Washington state amp builders?

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hillerheilman
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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by hillerheilman » Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:30 pm

marqueemoon wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:16 pm
hillerheilman wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:36 pm
horseblanket wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:12 pm
I believe the Verellen Spaldo is a Voxy amp that can be a 1x12 amp. Can't speak to the weight though. He builds em "sturdy." He also loves doing custom work.
I actually emailed him this morning. The spaldo is still a bit heavier than I’d like, so I’m hoping he can tweak some things to cut down on the weight. Just waiting on a response.
Yeah, the stock Spaldo combo is pretty heavy.

Good sounding amp though.
I’ve only seen the one YouTube demo of it. It sounds alright to me but I’m not completely sold. Have you actually tried one? What’d you think? Worth it?

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marqueemoon
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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by marqueemoon » Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:47 pm

hillerheilman wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:30 pm
marqueemoon wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:16 pm
hillerheilman wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:36 pm


I actually emailed him this morning. The spaldo is still a bit heavier than I’d like, so I’m hoping he can tweak some things to cut down on the weight. Just waiting on a response.
Yeah, the stock Spaldo combo is pretty heavy.

Good sounding amp though.
I’ve only seen the one YouTube demo of it. It sounds alright to me but I’m not completely sold. Have you actually tried one? What’d you think? Worth it?
I used one as a backline amp for a short set. I thought it came across well. I had tried one in a shop earlier and hadn’t been blown away by it there.

I would personally look at the Benson Earhart. I’ve tried a few Monarchs and have been consistently impressed with them. The heads are pretty small and the cabs are all pine and only as heavily built as they need to be.

Honestly I think they’re overpriced though, and now they have a waiting list.

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hillerheilman
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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by hillerheilman » Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:58 am

marqueemoon wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:47 pm
hillerheilman wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:30 pm
marqueemoon wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:16 pm


Yeah, the stock Spaldo combo is pretty heavy.

Good sounding amp though.
I’ve only seen the one YouTube demo of it. It sounds alright to me but I’m not completely sold. Have you actually tried one? What’d you think? Worth it?
I used one as a backline amp for a short set. I thought it came across well. I had tried one in a shop earlier and hadn’t been blown away by it there.

I would personally look at the Benson Earhart. I’ve tried a few Monarchs and have been consistently impressed with them. The heads are pretty small and the cabs are all pine and only as heavily built as they need to be.

Honestly I think they’re overpriced though, and now they have a waiting list.
Unfortunately orders are closed for Benson currently. Although I suppose I could find one used somewhere.

I’ve received an email back from Mr Verellen, and essentially he said that bigger companies pretty much already make their amps as light as possible. Therefore he didn’t think he could make anything much lighter and have it still be ac15 ish. His suggestion was to perhaps just do a separate head/ 1x12 cab setup and carry them separately. I’d prefer not to do that, personally. I’m considering it though

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marqueemoon
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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by marqueemoon » Tue Aug 04, 2020 9:47 am

A small head and cab can be a good way to go.

I have an At Mars Specialist (Filmosound mod/conversion) and an open back 1x12. It’s an easy one-in-each-hand carry.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by hillerheilman » Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:51 am

marqueemoon wrote:
Tue Aug 04, 2020 9:47 am
A small head and cab can be a good way to go.

I have an At Mars Specialist (Filmosound mod/conversion) and an open back 1x12. It’s an easy one-in-each-hand carry.
I’m sure it would be. The thing is that I’m a wheelchair user, and so the issue really is lifting it into and then carrying it in my lap myself. I’m not sure that two separate things would work out well in that case.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by marqueemoon » Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:46 am

hillerheilman wrote:
Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:51 am
marqueemoon wrote:
Tue Aug 04, 2020 9:47 am
A small head and cab can be a good way to go.

I have an At Mars Specialist (Filmosound mod/conversion) and an open back 1x12. It’s an easy one-in-each-hand carry.
I’m sure it would be. The thing is that I’m a wheelchair user, and so the issue really is lifting it into and then carrying it in my lap myself. I’m not sure that two separate things would work out well in that case.
Ah. Thank you for clarifying.

For overall lightness/volume/awesomeness I’m a big fan of Swart amps. There’s an STR Tremolo for sale locally (on Craigslist). As an owner myself I can vouch for the awesomeness of this amp.

It’s under 30 lbs according to the specs. I’d be happy to weigh mine.

Mine is not quite loud enough for my 4 piece rock band, (Mainly because my bandmate’s Supro is silly loud), but it is a LOUD 5 watts.

Not really the Vox flavor you’re looking for I realize.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by hillerheilman » Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:30 pm

marqueemoon wrote:
Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:46 am
hillerheilman wrote:
Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:51 am
marqueemoon wrote:
Tue Aug 04, 2020 9:47 am
A small head and cab can be a good way to go.

I have an At Mars Specialist (Filmosound mod/conversion) and an open back 1x12. It’s an easy one-in-each-hand carry.
I’m sure it would be. The thing is that I’m a wheelchair user, and so the issue really is lifting it into and then carrying it in my lap myself. I’m not sure that two separate things would work out well in that case.
Ah. Thank you for clarifying.

For overall lightness/volume/awesomeness I’m a big fan of Swart amps. There’s an STR Tremolo for sale locally (on Craigslist). As an owner myself I can vouch for the awesomeness of this amp.

It’s under 30 lbs according to the specs. I’d be happy to weigh mine.

Mine is not quite loud enough for my 4 piece rock band, (Mainly because my bandmate’s Supro is silly loud), but it is a LOUD 5 watts.

Not really the Vox flavor you’re looking for I realize.
Yeah it’s not exactly the tone I’m looking for, true. But honestly I’m starting to think that I may not be a to be as picky given my criteria.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by Larsongs » Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:50 pm

You might like this New Sweetwater FSR Vox AC15.. They do some ltd edition Runs that are pretty cool.. This one looks interesting as it's Specs are similar to what you want.. And at a reasonable Price..


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ign=293175

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by hillerheilman » Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:33 am

Something occurred to me today.
Going with something more like an ac10 might actually be wise in this situation. A tube swap will probably be necessary, and I’d have to find a ten inch alternative to the celestion blue of course. But other than that I think it’d do for recording just fine, especially at low volume. Don’t think it’d be able to keep up with a drummer while staying clean though. But maybe a jam session without a drummer?

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by marqueemoon » Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:50 pm

hillerheilman wrote:
Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:33 am
Something occurred to me today.
Going with something more like an ac10 might actually be wise in this situation. A tube swap will probably be necessary, and I’d have to find a ten inch alternative to the celestion blue of course. But other than that I think it’d do for recording just fine, especially at low volume. Don’t think it’d be able to keep up with a drummer while staying clean though. But maybe a jam session without a drummer?
Once you start getting at or close to single digit wattage things are all over the map.

10 watts seems more than enough for what you described.

I would compare the depth of the stock speaker with the one you plan to add and try to confirm how much space you have to work with.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by hillerheilman » Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:59 pm

marqueemoon wrote:
Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:50 pm
hillerheilman wrote:
Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:33 am
Something occurred to me today.
Going with something more like an ac10 might actually be wise in this situation. A tube swap will probably be necessary, and I’d have to find a ten inch alternative to the celestion blue of course. But other than that I think it’d do for recording just fine, especially at low volume. Don’t think it’d be able to keep up with a drummer while staying clean though. But maybe a jam session without a drummer?
Once you start getting at or close to single digit wattage things are all over the map.

10 watts seems more than enough for what you described.

I would compare the depth of the stock speaker with the one you plan to add and try to confirm how much space you have to work with.
I’m hoping it would be. If anything I suppose I could mic it for a gig potentially if needed right? I mean we’re talking 30 pounds as opposed to 50. It’d probably be pretty easy for somebody local to build me something similar too. My only worry would be spending that money just to find out I needed more. But nothing ventured nothing gained, I suppose.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by marqueemoon » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:20 pm

Small amps are great.

Here’s another option.

https://fromelelectronics.com/

I’ve tried a Pro Junior he modded, and it was pretty sweet.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by Larsongs » Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:54 pm

hillerheilman wrote:
Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:33 am
Something occurred to me today.
Going with something more like an ac10 might actually be wise in this situation. A tube swap will probably be necessary, and I’d have to find a ten inch alternative to the celestion blue of course. But other than that I think it’d do for recording just fine, especially at low volume. Don’t think it’d be able to keep up with a drummer while staying clean though. But maybe a jam session without a drummer?
I've done that.. Bought a new Vox AC10, a Special Design 10" Weber that's supposed to sound like a Celestion Alnico Blue. It's close but not 100% accurate. (I have a Vox AC15 with a Celestion Alnico Blue so I know). Then I purchased a Set of JJ Tubes..

It's a great little AC10 now... Small, light & easy to travel with...

But...... If you look at my earlier Post about the FSR Ltd Edition Sweetwater Vox AC15 they've already modded that one. With a Celestion Creamback which sounds very similar to their Alnico Blues & added JJ Tubes... For about what it cost me to buy & upgrade my AC10!

If I didn't have my AC15 with Blue I'd already have ordered one of these Amp... I still might..

You should seriously check it out.. It sounds like what you're looking for...

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by hillerheilman » Fri Aug 07, 2020 12:26 am

Larsongs wrote:
Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:54 pm
hillerheilman wrote:
Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:33 am
Something occurred to me today.
Going with something more like an ac10 might actually be wise in this situation. A tube swap will probably be necessary, and I’d have to find a ten inch alternative to the celestion blue of course. But other than that I think it’d do for recording just fine, especially at low volume. Don’t think it’d be able to keep up with a drummer while staying clean though. But maybe a jam session without a drummer?
I've done that.. Bought a new Vox AC10, a Special Design 10" Weber that's supposed to sound like a Celestion Alnico Blue. It's close but not 100% accurate. (I have a Vox AC15 with a Celestion Alnico Blue so I know). Then I purchased a Set of JJ Tubes..

It's a great little AC10 now... Small, light & easy to travel with...

But...... If you look at my earlier Post about the FSR Ltd Edition Sweetwater Vox AC15 they've already modded that one. With a Celestion Creamback which sounds very similar to their Alnico Blues & added JJ Tubes... For about what it cost me to buy & upgrade my AC10!

If I didn't have my AC15 with Blue I'd already have ordered one of these Amp... I still might..

You should seriously check it out.. It sounds like what you're looking for...
It is tempting, for sure. But the main issue is the weight. An Ac15 typically weighs about 50 pounds. With my condition being as it is and being a wheelchair user I’d have to lift it into my lap with one arm from the ground if I wanted to carry it anywhere. Not to mention transferring it to and from my car and so forth. It’s possible. It’s just a pain in the ass I’m not sure I’m willing to inflict on myself, honestly.

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Re: Washington state amp builders?

Post by Larsongs » Fri Aug 07, 2020 5:52 am

I get what your saying. I usually take my Princeton Reverb or my AC10 when I play out. I don't want to lug around heavy Amps anymore if I don't have to. They work great in most situations.. I don't get to play in many Stadiums so I don't need Big Amps! LOL...

Sweetwater did a limited Run of AC10's with a Celestion Greenback but they sold out.. There may be a Used one on Reverb.com?

I see that Fender makes Princeton with a 12" Celestion Alnico Blue... That could be an interesting Amp.

Also, if you want to build one, Weber sells Clone Amp Kits....

Good luck, Keep on Rockin!

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