Milkman Half & Half Report

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 3 Feb 2015 5:04 pm

Just got back from a weekend gig in Alexandra, Va. in a pretty good sized room. We play pretty loud and we don't mike the amps. First time out with the Milkman. My impressions at home was that the amp is very warm and fat ( although it has a ton of chimey highs if you want them). To my ear it seems like a cross between a Twin (without the harsh top end), and a Webb, both of which I've owned, but really it doesn't sound like anything else out there. I was wondering if the mids and lows were going to get lost. After we played the first set the guitar player, who stands all the way over on the other side of the stage came over and said how much he liked the tone.. he said he was hearing things he never heard before.."overtones" was the word he used.
To his ears he thought it sounded Fenderish.
The next night someone came down who's been listening to me for twenty years and he commented how good I sounded. He didn't know what was different, but he said he could hear me better even though I wasn't any louder. He's not a musician, and he didn't know I had a new amp, but he mentioned it several times.
Truthfully, I'm still dialing in where I want to be, but I think Tim Marcus has a real winner here...especially when it was time to load out.. my pack a seat weighs almost as much!

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 4 Feb 2015 11:17 am

Yeah...what I'm hearing also! I emotionally miss my Pedal Steel Mini, the Half and Half is subtly different...but not in a bad way at all - it has exactly the right sound for steel. I think I'm over the "power tube thing"....I like your comparison to "between a Twin and a Webb", that pretty much says it...

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 4 Feb 2015 2:05 pm

Great to hear it Jack!

Its funny how people comment that subtle changes in gear are often lost on the audience. Its hard to mask joy - it always comes across!

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 4 Feb 2015 2:10 pm

You all should check out the latest Half and Half Tim has built - 300 watt, 2 channel...(he posts lots of new builds on the Milkman facebook group). Does it look sort of like something you might recognize? But somehow I don't think he'll ever also build one that looks like a Webb...

Gordy Rex · Post by **Gordy Rex** » 4 Feb 2015 6:24 pm

Jack, keep posting your thoughts as you break it in... I would like to hear how you feel about it when the new wears off.... thanks

chuck lemasters · Post by **chuck lemasters** » 4 Feb 2015 7:16 pm

The two channel Half and Half looks really nice. Can't wait to hear it!

Rob Fenton · Post by **Rob Fenton** » 7 Feb 2015 3:51 pm

Now, I've been loving my Half and Half, but now that I see that custom two-channel beauty, I'm kicking myself for not thinking things all the way through...

Here I am, still holding onto my 75 lb., 100 watt Traynor 212 for two-channel gigs. Could have done it all with one.

Hmmmm... another time perhaps...

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 7 Feb 2015 4:06 pm

Rob....
You don't need your Traynor...there will always be folks who prefer the Twin Reverb model, but....

...I had a Sideman (two channel) and realized that an input switch box, with a good EQ pedal (Analogman modded Boss GE-7) in one of the inputs, would give me two channels just fine. Set the amp for steel, then use the EQ box to mod it for whatever else you plug into that channel of the switch box...I use it with my Half and Half now. And other pedals can be between the switcher and amp so you get them for both inputs..that way I get vol pedal, tuner, and Earth Drive for both...(I play dobro with steel).

The need for a second channel is often really a need for a lower wattage amp that you could overdrive...ain't gonna happen with the Half and Half...

And get used to it...every time Tim comes out with the ultimate perfect amp, wait a bit and he will do it again....

Rob Fenton · Post by **Rob Fenton** » 7 Feb 2015 4:37 pm

You make a fine point Steve,

An EQ pedal and I/O switch are not expensive, big, or heavy, and I don't need two channels for most of my shows anyway.

Just always got a hankering for nice new gear...

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 7 Feb 2015 5:50 pm

Fits in my seat....sits next to my steel...Pedaltrain nano...signal path is
dobro (or guitar) - EQ-input 1 switch
steel - input 2- switch
switch output - earth drive - volume pedal- amp
tuner not electrically in line, fed by vol pedal tuner output

Vic Lawson · Post by **Vic Lawson** » 11 Feb 2015 11:59 am

I received our first Half and Half Fri.I played through it all weekend and last night. I am really impressed with it! I have been looking for this combination in a combo amp for a long time. This amp is phenomenal! Playing on Lower Broadway is such a difficult environment due to some gigs mic amps, some do not, some stages are loud etc. So finding a tube amp that is suitable for all situations has been difficult but this amplifier has came to the rescue! Thanks Tim for such a fine piece of equipment. We are also a dealer, so if you are in the Nashville area be sure and stop in for a "test drive".
Vic Lawson
Steel Guitars of Nashville Inc.

chuck lemasters · Post by **chuck lemasters** » 14 Feb 2015 7:19 am

Received my Half and Half day before yesterday. It is the dual channel amp in the above photo. I used it on a club job last night. Very sweet, very warm, and plenty of power to keep up with guys who play way too loud. Loading in and out(a big consideration at my age) was also a breeze.

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 14 Feb 2015 9:45 am

Chuck - Nobody is going to mess with you ever again....when you show that you can you pick up what looks like a Twin with a couple of fingers and toss it into your car...

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 14 Feb 2015 10:58 am

This is great guys! Thanks for all of the positive feedback!

If I can save one person's back my job here is done

David Mills · Post by **David Mills** » 17 Feb 2015 4:18 pm

I picked up the Half and Half last week and have used it at a few shows and LOVE IT! Being a tube guys this amp has the warmth I love but the power I NEED when out playing different venues! A Great amp!!! And its a beauty!!!