Ebay seller question and then some...

3StringGuitar · December 15th, 2005, 02:17 PM

Hey everyone, as I'm sure everyone knows I'm in the market for a compact tube head. I've been looking at a few different choices all more or less in the same price range. I've broken it down to a:

Crate BV50-H
Crate Club 50-H
Sovtek Bassov Blues Midget
Hand Wired Spitfire EL-34 28-watt head

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hand-Wired-5F2A-...QQcmdZViewItem

It’s the last one that I'm not 100% sure about. It's not a band but a home made head from an ebay seller that I can't find much info about. I don't really have anything to compare his prices to either. He's willing to do me a Spitfire 34 head for $475. Granted it's only 28-watts that will still be plenty to push my 4x10. I'm looking to get more of the Marshall thick gain but made a little on the ratty side. I've heard that Crate's are usually a no-go and to stay away from them. Sovteks I've heard mixed reviews on and the last one I know nothing about. I guess I'm looking for info on this seller since I can't find any reviews or such on his items. And any pointers in the right direction would be cool too. Thanks everyone!

tomtheguitarguy · December 15th, 2005, 02:45 PM

His feedback seems to be pretty good - perhaps you can contact some of his past purchasers and ask for a "rating" since they've had the opportunity to play through their amps? That would give you some info on the guy.

Just a thought. No affiliation, just tryin' to help.

tomtheguitarguy

3StringGuitar · December 15th, 2005, 03:42 PM

Thans, I'm thinking of doing that, I figured with all the amp buyers and tryers here I'd see if anyone has delt with him or his equipment.

tbp0701 · December 15th, 2005, 05:37 PM

I did some looking into his amps, too. I have no affiliation with him nor have bought from him, but what he's doing for those prices seem very good so far. I have asked at a couple of forums--including this one not long ago--but haven't gotten a response from one of his customers. But from what I can tell, most (if not all) of his feedbacks are from his amps. Some customers have also put up glowing reviews on Harmony Central (Check under "Giller"). You can also see a few mentions of him at some sites (search for "Ed Giller" on Google). Hope that helps. If you buy one, please post what you think. I've been interested in some of his 5F2A or 5E3 designs.

3StringGuitar · December 15th, 2005, 06:18 PM

Thanks thanks! I will for sure post a review if I get up the money to get one. Email him, he sent me some sound samples of one of his amps. He seems very respectable and certainly knows what he's talking about. He has alot of options it seems like too when it comes to how you want the controls laid out and such. I just don't know if I can spring for $475 for the amp. I mea I'm sure 28 watts will be pleanty for me. He offers any type of tubes you want installed too which is pretty nice, like I said I think I'm going to go for the EL-34's if I do decide to get one. Mybe I'll just the the chasis and peice together a cab or if they make cages for it, caged amps = sexy :D

jjmantele · December 15th, 2005, 09:24 PM

Looks like a nice beefy setup for a single ended one-output-tube amp. I wouldn't count on 15 watts. If you need significant volume potential (gigs or loud jams) you'll usually need 2 output tubes or a mic. It could certainly have great tone though.

2xel84's would keep the volume down to around 15 watts or so. 2x6v6 around 20 watts.

DR + 4X10:

3StringGuitar · December 15th, 2005, 09:41 PM

Damn that's a nice set up man. Yeah that was just an example of his work. I'm looking at getting his Spitfire 2 EL-34 amp, he said it clocks in at 28 watts which I'm guessing will push my 4x10 and work at gig volumes.

tbp0701 · December 16th, 2005, 12:34 AM

That 5F2A amp does seem a bit of an oddball with the single tube. I wonder what he did. I did e-mail him a while back when he had a more traditional 5F2A with reverb and a master volume. I couldn't justify it at the time and that was the first I'd seen of him. Those Spitfires look nice, too.

3String: You said you don't know about prices. Compared to what some others are asking for hand-wired amps using similar components, his prices are pretty cheap. In fact, they're not much more than the Weber kits to build one yourself. The big departure there may be in the cabinets.

3StringGuitar · December 16th, 2005, 12:58 AM

Thanks, yeah like I said if you email him he'll really build the amp around what you want, what type of tubes, the pannel lay out, he offers the amps with and with out master volumes. Here's some parts of his emails he has sent me:

"I sell the amps as a chassis only, head, combo, with tubes, without tubes, whatever. Without tubes, the prices are:
For the 2 x El34 Spitfire head $430.
For the 50 watt Plexi head $550.
For the 40 watt Plexi $475.
For the EL84 Plexi $415.
Shipping still included on all prices."

"It's 2 x EL84 for 14 watts. If that't not enough power, I can build it with 2 x EL34 (or 6L6's) for 28 watts. I personally think the EL34's keep the amp in character more so than the 6L6's. It has a volume, tone & master volume. I can make the MV switchable or leave it out completely. But, if you're ever practicing & you need to keep the volume down, but still want gain, the MV comes in handy. On the Spitfire dirty clip, the 1st half is normal pentode mode while the 2nd half is triode mode. I include this switch on all my 2 power tube cathode biased amps."

"The Spitfire with EL34's at 28 watts would be $475 as a head, shipping included. Master volume is a minor detail & would not affect the price one way or the other."

infiniteposse · April 13th, 2006, 03:42 AM

This is an older thread, but I thought I'd resurrect it as I'm about to get in a Giller amp tomorrow, based on a matchless lightening.

A friend down the street got one of these off TGP for change and I went down and played it and fell in love. Mine's going to be virtually the same as the one my friend got:

All tube, hand build, point to point wired amplifier, based on the venerable Matchless Lightning with a few twists. First, rather than using EL84's, this amp uses EL34's or can also be used with 6L6's or 6V6's without re-biasing. IF you use 6V6's, you must change out the rectifer to a 5Y3.

Controls for Treble and Bass. The Tube selection is a 5AR4 Rectifier, two power tubes (EL34's & 6L6's will be included) and Three 12AX7's.

The front panel has Master Volume, Bass, Treble and Volume controls.

The back panel has a Speaker out, a 4 Ohm/2 Ohm Rocker Switch (changes to 8 ohms/4 Ohms when using 6V6's) a pentode/triode switch (which decreases the volume by 40%, causes it to breakup earlier and makes it super handy for playing around the house).”
----------
My friend's Giller just slayed me. Very responsive to dynamics, warm crunchy sound that still had definition. Sort of AC30-ish to my ears - raw but still very defined.

The only changes I made to his standard setup was to get beefed up power and standby switches and a jewel light instead of his normal plastic switches.

Ed's been a pleasure to work with on this, super communicative and just downright nice.

I'll take some pics when it gets in.

Be well-

Lee

December 15th, 2005, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Ebay seller question and then some... Hey everyone, as I'm sure everyone knows I'm in the market for a compact tube head. I've been looking at a few different choices all more or less in the same price range. I've broken it down to a: Crate BV50-H Crate Club 50-H Sovtek Bassov Blues Midget Hand Wired Spitfire EL-34 28-watt head http://cgi.ebay.com/Hand-Wired-5F2A-...QQcmdZViewItem It’s the last one that I'm not 100% sure about. It's not a band but a home made head from an ebay seller that I can't find much info about. I don't really have anything to compare his prices to either. He's willing to do me a Spitfire 34 head for $475. Granted it's only 28-watts that will still be plenty to push my 4x10. I'm looking to get more of the Marshall thick gain but made a little on the ratty side. I've heard that Crate's are usually a no-go and to stay away from them. Sovteks I've heard mixed reviews on and the last one I know nothing about. I guess I'm looking for info on this seller since I can't find any reviews or such on his items. And any pointers in the right direction would be cool too. Thanks everyone!

December 15th, 2005, 02:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomtheguitarguy Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: SoCal USA Age: 42 Posts: 242	Ebay Feedback His feedback seems to be pretty good - perhaps you can contact some of his past purchasers and ask for a "rating" since they've had the opportunity to play through their amps? That would give you some info on the guy. Just a thought. No affiliation, just tryin' to help. tomtheguitarguy

December 15th, 2005, 09:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
jjmantele Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 851	Amp Looks like a nice beefy setup for a single ended one-output-tube amp. I wouldn't count on 15 watts. If you need significant volume potential (gigs or loud jams) you'll usually need 2 output tubes or a mic. It could certainly have great tone though. 2xel84's would keep the volume down to around 15 watts or so. 2x6v6 around 20 watts. DR + 4X10: __________________ JJman If it says "Vintage" on it -it isn't.

December 15th, 2005, 03:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Thans, I'm thinking of doing that, I figured with all the amp buyers and tryers here I'd see if anyone has delt with him or his equipment.

December 15th, 2005, 05:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
tbp0701 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 494	I did some looking into his amps, too. I have no affiliation with him nor have bought from him, but what he's doing for those prices seem very good so far. I have asked at a couple of forums--including this one not long ago--but haven't gotten a response from one of his customers. But from what I can tell, most (if not all) of his feedbacks are from his amps. Some customers have also put up glowing reviews on Harmony Central (Check under "Giller"). You can also see a few mentions of him at some sites (search for "Ed Giller" on Google). Hope that helps. If you buy one, please post what you think. I've been interested in some of his 5F2A or 5E3 designs.

December 15th, 2005, 06:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Thanks thanks! I will for sure post a review if I get up the money to get one. Email him, he sent me some sound samples of one of his amps. He seems very respectable and certainly knows what he's talking about. He has alot of options it seems like too when it comes to how you want the controls laid out and such. I just don't know if I can spring for $475 for the amp. I mea I'm sure 28 watts will be pleanty for me. He offers any type of tubes you want installed too which is pretty nice, like I said I think I'm going to go for the EL-34's if I do decide to get one. Mybe I'll just the the chasis and peice together a cab or if they make cages for it, caged amps = sexy :D

December 15th, 2005, 09:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Damn that's a nice set up man. Yeah that was just an example of his work. I'm looking at getting his Spitfire 2 EL-34 amp, he said it clocks in at 28 watts which I'm guessing will push my 4x10 and work at gig volumes.

December 16th, 2005, 12:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
tbp0701 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 494	That 5F2A amp does seem a bit of an oddball with the single tube. I wonder what he did. I did e-mail him a while back when he had a more traditional 5F2A with reverb and a master volume. I couldn't justify it at the time and that was the first I'd seen of him. Those Spitfires look nice, too. 3String: You said you don't know about prices. Compared to what some others are asking for hand-wired amps using similar components, his prices are pretty cheap. In fact, they're not much more than the Weber kits to build one yourself. The big departure there may be in the cabinets.

December 16th, 2005, 12:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Thanks, yeah like I said if you email him he'll really build the amp around what you want, what type of tubes, the pannel lay out, he offers the amps with and with out master volumes. Here's some parts of his emails he has sent me: "I sell the amps as a chassis only, head, combo, with tubes, without tubes, whatever. Without tubes, the prices are: For the 2 x El34 Spitfire head $430. For the 50 watt Plexi head $550. For the 40 watt Plexi $475. For the EL84 Plexi $415. Shipping still included on all prices." "It's 2 x EL84 for 14 watts. If that't not enough power, I can build it with 2 x EL34 (or 6L6's) for 28 watts. I personally think the EL34's keep the amp in character more so than the 6L6's. It has a volume, tone & master volume. I can make the MV switchable or leave it out completely. But, if you're ever practicing & you need to keep the volume down, but still want gain, the MV comes in handy. On the Spitfire dirty clip, the 1st half is normal pentode mode while the 2nd half is triode mode. I include this switch on all my 2 power tube cathode biased amps." "The Spitfire with EL34's at 28 watts would be $475 as a head, shipping included. Master volume is a minor detail & would not affect the price one way or the other."

April 13th, 2006, 03:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
infiniteposse TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42	This is an older thread, but I thought I'd resurrect it as I'm about to get in a Giller amp tomorrow, based on a matchless lightening. A friend down the street got one of these off TGP for change and I went down and played it and fell in love. Mine's going to be virtually the same as the one my friend got: All tube, hand build, point to point wired amplifier, based on the venerable Matchless Lightning with a few twists. First, rather than using EL84's, this amp uses EL34's or can also be used with 6L6's or 6V6's without re-biasing. IF you use 6V6's, you must change out the rectifer to a 5Y3. Controls for Treble and Bass. The Tube selection is a 5AR4 Rectifier, two power tubes (EL34's & 6L6's will be included) and Three 12AX7's. The front panel has Master Volume, Bass, Treble and Volume controls. The back panel has a Speaker out, a 4 Ohm/2 Ohm Rocker Switch (changes to 8 ohms/4 Ohms when using 6V6's) a pentode/triode switch (which decreases the volume by 40%, causes it to breakup earlier and makes it super handy for playing around the house).” ---------- My friend's Giller just slayed me. Very responsive to dynamics, warm crunchy sound that still had definition. Sort of AC30-ish to my ears - raw but still very defined. The only changes I made to his standard setup was to get beefed up power and standby switches and a jewel light instead of his normal plastic switches. Ed's been a pleasure to work with on this, super communicative and just downright nice. I'll take some pics when it gets in. Be well- Lee