Top Hat Club Deluxe...

[jakob]

What would you pay for a used 1*12 combo ?
Are there any known problems ?

Has the model changed over the years, if so how ?

If anybody knows about good clips that would be nice, thanks.

[Luke V]

I payed $1050, used, for the newer tube redtified model. It smokes with a Crunch Box and p90s.

The newer ones have a deeper cab and tube rectifier.

[Teleplayer]

Originally Posted by jakob

What would you pay for a used 1*12 combo ?
Are there any known problems ?

Has the model changed over the years, if so how ?

If anybody knows about good clips that would be nice, thanks.

They have gone through various changes since their inception - which was around 1996 or so. Things that have changed: cabinet depth, ss versus tube rectifier (started tube, went to ss, then back to tube), master volume versus non-master volume (early ones had no mv).

Depending on the model and its features, you should expect to pay right around $900 - $1,100 +/-, contingent on the condition.

[riffmeister]

Originally Posted by jakob

1) What would you pay for a used 1*12 combo ?

2) Are there any known problems ?

3) Has the model changed over the years?

4) If anybody knows about good clips that would be nice, thanks.

1) depends

2) wtf are you talking about?

3) yes. a lot.

5) look up member "Free" on this board

[jakob]

Originally Posted by riffmeister

1) depends

2) wtf are you talking about?

3) yes. a lot.

5) look up member "Free" on this board

Wow thank you for your great reply and all that info.
I guess I don't need to talk to "Free" after all.

[JackButler]

I got my 2-12 deluxe ss version around $950, friggina awesome amp! Beats my Z's, Budda, and many botiques of my past.

[Free]

Originally Posted by riffmeister

1) depends

2) wtf are you talking about?

3) yes. a lot.

5) look up member "Free" on this board

Yes, sir. This is what a 2002 "Club Deluxe" sounds like - with a solid-state rectifier on high ("normal") selection and Greenbacks in two 1x12 cabs (combo and ext cab). All clips at Myspace are 100% "Club Deluxe" CRANKED on 10 with a Les Paul - www.myspace.com/inthelight Of course tones change a lot when not played so hard and different guitars are used. The amp can do early rockabilly and even some country tones majesticly too, so my clips are not a good indication of the amps capability played at lower volumes.



-Mike "Free"

[jakob]

Thanks for the info, your band sounds good btw
Do you use any pedals, just curious how it takes pedals...

[Don L]

Both my CR and CD take the pedals very well.

[esoteric pete]

i dig my CD lots! its an 01, SS rec, 1x12. awesome amp.

[Free]

Originally Posted by jakob

Thanks for the info, your band sounds good btw
Do you use any pedals, just curious how it takes pedals...

I'm glad you think so, Jakob. Well, this is something that comes up quite a bit - wondering how pedals work with this amp. Honestly, in my opinion, this amp does not need any type of overdrive pedals AT ALL, if you can open it up, as I think my clips imply well. These Tophat "Club" amps are designed to be really cranked - they just don't sound too strong when the master is below 7 or so, as the tone of these amps are completely based around power-stage tube overdrive. The natural overdrive that pours out of this amp, sounds like the greatest overdrive pedal ever made - it just doesn't need them. However, fuzz pedals have a tonal character all their own and sound wonderful with this amp, because they compress in a way that sounds very warm. And, a Telecaster into Soul Bender into this amp = Zeppelin I (album). However, with a Les Paul, I don't recommend any pedals at all ever.

If you can't get the master and volume above 7 (but preferably around 9), at low volume levels any overdrive pedal sounds warm and pure though, but you lose transparency and a bit of articulation with ANY overdrive pedal, so why go there when it's not needed? Again, if you can afford to open the thing up. It's the whole reason I use only 20 watts. That's one guy's sincere view...

[jakob]

That's good to hear, I'm not a overdrive-pedal guy, I like the distortion to come from the tubes. I need something that I can blast without being
to loud, that is sometimes a problem with my Germino
Imo Page's sound on Zeppelin I is my favorite, maybe it was the Tele.
Didn't he use the Supro on that record ?

When you are rehersing is the amp loud enough just on it's own.
My drummer is a John Bonham worshipper and plays very loud

Thanks again for all the info...

[Free]

Originally Posted by jakob

That's good to hear, I'm not a overdrive-pedal guy, I like the distortion to come from the tubes. I need something that I can blast without being
to loud, that is sometimes a problem with my Germino
Imo Page's sound on Zeppelin I is my favorite, maybe it was the Tele.
Didn't he use the Supro on that record ?

When you are rehersing is the amp loud enough just on it's own.
My drummer is a John Bonham worshipper and plays very loud

Thanks again for all the info...

The amps level is manageable, yet it can work with most any drummer with 2 1x12"s.

Zep I was indeed 100% Tele. If that's your favorite tone, then you should also look into the Fulltone "Soul Bender" or other "Tonebender" type fuzz pedal, as that album is ALL about Teles and fuzz - half the songs on that album have that Tonebender fuzz going. And, it was a Supro on that album.

I actually owned a Supro that was essentially identical to Page's (I've owned about 10 Supro models in all, so I know these amps very well). And, what struck me was how readily I was able to nail the tone of that Supro with my "Club Deluxe" - I mean nail. I just had to turn the gain (volume) to about 7, the "cut" up quite a bit (those Supro models are dark and midrangey sounding amps, which is another reason why his Tele sounds like a Les Paul on Zep I to some people) and the rectifier to "soft" and I was there - all the midrange honk and everything. So, I sold that Supro - it was unneccesary - literally rendered obsolete by the Club. Plus the Club Deluxe was louder and stronger sounding.

It has a lot to do with both amps having simple Class A cathode-bias non-negative feedback circuits - both amps have that in common. The "Club Deluxe" a Zeppelin tone machine: it does early-Marshall, Vox, and Supro all in one single-channel amp - and those are the amps that cover the vast majority of every tone Page ever created.

[riffmeister]

Good TH amps for getting Zep I approved sounds with a heavy-hitting drummer are the Super Deluxe and Emplexador.

The Club -> Super -> Emplex really is a good lineup for Brit Amp Tones, depending on the volume needed.

[Free]

Originally Posted by riffmeister

Good TH amps for getting Zep I approved sounds with a heavy-hitting drummer are the Super Deluxe and Emplexador.

The Club -> Super -> Emplex really is a good lineup for Brit Amp Tones, depending on the volume needed.

That's a good point. I agree. The "Super Deluxe" is indeed even better suited for Zep I tones. The "Club Deluxe" does the Marshall and Vox tones more effectively (Zep II - Physical Graffiti and BBC Sessions especially), and at more manageable volume levels. But, that "Super Deluxe" is more naturally inclined to be used for Zep I tones (takes less dialing in), especially with a hard-hitting drummer - it's more of a natural at taking fuzz pedals (or any pedals for that matter) too, with it's added overhead and body. Something to consider if you're that sure you want Zep I tone, and you better have a Tele if you're serious - SD '54 Classics do a killer job.