Thinking about a bumbox

[mmorse]

I'm thinking about getting a Bumbox lead 1 for home use. The clips on the website sound good. Would like to get some opinions by lead 1 owners. I know internet clips can be misleading. Does the amp really deliver cranked marshall type tones at lower volumes for home use? Or does it sound small?

Don't need a good clean. Just a good low volume Marshall type grind and sustain. I have pedals but would like to get it from the amp if possible.

I tried an Epi valve Jr and it was so muddy as to be unusable to me. Plus it wasn't all that quiet when cranked. I know there are tons of mods for it but soldering is not my thing.

Anyway, all opinions are welcome.

[pm81]

I haven't played one but am curious as well.

This site is selling new with free shipping.

http://tonesafari.com/id60.html


Paul

[nashvillesteve]

They have one left in stock. Brad @ ToneFactor is selling the Bumbox as well for $400 w/ free shipping.

[Simon]

Theres 2 used ones on Ebay.

[papa taco]

Is it me, or do they sound "small" in the clips? I really like the idea of them, but I think the low wattage is actually coming through tonally in the clips.

The Cielo sure sounds nice though. Yummy.

[mmorse]

TRhat's my biggest gripe on these micro wattage amps. They do sound "small". I didn't think the Bumbox clips did though. But clips can be decieving. That's why I was hoping to get some real world opinions.

[dk_ace]

Is it me, or do they sound "small" in the clips? I really like the idea of them, but I think the low wattage is actually coming through tonally in the clips.

The Cielo sure sounds nice though. Yummy.

I thought the same thing. I listened to the cielo first. The Bumbox sounded small by comparison for sure. I really wish someone could make a low wattage amp that didn't suffer like this (at a price an average guy could afford).

D

[RevelationAmps]

Well, I don't think my Serena sounds at all "small". For a lower price, maybe a Firefly kit would be a good option. The clips of Firefly amps that I have heard have not sounded "small" and for higher gain are really impressive.

[mmorse]

Josh, your Serena sounds really nice. Not at all small. But it's a bit out of my range pricewise for a bedroom noodle amp. As for the Firefly, the clips I heard are not as nice as the Serena and I have NO ability whatsoever to build one. Even if I had a kit with idiot proof directions to follow. I know my limitations :jo

[Calloway]

I actually did some of the clips for Nate with the Lead 1 and could give you a little insight. Mind you, I do not work for Nate and am not affiliated with Bumbox, I was just at his place, trying out some of his amps, and he decided to record it.

I really dig the Lead 1, it can really get that Marshall grind and a fairly moderate volume. It isn't super loud, so yes you can play it at home, but it also isn't so quiet that it would be heard if you lived in an apartment or something; it really also depends on what type of speaker/cab you play it through. If I had the money right now, I would definately by one of these, especially if I did a lot of studio work.

As for this amp sounding small, well it is el 84's, and in my opinion they do sound a bit 'smaller' than say el 34's. I still think that the Lead 1 can sound huge in the right situations, I've heard one through a 4x12 Greenback cab and it sounded gigantic, so it really does depend on what you use.

His Cielo's are awesome, that is what I gig with right now and it really is a unique amp to me. I've owned Bassmans, Bandmasters, a reissue Plexi, as well as played through many a friend's Dr. Z and truly think that the Cielo holds up just as well if not better than a lot of these in certain situations. It gives a richness to each note that I play that it has led me to be a lot more methodical to my playing than I ever have before.

If anyone has other questions, don't hesitate to PM me or email, I know a lot about Nate's stuff, and even Nate is a great guy to deal with and I'm sure he too would answer any questions.

[RevelationAmps]

Well according to the specs on the web, looks like the Lead 1 is not an EL84/SE amp, but uses a 6N1P output tube which I suspect could make about 3-5 watts depending on voltages, bias, and other amp design factors.

Now I haven't heard one of these amps in person and I don't know anything about them other than what's on the web. I am excited to see so much interest in these small amps, though. Having a small amp like this is really a liberating thing. You can crank it up so you really enjoy playing it and still play it at home, or in a coffee shop gig, with unamplified acoustic instruments, or in a home studio (or any studio) without a whole lot of worry about isolation and pad switches and preamp headroom, etc. It's kind of like TiVo... you may not really now how truly cool it is until you take the plunge, then you might go, "hey, why didn't I do this years ago!". That was my experience.

With a room full of amps at the house I always plug into the Serena when I just want to play, even if I'm just home alone. It's amazing how much more often I can play my guitar at home with everyone there, and really enjoy playing it, since I have an amp that I can plug in and play like I like it without disturbing the peace in my house.

[papa taco]

His Cielo's are awesome, that is what I gig with right now and it really is a unique amp to me. I've owned Bassmans, Bandmasters, a reissue Plexi, as well as played through many a friend's Dr. Z and truly think that the Cielo holds up just as well if not better than a lot of these in certain situations. It gives a richness to each note that I play that it has led me to be a lot more methodical to my playing than I ever have before.



Yeah, that Cielo clip sounds awesome.

[n8b]

Well according to the specs on the web, looks like the Lead 1 is not an EL84/SE amp, but uses a 6N1P output tube which I suspect could make about 3-5 watts depending on voltages, bias, and other amp design factors.


Actually only about 1/2w max. I state 1w because I think it sounds more like 1w once you get the tubes cooking, but on the 'scope it says otherwise.

As for the differences in the clips between the Cielo and Lead 1, it's really a recording issue due to the difference in volume between the two amps factored in with the different voicings. At the same volume, the amps are pretty similar in "biggness", but the Cielo isn't able to breath as much and is almost dead clean. I didn't do much post processing on the clips to pretty them up.

Donner uses a Lead 1 in some of his pedal comparison videos. It is the amp used when the Kendrick switcher is set to "M":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Czqc4hyMic

I don't know if that helps. I wouldn't recommend buying anything on sound clips alone. Make N Music in Chicago and Peeler in Toledo are two places to try the Lead 1 in person. I have maintained a fairly small production so far because it is all I can handle by myself, so there aren't many dealers who carry them.

[RevelationAmps]

Interesting, Nate. I was just going by the spec sheet max plate dissipation for the 6N1P of 2.2W per triode, not really speculating on the actual power of your amp. Certainly 1/2-1 watt should be more than enough for most home guitarists.

[n8b]

Interesting, Nate. I was just going by the spec sheet max plate dissipation for the 6N1P of 2.2W per triode, not really speculating on the actual power of your amp. Certainly 1/2-1 watt should be more than enough for most home guitarists.

It's cool. I was just clarifying for those interested.:BEER

[mmorse]

My little winfield is an EL84 amp at 18/30 watts. No master so it's way too loud for home use. I can get a nice tone out of it using a zvex BOR and barely cracking the volume on the amp.

If you want a cranked Marshall type grind, it looks like even 5 watts is too much for home use. Half watt to 1 watt looks about right. Maybe what I'm looking for is just not possible. A nice full gainy tone at low volumes. Can't quite seem to get the tone I'm looking for with pedals. The Serena comes close though. At least based on the clips I heard.

It would be nice to try all the contenders but it's just not possible. Actually, I was all set to pick up an Epi valve Jr until I played one. Way too muddy for me. And I'm just not much of a tweaker. Which, I guess, is what you need to be with that amp.

[Navigator]

I know what you mean about the relative lack of "size" in those clips. As a low-volume solution I was considering one of those no-frills amp heads that Ed Giller makes, especially after I heard these clips:

http://www.powerserg.com/GillerAmp/

I found these on the Harmony-Central review page of Giller's amps. A reviewer recorded them. They're under "plexi heads," but when you read the reviews they're talking about an 8-watt head that can use either EL34s, 6L6s, or 6V6s. The clips sound really good to me, especially the "bone dry" one and the cover of Zep's "Rock n Roll" (really well done I have to say). Apparently he used the Giller through a 4x10 Marshall cab, and it sounds pretty big to me. His tone on RnR actually sounds (to me) like a cross between Page's live tone and Peter Stroud's tone on Sheryl Crow's "C'mon America" DVD when they cover RnR--really juicy. Anyone have any first-hand experience with Giller's stuff as a low-wattage alternative? I just picked up an Aiken Invader and I'm still tempted by the Giller! I don't know what the price is now, but the reviewer listed his price at $350. I'd be curious to hear what other folks think of those clips. At any rate, given the interest in low wattage alternatives, I thought this might be worth considering.

[mmorse]

Those clips sound nice. But 8 watts is going to be loud at home when cranked.

[RevelationAmps]

If you want a cranked Marshall type grind, it looks like even 5 watts is too much for home use. Half watt to 1 watt looks about right. Maybe what I'm looking for is just not possible. A nice full gainy tone at low volumes. Can't quite seem to get the tone I'm looking for with pedals. The Serena comes close though. At least based on the clips I heard.

There are some build-time options in the Serena. Since each one is semi-custom built, I can basically tune it in terms of gain and some voicing adjustments as it is being built, within reasonable limits.

[mmorse]

This is the tone I'm looking for at low volumes. Particualrly the first half of the clip with the volume up and the high cut switch engaged. The clip is a David Bray modded JTM45 reissue. Not for everybody but I like that tone.

http://www.davidbrayamps.com/jtm45highcut060105.mp3

[Goldstrat]

I just got a Lead 1 and it is cool. I have had 3 different amps Nate built so far. I had a Cielo that was killer but just too much amp for me at home. It had the nicest cleans I have ever had on a strat and could crunch with the best of them. I ran into the problem most people have which is I wanted to crank it because it sounded great loud. My wife didn't like that too much and I think I was starting to go deaf. So Nate made me a Lead 12 combo which is basically an 18 watt Marshall combo but better. I put a Scumback in that and it sounded great. I sold it like a dumbass because I was bored and had gas and now I miss it. The Lead one sounds like a Marshall and feels like a Marshall but it is 1 watt so be realistic. It is perfect for getting the cranked sound without it being too loud. I love it for when I want to play Rush or Sabbath or Zeppelin. I just got done playing it through my 1965B 4x10 and it rocks! I also have a Epi valve Jr. and it is cool for playing low volume clean stuff just put JJ tubes in it and it's a cool small Fendery sound. But if you want harmonics or ACDC the Bumbox is it! Nate makes nice amps and is a good guy! Nate how about an 8 watt Plexi 1xEL34 Head? That would be great for loud home playing!

[mgarrison99]

I just picked up a Lead 1 as well. It is in the mail, so I haven't tried it yet. My concern is having enough volume to play over drums and bass in my living room. Acoustic drums have a base "loudness" that you have to drive above. However, my Carvin Bel Air will make your ears bleed if I push it at 5-7 (where the sweet spot is). Hoping that the Bumbox will take me comfortably above the drums and still be heard over the bass and vocals. Do you think it will do well in a living room jam session?

[hey_day]

anyone know any comparison of these to the little lanilei 3350?

[stump]

I've owned mine for a few months and must say that it is my most played amp out of 12 amps. It does the Marshall tone nicely. I find that it sounds best through a 112 cab. Depending on how much dirt you like you may push it a little with a pedal just like a "real" Marshall. I don't find the amp to sound small at all. I did a comparison with my 50 watt JCM 800 and the Lead 1 nailed it minus the earth shaking volume. My favorite speaker with it is the Eminence Red Fang though it sounds fine through a G12H30 or Emi Swamp Thang. Construction is excellent as well.

[indravayu]

I had one for a year but ended up selling it - the tone wasn't bad, or anything, and the volume was just about right for an apartment/bedroom setting - the amp just didn't have enough oomph for me, especially for lead work (of course, I never tried goosing it with an over drive - that might have made the difference, but I didn't own one back then).

- Chris

[mr_goodbomb]

I have one, got it in a trade. It's fantastic, sounds great, and surprisingly versatile. However, because of some money issues, I need to sell it.

[crbirdx]

I had one and it rocked I too have had 3 of nate's builds and they are all top notch