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Topic: "Fox Vintage Amp" 5F8B ** tube** Pedal Steel Amp |
Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2009 2:44 pm |
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Weighing in at 46 lbs, almost 1/2 the weight of some of the older Fender tube amps!
This is my latest project aimed at the market need for an all tube steel amp that will not take your arm off when carrying it around!
This is a rendition of the Tweed era high powered Twin Tweed amp. Last made in 1960 with Brown Tolex covering.
The 15" speaker is a premium cast basket, Neo light speaker by SICA, mother company of Jensen. They are rated at 250 watts (weighs 6.70lbs).
The amp will be using a solid state plug in rectifier. This get a bit more plate voltage than the stock 5AR4. A 5AR4 can be still used for a little less wattage. Also the amp has adjustable tube bias. Fusing on the 6.3VAC supply as well at 9 amps. fusing as well on the 5 VAC (for use with a tube rectifier)
Prototype is built as my other Tweed amp except with Heyboer transformers.
On my test setup I am getting a clean 92 watts! On most 100 watt Twins I can only get 80 watts clean on my test setup. Looking good!!! Remember Fender and other rated amps allow for a certain percentage of distortion, I am not allowing for any distortion in my measurements
Amp will also have a D2F cover as well.
I should have sound clips up this week on the net. We are starting a limited run of 12 in January, parts are already ordered. We are taking orders on a first come first serve basis. A small deposit will be required.
Pricing and info will be in the for sale section soon as well as on our website.
Last edited by Ken Fox on 24 Dec 2009 7:54 am; edited 2 times in total |
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James Marlowe
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2009 3:35 pm
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Very nice looking amp! I especially like the vintage look of the 'innards'!
_________________
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member |
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James Marlowe
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2009 12:20 pm
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To the top,
for the Fox! 
_________________
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member |
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Bobby DeMoss
From:
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2009 6:12 pm Awesome Amp
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Hey Ken, my father had a line of his own amps out in the early 60's and we worked on most of the Fender amps in Kansas City until the late 80's and from what I know, your design there is clean, mean and a true tone machine. If that amp sounds like she looks, It will be a hit. Big Time.
Bobby DeMoss
_________________
A Rig-Zumsteel 08 Anti E9th 9x10, Vegas 400's x2 Lemay Mods, B Rig-Zumsteel 99 9x10, Stroborack's X2, Lexicon MPX200's x2. |
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Tommy R. Butler
From:
Nashville, Tennessee
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Posted 15 Dec 2009 10:39 pm
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| I played one of these amps last nite!!! My order is in!!!! Best sounding amp I have ever heard in my life!!! No fancy rack gear needed here friends!!! This amp is THE TONE monster !!!!! Hands down!!!! Every component in these amps are matched perfect!!! The best parts money can buy!!! If you are serious about tone and know what tone is!!! If you have been looking for tone and aren't satisfied with anything you've heard then check this amp out !! If you think you have the best sounding gear money can buy well maybe not yet??? This amp is THE SOUND... I played it 4 hours and I still got up shaking my head!!! Incredible! Way to go Ken! Think you have a new industry standard. |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 16 Dec 2009 4:57 am
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Tommy, don't hold back...did you like it or not???
Knowing Ken's quality of work, I can fully understand your excitement. Let's see, what can I sell to get one? |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Ray Harrison
From:
Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Dec 2009 7:14 pm
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Ken, Single channel Bass amp that weight. Can it be done with a single 15"?
I know that I can find them from Carvin and some others, but I believe your work.
_________________
Ray Harrison
Bass/sing/Love PSG
77 Stingray/Kiesel 5 string bass
Telonics , Fender Rumble500, Polytone Amps
D-16 Martin, 1970 Ovation guitars |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2009 8:57 pm
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| I doubt it. A bass cab needs a closed back and separation form the tubes (to prevent rattling the tubes). Those cabinet design changes would add more weight. |
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John Davis
From:
Cambridge, U.K.
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 2:21 am
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| Hi Ken, Will these be able to operate on our voltage in the UK? any idea yet on price? |
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Danny Hullihen
From:
Harrison, Michigan
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 4:19 am
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Ken, judging from what I'm reading here in what you have done, it looks like you just might have the real "holy grail" for the players who love that tube amp tone, and I'm one of them! I'll be looking forward to getting one of these in the new future! Head room and clean tone has always been an issue with many of the tube fired amps, especially unmodified in their original state, and it looks like perhaps you've solved that problem.
One question if you will, are these new amps capable of using an extension speaker with them? |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 5:49 am
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We do not have a tap for the 2 ohm load needed to add an extra 4 ohm speaker to the amp. I can get a transformer from Mercury Magnetic with a 2 and 4 ohm tap. It would be a special order basis of course cost more due to the increase in cost, freight to get one transformer shipped and the special Switchcraft switching jack needed to switch the transformer to a 2 ohm tap when using the external speaker.
No export models are planned at this time. We are too small of a company (just Ruthie and me!!) to handle the complexities of exporting at this time. These are hand built and limited production amps. Due to the large investment in parts we will do runs of 12 to 24 max in the future as well. I work out of our funds, not borrowed money! Another way to keep the cost of this amp under the $3450.00 a comparable Victoria amp sells for!!
The amp will sell at $1999.00 and shipping. Sales tax applicable to the state of Georgia sales.
We will start production in late January on 12 amps (waiting on parts)
A waiting list has been started for the amps. We will require a 10 percent deposit after Jan 1, not before (due to the fiscal tax year).
Last edited by Ken Fox on 19 Dec 2009 7:10 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 5:59 am
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Keep in mind this particular post will lock 2 weeks after posting, Forum rules.
We will not announce the amps for sale on the Forum or our new website until after January 1.
However, Ruth is keeping a list of those expressing s desire to buy an amp. Again we will contact all those after the 1st of January and require a deposit on the amp purchase at that time.
Keep an eye also on our ever changing website as to the progress of the amps and other fun stuff! |
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Danny Hullihen
From:
Harrison, Michigan
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 4:29 am
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| Ken. I noticed there wasn't a reverb tank or a control knob for such. I'm assuming this amp will not have any reverb. Is this correct? I may be wrong, but I would think that most steel players would want a tube circuit spring reverb, as these type of reverbs indeed do have a very rich and unique tone that has yet to be duplicated in any solid state amp, and this is one of the great features that I love about some of the old Fender Tube amps, such as with the Twin Reverb. I realize that there are many reverb pedals that could be used, but to me, they just don't have the pure reverb tone that the tube type spring reverb has. |
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Tommy Bannister
From:
Hampshire, UK
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 5:06 am
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| John Davis wrote: |
| Hi Ken, Will these be able to operate on our voltage in the UK? any idea yet on price? |
Ken this question by jJohn Davis was the same as I was going to ask you.
WE ARE ON 250VOLT ac current over here in the uk so needs to convert it into your power so can the vintage amps be supplied with the proper transported supply unit? thanks Ken (listened to the demo) Wow yer sure on to a winner here Ken
all the best to you and your family for the festive season and new year
god bless
TB uk
_________________
GOT EVERYTHING a steelplayer needs except movement owing to a bad stroke
paralizing my compleat left side
may god grant me return of it all!!
williams d10 9/8 burnt orange box,bobro,itone,rowland space echo,goodridge ldr 120 VP,any bars,quad reverb,sonar 8.5 vegus 10,soundforge, plus foxtex 24/24,maki 16 trk desk,could go on forever,two Nashville 112's pevey 500 session, steel guitar black box,LDR 120 VP
brand new WILLIAMS D10 9,8 NOT PLAYED OWING TO MY STROKE,WHAT A BUMMER!!! |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 5:17 am
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| Right now no plans ot build an export model. We are a small company (Just Ruth and I) doing all the work from ordering, repairing, building amps, book-keeping, etc. We will be able to produce a limited amount of amps per month and do not plan to expand any further at this time. |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 11:09 am Price question on new amp
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| Hello Ken, what is the cost of one of these amps? |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 6:10 pm
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$1999.00 and shipping is the price we will be selling at, when they are available. Over 1/2 of the first 12 are committed already.
Danny, no plans to modify this amp at all. I have used a digital reverb pedal on even my vintage Fender reverb amps. I prefer the RV-5 pedal to any spring reverb I have ever used. The RV-7, with Lexicon chips is on the way. From what I have heard and conversation with Wayne Dahl this is about as good a pedal as can be found.
Keeping the weight down and tone good is my goal. A simple tube amp circuit with a great cabinet and speaker is what we have produced. 46 lbs is a lot easier on the back than a Twin Reverb with a 15" speaker!
We demonstrated it today at the North Florida Steel Guitar Convention, in Jacksonville. It was a very successful day!!! The amp will hold its on with no trouble and deliver a superb tube tone. We were well received today by the players and audience as well.
Last edited by Ken Fox on 21 Dec 2009 8:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jack Dougherty
From:
Spring Hill, Florida, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 6:26 pm
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Ken..
Great meeting you in Jax.
The amp sounded great. As advertised.
Should be a nice fit for those who are looking for the lighter side. But don't let the weight fool you.
It's got bite and plenty of power and tone. The emphisis on tone 
JD
_________________
There is no such thing as too many steels!!
Emmons P/P 8/7 Strings....whatever I have.....Picks..mixed...Bars...one of four..but I like the Bullet Bar
Walker Stereo Steel Amp
TC M1 XL
Peavey Nashville 400. Fox Mod
Various sundries and toys.. |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2009 9:23 am
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| We have 10 potential buyers on the list now. I will go ahead and post this in the for sale area in fairness to those who may not be reading this section of the forum! |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2009 3:21 pm
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| Website back up and running. Had to increase our bandwidth a bit! |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 23 Dec 2009 7:05 am
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We have 15 folks on the mailing list at this time for the new amp. Please let us know if you are interested. I am talking with my supplier now about a second order of materials to build 12 more amps.
The website has had over 48,000 hits this month! Thanks for looking to all!!! |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 24 Dec 2009 7:55 am
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| We have 16 on the list now! Thanks for looking at our new amp!! |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Dec 2009 6:56 am Ken's new Amp
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Ken I spent part of yesterday listening to the digital recording of the Jacksonville Jam, I thought Jack Conyers Zum had a Emmons PP sound playing thru your amp, I called Jack Dougherty and we discussed this, It is sure a very good sounding amp, must come up some time this week and play thru it again. Several at the show came up after and said the Shobud sounded so good thru this amp.
ernie |
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