Blankenship VARIPLEX In Action....Clips!

[John Ziegler]

thought i'd share a really cool amp that i've had the chance of banging on and hearing live a few times recently!
this is from another board posted by a friend and fellow guitar player named dave phillips here in LA....
Well, here are the clips of the Blankenship Variplex I promised. First off, sorry for the sloppy playing. I was a little tense and playing a guitar that I wasn't use to. Anyway, here is the setup. I ran a reissue Les Paul with a Tom Holmes in the bridge into the Variplex dimed across the board dropped to 90 volts. The head went into a 70's Marshall cab with 25Watt Greenback reissues. It was then miked with a SM57. No EQ. Dry. Perfect mid-range. What you are hearing is all power tube distortion. No master volume. Hat's off to Roy Blankenship and Dave Friedman for designing an amazing amp.
David

http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexdry.mp3

http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplex.jpg

and here's another clip that dave put online which has a little 'verb and panning added...

http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexrev.mp3 (http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexrev.mp3)

this amp is a really awesome machine.
hope you dig.

choice!

[gassyndrome]

Sounds awesome - (good) VH in a bottle! :AOK

[DestroyAllGuitars]

John, sounds like the best VH tone I've heard aside from the man himself.
This looks to be the amp that can finally delver on that claim.

[leftyaxeslinger]

NIce! Amp sounds incredible. What does dropping it to 90 volts actually do to the sound? I've read all the history on Eddie's sound but don't think I remember reading or hearing that explanation.

[gururyan]

wow, that really does nail the sound!

[michael.e]

Nice clips!

Any idea at what volume they were recorded at?

M.E.

[John Ziegler]

as far as the volume the clips were recorded at....
everything on the amp was all the way up("dimed").
it's a 50watt model going into one cab.

and the variac is what gives ya the "sag" and lowers the overall output volume....
it does some really cool things to the overall tone, eq, and feel of the amp too.
with tube amps you really can't go below 90v, because of tube/parts wear.
BUT, the Variplex can be turned all the way down to 10 volts....
without harm to the tube heaters.
the different tones sound really great all the way from 10 to 120 volts.
think of the most versatile killer sounding marshall you can imagine.....
and voila!

oh..and the 2nd channel is amazing too...
differently voiced(marshall super bass meets vox).
especially for the cleaner, bluesier stuff.

rock on!

[michael.e]

I guess that amp must be a custom order. I only see low power amps on his site. Although, I did read this........

"Power: 236 watts with 6L6 config. and 18 watts with 6v6 config."



:dude :dude

M.E.

[Crunchyriff]

NIce! Amp sounds incredible. What does dropping it to 90 volts actually do to the sound? I've read all the history on Eddie's sound but don't think I remember reading or hearing that explanation.
Yup, Ed used a variac. That was one of the main staples of his old rig. He used to drop it to around 90-95 vac and it would vary from venue to venue. Later, on the Fair Warning disc, he claimed he was running the variac at 140 vac, which of course killed tubes like crazy....

I'm hearing just a hair of 'fizz' on the notes, but aside from that, that is a legit tone. Very nice. COOL!

[John Ziegler]

since it's a brand new model, i'm sure it'll be on the blankenship site soon.
i do believe the Variplex amps are currently rumbling out the door...
with plenty of orders coming in from mostly LA guys that have heard the amp in action over the past couple of months.

good stuff!

[michael.e]

Didn't Ed also do something with criss/crossing wires inside the chassis to drop voltage as well?

So many myths, yet I doubt anybody else really knows. Except each of us, of course, because we believe the source of where we heard it.

Bottom line, there are many ways to cop that tone. It just happened to be recorded on that day with a result that will go down in history.

M.E.

[michael.e]

since it's a brand new model, i'm sure it'll be on the blankenship site soon.
i do believe the Variplex amps are currently rumbling out the door...
with plenty of orders coming in from mostly LA guys that have heard the amp in action over the past couple of months.

good stuff!

It is an incredible sounding amp no matter how you slice it! Eddie or no Eddie.

Radar tuned...........

M.E.

[electronpirate]

That does nail it.

[michael.e]

Can one safely use a variac [within reason] on any amp?

M.E.

[gomez1856]

Sounds great John!

I swear I'm gonna make it out the Baked Potato soon to see ya!

Hope everything's going well.....

BTW... I'm playing at The Barrel in Sherman Oaks Sat night if you wanna swing by!

Rick

[carbz]

Something must be wrong with me cause everytime a clip gets posted that supposedly "nails" the early VH sound IMO they all fall short including this one. Yet everyone else feels different. It just sounds like a typical high gain over fuzzed amp to me. Not bad but certainly not early VH. Where's the brown? It just doesn't sound rich and warm with that nice articulate high end sizzle that ed's had. Playing is good though.. Again back to the drawing-board.

[ericb]

Something must be wrong with me cause everytime a clip gets posted that supposedly "nails" the early VH sound IMO they all fall short including this one. Yet everyone else feels different. It just sounds like a typical high gain over fuzzed amp to me. Not bad but certainly not early VH. Where's the brown? It just doesn't sound rich and warm with that nice articulate high end sizzle that ed's had. Playing is good though.. Again back to the drawing-board.

NOthing wrong with you. I feel exactly the same way . I posted on it at first that it's really easy for many guitarists to get close to that tone with MANY setups and then I deleted my posts , as I didn't want to offend anyone. But this time I'll leave this one up... I still say it's very easy to get close to that tone for many of us. The rest is in the fingers, forearms, the technique and the soul. This amp btw has killer features and I'm sure it's another great amp amongst many great amps out today . Btw, if you guys haven't heard John Z , the poster here, play, check out his skills.. I haven't heard him live, as I live on the wrong coast, but the clips on the internet are KILLER. (the guy who posted here, not the clips on this thread)

ERIC

[carbz]

Eric,

There are tons of great players out there. There is some dude Ralley 500 that posts on some forums. Another VH nut and he has gotten closer IMO then anyone I have heard. Sometimes I think the production of the VH records is a big reason his guitar sounds the way it does? Who knows, but no-one has really been able to capture that sound the way it sounds on any recording I have heard. Anyways I stubbled across an amp a few weeks ago on this forum called a "Sommatone". I went to his website and checked out his amps. I absolutely loved the overdrive clip. I wouldn't say its the Van Halen sound per say but its real "Brown" to my ears! It aint cheap though...

[John Ziegler]

Sounds great John!
I swear I'm gonna make it out the Baked Potato soon to see ya!
Hope everything's going well.....
BTW... I'm playing at The Barrel in Sherman Oaks Sat night if you wanna swing by!
Rick
thanx for the kudos and head's up rick.
everything is rockin along as usual...monday nights are more slammin than ever!
also VOLTO! is hitting @ the baked potato in a few weeks too.
so i look forward to catching up with ya one of these days.

as far as the Variplex getting whatever kind of tone....
i've played it and heard it live and in the studio too.
i have owned and still own some awesome original marshall plexis...
and i think the Variplex an amazing sounding plexi-based amplfier that can get all sorts of wonderful sounds,
be it with the variac and/or the 2 channel options.
if YOU don't think some internet mp3 sounds like van halen and isn't "brown" enough....that's totally cool.
there's more than a ton of clips that i personally don't think sound like what others describe them to be.
just like people's playing skills and overall perceptions of things in general when it comes to art/music,
everyone''s ears are different too.
at the end of the day...it's just another little clip on the web,
simply something to possibly get someone's attention to delve further...
nothing more than that. :D
so if ya dig it, check it out....and rock on!

choice!

[ericb]

thanx for the kudos and head's up rick.
everything is rockin along as usual...monday nights are more slammin than ever!
also VOLTO! is hitting @ the baked potato in a few weeks too.
so i look forward to catching up with ya one of these days.

as far as the Variplex getting whatever kind of tone....
i've played it and heard it live and in the studio too.
i have owned and still own some awesome original marshall plexis...
and i think the Variplex an amazing sounding plexi-based amplfier that can get all sorts of wonderful sounds,
be it with the variac and/or the 2 channel options.
if YOU don't think some internet mp3 sounds like van halen and isn't "brown" enough....that's totally cool.
there's more than a ton of clips that i personally don't think sound like what others describe them to be.
just like people's playing skills and overall perceptions of things in general when it comes to art/music,
everyone''s ears are different too.
at the end of the day...it's just another little clip on the web,
simply something to possibly get someone's attention to delve further...
nothing more than that. :D
so if ya dig it, check it out....and rock on!

choice!

Great post.. If this amp was called the Eddie in a box clone, I'd take issue with it, but it's not.. We all can play loads of styles with those tones. THanks for the post and the clips

ERIC

[ericb]

Eric,

There are tons of great players out there. There is some dude Ralley 500 that posts on some forums. Another VH nut and he has gotten closer IMO then anyone I have heard. Sometimes I think the production of the VH records is a big reason his guitar sounds the way it does? Who knows, but no-one has really been able to capture that sound the way it sounds on any recording I have heard. Anyways I stubbled across an amp a few weeks ago on this forum called a "Sommatone". I went to his website and checked out his amps. I absolutely loved the overdrive clip. I wouldn't say its the Van Halen sound per say but its real "Brown" to my ears! It aint cheap though...

I don't get impressed too easily with anything to do with an Eddie clone person or Eddie clone amp. I'm 46 , probably somewhere around Eddie's age, and he came out when I was in High School.. MANY MANY of my guitarist friends at that point became Eddie clones. Most of the barband guys in the early 80's around here were Eddie clones or even took him 1 step beyond. That's way old hat for me. I never became one ,as 1st of all he played everything OPPOSITE the styles I got raised on , i.e. Santana, Hendrix, Clapton, etc and then when Eddie came out, I tried my hardest to break all the styles I had adopted (by then they were very boring to me ) and since all my friends were sounding like Eddie, I put together my own style! Anyway, I'm sure this is another kickass amp and any of us can play many more styles than EVH-style on it! ERIC

[lastwinj]

nails it, or so close it doesnt matter.

[carbz]

Actually after listening to the clips a few more times it kind of sounds close to some of the live bootleg VH stuff out there but it seems to be a little flabby on the bottom end. Overall its probably one of if not the closest sounds around to his considering nothing else was used but the amp. If the bottom end was a little tighter it would be real real close. The same issue with the David Bray mod. Nice VH voicing but too flabby on the the bottom end. I know I am real picky........

[John Ziegler]

slap a paf in an ash bodied/maple neck strat-scale length guitar with a tremolo and i wonder what would happen to the so-called flabby bottom end of the clips and how close it would be then?!? (as if it really matters)
also, with a little EQ, would you hear that "flab" if there were drums and bass happeneing in the mix too?
anyone who records know that things in the mix sound WAY different than they are perceived when soloed by themselves.

i just think the amp sounds and plays great, that's why i shared here....
and personally i couldn't care less if it sounds like VH.
in fact, i told dave phillips(the performer of the clips) that he played too much damn halen! :Spank
but he also did throw in some montrose and zep!

at the end of the day...do you wanna be the tracer...or the artist?
:D

[trainwrecker]

Something must be wrong with me cause everytime a clip gets posted that supposedly "nails" the early VH sound IMO they all fall short including this one. Yet everyone else feels different. It just sounds like a typical high gain over fuzzed amp to me. Not bad but certainly not early VH. Where's the brown? It just doesn't sound rich and warm with that nice articulate high end sizzle that ed's had. Playing is good though.. Again back to the drawing-board.

I think the amp sounds fantastic but I'd have to agree with the above, it doesn't really capture early VH. To my ears his early tone was a very "clean" distortion that is really hard to replicate. And I can hear it on his live bootlegs from the early days as well, so I don't really think studio processing had a great deal to do with it, IMHO. The closest I've heard is VHoholic's tone, don't know if his clips are still around. In any event kudos for a great sounding amp in any event.

[carbz]

slap a paf in an ash bodied/maple neck strat-scale length guitar with a tremolo and i wonder what would happen to the so-called flabby bottom end of the clips and how close it would be then?!? (as if it really matters)
also, with a little EQ, would you hear that "flab" if there were drums and bass happeneing in the mix too?
anyone who records know that things in the mix sound WAY different than they are perceived when soloed by themselves.

i just think the amp sounds and plays great, that's why i shared here....
and personally i couldn't care less if it sounds like VH.
in fact, i told dave phillips(the performer of the clips) that he played too much damn halen! :Spank
but he also did throw in some montrose and zep!

at the end of the day...do you wanna be the tracer...or the artist?
:D

John,

Apparently the intention of this amps design was to focus/nail on the VH thing just in the fact that it has a variac attatched to it. When you see Variac you have to automaticly think EVH. Corrcect me if I am wrong? I agree with you that the isolated guitar will sound different then with the other instruments in the mix. Like you said it doesn't matter as long as it sounds good to whoever is interested in buying one which is the bottom line. To me it just sounds a little mushier then ED's old sound. I purchased a splawn 2 years because of all the hype about how it nailed the VH thing and when I plugged it in I said "well it does sounds good" but VH, "I don't think so". Many of the guys on the splawn forum think different.

[carbz]

I think the amp sounds fantastic but I'd have to agree with the above, it doesn't really capture early VH. To my ears his early tone was a very "clean" distortion that is really hard to replicate. And I can hear it on his live bootlegs from the early days as well, so I don't really think studio processing had a great deal to do with it, IMHO. The closest I've heard is VHoholic's tone, don't know if his clips are still around. In any event kudos for a great sounding amp in any event.

I have heard most of VHoholic's clips and they do sound very good but again not nailing it per say. I can get a similar sound to his with my naylor amp which is a little smoother and more compressed then Eds was. I would say VHoholic has a better VH touch then anyone else I have heard. He certainly has the hands and would probably sound just like EVH if he played on his rig..

[drbob1]

Can one safely use a variac [within reason] on any amp?

M.E.

It's not a great idea if you're looking to "brown" out the sound-he talked about running the amp down to 90v, which should mean the heaters are running at 4.5v or so, not the best for tube life. Also means that voltages in the OT are off, not sure what that does. All in all, if you're interested in the concept I'd look at getting a London Power "Power Scaling" kit, much safer...

[TungstenAmp]

he talked about running the amp down to 90v, which should mean the heaters are running at 4.5v or so, not the best for tube life.


I was talking to Roy about this amp a few days ago. While the above would apply to 99% of amps out there, Roy has designed this amp to deliver a constant 6.3v filament voltage, totally independent of the variac setting. Pretty cool!

[sinasl1]

It's true, there are lots of ways to get that sound...

http://music.mp3lizard.com/petethorn/

Check out the "VH revised" clip I did.. I think it's pretty close....

[anyone]

I don't own one of these but was (am?) pretty darn near trading irreplaceable gear to get one after I played it.

Labeling it as an EVH tone clone is like limiting Guthrie Govan to being an EVH clone because he does tapping licks.

Just had to say this. Thanks

ck

[John Ziegler]

I don't own one of these but was (am?) pretty darn near trading irreplaceable gear to get one after I played it.

Labeling it as an EVH tone clone is like limiting Guthrie Govan to being an EVH clone because he does tapping licks.

Just had to say this. Thanks
you definitely understand the correct intentions of this amp(a great sounding plexi based amp with an unlimited variac)...
and i hope you end up getting one.
everyone i know that's scored one so far LOVES it.
once again, i think it's just a fantastic sounding and feeling amp....
for the most part, i don't associate the "sound" of gear with players anyways...that's where player's hands/soul come into play IMO.
how many totally different sounds has a plexi generated live and in the studio over the past 40 years?!?
i know that when i've tried the Variplex, just like any other piece of equipment, i always end up sounding like me.(ouch) :messedup

as with ANYTHING, don't knock it until you've tried it.
it may thoroughly surprise you too!

choice!

[908SSP]

I was talking to Roy about this amp a few days ago. While the above would apply to 99% of amps out there, Roy has designed this amp to deliver a constant 6.3v filament voltage, totally independent of the variac setting. Pretty cool!


This is why this is really a Power Scaling set up and NOT the normally thought of way of using a Variac. Only part of the voltages are run through the Variac those that control the high voltages for the power tubes. The rest for the heaters and pre-amp tubes are separate. What Blankenship did is build a really good 12000 series Marshall clone with a few tweaks and add his take on Power Scaling. The Variac has no effect on the tone except to maintain the tone at lower volumes. Thats cool. :drool

[nitro]

I think the the variplex is a nice sounding amp but the VHT 100CL head and the VHT 50 CL head (el34 heads) are much closer to the old vanhalen sound. Listen to van halen 1 it has that edge and aggressive cut that no plexi clone amp can achieve unless you throw a overdrive or distortion pedal in front of the amp. One example would be listen to the roccaforte brown sound clips he states there is a fulltone overdrive pedal in front of the amp to achieve those sounds roccaforte makes nice amps also but in my opinion the VHT amps are closer to that sound i have owned and played amps from A to Z . The VHT amps have that what i call that clean but powerful distortion its very aggresive but you here every note its not all bunched up and muddy if you know what i mean very musically but still in your face. The VAN HALEN 1 sound has that sound.

[anyone]

you definitely understand the correct intentions of this amp(a great sounding plexi based amp with an unlimited variac)...
and i hope you end up getting one.
everyone i know that's scored one so far LOVES it.
Thanks for the hope... I wish I could justify owning one... I do have a FATBoy Supreme (with crispy creme...) on the way though:AOK

once again, i think it's just a fantastic sounding and feeling amp....
for the most part, i don't associate the "sound" of gear with players anyways...that's where player's hands/soul come into play IMO.
how many totally different sounds has a plexi generated live and in the studio over the past 40 years?!?
True, true...
i know that when i've tried the Variplex, just like any other piece of equipment, i always end up sounding like me.(ouch) :messedup
That 'ouch' only applies for folks like me... you forfeited your right to use it when you posted that clip of yourself frickin' killin' it on a Dano baritone...:eek: at least let a hack have something to call his own!

ck

[John Ziegler]

looks like the 50w Variplex list price is $2500 and the 100w is $2800.
with 4 weeks being the completion time after deposit is received.
very cool....not bad at all.

and baritones for everyone! thanx anyone.

rock on!

[Playloudd308]

very nice, loved the clips

[Electric I]

It's true, there are lots of ways to get that sound...

http://music.mp3lizard.com/petethorn/

Check out the "VH revised" clip I did.. I think it's pretty close....

Nicely done.

What's the setup?

[John Ziegler]

here's another cool clip/post of the Variplex worth sharing from dave phillips....

Here is another clip of the Variplex into a 4x12 with Vintage 30's instead of 25's. Miked with a SM57 into a API Mic pre. I used Tariqh Akoni's amazing Les Paul and recorded it at his studio. The variac is set at 60 volts so it is running as a 9 watt head. The amp is dimed.
http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexvintage30.mp3

rock on and enjoy!

[jkr]

I've been reading this post regarding how close this amp gets to the "brown sound". I've actually been luck enough to play this amp on two occassions. I live in LA and had the fortune of having Roy Blankenship as an amp tech when he was designing this amp with David Friedman. They took David Friedman's unbelievable sounding holy grail 1968 50 watt plexi (which I also heard) and kept tweaking until you couldn't tell the two apart. I played the proto type on two occassions and had a tough time putting my guitar down since it was so much fun to play. Great feel, sustain, and the perfect volume. I was nailing old Aerosmith, AC/DC, and various other 1970s classic rockers. Variac aside, I didn't even attempt to try and do a VH I and II tone out of this amp. With the volume a 12:00 O'Clock, I was in classic rock heaven. The volume knob on this amp really helps dictate how much gain is on tap and even with volume at 12:00 o'clock, I got great cruch and sustain on the chords and notes. Whether this amp get's me a hair closer to the brown sound, I don't care either way. This amp is worth getting in line for. My understanding of the design of this amp was to get the best plexi sound on the market. The Variac was for volume and tonal benefits, not too emulate the brown sound. Whatever the case is, this amp has a lot of the character and magic that most boutique amps are missing (and I've played a majority of them and owned many of them). Having a Variac to to help deal with possible volume issues is just and added plus.

[carbz]

It's true, there are lots of ways to get that sound...

http://music.mp3lizard.com/petethorn/

Check out the "VH revised" clip I did.. I think it's pretty close....

Great VH tone and feel... I heard this clip before and its one of the closest to the brown sound I have heard. Man you have the VH touch all the way.... Well done my friend.

[John Ziegler]

I've been reading this post regarding how close this amp gets to the "brown sound". I've actually been luck enough to play this amp on two occassions. I live in LA and had the fortune of having Roy Blankenship as an amp tech when he was designing this amp with David Friedman. They took David Friedman's unbelievable sounding holy grail 1968 50 watt plexi (which I also heard) and kept tweaking until you couldn't tell the two apart. I played the proto type on two occassions and had a tough time putting my guitar down since it was so much fun to play. Great feel, sustain, and the perfect volume. I was nailing old Aerosmith, AC/DC, and various other 1970s classic rockers. Variac aside, I didn't even attempt to try and do a VH I and II tone out of this amp. With the volume a 12:00 O'Clock, I was in classic rock heaven. The volume knob on this amp really helps dictate how much gain is on tap and even with volume at 12:00 o'clock, I got great cruch and sustain on the chords and notes. Whether this amp get's me a hair closer to the brown sound, I don't care either way. This amp is worth getting in line for. My understanding of the design of this amp was to get the best plexi sound on the market. The Variac was for volume and tonal benefits, not too emulate the brown sound. Whatever the case is, this amp has a lot of the character and magic that most boutique amps are missing (and I've played a majority of them and owned many of them). Having a Variac to to help deal with possible volume issues is just and added plus.
excellent hands-on review/description of the Variplex! thanx for sharing.
did you get a chance to play on the 2nd input that's voiced differently?

rock on!

[jkr]

As a matter of fact I did. I actually enjoyed that channel very much as well. I really felt the Variplex to be one of those rare four inputs Marshalls where both channels sound good on their own (unlike so many plexis, metal panels, reissues, and boutique copies where you really need to patch the lead and bass channel to get a balanced/musical tone).

[Roy Blankenship]

I guess that amp must be a custom order. I only see low power amps on his site. Although, I did read this........

"Power: 236 watts with 6L6 config. and 18 watts with 6v6 config."



:dude :dude

M.E.

Hi. Roy Blankenship here. Reliable website guys are hard to find. Guys who allege they can "Do yer website 4 ya, dude" are a dime a dozen. I hope to have changes and additions this weekend and an overhaul over the next month.
Thank you.

[Roy Blankenship]

John,

Apparently the intention of this amps design was to focus/nail on the VH thing just in the fact that it has a variac attatched to it. When you see Variac you have to automaticly think EVH. Corrcect me if I am wrong? I agree with you that the isolated guitar will sound different then with the other instruments in the mix. Like you said it doesn't matter as long as it sounds good to whoever is interested in buying one which is the bottom line. To me it just sounds a little mushier then ED's old sound. I purchased a splawn 2 years because of all the hype about how it nailed the VH thing and when I plugged it in I said "well it does sounds good" but VH, "I don't think so". Many of the guys on the splawn forum think different.

Hi. Roy Blankenship here. Our intention was to recreate Dave's plexi.The whole VH thing has grown out of the forums. Our intention with the variac was to create the infinite master volume. We did a customer survey, and 10 of 10 wanted a separate variac vs. some internal process. There are less cumbersome ways to accomplish a similar effect, but none have the "dick-measuring" appeal of turning to your amp and spinning that dial. It also helps when demo-ing the amp at shows when guys show up who really just want to hear themselves play, you turn the variac voltage to "0" after a few minutes and start talking about the amp. Perfect.

[Roy Blankenship]

It's not a great idea if you're looking to "brown" out the sound-he talked about running the amp down to 90v, which should mean the heaters are running at 4.5v or so, not the best for tube life. Also means that voltages in the OT are off, not sure what that does. All in all, if you're interested in the concept I'd look at getting a London Power "Power Scaling" kit, much safer...

Hi. Roy Blankenship here. To quell any fears, we stabilized the filament voltage in the Variplex to remedy the problem you describe.

[HassanBinSober]

Hi. Roy Blankenship here. Our intention was to recreate Dave's plexi.The whole VH thing has grown out of the forums. Our intention with the variac was to create the infinite master volume. We did a customer survey, and 10 of 10 wanted a separate variac vs. some internal process. There are less cumbersome ways to accomplish a similar effect, but none have the "dick-measuring" appeal of turning to your amp and spinning that dial. It also helps when demo-ing the amp at shows when guys show up who really just want to hear themselves play, you turn the variac voltage to "0" after a few minutes and start talking about the amp. Perfect.

What does the variac do as far as volume control? Does it provide the tone and feel of a cranked amp at any volume?

[John Ziegler]

What does the variac do as far as volume control? Does it provide the tone and feel of a cranked amp at any volume?
i tried the Variplex again yesterday, and to answer your questions...

the variac does act like a master volume control.

and yes indeed, the tone and feel of a cranked amp is all there.....
because the amp is basically still cranked.

rock on!

[HassanBinSober]

i tried the Variplex again yesterday, and to answer your questions...

the variac does act like a master volume control.

and yes indeed, the tone and feel of a cranked amp is all there.....
because the amp is basically still cranked.

rock on!

Thanks. This thing is stirring those dreaded GAS pains. To ask my question in a more direct way: does the amp retain a cranked amp tone and feel all the way down to bedroom level?

That was the promise of various power scaling schemes, but I'm not convinced that power scaling really got us there. The Maven Peal I had once was still stupid LOUD at "1 watt" and a London Power power scaled amp I had once just didn't do it for me at really low volume.

By the way, I'm not interested in another scorched-Earth Maven Peal versus London Power argument - so save it, ok Dave and Kevin?

[Crunchyriff]

It's true, there are lots of ways to get that sound...

http://music.mp3lizard.com/petethorn/

Check out the "VH revised" clip I did.. I think it's pretty close....

Nice clip. Yes there ARE many ways to get "that sound". One I used back in 1980 ( and i just rather stumbled onto it) was a blonde PRE-CBS Bandmaster with an Ibanez RocketRoll SR (70's Dimarzio PAF in the bridge) thru an EH LPB-2 power booster into the front end.

NAILED that sound.

[Roy Blankenship]

What does the variac do as far as volume control?
Does it provide the tone and feel of a cranked amp at any volume?

The variac becomes a volume control. To your second question, that is a qualified yes. At 30 volts on the variac, the output is 1 watt. It certainly does not have the dynamics of higher voltages, but it does sound like a cranked amp, only you can speak over it. At 40 volts, it starts to come alive and has all the harmonic squeals and overdrive that makes you shake your head and go, "Yeah, dude!". Most of the time at the LA AMp SHow, the variac was on 60 volts, and that was impressive to the crowd. Full bore in the room was wayyy loud.

[bbarnard]

The variac becomes a volume control. To your second question, that is a qualified yes. At 30 volts on the variac, the output is 1 watt. It certainly does not have the dynamics of higher voltages, but it does sound like a cranked amp, only you can speak over it. At 40 volts, it starts to come alive and has all the harmonic squeals and overdrive that makes you shake your head and go, "Yeah, dude!". Most of the time at the LA AMp SHow, the variac was on 60 volts, and that was impressive to the crowd. Full bore in the room was wayyy loud.

Hey Roy, great to see you here! I see it says that you are currently in Jax in your header. Is that correct? Would love to have you back on this side of the States.

My Point Blank is still great.

Bill

[HassanBinSober]

The variac becomes a volume control. To your second question, that is a qualified yes. At 30 volts on the variac, the output is 1 watt. It certainly does not have the dynamics of higher voltages, but it does sound like a cranked amp, only you can speak over it. At 40 volts, it starts to come alive and has all the harmonic squeals and overdrive that makes you shake your head and go, "Yeah, dude!". Most of the time at the LA AMp SHow, the variac was on 60 volts, and that was impressive to the crowd. Full bore in the room was wayyy loud.

Thanks Roy.

[Braciola]

Hey Roy!
Congratulations on the amp!
The gang and I really miss you here in Florida! Geeze fist you then MikeyG....... but I'm glad things are going well for you. Your really deserve it man. Your a great builder and an even nicer guy!
I may have to put my pennies together for one of these.

Peace!
Dominick

[tedm]

wow, sound clips are great, can't wait to hear one of these live!

[nolenuttt]

Roy's the man-We really miss him here in Florida-Amazing amp tech-Hope everything is going well for him in Cal-;)

[chobley]

It's true, there are lots of ways to get that sound...

http://music.mp3lizard.com/petethorn/

Check out the "VH revised" clip I did.. I think it's pretty close....

Could you please say what amp this is ?
Thanks

[sinasl1]

Ya, sorry.. it was my Randall RM4 ("plexi" module) into my rt 2/50 poweramp, line out of hotplate into NI "guitar rig" software used for speaker simulation only....

[chobley]

Ya, sorry.. it was my Randall RM4 ("plexi" module) into my rt 2/50 poweramp, line out of hotplate into NI "guitar rig" software used for speaker simulation only....


Thanks for the info . That sounds fantastic !

[sinasl1]

incidentally, to kind of tie my Randall clip together with the amp that is the subject of this thread- Dave Friedman just modified 3 of my Randall modules and I now have them loaded in a new Randall RM100 head... it sounds pretty spectacular I must say. Best channel switcher I've ever owned for sure, beats the hell out of my old Bogner Ecstacy, it's a really stellar sounding rock amp. It's brown as hell... great rock tones. I was sitting right in front of the cab at Dave's place and we putzed around for 20 min. or so after he'd put everything back together, and after we stopped playing, I realized my ears were ringing... you know when it sounds so great you don't even notice it's ripping loud, because it doesn't hurt your ears?

Anyway, just thought I'd share that. Dave does great mods to the Plexi, SL+, and Recto modules.

And there was a Variplex sitting there in the corner :)

[carbz]

incidentally, to kind of tie my Randall clip together with the amp that is the subject of this thread- Dave Friedman just modified 3 of my Randall modules and I now have them loaded in a new Randall RM100 head... it sounds pretty spectacular I must say. Best channel switcher I've ever owned for sure, beats the hell out of my old Bogner Ecstacy, it's a really stellar sounding rock amp. It's brown as hell... great rock tones. I was sitting right in front of the cab at Dave's place and we putzed around for 20 min. or so after he'd put everything back together, and after we stopped playing, I realized my ears were ringing... you know when it sounds so great you don't even notice it's ripping loud, because it doesn't hurt your ears?

Anyway, just thought I'd share that. Dave does great mods to the Plexi, SL+, and Recto modules.

And there was a Variplex sitting there in the corner :)
Pete, that riff you do after the "you really got me" part is fantastic! You have a h**L of a touch my friend.. God Bless

[John Ziegler]

The variac becomes a volume control. To your second question, that is a qualified yes. At 30 volts on the variac, the output is 1 watt. It certainly does not have the dynamics of higher voltages, but it does sound like a cranked amp, only you can speak over it. At 40 volts, it starts to come alive and has all the harmonic squeals and overdrive that makes you shake your head and go, "Yeah, dude!". Most of the time at the LA AMp SHow, the variac was on 60 volts, and that was impressive to the crowd. Full bore in the room was wayyy loud.
very nice roy! bring on the 100 watters!
yeah dude! :dude

choice!

[sinasl1]

thanks carbz! much appreciated...

[John Ziegler]

just saw this online....

http://www.blankenshipamps.com/data/product/v-plex.htm

and anyone that wants to hear all of the Variplex clips that rocked this thread, without having to scour around....

into greenbacks @ 90v:
http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexdry.mp3 (http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexdry.mp3)
http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexrev.mp3 (http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexrev.mp3)

and into vintage 30s @ 60v:
http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexvintage30.mp3 (http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/variplexvintage30.mp3)

i saw the blankenship crew the other day,
and they said there's lots more clips, tunes, and info coming soon.

rock on!

[George Barry]

Ok...Sinal1....
who is Dave Friedman and how can I get in touch with him? Your clip sounded great...I dont do that eddie thang, but I love that tone and I am deeply impressed.

[sinasl1]

Dave's at Rack Systems in North Hollywood, CA... same shop the Blankenship amps are made.... He and Roy are in cahoots doing the Variplex together...

[GaryMcT]

Ya, sorry.. it was my Randall RM4 ("plexi" module) into my rt 2/50 poweramp, line out of hotplate into NI "guitar rig" software used for speaker simulation only....
What power amp tubes were you using? Is that a modded plexi module or stock?

Damn that sounds good.

[sinasl1]

Stock... since then it's been modded.. by Friedman. Sounds even better.

Stock power tubes... EL34B

Guitar Rig offers numerous tweaks to the cab models- that was a huge part of the equation...

[GaryMcT]

Stock... since then it's been modded.. by Friedman. Sounds even better.

Stock power tubes... EL34B

Guitar Rig offers numerous tweaks to the cab models- that was a huge part of the equation...

I have a hotplate, an RM4, an RM50B combo, a Plexi modules, and Guitar Rig 2. :) Problem is, I've never been able to get a decent cab/mic tone out of Guitar Rig 2. I think it might have something to do with how I'm getting the line-in into the computer (hotplate lineout into Mackie 1620 with the firewire option). Any suggestions, or pointers on a good cab setup in Guitar Rig or maybe a better way to get the lineout from the hotplate into the computer if that might be a problem? Maybe an impedance mismatch or something? My levels look fine, but the results are really harsh in general.

After hearing your clip, I was able to get close in the room with 6V6 tubes and the master volume at 100%. . very inspiring! I may have to pick up some EL34's and give them a try.

thanks!
Gary

[IPlayHamers]

:drool I MUST OWN THIS AMP:drool

[sinasl1]

Here are screen shots of the exact cab and eq settings on the preset I used in Guitar Rig for that VH clip.You can see I'm really boosting lots of top end, using like 4 different eq's! Also boosting lows and cuting some low mids. There is a ton of sizzly top end in the VH1 tones.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g16/sinasl1/Screenshot_2.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g16/sinasl1/Screenshot_1.jpg

[sinasl1]

The out on the Hotplate into the mixer method should sound fine, as long as you are only listening to the return back from your computer, not to any of the unprocessed hotplate into mixer channel...

[GaryMcT]

The out on the Hotplate into the mixer method should sound fine, as long as you are only listening to the return back from your computer, not to any of the unprocessed hotplate into mixer channel...

Definitely not listening to the unprocessed stuff.

Thanks for the info! I'll give this a try.

[GaryMcT]

Here are screen shots of the exact cab and eq settings on the preset I used in Guitar Rig for that VH clip.You can see I'm really boosting lots of top end, using like 4 different eq's! Also boosting lows and cuting some low mids. There is a ton of sizzly top end in the VH1 tones.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g16/sinasl1/Screenshot_2.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g16/sinasl1/Screenshot_1.jpg

If you don't mind me asking, what did you have the Plexi module knobs set to? I'm going to try to replicate your results tonight to see if I have everything hooked up right. I'm assuming you had the master on 10? I'm using 6V6's, so it'll probably sound different. .would be cool to see if I can get in the ballpark.

[sinasl1]

It was a long time ago, don't remember, but master was not on 10- probably on 5 or so... try pre on 10, bright switch on, mids bass and treble all around 6 and work from there... I had the power tubes in the power amp cooking pretty good, the hotplate's bulb was glowing :)

[GaryMcT]

It was a long time ago, don't remember, but master was not on 10- probably on 5 or so... try pre on 10, bright switch on, mids bass and treble all around 6 and work from there... I had the power tubes in the power amp cooking pretty good, the hotplate's bulb was glowing :)

Thanks!

[keano]

Anyone have clips of Dave Friedman Marshall mod?