Goodsell Super 17 vs. TopHat Super Deluxe...

[GTRJohnny]

Has anyone owned both of these or had a chance to compare them head-to-head? I am really liking the Goodsell for all it offers in such a small/light package. But, the Greg V. video on the TopHat is really amazing sounding. I would imagine the TopHat running 6V6s would be about the same volume as the Goodsell. I would think the TopHat might be a bit "bigger" sounding, based on the cab size and larger iron. But, I really like the Super 17 for its grab-and-go ability. So, suggestions? :)

[Cleet Mongaire]

The Goodsell is el84's. If the Tophat is 6v6...that should tell you all you need to know. Myself, I prefer 6v6 fender tweed sounds.

[riffmeister]

I owned one of the early 6L6 Super Deluxes. Great sounding amp........Vox Meets Tweed......with excellent edge of breakup tones, MV worked very well so I could dial it in for a variety of venue sizes.

[GTRJohnny]

The Goodsell is el84's. If the Tophat is 6v6...that should tell you all you need to know. Myself, I prefer 6v6 fender tweed sounds.

I have not had a chance to try out the TopHat first-hand. But, the Goodsell doesn't sound like a typical EL84 amp to me... it sounds more like 6V6 amps I have owned. I was very surprised when I found out it wasn't a 6V6 amp. :huh

[GTRJohnny]

Bump... anyone?

[ski_fast]

I like 6V6 amps for the vast availability of great cheap tubes from the 50s (at least for now). Less middy than EL84s. Larger deeper low end among other things. Keep a look out for a TopHat Vanderbilt which can run 6V6, 5881, 6L6 safely without having to rebias... you can run an EF86 also.

[farlowhigh]

the Vanderbilt uses an EF86 as one of its normal preamp tubes and so that doesn't require any tube swapping. You can get the Vanderbilt to run EL34s with a small mod as well. There is a Vanderbilt head and a matching 2x12 cab for sale at Fat Sound...I should know as it used to be mine! great amp!

[meterman]

I had an early Goodsell Super 17 head (#20, called Clairmont Super 17 back then), a Super Deluxe and still have a Club Deluxe. I did an A/B comparison between the Super 17 and the Club Deluxe (20w, 2x6V6) b/c my Super Deluxe only ran 6L6s for 33w. The Goodsell sounded great but I chose the Tophats b/c I am not really an EL84 guy and I found the Tophats Vol/Cut/Bass/Mid/Tr/MV EQ much more versatile than the Goodsell's vol/gain/tone. Not a diss on the Goodsell it was a very nice and unique sounding amp and the build quality has improved alot since the early days. The Tophat is just more what I was looking for and there are lots of different tones in there, the EQ is very interactive and the bright/fat boosts are very well voiced. The new Super Deluxe can run 6L6s, 6V6s and EL34s and is a seriously versatile amp, if I buy another combo that may well be it...

[GTRJohnny]

Yes, the Club Deluxe is what I meant... or Super Club Deluxe... 6V6s for sure. I do not want to get involved with EF86s. I have heard too many stories about the expense and rarity of great tube options.

[meterman]

Yes, the Club Deluxe is what I meant... or Super Club Deluxe... 6V6s for sure. I do not want to get involved with EF86s. I have heard too many stories about the expense and rarity of great tube options.

the Club Deluxe was the 6V6 counterpart to the EL84 based Club Royale. Now though it has been discontinued in favor of the Super Deluxe since Brian apparently feels that the SD with 6V6s sounds even better than the CD, which is saying something. My Club Deluxe kicks some serious tail for a 20w 1x12 combo so if the SD is better it must be a tone monster...plus the ability to run it w 6L6s or EL34s for higher output and different tones is really cool. If it was me though I'd go with the 2x12, the Tophat 2x12s are relatively compact and lightweight but let the amp 'breathe' better, my 1x12 can be a little too focused and beamy sometimes.

[GTRJohnny]

Tophat 2x12s are relatively compact and lightweight but let the amp 'breathe' better, my 1x12 can be a little too focused and beamy sometimes.

Yeah, I find that with almost all amps. I'm just getting to the age where a smaller 1x12 (and a lack of weight) really appeal to me and my bad back... ;)

[mbargav]

Yeah, I find that with almost all amps. I'm just getting to the age where a smaller 1x12 (and a lack of weight) really appeal to me and my bad back... ;)

The new SD is a very big 1X12. Really deep cab, terrific bass response. It absolutely dwarfs my 5e3 in size. Trust me, this isn't a small 1X12 you can easily lug around. Sounds absolutely huge. I'm a huge fan of this amp. I asked Brian a while back what it was based on, and this was his response:

You asked what the amp was based on -- to me, it's quintessential TopHat sound. But, it has (roughly speaking) the preamp layout common to tweed Bassman(off mode), early Marshall(off) and TopBoost Vox(fat mode). The phase inverter and output section are run much like a Vox AC30. The OT has some Fender characteristics. Adding the master, retaining the Vox type cut knob and adding the fat/off/brite switch add versatility. So, it's my unique blending of a lot of common amp themes. Add to that, the picking of caps, wire, resistor, tube and speaker types -- OT design and materials, voltages and cab design all come together to make the sound you hear and feel.

[meterman]

The new SD is a very big 1X12. Really deep cab, terrific bass response. It absolutely dwarfs my 5e3 in size. Trust me, this isn't a small 1X12 you can easily lug around. Sounds absolutely huge. I'm a huge fan of this amp. I asked Brian a while back what it was based on, and this was his response:

You asked what the amp was based on -- to me, it's quintessential TopHat sound. But, it has (roughly speaking) the preamp layout common to tweed Bassman(off mode), early Marshall(off) and TopBoost Vox(fat mode). The phase inverter and output section are run much like a Vox AC30. The OT has some Fender characteristics. Adding the master, retaining the Vox type cut knob and adding the fat/off/brite switch add versatility. So, it's my unique blending of a lot of common amp themes. Add to that, the picking of caps, wire, resistor, tube and speaker types -- OT design and materials, voltages and cab design all come together to make the sound you hear and feel.

Damn that sounds like a cool amp, from the man himself. Seems like Brian has been refining that mix of Vox/Marshall/Tweed for a long time and each amp gets better...

Keep in mind that there is the Super Deluxe which has essentially the same preamp as the Club Royale, and then there is the new Super 33 that basically replaces the fat/bright boost of the Super Deluxe with a switchable EF86 preamp stage. Two similar but different amps if I'm not mistaken, and I think the Super 33 is supposed to be gainier. Then you also have the Vanderbilt 33 which is a more expanded version of the Super 33 with a separate EF86 channel. I believe you can run 6L6/EL34/6V6 in all three of those but I'm not sure. Then you also have the Supreme 16 which is the EL84 version of the Vanderbilt with an EF86 channel.

I had one of the first Super Deluxes (#11) back in 2004 and it was a great amp, I understand it's only gotten better...

[GTRJohnny]

The new SD is a very big 1X12. Really deep cab, terrific bass response. It absolutely dwarfs my 5e3 in size. Trust me, this isn't a small 1X12 you can easily lug around...

What sort of weight would you say it is? That might be a factor for me, sadly...

[mbargav]

What sort of weight would you say it is? That might be a factor for me, sadly...

I'll weigh it tonight for you and let you know.

[meterman]

my Super Deluxe 2x12 weighed 55 lbs

[ford]

That isn't too bad for a 2x12.

[meterman]

That isn't too bad for a 2x12.

no not bad at all and my Club Deluxe 1x12 weighs around 45lbs I think but I don't know if it's the same cab and the transformers on the SD will be bigger...

[GTRJohnny]

I'll weigh it tonight for you and let you know.

Cool... thanks! :aok

The plus of the Goodsell - other than really good tone, is the under 30lbs thing. Damn, with a Neo that thing would be 25lbs. I have a dog heavier than that! :D

[mbargav]

Cool... thanks! :aok

The plus of the Goodsell - other than really good tone, is the under 30lbs thing. Damn, with a Neo that thing would be 25lbs. I have a dog heavier than that! :D

My 1x12 SD is 49.2 lbs. Don't let the weight discourage you though, it really is a wonderful amp.

[GTRJohnny]

My 1x12 SD is 49.2 lbs. Don't let the weight discourage you though, it really is a wonderful amp.

That's right on the edge of too heavy. I might be able to swing it...