Frankenstrat's Totally Myopic Amp Show Review

[Frankenstrat2]

NY Amp Show '09
The Show
This was my third year in a row attending. I’m very impressed with the job Loni Spector has done getting this show off the ground. It has been a hard year in a very tough economy, but not only has the show survived, it has managed to grow each year. This year’s show was the best ever in many ways- attendance, organization, quality, and user-friendliness.

Of course this is The Gear Page, and here its all about THE GEAR, but not for me. As with the ToneFests, it’s all about the people. That’s why I go. Where else can you spend a weekend hanging out in a hotel full of people that share your interests with passion, knowledge and ability? NOWHERE.

The Amp Show is what we tried to do with ToneFests over the years. On a small scale, ToneFests are terrific events, but on a large scale, they became cumbersome and frustrating. The AmpShow concept of an organized event with participants in individual hotel suites is the best of all worlds. Events such as NAMM are a bit daunting because of their size and commercial focus. The Amp Show seems to bridge the gap between a ToneFest and a NAMM show as the most fun and user-friendly event of the three. And of course, it is totally gear-centric.

I do think scale of the event has already outgrown itself as a one-day event. I was there from Friday afternoon through the entire day Saturday and Saturday night, yet there were still exhibits and products and people that I missed or didn’t have enough time to get to. If it’s possible for Loni to extend the show to two days I think it would benefit the promoter, the exhibitors and the public. And please move it away from Mother’s Day!

The Gear
Overall, the quality of all the participants has been increasing on an annual basis. There is really no room for mediocre products at this show, and there were hardly any. It is stunning to see how high the bar has been raised in the boutique gear industry.
It is also interesting to observe how the economy has influenced the competition and spurred the ingenuity of the merchants. Overall, the prices for top-notch boutique gear seem to be either stable or dropping. There is no doubt the builders are hungry for sales and eager to please. Several are now offering kit versions of their amps as a cost-cutting option for ambitious would-be builders. One company known for its exotic hardwood cabs plans to announce less expensive tolex cabs as an option. The Amp Show is a great place to cut a deal on the gear you really want to take home. Dealing directly with the builder instead of through a store or distributor is a plus in so many ways.

Gear I played and really enjoyed-
Bluetron's Blueverb-


As nice as these amps looked, I normally shy away from the typical tweed and blackface re-build type amps. This Nashville builder, Smitty, grabbed me and asked if I would try out his prototype of a 6L6 “D” flavored overdrive build- the cream tolex head and cab pictured to the right. It’s not a channel switcher, but rather two separate channels that can each be tweaked to the specs of the owner in the build process. He did mention that you could hook up an expression pedal and fade or combine the two channels to taste. Shades of O'Brien Amps! Except this one sounds GOOD! LOL. Really warm, fat cleans, and a nice smooth creamy overdrive side. A very nice build with great potential. If I recall, the cab was loaded with a vintage SRO. Loved it.

Sommatone- I first met Jimmy Somma at our big NYC ToneFest, and Jimmy is one of our most talented local builders who can really hang with the big boys. I’m always a fan of his builds and his newest one- the OD35 is no exception. I think he said it was his first 6L6 amp, and also was an overdrive type amp with a boost pedal- very sweet singing tone. I could see this one being a big hit.
Here's a shot of Dana Olsen putting one of Jimmy's amps through its paces


Red Iron Amps-
Paul Sanchez and I became friends last year at the Amp Show when his line of newly introduced mesquite wood hand-wired point-to-point amps grabbed our attention and refused to let go. Paul is so busy keeping up with his orders that he could manage to bring just one prototype of his newest build- his first EL-34 powered head with a stack bypass footswitch.

As with all of Paul’s other builds- these are the finest of the ‘just plug-in and let ‘er rip’ school. Red Iron Amps encourage you just play from the guitar and never touch the amp again once you turn it on. The other amp pictured to the left is my own ‘Red Sonja’. This was Paul’s 6550 prototype from last year’s show, introduced as ‘the Bronx’. However, after I bought her at last year’s show, we named her after my wife, and Paul has re-voiced her. I sent her on tour to LA for clips (check the website) and then on to the Tampa ToneFest. The increased clean headroom combined with the original girth and intensity of response really turned some heads at this years show. TGP’er, Alberob (Robbie) graciously loaned Paul his own Red Iron mesquite wood 1x12 cab, loaded with a well- broken in Scholz Sugarcone. That cab blew my mind. Paul said the magic comes from the fact that there isn’t a 90 degree angle to be found anywhere inside. Whatever. It sounded massive yet sweet. Really.

Blutotone- (no pix I could find)
Brandon’s room at the Amp Show always has a line to get in. I expect topless entertainment, but instead its Brandon and Alf Hermida with some of the tastiest and most in-demand gear in the show. The High Plains Drifter was the ultimate in clean headroom with no harsh tones to be found- just…more…of everything….good.
All of Brandon’s builds surpass expectations- still the ultimate in dead-nuts Dumble reproductions. A stunning group representing the best of the most-famous variations. Hard to choose. Collect them all.


Gig-FX-if you don’t know about these pedals, get to their website and listen to some clips. I picked up the Mega-Wah, a combination stereo multi-wah, volume pedal and envelope filter autowah.

This one pedal will free up my board of a Teese wah, a Goodrich volume pedal, and a very good envelope filter. I will actually have made room AND money just for buying this pedal after I sell off the aforementioned. That’s thoughtful design at its best! Oh- and its analog too. Check out the Chopper pedal clips. I was tempted. Very nice stuff!


Creation Audio- I met Sarge at last year’s show and immediately bought Holy Fire Pedal #04. Each of the people I raved to about it each now have one on their boards, and thanked me. For good reason.
My review still stands- its here:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=411667
While I don’t take free gear from people, Sarge asked me to be one of his beta test/consultants for a new, studio-quality compressor stomp box they are working on. Stay tuned….

Celestion- It was really a treat to meet Rick Skillman (Celestion101) and the Celestion crew. They were proud to introduce the new Celestion gold 10” at the show. We heard it first! How good is it?.... I’m saving up for a 4x10.



Many, many thanks to Gene from UltraSound in NYC ( pictured above) for bringing in the famous Tan EL34 Dumble and the Trainwrecks, along with the Brunos and the Komet. Those in the know (TGP members) had early warning that Celestion and Ultrasound were bringing in the goodies, and the Celestion Room became the must-visit destination. These guys couldn’t have been nicer and more welcoming. Notice the sh*t eating grin on my face. Looks like I just swallowed an Emmy Pro.




Biggest Buzz of the Show-
3 Monkeys-
Lance Keltner (Wichita) was working with Ossie and the 3 Monkeys team at the show.


It was great to meet him- another long-time TGP’er. Lance brought his own 3-M amp for people to try, but everybody seemed totally bowled over by the Orangutan model (to the right). The chatter about this amp during and after the show was huge. I really do love 6V6 amps. It was a very nice amp. I didn’t quite do monkey backflips, but maybe I needed more time with it. At under $2000 for the head I do see the appeal. Meanwhile Jack Devine seemed to have an epiphany over this amp, and as an official gear reviewer for TGP magazine, and someone I totally respect, Jack does have golden ears (and hands). This may be one you need to play yourself.

Something ‘not my thing’, but I ‘got it anyway”- sort of….

This thing- Powertone

I didn’t know these guys, -
You can’t tell from the picture, but it glows with menacing royal blue lights that pulsate to the intensity of the volume- not just in the amp head, but in the speaker cabs too! Two humongous Russian tubes mounted sideways behind a clear plexi shield. These bottles may have originally been intended for guided missiles. They were the size of Red Bull cans. An accomplished shredder-type guy was wailing on this rig- think Vai or Satriani. This rig is something ready for the stage set of American Idol, in the back-line of a major hit record tour, or any similar major-exposure big venue. If it was all flash and no substance, I would have thought it was just another pretty face. However, this rig sounded as stunning as it looked when played in the style it was designed for. If you can still look good in spandex, this might be the stage rig of your wet dreams.

The one thing that just annoyed the hell out of me-
Wizard Amps- Last year it was the guys with the 200w Marshall Major serenading the atrium. This year it was Wizard pounding away relentlessly the entire day with the door wide open. Great work guys!- You managed to annoy the hell out of many of the paying customers continually for 8 hours. Yeah, sure- ‘If its too loud you’re too old”, blah, blah. But hows about some consideration for the other exhibitors and their guests? Close the freakin’ door! That’s why you’re in a suite! Next year they should put you off in the other Ballroom where you can better indulge your 60’s flashback stadium fantasies at your own expense rather than everyone else’s. I would have liked to see that amp go over the balcony into the pond. Now THAT would have been a rock n’ roll moment for YouTube! IMO, of course. YMMV. LOL.

Best things about the show?

TGPers!!!

Hanging out with/hearing the most amazingly gifted players.
Dana Olsen

Dana was my 'roomie' for the show. He's all recovered from his surgery. Dana likes to walk around and complain how he has no chops anymore, and can't play like he used to. Then he will sit down on a borrowed guitar and proceed to throw out some of the most twisted tele stuff this side of the Mississippi. Love you bro.!

Bill Holter (babaji)

Bill was holding court in the Red Iron Room with a vintage Junior that was held together with gaffers tape and sounded like Gawd!. Dana is still talkin' bout it.

Mitch Farber (Farbarious) no pix- but Damn!

Chuck D’Aloia (cdaloia)

Buy his DVD!

John Findlay (JohnFindlay)
My hero. He can play guitar, keys, sing, write, arrange, produce.
Buy all of his CDs!

Harry Jacobson (HarryJ)
Seeing Harry play live, close up was experiencing a force of nature. If I lived closer, I'd take lessons. After seeing him at the jam I told him 'You're a bad,bad man!" No one bends strings quite like Harry. no one!

Jack Devine (jackaroo)
Jack was my player of choice for amp demos at the NYC ToneFests. He has that intuitive knack of picking the exact riff to make whatever guitar and amp he's playing through sound its very best. I understand he will be all over the new crop of Premier Guitar videos from the show. That will be a pleasure!

ScottL and Nicky Moroch,

Chops and taste. Mind boggling.




so many others who I can’t remember….

And of course, all our buds from the Gear Page Amp Show Breakfast Club who made the extra effort to crawl out of bed early on Saturday morning for the buffet. Hangovers notwithstanding, it was an awesome show.

Back row from left : Evan , Dana Olsen , Hansoloist , Frankenstrat2 , Craftmatic
second row : Jtodds , Stratovarius , Paul Sanchez , dsimms , bugman , Mac Daddy 355 , Tubeinmyhead , Joejazzguitar , Lance , Ossie
Bottom Left: Pinner , Alberob

All pix lifted from MadDaddy355's Amp Show pix thread.Brad is the Best!
Sell me your 335! Name your price!!!
Special Thanks to Scott Peterson and Brian Sherzer for allowing me to organize and post the TGP Breakfast Club thread on the Amps page.
Special Thanks to Loni Spector for inviting me to moderate the Pedal Pushers Forum.

[decay-o-caster]

Wow! Great report, Barry! Wish I'da been there...

[Frankenstrat2]

Me too! LoL!
I can't believe how much great stuff I missed and I WAS there!

[MikeyG]

Even though we never saw each other, we both walked away with a mega-wah ..... Couldn't get a bad sound from it whatsoever. My RMC3 will be up for sale ....

Cool cab and lighting effects for that Powertone, but I thought the tone was just horrid..... couldn't leave that room fast enough ..... icky poo.

I didn't get into Paul's booth at all this year. Paul, for goodness sake, put up a sign, or at least keep your door open!!

[Mac Daddy 355]

Give the dog a bone

[trisonic]

Ok, Baz, I promised to tell you (though I missed some of your demoing).
You sounded best to me through:

1. Liverpool c/w Bruno 2x10" Celestion Gold cab. I really really dig these new speakers.
2. Jim Somma's OD35 (that's the one pictured that Dana is playing through).

Thank you for not putting up the Quasimodo-like photo of me that the otherwise talented Brad took.

If next year could be two days (away from Mother's Day - not that I've got one but my Wife has) then I'd stay for three. My ears were getting tired by 2:00pm - in fact I had to leave the hotel and seek out a nearby Starbucks for an hour before then.

I agree it is the people that make it..........

Best, Pete.

[big mike]

Yeah I skipped LA this last year and missed seeing everyone myself. One of these times I'll hit NY and meet some east coasters. Dying to sit and chat with Pete, Hansoloist and some of the other east coasters.

And of course..find and pester Tag....

[hansoloist]

Very nicely done, Barry! Hell, I might just send my overblown review to the recycling bin. You've pretty much covered it all!

peace
-jeff

[les]

Great review!!!

Thanks for sharing your views and perspective....

[jackaroo]

Right on Barry-


Pretty much nails my opinion of the thing.

Great to see folks you know. Great to meet folks you've only "met" online...and last but not least the gear! It's like shooting fish in a barrel!

I'd like to see it as a two day event and also....a little tip....GET IT AWAY FROM MOTHERS DAY!!!!

My winners-

New amp design- 3 monkeys Orangutan,

Reproduction/Clone- tie between the Metro 68 plexi/Super Bass and the Bludotone - I liked the 6L6 non HRM the most.

Best sound I heard all day? Tan Dumble (OMG)

Best player I heard...easy- Mitch Farber. THAT Mother Fu@ker can play!

[Frankenstrat2]

Originally Posted by MikeyG

Even though we never saw each other, we both walked away with a mega-wah ..... Couldn't get a bad sound from it whatsoever. My RMC3 will be up for sale ....

Cool cab and lighting effects for that Powertone, but I thought the tone was just horrid..... couldn't leave that room fast enough ..... icky poo.

I didn't get into Paul's booth at all this year. Paul, for goodness sake, put up a sign, or at least keep your door open!!

Mike
Its not like its easy to miss either of us! We were just in different orbits this time I guess.
I didn't actually play the PowerTone, but the guy I heard sounded pretty '80's big hair good through it to me.
Thumbs up on the Gig-FX mega wah.

[MikeyG]

Originally Posted by Frankenstrat2

Mike
Its not like its easy to miss either of us! We were just in different orbits this time I guess.
I didn't actually play the PowerTone, but the guy I heard sounded pretty '80's big hair good through it to me.
Thumbs up on the Gig-FX mega wah.

Yeah, my RMC3 had so many tweaks, that I could never get it just right. The Gig-FX sounded good immediately ....

I knew I'd seen one before, and couldn't remember where .... Leonc has one on his board..... confirmed with Leon via email....

[Tag]

Originally Posted by big mike

Yeah I skipped LA this last year and missed seeing everyone myself. One of these times I'll hit NY and meet some east coasters. Dying to sit and chat with Pete, Hansoloist and some of the other east coasters.

And of course..find and pester Tag....

When you make a NJ ampfest, I will be there to take the pestering.

[fyrwyr]

I meant to get down to the Red Iron room again this year but just couldn't. I want to spend some time playing through his amps everyone is raving about

bc

[big mike]

Originally Posted by Tag

When you make a NJ ampfest, I will be there to take the pestering.

Cool. Another Raider fan to torment Jets fans. First round's on you.