Check out the newest news, views, lessons and more for Fender lovers -- FenderRocks.com

Handley · September 6th, 2011, 09:58 PM

Still a bit new to the forums. I've had my Gretsch 6120RHH for about 4 months now and it's time to start refining the amp portion of my sound. Any help would be much appreciated.

I'm looking for a low watt combo (>5 & <15) amp and about to pull the trigger on a Reeves Custom 12 combo with Power Scaling ($1050). I know de Lisle's are a favorites around and I'm considering the Double Nickel as well.
Here's a bit more info about what I'm looking for...

Where - I'm a worship pastor at a church that runs around 300 people and the room decay where I play weekly is horrible (about 10 sec) so we've got to keep the stage volume down. I also do a bit of traveling to other churches (some bigger, some smaller) so I need a bit of versatility where volume is concerned.

Current Amps - Bad Cat Hot Cat 15 head but have to keep it turned down and I don't like carting around the head and cab everywhere (I sometimes play larger & louder youth festivals and the Bad Cat works great for that). I also have a 1967 Fender Vibro Champ that almost does the trick but I'm convinced I won't get the sound I want from an 8" speaker (Weber Signature Alnico).

Pedals (in order) - Wah, Keeley mod TS808, Keeley Comp, Katana Clean Boost, Strymon Reverberator, Giga Delay, Fulltone Supa-Trem, A/B/bypass.

Tone - I'm looking for some slight OD as well as clean (but not pristine) and I'd love to be able to control this with the volume on the guitar (I've done the volume mod). I'll use pedals for the real thick OD but only do that rarely since it tends to freak out some people in churches. I mainly play the Gretsch (TV Jones Classics) but every once in a while I pull out the Strat for some single coil goodness.

Any thoughts?

ishtar · September 6th, 2011, 11:02 PM

Carr Mercury?

HOTROD 6120 · September 7th, 2011, 07:16 AM

NEW Blues JR. lll,awesome.I play through a modded 410 Deville and just got a 'western' Ltd. Ed. JR. from Sweetwater.New version is supposedly better than the old ones.Not sure on this but it's as clean as you would want it and breaks up sweetly.

Geezer · September 7th, 2011, 08:29 AM

Sounds like you need a Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe.

araT · September 7th, 2011, 09:08 AM

Tough question without knowing if you prefer British- (boosted mids) or American- (scooped mids) voiced amps..

I'm on the British-voiced side of things and I love my Orange Dual Terror. It does 7W, 15W & 30W, it's got a great British clean & plenty of dirt for when it's needed. It can go from a bedroom to a small/medium gig at the flick of a switch or two, and it sounds great at both volumes.

It sounds to me like you may prefer American-voicings (at least in the past, going by your amps), in which case feel free to ignore this post

tartanphantom · September 7th, 2011, 10:18 AM

What's your budget, and do you prefer a master volume or no master volume?

Punkabilly · September 7th, 2011, 11:46 AM

I have a little giant 5 done by Mercury Magnetics. Just the head 5 or 13 watts custom transformers, choke 2 6v6 and 12ax7. 4, 8, 16 ohm. Drives a 4x12 no problem at all. Sounds like vox ac 30 and fender champ. This has a lot of what you were looking for. I spent 160 on the head new. The mean 13 package by mercury Magnetics. Patrick is the guy to talk to. I have an extra one for sale but, not in a hurry to sell. All my amps are low wattage. My favorite is my 5 watt Marshall tricked out. Still 5 watts maybe 6. Sounds great!
Cheers

WATThouse · September 7th, 2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handley

Still a bit new to the forums. I've had my Gretsch 6120RHH for about 4 months now and it's time to start refining the amp portion of my sound. Any help would be much appreciated.

I'm looking for a low watt combo (>5 & <15) amp and about to pull the trigger on a Reeves Custom 12 combo with Power Scaling ($1050). I know de Lisle's are a favorites around and I'm considering the Double Nickel as well.
Here's a bit more info about what I'm looking for...

Where - I'm a worship pastor at a church that runs around 300 people and the room decay where I play weekly is horrible (about 10 sec) so we've got to keep the stage volume down. I also do a bit of traveling to other churches (some bigger, some smaller) so I need a bit of versatility where volume is concerned.

Current Amps - Bad Cat Hot Cat 15 head but have to keep it turned down and I don't like carting around the head and cab everywhere (I sometimes play larger & louder youth festivals and the Bad Cat works great for that). I also have a 1967 Fender Vibro Champ that almost does the trick but I'm convinced I won't get the sound I want from an 8" speaker (Weber Signature Alnico).

Pedals (in order) - Wah, Keeley mod TS808, Keeley Comp, Katana Clean Boost, Strymon Reverberator, Giga Delay, Fulltone Supa-Trem, A/B/bypass.

Tone - I'm looking for some slight OD as well as clean (but not pristine) and I'd love to be able to control this with the volume on the guitar (I've done the volume mod). I'll use pedals for the real thick OD but only do that rarely since it tends to freak out some people in churches. I mainly play the Gretsch (TV Jones Classics) but every once in a while I pull out the Strat for some single coil goodness.

Any thoughts?

Handley, if you cab get your hands on a Reeves, they are amazing. Reeves is inspired by Hiwatts which I really love. The Reeves low wattage amps will last forever and are extremely dynamic and responsive on a sublime level. You will not be disappointed. The Custom 12, Which I have tried is exactly what you are describing, "slight OD as well as clean (but not pristine) and I'd love to be able to control this with the volume on the guitar." The REEVES 50s and 100 are more pristine. The Custom 12 takes to OD pedals well, but you really won't need them unless you really need to OD the amp hard.

Handley · September 7th, 2011, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the responses. I've checkout out some of your suggestions...

Carr Mercury looks good and definitely and option but the price tag is a a bit much. I'm planning on selling my '67 Blackface Vibro Champ and would like to come close to the amount needed for the new amp. Carr is still in the running though but a new Reeves (hand-wired) comes in at $1050 and a used Mercury is at least $1399.

Blues Jr.III with 15watts is on the high side of what I'm looking for. My Bad Cat does 15watts and I'm really looking for something rated around 6 or 7 watts. If it is more then I would need some type of Power Scaling to bring it down.

Master volume isn't necessary as long as the watts are 5-7.

I'm thinking more along the lines of a British sound since my Fender doesn't really do it for me but I'm not locked into that. I know many boutique amps don't really fit into either category so I'm trying to keep an open mind.

I checked out the Dual Terror but since I already have a head/cab set up I'm looking for a combo (more of a grab and go kinda thing). The Tiny Terror comes in a 1x12 combo so I think that's still in the running. $899 at Sweetwater but... the hand wired Reeves Custom 12 is only $150 more. (I promise I'm not on their payroll. Just trying to do the research since I probably won't be able to play any of these before purchasing.)

The Blackheart comes in a 1x12 combo that I'm guessing I could upgrade with the Mean 13 just like the head. $350 for the amp and $340 for the upgrade kit gets me very close to $700 without a speaker upgrade yet. It's a possibility.

The Fender 5E3 might be an option through Ceriatone. I'm a bit of a DIYer so I could pick up the components, board, and chassis from Ceriatone and head to Mercury Magnetics for the OT, choke, and PT to make sure i do it right.

So...
Carr Mercury = $1399.99 used at GC
Blackheart 1x12 with MM Mean 13 upgrade = $690 (I do the mod)
Orange Tiny Terror 1x12 = $899
Reeves Custom 12 w Power Scaling = $1050
Ceriatone 5E3 kit ($460) with MM OT, choke, and PT ($285) = $745 (still no speaker or tubes and I do the work)

Poppatwang · September 7th, 2011, 07:59 PM

I use one of these.
http://www.ebay.com:80/itm/ws/eBayIS...=300594117214+
The power is exaggerated. I think you only get 10 or so watts out of a single EL34.
Oversize plywood cab and the speaker is along the lines of a V30 but made by Eminence.
The "thrust" switch turns negative feedback on & off. Versatile & loud enough for club gigs.
Dime everything and it ROARS!

pilgrim · September 7th, 2011, 09:02 PM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid/

Roosto · September 7th, 2011, 09:55 PM

I'm super happy with my Vox Pathfinder 15R. Great looks, too.

dbirchett · September 8th, 2011, 04:14 PM

No love for Princeton Reverbs? That is the first thing I would try.

Handley · September 9th, 2011, 09:58 PM

Ok...

Ordered the Reeves Custom 12 in White. Should arrive in about a week. Then I'll decide if the '67 Vibro Champ or Bad Cat goes.

NickGretsch · September 10th, 2011, 02:50 AM

Handley, first off love your choice of Gretsch, nice.

I've got a Tiny Terror which I run through an Orange 1x12 cab. Sounds old school Brit to me. Had my mega knowledgeable band mate with me when I tried it out and he was knocked out with the sound too, saying in his experience it was better than Vox Night Train etc...

My only thought is it does sound quite middley but then my other amp is a Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb so guess thats why.

And IF you wanted to gig with it I'd say its up to it for small venues. I gig with mine a lot as we usually play pubs here in Cornwall.