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The Truth about Vintage Amps

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Perfect for a road trip- without the Mrs of Course.
 

TM1

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Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Perfect for a road trip- without the Mrs of Course.

you nailed that one! Took a 2 week trip and I know my wife would not want to hear this stuff(even though I work on amps nearly every day..). It was pushing it for her with listening to Mayall/Clapton & Cream.. 2400 mile trip..
 

Oatie

New member
Joined
May 12, 2019
Messages
17
Skip is a great tech. I bought an old April 1960 tweed Twin years ago and he signed the inside in pencil, it still is all original except the filter and bias caps. I run Celestion Golds and Creams in it. Episode 5 he talks about variacs, he said everyone does not need one. If your into music and have old amps the variac is a must. I run my voltage at 110-115 for the old tweeds & Marshalls and the tone is so much better. Just dropping the voltage down 5 volts the tone improves. I haver one variac set up with a current limiter and an analog voltage meter. You un-screw the knob on the top of the variac and calibrate the voltage to the meter, I use a P3 digital meter as well and when the variac is at 120v. I tighten the 2 allen screws on the top of the variac knob. Now the voltage on the actual meter is accurate. I always go by the analog meter and the digital meter, the digital meter switches to amps, Hz, , and watts too. Skip has done so many amps in his life.
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Vintagesoundworkbench.com or Brown Box- perfect for this and makes a big impact.
 

agogetr

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
451
you nailed that one! Took a 2 week trip and I know my wife would not want to hear this stuff(even though I work on amps nearly every day..). It was pushing it for her with listening to Mayall/Clapton & Cream.. 2400 mile trip..
shoulda played maddona. she would apreciate your sensitive side. worked for me.
 

agogetr

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
451
Skip is a great tech. I bought an old April 1960 tweed Twin years ago and he signed the inside in pencil, it still is all original except the filter and bias caps. I run Celestion Golds and Creams in it. Episode 5 he talks about variacs, he said everyone does not need one. If your into music and have old amps the variac is a must. I run my voltage at 110-115 for the old tweeds & Marshalls and the tone is so much better. Just dropping the voltage down 5 volts the tone improves. I haver one variac set up with a current limiter and an analog voltage meter. You un-screw the knob on the top of the variac and calibrate the voltage to the meter, I use a P3 digital meter as well and when the variac is at 120v. I tighten the 2 allen screws on the top of the variac knob. Now the voltage on the actual meter is accurate. I always go by the analog meter and the digital meter, the digital meter switches to amps, Hz, , and watts too. Skip has done so many amps in his life.
wow good info!
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
shoulda played maddona. she would apreciate your sensitive side. worked for me.
Nah, she’s not a Madonna fan. I was already 30 when she came out. Wasn’t exactly my type of music.... nothing about her had loud amps and electric guitars..
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,583
When she broke, I was busy with the band I was in. We were on MCA Records and busy touring, recording & rehearsing. There weren’t many days off back then...

Tm1 ..What band was that ?
 

latestarter

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
4,173
Back to the OP.

this podcast is very good. I’ve been listening to it for about a month in the car and on planes. I really dig Skip’s style and Jason is a good facilitator. Great fun podcast.
 

agogetr

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
451
Nah, she’s not a Madonna fan. I was already 30 when she came out. Wasn’t exactly my type of music.... nothing about her had loud amps and electric guitars..
i loved millie vanillis music. you know who else had a killer album was clay aiken.
 

CK6

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
449
Skip is a great tech. I bought an old April 1960 tweed Twin years ago and he signed the inside in pencil, it still is all original except the filter and bias caps. I run Celestion Golds and Creams in it. Episode 5 he talks about variacs, he said everyone does not need one. If your into music and have old amps the variac is a must. I run my voltage at 110-115 for the old tweeds & Marshalls and the tone is so much better. Just dropping the voltage down 5 volts the tone improves. I haver one variac set up with a current limiter and an analog voltage meter. You un-screw the knob on the top of the variac and calibrate the voltage to the meter, I use a P3 digital meter as well and when the variac is at 120v. I tighten the 2 allen screws on the top of the variac knob. Now the voltage on the actual meter is accurate. I always go by the analog meter and the digital meter, the digital meter switches to amps, Hz, , and watts too. Skip has done so many amps in his life.

Interesting...what is considered an "old amp"?

I have two 2203's (1981 & 1984). Do you think they would benefit from a Variac as well?

Thanks.
 

agogetr

Active member
Joined
Jan 22, 2019
Messages
451
Interesting...what is considered an "old amp"?

I have two 2203's (1981 & 1984). Do you think they would benefit from a Variac as well?

Thanks.
early eighties is getin a bit old. and the awnser to you question is 'yes' to an extent. i know a variac can change tone but i.m.o. you should really look into an attenuator. i heard the 'power station' is a good one. i cant wait to try one!
 
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