1. The Gear Page is run by musicians for musicians. We listen, we learn and if we misstep we are not afraid to do the right thing. We proposed some changes to the Emporiums. Based on feedback from members, we have decided to not go ahead with those changes. However, it has also highlighted that we need some community input into what is working and what is not working for members here. Primarily focused on the Emporiums, we'd like input on your thoughts about TGP and how things work in the Emporiums for you and how you'd improve them. The discussion thread on the is here!

    Dismiss Notice

is single-ended the secret to touch response?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs' started by PRNDL, Mar 18, 2008.

  1. Mar 18, 2008 #1
    PRNDL

    PRNDL Member

    Messages:
    502
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2007
    Location:
    SW Florida
    In my quest for tone, I've designed and built several push-pull amps (6V6, EL84, 7868 and 6AK6 output tubes), and have tried several types of coupling caps (orange drops, Mallory yellows, paper-in-oil, teflon and vintage).

    My latest build is a 1 watt single-ended 6AK6 amp that I call the Tweed Mini Champ. I think the sound is absolutely fantastic. Here are some clips using a Samick Les Paul copy with DiMarzio Tone Zone and the PAF Pro pickups (no effects).

    http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Amps/Sounds/MiniChamp/Breakdown.mp3
    http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Amps/Sounds/MiniChamp/Superman.mp3
    http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Amps/Sounds/Fanton1.mp3

    I also have a push-pull 6AK6 amp that sounds great, but it's not as dynamic as the Mini Champ.

    http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Amps/Sounds/DynaMite6AK6_1.mp3
    http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Amps/Sounds/DynaMite6AK6_2.mp3

    Here's the web pages for the amps
    http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Amps/MiniChamp.html
    http://www.naturdoctor.com/Chapters/Amps/DynaMite.html

    I've heard that single-ended amps are more dynamic, and that push-pull amps have that "big" sound. This does seem to be true with my prototype builds.

    Have you found this to be true, or does it depend on the amp?
     
    PRNDL, Mar 18, 2008
    PRNDL, Mar 18, 2008
    #1
  2. Mar 18, 2008 #2
    Miles

    Miles Member

    Messages:
    3,979
    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    Location:
    Colorado
    I have found any tube amp well pushed to sound 'big'. It almost sounds like the guitar is actually blossoming. The actual notes seem to resonate and ring. In front of a mic, through a mixer, you can make just about any tone sound good or "big", but mic's naturally seem to love a pushed amp at reasonable volume. You don't have to worry about signal clipping and it gives live tone some breathing room. This is why many lower wattage amps are used. I prefer the crispness and response lower wattage (5-30) watt amps for any genre due to the response. There is nothing wrong with other higher wattage amps, but I just don't enjoy the sound or volume level demands since I like to get a good mix of everyone on stage, not just my own guitar.

    I have also heard a lot of push/pull amps not pushed enough on the power amp side sound small and unresponsive.

    With single ended amps, there is something more simplistic and more "un-doctored" about the tone. I actually prefer that kind of tone for any sort of music simply because of the response.

    Tone, in my opinion, is not only about the actual sound, it has to do more, for me, with how it feels to play.

    When it comes to the actual physics and reasoning, I have no clue.
     
    Miles, Mar 18, 2008
    Miles, Mar 18, 2008
    #2
  3. Mar 18, 2008 #3
    DavidH

    DavidH Member

    Messages:
    2,373
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2006
    I find single-ended amps to be the most dynamic and expressive,for me.Love 'em.and you get a direct,straight-through kind of feel and clarity that's only there in simple single-ended amps.I find them addictive and fun.

    Mini Champ sounds great BTW,good job!
     
    DavidH, Mar 18, 2008
    DavidH, Mar 18, 2008
    #3
  4. Mar 18, 2008 #4
    DanD

    DanD Member

    Messages:
    320
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2007
    DavidH,
    My 59 bassman circuit w/four broken in 10"s, good tubes dialed in, a good overdrive, a good clean boost, and a beat up tele or strat.
    Turn it up, set tone to taste.
    A soft touch, spank it hard.
    I just can't get enough of it.
    Just like everyone else.

    Good luck,
    DanD
     
    DanD, Mar 18, 2008
    DanD, Mar 18, 2008
    #4
  5. Mar 18, 2008 #5
    KarlH

    KarlH Member

    Messages:
    650
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2002
    Location:
    Orange Co,CA
    Nope... the SNIDER amps are cathode biased 2xel-84 amps and they are among the most touch sensitive I have played.
     
    KarlH, Mar 18, 2008
    KarlH, Mar 18, 2008
    #5
  6. Mar 18, 2008 #6
    wbfree

    wbfree Member

    Messages:
    175
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2007
    Location:
    Bend, Oregon
    Prndl and all
    Not the player that you'll are but this is true of my present amps. I have a Mesa Boogie 5:50 and a single ended Stephenson Octal amp in which I am running a JJ 6V6 at the moment. Guess what the amp cover is on. This little LJ-5 is one nice amp.

    It's always better for your health to find a single woman.:D
     
    wbfree, Mar 18, 2008
    wbfree, Mar 18, 2008
    #6
  7. Mar 18, 2008 #7
    plexi67

    plexi67 Member

    Messages:
    360
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2004
    plexi67, Mar 18, 2008
    plexi67, Mar 18, 2008
    #7
  8. Mar 18, 2008 #8
    John Coloccia

    John Coloccia Cold Supporting Member

    Messages:
    9,516
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2007
    Location:
    Connecticut, outside of Hartford
    To me, touch response = ridiculous amounts of gain and coupled with TONS of headroom.
     
    John Coloccia, Mar 18, 2008
    John Coloccia, Mar 18, 2008
    #8
  9. Mar 18, 2008 #9
    fusionbear

    fusionbear exquirentibus veritatem Gold Supporting Member

    Messages:
    9,898
    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2007
    Location:
    Deep in the OC
    My TW clone that i built has bloom and touch response and is push/pull
     
    fusionbear, Mar 18, 2008
    fusionbear, Mar 18, 2008
    #9
  10. Mar 19, 2008 #10
    Rod

    Rod Tone is Paramount Silver Supporting Member

    Messages:
    17,049
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2004
    Location:
    Area 51
    Single ended or Pure Class A
     
    Rod, Mar 19, 2008
    Rod, Mar 19, 2008
    #10

Share This Page