Questions for DeArmond-Rowe / Martin amp owners

[Leonc]

Which model(s) have you owned?

Which did you prefer and why?

Did you own one of the models that featured tremolo, like the Martin 112T?

Really, I'm hoping to find someone who's owned both the tremolo and non-tremolo models, who can compare their clean and overdriven tones/personalities and the nature of the trem (from a users standpoint).

 

[slider313]

Leon, I have a DeArmond R15 and a Martin 112 but both are non trem models. I haven't had the pleasure of owning a trem model or a chance to hear one to compare. I'm going to guess the circuits tone is going to be the same unless the trem is engaged or, the amp has been modified to bypass the trem and use the extra 12ax7 in some sort of extra gain stage.

 

[kimock]

Which model(s) have you owned?

Which did you prefer and why?

Did you own one of the models that featured tremolo, like the Martin 112T?

Really, I'm hoping to find someone who's owned both the tremolo and non-tremolo models, who can compare their clean and overdriven tones/personalities and the nature of the trem (from a users standpoint).

I have four of the single 6V6, single ten inch DeArmonds, three with trem.
The tremolo is absolutely beautiful on those little amps, sounds like vibes. . .
The trem does load down the circuit compared to the non-trem version, and the trem does begin to wash out as you play louder, but that's just the way that is. It's still a great little amp.
So side by side, the tremolo doesn't have as much gain as the non-trem, but you can just pull that tube and they're pretty much identical.

I had one of the 2x10, 2 6V6 versions, it was crap. I've played a couple of the bigger DeArmonds and Martins along the way as well, very much prefer the single 10, single 6V6 version for the over the top gain and sag, and the very musical tremolo when played clean.

 

[Leonc]

Thanks for the replies fellers.

I'm always thinking about fun stuff to build and I've been considering building something like this (again) and figured I'd do bit of brain picking.

I've been reviewing the trem circuit and trying to understand it a bit; interesting about the gain drop...I've noted similar results removing the trem tube in some other amps too. I'm hardly an expert but it looks fairly unusual the way they're using the varistor (probably quite similar to those used in Magnatone's FM circuit) to modulate the bias on the gain stage. But it looks like it could be completely bypassed with a DPDT switch.

Sounds like the one to model is the single 10 model. I'll post back if I wind up going anywhere with this.

 

[kimock]

Thanks for the replies fellers.

I'm always thinking about fun stuff to build and I've been considering building something like this (again) and figured I'd do bit of brain picking.

I've been reviewing the trem circuit and trying to understand it a bit; interesting about the gain drop...I've noted similar results removing the trem tube in some other amps too. I'm hardly an expert but it looks fairly unusual the way they're using the varistor (probably quite similar to those used in Magnatone's FM circuit) to modulate the bias on the gain stage. But it looks like it could be completely bypassed with a DPDT switch.

Sounds like the one to model is the single 10 model. I'll post back if I wind up going anywhere with this.

Yeah, the little one. .
Bill Krinard and I spent some time chasing the DeArmond thing and came up short for lack of a proper OT. Nothing available at the time really sounded right, but that was ten years ago.
Good luck with that project, keep us posted!!

 

[A.M. Lowe]

LeonC, I have an ultra rare Dearmond Prototype Martin amp, and it was just looked over by Skip Simmons. You should talk to him, because he really gets this amp.

Here it is being played live (you can't see it, but you can hear it fine). I've got a princeton up there too for some reverb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q25NagxI-vo

 

[A.M. Lowe]

Here's where you can find Skip
http://www.skipsimmonsamps.com/

 

[Leonc]

Excellent clippage there AM Lowe, love it!

Yes, I've heard of Skip Simmons before; he gets lots of kudos around here. Thanks for the tip.

I did wind up building myself an amp that follows the Martin 112T schematic, pretty much. Here are a couple youtube clips.

 

[A.M. Lowe]

AWESOME! Sounds great!