This amp KILLS!!

What model Gemeni? I have a Gemeni I that is incredible (1X12)
and my brother has a Gemeni 2 that is also amazing (1X15").
Those old Ampegs are no joke and are absolutely the best bang
for the buck for the past 30 years. Listen to the Stones "Get
Your Ya Ya's Out" live album. That was when they were in their
Ampeg glory days.

Turn that Gemeni up past 1:00 O'clock and watch out!!!!

 

So it'll get that live 'Midnight Rambler' tone?? That's one of my favorite live guitar tones....

$350 huh?? hmmm.....

 

There is no way in hell any of the old Ampegs and Gibsons can sound anywhere near as good as old Fenders so you folks just hush up talkin bout'em!!!!

 

telewacker:

You're definitely on to something. I'm jonesing for a Gemini w/15 inch speaker lately. Played a mint Gemini I recently. It has it's own sound, different than the BF and tweed tones, just as desireable at a fraction of the cost. A most pleasing clean ... distortion to my ears not quite up to my DR in that department, but YMMV. It's an inexplicably overlooked amp. I can only think that everyone who played them just had to move on up the the TR, so out they went. Had I not just picked up an old Gibson GA40, I would already have a Gemini.

Maybe my favorite Ampeg lately is the Mercury M-12. Pre-reverb, it's Ampegs take on the Tweed Deluxe. Wonderful sound!

I know of two Gemini Is locally (Montclair NJ) and one Mercury (not too far from here) at fair prices. Anybody interested, I'll point the way.

 

MikeyG,

Mick Taylor - Ampeg VT40
Keith- Ampeg V4

Yes, I'm talkin' bout the midnight rambler.

 

No, it won't. The "Midnight Rambler" tone and the grindy mid-range comes from the V-series amps of the '70's NOT the blue-Tolex amps of the '60's. Two completely different amps.

 

I have a Gemini (G-12) from about 1971, 12 inch speaker, somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 watts. I put an Eminence Legend speaker in it and it sounds like a million bucks. I love the sound of it. I have had a lot of Fenders, but I sure like this Ampeg. Unbelievably loud and clean, very tubey sounding. I tried Yellow Jackets in it with EL 84s, but it sounds better with the original spec tubes (7551?).

 

Did'nt Steve Morse from the Dixie Dregs play an Ampeg? I always thought his tone was one of the fattest, richest tones I've ever heard. He plays his butt off too of course.


Steve

 

For God's Sake: STOP TALKING ABOUT OLD AMPEGS!!! Shhhhhssh already!!!!

 

Yeah!

I've got a 1961 Mercury M-12 with the 6V6s and it's a great amp. It sounded "ok" at home, but with the band at the last practice it was great. The overdrive was just killer!! Kept me smiling all night...

cheers,
Sean

 

Telewacker:

My take on the Gemini I distortion character is certainly not definitive. I had all of 10 minutes to play with it. I know I could get all kinds of great sounds out of this amp, if I just had the time to mess around. BTW: Deluxe Reverb distortion is not necessarily self-explanatory either. It's taken me years of playing with tone and amp controls to find the perfect settings.

But distortion is not necessarily what I liked best about the Gemini 1. Thought the clean was the equal of anything I've ever heard, with beautiful reverb -- a tone with real character, very different from Fender blackface. Right there, that's reason enough to own one.

This amp sounds different to me than either the Mercury or the Reverborocket, both of which are a bit more in your face. I'd record with a Gemini anyday. Bet it would record well.

 

Didn't Jeff Beck as well? I have an old BBC video during the Blow by Blow era and he's using an Ampeg as well as a silverface.

 

There is no doubt that the Ampegs from the '60's & 70's were
great amps. These amps can be bought today for 300 to 700
dollars depending on the model, condition etc....

I hope the prices stay this reasonable. In fact I'm leaving shortly
to take a 1/2 hour drive where I'll be picking up a VT40 for
$450.00.

See what you have done to me!!!!!

 

Telewacker,

I just went through extensive testing with 6 Blackface Deluxe
Reverb amps. I ended up ordering a Bruno Cowtipper 22, but
my Gemeni 1 will stay and I'm about to pick up an Ampeg VT40
today and this time I'll be sure not to part with it.

 

Funny thing about the DR. Mine's been in the closet a few times. Almost sold it after I got a Gibson GA40, was enjoying that new flavor so thoroughly. Decided to put in a Weber speaker instead. Now the DR is definitely back on the scene. This amp sounds so good, especially with my G&L tele. Can't imagine not having it.

But definitely lusting after Ampegs.