From: Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 09:13:32 NZST-12 Subject: Re: Bargain amp. Long cause I am enthusing.
> Hi all, > > In my long running quest for an amp to replace my wee Samick pracice > amp with something more suitable I have found a possibility. I am > looking for something with a thick creamy sustainey tone when > overdriven (tubes of course), and the ability to sound good for both > guitar and harp. In a local music shop I found a possible match. > > The amp is a Jansen valve amp from some time in the sixties. (or so I > am told) It definatly looks it. I think the model was a Twin 40 or > something similar. It has tremelo, two channels, and 2x12" speakers. > The price? NZ$250 or US$140 or so. I may have to buy it just because > it looks so great. :-) It has just been refurbished by a Jansen amp > guru and the guy in the shop said it sounds great. I am going back to > give it a run with my guitar and one of his harp mics. Thats right he > has a few. It turned out he used to play harp for a band around > Auckland and loves harp but not hohners.
I have to share this with you all. I went to the shop with my harps and guitar last night to have a wee play. It was a religous experience in a way.
First I tried the "who knows what" mic that I have been using and got a mostly accoustic tone from the amp. The guy in the shop then pulled out every mic he had in the shop and most were similar in tone to my own. Some pushed the amp to distortion a little more but were not what I was looking for. Then we tried a Peavey mic with Cardoid Dynamic LO-Z on it. As soon as I blew through it the whole shop was filled with a thick creamy "Chicago" tone. Chugging was almost orgasmic, nanny goat vibrato rattled the windows and single notes were a revelation. My diaphram vibrato, which I had thought to be fairly weak was almost hypnotic. The owner of the shop looked up from where he had been playing with the settings on the amp. A big grin on his face. "Thats what you wanted isn't it?". "Oh yes, I replied." still a little stunned.
We then messed around a little with the guitar and a few overdrives and distortions. On its own my guitar does not have the output to push the amp into heavenly tone. With a Marshall Blues Breaker on it the amp produces the mellow thick distortion I was looking for. This was a bit academic though as I would have bought the amp purely for the harp. :-)
We then went back to the harp and mic and slapped a delay pedal in the chain. It was even better than before. I did almost fall over when he cranked the delay right up though. It was a little disorientating. :-)
Well after a most enjoyable couple of hours I bought the amp and the mic. I have the blues breaker on lay-by and am considering the delay pedal as well.
I am now a vintage amp owner. There was a collector interested but he was told I had first option. The shop owner said he preferred that the amp be used. :-)
So for all of you still out there looking for the perfect combination of gear do not fret. Nirvana appears where and when you least suspect it.
CYA all. _____________________________________________________________________ Marcus Little marc~anukau.ac.nz
