Thinking about going to one lower-watt amp w/ attenuation

[DMazanec9]

Hi Everyone,

I currently have a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1 x 12, and a Reverend Goblin. The Goblin is a very cool little amp, but I don't love it and have had some issues with the speaker jack and spontaneously vanishing volume (needless to say, not cool). The Ghia was love at first sound, but I bought her back in Cleveland, OH, when I had more space to let her roam freely. I now live in Manhattan, and find that other than an occasional Friday night gamble with the volume dial at 1.5 to 2, I just can't really play it. I've thought about getting an airbrake or brake-lite, but the reviews seem pretty mixed, and it seems to me that the Ghia's robust 18 watts aren't really going to be all that well tamed by one.

I'm playing an American DLX strat, but it's basically on death row, because any day now my first custom ordered guitar should arrive: a beautiful Suhr Classic T antique with a JSV bucker in front and the classic T pickup at the bridge. B/t/w -- I can't say enough about Eddie Berman at Indoor Storm, who worked with me in ordering the guitar. Great guy, class act, apparently flush with patience to address my countless questions promptly and with aplomb. I've never had better customer service -- for ANYTHING.

Anyways, for most of my time in NYC, I've found myself playing my acoustics more often, as I love to practice early in the a.m., and would like to also remain on good terms with my neighbors. I know that upon the Suhr's arrival, the acoustics are going to be taking a bit of a sabbatical. I don't really gig out much, but more just play at home and jam with friends here and there. I certainly don't need the Ghia's power, and I feel almost sad just watching her sit there without getting much use. Kinda like keeping a big dog locked in a basement.

Sorry for the lengthy background, but wanted to provide pretty full context. So, here's what I'm toying with and wanted to get some thoughts from you all on what to check out / whether this seems to make sense / etc... As much as I love the Ghia and still have some Cleveland pride (Z's shop is in Broadview Hts.), I think it makes sense to sell her, and I'm also probably going to sell the Goblin, because I just don't love it. Then, I think I'm gonna get a vox amplug to play in the 5-6 a.m. time frame, and pick up a new amp to cover all my other needs. It needs to do apartment/bedroom volume well, be loud enough (prob. 5 watts or so, I'm thinking) to jam with friends on occasion, including not being totally overwhelmed with drums. As much as I love the Dr. Z's sound, I also am kinda over hauling around a 50 pound combo, especially in Manhattan where nothing is easy. So, I'd really love to get something light. I also would like, if possible, to have reverb, and trem as well, though that is just icing on the cake in my view. Am looking for a combo that will take pedals well, but can also just roll to a jam with an OCD and a tuner.

From what I've looked at, it seems to me that the Swart amps are probably up my alley (right power, 15-20lbs., etc...). Same may be true for some of the Carrs (Raleigh in particular). I also really love the idea of attenuators, though I've never actually used one. Do they really work that well? Which ones can get the job done -- and are they better if built into the amp or stand alone? The Swart Atom or AST + night light looked like a good way to go. Or is it just a waste to spend that much money on a low watt amp like that and should I instead hold onto the Ghia for if/when I move back to bigger pastures and just drop $250 on a vox ACTV4 with the 8" speaker for light weight?

Would love to hear suggestions/thoughts/other amps to look at, etc...

I really appreciate any guidance you can offer. Thank you in advance.

Best,
Dan

[dapa78]

I used to live in an apartment in SF (with a new born), so I can relate to your situation. I had great experiences with a Swart STR with a brake-lite and a Swart Night Light. Both are great choices, but the NL can definitely do bedroom/apartment friendly volumes better for late night playing like you described. Neither of the two will tame the Ghia enough for a Manhattan apartment, but may be usable for a Mini Z if you want to stay in the Z camp. I also don't gig, and mainly play at home or at an occassional jam, and 5 watts to my ears is plenty of volume. I don't think spending good money on an excellent 5 watter is a waste at all, especially if you're not planning on gigging in the near future. Even if you are going to gig, or are planning on moving to a big house, having a great lower wattage amp for around the house will never feel like money down the drain.

Swart amps are great, but there are a whole host of other offerings that are great and may be less costly. Definitely buy used. You may also consider BF or SF Champs and Vibro Champs, both of which are excellent amps and can be had for less than a used Swart 6v6se.

Good luck!

[dspellman]

If you've got the bucks, buy a FluxTone speaker (google them).

It'll work with all of your amps, will reduce the volume up to 25 dB (the equivalent of running a 30-watt amp running at full chat down to 1/8th watt) without changing the tone, and you won't be stressing it in odd ways, as an attenuator might do (depending on the attenuation method). The Fluxtone does NOT attenuate your amp (attenuators mostly dissipate amplifier power as some combination of heat or motion).

[lang.murphy]

Unless you jam with a drummer who plays rather lightly, from all the posts I've read here, a 5 watter will need to be mic'd.

And a 5 watter without an attenuator will be way too loud for apartment playing unless your building has thick walls. I lived in Manhattan for twelve years and have a pretty good idea about apt. noise pollution.

I just picked up a used Aracom PRX150-P here in the amp emporium. Best attenuator I've had thus far.

Probably the most cost effective solution for you would be a dirt pedal to get apt level grind, day or night. Jes' my two cents.

Good luck!

[dumbell78]

I had a Star Nova amp that was just great for what you need. Its light & compact, 5 watts and has a great master volume. I went the attenuator route with my amps, and sold the Star Nova but if you want something light and grab and go it would work well. I think its only 17 lbs from what I remember, and the two level gain stages were sweet.

[Blackhawk]

I have had a couple of goblins and lots of other amps and was looking for a similar amp to what you described...I got a Kendrick So Lo 7, 7 watts with a built in attenuator, and headphone out...it is plenty loud to play with a drummer without being mic'd and you can even add a second power tube to get to 14 watts. I was going to sell mine a while back but it sounds so good that I couldn't let it go...Here is a link:

http://kendrick-amplifiers.com/Merch...gory_Code=0104

There are some great sound samples on the page...

[B_of_H]

just fwiw - I put a emi ramrod and some jj 6v6s's in my goblin and it was a HUGE improvement in sound and volume. Then I took out the ramrod (put it back in a super reverb) and re-installed the stock speaker...and couldn't use it anymore whatsoever for band practice. The difference is that huge.

Either the Ragin Cajun or Ramrod will make the Goblin a much more versatile amp.

[DMazanec9]

Thanks, all -- for the helpful and appreciated comments. The Kendrick looks like it may be in the wheelhouse, but I'm a bit skeptical about picking up an amp that I can't try first (it seems like they only sell direct?). I also really like the attenuator concept, and would go that route and keep the Ghia, but it's just too heavy to be fun to take anywhere (i know, i know, let my play my little violin too...). So, really, maybe the answer is something that is in the 10-12 watt range, plus an attenuator? That way I wouldn't have to mic with a drummer, but could also enjoy in apt. with a combination of attenuation and an OCD on low vol for grind. Trick is now to find something that is lightweight and meets those requirements. Any other recommendations? Goodsells look like they're pretty light? Maybe suck it up and go with a Dr. Z monza with the 10" and just shave 10-15lbs off the Ghia?

[Blackhawk]

The thing I like most about the Kendrick is the low wattage with the 12" in a light cabinet...I don't know what his return policy is but I would think that you could find him at some of the guitar shows and maybe try one out...Gerald is a decent guy and you can talk to him very easily via telephone...


Here is youtube video of me using it at a piano bar in 14 watt mode volume at maybe 1/2, Reverend Charger 290 into a Keeley 4 knob compressor> Mad professor LGW> TS-9 for a boost:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vlL_gyiT8Q

The clean tones of this amp really allow you to hear the gutiar's tone vs. the amp's tone. Here is a clip of the amp clean, Nash Tele through the Keeley:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1417878040041

[DMazanec9]

Thanks, Blackhawk. Appreciate the insight, as well as the videos. Will be keeping the Kendrick on the radar for sure. You don't happen to have any experience with the Savage Macht 12 do you? That was another recommendation made by a friend. I guess sometimes it is a good thing when you are suffering from option anxiety.

[Blackhawk]

Originally Posted by DMazanec9

Thanks, Blackhawk. Appreciate the insight, as well as the videos. Will be keeping the Kendrick on the radar for sure. You don't happen to have any experience with the Savage Macht 12 do you? That was another recommendation made by a friend. I guess sometimes it is a good thing when you are suffering from option anxiety.

Glad to help...and no, I don't have any experience with the Savage...It is good to have lots of options though...Good luck with the search!

[lang.murphy]

Keep in mind... most attenuators are going to suck the life outta your tone if the desire is to get natural, non-mv, power tube breakup at low volume. I don't recall reading whether you desired clean or dirty tones while jamming solo in the apt.

If you like mv amps... well, then the Egnater Tweaker sounds like it's right in your wheelhouse. Inexpensive and capable of mv dirt at low levels. No attenuator required. No clue what the combo weighs.

[GibsonLives]

Someone before mentioned an old Vibro Champ, but the Princeton Reverb has both reverb and vibrato, and my silverface with its 12 watts, while too much to crank full-out in a Manhattan apartment, sounds pretty sweet at bedroom volumers (though obviously nowhere near as dirty). Come to think of it, you won't be able to dime the Vibro Champ either; six watts is still far from quiet. Alternately, there's the Twister Dust Devil, a one thousand dollar, 12 watt amp with a Vari-Watt control that'll take you gradually ll the way down to one tenth of a watt. no verb or vibe on that one, but for four hundred more, the devil's deluxe will get you both of those Best of luck.
Steve

[Bikedude]

Keep the CG and buy one of his new 1X10 cabs and a Brake Lite. You can put your Ghia into the 1X10 cab and have a manageable tone machine for home or gigs that weighs in at around #35 with the Red Fang 10(upgrade). Then you could sell your big box CG cab, or keep it around and use it with your "new" mini 10 CG if you need to push more air. Versatality here for sure, and great Z sound.

[dspellman]

The Epiphone Valve Jr can be modified with a Bitmo 10-uator that can be built into the head/combo. Given the wide range of mods that are available for the EVJr (including the pricey Mercury Magnetics mods), it's a nice and very surprising home toy.

That said, this is the reason I went to modelers. First was a Korg PX3, which is a cigarette-pack-size battery powered (AC available) practice tool. Then came a Pod XT "bean" model. Then a Korg PX5D.

These days, there are three Pods; one of them lives most of the time in an Atomic Research 112-18, which is a tube-amp-powered (18 watts, EL84) single 12" speaker cabinet that has a bay specifically designed to organize the various inputs and outputs of the Pod. Plug the Atomic into the wall, plug the guitar into the atomic, flip the switch and you have an instant modeling amp with tube power. The Pods also work with a good set of headphones for those 4 am sessions when a cat on a scratching post will wake the light sleeper down the hall.

The Korg, however, is an amazing practice gizmo, and since you can take it and a set of earbuds and an iPod literally anywhere and plug in your guitar and wail, it's still a permanent fixture. At about $175, you have to check out the feature list (I'm not gonna publish it here):
http://www.korg.com/Product.aspx?pd=290



This is a cigarillo-case size gizmo (4.65" x 2.95" x 0.79") that runs on AA's (or AC) that has FX/amps/cabs models plus tuner plus bass patterns plus drum patterns plus phrase trainer plus iPod pass-through plus earphone jacks plus pitch shifter plus slower-downer and tons more. It includes a USB cable that allows you to record direct to a computer (software is included), etc. AMAZING.