Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post - $299 Gibson tube amp

Sevan Simonian · May 16th, 2008, 12:21 PM

WEBER CVA8 UPDATE
================

I've had a new Weber CVA8 in my stock GA5 for a few weeks now, but unfortunately have not logged as much playing time as I'd have liked. It's only just beginning to "break in" as I haven't taken the approach of doing some deliberate "crank the amp and flail away" sessions. I play a stock Gibson ES-135 (semi-hollow w/ PAFs) and a stock DeArmond Starfire (Korean ES-335 knockoff w/ DeArmond USA humbuckers). The Gibson has GHS Burnished Nickel strings. The DeArmond has D'Addario flatwound Chromes.

With respect to the stock Sig8 speaker, the CVA8 generates noticeably less "hiss" when you simply listen to the amp without playing (with or without a guitar plugged in). When played, the highs are far less piercing than the Sig8. I'd say the CVA8 is a little "darker" and "smoother" and a little more "even" sounding across the frequency spectrum than the Sig8. It breaks up more "sweetly" than the Sig8, which sounds more "ragged/raw/edgy" to me.

I've noticed that I have to be more careful with the Gibson when it comes to adjusting relative pickup volume & tone controls in order to avoid a muddy sound. The DeArmond, perhaps because it's pickups are brighter & "quacky-er", is more forgiving. Having said that, the strings on the Gibson are older & more worn than the DeArmond at the moment, which may also be a factor.

I have not noticed an appreciable loss in volume.

The CVA8 is on par with the Sig8 when it comes to amp volume knob settings and breakup.

May 16th, 2008, 12:21 PM	#1096 (permalink)
Sevan Simonian TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 19	WEBER CVA8 UPDATE ================ I've had a new Weber CVA8 in my stock GA5 for a few weeks now, but unfortunately have not logged as much playing time as I'd have liked. It's only just beginning to "break in" as I haven't taken the approach of doing some deliberate "crank the amp and flail away" sessions. I play a stock Gibson ES-135 (semi-hollow w/ PAFs) and a stock DeArmond Starfire (Korean ES-335 knockoff w/ DeArmond USA humbuckers). The Gibson has GHS Burnished Nickel strings. The DeArmond has D'Addario flatwound Chromes. With respect to the stock Sig8 speaker, the CVA8 generates noticeably less "hiss" when you simply listen to the amp without playing (with or without a guitar plugged in). When played, the highs are far less piercing than the Sig8. I'd say the CVA8 is a little "darker" and "smoother" and a little more "even" sounding across the frequency spectrum than the Sig8. It breaks up more "sweetly" than the Sig8, which sounds more "ragged/raw/edgy" to me. I've noticed that I have to be more careful with the Gibson when it comes to adjusting relative pickup volume & tone controls in order to avoid a muddy sound. The DeArmond, perhaps because it's pickups are brighter & "quacky-er", is more forgiving. Having said that, the strings on the Gibson are older & more worn than the DeArmond at the moment, which may also be a factor. I have not noticed an appreciable loss in volume. The CVA8 is on par with the Sig8 when it comes to amp volume knob settings and breakup.