Webb Steel Guitar Amps

Tom Bradshaw · Post by **Tom Bradshaw** » 12 Sep 2006 3:48 pm

If you have read my announcement under "Events & Announcements" then you have the basics about my purchase of the Webb Amplifier Co. Here I would like to alert you to some details about the amp.

I do not currently have any amps for sale. With the massive amount of inventory I acquired, I intend to construct only 25 at the outset. They will be the Steel Guitar Amp, model 614-E. Jim Webb built 3 other amps, two being guitar amps and one was the 614-E steel amp, but without a graphic equalizer. All three of those amps utilized a 12" JBL speaker. I'm putting those amps on hold while I concentrate on the steel amp.

I mentioned on the Announcement topic that I did not intend to change the electronics. There are two minor exceptions to that commitment. I have always hated "dishonest" volume controls. I've been told that the Peavey Company started this by using linear pots for adjusting the output volume. The consequence of that is having 80% of your volume between the settings of 1 and 2 on the control knob. It gives the allusion that the amp is far more powerful than it really is. I'm told that Mr. Webb resented this also, but felt that he couldn't educate the whole world to the fact that if an amp produced, for instance, 200 watts, no volume control in the world was going to make it produce more. With the intelligence of steel players, I feel they can be convinced of that fact, and accept a volume control that is honest. The result will be a consistent range of volume between zero and ten (on the control knob). Zero will truly mean that your volume is off, while 10 will mean it is fully on. In between will result in a steady increase all the way from full off to full on.

Next, I mentioned in the opening announcement that the JBL Speaker Company has ceased building speakers for guitar amplifiers. Just recently, a new-age speaker magnet has been developed. It is called the neodymium magnet (pronounced nee-o-dem-e-um...and it is hard for me to say too). Frankly, I can't tell the difference between this new speaker's output sound and that of the 15" E-130s (8-ohm) that Jim was putting in the 614-E amps. Several of my friends have said they feel it has a better sound. Maybe I can get them to post here and they will confirm what I'm telling you. The speaker weighs 13 pounds LESS than a JBL E-130. So, for those who have always complained about amps being too heavy, you can knock off 13 pounds from any complaints you ever had about the previous weight of a Webb. The speaker is an 8-ohm, Eminence Kappalite.

I always wanted an adjustably ported speaker cabinet. I have fulfilled that desire by my intention of offering such a speaker enclosure with the new Webb. However, the traditional wooden, open-back cabinets will still be available. I never liked the complaints from drummers telling me that my Webb amp's back noise was too loud for them. Therefore, I've corrected that for players who want to have all their sound projected toward the audience. These closed-back speaker cabinets will be made of powder-coated aluminum, insulated and with 4 ports on the soundboard of the cabinet. Each port is about 2 1/4" in diameter and can be opened fully or adjusted down to fully closed. With a totally enclosed speaker cabinet, the user will realize a brighter sound from his steel. If fully opened, the sound is deemed to be a bit louder and with a more mellow tone. This option permits a degree of "personalization" to the amp's output. And the answer is "no", there is not a change in tonal output by using an all-metal cabinet for the speaker. I too was surprised at that outcome; maybe because of the insulation used. Lastly, as previously stated, Webb's traditional 1/3 open-back wooden cabinet models will continue to be made.

The amp will still have an 8-ohm speaker. I don't have a source for a 4-ohm neodymium speaker, nor do I feel it is needed. With the Webb amp rated at 250 watts with a 4-ohm speaker, it is just too easy to screw up by the volume control being inadvertently in a full "on" setting and accidentally picking a fat guitar string. The result is a blown 4-ohm speaker! With an 8-ohm speaker you don't risk that outcome with 200 watts (at that ohm rating). And, you can still blow the windows out of your practice room, or run off the crowd at a dance hall!

So, at the moment, I'd just like to accumulate the names and email addresses of people who may have an interest in knowing when the 25 amps I intend to build become available for purchase. I can't tell you what the amps will cost. In fact, I can't tell you much more than what I've said here, simply because I don't know the answers to every question about these amps. I do know that the quality will be the same as Webb amp have always been and they will have that classic Webb Amp sound. Let me hear from you. ...Tom

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 12 Sep 2006 4:01 pm

That great news Tom. I love my Webb. I always wanted to see Jimmy make a lower wattage and compact amp comparable to the NV112.

Could that be a possibility someday?

Dave Z

Jerry L Miller · Post by **Jerry L Miller** » 12 Sep 2006 4:30 pm

mr bradshaw i'm new to the forum and do not know any thing about webb amps.but have heard they are very good amps so i hope you keep them that way. I DO TAKE EXCEPTION to your remark about peavey amps and their volume controlls i have three different peavey amps and just bought a used like new session 400, when i adjust the volume to 5 i have half volume on all my amps at 2 i have 2/10 so please dont knock peavey while
building up the amp you bought . maby you should try a peavey and see how the work!!
thank you jerry.....

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 12 Sep 2006 5:10 pm

With the Webb amp rated at 250 watts with a 4-ohm speaker, it is just too easy to screw up by the volume control being inadvertently in a full "on" setting and accidentally picking a fat guitar string. The result is a blown 4-ohm speaker!

Oh no Tom! Don't go with an 8 ohm speaker. Use an Eminence Commonwealth 15 in 4 ohm. They are very warm speakers. People will have to learn to be responsible with their amps. You should not have to be responsible for someone elses' carelessness. Don't make those of us who would appreciate a 250 watt 4 ohm amp, have to put up with a lower output, because an "accident" could happen.

Come on. Stay with the original 4 ohm version. It was not broke before, so lets not fix it!

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 12 Sep 2006 5:24 pm

Tom make the 4 ohm speaker an option, that way one would not have to purchase and carry another 8 ohm speaker and box around to get the most out of the amp. Jim told me why he did the 8 ohm program, but I like just one speaker not two and he also told me that the amp worked best at 4 ohms, a good fit.

Tom really glad you are involved with this as many of us love the amp and were saddened that it would be gone forever.

Larry Behm

Tom Bradshaw · Post by **Tom Bradshaw** » 12 Sep 2006 5:26 pm

Forgive me guys. I was not slamming the Peavey brand, nor was I knocking 4-ohm speakers. The story I told about Peavey amps was true for every Peavey that my friends brought to me to use to compare with the amps I obtained in the inventory of the Webb Company. I didn't say all Peavey amps had linear volume pots. I even put "dishonest" in quotes referring to volume controls, not to amps. I owned a Peavey for most of my playing life. It had a linear pot in it. I never liked it. Frankly, when I was playing I couldn't afford a Webb. The story I recited about Mr. Webb and the linear pot was from one of his employees. He had no reason to lie about it. Next, when I was selling Webb amps Jim Webb told me to warn everyone about accidentally picking a bass string with the volume full on. He said he had to replace several 4-ohm speakers because they blew out because of too much volume. He stopped putting 4-ohm speakers in his later model Webbs.

Please remember, if you would want to buy a Webb amp and put your own speaker in it, I'm sure I'd sell you the amp without a speaker, and reduce the price accordingly. Maybe other manufacturers do that too. If not, they should. I'm into steel guitar to be a helper for everyone, not a hindrance. I bend with the wind so to speak. ...Tom

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 12 Sep 2006 6:40 pm

Tom, I like many others, am pleased that you have taken on such a enormous challenge to continue supplying the steel community with one of the finest amps ever constructed. Jimmy Webb would be proud! You have a great deal of experience in this arena and the trust of many people that you will make the best decisions possible as to improving an already outstanding product. I wish you the best of luck and we will all be watching as you are successful in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Dave

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 12 Sep 2006 8:17 pm

Tom is right about 8 ohms being safer. I bought my Webb from Tom in 1976, came with that wonderful JBL K130-4, but after blowing 2 cones, generally with my MSA built-in fuzz tone on and careless volume pedal technique...I had it reconed at 8 ohms, and no problems since. The sound is the same, I still never turn it up past 3, and it'll fill any room or hall with that perfect tone.

I agree a smaller enclosure with a 12-inch speaker might be a nice light optional model, Tom.

Best of luck with your new venture, I'm really thrilled that this treasure of the steel world is in your hands, and that the legacy of the mighty Webb will continue, no doubt better than ever. I like your innovative ideas, too.

------------------
E9 lessons
Mullen D-12/Carter SD-10/Webb amp/Profex II+Lexicon MPX-110 OR Line 6 Pod XT

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 13 Sep 2006 2:01 am

I bought my Webb from Tom in 1976, came with that wonderful JBL K130-4, but after blowing 2 cones, generally with my MSA built-in fuzz tone on and careless volume pedal technique...I had it reconed at 8 ohms, and no problems since.

Yes, but remember John, the JBL K-130-4 was rated WAY lower than 225 watts. It was not meant for that kind of power. The Commonwealth is rated at 225 watts, and while ANY speaker can blow, if used carelessly, the Commonwealth 15 will hold up like a Black Widow.

It is my opinion that instead of putting an 8 ohm speaker in the amp, and losing power, Tom should start out using the correctly rated speaker (like a Commonwealth) to avoid speaker failure in the first place.

My 2 cents........

Dave Grothusen · Post by **Dave Grothusen** » 13 Sep 2006 3:39 am

If you have to play any amp with the volume full on the band is way too loud and that is my biggest complaint about playing music these days.
Regardless, Tom I am glad you are doing this. I am the owner of two Webbs and I love them. They are old enough that I have had some problems with them and I understand that components do have age limits. An electronic man is replacing all the worn out items on one at this time. Hope it works when he gets done. You may think about offering a package of capacitors etc that need to be put into the older Webbs to keep them up to snuff. That would keep the quality of parts the same as original.

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 13 Sep 2006 4:02 am

Good luck Tom. The Webb in the deep red color is the most beautiful amp I have ever seen! (Not to mention the great sound!)

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 13 Sep 2006 4:08 am

Tom, good to see you saving Webb.

Since opening and closing ports will change the way the cabinet breaths,
it will also change the resonaces without recourse.

You might consider friction or pin held
slidable tubes within you port tubes also.

Not only can you add more or less porting
to any of the 4 ports,

but also change the port tube depth,
allowing a change in internal resonances,
and most importantly PHASE returning
through those ports.

Likely quite useful if you close two
and leave 2 open.
Then adjust the open ports tube depth
to suit taste.

Food for thought.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 13 September 2006 at 05:10 AM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 13 Sep 2006 4:20 am

Tom,

Perhaps the most common technical problem I've seen with the Webb is that silver toggle switch on the front that switches in/out the graphic EQ. Jim Webb used a Carling DPDT high-power type switch. Those are not good switches for audio signals, and they invariably go bad in the Webb and cause intermittence or distortion. There are lots of very good, DPDT, gold contact, audio type switches that will fit that hole, look the same, and should perform flawlessly for decades. Just a thought.

Best of luck on this venture. It's nice to see the great Webb amps live on.

Brad

Here's a link to a good switch for this:
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=MTG206Nvirtualkey50660000

It is more delicate, but it's a good audio switch and shouldn't cause the troubles that the old stock one did.[This message was edited by Brad Sarno on 13 September 2006 at 11:53 AM.]

Mike Vallandigham · Post by **Mike Vallandigham** » 13 Sep 2006 5:56 am

Tom, I am interested in these new amps, as I'm looking for a second amp for my place...
I'm sure a new Webb would relegate my Vibrosonic to a "back-up"

I'm planning on calling you, or emailing you, maybe thursday, to discuss.

Can you get them in different colors?

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Sep 2006 6:51 am

IMO, it's taking a big risk to replace a JBL with an Eminence and suggest it sounds as good or better. What about offering a choice from the currently popular speakers out there?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 13 Sep 2006 7:07 am

Good luck with the Webb amp venture.

I agree that there is no need to "redesign" or change components on something that has been proven and is so well liked as it is.

I've been in electronics since longer than I care to mention (the first computer I worked on was all tube) and when I repaired something it was put back into original condition - not "redesigned". It's like the old Fender amps - the components were not "high quality" or "audiophile" like what is available today but then the components of the day is what made the Fender sound and what people wanted.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 13 Sep 2006 7:18 am

Tom, bully for you for taking on the job, as I was wondering what the future of the Webb amp was. I owned one in the late 70's and foolishly let it go. I wish you all the best and am sure you'll be a success at it.
John Lacey.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 13 Sep 2006 7:52 am

Unfortunately, one reality has reared its ugly head: the JBL Company is no longer making instrument speakers! Thus, the renowned "JBL" is gone, except on the "used speaker" market

I didn't know that. How will that affect the value of used JBL's such as one that I removed from my trashed 1960 era amp. Will they be sought after by the mfg or owners of the new Webb amps as an option?

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 13 Sep 2006 8:11 am

IMO, it's taking a big risk to replace a JBL with an Eminence and suggest it sounds as good or better. What about offering a choice from the currently popular speakers out there?

Well Barry, no one is suggesting the Commonwealth speaker sounds better than a JBL. IMHO, though it is the most logical replacement. It has warmth and it is rated at 225 watts 4 ohms. If you want to keep the Webb as original as it was, then you need a high power 4 ohm speaker. Simple.

BTW, who said the Eminence sounds better?......................

It would be taking a bigger risk putting an 8 ohm speaker in the amp, when it originally came with a 4 ohm.

Barry, what other "currently offered speakers" would you suggest?.......The 1501-4 Black Widow? That would be the only other one I could think of. I doubt Peavey would go along with someone selling an amp new with their speaker in it. They might though. If I bought one of Tom's Webbs, I would definately put a Black Widow in it.
[This message was edited by Curt Langston on 13 September 2006 at 09:18 AM.]

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Sep 2006 12:20 pm

Curt, Tom's original post says, and I quote, "Frankly, I can't tell the difference between this new speaker's output sound and that of the 15" E-130s (8-ohm) that Jim was putting in the 614-E amps." That, to me, means Tom is saying they're as good as. Another quote says, "Several of my friends have said they feel it has a better sound." That, to me, says better than. Any(other)questions? I'll admit it - I'm an old-school guy. When I hear the word 'Eminence' my knee-jerk reaction is "screaming rock guitar amp" NOT steel amp. Just my 2 cents ....[This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 13 September 2006 at 01:25 PM.]

Tom Bradshaw · Post by **Tom Bradshaw** » 13 Sep 2006 12:22 pm

I'm curious. Has anyone besides Mike Sigler (on stage at the SG Convention) ever tried any amps with a 15" Eminence Kappalite neodymium speaker in it? It is much like the taste of a banana. If you have never tasted one, how do you describe its taste to someone else who has never eaten one? I'm not trying to be a smart-ass here, I'm just wondering if there is a possibility that this speaker is a JBL 130 in Eminence clothing, clothing that no one else has ever worn or seen on someone? Hey, I'm having a field day with mixing and swapping metaphors. Please; someone slap me senseless. ...Tom

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 13 Sep 2006 12:35 pm

When I hear the word 'Eminence' my knee-jerk reaction is "screaming rock guitar amp" NOT steel amp.

Well, the Commonwealth is a whole other breed of speaker! Check them out, you'll be surprised. Click Here It's at the top of the page.
Look at the frequency response. This is not your typical Eminence speaker. I have two of them. One is in a 1999 Nashville 400, and it will not break up. Plus it is VERYwarm sounding.[This message was edited by Curt Langston on 13 September 2006 at 01:39 PM.]

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 13 Sep 2006 3:19 pm

I don't off hand know the designation of the eminence 15" speaker in my new '65 reissue Fender Twin Custom 15, but it is supposed to be a "clone" of the JBL D130..... I was skeptical, and actually planned on swapping it out for a BW.... until I got the amp and took it out to a couple of gigs..... sweet and warm, with plenty of clean clear highs! I'm keeping it

, but keep in mind this reissue Fender amp is only 85 watts (all tube).

In any event, great to hear this news Tom, and glad to see you're still playing an active role in the world of the PSG player (what else would we expect?).

------------------
Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; NV 112; Fender Twin Custom 15 ('65 reissue); Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

Mike Holland · Post by **Mike Holland** » 13 Sep 2006 3:29 pm

I will buy one of the 1st 25 with the new speaker and a closed-ported cabinet and with the "real" volume knob and knowing it is 8 ohms instead of 4. I would really like to try it though. And I may have to trade in some equipment I have now. But I know if it is "good enough" for you, it has
to be pretty darn good. And if there is any help I can give or "work-off" the price,
I would be honored to help you "git her done".

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 14 Sep 2006 5:59 am

Tom,
I've been using the Kappalite speaker for over
6 months now. They are terrific! The weight
difference is amazing also. I started with a
Deltalite but moved up to the newer Kappalites
since they handle 450 watts rms (900 peak)!
Tons of low end (that won't crap out on you) and enough highs to cut through in any live situation. The mids are just right also without any drastic EQ adjustments on your amp. My rig requires an 8 ohm load though, so
if you must have 4 ohm...buy the amp without
the speaker (like Tom says) & put in whatever
you want!
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