Goodsell low-watt prototype

[RKHIII]

Had the pleasure of spending a little time earlier this week with Richard in his dusty, oily Atlanta laboratory. I've always dug his designs...I own an original Super 17 and have owned other amps of his through the years. Last weekend I picked up a prototype low-watt pentode/triode design to try out for a few days and it took me all of about 5 minutes to realize this amp had the potential to be something really special. It had the most amazing, thick, creamy overdrive...the kinda drive I'm familiar with out of my brown Deluxe or tweed Gibson's. After a weekend with the amp, we both agreed it lacked one vital component...those famous Clairmont cleans that put him on the map. Thus the reason I was over there Monday...he added a modification to the design that allows the amp to be switched from it's native gainier side to a cleaner, low-watt Clairmont mode. Currently the mod can be switched via a mini toggle on the amp or via a footswitch...not sure which route will make it into the production model or for that matter whether the amp itself will make it into production but I can tell you it's the most inspiring, fun to play amp in my collection at the moment and the best new design to come out of the Goodsell lineup since the original Super 17. Richard is honestly IMO doing some of the best designs of his career right now...I hope the Super 7 (or whatever it'll be called) makes it out to the masses...it'd be a crime if it didn't.

[pcutt]

Seems right up my alley! Do you have any sound clips to share or point us to? Thanks!

[mkg]

Sounds like very cool beans, Richard is an extraordinary designer/builder.
I'm still amazed at how good my Super 17 sounds.
And yeah, clips would be great.

[RKHIII]

Had a buddy stop by late this afternoon to hear the Super 7 as I've affectionately dubbed it. He's a Super 17 owner as well and was equally amazed at this little thing. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me. So thus far, all three who've heard it think it's something special. I'll try and throw together a clip in Pro Tools in the next coupla days for y'all. See ya, --Roy

[akivisuals]

Pics please!

I like my Goodsell 5, but wish it had a wee bit more headroom. How big is the cab on the "7"? Weight? I'm lovin the idea of footswitching between channels. Does it have verb?

[Doodad]

Do you stil have it RKH? I wanna play.

[RKHIII]

Originally Posted by Doodad

Do you stil have it RKH? I wanna play.

Bart, come play it...I own 'er. Unless RG needs it back for a few days to refer back to for a production model, the check has cleared on this one. Pics to come...

[RKHIII]

Originally Posted by akivisuals

Pics please!

I like my Goodall 5, but wish it had a wee bit more headroom. How big is the cab on the "7"? Weight? I'm lovin the idea of footswitching between channels. Does it have verb?

Only pic I have at the moment is an iPhone shot of Richard doing some tweaking to it at the GEC...I'll snap a few pics of the amp itself this weekend. It's housed in the same small Deluxe style cab that the new Mark Three's and the LE's are in. It's gotta be the lightest Goodsell to date...under 25 lb's and seemes lighter than my old G5. No verb or trem on the proto...think the idea was to keep a price point in mind in the event it makes it to production.

[wsaraceni]

any idea if one will be at the NJ amp show? im really interested in hearing these amps.

[magnus02]

A little confused here... is it a single el84 like the g5 with a switch to knock it even lower or is it like a super 17 with a switch for lower gain... is this the same as the triode pentode switch on the new mark III. Sorry just a little confused here but always interested in any goodsell product seeing as I'm a insanely happy owner of #22

[Lil'Strat]

Originally Posted by wsaraceni

any idea if one will be at the NJ amp show? im really interested in hearing these amps.

I will try to have one there as my NY dealer is very interested in carrying a low-power Goodsell. I only have 3 cabinets to work with between now and the show - the other two will be Mark Threes available for sale.

[RKHIII]

Originally Posted by magnus02

A little confused here... is it a single el84 like the g5 with a switch to knock it even lower or is it like a super 17 with a switch for lower gain... is this the same as the triode pentode switch on the new mark III. Sorry just a little confused here but always interested in any goodsell product seeing as I'm a insanely happy owner of #22

It's a single EL84 like the G5 but to my ears, far superior and much more versatile. One word that comes to mind tonally with the amp is tight, especially the overdrive. I was told by a professional player friend today (who by the way loved the amp, thus continuing the streak of all who have heard it have loved it) that a lot of the tightness comes from the use of a solid state rectifier...may have to let Ritchie weigh in on that one since I don't pretend to know what makes this thing tick...I just know that I love what I hear. And yes, it has a switch that takes it down into the neighborhood of 2-3 watts...and it's a very dynamic and useful low-watt mode. I played it the other night for nearly an hour in triode mode with the volume setting below 1.

P.S. Magnus02, I'm the very happy owner of Super 17 #44.

[Lil'Strat]

Originally Posted by magnus02

A little confused here... is it a single el84 like the g5 with a switch to knock it even lower or is it like a super 17 with a switch for lower gain... is this the same as the triode pentode switch on the new mark III. Sorry just a little confused here but always interested in any goodsell product seeing as I'm a insanely happy owner of #22

Yes, it is a single EL84 like the G5, though geeked up to run nearly 100 volts hotter (!). The low power mode is identical in concept to the 5/17 switch, which is triode/pentode. The book says a single EL84 will do 1.9 watts in the triode mode, but they were assuming 250 volts on the plates; RKH's has well over 350. Who knows if I can keep it that high if I make more of 'em.

Other MAJOR differences include a choke in the power supply, making it infinitely quieter than the G5; a Hammond Mfg. 125CSE output tranny that sounds VASTLY better than the Mercurys used on the G5 (I've always suspected that the ones they sent me were wound for 4 ohms, not 8); an improved 12AX7 preamp which uses just a TOUCH of negative feedback and includes a clean/crunch switch that operates by disengaging the cathode bypass cap in the first gain stage... it's probably good for 7-8 watts at more than 10% distortion; the book says it sould do 5.7 watts at less than 4%, again assuming 250v on the plates. 8 watts is the limit of the OT.

All in all it sounds incredible - a universe away from the G5, maybe even a threat to the S17. I have enough junk to make 14 more like RKH's when the cabinets arrive... the question is, should I?

[Lil'Strat]

Originally Posted by RKHIII

It's a single EL84 like the G5 but to my ears, far superior and much more versatile. One word that comes to mind tonally with the amp is tight, especially the overdrive. I was told by a professional player friend today (who by the way loved the amp, thus continuing the streak of all who have heard it have loved it) that a lot of the tightness comes from the use of a solid state rectifier...may have to let Ritchie weigh in on that one since I don't pretend to know what makes this thing tick...I just know that I love what I hear. And yes, it has a switch that takes it down into the neighborhood of 2-3 watts...and it's a very dynamic and useful low-watt mode. I played it the other night for nearly an hour in triode mode with the volume setting below 1.

P.S. Magnus02, I'm the very happy owner of Super 17 #44.

Roy, buddy,

The Mark Three has the solid state rectifier; your "Super 7" has a 5V4...

RG

[RKHIII]

Originally Posted by Lil'Strat

Yes, it is a single EL84 like the G5, though geeked up to run nearly 100 volts hotter (!). The low power mode is identical in concept to the 5/17 switch, which is triode/pentode. The book says a single EL84 will do 1.9 watts in the triode mode, but they were assuming 250 volts on the plates; RKH's has well over 350. Who knows if I can keep it that high if I make more of 'em. Other MAJOR differences include a choke in the power supply, making it infinitely quieter than the G5; a Hammond Mfg. 125CSE output tranny that sounds VASTLY better than the Mercurys used on the G5 (I've always suspected that the ones they sent me were wound for 4 ohms, not 8); an improved 12AX7 preamp which uses just a TOUCH of negative feedback and includes a clean/crunch switch that operates by disengaging the cathode bypass cap in the first gain stage...

Yea, what Richard said. --R

Lil'Strat: << Roy, buddy, the Mark Three has the solid state rectifier; your "Super 7" has a 5V4... >>

Chris B. was the one that mentioned the solid state rec...he was probably getting it confused with the Mark Three. Like I said, it's all hieroglyphics to me until the little red light glows and the guitar gets plugged in. As long as YOU know whats in it Ritchie and can replicate it, it's all good.