18w Madness and my personal stimulus plan.

[Samsun19]

Hi Friends,

1st, I just want to reintroduce myself....... For the last several years, I've been a full time music/guitar teacher and haven't been buying any new tools. Sold my pro rig years ago, and last time I was hanging out here, I landed on a Carr Merc.

I just want to say, this board Rocks...... so many talented and well informed members sharing there knowledge. And the vibe and the spirit here........ is very cooooooool.

Thank You All.

BOT.

With my concern about the economy, I've decided to spend some money to do my part to help with the recovery..... Just ordered a set of Don Mares....... And a new guitar and amp seems like the least I can do to help the cause.... (btw I'm not kidding, students are coming and paying for lessons, I feel like I have to make an effort. I just bought new furniture for the same reason.)

Now, I'm gassing for different flavor....... Lurking around TGP, and wow.... there are some cool new amps. I've been searching, and following vids etc, but haven't found a concrete answer to this...............

Very interested in Power scaling technology, need to keep the volume low in my teaching / recording studio apartment.

So, for those who may know....

My reference for low volume, or bedroom tone is my Carr Merc. Excellent amp, and I plan to keep it.

How low do these awesome new amps go down in volume, compared the whisper Merc?

Suhr Badger 18 w/ PS

Suhr Badger 30 w/ PS

Fargen Mini Plex MKII w/ PS

Reinhardt 18 w/ PS

AND is there any chance that new Bogner Seco Mojado has a PS option? Not sure how that one works. I could see this possibly replacing the Carr Merc.

Man, am I floored by the all the great new guitar tools.

Any info people have to offer would Really be appreciated.....

Sam

 

[Nuclearfishin]

Welcome back to the forum! Unfortunately I can't speak to the amps you have listed above, but I do have an 18w Budda head that totally rocks! I just bought an Ultimate Attenuator after trying out a friends and it's unbelievable--no kidding the best equipment I ever bought besides my guitar and amp. You can get whisper quiet and still have amazing tone. It's hard to describe but before you plunk down cash on any head, you might want to try the UA. Once you try it you'll see you can have any head in the world at whisper quiet volume and higher and never lose tone.

Cheers!

 

[schwa]

I was interested to read your post, these are interesting times in that there are more options than ever in terms of low volume tube goodness.

I have a Mercury myself, and I wonder if you have explored some of the options there. I have retubed mine with NOS Mullards, and dropped in a Celestion Blue, and it's much more than it was before.

In terms of an addtional amp, have you considered the new Blackstar? I understand that the UA is a great piece of gear, but the Blackstar (with it's master volume) let's you dial in some greqt high gain tones at modest volumes.

 

[Samsun19]

Hi Nuc,

Thanks for the welcome....... And info.

Budda, and or UA.....? I'll put those on my research list. I've read a little about the UA, but never really dug in (research wise) to them.

The attenuators of the past, there was a price to pay for volume reduction. Headroom, highs etc. I guess compression is what I'm thinking.

It appears from watching/listening to the new PS tech vid/audio samples is, they retain the chime and vibe. I realize that a live demonstration is the only way to really tell.

So, your saying the UA keeps the magic all the way down?

Welcome back to the forum!

........ have an 18w Budda head that totally rocks! I just bought an Ultimate Attenuator after trying out a friends and it's unbelievable--

Cheers!

 

[innocent_bystander]

Check out the badger 30
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/512126

 

[bgriffin]

I own the badger 18, great amp. I can get it so low that I can hear my electric over the amplified signal. Very cool and a nice Voxish tone.

 

[Samsun19]

Hey Schwa,

I appreciate the reply.

I have to agree about the wonderful choices.....

I'm so glad you shared about your Merc. You're in a position to answer a question regarding those upgrades.

I'm wondering how much the volume changed with those upgrades?

And did you lose some of the original Merc qualities, headroom, sparkle and chime, to get that extra gain?

Mullards, warmer and faster to break up?

I always think of the C blue as being a sweet speaker, but I hesitated dropping one in my Merc, because I didn't want to have the volume increase.

I was thinking I would keep the Merc, and get a second amp for a different flavor.

Blackstar? Added to the list.

I have a Mercury myself, and I wonder if you have explored some of the options there. I have retubed mine with NOS Mullards, and dropped in a Celestion Blue, and it's much more than it was before.

 

[Samsun19]

Thanks for the link, Astigtigas.

Actually, I found that thread/link and a couple of excellent demonstration videos on YT by "Pete Thorn" this afternoon, and immediately emailed them to a friend LOL

But, this link..... by PmcC, that you shared, man..... that's really cool.... what a tone! And a solid player.

I'm hoping someone will chime in here and set me straight on "How Low" the volume will go on the Badger 30?!?

Check out the badger 30
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/512126

 

[Samsun19]

Hi Bg,

Thanks for your reply, thats exactly what I was wondering......

And does it keep the magic all the way down, or does the signal square out on the way?

I own the badger 18, great amp. I can get it so low that I can hear my electric over the amplified signal. Very cool and a nice Voxish tone.

 

[farlowhigh]

the Badger will get down to less than half a watt and still sound really good...of course the ear hears things a bit differently at really different volumes and the pushing air effect can't be exactly replicated but the Badger sounds great at very low volume and the ability to dial it in exactly and not have to worry about just a few options (2 watts or half a watt or a tenth, eg.) is very nice...the Reinhardt is another great amp and the power scaling is really effective on that....the Badger has more Voxy elements especially in the cleans while the Reinhardt is more Marshally but has the best Marshally cleans I have ever heard...you couldn't go wrong with either one and it just depends on what tones you are looking for.

the power scaling really works incredibly well as long as you have appropriate expectations..the Fargen Miniplex II could be brought way way down in volume and I thought that was the most impressive thing about that amp. I owned one for a while but I just didn't bond with it and I didn't like the cleans as much as the Badger or Reinhardt. I loved the versatility of the Fargen but wasn't crazy about it when it was turned up. For my money, the Reinhardt does prefer to be turned up more than the Fargen but I like the tone of the Reinhardt better...beautiful rich cleans...if I want very low volume overdriven tones, I generally use the Badger but I use the Reinhardt more overall...

Reeves also makes some amps with power scaling that would apparently put you more in the Hiwatt area although I haven't played one in person...

the Goodsell Super 7 has a beautiful chimey EL84 clean and has a 2 watt/7 watt switch...the 2 watt setting is not very loud and the cleans are great. not all that much gain on tap and so mostly a clean amp for me...no power scaling but probably not needed on this one.

the Reinhardt 18 is the best 18 watt style amp I have played and the cleans are great...and the power scaling works really well. the Badger has some definitely mixing of Vox and Marshall...also beautiful just a bit different...the videos of the Badger are very representative of the amp...the Pete Thorn demos are excellent and the clips on suhrguitars.com can demonstrate the power scaling well.

good luck in your search!

Eric

 

[Frankenstrat2]

Welcome back to the Forum!
I just had my first experience with the Ho Ultimate Attenuator at a recent TGP get together. From what I understand is an awesome piece of gear that can tame most any amp down to bedroom levels and preserve all of the tone and feel without getting involved in Master Volumes or Power scaling. I own several 18 and 20w amps, and none sound the same with a master volume. The UA not really an attenuator, but a re-amping device.
A search here for Ultimate Attenuator will yield tons of info. I think its worth looking into considering your interests.

 

[drewl]

You need to buy my marshall 18w clone I built so I can buy a Digitech GSP1101 so I can stimulate the economy

 

[Samsun19]

Hi Eric,

Thank you for such a well thought out and thorough reply.

the Badger will get down to less than half a watt and still sound really good...of course the ear hears things a bit differently at really different volumes and the pushing air effect can't be exactly replicated but the Badger sounds great at very low volume and the ability to dial it in exactly and not have to worry about just a few options (2 watts or half a watt or a tenth, eg.) is very nice...

At low volumes, whether it's PS or xxx, you lose the room tone, and that's why these videos and audio clips have to be taken with a grain of salt. I think I get your point.

...the Reinhardt is another great amp and the power scaling is really effective on that....the Badger has more Voxy elements especially in the cleans while the Reinhardt is more Marshally but has the best Marshally cleans I have ever heard...you couldn't go wrong with either one and it just depends on what tones you are looking for.

I'll have to dig deeper on the Reinhardt.

FWIW, for reference, back in the day.... I had a KILLER Dream Matchless rig. All very early 90's ... SC30 and/or C30 cab, a very rare early Clubman w/6SH7, 2x12, RV1 and a hotbox. And the C30 w a 2x12 could do the vox thing great.

The Badger does have some jangle. But, so far, I'm not hearing that much of a vox vibe from the videos/clips. I know pups, speakers, etc.... Just saying.

And yes, they're both Very cool tools.....

the power scaling really works incredibly well as long as you have appropriate expectations..the Fargen Miniplex II could be brought way way down in volume and I thought that was the most impressive thing about that amp. I owned one for a while but I just didn't bond with it and I didn't like the cleans as much as the Badger or Reinhardt. I loved the versatility of the Fargen but wasn't crazy about it when it was turned up. For my money, the Reinhardt does prefer to be turned up more than the Fargen but I like the tone of the Reinhardt better...beautiful rich cleans...if I want very low volume overdriven tones, I generally use the Badger but I use the Reinhardt more overall...

I noticed what you're saying about the highs on the Fargen, and agree.

The Goodsell has a great voice....

Thanks for the good advice and goodwill!

Sam

 

[Samsun19]

Hi Frank,

Welcome back to the Forum!

Thanks man....

I just had my first experience with the Ho Ultimate Attenuator at a recent TGP get together. ..........

The UA not really an attenuator, but a re-amping device.
A search here for Ultimate Attenuator will yield tons of info. I think its worth looking into considering your interests.

That's it!!

After hearing you guys talk about the UA, I really dug in to it......

And times have changed. I think I was locked into my negative experiences with attenuators of the past, and that prevented me from giving the UA/HO a fair shake.

But, there NOT a attenuator as I experienced before........ "They're a Re-Amping device".

And even though, I hear a little color change in the demos, who cares! They are worlds better than the attenuators I had tried years ago.

Thanks guy's!! I get the UA/HO obsession now.

I'm starting to wonder what my Merc would sound like with one....... LOL

And as everyone's been suggesting, I could buy a non PS amp and a UA/HO and probably get what I'm after.

Sam

 

[katuna]

I didn't think the Suhr 18 had that voxy of a vibe. More marshallish. It does sound great at whisper volumes though. Ho attenuator does too.

 

[FFTT]

My neighbor just picked up a Badger 18 head. Very cool!

The choice in 18 watts is overwhelming.

Suhr 18
Reinhardt 18
Category 5 Tsunami 18
Reeves Custom 18


18 watts is PLENTY loud for students!

With power scaling, I'd love the

Suhr Badger 30
Reeves Custom 30
Reinhardt 33

For Ultra light carrying 0-30 watts
Viking Amps Pillager.

 

[Samsun19]

I didn't think the Suhr 18 had that voxy of a vibe. More marshallish. It does sound great at whisper volumes though. Ho attenuator does too.

Thanks for the input....

"marshallish"..... I agree.

.... The choice in 18 watts is overwhelming.

Suhr 18
Reinhardt 18
Category 5 Tsunami 18
Reeves Custom 18

And it's getting bigger LOL......

Cat 5 & Reeves added to the list.

18 watts is PLENTY loud for students!

The 18 ____ OR 30______ will be for ME! I don't have students playing any high end gear.... unless there recording.

And I'd like to have a amp to jam around town with on occasion.

With power scaling, I'd love the

Suhr Badger 30
Reeves Custom 30
Reinhardt 33

For Ultra light carrying 0-30 watts
Viking Amps Pillager.

Thanks for sharing!

Am going to check those 30 watt-ers out too.

Sam

 

[Samsun19]

Wow, this is great...... you guy's are really helping me out here.

I'm STILL buying an amp!

But, I have to say..... This UA/HO "device" has got me all up in a twist.... LOL

I might pull the trigger on one in the morning if I can get some phone time with those guys.

I'm Really interested to hear one with my Carr Merc!

I love the Merc wide open the best..... and even though the Carr att/watt manager is cool. It does change the color more than I would like sometimes. And the watt pre sets don't seem to hit the sound level sweet spot for my situation.

So, as funny as it may seem..... I'm going to try a UA/HO with a Merc. I think thats the best, and fastest way for me to learn about those. And then I can try it out on whatever my next amp is.

I did read a bunch of threads on these, but if anyone has some input on options etc, that would be great.

From what I gathered, the HO is just as good as the UA, though it may not be as neat> on the inside?

 

[Samsun19]

I just pulled the trigger on a HO.

And I have to say, I am blown away by YuKong Ho!!!

What a very cool cat he is...... A real kind spirit, a gentleman, and generous with his time, almost to a fault.

If the product is a reflection of the man, which I believe it will be, the Ho attenuator should be terrific.

Hmmmmmm FUN

 

[Frankenstrat2]

I recommend you send a PM to Jackaroo about the options he ordered on his UA.
barry
good move, by the way.