Hey Jere... Tone King?

[D_Schief]

Jere -- You've mentioned your great joy with your Tone King Meteor II. I know you used to have the Comet 40B 2-12". How do the two compare?

Background: As you may remember, I had the Comet 40A, but I sold it because it was too directional and too loud. I now have an Allen Sweet Spot and know about Beam Blockers. So, I'm set on the 18 watt side of things, and hankerin' for a 30-40 wat amp to go along with the A.S.S., and beginning to miss the old Comet. (Am I pathetic or what?)

P.S. There was a Comet 40B on EBay a few days ago with a Buy-It-Now price of $999, that lasted for about 2 hours!

[getbent]

I saw that one on eBay and wrote the guy about why he was selling... tax bill was the basic response... I have an imperial on order (4 weeks to go)

His told me he loved the amp but that I should know that it had a ton of headroom (which I knew from trying one) that thing sold in a hurry!

[Twangmeister]

How are you, Esquire? There are vast, unopened crates of Red Vines sitting in a forlorn rehearsal studio in Van Nuys waiting for your return, sir!

My Tone King Love post didn't eleicit any responses, but I understand that many players here have expressed their preference for a "Fender into a Fender" sound (which is cool and I do that, too, when called upon). As you know, I was devoted to my Comet 40B. In fact, I did use your 40A on a gig, but I generally find 1x12's lacking something in the robustness department. Besides, the stage was so crowded that my buttocks were only millimeters from the grille and it was extremely difficult to dial in a sound. (Of course the buttocks proximity may be why you sold it in the first place). ;-)

The Meteor II is less directional and "in your face." It does project extremely well and cut through the band, but in a more 3-D kind of way. A bit more Fendery sparkle on the top, and rounder on the bottom. The cool thing about the Comet is the way it compressed the bottom notes in those low, twangy moments. The Meteor twangs quite well, but its' more....uh, refined. Rick Towne has an Allen that sounds great-very rich and oozing BF goodness. The Tone King is different, but still tons of headroom on the clean channel (and it really loves the Keeley compressor and Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive in particular).

I also believe that the separate head and cab (which is open backed AND ported in front) adds to the "airiness" of the overall sound. I think you'd love it for the jazzier stuff that you do- the notes are big, round and articulate with just enough punch when you snap the strings, even down by the bridge. Highly recommend that you check one out before you jump on another Comet.

BTW, the tweed channel is still a friggin' beast, but I can get some very gnarly Tweed Deluxe soounds out of it, but have not had the huevos to turn it up past "3" or so (Mark says to set it to "8" for Marshall crunch- or a seizure!). Reverb on both channels is a nice plus, as is the 4-knb verb, tremolo and 3-way bright switch.

I've prosletyzed enough. You'll just have to come out for a visit and play it!

Take care and be well, my friend.