Picked up a Budda Stringmaster . . . .

[boltino]

Wow, I love this thing! Super touch responsive; sounds and feels awesome. It's a head (4 EL84, 5U4 rectifier) and I'm pairing it with a Budda open back 212 with stock Phat speakers. Two channels, three different boost modes on the gain channel make it really versatile. It compliments my Superdrive really well. The more amps I play, the more I love Buddas; great company and killer amps!

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/boltino/020-1.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/boltino/011.jpg

[boltino]

Bump for the day crowd. :bender

[Andre357]

Sweet - tell us a little more about the three different boost modes if you could please .

Also - I take it one of those 1x12 combos ( without the budda guy :) )is a new Peavey made one ?

and an effects mix knob ?? wow - tell us about that as well.....

[boltino]

Sweet - tell us a little more about the three different boost modes if you could please .

Also - I take it one of those 1x12 combos ( without the budda guy :) )is a new Peavey made one ?

and an effects mix knob ?? wow - tell us about that as well.....

Thanks!

Yeah, the combos are both Superdrive 18 IIs. The one on top is the new one made by Peavey and the one on the bottom is the older one.

I haven't spent nearly as much time with the Stringmaster as I'd like to (isn't this always the case?) so I'm still figuring it out! The boost switch is pretty cool. In the middle, there is no boost; everything is flat. The Boost 1 seems to boost the mids a bit, but it's still really smooth; it just sings a little more. The boost 2 boosts the mids even more, adding some grit. I'm still experimenting with the different modes; I really like boost 2 at the moment but that may change at gig levels (this thing is loud!). The three modes make the drive channel really versatile; it can be a slightly grittier version of the clean channel, all the way to pretty rippin' gain.

The parallel loop has send and return controls in the back to balance effects levels. The mix knob on the front lets you control how much of the dry amp tone you mix with the effected tone. So you can dial up the balance from the front of the amp without having to change any send/return levels or mix levels on you fx unit. The parallel loop is also footswichable, which is pretty cool.

Overall, the Stringmaster compliments the Superdrive very well. I thought it might be redundant to have both but I'm really liking what each has to offer.

(I know what you are thinking, "This guy is worried about a Stringmaster being redundant despite two of the same amp sitting there! :messedup" The dual superdrives came about as a result of UPS trying their darndest to smash one of them to oblivion. They failed; these amps are tough!).

[Andre357]

thanks for the info ! I currently own an SDII 18 and 30 both 1x12 combos... and plan on trying/buying a 6v6 20 or 40 when they are available, so I'm familiar with budda love ;)

I've based my whole rig ( pedals , guitars ) around budda amps.

[boltino]

thanks for the info ! I currently own an SDII 18 and 30 both 1x12 combos... and plan on trying/buying a 6v6 20 or 40 when they are available, so I'm familiar with budda love ;)

I've based my whole rig ( pedals , guitars ) around budda amps.

Sweet! Yeah, I'm itching to try the 6V6s when they come out.

I absolutely love the way Budda voices their amps; it just sounds/feels right to me.

[sickboy79]

Congrats! That's a sweet amp! I've always wanted to add one of those to the heard!

[boltino]

Congrats! That's a sweet amp! I've always wanted to add one of those to the heard!

Thanks. The more I played my Superdrive, the more I wanted to try one of Buddas early circuits. It's definitely different, but it's got all of the Budda characteristics I was looking for.

[Terry Hayes]

Very cool! I have heard great things about Stringmasters - apparently they are somewhat Dumble-like!

Speaking of early-model Buddas, I really wish I had bought a Twinmaster when a 2x10 combo was selling for $950:jo

Terry

[earthlydescent]

are there any differences between the older budda and the peavey made one?

[Wheeler004]

Congrats!

[tga-3]

Great great amp! I was sorry to let mine go. Really versatile and LOUD! Try it through a Dr. Z 4X10 cab, simply amazing. Really shines in a three piece band.
Enjoy!

[meterman]

I played a Stringmaster 4x10 combo in GC a few weeks ago and was quite impressed (they let me crank it), I almost picked it up but no cash and no real need, still it was quite sweet and I was sorely tempted...

[kingsxman]

So what are the sound differences between the Stringmaster and SD18s? Brighter? Fatter? etc...

[boltino]

Very cool! I have heard great things about Stringmasters - apparently they are somewhat Dumble-like!

Speaking of early-model Buddas, I really wish I had bought a Twinmaster when a 2x10 combo was selling for $950:jo

Terry

Thanks Terry! I don't have much dumble experience; I've only played a Two-Rock once. It does have that touch responsive endless sustain with little gain thing going on if you want it to which is awesome. It can also really rip. It is LOUD!

are there any differences between the older budda and the peavey made one?

I did a full review/comparison here:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=545597

Both are incredible, very very minute differences.


Great great amp! I was sorry to let mine go. Really versatile and LOUD! Try it through a Dr. Z 4X10 cab, simply amazing. Really shines in a three piece band.
Enjoy!

Definitely loud, I honestly haven't gotten a chance to really crank it yet. I have a Mesa 4X10 cab I've been wanting to try it with; I'll have to do that tonight.


So what are the sound differences between the Stringmaster and SD18s? Brighter? Fatter? etc...

I've been really busy lately and haven't been able to do as much side by side comparing as I'd like but here's what I've got so far.

The Stringmaster is definitely brighter and less compressed. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the compression of the Superdrive 18 but it's nice to have a more open alternative. The Stringmaster is also a little fatter/punchier. Probably has to do with the bigger power section since it's a 30 watter. Plus I'm playing it through a 2X12 so that may contribute as well. Both amps have similar characteristics/voicing but the differences make having both very cool. I'm looking forward to getting the strigmaster out of the house so I can really crank the gain channel!

[Terry Hayes]

Thanks Terry! I don't have much dumble experience; I've only played a Two-Rock once. It does have that touch responsive endless sustain with little gain thing going on if you want it to which is awesome.



Yeah, that's what I have heard!! Nice!

Terry