Red Iron T-Rex

[fyrwyr]

I finally got my chance to play a Red Iron T-Rex last night.

Mark Potvin came down last night for a visit to my shop and brought that amp and some very fine guitars for me to check out; I gotta say that kind of gear can make a guy loose sleep!

The first guitar we plugged into the T-Rex was Mark's beautiful flame topped Tokai LP with Motor City Pickups (I forget which models). The touch response and overall character of the amp with Humbuckers was excellent with a nice top end to add some shimmer especially when rollong off the volume for chimey cleans.

The overdrive of this amp has a sweet and unique personality with a natural compression that feels great under the fingers. The harmonics and sustain is about the best I have heard in any amp in this class, in similar territory as the amazing Zagray which is saying a lot...

After crunching away happily for a while on the killer Tokai Mark pulled out his trusty Custom made Fibenare Erotic Regime Strat-sh guitar. I gotta say that this guitar messed me up pretty good and it took a while for me to let it go as I got lost in the effortless playability and surround-sound wash of it's amazing harmonics and resonance.

The T-Rex to my surprise handles the single coil tones equally well and I found myself a bit torn over what I would prefer overall...

I was quite surprised that after playing for a while Mark informed me that his T-Rex used 6L6's for power tubes which I usually HATE!!! Good thing he waited to tell me because it might have biased my opinion of the amp. Paul Sanchez has designed a 6L6 amp I actually love!!!

I highly recommend this highly versatile amp to anyone wanting a great single channel tone monster that works with your playing style and cleans up incredibly well with the guitar volume.

I "get it" now why that amp has made such a big stir since it's release a couple years ago.

Paul Sanchez, you have got quite a set of ears on you!!!

[Oz Hofstatter]

I agree with your post.
Paul Sanchez is a great builder and a such nice guy.
I had the pleasure to play the T-Rex (sounds like EL34's amp...) and it's a joy.
Cheers,
Oz

[mrmuzikhead]

What was supposed to be an hour visit to Bill's shop ended up going about 3 1/2 hrs! Bill didn't mention my reason for stopping by was in regards to placing an order for his new "Armstrong" P51. An amp he brought to the Nashville Amp Expo that really knocked me out. Also had a great time checking out several Ark amps. The Fibenare was really singin' through the 20 watt Ark 6V6 offering amongst others as well. Can't remember the model name (Model B?)but it was very sweet indeed. (The Motor City's in the Tokai were Blackbelt Alnico 4's BTW). Bill's a great guy and very passionate about what he does and his mutual respect and admiration for his peers does not go unnoticed. I'm getting stoked for the P51!

[Scoot]

I really hope to try a T-Rex sometime. Did it have the tone stack bypass switch on it? If so what are your thoughts?

Scott

[fyrwyr]

Originally Posted by Scoot

I really hope to try a T-Rex sometime. Did it have the tone stack bypass switch on it? If so what are your thoughts?

Scott

I'm not sure, Mark what's the word on that???

[mrmuzikhead]

no tone stack bypass on this one. I can't imagine what it would unleash! I think mine is bang on as is. I have it on my Mil Spec though where IMO makes more sense as it is a clean amp and the bypass enables it to drive the power section harder. Paul has done it on the T Rex for someone, you should ask him how that went. Mine does have a Pentode/Triode switch.

[Scoot]

Originally Posted by mrmuzikhead

no tone stack bypass on this one. I can't imagine what it would unleash! I think mine is bang on as is. I have it on my Mil Spec though where IMO makes more sense as it is a clean amp and the bypass enables it to drive the power section harder. Paul has done it on the T Rex for someone, you should ask him how that went. Mine does have a Pentode/Triode switch.

So, when it goes into triode mode does it drop the wattage drastically?

I'm interested because I'd love a Red Iron and am considering the possible options that can be added. I've contacted Paul recently and am considering having him make me a 20 watt Mil Spec with a tone stack bypass---But the T-Rex is so tempting, especially knowing how it can be cleaned up so nice with the volume knob on the guitar.

[fusionbear]

I used to own a T-Rex, one of the first ones that had EL34's in the power section. I wish I still had it, but at the time, I was hurting for money. I was unemployed and my store was barely making it. That amp is really an amazing tone machine. It reminded me of a cross between a tweed and a TW Express. Bloom for days, swirlies for days, gain for days...

Paul is a great guy and knows his stuff. Buy with confidence...

[fyrwyr]

Originally Posted by fusionbear

I used to own a T-Rex, one of the first ones that had EL34's in the power section. I wish I still had it, but at the time, I was hurting for money. I was unemployed and my store was barely making it. That amp is really an amazing tone machine. It reminded me of a cross between a tweed and a TW Express. Bloom for days, swirlies for days, gain for days...

Paul is a great guy and knows his stuff. Buy with confidence...

Well said...

[fyrwyr]

Originally Posted by mrmuzikhead

What was supposed to be an hour visit to Bill's shop ended up going about 3 1/2 hrs! Bill didn't mention my reason for stopping by was in regards to placing an order for his new "Armstrong" P51. An amp he brought to the Nashville Amp Expo that really knocked me out. Also had a great time checking out several Ark amps. The Fibenare was really singin' through the 20 watt Ark 6V6 offering amongst others as well. Can't remember the model name (Model B?)but it was very sweet indeed. (The Motor City's in the Tokai were Blackbelt Alnico 4's BTW). Bill's a great guy and very passionate about what he does and his mutual respect and admiration for his peers does not go unnoticed. I'm getting stoked for the P51!

This guitar has officially messed me up....

[mrmuzikhead]

Originally Posted by fyrwyr

This guitar has officially messed me up....

....hate it when that happens..........

[fyrwyr]

Originally Posted by mrmuzikhead

....hate it when that happens..........

The T-Rex is guilty of that too!

[mrmuzikhead]

You really need the matching Trabant car tho....

[fyrwyr]

Originally Posted by mrmuzikhead

You really need the matching Trabant car tho....

That is almost cute in a wierd sort of way...

[mrmuzikhead]

Originally Posted by Scoot

So, when it goes into triode mode does it drop the wattage drastically?

I'm interested because I'd love a Red Iron and am considering the possible options that can be added. I've contacted Paul recently and am considering having him make me a 20 watt Mil Spec with a tone stack bypass---But the T-Rex is so tempting, especially knowing how it can be cleaned up so nice with the volume knob on the guitar.

Sorry I forgot to reply here. Yes it drops the wattage down to about 15 watts. Just a couple DB in volume but it is slightly noticeable. The sound is less in your face but a little more complex harmonically. I'd recommend the TSB and Pent/Triode switch. Not sure that I'd do the TSB on the T Rex but Paul will make you whatever you like. Why 20 watts? That could change the character of this amp completely (I think). The Mil Spec and T Rex are 2 very different amps. They are however built on the same "platform" and have the Red Iron sound.