Quote:
Originally Posted by 64Strat
It just demonstrates that there is no "one size fits all" in the amplifier world. As a side note, here in the States anyway, Polytone Mini-Brute II or a IV or V is a Jazzer standard for warmth and when coupled with a L-5CES and is a wonderful solid state amp. I've actually considered picking one up just to have it in the "stable". The Line 6 stuff doesn't do anything for me.
To be fair, I really love the early Marshall's when they get all saturated, thick and swirly with a rotating "flare-ge" on power chords and single notes. I have never heard a DSP or other simulation of that, that is faithful and especially with the power and dynamics of the real thing. If you can do that, I tip my hat to you!
Today, I got to play an original '65 AC30/6 top boost with the original Celestions and when cranked up, it was a fantastic experience. What a great amplifier and to your point, the sum of the parts equals more than the whole.
all the best!
|
Well, my point exactly. Eric Clapton used two of my SS 30 watt 'Rockette' combos for his 1980s 'August' album. From which a film theme was extracted (#1 hit) and was one of his biggest ever albums. Those amps gave him his 'new then' creamy tone which went on as the Clapton sound for many years!
Mike Rutherford used seven SS 'Sessionette' (inc backups) combos... you can hear them on any 1980s Genesis or Mike & The Mechanics albums. Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) was a great exponent of the Sessionette... on any of their hit records! Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmore used a Sessionette (three in total owned) for years as his 'pub' gigging amp! We used to see them for regular servicing. Jan Ackermann (Focus) was an endorsee.
Oh, and here's a few more musos who are/were happy to use decently designed SS products: Roy Buchanan, James Burton, Mick Ralphs (Bad Co.), Late Rory Gallagher, Tony Hicks (Hollies), The Hellecasters (Jerry Donahue, Will Ray), John Jorgensen (Hellecasters/Elton John), Brooks & Dunn (Tony King, Troy Klontz, Dwayne Rowe & Barry Ledderer), Los Lobos, Bruce Welch (Shadows), Mick Jagger & Ronnie Wood (Stones), Gordon Giltrap, Steve Diggle (Stranglers), Mike Berry, Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Geoff Whitehorn (Who?), Late Alan Murphy, Clem Clempson, Big Jim Sullivan, Paul Hardcastle (Nnnineteen), Glen Burtnik (Styx), Bill Dickens, Ronnie Montrose, Doc Powell (Luther Vandross), Micky Gee (Shakey Stevens), Abbey Road Studios, Marcus Studios...
"Just goes to show... you never can tell" to paraphrase a famous song! But valves do make great sound too! It's just that they don't own the whole territory any more!
Yeah, Line 6 sold out to the 'Toob Council' and 'stuck' a pair of 6L6s in the output stage (Bognor)! Ha, ha. Can you hear the marketing team? "If we stick some toobs in it, we'll sell shed loadz more!" Me cynical? No... it's what really happens! You see, they'll think like this: "People never buy what they need... they buy what they want."
Sadly, that old AC30 will, by now, not be sounding like it did when it was new! The speaker cones will be pretty flabby/spongey and lacking the crispness they once had. I have a late 1950s AC30 extension cab with the original 'early' Blues still in it... and they sound rather sorry for themselves up against a new pair of Blues! But speakers age differently according to the enviroment they live in. My Blues may well have aged far differently to yours in a warmer dryer climate. So again, there's no set rules for vintage stuff.
Thanks for your willingness to listen and see an alternative view.