I believe in the RSA23!!!

I bought a new RSA23 and a matching 4x12 cab from Fred. I've had it about 3 weeks and wasn't sure if I loved it. I mean, I liked it a lot, but I have other amps which sound great. Plus, it was quieter than my others and I wasn't sure it was would be loud enough for most gigs.

Then my band rehearsed and everyone commented on how it was my best tone ever, and the volume seemed perfect, hugh and full, but not obnoxiously loud. I loved playing through the amp, very reactive to what ever style I played and with any guitar. Primarily a Baker Jr. and B1 and Grosh Retro Classics.

So I took it to it's first gig tonight and the exact same thing, huge and full, perfect volume and killer tone. The two channels really complement each other and the pedals I used just sounded incredible. I could hear every nuance yet it wasn't too loud, just huge sounding. There were many guitar players there and they all were amazed at the tone. Most had never heard of Divided by 13, this is Reno afterall.

I run into the low gain inputs because they just sound better to me, less high end and fatter mids. I'm using a BJF Sea Blue Eq, a new Fulldrive II mosfet and a Landgraff for different boosts, an EBS reverb, a Deja Vibe, a Wizard wah, and a T-Rex Replica. I switch channels with a Lehle 3/1. The cab has the new Celestion Heritage G12Ms on top and the G12Hs on the bottom. Fred was happy when I ordered the 4x12 because he said he loves his amps through 4x12 cabs.

Anyway, I am absolutely floored by this amp. I currently own the following: 2 Connies, a K60, a Bruno Super 100, a Sex Amp, a 1965 Pro Reverb and a Tone King Imperial. The RSA23 is definately my go to amp setup. I will bring another head for backup, but I really don't need anything else. I may use the Imperial for a wet amp, which would also be the backup. Fred has something special going on with this amp and he told me a lot of love went into it. I waited about a month longer because he need to get some out to McCartney's band, kind of cool to me. :AOK :AOK

 

I had a 37 and the 23 is about 1-1.5 db quieter, but it seems to have stouter mids. I don't know, we play pretty loud but get away with it. I play some large outdoor gigs where there are large concert type flown arrays so we mic everything. I also have a Meyer sound system with Meyer 700hp subs and we mic everything in most clubs. I will use a Clearsonic 4x6 panel in front if I feel that the audience is getting blitzed by the guitar, but the RSA is a great volume as compared to the Connie. I also have an Ultimate Attenuator with two volumes which is use sometimes if I get complaints. The thing about my band is that we try to keep our volume so that it doesn't overwhelm the Leslie 122 that our keyboardist uses. He does mic it up a bit through his own sound system.

We play gigs, but fortunately, we won't take anything where we can't play the way we want. We all used to be full-time pros, but now we really only want to play if it is a fun place that we can just play music. Our band really has killer gear and I think the overall tone is so good and pure that it seems less irritating than a band with a distorting small PA and poor balance with players who don't have good dynamics. We actually turn down more gigs than we play. We mic all the drums and instruments, but mainly for fullness and not volume.

 

The Heritage combo sounds killer. I did not like the all heritage 30 combo, but the addition of the Heritage Greenbacks is amazing.

Ericb: The Meyers cost a butt load, but its a once in a lifetime investment. The problem is, some places make us use their house systems, like Berhinger, lol. Most clubs have never heard of Meyer, so they tell us their two Mackie 450s are killer. Oh well.

igi66: I hope you love the RSA, I sold my 37 because, to me, there were some mid frequencies that weren't there enough for me, not anymore.

Fred told me that he loves the 4x12 with Greenbacks for the RSA23 more than the 2x12 cabs. The 4x12 price was the same as the 2x12 price, so what the hell. I bought the cab unloaded as I had the speakers.

LeonC: Those clips kill me, very original. How does the RSA33 differ in tone and volume from the 23?

 

Sparkle,

Im using the low gain inputs on both channels, even with a strat. Just seems to sound better to me, less high end. These amps aren't that loud and I bet it sounds great through Greenbacks. You'll find that in a band context the volume is just right, yet you will have no trouble hearing yourself.

Lamont,

I've been HAMMERED at the office, everyone trying to get those fillings done before the New Year I guess. I'll call you sometime this weekend. What combination did you order on the Cornish Duplex?