small tube amp for worship setting

mulletman · 04-01-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

The night train had two distinct voices, but they are neither clean, nor footswitchable. That said. I want to do a shootout with the vox versus my princeton.

True. The Tiny Terror has an excellent tone, and then a few variations on that tone.... But yeah.

sinisterguy · 04-01-2009, 03:43 PM

Ok, so I tried out the blues junior, epi valve junior and blackheart amps and I'm leaning towards the blues jr, but I was wondering. Is it possible to add a half power switch so it only uses 1 tube, so then i can push that one tube harder? I've searched online and haven't found much.

Major Tom · 04-01-2009, 03:53 PM

BSPE - you have me GAS'n for an AC-4. Are they available yet?

IMO, for most church venues, especially since you mention the low stage volume requirement, and using IEM's, a Blues Jr. and similar amps will probably be too loud, although you could use a power attenuator to tame it way down. See the sticky'd thread about DIY power attenuators.

The problem with most real low watt amps like the Valve Jr. and others is that they have an 8" or even a 6" speaker. A small speaker can sound great mic'd thru the mains, but it is hard to get used to that small boxy sound that you hear directly. Also, a lot of the small low cost, low watt amps have puny output trannies to keep the cost down (copper is expensive) and they sound really crappy. I wouldn't let my dog play thru some of those, they sound so bad. I would definitely try the Vox, a 10" speaker sounds so much better and bigger than an 8", but will put out less volume than a 12" with the same wattage. I am a little skeptical of amps that only have a single tone knob and not bass/mid/treble tone stack, as far as matching it up to different guitars; i.e. a strat or LP, etc., but only one way to find out, and it does have the official BSPE stamp of approval - and that means a lot to me, the man knows his stuff.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 04-01-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinisterguy

Ok, so I tried out the blues junior, epi valve junior and blackheart amps and I'm leaning towards the blues jr, but I was wondering. Is it possible to add a half power switch so its only using one of the two tubes? I've searched online and haven't found much.

gut instinct is no. I believe it is a class b, push/pull design, which would mean that would not work. (Class A really sounds no better, it's only actually useful in determining questions such as this.)

Major Tom · 04-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinisterguy

Ok, so I tried out the blues junior, epi valve junior and blackheart amps and I'm leaning towards the blues jr, but I was wondering. Is it possible to add a half power switch so it only uses 1 tube, so then i can push that one tube harder? I've searched online and haven't found much.

No, you won't be able to do that, although you could mod it with a pentode (what it is now) / triode (half power) operation switch. The reality is though, that halving the power will only reduce the volume by 3 db, it will not make it half as loud. Believe it or not, in your application, a 3 db reduction probably isn't even worthwhile. Better to just go ahead an use a power attenuator. See the DIY power attenuator thread, you can make one for 20 bux that will work perfect for that amp, and adjust the power output from full all the way down to zero, or at least near-zero.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 04-01-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Tom

No, you won't be able to do that, although you could mod it with a pentode (what it is now) / triode (half power) operation switch. The reality is though, that halving the power will only reduce the volume by 3 db, it will not make it half as loud. Believe it or not, in your application, a 3 db reduction probably isn't even worthwhile. Better to just go ahead an use a power attenuator. See the DIY power attenuator thread, you can make one for 20 bux that will work perfect for that amp, and adjust the power output from full all the way down to zero, or at least near-zero.

and the pentode triode thing really changes up the tone. I am not a fan of the sounds I have gotten from 12ax7s in triode modes on many amps. Now I am not sure if that is inherently related to the mode, or whether certain components of the circuit were designed with the higher output in mind.

Elderly had the release date for the AC4 near the end of May Tom. I will likely get one. I am thinking the head and pairing it with my alnico gold.

joshua.lee.90 · 04-01-2009, 09:04 PM

sinisterguy where in canada are you located if there is a long and mcquade near you check out the Traynors warranty is awesome and sound is supose to be really good. Its Long and Mcquade's house brand so they will basucally replace the amp even if you break it. I beleive thats actually in the warranty statement( dont quote me on that but check their warranty page out)

gstrat59 · 05-08-2009, 08:24 PM

Hello newbie to this forum, I play through a Peavy Classic 50 four ten combo which sound nice clean or with break up but is a little loud at times ,just something for consideration you can put one of those clear shields in front of your amp and mic up, this helps minimize the beaming effect coming of your amp. I actually made my own screen (not wanting to spend to much $ for real one) I went to local building supply store and purchased a piece of clear plastic I think it was a 24'' by 36'' for like $10 , I drilled a small hole in the middle of each end and stretched a piece of clear fishing line to create a bowed shape that will stand on its on in front of your amp. The bow in the screen also allows enough room to stick a small mic stand in front.

bbrunskill · 06-04-2009, 10:22 PM

I gotta say that the Vox AC4 sounds GREAT. And it's not a toy like the Epiphone Valve JNR or Blackheart amps.

**thesteve** · 06-04-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbrunskill

I gotta say that the Vox AC4 sounds GREAT. And it's not a toy like the Epiphone Valve JNR or Blackheart amps.

The Blackhearts are toys? So funny joke...the guitarist for one of my bands has been using a Blackheart Little Giant through a Carvin 1x12" cab in practice and it's been keeping pace with a Marshall JCM800 running into a Marshall 4x12 quite nicely.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 06-04-2009, 10:54 PM

Agreed, if memory serves, the blackheart was a good bit louder than the AC-4.

I played a little giant at several services keeping up with some much larger amps.