Carol Ann Tucana fans, please show me some love!

[1954 Tele dude]

Dear Tucana lovers,

I have been jonesing for a Carol Ann amp since I signed up for this great page. At first, my heart was set on an OD2 with 6L6s. More research and an incredible deal on a Tucana from the very respected Distortion here on the forum, and I have changed my mind.

So what I am asking is, can some Tucana owners give me some reassuring feedback on this great amplifier platform? I'll be running it through a 1X12 cab loaded with an EVM 12L, and (Possibly) running it through my Marshall 1960ax loaded with stock greenbacks.

Thanks for any feedback.

[flcmcya]

Get one ! .......I hate both of mine.

My fav fo sho !


I run mine through a single with a 12l ...good

A 4x wth Scumbacks ....better

Get a 2x wth the EV and a Sugarcone..........its over the top.

[gtrs]

I've got both a Tucana and a OD2 loaded with 6L6's.
Both are killer and can do classic rock tones very well.
The Tucana is a bit more flexible live because of the 2nd OD channel which has a big low end and ample gain for modern tones.

Basically the main difference for me is the Tucana has a more modern voicing. The clean channel is easier to play than the OD2 (splittin' hairs). The first OD channel is nice and tight and the 2nd OD channel has more gain and is quite a bit fatter (think a good old Mesa meets a killer Marshall). I don't have a Tucana 2 but will have mine brought up to spec. The addition of a 2nd Master for Solo Boosts is brilliant and solves a lot of issues for live use. You can't go wrong with this amp if your doing lot's of covers. Plus, with the gain set low the 2nd OD channel has KILLER fat blues tones.

The OD2 is unlike any other amp I've owned or played, ever.
It's a fat, chewy blues/rock machine that with my KoT can do some high gain stuff too. But I wouldn't buy a OD2 for high gain tones (say higher than Joe B tones: IE Metal) I've played few amps that can be as fat yet still remain articulate as the OD2. Lot's of punch too, it's a amp that WILL NOT be leaving my stable. It's a Master at what it does, which, in my opinion is any combination of blues/jazz/rock.

I use EV's with my OD2 and Sugarcones with my Tucana and couldn't be happier with either. A 4x12 with Greenbacks might not have any cone cry with a Tucana but you'd probably have problems with 'em and a OD2.

Lastly, few talk about the CA clean channels.
They are absolutely stunning and are in no way an after thought in design or sound. Both amps can do thick, percussive cleans or beautiful, fat BF type tones. Extremely flexible clean channels on both amps.

You'll be happy with either amp.
Sorry for the long post............

[1954 Tele dude]

Dear flcmcya,

Thank you for your reply. Anyone who owns TWO Tucanas must be on to something great!

Dear gtrs,

And thank you too, sir. Please don't be sorry for what you described as a long post. It was very inciteful, and informative. I appreciate that.

I should have my Tucana and an EVM 12L by Thursday of next week. Then the learning and fun begins!

Again, a big thanks to you both!

[ib2010]

The Tucana is simply a great amp . ( i've got the tuc 2 ) Everything works as it should, tone controls are "right on the money and useful ) the pregain is just right , and the drive tones come up easy and are beautiful. You don't have to fiddle with stuff, it's right there and nearly automatic. Testament of a proper design , and execution .

[1954 Tele dude]

Dear ib2010,

Thank you for your post, and for building my confidence and expectations. Your description was clear, and I will apply your thoughts to checking the amp out, when I receive it.

God Bless!

[flcmcya]

Hey Tele.

You will love it !

An EV loaded 1x12 will sound Giant.

I have a Tuc2 and an OD2r and both are killer as soon as you turn them on ......a few tweaks and your good to go...great loop as well.

Pedals are also great..if you want to stay on the clean side.

They are both my number 1...... and I have a few.

[kingsxman]

Originally Posted by flcmcya

Get one ! .......I hate both of mine.

My fav fo sho !


I run mine through a single with a 12l ...good

A 4x wth Scumbacks ....better

Get a 2x wth the EV and a Sugarcone..........its over the top.

When did you get the 4x12 with scumbacks? How do they compare to the EV?

Big fan of the Tucanna II. I need one.

[flcmcya]

It's a long story..

How much time ya got....

EV/SC for the CA's hands down winner!

[wishkahdaddy]

If you want one of the most versatile gigging amps out there with a nice clean and great modern tone the by all means, buy one. Great little amps that cover a lot of territory.
Enjoy

[gtrs]

I've heard more than once that Lead 80's are killer with CA's and/or the Tucana too.
I LOVE Sugarcones with my Tucana but EV's certainly don't suck in any way shape or form with it either.

It's a world class tone machine, your gonna really like it a LOT.
Congrat's on your new amp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gtrs]

Originally Posted by Tone Loco

I know Alan and lots of other people swear by EVs but tonight I gigged my Tucana 2 through just the top G1265 in my 2x12 vertical cab and I got it sounding great, to my ears. I just like the edge I get from the G1265s and it's not hard working around the way that speaker colors things, at least to me. The Tucana has a really effective set of controls so I ended up in the same neighborhood as I get into with an MC90 in an open back.

Speaking of controls the Tucana has Great cleans, and a couple toggles that instantly change the character of that channel from a big bold clean to a fender scooped clean, complete with the ultra highs if you want them. And the OD channel controls with the footswitch seem to cover everything I want in that department too. The boost/ 3rd channel doesn't have separate controls but it doesn't need them. You set the level and kicking the boost just does what you think it should! And the liquid lead stuff is so fun

One thing is for sure, your guitar's nature really shines through with this amp. Tonight was the first time I played it with P90s and it Slayed! Maybe it was the combination of the g1265s and the p90s...


Anyhow, to the OP, don't worry, be happy!


Its a great amp that does a lot of things really well without having to mess with the front panel.

The Tucana isn't as picky about speakers as the OD2's, so I'm not totally surprised that the 65's worked for ya.
Might have to give 'em a try down the road myself.
Thanks for mentioning it!

At what volume where you playing?
No cone cry?

[1954 Tele dude]

Dear Tucana gurus,

I am very grateful for the education I am getting from all of your posts. Thank you very much. I can't wait to get Tucana!

[1954 Tele dude]

Dear posters,

Thank you for your insight. I have been playing my Tucana off and on all weekend. I must say, it is a remarkable amp. A HUGE thanks to Distortion, who sold it to me. A truly class act of a person, I received this mint condition amp with lots of great advice.

Originally, I was looking to get an OD2. I am not disappointed in the least in this amp. The best thing is, I play in several cover bands with +- 20 watt amps. All good ones... Reinhardt, Divided by 13, 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, even an Egnater Tweaker. All the amp I need. The Master volume on the Tucana will allow me to use it with an Avatar 112 cab loaded with an EVM 12L speaker that I bought here from Reverb. Another great guy.

I had read of the effectiveness of the Carol Ann master volume circuitry. Everything I read is true. Sure, this is a great sounding amp when kicked in the pants a bit, but it is also a great sounding amp when the db is lowered to the stage levels that the bands I am in play at.

In closing, I am one happy guitarist. Thanks to all for the always helpful, sage advice!

[flcmcya]

Glad yer Diggin it Tele ....Mines going nowhere !