Little Walter Amps

John Gould · Post by **John Gould** » 27 Nov 2011 12:39 pm

has anyone out there tried a Little Walter amp for Steel? I know that Paul Franklin has used one and Bruce Bouton has tried one. But any of us regular guys out there tried one. Tube amp around 50 watts from what I understand.

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 27 Nov 2011 2:43 pm

Dan Tyack uses them also...

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 27 Nov 2011 2:54 pm

Dan Tyack has been playing through one and he seems to smile a lot...

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 28 Nov 2011 10:52 pm

Tommy Wayne in Las Vegas has one, maybe a pair, and loves them.

Andrew Kilinski · Post by **Andrew Kilinski** » 30 Nov 2011 12:09 pm

I'm definitely a believer - I tried a 50W in the studio, and it was an eye opener. I ordered one soon afterwards.

I'm also definitely a regular guy, but i've owned lots of amps - a couple Peaveys, several Fenders, Evans(es?), a Webb 614-E, a Polytone, etc. All different amps, each with their own good and bad qualities. Maybe it was all the knobs and buttons that kept me from being able to dial it in until I said "WHOA", but the idea that you can have one "tone" control and one "volume" control is awesome to me, and the first time I played out of a LW, I said "WHOA" (or possibly some other four letter word).

I don't know jack squat about building amps, but it seems that if you build an amp right, you shouldn't have to EQ it to death. Either way, i'm looking forward to finally being satisfied with an amplifier.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 30 Nov 2011 1:58 pm

Andrew Kilinski wrote:... I don't know jack squat about building amps, but it seems that if you build an amp right, you shouldn't have to EQ it to death..

Amen brother!

Brad

Jamie Lennon · Post by **Jamie Lennon** » 30 Nov 2011 4:32 pm

I tried one yesterday along with Randle Currie and a few other players. WoW WOW WOW !!!

I am ordering one for sure, best amp out there

Gregg Laiben · Post by **Gregg Laiben** » 30 Nov 2011 6:59 pm

I have the 8 watt LWTA (Little Willie) which I use for practice - love the tone. Unfortunately, it's got a hum which I can't eliminate. I've been using an Evans Hybrid lately - quiet, without the hum, but the tone is just not there like the LWTA.

Greg Wisecup · Post by **Greg Wisecup** » 2 Dec 2011 6:47 am

National exposure. Vince and Paul with 'em.
http://www.benadoeffects.com/

Travis Toy · Post by **Travis Toy** » 2 Dec 2011 10:51 am

I own a Little Walter Twin 50 that I run through 2 Peavey 1201 speakers in 2 separate cabinets. Jamie & Randle actually both played through my amp at a little get together we had the other day. It's the best sounding amp for steel I've ever heard. I've recorded 3 or 4 tracks on the new Flatts record with it, and I can't even believe the way in "sits" in a mix in the studio. Get one.

Jamie Lennon · Post by **Jamie Lennon** » 2 Dec 2011 1:43 pm

Travis the they are awesome, you were right man !!

Andy Schick · Post by **Andy Schick** » 2 Dec 2011 3:38 pm

Travis,

I am from Canada and to hear this incredible sounding amp in person and up close is not readily available. It would be amazing if you could post a vid of just the amp and you or someone else playing a steel guitar though it.

I realize time is very precious.

Thank you
Andy

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 2 Dec 2011 5:02 pm

*cough*

this is where I shamelessly chime in to plug my amps

mine is a bit different - not a tweed design, no octal tubes... but designed with the steel guitar and reliability in mind. I am trying to capture the solid state sustain with tube tone

my whole trip is, why use a pedal or a POD in front of the amp beyond a volume pedal? A steel amp, in my opinion, should have reverb so you can maintain as pure a signal path as possible

I am just getting my legs - so no big time players on my roster yet. But Greg Leisz ordered one

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 2 Dec 2011 5:07 pm

Tim Marcus wrote:-I am just getting my legs - so no big time players on my roster yet. But Greg Leisz ordered one

Uh... Greg is one of my top heroes, for what it's worth. He's truly a tone and taste master. One of the best there is. Not a bad start to have Greg on board. Congrat's.

B

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 2 Dec 2011 6:41 pm

this is where I shamelessly chime in to plug my amps Very Happy

Yeah Tim, shameless is right....but the Milkman is worthy!

Got to play one myself on a big stage and LOVED it!

Haven't tried a Little Walter yet so I can't compare....

Dz

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 4 Dec 2011 8:09 am

I've been to their website and can't find a price list or a link to any retail stores that sell them. Anyone have links to this info?

Gregg Laiben · Post by **Gregg Laiben** » 4 Dec 2011 8:53 am

Richard Shatz wrote:I've been to their website and can't find a price list or a link to any retail stores that sell them. Anyone have links to this info?

The LWTA web site is a bit lean for those of us who are used to the typical Amazon-like internet buying experience. OTOH, Phil Bradbury, the builder, is a gracious guy and responds quickly to email and phone inquiries. I conversed with him a lot via email when buying the 8 watter. Am calling him next week about moving up to a 50 watter.

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 4 Dec 2011 9:48 am

Richard,
Try here http://www.destroyallguitars.com/little-walter

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 4 Dec 2011 12:51 pm

This is the best clean amp I have ever heard. It rocks pretty good, too!

Here's a link to a bunch of youtube videos of me playing the little walter: Dan's clips with the Little Walter

Here's a clip I did specifically to demo the amp: Little Walter demo

William Fairchild · Post by **William Fairchild** » 4 Dec 2011 7:08 pm

Richard Shatz wrote:I've been to their website and can't find a price list or a link to any retail stores that sell them. Anyone have links to this info?

Richard,

Best to call Phil Bradbury directly to get up to date technical info and pricing. The contact info is on the LWTA website.

Currently, Rock Block Guitars in Nashville have a couple of LWTA in stock that you can try out. destroyallguitars.com also carries LWTA.

I'm certain Phil will answer any questions you may have.

Bill Fairchild

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 4 Dec 2011 7:12 pm

Phil is a super cool, guy. Call him.

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 5 Dec 2011 2:24 pm

At present I use a couple of different preamps into a T.C.SPLIT.
I love the T.C.
Would I be correct in assuming I can get enough volume and headroom by usinge a low wattage Little Walter before the T.C. or would I need the 50watt amp?
I did make a few enquiries on the 50watt and it appears I would need a dummy load when using the T.C.only.Do'nt know much about dummy loads,would it be a problem?
best regards
Billy

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 5 Dec 2011 3:17 pm

Billy have a chat to TC himself, I think he has a little Walter and a TC combo so he will be able to tell you what works and what doesn't !

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 5 Dec 2011 4:43 pm

Billy you easily can get enough volume from the TC cab. The reasons you might want a 50 watt Little Walter versus a low watt is:

1. THe Little Walter 50 is easily loud enough for many gigs without the TC cab.
2. THe 50 watt amp sounds different (different power tubes, transformers).

If you want to use either without a speaker, you will need a dummy load. My favorite is the THD Hotplate.

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 6 Dec 2011 12:19 am

Thanks for the info Dan.
I was just about to ask the question on different wattage different tone.Thanks for anticipating
Best regards
Billy