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Topic: Nice little amp for lapsteel, especially for Ricky pans, etc |
Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 27 Feb 2007 8:41 am |
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I bought a VOX Pathfinder 15R amp yesterday. Here's the skinny on what features it has, etc.
http://www.voxamps.co.uk/pathfinder/15r.asp
I have to say, this is one sweeeeeeeet little amp for lap steel, especially if you like the older style tones of the 30's-40's over the cleaner 50's-60's sounds with more reverb.
I will tell you flat out that while this does have reverb, it's the only thing on it that really bites the big one. Not even usable, IMO. The tremolo however, IS usable, and sounds pretty good. Not useful for what I'm doing with the amp, but I can see using it for other styles.
If you like EL84 tube amp tone, this is a VERY nice alternative, if you don't have a lot of dough for a vintage amp, or a nice handwired 'boo-teek' amp. They really nailed the tone and feel of a dual EL84 tube amp, and even get that 'chimey-ness' that makes them so juicy sounding.
This amp works with my Stringmasters and Epiphone, but REALLY sings with the Rickenbacker frypans. It gives me 'that' sound I want to hear. Maybe not quite as rich as my little 5-watt VC-508, but pretty close. And, it can get a lot louder than the little Crate, if I need it to. The line out works nicely, too (it's compensated to sound like a mic'd speaker, which sounds much better than a regular line signal).
I cannot speak to their reliability. I've read reports of people using them for 3+ years, and not having issues, so who knows? I could see using two (hey, they're only $119!), and running them in stereo. If one craps out, you can still finish the gig.
I recommend at least taking your steel down to a store that has them, and trying one out. Or, if you don't have a GC near you, order one from MF or AMS, Zzounds, etc., and if it ain't your thing, you can send it back.
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 27 Feb 2007 8:56 am Just found another little goody...
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Speaking of VOX, I just saw they have a new version of the little battery powered DA5. It's called the DA5 Classic.
If you're like me, and pretty much hate the 'sewer grate' cosmetics of the old one, this one solves that issue. I may have to check one of these out for those times when I need battery power. I have a MicroCube, but I also prefer the VOX, after doing an A/B of both in the store. The looks of the VOX just really turned me off, though.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DA5CL/
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Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 27 Feb 2007 10:49 am
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Todd,
Yeah, the Vox Classic looks a lot better with the original grill.
Wish I had waited before buying mine if I knew. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 27 Feb 2007 5:39 pm GREAT SOUNDING amps!
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My LIttle 1940's vintage "HARMONY" with the 8-9" Rola speaker; Little Oahu and my Epiphone with 10" Jensen all sound superior to any of the new stuff. THAT SOUND I want is in that smaller size speaker and tube amp combination. One gets a lot MORE depth than you might imagine.
Cost: Very economical if, during purchase negotiations, you refer to it as an olde practice amp. |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 28 Feb 2007 5:37 am Re: GREAT SOUNDING amps!
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| Ray Montee wrote: |
My LIttle 1940's vintage "HARMONY" with the 8-9" Rola speaker; Little Oahu and my Epiphone with 10" Jensen all sound superior to any of the new stuff. THAT SOUND I want is in that smaller size speaker and tube amp combination. One gets a lot MORE depth than you might imagine.
Cost: Very economical if, during purchase negotiations, you refer to it as an olde practice amp. |
Ray -- I agree. I'm still looking for some kind of older small wattage amp as you described that won't cost me too much. For now, these newer versions are getting me through OK, but when I find a good old Epi or similar amp, I plan on picking one up.
If I had $800, these modern versions with that old look (and pure tube tone) would certainly work! Beautiful workmanship...
http://swartamps.com/amplifiers_tweed_tone_6v6se.htm
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Lee Gustafson
From:
Mohawk Michigan, USA
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Posted 28 Feb 2007 1:44 pm
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| Have any of you amp wise lap steelers ever had a Sano or Victoriette amp? A friend has this amp that makes my Studio Deluxe sound great, but it only says "ette" on the nameplate the rest is worn off. I don't think it's a Gibsonette, but it could be a Sanoette or a Victoriette.Sorry, I don't have any pics yet. |
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Lee Gustafson
From:
Mohawk Michigan, USA
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Posted 28 Feb 2007 1:48 pm
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| Todd, check out a new amp called the Johnson Laredo. It's tube, has a 10" speaker and costs about $275. Looks good too! |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 28 Feb 2007 4:25 pm
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| It looks like the amp people are paying attention. Lots of small tube amps are becoming available. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 28 Feb 2007 7:00 pm
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Lee, I've been playing an old Sano amp in a local store over the past few weeks now. Really really nice amp for the 1940's Hawaiian kind of stuff I like. Breaks up in all the right places. The tube compression/sustain is just amazing. It's only $215, all tube... but I just can't get myself to spend more money on toys.
I believe Sano amps were originally for accordians. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 1 Mar 2007 12:06 am
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Nice write up on Sano amplifiers
here
Aloha,
Don |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 1 Mar 2007 7:52 am
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Derrick;; Hey Bud, I think you should just run out to the store and buy a new "Space Tone Tweed"  Hell, it's only money |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 1 Mar 2007 8:53 am
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Cool--Larry John McNally. I sang background vocals on this Jane Kelly Williams song that Larry John produced. He played dobro and sang the low part, while I sang the high part and sort of arranged the backing vocs.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Lee Gustafson
From:
Mohawk Michigan, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 1:47 pm
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| Not only is it a nice write-up on Sano amps, but when I e-mailed Larry, he returned a message within a half hour. He asked me to send a photo and he would try to ID the amp in question. In the meantime I figured it out myself. The amp I'm checking out is Gibsonette. It sounds good but has a little hum. I still am probably going to buy it. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 2:45 pm
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Hi Lee Where is Mohawk, in Michigan??
BILL |
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Lee Gustafson
From:
Mohawk Michigan, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 2:54 pm
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| Bill, Mohawk is way up in the tip of the horn of the Upper Penisula. The northern end of US41 is 30 miles north of Mohawk at Copper Harbor. Everything's closed down up here today because of the blizzard. Lots of spare time to mess with my lap steel. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 2:56 pm
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Lee, I have a schematic for the Gibsonette. Simple amp. Fixing the hum shouldn't be much problem. If you want, I could mail you a copy.
BILL
Last edited by Bill Creller on 2 Mar 2007 5:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 3:34 pm
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Hey Bill,
I haven't seen the Space Amp anywhere here in Hawaii yet. SWART must be selling exclusively from their website only?
Jeff, is that the Sano amp at Dan's Guitar that you're referring to? I bought my Bakelite and Frypan down to Dan's a couple of months ago when I seen that amp. However, I was disappointed as the tone sucked on both of my steels no matter what settings I used.
Wish I could have taken the amp home to test drive. Maybe my other steels would have sounded great with it. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 2 Mar 2007 5:21 pm
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Nuttin' I hate like sucky tone
Maybe you shoulda lugged the T8 Stringmaster down there to try
OR, just fill your Nissan with guitars and drive over there and try'em all!!
I know you need more amps. I think I'll ship one over to you
PILA |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 12:13 pm
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Lee, I need your address to send the schematic. It is too light to use on the scanner.
I couldn't get thru on your email. |
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