5 watt tube amps
Question:
Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford – I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my 1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave up and soon forgot about it. I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, depending on how they stack up to the Crate. Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers???
Response:
> too me it sounds pretty damn good.
That’s all that matters. 
Response:
I have a vintage 5 watter–a Champish Valco–but it is too loud for bedroom practice volumes with anything but pure clean tone. If you want a tube amp sound that distorts nicely at low volumes, IMO the simplest solution is one watt or less, run through a smallish speaker, six or eight inches max.
Response:
The little Epiphone tube amps sound great too! They are even less, like $100. Not sure how many watts that little guy is, but I played through it and I was pleased. Sounded tooob!!! Had punch!! It even had a VOLUME knob!!! ( but no other knobs whatsoever ).
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking > at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford > – I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my > 1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) > Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave > up and soon forgot about it. > I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 > watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My > thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a > simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to > audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. > With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was > totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube > amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 > 3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares > the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush > harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube > is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max > overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates > that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both > the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. > I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, > depending on how they stack up to the Crate. > Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers???
The "original" 5 watt tube amp is probably the Fender Champ. Well, it just might be 6 or 7 watts, but that is splitting hairs. There are lots of us using low powered amps. I built a Gilmore Junior (half-watt) and a Champ clone. Both are great amps for what they are, producing good quality tone at a level that won’t make you deaf, particularly in a small room (bedroom, living room). They can still be pretty loud, though. I’m reasonably certain there are guys who pass through here who’ve got the Dr Z, the H&K Cream Machine, and others. I’ve played through that Crate, and the new Gibson GA5. It’s a bit hard to tell in the store, but they seem to be wonderful little amps. Crate has a reputation of not being particular roadworthy, but if you are careful with it, I’d think it will last a long time. At that price, I can see where it was hard to pass. Enjoy. Phil
Response:
> too me it sounds pretty damn good. > That’s all that matters.
Exactly, it’s how it sounds that counts, not the name on the box. Maybe this amp won’t survive being bashed around on road trips quite as well as something hand-wired, but if that isn’t what it’s being used for then no problem.
Response:
>Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking >at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford >- I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my >1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) >Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave >up and soon forgot about it.
I have a similar problem with spending that much for a low watt amp. But realistically speaking, a 5watt amp isn’t a gigging amp anyhow. So if you have a 5watt amp that sounds great at home, or in the studio, then why assign the amp’s value according to how many watts it has? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 >watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My >thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a >simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to >audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. >With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was >totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube >amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 >3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares >the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush >harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube >is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max >overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates >that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both >the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. >I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, >depending on how they stack up to the Crate. >Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers???
Haven’t been able to bring myself to spending that much money on an amp that has so little headroom. But I can see advantages to owning an amp like that. I keep moving to smaller setups all the time though, so in another year or two, I might be down to 5 or 10watts. I’m down to about 18 now. Pete — He’s rectangley. That’s how you’ll know him. By his rectangularness. –Shark
Response:
It’s really good to see so many manufacturer’s producing lower priced tube amps. When I was just getting started, the Peavey Decade was *The Amp*. In my circles, tubes were unheard of, passed off as unreliable/antiquated and expensive. The ones that were somewhat affordable (Champ) were lacking in the overdrive dept. It took me several years to realize that solid state "Saturation" dials were emulating overdriven tubes. Nowdays, it sounds like begginers have their pick of glass from most all major brands. I think Crate got it right by putting a gain and volume knob. I’ll never forget the first time I hit an open E chord with the saturation maxed on the Decade. I used to hit that chord over and over and just bit over the last couple of days…….only the EL-34 "sings" whereas
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> It’s really good to see so many manufacturer’s producing lower priced > tube amps. When I was just getting started, the Peavey Decade was *The > Amp*. > In my circles, tubes were unheard of, passed off as > unreliable/antiquated and expensive. The ones that were somewhat > affordable (Champ) were lacking in the overdrive dept. It took me > several years to realize that solid state "Saturation" dials were > emulating overdriven tubes. Nowdays, it sounds like begginers have > their pick of glass from most all major brands. > I think Crate got it right by putting a gain and volume knob. I’ll > never forget the first time I hit an open E chord with the saturation > maxed on the Decade. I used to hit that chord over and over and just > bit over the last couple of days…….only the EL-34 "sings" whereas
I think your amp has one EL84. There is a big difference. Besides the way it sounds, an EL34 would produce maybe 15-25 watts, enough to make you deaf in a small room. Anyhow, I got the idea that you like this amp. Next, you will be *needing* a 50 watt tube amp that will shake the windows. You are in a whole different league — at that power level, the amp interacts with the room.
Response:
> a tube amp sound that distorts nicely at low volumes, IMO the simplest > solution is one watt or less, run through a smallish speaker, six or > eight inches max.
Yep, I’ve the 2-W H&K CreamMachine, and with a 10" speaker in a home-made box it’s a killer. Can’t get any clean sounds out of it, but for rockin’ it sure screams. It only has volume and gain, so you need to pick the right guitar to use with it; my stratkenstein with a high cap is and a SD JB and a single is sufficiently dark, and it has the body woods to make it sing. If you plug in a lesser guitar, you notice any lack of depth, bad woods, mikes, too shrill, very very clearly and might get a totally crap sound too…it has to be dark enough and beefy enough to start with. I mean, I can play my Floyd-Jackson into it OK but immediately it lacks so much punch compared to a beefy strat you wouldn’t believe – on normal setups the difference isn’t so big. It’s great for testing guitars; true gems of guitars really scream with it without any other gear needed. So I just plug straight into it, no preamps, nothing, and it is damn good. No need for any stinkin FX or compressors At full blast it’s loud enough that I need to scream at the top of my voice (and I’ve been singing heavy metal for 15 years so I’m loud) and still I have problems being heard over it. My dB meter says it’s over 100dB at 2 feet. (BTW it’s also good for beefing up line sounds with my Marshall JMP-1)
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking >at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford >- I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my >1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) >Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave >up and soon forgot about it. > I have a similar problem with spending that much for a low watt amp. > But realistically speaking, a 5watt amp isn’t a gigging amp anyhow. > So if you have a 5watt amp that sounds great at home, or in the > studio, then why assign the amp’s value according to how many watts it > has? >I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 >watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My >thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a >simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to >audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. >With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was >totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube >amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 >3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares >the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush >harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube >is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max >overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates >that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both >the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. >I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, >depending on how they stack up to the Crate. >Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers??? > Haven’t been able to bring myself to spending that much money on an > amp that has so little headroom. But I can see advantages to owning > an amp like that. > I keep moving to smaller setups all the time though, so in another > year or two, I might be down to 5 or 10watts. I’m down to about 18 > now. > Pete > — > He’s rectangley. > That’s how you’ll know him. > By his rectangularness. –Shark
Response:
My bad……EL84 in the crate.
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking > at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford > – I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my > 1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) > Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave > up and soon forgot about it. > I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 > watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My > thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a > simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to > audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. > With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was > totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube > amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 > 3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares > the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush > harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube > is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max > overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates > that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both > the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. > I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, > depending on how they stack up to the Crate. > Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers??? >The "original" 5 watt tube amp is probably the Fender Champ. Well, it just >might be 6 or 7 watts, but that is splitting hairs. There are lots of us >using low powered amps. I built a Gilmore Junior (half-watt) and a Champ >clone. Both are great amps for what they are, producing good quality tone >at a level that won’t make you deaf, particularly in a small room (bedroom, >living room). They can still be pretty loud, though. I’m reasonably >certain there are guys who pass through here who’ve got the Dr Z, the H&K >Cream Machine, and others. I’ve played through that Crate, and the new >Gibson GA5. It’s a bit hard to tell in the store, but they seem to be >wonderful little amps. Crate has a reputation of not being particular >roadworthy, but if you are careful with it, I’d think it will last a long >time. At that price, I can see where it was hard to pass. Enjoy.
I’ve had an Ardmore at my house for a while. I got it to record some samples for Rich Guy, which I’ve done but I’d like to do more before I bring it back. Through one 12" speaker, the Ardmore is plenty loud enough to rattle the loose objects in my living room. I could see gigging with it, provided it was mic’ed and I could a little in my monitors. I’ve also heard plenty of concerns over Crate roadworthiness, but I have a friend who’s been using a 2xEL84 15 watter for all his gigs around town for the last year or so. Another friend (note to Phil – this was the other guitarist in Last Train Home when you saw them) recently showed up to a gig with a Blues Jr. and was raving about how much he was digging using it for shows. -Scott Mcknight
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking >> at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford >> – I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my >> 1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) >> Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave >> up and soon forgot about it. >> I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 >> watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My >> thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a >> simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to >> audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. >> With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was >> totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube >> amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 >> 3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares >> the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush >> harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube >> is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max >> overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates >> that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both >> the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. >> I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, >> depending on how they stack up to the Crate. >> Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers??? >The "original" 5 watt tube amp is probably the Fender Champ. Well, it >just >might be 6 or 7 watts, but that is splitting hairs. There are lots of us >using low powered amps. I built a Gilmore Junior (half-watt) and a Champ >clone. Both are great amps for what they are, producing good quality tone >at a level that won’t make you deaf, particularly in a small room >(bedroom, >living room). They can still be pretty loud, though. I’m reasonably >certain there are guys who pass through here who’ve got the Dr Z, the H&K >Cream Machine, and others. I’ve played through that Crate, and the new >Gibson GA5. It’s a bit hard to tell in the store, but they seem to be >wonderful little amps. Crate has a reputation of not being particular >roadworthy, but if you are careful with it, I’d think it will last a long >time. At that price, I can see where it was hard to pass. Enjoy. > I’ve had an Ardmore at my house for a while. I got it to record some > samples for Rich Guy, which I’ve done but I’d like to do more before I > bring it back. Through one 12" speaker, the Ardmore is plenty loud > enough to rattle the loose objects in my living room. I could see > gigging with it, provided it was mic’ed and I could a little in my > monitors. > I’ve also heard plenty of concerns over Crate roadworthiness, but I > have a friend who’s been using a 2xEL84 15 watter for all his gigs > around town for the last year or so. > Another friend (note to Phil – this was the other guitarist in Last > Train Home when you saw them) recently showed up to a gig with a Blues > Jr. and was raving about how much he was digging using it for shows. > -Scott Mcknight
AFAIK, there is nothing "wrong" with the BJ. (Not addressing manufacturing issues and the like that appear here sometimes.) I’ve done a test drive at the store, and IMO it is a decent amp. YMMV.
Response:
I have a similar problem with spending that much for a low watt amp. But realistically speaking, a 5watt amp isn’t a gigging amp anyhow. So if you have a 5watt amp that sounds great at home, or in the studio, then why assign the amp’s value according to how many watts it has? Exactly! It took an actual audition to prove this to myself…..I was so hung up on wattage ratings that I forgot the whole point. What good would a Trainwreck Express be If I could only turn it up to "1", due to apartment living? I think the latest slew of 5 watters is perfect (maybe even too much?) for in home use. If 90% of my playing is at "bedroom" volume, why not shell out a few bucks for an amp that is designed to perform at these levels? I’m thinking of buying another…….the Swart from Fat Sounds is looking better and better…..just need to get down there to try it out.
Response:
>I have a similar problem with spending that much for a low watt amp. >But realistically speaking, a 5watt amp isn’t a gigging amp anyhow. >So if you have a 5watt amp that sounds great at home, or in the >studio, then why assign the amp’s value according to how many watts it >has? >Exactly! >It took an actual audition to prove this to myself…..I was so hung up >on wattage ratings that I forgot the whole point.
One interesting thing to me about those watt ratings that manufacturer assign their amps, is that they seem to be more for their target market, than a real measurement as far as I can tell. Why are there so many 50 watt amps out there? How’d they come up with that number 50? It seems that most amps with either two 6L6 or two EL34 tubes, get called 50watt amps. It has to be more marketing than anything. >What good would a >Trainwreck Express be If I could only turn it up to "1", due to >apartment living? I think the latest slew of 5 watters is perfect >(maybe even too much?) for in home use. If 90% of my playing is at >"bedroom" volume, why not shell out a few bucks for an amp that is >designed to perform at these levels? I’m thinking of buying >another…….the Swart from Fat Sounds is looking better and >better…..just need to get down there to try it out.
I think that low watt amps are slowly starting to become more acceptable to more and more people, and amp builders want a piece of that market. Not that Pignose didn’t enter the market decades ago with their battery powered Pignose, which still maintains a surprising popularity after all these years. I thought the Dr Z amp looked really interesting. I have to stop talking about it though, because I can’t afford amp GAS right now. But I’ve had a high gain LM386 amp head that I’ve been kicking around ideas for, for a while. *That* would just cost me parts that I have sitting around. Pete — He’s rectangley. That’s how you’ll know him. By his rectangularness. –Shark
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Please post any progress you make on a DIY low wattage amp. I would love to have the electrical knowledge to build my own and tweak it to my personal preference. Been reading up on some of the kits out there, some appear to be kind of "vague" in that parts are supplied along with a rough schematic and your on your own. I would need *very* detailed instructions, plenty of photo’s and probably a tech service hotline to answer questions, but this seems like a good way to learn about the basics of tube amp circuitry.
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Epiphone is selling a basic 5W tube amp for $120. Epiphone Valve Jr. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers???
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>Please post any progress you make on a DIY low wattage amp. I would >love to have the electrical knowledge to build my own and tweak it to >my personal preference.
I suppose I should sketch a schematic of what I have in mind. But I’m not talking about a tube amp. An LM386 is just an IC chip, like what get’s used on the somewhat famous Smokey amp: http://www.smokeyamps.com/ And I was going to add a treble booster based on the ElectroHarmonix LPB-1 in front of it. I’m sure that I’d base the LM386 amp part on what’s found in the pdf file that you can find with a Google search. There’re guys boosting them with FETs, but I don’t have any of those in my disorganized collection of parts. I was sort of planning on building it into a Hammond 1590BB box, that a lot of pedal builders use these days. But it’s easier for me to just break out my old Marshall MS-2 amp, and plug it into my Marshall 4×10 cabinet, and feed it with my Rangemaster based booster pedal: http://picturefrompete.home.comcast.net/ms-2.jpg On that MS-2, I turned it’s headphone jack into a speaker output jack, and it’s handy sometimes when I can’t play very loud. It’s not a tube amp, but does surprisingly well in some situations, and I actually spent a lot of time playing through that cheap little thing. Plugged into a good speaker, it makes a decent bedroom amp. It’s built to break though. >Been reading up on some of the kits out there, some appear to be kind >of "vague" in that parts are supplied along with a rough schematic and >your on your own. I would need *very* detailed instructions, plenty of >photo’s and probably a tech service hotline to answer questions, but >this seems like a good way to learn about the basics of tube amp >circuitry.
This is a great place to go if you want to build a low watt tube amp: http://www.ax84.com/ And there’re a lot of people there in their forums who’d be helpful. I think there’re even guys selling their projects as kits these days. Phil mentioned the Gilmore Junior kit, and I’ve been told that those are very well worked out kits. Pete — Ok Kronk, it wasn’t *that* funny! –Puppet Pal Mitch
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I decided to get a THD Bivalve (nominally 30w with two power tubes of your choice) and it runs with one 6K6 tube for quieter, but yep, not much clean headroom. — Phil Wilson —-
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking > at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford > – I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my > 1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) > Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave > up and soon forgot about it. > I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 > watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My > thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a > simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to > audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. > With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was > totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube > amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 > 3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares > the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush > harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube > is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max > overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates > that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both > the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. > I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, > depending on how they stack up to the Crate. > Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers???
Response:
My low-watter is an AX84 P1, which I built from a Doberman Amps kit. Its very cool, although I am thinking about tweaking it a bit for a fatter sound. Not more crunch, just more substantial. It sounds awesome with an LPB1 in front of it, so there should be a way of modding it to "beat itself up" a little harder. Long live 5 watters….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Please post any progress you make on a DIY low wattage amp. I would > love to have the electrical knowledge to build my own and tweak it to > my personal preference. > Been reading up on some of the kits out there, some appear to be kind > of "vague" in that parts are supplied along with a rough schematic and > your on your own. I would need *very* detailed instructions, plenty of > photo’s and probably a tech service hotline to answer questions, but > this seems like a good way to learn about the basics of tube amp > circuitry.
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> My low-watter is an AX84 P1, which I built from a Doberman Amps kit. Its > very cool, although I am thinking about tweaking it a bit for a fatter > sound. Not more crunch, just more substantial.
"Substantial" sound often requires… MORE POWER. It takes more power to push bottom end. You might experiment with cab and driver before tweaking amp. It sounds awesome with an – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> LPB1 in front of it, so there should be a way of modding it to "beat > itself up" a little harder. > Long live 5 watters….. > Please post any progress you make on a DIY low wattage amp. I would > love to have the electrical knowledge to build my own and tweak it to > my personal preference. > Been reading up on some of the kits out there, some appear to be kind > of "vague" in that parts are supplied along with a rough schematic and > your on your own. I would need *very* detailed instructions, plenty of > photo’s and probably a tech service hotline to answer questions, but > this seems like a good way to learn about the basics of tube amp > circuitry.
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I decided to get a THD Bivalve (nominally 30w with two power tubes of your >choice) and it runs with one 6K6 tube for quieter, but yep, not much clean >headroom. > — > Phil Wilson > —- > Several years ago I got the bug for a Kendrick amplifier. After looking > at the models/prices I decided the 118 (5 watt) was all I could afford > – I thought $600 for a 5 watt amp seemed like too much (afterall, my > 1st tube amp, a Silver Jubilee, was $700 and produced 50 watts max) > Using this logic and since there was no way to audition the amp, I gave > up and soon forgot about it. > I recently ran across a website for a dealer that sells a Dr Z Mini-Z 5 > watt along with a cool looking Swart tweed covered 5 watter. My > thought’s returned to the Kendrick – Maybe there’s something to a > simple low powered tube amp with hardly any features?? Again, no way to > audition – the dealer is hunderd’s of miles away. > With a serious case of GAS, off I go to the the local GC, where I was > totally surprised to see a Crate of all brands, 5 watt class A tube > amp. I figure it probably sounds like crap, but at least I can see if 5 > 3rd time and bought the sucker for $250. I can’t say how it compares > the the "boutique" amps, but too me it sounds pretty damn good. Lush > harmonics, pulsating "warp" during the sustain ands loads of tube > is LOUD. Since it has both gain and volume knobs, I can get it to max > overdrive without having to dime it….I’m sure my neighbor appreciates > that feature. It is very touch sensitive on cleaner settings and both > the Strat and LesPaul’s tone comes through distinctivly. > I still plan to audition the Dr Z and the Swart and may buy one, > depending on how they stack up to the Crate. > Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers???
If you want some clean headroom, get a Gilmore Jr outfitted with the ECC99 for the power tube (like mine is). Output is supposed to be 2 watts instead of half-watt, but IMO that is largely irrelevant. With the 6n1p, it’s almost pure dirt. I was truly amazed at how much it cleaned up. As for price, I think someone else said it, up to a point you should not be looking for a correlation between price and watts. IMO, it’s false logic.
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> Anybody else have any experience with 5 watt tubers???
I have a 5 watt crate that I use as a "project" amp. I also have a Victoria 518 (Champ clone, 5 watt). There’s no comparison. I was lucky and found the Victoria used, but it was still a bit pricey. Victoria makes some nice amps – if you like the tweed sound. I bought the Victoria for home recording, but I’ve talked to people who have used them in small clubs with a 2×12 cab, with a band playing blues and jazz. I’d take my mic along just in case Robert
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> My low-watter is an AX84 P1, which I built from a Doberman Amps kit. Its > very cool, although I am thinking about tweaking it a bit for a fatter > sound. Not more crunch, just more substantial. > "Substantial" sound often requires… MORE POWER. It takes more power > to push bottom end. You might experiment with cab and driver before > tweaking amp.
I get plenty of bottom out of my Gilmore Jr through the Weber Blue Dog (IIRC, maybe a 50 or 60w speaker). The speaker is in an old monster sized hi-fi cab that dates to the pre-zip code era. (I think we got zip code in the early sixties?) So, I think it is a complex issue. In any event, I agree that experimenting with speaker and cab will probably produce better results than fiddling with the amp. Regards, Phil
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I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here try any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice amps these days. I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. Danielle
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I tried out the Epiphone Valve Standard but was decidely unimpressed. It seriously lacks top end sparkle. A speaker change might help…
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here try >any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice amps >these days. >I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop >guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. >Danielle >I think the main reason for the low wattage amps is to get a nice tube >distortion at low volume. If you are after a clean sound you probably >don’t need or want one.
I agree. 5watt amps aren’t appropriate for people who want a clean sound. Even if you have a 20watt amp, you can still only play it at bedroom levels and keep it clean. 5watts is good for distortion though. Pete — You’ll barely regret this. –Fry
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> I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here try > any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice amps > these days. > I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop > guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. > Danielle
If you want clean, you won’t get enough headroom with 5W (it’ll distort as you turn the volume up). Most amps that have two 6L6GC will give you lots of clean volume. If I was a clean jazz player, that’s where I’d be looking. I’d stay away from EL84/6BQ5 and 6V6 types.
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Even if you have a 20watt amp, you can still only play it at > bedroom levels and keep it clean.
Pete, as a general statement this is absolutely NOT TRUE. It MAY be true for some amps, but certainly not for all unless you have a HUGE bedroom.
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>Even if you have a 20watt amp, you can still only play it at > bedroom levels and keep it clean. >Pete, as a general statement this is absolutely NOT TRUE. It MAY be >true for some amps, but certainly not for all unless you have a HUGE >bedroom.
Bedrooms of the rich and famous! Robin Leach: "He uses a Superlead in his bedroom, and I don’t know WHY!" Pete — You’ll barely regret this. –Fry
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I think I will forget about the 5 watt tube amps. The last time I took time to carefully do some in store listening tests in quiet store, the amp liked best was a solid state Acoustic Image Combo and that is really at the other end of spectrum. (High Power solid state with low, mid and high frequency drivers.) I had a chance to compare it against some Victoria and Carr amplifiers. Danielle
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here >try >any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice amps >these days. >I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop >guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. >Danielle > I think the main reason for the low wattage amps is to get a nice tube > distortion at low volume. If you are after a clean sound you probably > don’t need or want one. > — > Pat > Long gone are the days of $8 kilos
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If you’re located anywhere accessible to Wild West Guitars in Riverside, CA you’d do yourself a favor to check out the selection. Good luck. Marc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I think I will forget about the 5 watt tube amps. > The last time I took time to carefully do some in store listening tests in > quiet store, the amp liked best was a solid state Acoustic Image Combo and > that is really at the other end of spectrum. (High Power solid state with > low, mid and high frequency drivers.) I had a chance to compare it against > some Victoria and Carr amplifiers. > Danielle >>I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here >>try >>any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice amps >>these days. >>I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop >>guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. >>Danielle >I think the main reason for the low wattage amps is to get a nice tube >distortion at low volume. If you are after a clean sound you probably >don’t need or want one. >– >Pat >Long gone are the days of $8 kilos
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> If you’re located anywhere accessible to Wild West Guitars in Riverside, CA you’d do yourself a favor to check out the selection. > Good luck. Marc
Nonsense, Marc does all his business in the boy’s room at the Boom Boom Room!
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>I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here try >any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice amps >these days. > I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop > guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. > Danielle
I know these guys all mean well, but they don’t own a Gilmore Jr built with a ECC99 for the output tube. There is plenty of clean and wonderful sparkle to be had with this amp and it probably puts out about 2 watts. It is perfect for a small room. Mated with the right speaker, it will do what you want. See if you can find an old Jensen or better yet a JBL for jazz. It is sold as a kit, but if you don’t want to build one, I think Rich at www.guytronix.com will build it for you. (Rich Guy is the distributor, and a real nice fella. Tell him I sent you ;~] ) You can also look at the "regular" Gilmore (not a kit). I want to stress that it is nearly all dirt when built with the 6n1p as the power tube and I think from what you say, this is not what you want. The ECC99 totally changes the character of this amp. IMO, it is very reasonably priced. Phil
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I looked at the Gilmore pages. I did not see anything on the changes necessary for the ECC99. Are those documented somewhere? Danielle
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here >try any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice >amps these days. > I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop > guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. > Danielle > I know these guys all mean well, but they don’t own a Gilmore Jr built > with a ECC99 for the output tube. There is plenty of clean and wonderful > sparkle to be had with this amp and it probably puts out about 2 watts. > It is perfect for a small room. Mated with the right speaker, it will do > what you want. See if you can find an old Jensen or better yet a JBL for > jazz. > It is sold as a kit, but if you don’t want to build one, I think Rich at > www.guytronix.com will build it for you. (Rich Guy is the distributor, > and a real nice fella. Tell him I sent you ;~] ) You can also look at > the "regular" Gilmore (not a kit). I want to stress that it is nearly all > dirt when built with the 6n1p as the power tube and I think from what you > say, this is not what you want. The ECC99 totally changes the character > of this amp. IMO, it is very reasonably priced. > Phil
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Hi Danielle Check out the Mesa Lone Star Special. It has switchable 30 W, 15 W, and 5 W modes (4, 2 or 1 EL84). This probably is not what you had in mind, but the amp has a stunning clean sound with a slight mid hump that sounds gorgeous with an archtop. The amp also breaks up nicely when pushed a little bit, and you can get the EL84’s to sing nicely at reasonable volumes. My second choice for jazz is an Evans, at about half the price and three times the wattage (but solid state).
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I think I will forget about the 5 watt tube amps. >The last time I took time to carefully do some in store listening tests in >quiet store, the amp liked best was a solid state Acoustic Image Combo and >that is really at the other end of spectrum. (High Power solid state with >low, mid and high frequency drivers.) I had a chance to compare it against >some Victoria and Carr amplifiers. >Danielle > I’d suggest looking at some late 60’s, early 70’s (up to 74, I think, > anyway pre master volume) Fender Silverface amps.
It’s not the master volume that ruins the tone. It’s the switch to the higher powered ultralinear power amps in some models.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I think I will forget about the 5 watt tube amps. >The last time I took time to carefully do some in store listening tests in >quiet store, the amp liked best was a solid state Acoustic Image Combo and >that is really at the other end of spectrum. (High Power solid state with >low, mid and high frequency drivers.) I had a chance to compare it against >some Victoria and Carr amplifiers. >Danielle > I’d suggest looking at some late 60’s, early 70’s (up to 74, I think, > anyway pre master volume) Fender Silverface amps. A Deluxe Reverb (20 > watts) or Vibrolux Reverb (35-40 watts) are nice amps. There are a whole > slew of Fender amps from this period with varying power that would work > well for you (to stay clean you need the higher power ones, probably 40 > watts minimum). The price of these amps are still within reason (unlike > the earlier Blackface models).
Just thought I’d throw in a suggestion for the Vibrosonic Reverb, too. Essentially a Twin reverb but with a 15" driver. Heavy mofo’ though. …and nothing wrong with the master volume models. Cheers, Andy.
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> I looked at the Gilmore pages. I did not see anything on the changes > necessary for the ECC99. Are those documented somewhere? > Danielle
The ECC99 has a different pin-out for the heaters. It is like a 12AX7. Bridge 4&5, run the other heater wire to 9. Other than that, my recollection is that it’s the same. I’m quite clear on this point: other than the tube socket, no other changes are necessary, though you can fool with tweaking the value of the cathode resistor if you are so inclined. Doing so might allow a colder bias that you might find to your liking (or not). If you decide to do it, Rich can either sell you an adapter for the 6n1p wired socket, or tell you if there is anything more to just wiring the socket for the ECC99. I built mine a while ago, so you can’t trust my memory on this, as it’s really a minor detail. All you really need is a tube data sheet, which is freely available on the internet. (Well, it might take a bit of searching, but it’s there.) I want to encourage you to contact Rich Guy. We won’t bite or behave like an annoying salesman. I should mention, that part of the magic for this amp is because of the Gary Gerhart designed trannies made by Mercury Magnetics. One other really nice thing is that, due to the low wattage output, this amp is happy with any load from 4 to 16 ohms and there is no need for a switch of any type. I spoke directly with Gary on this point, so I don’t believe there is anything to be concerned about. I didn’t bother to run any tests on his output tranny to determine the turns ratio and calc the "correct" load. Besides, it’s not exactly a static thing as the load line varies with the output signal. Once you wire it up for the 12A?7 type tubes, you can try the amp with any of them. It also works pretty well with a 12AU7. I should mention, that you get the clean & sparkle with humbuckers. After writing this last night, I plugged in the PRS Soapbar II (P90’s) and it has lots ‘o grind. It’s the pickups, for sure. I get a nice clean sound with the Guild Starfire IV. Also, I run it through a Celestion G10L-35, which has fairly early breakup. Get it to push something beefier and cleaner and you should be fine for jazz. Phil
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>I think I will forget about the 5 watt tube amps. >>>The last time I took time to carefully do some in store listening tests in >>>quiet store, the amp liked best was a solid state Acoustic Image Combo and >>>that is really at the other end of spectrum. (High Power solid state with >>>low, mid and high frequency drivers.) I had a chance to compare it against >>>some Victoria and Carr amplifiers. >>>Danielle >>I’d suggest looking at some late 60’s, early 70’s (up to 74, I think, >>anyway pre master volume) Fender Silverface amps. >It’s not the master volume that ruins the tone. It’s the switch to the >higher powered ultralinear power amps in some models. > I guess that’s true. Now that I think of it, one of the ultralinear > models probably wouldn’t be bad for clean tones. What were they 75 and > 135 watts?
Absolutely. I found an old Bassman 70 export model with the ultralinear setup for dirt cheap a few years ago. It had been modded by a total hack, but the trannies and chassis were solid. Modded the amp back from ultralinear to triode operation, cathode biased the finals, then converted the rest of the circuit to blackface specs. And removed some of the weirdest mods I have ever seen. An amazing difference in sound, and I still have the master volume. My old Tele sounds wonderful through this amp. I can go from clean country to Joe Walsh. It says 70 watts on the front, but probably cranks out no more than 35-40 watts at full bore now. I never dime the master, even out in the open. Don’t need to.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>I think I will forget about the 5 watt tube amps. >>>The last time I took time to carefully do some in store listening tests in >>>quiet store, the amp liked best was a solid state Acoustic Image Combo and >>>that is really at the other end of spectrum. (High Power solid state with >>>low, mid and high frequency drivers.) I had a chance to compare it against >>>some Victoria and Carr amplifiers. >>>Danielle >>I’d suggest looking at some late 60’s, early 70’s (up to 74, I think, >>anyway pre master volume) Fender Silverface amps. >It’s not the master volume that ruins the tone. It’s the switch to the >higher powered ultralinear power amps in some models. > I guess that’s true. Now that I think of it, one of the ultralinear > models probably wouldn’t be bad for clean tones. What were they 75 and > 135 watts?
I can never keep all of them straight. I always refer to: http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/
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> I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone here try > any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for practice amps > these days. > I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody archtop > guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. > Danielle
Check out Cornford’s new 5-7 Watt amp: "The Carrera". Runs either an 8 pin or 9 pin power output tube (6L6 for super clean / jazz or EL34 to rock out). mvm
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>> I see there are a lot of low watt tube amps out there now. Anyone > here try any these? I wonder what people have bought and like for > practice amps these days. > I usually go for a clean jazz sound with single pickup hollowbody > archtop guitar. Occasionaly use a Zoom pedal for chorus, delay. > Danielle > Check out Cornford’s new 5-7 Watt amp: "The Carrera". Runs either an 8 > pin or 9 pin power output tube (6L6 for super clean / jazz or EL34 to > rock out).
If perhaps you’re not familiar with him, Guthrie Govan is an all-around monster. I had the good fortune to meet him last year. Very low key, humble and brilliant. Marc Tone Merchants Cornford Amp Discussion :: View topic – Carrera Pics? Hey Cornford Crew! Do you have any detailed pics of the Carrera available? … The Cornford Carrera is the company’s first amp that’s achieved our coveted … http://www.online-discussion.com/…/viewtopic.php?t=5&view=previous&… Tone Merchants Discussion :: View topic – Cornford Carrera Demo … … the fact that there’s a market for big tone from a low-output valve amplifier, … The Cornford Carrera is the company’s first amp that’s achieved our … http://www.online-discussion.com/ToneMerchants/viewtopic.php?p=931&si… Cornford Carrera 112 Combo The Carrera is the latest adition to the Cornford range. It is a self bias valve amp at around 5-8 watt rating. The amp produces lots of headroom for clean … http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Cornford/Carrera_112_Combo… Guthrie Govan Discussion :: View topic – Cornford Carrera Demo Clip Cornford Carrera Demo Clip … have you personally tried this amplifier and would you recommend it? … online-discussion.dhenderson.com/GuthrieGovan/viewtopic.php?p=4775&sid=61f2 f173b3f293f55f2be91f02e0dd1c We were the first U Cornford Carrera. Spec: 1X12 Combo. Output between 5 and 8 watts depending on the output valve used, single ended class A. Output Stage: 1X9 Pin Valve Base …http://www.solidbodyguitar.com/Cornford.htm Cornford Amplification has been building some of the finest handwired all-tube guitar amps for … The Cornford Hurricane is the ideal club-gigging amp. … http://www.tonemerchants.com/Cornford_Amps.htm
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