Anyone seen the Lindy Fralin Amp?

nonvintage · April 21st, 2006, 03:07 AM

June 2006 Vintage Guitar Mag. review, supposed to be a tele clean machine amp. Cathode biased to sound like a BFDR with 6V6's and like a BF Vibrolux Reverb with 6L6's. Rated at 15 and 30 watts. With a 15a150 Weber almico speaker with beam blocker. No master volume, treble,bass and reverb, plus a bright switch. Sounds promising to me.

Tremo · April 21st, 2006, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonvintage

June 2006 Vintage Guitar Mag. review, supposed to be a tele clean machine amp. Cathode biased to sound like a BFDR with 6V6's and like a BF Vibrolux Reverb with 6L6's. Rated at 15 and 30 watts. With a 15a150 Weber almico speaker with beam blocker. No master volume, treble,bass and reverb, plus a bright switch. Sounds promising to me.

Neither the BFDR nor the BF Vibrolux are cathode biased. They're fixed bias. Why would you expect a cathode biased amp to sound like a fixed bias amp?

PhatTele · April 21st, 2006, 09:44 AM

I've seen it, heard it, and played it in it's prototype forms. Lindy has been using the final model with his rockabilly band for a few months now. It definately lives up to the description. You can get the sweet at low volumes or twang away with it or drive it just by twisting the volume knob on your guitar. The cathode bias really just helps it sing and get into the zone without killing the audience. Lindy and VVT have come up with a great marriage of BF and Tweed tones in an easy to use workingman's gig-able combo. There's nothing "brand new" about what they've put together. They've just been able to refine these elements into a great sounding amp geared toward small to mid-sized clubs.

nonvintage · April 21st, 2006, 05:42 PM

Thanks Phat, That's good to hear (pun intended). I did order one and at my age 41 lbs looks real good to my back. I pretty much have the tones that this amp covers, but having the tube options for the size of the gig is just ideal. I did talk to Lindy a couple of times before I ordered it and although it is expensive for what it does it seems like a bargain when your looking a BFDR and BFVR amps. Thanks again, Tony

PeterUK · April 21st, 2006, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tremo

Neither the BFDR nor the BF Vibrolux are cathode biased. They're fixed bias. Why would you expect a cathode biased amp to sound like a fixed bias amp?

Why would you ask/answer a question in such a way that it comes across as patronising and smug - in a "I know more about amps than you do" sort of way?

The guy's post was about the spec and tone of the amp and he's clearly excited about it.

I've no idea what fixed or cathode bias means but if this new amp sound good then so be it. Let the new guys find their feet and enjoy the site without the smug rudeness.

Nonvintage. Welcome and enjoy your new amp.

:D Peter

pirana · April 21st, 2006, 06:46 PM

I've only seen pictures of it on the web & read the review in VG. I think it's a good looking amp & i'm sure i'd like it myself given what others have said about it. It sure sounds similar to my Allen sweet spot. 6V6's or 6L6's. I'm running 6L6's in my amp & my tele sounds wonderful through it.
I also side with PeterUK about the odd response to the thread starter. A year ago I didn't know what the term "headroom" meant. A lot of the stuff talked about here still sounds like Greek to me. So what?You ain't born knowin this ****.

nonvintage · April 21st, 2006, 10:54 PM

Tremo: I've talked to Limdy about the amp. He has examples of BFDR and BFVR amps and they were used for R&D of his signature amp. With 6V6 tubes his amp in his opinion after 6 months of R&D captures the sound of a BFDR, and with 6L6's captures the sound of a Vibrolux Reverb, his track record with pickups give him pretty good credibility IMHO. But you're right about the BF amps being fixed bias, and the speaker configuration of both amps are different than the Fralin also, but we're concerned about the sonics, clean headroom and smooth breakup of all three of the amps; right? Cathode bias or Fixed bias maybe the amp is closer to a Tweed Deluxe with BF reverb and a 15" speaker and a Tweed Pro with BF reverb.

CancerLeoCam · April 22nd, 2006, 03:01 AM

...like Dave Allen's idea being ripped-off. I thought he was the originator with the 6V6GT to 6L6GC dealie. If it sells who cares...right?

shakedancer · April 22nd, 2006, 08:45 AM

Well Allen amps borrowed heavily from Fender, so why can't Lindy borrow from him???? Lindy took Davids idea a step further, you can switch tubes without rebiasing which is great. We know about Allen amps, we still don't know enough about Lindy amps. As people buy them I'm sure we'll learn more. 8)

stephent2 · April 22nd, 2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tremo

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonvintage

June 2006 Vintage Guitar Mag. review, supposed to be a tele clean machine amp. Cathode biased to sound like a BFDR with 6V6's and like a BF Vibrolux Reverb with 6L6's. Rated at 15 and 30 watts. With a 15a150 Weber almico speaker with beam blocker. No master volume, treble,bass and reverb, plus a bright switch. Sounds promising to me.

Neither the BFDR nor the BF Vibrolux are cathode biased. They're fixed bias. Why would you expect a cathode biased amp to sound like a fixed bias amp?

Hmmmm, my Goodsell Delux 22 (2x6V6s) which is cathode biased sounds very "fendery". How in the world is that possible Tremo?

shakedancer · April 22nd, 2006, 10:29 AM

Tremo is nowhere to be found, he's still looking for someone who knows how to play a Blues Shuffle.

nonvintage · April 23rd, 2006, 01:09 AM

I play an excellent blues shuffle. 8) 8) 8)

getbent · April 23rd, 2006, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakedancer

Tremo is nowhere to be found, he's still looking for someone who knows how to play a Blues Shuffle.

My college baseball coach used to be pretty short with me and call me all kinds of names.... it wasn't my favorite thing, but he was the one guy who could fix my swing and he'd stay with me well after dark making sure it was right. In my job I work with lots of really smart people who don't always take the time to show all the tact and niceties that we'd all prefer, and, in Tremo's case he may be short but he can fix one! (a short, that is)

I've learned a lot from that guy and I know if I needed help with an amp he'd help me (not that he might not describe in full detail what I did wrong in very plain spoken terms) but the bottom line is.. he'd have good information that I could use.

I like people who have vision, opinions, information and are persistent. If they are always kind and nice... wow, that is extremely rare... but, if they occasionally share the frustration every engineer feels that ain't bad, that's human.... just my .02.... sorry for the long post... the Fralin Amp looks cool and I loved the article in VG about it... my guess is that people who own a Clark want an Allen too and those with an Allen will Jones for a Fralin...

KBR · April 23rd, 2006, 10:47 AM

While I have known Tremo for 15 or so years, he can be straight and to the point, he always says the facts.
He is a no bs type of person and has alot of knowledge
re: Amps, tubes, Tones (subjective) etc.
He, like me, is pretty much into Old Style Blues and roots rock, (we both have an appreciation of less is more soloing, and rhythms)...

I have learned alot from Tremo, so although he can be a bit rough, learn from him and move on.

I will never forget Tremo makin me sweat(while) takin apart my amp with a screwdriver while sweating bullets in a 100 degree crib...(KBR don't like to sweat unless Gigging or treadmilling...

nonvintage · April 23rd, 2006, 12:42 PM

Can't we all just get along. Jeezzz!!!!

Jef · April 25th, 2006, 06:43 AM

It is true that the mentioned BF amps are fixed biased, which is a more efficient bias system than cathode bias. That’s one of the reasons why a BFDR is rated for 22 watts and a tweed deluxe is only 12 watts while they both have a dual 6V6 output section. That’s also one of the reasons why these amps sound different and the BF being the cleaner of the two.
However, when carefully tweaking the value of the cathode bypass cap, a cathode biased amp can sound very similar to a fixed bias amp. If the rest of the amp follows the topology of a typical BF circuit, I can imagine that it has crisp and clean tones, even though it’s cathode biased.

jef

nonvintage · May 12th, 2006, 08:07 PM

Just got off the phone with VVT, the amp is finished and is on the way! I'm getting JJ 6V6's, Tad 6L6 small bottles and tung sol 5881's for a little variation on how the amp responds as far a headroom, breakup and bottom end response. Review coming soon.

Scott S · May 13th, 2006, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jef

That’s one of the reasons why a BFDR is rated for 22 watts and a tweed deluxe is only 12 watts while they both have a dual 6V6 output section.

An extra +50 volts on the plates probably doesn't hurt either. ;)

nonvintage · May 26th, 2006, 03:01 AM

Well I've had the amp for almost a week and finally got to hear it in a band setting. Verrrrry smooth clean sound. I replaced V1 with a rca 5751. The JJ12ax7 was too microphonic. That amp seems to be voiced for strats and teles. I played at a blues jam and I'm looking forward to Monday when I'm with my band.

Mr. Sparkle · May 26th, 2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonvintage

Well I've had the amp for almost a week and finally got to hear it in a band setting. Verrrrry smooth clean sound. I replaced V1 with a rca 5751. The JJ12ax7 was too microphonic. That amp seems to be voiced for strats and teles. I played at a blues jam and I'm looking forward to Monday when I'm with my band.

Please keepo us updated. The amp is indeed voiced for Tele and P-90 equipped guitars. What are you playing?

charley · June 6th, 2006, 08:04 AM

How would the Fralin amp do for steel/lap steel?

nonvintage · June 6th, 2006, 08:48 PM

It would depend on the size of club you used it in, I think this amp is for small to mid sized clubs if your not micing the amp. It's pretty clean up to 4-5 on the volume knob with nice smooth overdrive/compression after that. I gigged the other day with another guitarist in the band with a tele and 69 super reverb amp and his sound was much louder and cleaner, than my amp with a 57 RI strat. IMHO that super might be better for steel unless you want the dirt. the Fralin amp is more like a vibrolux reverb. Good luck with your tone quest.

April 21st, 2006, 03:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	Anyone seen the Lindy Fralin Amp? June 2006 Vintage Guitar Mag. review, supposed to be a tele clean machine amp. Cathode biased to sound like a BFDR with 6V6's and like a BF Vibrolux Reverb with 6L6's. Rated at 15 and 30 watts. With a 15a150 Weber almico speaker with beam blocker. No master volume, treble,bass and reverb, plus a bright switch. Sounds promising to me.

April 21st, 2006, 05:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	Anyone seen the Lindy Fralin Amp? Thanks Phat, That's good to hear (pun intended). I did order one and at my age 41 lbs looks real good to my back. I pretty much have the tones that this amp covers, but having the tube options for the size of the gig is just ideal. I did talk to Lindy a couple of times before I ordered it and although it is expensive for what it does it seems like a bargain when your looking a BFDR and BFVR amps. Thanks again, Tony

April 21st, 2006, 06:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
pirana Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 295	I've only seen pictures of it on the web & read the review in VG. I think it's a good looking amp & i'm sure i'd like it myself given what others have said about it. It sure sounds similar to my Allen sweet spot. 6V6's or 6L6's. I'm running 6L6's in my amp & my tele sounds wonderful through it. I also side with PeterUK about the odd response to the thread starter. A year ago I didn't know what the term "headroom" meant. A lot of the stuff talked about here still sounds like Greek to me. So what?You ain't born knowin this ****. __________________ Guaranteed not to cause eternal torment in the place where the guy with the horns & pointed stick conducts his business... Frank Zappa

April 22nd, 2006, 03:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
CancerLeoCam Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mule Deer-Mt. Lion Safari, CA Posts: 1,692 5 Photos	Sounds to me.... ...like Dave Allen's idea being ripped-off. I thought he was the originator with the 6V6GT to 6L6GC dealie. If it sells who cares...right?

April 22nd, 2006, 08:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
shakedancer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: north of Boston Posts: 1,639	Well Allen amps borrowed heavily from Fender, so why can't Lindy borrow from him???? Lindy took Davids idea a step further, you can switch tubes without rebiasing which is great. We know about Allen amps, we still don't know enough about Lindy amps. As people buy them I'm sure we'll learn more. 8) __________________ "If you don't like the Blues, you got to have a Hole in your Soul." Luther Allison JOE

April 21st, 2006, 09:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
PhatTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 756	I've seen it, heard it, and played it in it's prototype forms. Lindy has been using the final model with his rockabilly band for a few months now. It definately lives up to the description. You can get the sweet at low volumes or twang away with it or drive it just by twisting the volume knob on your guitar. The cathode bias really just helps it sing and get into the zone without killing the audience. Lindy and VVT have come up with a great marriage of BF and Tweed tones in an easy to use workingman's gig-able combo. There's nothing "brand new" about what they've put together. They've just been able to refine these elements into a great sounding amp geared toward small to mid-sized clubs.

April 21st, 2006, 10:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	Tremo: I've talked to Limdy about the amp. He has examples of BFDR and BFVR amps and they were used for R&D of his signature amp. With 6V6 tubes his amp in his opinion after 6 months of R&D captures the sound of a BFDR, and with 6L6's captures the sound of a Vibrolux Reverb, his track record with pickups give him pretty good credibility IMHO. But you're right about the BF amps being fixed bias, and the speaker configuration of both amps are different than the Fralin also, but we're concerned about the sonics, clean headroom and smooth breakup of all three of the amps; right? Cathode bias or Fixed bias maybe the amp is closer to a Tweed Deluxe with BF reverb and a 15" speaker and a Tweed Pro with BF reverb.

April 22nd, 2006, 10:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
shakedancer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: north of Boston Posts: 1,639	Tremo is nowhere to be found, he's still looking for someone who knows how to play a Blues Shuffle. __________________ "If you don't like the Blues, you got to have a Hole in your Soul." Luther Allison JOE

April 23rd, 2006, 01:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	I play an excellent blues shuffle. 8) 8) 8)

April 23rd, 2006, 10:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
KBR Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 662 10 Photos	Tremo stuff While I have known Tremo for 15 or so years, he can be straight and to the point, he always says the facts. He is a no bs type of person and has alot of knowledge re: Amps, tubes, Tones (subjective) etc. He, like me, is pretty much into Old Style Blues and roots rock, (we both have an appreciation of less is more soloing, and rhythms)... I have learned alot from Tremo, so although he can be a bit rough, learn from him and move on. I will never forget Tremo makin me sweat(while) takin apart my amp with a screwdriver while sweating bullets in a 100 degree crib...(KBR don't like to sweat unless Gigging or treadmilling... __________________ KBR http://home.earthlink.net/~blueray/

April 23rd, 2006, 12:42 PM	#15 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	Can't we all just get along. Jeezzz!!!!

April 25th, 2006, 06:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
Jef Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 690 2 Photos	It is true that the mentioned BF amps are fixed biased, which is a more efficient bias system than cathode bias. That’s one of the reasons why a BFDR is rated for 22 watts and a tweed deluxe is only 12 watts while they both have a dual 6V6 output section. That’s also one of the reasons why these amps sound different and the BF being the cleaner of the two. However, when carefully tweaking the value of the cathode bypass cap, a cathode biased amp can sound very similar to a fixed bias amp. If the rest of the amp follows the topology of a typical BF circuit, I can imagine that it has crisp and clean tones, even though it’s cathode biased. jef __________________ Amplification is not a social dinner, a literary event, a drawing or an embroidery; It cannot be done with elegance and courtesy. Amplification is an act of violence... (Mao Tse-Tube)

May 12th, 2006, 08:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	Fralin Amp on the way Just got off the phone with VVT, the amp is finished and is on the way! I'm getting JJ 6V6's, Tad 6L6 small bottles and tung sol 5881's for a little variation on how the amp responds as far a headroom, breakup and bottom end response. Review coming soon.

May 26th, 2006, 03:01 AM	#19 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	Fralin Amp in the House! Well I've had the amp for almost a week and finally got to hear it in a band setting. Verrrrry smooth clean sound. I replaced V1 with a rca 5751. The JJ12ax7 was too microphonic. That amp seems to be voiced for strats and teles. I played at a blues jam and I'm looking forward to Monday when I'm with my band.

June 6th, 2006, 08:04 AM	#21 (permalink)
charley NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bath, UK Posts: 1	Re: Anyone seen the Lindy Fralin Amp? How would the Fralin amp do for steel/lap steel? __________________ He was dull in a new way, and that made many people think him great — Dr. Johnson

June 6th, 2006, 08:48 PM	#22 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	Fralin Amp for Steel It would depend on the size of club you used it in, I think this amp is for small to mid sized clubs if your not micing the amp. It's pretty clean up to 4-5 on the volume knob with nice smooth overdrive/compression after that. I gigged the other day with another guitarist in the band with a tele and 69 super reverb amp and his sound was much louder and cleaner, than my amp with a 57 RI strat. IMHO that super might be better for steel unless you want the dirt. the Fralin amp is more like a vibrolux reverb. Good luck with your tone quest.