Stephenson Amps

[CBeeper]

Anyone try these? I'm really curious about the mis-matched tube and scaling concepts?


http://www.stephensonamps.com/home.htm

 

[Scottone]

I've ordered a custom amp based on the LJ-15, so I'll post a review once I get it. I have a London Power Studio amp with Power Scaling and it's made me a big beleiver in that feature.

Originally posted by CBeeper
Anyone try these? I'm really curious about the mis-matched tube and scaling concepts?


http://www.stephensonamps.com/home.htm

 

[CBeeper]

Thanks for the reply. Are you getting the custom green tolexed combo I saw a picture of? How does the power scaling differ from a normal master volume?

 

[Scottone]

No, the one I'm getting looks like a normal LJ-15 but has only one channel on the power-amp section, no effects loop, and no footswitchable features.

In simple terms, the Powerscale enables you to change the maximum wattage that the power-amp section can deliver. This enables you to overdrive the power-amp section at variable levels of loudness.

A master volume on the other hand, controls the amount of drive signal being applied to a fixed wattage power amp section. Therefore, the power-amp will generally only be overdriven at higher volume levels, and remain fairly clean at low and medium levels of loudness.

The Maven Peal amps are another option you may want to look at if you want to go this route. They use a different technique to provide variable wattage (and power supply sag). I've never heard one myself, but there has been a lot of positive things written about them on this board.

Hope this helps...

 

[riverastoasters]

Originally posted by CBeeper
Anyone try these? I'm really curious about the mis-matched tube and scaling concepts?


http://www.stephensonamps.com/home.htm

I have an early model 40 Watt reverb head. It's a great amp. He's added a couple features since mine. People once asked me what I thought of it here and this is what I told them:

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/75064&highlight=Stephenson

 

[CBeeper]

Thanks guys. Very informative stuff. I'm glad to see your post didn't get nasty on the technical stuff. The potential certainly was there. Time to do more homework.

 

[The Whiz]

I've not played nor heard one, but I've got to say the switchable 2 channel power amp idea is a great idea. I love the idea of switching from a cranked up low wattage tone to a cleaner higher wattage tone. All in one amp. Great idea.

Now what do these Stephensen amps sound like? I've got a Mesa Blue Angel where I can combine el84's and 6v6's and it doesn't sound very good combined IMO.

taco

 

[Five Horizons]

I, too, love the idea of a clean channel that can be run at higher wattage than the overdrive channel, but $4200? Dang... that makes amps like Divided By 13 and the Suhr OD-100 look like Pignose prices.

 

[CBeeper]

Originally posted by the_Chris
I, too, love the idea of a clean channel that can be run at higher wattage than the overdrive channel, but $4200? Dang... that makes amps like Divided By 13 and the Suhr OD-100 look like Pignose prices.

They are a bit pricey. The 30 watt head is listed at $1650. I guess that could be managable if the tones was there to back up the price.

 

[The Whiz]

Yeah, I was thinking aoubt the 30 watt head for $1650. I wouldn't pay over $4K for an amp unless it...well...never mind. Not for this board.

 

[CBeeper]

Yes I know.......When I say a 4K amp blows. I'd have to mean it and I ain't talking fuses baby!

 

[riverastoasters]

Originally posted by CBeeper
Yes I know.......When I say a 4K amp blows. I'd have to mean it and I ain't talking fuses baby!

Well it was cheaper when I got mine, and the current one has a few more features.

The word is probably out about Mark since Nickelback and Mutt Lange were about half his customers. Ours was on loan for over a year (a record only eclipsed by the Bogner Metropolis Reverb which is getting to pry out of his fingers stage).

I'd have to say that it's an expensive amp. But it is a really great amp.

 

[Cvt]

I have owned the 30 watt for about 2 years now. These are very different beasts. With the power scaling and switch options it takes a bit of time to figure it out. I have many other top notch amps so I have good comparisons along with a very sweet 1971 super lead 100. My take on the Stephenson is a 50 watt plexi meets a trainwreck. There is ample amounts of good gain available not heavy metal whatsoever but more like VH-2 if that makes sense. It gives you that very thick power tube distortion not preamp distortion. My personal word to describe the low end is twanky...that nice articulate spank crossed with a twang. It is as if you are hearing cleans through the gain...hard to describe but it is "the" tone most Marshall players try to achieve. With the bright switches engaged you can really control everything with your guitar volume like a Trainwreck and it cleans up to a sparkle with your volume down unlike most Marshalls. Without the any of the switches engaged it gives something of a JTM 45 dark sound but cool in its own right. I really dig this amp because of the ability to tube swap or tube combine. Running a KT66 and a 6v6 gives you some pretty unique but very cool tones but I have tried them all and can't decide which I like best due to my changing tastes....that is really the appeal of this amp....you can quell you desires for a new amp by simply tube swapping. Now you can run el84's only or any octal tube only or combine the 84's with your octal tube combo choice. Then there is pentode and ultra linear....just on and on but it lives up to its intnded purpose. This is one amp I will never get rid of due to its flexibility. Now I have to say this....I am associated with Mark on an other business of tone adventure primarily due to his genius in circuitry. I am only making this statment so that my review can be taken seriously. This is indeed my opinion of a great amp and I am not pimping it out in any way. I have other amps such as the Swart AST which is just an amazing amp and a Gjika KT77 which is also in a league of its own. The Stephenson fits in that Marshall category but I can say between it and my Super Lead I would take the Stephenson.

 

[Cvt]

I forgot to mention, when I spoke to Mark last he informed me that Fred of Fred's guitars who is an avid amp collector owning Dumbles and Trainwreck's told Mark that his Stephenson 30 watt is the best sounding amp he owns.

Confirm with Mark about that but I found that to be very interesting and very flattering to Mark I am sure.....don't shoot the messenger. Also my review is of the new 30 watt head not the 40 watt or any of the LJ models.

 

[Billy Blooze]

I'm looking for an LJ-10 - if anyone has one to sell please PM me .

Billy