, 08:12:45 PM »

I have a Laney VC30 2 x 10 and with my Strat it sounds fantastic. I would say that the Fender combos would do a great job too. A friend of mine used my Strat at the weekend with a JMP1 and it sounded pretty good to me-but try a VC30-they do not sound exactly like an AC30 but they do have a great tone.

Mutlu · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2007, 08:56:30 PM »

Yes, I was told about blues deluxe and deville. They sound great. I will give a try.
Thank you guys, personally I haven't ever touched a Laney by now, but I started reading about it.
Does it differ too much 1x12, 2x10, 2x12 etc.?

jt · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2007, 09:02:20 PM »

:D To be honest any amp that has a descent clean sound will do the job but you`ll need a good convincing echo/delay unit.

:D 8)

Mutlu · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2007, 09:33:25 PM »

Yeah, that's true too.
Guys, what about these vintage Voxes? Surprisingly I found them in a store in Istanbul, the AC30 is 1960. I can't believe that. Two years younger than me:))
And the JMI, I dunno what year. But looks soo tired.
What is your estimation about the prices? Say smt.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:03:26 PM »

the head/cab AC30 is the better amp - grey panel dates it to around '64 to '66. make sure the 2x12 cab has the original alnico blue celestions (actually, they'll probably be the later grey or silver-frame versions if they're original to the cab)

:twisted:

Miracle Man Matt · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2007, 11:36:39 PM »

Well my guitar teacher was the lead for the Shadows Tribute Band, and was in close contact with Hank.

He spoke endlessly of his set up.

He used
Fender Fiesta Red 62 strat he bought for £3000 but closer to £5000!!
Tape echo and a
Vox AC30 Top boost - looks like the bottom one in the post above. about £3000 I think

fairly crucial. aswell as the tape acho unit.

This is excatly wat Hank used.

Elliot · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2007, 10:24:15 AM »

In other words - you can't afford it, so give up now :lol:

Any mid priced EL34 based amp such as a modern Korg/Vox AC30, a Fender Blues Junior, a Laney VC30 etc will get that sound and a cheapish digital delay (or better still two) with an echo mode such as an Ibanez DE7 or the Martin Red Repeat (a great, if limited, analogue sounding delay) will get you there without the expensive quest for total tonal accuracy.

Kilby · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2007, 01:23:10 PM »

Just to add for the echo, fo a google for "echos from the past" as they do patches for modern digital (and multi fx ) units to emulate the Shadows echo styles

Even my Zvex nano with the right settings (and the volume well down) does a great clean Vox styled tone.

Rob...

Mutlu · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2007, 03:18:54 PM »

[make sure the 2x12 cab has the original alnico blue celestions (actually, they'll probably be the later grey or silver-frame versions if they're original to the cab)

:twisted:[/quote]

Bingo! I got it checked, the celestions were changed by the previous owner. You know this business. Thanks for the tip man. :D