The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello Everyone!

So I have finally given up on carrying my twin reverb around to practice and gigs. I have a few shoulder problems so it's just a large task to get it out my door and down a LOT of steps. So my Silverface Twin will become a studio amp for now, as I don't think I could ever part ways with it. As heavy as it is, it sounds GREAT.

I've landed on a couple of amps that I think might cure my weight issues, while still keeping the tone. Living in a rural area, I don't have a store around me that I can go demo amps at. So I guess I'll just have to cross my fingers and hope I make a good decision.

The two amps I am considering are a Fender Twin Tone Master(The solid state version), and a Milkman Half and Half head with 1x12 extension cab. My budget has to be under $2,000, so if you all have any other suggestions please let me know. If you have any experience with either of these amps I would love to hear from you!

It's also worth noting that I will also be playing 6 string through the amp as well, with an A/B box I use.

Thanks for any advice!

If I were you I would at least Look at an Evans I have owned Many amps over the years and at this point I have a Twin, a Webb-614 and a few others I also have 3 Evans an RE-200 a AH-200 and an SE-200 all are great and sound supper with any thing.

Good luck
Barry

Hi Avery,
Over 40 years ago I had Fender twins with JBLs. Since that time I have had several different Peaveys, the last one was a Nash. 112 that I liked very much. Last Dec. I brought home a Tonemaster Twin from our local music store with the plan to try it out for a few days before returning it. After playing through it for a few minutes my wife said,"don't take that one back". I love the sound of that amp. Does it sound exactly like a tube twin? Probably not, but that's ok. It sounds great, and weighs 33 lbs. The attenuator is a nice feature too, being able to play at a lower wattage at home, which is all the time right now for me. ha

I have the Milkman Half & Half 15" combo. VERY happy with it. 33 pounds.The combo will save you a couple bux over the head-plus-cab.It works fine with 2 instruments through an A/B box,although the single set of tone controls may raise some EQ issues.

BTW I also have a TR Custom 15, which sounds great for guitar and steel together,but it's likely to remain a home studio amp for the same reason the OP's SF Twin is!

The Travis Toy 12 combo is very nice. Lots of tone control between the preamp and limiter. Make it clean, make it growl. Built in reverb. And at 27 lbs with built in tilt back legs, they don’t come Any more gig ready.

Barry Coker wrote:If I were you I would at least Look at an Evans I have owned Many amps over the years and at this point I have a Twin, a Webb-614 and a few others I also have 3 Evans an RE-200 a AH-200 and an SE-200 all are great and sound supper with any thing.

Good luck
Barry

Are the Evans amps still made today? I haven't ever seen one in person but I have seen a few of you guys on here talking about them, I am sure they are nice! A friend of mine, Ronnie Parker, had a Webb when I used to play in a band with him. It was great but I think he sold it a while back here on the forum.

George Macdonald wrote:Hi Avery,
Over 40 years ago I had Fender twins with JBLs. Since that time I have had several different Peaveys, the last one was a Nash. 112 that I liked very much. Last Dec. I brought home a Tonemaster Twin from our local music store with the plan to try it out for a few days before returning it. After playing through it for a few minutes my wife said,"don't take that one back". I love the sound of that amp. Does it sound exactly like a tube twin? Probably not, but that's ok. It sounds great, and weighs 33 lbs. The attenuator is a nice feature too, being able to play at a lower wattage at home, which is all the time right now for me. ha

I know what you mean about being at home, I think most of us are in the same boat right now! Glad to hear that you like the Tonemaster. As bad as I hate Guitar Center, I have one within a couple hours of me. I might have to go up there and get one just to try out like you did. Thanks for the help!

Dave Hopping wrote:I have the Milkman Half & Half 15" combo. VERY happy with it. 33 pounds.The combo will save you a couple bux over the head-plus-cab.It works fine with 2 instruments through an A/B box,although the single set of tone controls may raise some EQ issues.

BTW I also have a TR Custom 15, which sounds great for guitar and steel together,but it's likely to remain a home studio amp for the same reason the OP's SF Twin is!

Dave, I havent seen a 15" version of the Half and Half. Did you have to custom order that one? Thanks for the help!

Justin Emmert wrote:The Travis Toy 12 combo is very nice. Lots of tone control between the preamp and limiter. Make it clean, make it growl. Built in reverb. And at 27 lbs with built in tilt back legs, they don’t come Any more gig ready.

Justin, that one is one my list as well. I had a 202 head from Quilter, but I couldn't get the DI output to sound decent into my interface that I use for recording. I might give the TT combo a try with a mic and see what that does. If they had a 15" version, I would be all over that.

Avery Bradshaw wrote:

Dave Hopping wrote:I have the Milkman Half & Half 15" combo. VERY happy with it. 33 pounds.The combo will save you a couple bux over the head-plus-cab.It works fine with 2 instruments through an A/B box,although the single set of tone controls may raise some EQ issues.

BTW I also have a TR Custom 15, which sounds great for guitar and steel together,but it's likely to remain a home studio amp for the same reason the OP's SF Twin is!

Dave, I havent seen a 15" version of the Half and Half. Did you have to custom order that one? Thanks for the help!

Avery- the Half & Half combo is available with either the 12" or the 15". The 15" has an up-charge but it isn't a special order, more like one from column 'A' or one from column 'B'. The 15" combo cab isn't pictured on the website, but it's almost exactly square- 19 7/8"X 20"X 10". IMO the cosmetics, fit, and finish are as good as the sound.....BTW it doesn't come with a cover and the website doesn't show a cover as an accessory, but if you're handy with a sewing machine--or friendly with someone who is-- it's easy to make one happen.

I'm don't have experience with tons of amps, but I recently got the Milkman The Amp 100 and am extremely happy with it. It is also a tube preamp to class D, through not sure how similar to the Half and Half in tone. I also play six string through it and am equally happy with that. Tim at Milkman also very quickly answered a few of my rookie questions, and have heard good about his service in general.

I'm working on putting together a TRM 15" cab with a Telonics speaker in it. The whole rig will weigh about 30 lbs, and altogether is well under $2,000.

That Half and Half looks sweet though.

Evans are still being made today a google search will find there web sight. You can also find used ones here on the forum from time to time and I have seen them on Reverb Ebay and even on Guitar Center under used.

Barry

If you love your Twin Reverb, you really need to try a Princeton Reverb. Available with the usual 10” speaker, and a couple models are now available with 12” speaker.

Quilter just released the Travis Toy 15” combo......

Aren Orsen wrote:I'm don't have experience with tons of amps, but I recently got the Milkman The Amp 100 and am extremely happy with it. It is also a tube preamp to class D, through not sure how similar to the Half and Half in tone. I also play six string through it and am equally happy with that. Tim at Milkman also very quickly answered a few of my rookie questions, and have heard good about his service in general.

I'm working on putting together a TRM 15" cab with a Telonics speaker in it. The whole rig will weigh about 30 lbs, and altogether is well under $2,000.

That Half and Half looks sweet though.

I have been talking with Tim, he's a super nice guy for sure! I considered The Amp 100, and it's still not out of the question. So many choices! He answered all of my questions very well. How do you like the direct output on The Amp 100? Also, have you used the headphone output any?

Barry Coker wrote:Evans are still being made today a google search will find there web sight. You can also find used ones here on the forum from time to time and I have seen them on Reverb Ebay and even on Guitar Center under used.

Barry

Barry, Thanks for the heads up! I am going to look into those some more.

Allan Revich wrote:If you love your Twin Reverb, you really need to try a Princeton Reverb. Available with the usual 10” speaker, and a couple models are now available with 12” speaker.

Allan, I will check those out! I had a reissue Princeton a long time ago before I took up pedal steel. They are solid little amps. I certainly like the weight. I appreciate the suggestion!

Justin Emmert wrote:Quilter just released the Travis Toy 15” combo......

Now I have a hard decision to make. Ask and you shall receive, I guess Thanks for the heads up!