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eddiewagner · January 22nd, 2007, 03:11 AM

howdy folks,
i am on the waiting list for a little dawg 12" amp. i did that blind. it will take a while, before its my turn on getting one made. does anyone have first hand experience with that amp? is it loud enough to play small gigs with drums? thanks for info,
eddie

Rob DiStefano · January 22nd, 2007, 08:41 AM

WHAT Li'l Dawg 12" amp? Hopefully it's the Champster Special w/15w trannies - you can gig with that amp at small venues and non-athletic drummers. If it's the 5watt version and yer amp build is still in queue, change it to the Special pronto! Also, to get the most from the CS, get a hefty 12" speaker - a 50w 8ohm Weber 12F150 is a great matchup with that amp, and will insure the max amount of clean headroom, particularly when running with a 6L6/GZ34 instead of a 6V6/5Y3 set of valves.

IMO, Jim makes the best tweed/Fender clone amps around, and his prices are the lowest while the build and component quality is the highest. I have the first Champster Special chassis he built and it's one of my fave amps. I also have a custom D-Lux chassis with upright tubes that'll become a head amp.

For more progressive amps, I rely on Winfield Amps "Brat", "Cyclone" and "Rosco" amps - Winnie builds exceptional tube amps that are in the Fender black/silver vein, with touches of Marshall, Vox and Matchless. Superb amps in every way!

tdu · January 22nd, 2007, 09:16 AM

Ya if it weren't for Jim I never would have been introduced to the wonderful world of Tweed. His prices make it possible, and the quality is top notch. Nothing sounds like a Tweed amp and a Tele. It makes my knees weak.

eddiewagner · January 22nd, 2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Hopefully it's the Champster Special w/15w trannies - you can gig with that amp at small venues and non-athletic drummers.

hi rob, thats what i hope i will get. no worries, jim will contact me when things get more "real".

markophonic · January 22nd, 2007, 11:43 AM

So whats a ballpark figure for one of these amps in the configuration that Rob D. speaks of???

JoePops22 · January 23rd, 2007, 05:50 PM

If you e-mail Jim and let him know what you want he will give you a quote. You will not be disappointed. His prices are not much higher than an unassembled kit from some of the well known kit makers and the quality is second to none.

I would also recommend the 15W Special, especially if you have plans to gig with it.

I have the 15W Special with a Weber 12A125 30W speaker. My brother has the 8W Champ with a Weber Alnico Sig 10 speaker (early break-up). After several months he is beginning to think that he should have gone with the 15W version. He loves the cranked OD sound but wishes there was more headroom. I'm going to lend him my Special for his next jam. He may see about getting a 15W OT installed and changing the speaker or may go for a D-Lux from Jim.

In either case an OD and/or boost pedal is almost essential.

Rob DiStefano · January 23rd, 2007, 06:00 PM

The quality of Jim's work is top shelf all the way. And his tweed cabs are Amazing - CLOTH tweed, hand applied, stained and clear coated. His prices are totally insane - no one can touch his amps for quality and price. Sound like a shill rap? Nope, I pay the same prices as everyone else - and I can't possibly imagine him selling them for less let alone imagine he's netting a decent buck right now. He's truly the King of Tweed. And to boot, Jim's one of the nicest guys I've ever met.

BTW, for those who want the best of tweed and headroom, get a 50w 8ohm 12F150 for yer Champster Special - everyone who's heard mine has been dazzled by the tone and sheer volume when used with a good Tele or Strat.

sandman72202 · January 23rd, 2007, 06:27 PM

+1 on any of his selections. rob said it all

you can't go wrong. just tell jim what your after tonewise and how loud you think you might need. although the wait is long....theres a good reason.
he builds them all personally himself, every step of the way and you'll be shocked at the price.
i wish there more people like him.....not just building amps...i mean in just dealing with. truly a pleasure

KDAD · January 23rd, 2007, 07:55 PM

Jim is the real deal... Hands down...nobody finer to work with

And the amps?...oh yeah... they're very good

Hamer95USA · January 24th, 2007, 09:28 PM

Hey EddieWagner,

I just bought a Lil' Dawg Champster Special amp from Jim a few weeks ago. It's my first low powered tweed amp that I've ever bought. Everyone else is on a waiting list to have one built. I got lucky, called Jim up, and he told me he had a Champster Special that was supposed to be sent to Singapore. Singapore mail wouldn't accept the amp due to size restrictions. Jim contacted the buyer, refunded his money and contacted me. I decided to buy the Champster Special so I drove to his shop to pick it up, had him install my Eminence Legend 125 speaker and paid him for the amp. I have a Heyboer transformer in mine that can also accept 220/240 volts as well.

I find the amp has a great tone (there's no tone knob on my amp), accepts all of my overdrive/distortion pedals really well and out of all the tweed clone amp builders, is perhaps the best value amp for the money. His customer service & knowledge about amps was also very helpful in my questions. The lacquered tweed (14 coats) and handbuilt pine cabinet that's designed for a 12" speaker is absolutely beautiful. This is now my at home practice amp or possible small gig amp and it's a really wonderful to play through.

Guitar George

eddiewagner · January 25th, 2007, 04:06 AM

he george, thats good news. do you have the 15 watt verson? i hope that jim can send the amp to germany without problems. eddie

ruger9 · January 25th, 2007, 07:06 AM

is the D-lux the 6V6 Princeton Reverb clone? He does a 6V6 Tweed Princeton of some kind, doesn't he?

Rob DiStefano · January 25th, 2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruger9

is the D-lux the 6V6 Princeton Reverb clone?

The D-Lux is a near clone of the '56-'57 5E3 Fender Deluxe, but available in both 14w and 25w versions. The 25w is my fave, and I've got a new D-Lux upright head amp coming!

He does a 6V6 Tweed Princeton of some kind, doesn't he?

Yes, the 5F2A - a friend's got the first TP chassis Jim made and it's a beauty.

....

ramseybella · January 25th, 2007, 08:25 AM

Somebody have a Phone number or Email address to Jim?
Thanks

Rob DiStefano · January 25th, 2007, 08:31 AM

jim@littledawgamps.com
(916) 434-0844

Hamer95USA · January 31st, 2007, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiewagner

he george, thats good news. do you have the 15 watt verson? i hope that jim can send the amp to germany without problems. eddie

Hey eddiewagner,

Yes, I have the 15 watt version called the Champster Special. It has the Heyboer transformer that can do 220-240 volts and the 12" speaker. I'm sure Jim can send your amp to Germany with no problems. You may want to check with the German Postal Service to see if there are any size or weight limitations in their regulations. You'll also have to deal with any customs taxes as well. Cheers!!

Guitar George

eddiewagner · January 31st, 2007, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamer95USA

I'm sure Jim can send your amp to Germany with no problems.

hi george, he does not want to send to germany. thats too bad. i would need to find a middle-person in the states to do it. thats all double the trouble somehow......
eddie

Hamer95USA · February 2nd, 2007, 02:10 AM

Hey eddiewagner,

There is a ban on electronics if it doesn't meet the ROHS compliance regulations in Europe. There are quite a number of American music equipment manufacturers that are having equipment deliveries being delayed due to this compliance. Hopefully, everyone can get their compliance stamp and deliver their products to Europe.

Guitar George

January 22nd, 2007, 03:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
eddiewagner Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 50 Posts: 5,100 27 Photos	whats the word on lil dawgs? howdy folks, i am on the waiting list for a little dawg 12" amp. i did that blind. it will take a while, before its my turn on getting one made. does anyone have first hand experience with that amp? is it loud enough to play small gigs with drums? thanks for info, eddie __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

January 22nd, 2007, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 33 Posts: 2,832 11 Photos	Ya if it weren't for Jim I never would have been introduced to the wonderful world of Tweed. His prices make it possible, and the quality is top notch. Nothing sounds like a Tweed amp and a Tele. It makes my knees weak. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

January 22nd, 2007, 11:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
markophonic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan Age: 48 Posts: 1,032 1 Photos	So whats a ballpark figure for one of these amps in the configuration that Rob D. speaks of??? __________________ http://www.brianvanderark.com/

January 23rd, 2007, 05:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
JoePops22 TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Surrey, British Columbia CANADA Age: 53 Posts: 96	Li'l Dawg amps If you e-mail Jim and let him know what you want he will give you a quote. You will not be disappointed. His prices are not much higher than an unassembled kit from some of the well known kit makers and the quality is second to none. I would also recommend the 15W Special, especially if you have plans to gig with it. I have the 15W Special with a Weber 12A125 30W speaker. My brother has the 8W Champ with a Weber Alnico Sig 10 speaker (early break-up). After several months he is beginning to think that he should have gone with the 15W version. He loves the cranked OD sound but wishes there was more headroom. I'm going to lend him my Special for his next jam. He may see about getting a 15W OT installed and changing the speaker or may go for a D-Lux from Jim. In either case an OD and/or boost pedal is almost essential. __________________ The OT, the "old timer"

January 24th, 2007, 09:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Hamer95USA TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: northern Cali Posts: 99	Hey EddieWagner, I just bought a Lil' Dawg Champster Special amp from Jim a few weeks ago. It's my first low powered tweed amp that I've ever bought. Everyone else is on a waiting list to have one built. I got lucky, called Jim up, and he told me he had a Champster Special that was supposed to be sent to Singapore. Singapore mail wouldn't accept the amp due to size restrictions. Jim contacted the buyer, refunded his money and contacted me. I decided to buy the Champster Special so I drove to his shop to pick it up, had him install my Eminence Legend 125 speaker and paid him for the amp. I have a Heyboer transformer in mine that can also accept 220/240 volts as well. I find the amp has a great tone (there's no tone knob on my amp), accepts all of my overdrive/distortion pedals really well and out of all the tweed clone amp builders, is perhaps the best value amp for the money. His customer service & knowledge about amps was also very helpful in my questions. The lacquered tweed (14 coats) and handbuilt pine cabinet that's designed for a 12" speaker is absolutely beautiful. This is now my at home practice amp or possible small gig amp and it's a really wonderful to play through. Guitar George __________________ Guitars: Hamer USA, Gibson, Fender Amps:Lil' Dawg Champster Special, Marshall 6101, Rocktron Vendetta, Omega Amps modded Hot Rod Deluxe, Mesa Boogie Simul-Satellite, ADA Depot 3TM mod MP-1 preamp, Hughes & Kettner Tubeman Effects:Area 51 wah, Boss (CE-2, RV-2, OC-2, AC-2), Xotic, MI Audio, Analogman, MXR, Korg I like my Omega Amps modded Hot Rod Deluxe!! Ya gotta problem with that? My avatars has been changed for your viewing pleasure!!!

January 22nd, 2007, 08:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 5,156	WHAT Li'l Dawg 12" amp? Hopefully it's the Champster Special w/15w trannies - you can gig with that amp at small venues and non-athletic drummers. If it's the 5watt version and yer amp build is still in queue, change it to the Special pronto! Also, to get the most from the CS, get a hefty 12" speaker - a 50w 8ohm Weber 12F150 is a great matchup with that amp, and will insure the max amount of clean headroom, particularly when running with a 6L6/GZ34 instead of a 6V6/5Y3 set of valves. IMO, Jim makes the best tweed/Fender clone amps around, and his prices are the lowest while the build and component quality is the highest. I have the first Champster Special chassis he built and it's one of my fave amps. I also have a custom D-Lux chassis with upright tubes that'll become a head amp. For more progressive amps, I rely on Winfield Amps "Brat", "Cyclone" and "Rosco" amps - Winnie builds exceptional tube amps that are in the Fender black/silver vein, with touches of Marshall, Vox and Matchless. Superb amps in every way!

January 23rd, 2007, 06:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 5,156	The quality of Jim's work is top shelf all the way. And his tweed cabs are Amazing - CLOTH tweed, hand applied, stained and clear coated. His prices are totally insane - no one can touch his amps for quality and price. Sound like a shill rap? Nope, I pay the same prices as everyone else - and I can't possibly imagine him selling them for less let alone imagine he's netting a decent buck right now. He's truly the King of Tweed. And to boot, Jim's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. BTW, for those who want the best of tweed and headroom, get a 50w 8ohm 12F150 for yer Champster Special - everyone who's heard mine has been dazzled by the tone and sheer volume when used with a good Tele or Strat.

January 23rd, 2007, 06:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
sandman72202 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Arkansas, currently on walkabout Posts: 487	+1 on any of his selections. rob said it all you can't go wrong. just tell jim what your after tonewise and how loud you think you might need. although the wait is long....theres a good reason. he builds them all personally himself, every step of the way and you'll be shocked at the price. i wish there more people like him.....not just building amps...i mean in just dealing with. truly a pleasure

January 23rd, 2007, 07:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
KDAD Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 111	Jim is the real deal... Hands down...nobody finer to work with And the amps?...oh yeah... they're very good

January 25th, 2007, 04:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
eddiewagner Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 50 Posts: 5,100 27 Photos	he george, thats good news. do you have the 15 watt verson? i hope that jim can send the amp to germany without problems. eddie __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

January 25th, 2007, 07:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
ruger9 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackettstown, NJ Posts: 2,052	is the D-lux the 6V6 Princeton Reverb clone? He does a 6V6 Tweed Princeton of some kind, doesn't he? __________________ "I've got callouses, from all those nights, spent playin' a Telecaster, 'till my fingers bled Bud Light" - Travis Tritt

January 25th, 2007, 08:25 AM	#14 (permalink)
ramseybella Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe New Mexico Posts: 1,427 39 Photos	Somebody have a Phone number or Email address to Jim? Thanks

January 25th, 2007, 08:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 5,156	jim@littledawgamps.com (916) 434-0844

February 2nd, 2007, 02:10 AM	#18 (permalink)
Hamer95USA TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: northern Cali Posts: 99	Hey eddiewagner, There is a ban on electronics if it doesn't meet the ROHS compliance regulations in Europe. There are quite a number of American music equipment manufacturers that are having equipment deliveries being delayed due to this compliance. Hopefully, everyone can get their compliance stamp and deliver their products to Europe. Guitar George __________________ Guitars: Hamer USA, Gibson, Fender Amps:Lil' Dawg Champster Special, Marshall 6101, Rocktron Vendetta, Omega Amps modded Hot Rod Deluxe, Mesa Boogie Simul-Satellite, ADA Depot 3TM mod MP-1 preamp, Hughes & Kettner Tubeman Effects:Area 51 wah, Boss (CE-2, RV-2, OC-2, AC-2), Xotic, MI Audio, Analogman, MXR, Korg I like my Omega Amps modded Hot Rod Deluxe!! Ya gotta problem with that? My avatars has been changed for your viewing pleasure!!!

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