Fab Amps ? [Archive] - The Gear Page

Robert1950

10-29-2005, 11:24 AM

Anyone familiar with Fab Amps out of Vancouver B.C.? I'm interested a low watt tube amp and this guy offers about three models that can have 2 to 8 watts depending on tubes and a power cut option. The idea of a 2.5/5 watt for use at home is very appealing.

http://fab.stuff.home.comcast.net/models.htm

guitarded_1

10-29-2005, 11:25 AM

Oh boy. Here we go...

bob-i

10-29-2005, 11:34 AM

You'd be amazed at how loud 2 watts really is. I have a Gilmore Jr, that I built then modded. It's 1/2 watt and I still need an attenuator to crank it.

Look at the Gilmore Jr. kit http://www.guytronix.com/pages/1/index.htm amazing sound and easy to build. Compete step by step instructions. If you can solder you can build it.

bikerdude2

10-29-2005, 11:46 AM

and do a search on Fab amps in the amp forum. I have to warn you, it's not pretty..;)

Robert1950

10-29-2005, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by bikerdude2
and do a search on Fab amps in the amp forum. I have to warn you, it's not pretty..;)

It's seems like most of the reviews are very positive, but there are some that were "not pretty" as you said.

I did email him and he got back to me the next day. He's got orders up to his eye balls right now and wouldn't be able to take an new one until the new year.

As I don't intend to purchase for another six months, I've got time to look, listen and learn.

p.snail

10-29-2005, 12:56 PM

How in the heck are these not $1000 or more? Point to point for $500?!? I'm gonna have to look into these a little more. Very cool. I had never heard of these guys before.

kannibul

10-29-2005, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by p.snail
How in the heck are these not $1000 or more? Point to point for $500?!? I'm gonna have to look into these a little more. Very cool. I had never heard of these guys before.

Double check your insurance before you buy one.

SQUAREHEAD

10-29-2005, 01:29 PM

Originally posted by Robert1950
It's seems like most of the reviews are very positive, but there are some that were "not pretty" as you said.

I did email him and he got back to me the next day. He's got orders up to his eye balls right now and wouldn't be able to take an new one until the new year.

As I don't intend to purchase for another six months, I've got time to look, listen and learn.

Hey Bro...
Don't even think about a Fab amp.
It's just tooooo far gone to even start to explain. Just trust me and look past it to other amps!!

Keith

Lerxst2112

10-29-2005, 01:36 PM

I'm confused... everyone is saying stuff like, "Trust me, just walk away" and not saying why...

Robert1950

10-29-2005, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by SQUAREHEAD
..... Just trust me and look past it to other amps!!
Keith

Do you know of any small amp builders aroung Toronto that make low watt amps or retailers for this type of amp? I know of Trinity, but a 15 to 22 watt is not what I am after at this time.

SQUAREHEAD

10-29-2005, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by Robert1950
Do you know of any small amp builders aroung Toronto that make low watt amps or retailers for this type of amp? I know of Trinity, but a 15 to 22 watt is not what I am after at this time.

Well ...
Rob Fowler's a great guy who'll build whatever you need!!!
His company is called Classic Amps...

guitarboy_02451

10-29-2005, 01:58 PM

Why not go for a DRZ Mini Z ? Or if a Carmen Ghia?

5 - 22 watts of pure tone, well made and sounds awesome.

kannibul

10-29-2005, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by Lerxst2112
I'm confused... everyone is saying stuff like, "Trust me, just walk away" and not saying why...

How about features like snap-in-style fuse holders that carry B+ voltage within easy reach outside the chassis...nothing covering them either - and when asked, he said (paraphrase) no one would ever need to put there hands there, and if they do, they deserve to get shocked.

And that's just the beginning....

Robert1950

10-29-2005, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by guitarboy_02451
Why not go for a DRZ Mini Z ? Or if a Carmen Ghia?

5 - 22 watts of pure tone, well made and sounds awesome.

$$$$$$$$$$$.

I'm looking for something that is under $800 Cdn shipping tax and customs included. A combo, 5 watts and under. With effects loop TMB controls, Gain. A low watt version of this with a power cut switch would be nice

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?type=32&cat=18&id=251

rwe333

10-29-2005, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by Robert1950
Do you know of any small amp builders aroung Toronto that make low watt amps or retailers for this type of amp? I know of Trinity, but a 15 to 22 watt is not what I am after at this time.

Try Martin Newall at Total-Tone in Markham: http://total-tone.com/

8nthatK

10-29-2005, 02:58 PM

Do yourself a favor, and I speak from experience here, stay far away from Fab amps...

Lerxst2112

10-29-2005, 03:12 PM

I just read some H-C reviews... All I can say is - let that be a lesson to you! H-C reviewers can't be trusted. People get an amp and then immediately post a rave review in an attempt to make his choice look wise. Funny that the bad reviews I read were mostly people who posted glowing reviews, and then a few months later posted blistering reviews.

Robert1950

10-29-2005, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by rwe333
Try Martin Newall at Total-Tone in Markham: http://total-tone.com/

Thanks. I noticed he'll add a Hi Lo switch. If I can find the right amp that will allow a 25% cut in power like some current Fenders then that will be great. No need to buy additional amps. I'd love to do everything locally without having to go to California or Utah or whatever.

I've found two shops to do guitar work where I can talk with the luthiers. Twelth Fret on the Danforth and Capsule Music ion Queen West in Toronto. 12th did a wonderful set up and fret dress on my 1970s Epiphone Riviera.

Now it's time to find a good amp tech. I've already sent an inquiry to Maritn Newell.

kannibul

10-29-2005, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by Lerxst2112
I just read some H-C reviews... All I can say is - let that be a lesson to you! H-C reviewers can't be trusted. People get an amp and then immediately post a rave review in an attempt to make his choice look wise. Funny that the bad reviews I read were mostly people who posted glowing reviews, and then a few months later posted blistering reviews.

Actually, it was revealed that "Fab" would throw in "free" things as long as the buyer promised to post a good review.

Stratotone (not sure if he posts here, but he's on Harmony Central) has one - a friend of mine near me. I haven't yet caught up with him to take a look at the "fabortion" - but from what he's told me, I'm sure I'll get a good laugh.

Lerxst2112

10-29-2005, 04:49 PM

Wait... what? He'd give you free things if you would post a nice review?

michael.e

10-29-2005, 06:26 PM

I have only seen pic's of the tweaked "signpost" chassis of some, and the innards of his "Matchless Killer". I would simply say that you would need to let your loved ones know where you are and what you are doing before utilizing this piece of "gear". But wait! I am sure that he is still DONATING a portion of his profits to his charity! I think it is the Fab fund for kids. Do what you like. M.E.

JPERRYROCKS

10-29-2005, 06:44 PM

I don' t go to Harmony Central anymore, as the vibe on there is pretty pathetic and filled with negativity. The "Fab" fiasco that I read about was over 2 years ago on there. I think the guy started advertising " hand made" amps for $165.

After that, the amp community and bashers alike jumped in about the unsafe building practices and I heard all kinds of alligations concerning how bad the amps were. But some people said really good things about them.

Maybe things have changed in the 2 plus years since those amps were built. Who knows? I wouldn't buy one and don't care to find out, though.

But if the guy is still in business and the quality has improved to an acceptable level, his work may be better than a chinese made PCB amp that costs the same amount of money as his stuff.

http://fab.stuff.home.comcast.net/franklin_series.htm

Robert1950

10-29-2005, 07:20 PM

Hazrus

10-29-2005, 07:50 PM

The Fab Fiasco was about 2 years ago on HC. Basically he was building amps with poor techniques (including soldering and wiring) and some decidedly sketchy safety measures, so that there was risks of electric shock in some of the amps he made, sometimes just due to bad grounding!

I think the general consensus at the time was that the amps were a death trap, but they did not sound too bad.

Lerxst2112

10-29-2005, 07:56 PM

Hahaha! You know, I never buy an amp thinking, "Gee, I hope this thing isn't a murderer..."

mike@switchback

10-29-2005, 09:03 PM

Heard and seen one in person - total garbage, in every respect - sound, build, etc. Actually, calling it garbage is an insult to garbage. Seriously guys, you can't imagine what a joke this thing was...

Even if quality has improved 1000% since, anybody that would actually take somebody's money for a product like that?.... *shakes head*

ZiggY!!

10-29-2005, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by JPERRYROCKS
I don' t go to Harmony Central anymore, as the vibe on there is pretty pathetic and filled with negativity. The "Fab" fiasco that I read about was over 2 years ago on there. I think the guy started advertising " hand made" amps for $165.

After that, the amp community and bashers alike jumped in about the unsafe building practices and I heard all kinds of alligations concerning how bad the amps were. But some people said really good things about them.

Maybe things have changed in the 2 plus years since those amps were built. Who knows? I wouldn't buy one and don't care to find out, though.

But if the guy is still in business and the quality has improved to an acceptable level, his work may be better than a chinese made PCB amp that costs the same amount of money as his stuff.

http://fab.stuff.home.comcast.net/franklin_series.htm

His work is far below that of any chinese import. It wouldn't meet safety codes anywhere, atleast imports have to meet local codes when shipped in... His amps are a fire waiting to happen. He must of started business back up again, last I heard he was on the run from a few blokes because he took their money but supplied no amps...

Probably a good thing... I rather lose a few hundred dollars than my life due to poor electrical work...

macmax77

10-29-2005, 09:55 PM

AAAAAAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHHHAHAHAHHAHAAA AAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA HHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH AHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA

FAB AHAHHHHAHHHAHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHH AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHH AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

THIS IS SOOOOOOO METAL
FAB AAAAAAAAAA KING OF THE UNIVERSE!!!!
Sorry , that was Flash!!!!

FAB AAAAAAAAAA, AHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAH!!!!:dude

kannibul

10-29-2005, 11:09 PM

Originally posted by JPERRYROCKS
I don' t go to Harmony Central anymore, as the vibe on there is pretty pathetic and filled with negativity. The "Fab" fiasco that I read about was over 2 years ago on there. I think the guy started advertising " hand made" amps for $165.

After that, the amp community and bashers alike jumped in about the unsafe building practices and I heard all kinds of alligations concerning how bad the amps were. But some people said really good things about them.

Maybe things have changed in the 2 plus years since those amps were built. Who knows? I wouldn't buy one and don't care to find out, though.

But if the guy is still in business and the quality has improved to an acceptable level, his work may be better than a chinese made PCB amp that costs the same amount of money as his stuff.

http://fab.stuff.home.comcast.net/franklin_series.htm

He's still in "buisiness" - however, I am doubtful if they have improved.

As I said, Stratotone has one, that someone sold to him...

The whole chassis, parts and all....coated with gold spraypaint. I know Pete personally, and even though I haven't seen the amp with my own eyes, his word, along with the pictures I had seen posted on HCAF, is more truthful than a Nun on Sunday.

kannibul

10-29-2005, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by ratter
Heard and seen one in person - total garbage, in every respect - sound, build, etc. Actually, calling it garbage is an insult to garbage. Seriously guys, you can't imagine what a joke this thing was...

Even if quality has improved 1000% since, anybody that would actually take somebody's money for a product like that?.... *shakes head*

Not to mention the 6+ month wait-time, and he wouldn't give a guy a refund until after the guy had posted on HCAF - which was also about 6 months later...

Robert1950

10-30-2005, 07:26 AM

Did I open up a can of worms when I started this thread or what.:D

SQUAREHEAD

10-30-2005, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Robert1950
Did I open up a can of worms when I started this thread or what.:D

lol...
Open a Fab amp up and that's what you see inside the chassis. a "can of worms".;)

Keith

cobrahead1030

10-30-2005, 09:25 AM

first off, i know a lot of people had problems with fab amps...controls that would just stop working, faulty wiring (that could even be a fire hazard), i've seen some internal shots of amps he built and sold, and they were an absolute rat's nest...apparently he had a few wierd circuits coming from preamp tubes, to 'drain off' the power because the tubes were running too hot (i'm not too good with the tech talk here)

he was a member on harmony central for a while, and stirred up a whole buncha shit...he's really cocky; a total asshole to put it blatantly...he claims his amps are every bit as good as any high end builder out there, and that he can build a clone of anything using cheaper parts :rolleyes:

Richard Guy

10-30-2005, 11:06 AM

BOB-I,

Thanks for the nice post regarding the Gilmore Jr. Kit ;)

Scott_F

10-30-2005, 06:10 PM

I think the key word in this post was two people above this post...

"cheap parts"

If you check out the prices of a good set of American transformers, a chassis, carbon comp resistors, mallory caps, sprague caps, etc., you'll see what a good amp begins to cost. Just begins.

In this world, we all should have learned by now that you get what you pay for.

If you want a cheap little tube amp, there are some out there. I think Epiphone has a line of low powered cheap tube amps.

Better yet, go out and find a used Reverend Hellhound. That's about the best "cheap" tube amp I've ever heard. (but low wattage it ain't)

What about ZVEK? How much is his nano-amp these days? If he builds that amp like he built my pedal, it's a little tank! :)

GCDEF

10-30-2005, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by Scott_F
I think the key word in this post was two people above this post...

"cheap parts"

Wasn't the chassis of one of his first amps made from an old street sign? I remember the early pics of his amps. Knobs weren't even close to lined up. Looked like a bad 6th grade shop class project. His posting on Harmony Central made it clear the guy was very unstable and not somebody I'd want to do business with.

kannibul

10-30-2005, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by SQUAREHEAD
lol...
Open a Fab amp up and that's what you see inside the chassis. a "can of worms".;)

Keith

Waldo?

SQUAREHEAD

11-02-2005, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by kannibul
Waldo?

;) lol

papa taco

11-02-2005, 11:40 AM

This Fab Amps thing seems to pop up every 6 months. I thought the guy just gave up but he keeps coming back. He's like herpes.

tacorivers

11-02-2005, 11:41 AM

If a deal looks too good to be true, you should probably look somewhere else.

jonny guitar

11-02-2005, 01:47 PM

I was a part of the HC fiasco which started with Rob's post of BETTER THAN A PLEXI -- $129...NO B.S. I spoke with Rob on the phone that night for about 1 hour about his product and luckily didn't go through with any deal. I did go and try the amp he had up in Chilliwack and it was a total P.O.S. with the worst rag tag collection of junkie parts available. Cheap parts and the fact that he reminded my of the totally stoned Booger from Revenge of the Nerds made me not purchase. Lots of people had serious problems with their purchases and Rob was less than gracious in his customer service ethics. Spend your money elsewhere.

Teleplayer

11-02-2005, 02:20 PM

Is that guy still alive?

jonny guitar

11-02-2005, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by Teleplayer
Is that guy still alive?

Alive enough that this thread will more than likely be pulled as soon as he is alerted to it and whines to the mods that his good name is being slandered.

papa taco

11-02-2005, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by jonny guitar
I was a part of the HC fiasco which started with Rob's post of BETTER THAN A PLEXI -- $129...NO B.S. I spoke with Rob on the phone that night for about 1 hour about his product and luckily didn't go through with any deal. I did go and try the amp he had up in Chilliwack and it was a total P.O.S. with the worst rag tag collection of junkie parts available. Cheap parts and the fact that he reminded my of the totally stoned Booger from Revenge of the Nerds made me not purchase. Lots of people had serious problems with their purchases and Rob was less than gracious in his customer service ethics. Spend your money elsewhere.

You drove all the way to Chilliwack to try out a Fab Amp??? I would have sued him for the waste of time and gas money!
:D

jonny guitar

11-02-2005, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by papa taco
You drove all the way to Chilliwack to try out a Fab Amp??? I would have sued him for the waste of time and gas money!
:D

:D :D I had to go up there to visit some friends and I bought 2 dozen of that sweet chilliwack peaches and cream corn on the way home for 2 bucks so I figure I did okay.