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eggman · January 9th, 2009, 09:56 AM

Howdy,

I'm thinking about getting a Carmen Ghia (Dr. Z) for home and occasional school assemblies (I'm a teacher and usually employ my old Vibro Champ for such duty).
Being a Keef disciple, I'm looking at either the Carmen Ghia or perhaps a used 5E3 Clone, tweed Champ or used Victoria.
I've actually played the Carmen Ghia and really liked it. Any suggestions?

Eggman

PS: My observation about the Carmen Ghia was that it was simple and fun like my Vibro Champ, but with a different voice. Never played a tweed deluxe.

skeksis · January 9th, 2009, 11:10 AM

that's a pretty good budget... based on my recent GAS, I'd probably go with an early SF Fender Deluxe Reverb. Next choice would probably be one of the Vox AC15HW combos. Just sayin what I would do...

I don't really know the Z amps; you can get a good 5E3 clone for much less than your budget, but it would probably work perfectly for your needs.

postjob62 · January 9th, 2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggman

Howdy,

I'm thinking about getting a Carmen Ghia (Dr. Z) for home and occasional school assemblies (I'm a teacher and usually employ my old Vibro Champ for such duty).
Being a Keef disciple, I'm looking at either the Carmen Ghia or perhaps a used 5E3 Clone, tweed Champ or used Victoria.
I've actually played the Carmen Ghia and really liked it. Any suggestions?

Eggman

PS: My observation about the Carmen Ghia was that it was simple and fun like my Vibro Champ, but with a different voice. Never played a tweed deluxe.

If you like the sound of the CG, it's regarded by many as one of the finest amps out there. Something about the directness and simplicity of it's circuit. There's no question about the worksmanship and value for the buck.

You might want to read up a little on their forum.

Cowboyfjt · January 9th, 2009, 11:49 AM

www.twisteramps.com

You'll notice the prices are rather attractive; the tone is to die for. Everything else that I own (14 boutique and vintage amps) is sitting, unused, in the closet, since I got my F-2.

Cheers,
Cowboy

Califiddler · January 9th, 2009, 11:50 AM

If I had $1,200 to spend on an amp, I would try to get a drip edge SFDR or SFVR.

xjazzy · January 9th, 2009, 12:11 PM

Cornell Romany Plus.

1293 · January 9th, 2009, 12:11 PM

This looks kinda nifty:

Rebel 20

SamBooka · January 9th, 2009, 12:24 PM

1200$ Canadian (new) you can get:

Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart!

I have dreams about the SpaceToneSe. Comparable to my Champ, a little louder.. but ooooooh.. When I first tried one I started playing Brown Sugar .. didnt mean to, it just came out. I love it when an amp teaches me new songs.

twangcaster1 · January 9th, 2009, 12:38 PM

I'd probably buy a collins amp.

PixelMover · January 9th, 2009, 12:39 PM

A Dr.Z hands down. P2P wiring -- $1200 IMHO is too much cola for PCB stuff.

twangcaster1 · January 9th, 2009, 12:40 PM

Check out collins amps at www.collinsamps.com. I want a Collins Hawk REALLY BAD! Major gas for one of those. Collins has great prices, I think.

eggman · January 9th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Howdy,

I phoned 'round the local music stores and they recommended an older gentleman who sells some of his homebrew Fender style amps on consignment. I'd forgotten about him.
I've even played his amps and for the money, they can't be beat. More later..

Eggman

Sterling Indigo · January 9th, 2009, 01:05 PM

As a teacher, there's no better message to send to today's youth than the Dr. Z Carmen Ghia. Think of the kids...

twangcaster1 · January 9th, 2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sterling Indigo

As a teacher, there's no better message to send to today's youth than the Dr. Z Carmen Ghia. Think of the kids...

I wish my parents spent more time giving me those kind of messages. Instead they were telling me stupid stuff like "birds and bees" stories and such. Geez. What a rip off!

marksound · January 9th, 2009, 01:12 PM

A Dr Z is on my wish list.

eggman · January 9th, 2009, 01:30 PM

Howdy,

OK, I told the local amp fellow that my favorite amp is my SF Vibro Champ, but I wanted just a little more. He's offered to make me a Vibro Champ clone w/ a 10-inch AlNico speaker which'll accept 6V6, 6L6 and EL-34 power tubes, upping the output from 6 to 12 watts. Hayboer tranny.
All for $650! The cosmetics are early 60s brown tolex w/ oxblood grill cloth. Weight is around 25-30 lbs. This baby's startin' to look better than a $1,000 Carmen Ghia head.

Eggman

bargoedboy · January 9th, 2009, 01:32 PM

those collins amps sounds very very good , and not over the top expensive either . may be worth a call .

Natstrat79 · January 9th, 2009, 03:18 PM

With a $1200 dollar budget your options are pretty wide open on the used market. I recently bought a 1961 Fender Concert on ebay for about that much and I am loving it. It is very much the love child of a tweed bassman and blackface super reverb sans reverb.

jwj4856 · January 9th, 2009, 03:21 PM

Hey eggman, Who is the local guy with the amps around here, I am looking for something myself and would like to talk to him myself, you can PM me if you prefer to not put his name on here.
Thanks
James

Tim Swartz · January 9th, 2009, 03:45 PM

If you like the Ghia, try a 20w Marshall head. Same simpleton setup (volume & tone), but a much bigger sound.

January 9th, 2009, 09:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
eggman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bossier City,La. Posts: 2,658	$1200..what would YOU buy? Howdy, I'm thinking about getting a Carmen Ghia (Dr. Z) for home and occasional school assemblies (I'm a teacher and usually employ my old Vibro Champ for such duty). Being a Keef disciple, I'm looking at either the Carmen Ghia or perhaps a used 5E3 Clone, tweed Champ or used Victoria. I've actually played the Carmen Ghia and really liked it. Any suggestions? Eggman PS: My observation about the Carmen Ghia was that it was simple and fun like my Vibro Champ, but with a different voice. Never played a tweed deluxe.

January 9th, 2009, 11:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
skeksis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,093	that's a pretty good budget... based on my recent GAS, I'd probably go with an early SF Fender Deluxe Reverb. Next choice would probably be one of the Vox AC15HW combos. Just sayin what I would do... I don't really know the Z amps; you can get a good 5E3 clone for much less than your budget, but it would probably work perfectly for your needs. __________________ My new band: The Minor Injuries - alt country etc in AZ

January 9th, 2009, 11:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cowboyfjt Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 203	www.twisteramps.com You'll notice the prices are rather attractive; the tone is to die for. Everything else that I own (14 boutique and vintage amps) is sitting, unused, in the closet, since I got my F-2. Cheers, Cowboy __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x32rOKnvGCc www.soundclick.com/bigredsky http://www.thebigredsky.com www.myspace.com/bigredsky

January 9th, 2009, 11:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
Califiddler Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: California Posts: 2,111	If I had $1,200 to spend on an amp, I would try to get a drip edge SFDR or SFVR. __________________ "In the fiddler's house, all are dancers."

January 9th, 2009, 12:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
xjazzy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portugal Age: 32 Posts: 3,093 6 Photos	Cornell Romany Plus. __________________ Still got the Twang! myspace.com/jpmartins

Sponsored Ads	#
Forum Sponsor Sponsored posting Join Date: March, 2003 Location: Forum HQ Posts: N/A	Sponsored by...

January 9th, 2009, 12:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
1293 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,688	This looks kinda nifty: Rebel 20

January 9th, 2009, 12:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
SamBooka Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Montreal Age: 42 Posts: 1,162	1200$ Canadian (new) you can get: Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! Swart! I have dreams about the SpaceToneSe. Comparable to my Champ, a little louder.. but ooooooh.. When I first tried one I started playing Brown Sugar .. didnt mean to, it just came out. I love it when an amp teaches me new songs. __________________ I used to be DH82c but I changed so the 'copters wont spot me

January 9th, 2009, 12:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
twangcaster1 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,335 21 Photos	I'd probably buy a collins amp. __________________ Louisiana Twangmaker

January 9th, 2009, 12:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
PixelMover Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Boston Area Age: 36 Posts: 744	A Dr.Z hands down. P2P wiring -- $1200 IMHO is too much cola for PCB stuff. __________________ "Should've taken a left turn at Albuquerque."

January 9th, 2009, 12:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
twangcaster1 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,335 21 Photos	Check out collins amps at www.collinsamps.com. I want a Collins Hawk REALLY BAD! Major gas for one of those. Collins has great prices, I think. __________________ Louisiana Twangmaker

January 9th, 2009, 01:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
eggman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bossier City,La. Posts: 2,658	Howdy, I phoned 'round the local music stores and they recommended an older gentleman who sells some of his homebrew Fender style amps on consignment. I'd forgotten about him. I've even played his amps and for the money, they can't be beat. More later.. Eggman

January 9th, 2009, 01:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
Sterling Indigo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: East Lansing Posts: 2,392 5 Photos	As a teacher, there's no better message to send to today's youth than the Dr. Z Carmen Ghia. Think of the kids...

January 9th, 2009, 01:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
marksound Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 298 1 Photos	A Dr Z is on my wish list.

January 9th, 2009, 01:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
eggman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bossier City,La. Posts: 2,658	Howdy, OK, I told the local amp fellow that my favorite amp is my SF Vibro Champ, but I wanted just a little more. He's offered to make me a Vibro Champ clone w/ a 10-inch AlNico speaker which'll accept 6V6, 6L6 and EL-34 power tubes, upping the output from 6 to 12 watts. Hayboer tranny. All for $650! The cosmetics are early 60s brown tolex w/ oxblood grill cloth. Weight is around 25-30 lbs. This baby's startin' to look better than a $1,000 Carmen Ghia head. Eggman

January 9th, 2009, 01:32 PM	#17 (permalink)
bargoedboy Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: sherborne Age: 50 Posts: 1,070	those collins amps sounds very very good , and not over the top expensive either . may be worth a call .

January 9th, 2009, 03:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
Natstrat79 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 339	With a $1200 dollar budget your options are pretty wide open on the used market. I recently bought a 1961 Fender Concert on ebay for about that much and I am loving it. It is very much the love child of a tweed bassman and blackface super reverb sans reverb.

January 9th, 2009, 03:21 PM	#19 (permalink)
jwj4856 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: shreveport, LA Age: 60 Posts: 583	Hey eggman, Who is the local guy with the amps around here, I am looking for something myself and would like to talk to him myself, you can PM me if you prefer to not put his name on here. Thanks James

January 9th, 2009, 03:45 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 2,009	If you like the Ghia, try a 20w Marshall head. Same simpleton setup (volume & tone), but a much bigger sound.

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