Hey All,
So after about 25 years of using nothing but solid state GK amplification I recently decided I'd try an all tube head - for several reasons actually.
First, I wanted something different, plain and simple.
Second, I needed something of less wattage than my 750GK for some venues we play, smaller shows and places with dodgy electricity ( i.e. can't support a 20amp circuit)
Third, sometimes it's be nice to just simply plug the bass straight into the amp, and get good tone without pedals cluttering up the signal chain - a side benift would be that I could travel a bit lighter as well, sometimes just using a single cabinet.
As some of you know I did get to borrow a Hiwatt DR103 from Mike Lull for about a week, I really enjoyed it's warm tone and of course I loved it! The downside here was that finding one for sale and making it reliable would have been an expensive proposition. I seriously considered a Reeves 225 as option but at 2500.00 for a new one I just didn't think I could justify that either.
I guess I'm just not an Ampeg guy anymore, I had a V4 many years ago but again I don't think I'm really after a vintage amp..........My search lead me to check out Traynor as an all tube handwired Canadian made alternative. I looked at them first on the M.F. website which at least gives you some spec and user reviews and I felt pretty favorable at that point, their price was $969.00 plus $10 shipping and tax. I was pretty close to buying and just happened to be visiting a local mom and pop shop that I don't get to that often for some Ken Smith Roundwounds when lo and behold they have a new one they'd just put out on display. They didn't have a Thunderbird in the shop I ended up playing a Geddy Lee Jazz to try it out (Forgive me Father for I have sinned!)and was really impressed with its tone and decided to have a look at the price tag.......$879.00 that's it sold!
At bedroom sound levels it's creamy warm and wonderful - very difficult to do with my GK. It's especially nice when playing fingerstyle, you get a nice solid upfront thump and some nice growl with the mids and treble bumped up.
I also had the chance to open it up a bit with the band at rehearsal on sunday night as well - We rehearse using I.E.M.'s for part of the overall sound my headphone mix includes vocals, keys and guitar (these instrument only go to the headphones we don't use a PA at rehearsal anymore.) Bass and drums don't go into the mix so I crank the amp up a bit so it sounds good at the sdame level as our drummer plays. Again the amp produces wonderful tone, and I found myself play a lot more fingerstyle than usual ( with some slightly sore fingertips too!) and really enjoying the solid thump and decay. With a pick I'm still getting that kinda angry, clankey piano tone that I like but with a bit more prescence.
I'm very favorably impressed so far, so much so that it'll likely go to our next show instead of the GK
So, I'm told it's a good idea to carry spare tubes, anybody got some suggestions for which brand and place to purchase?
Here's a front panel shot
And it's lovely hindquarters