20W Express 2-12 Combo ++ Clips Added ++

[sst4270]

By the way...

Regarding the Durafix. I found the same stuff at Harbor Freight Tools for substantially less money. I haven't bought any yet, (as I bought enough initially for my current needs) but it appears to be the same exact stuff. I'm presuming that the Durafix patent has run out. since this stuff has been around for many years, so I'm told. And since most of the general public doesn't know about this stuff... It's available as "low temperature aluminum welding rods" from Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=44810

Just trying to save my compadres some $$.

Steve

[sst4270]

This is Mike McHenry and The Tribe.
These were recorded at The Rockfish Grill in Annapolis, MD on 3-26-09.
These first set of clips are just some of Mike dialing the amp in to his liking. The little bit of hum you might hear came from his guitar and pedal board (they need a little work to clean up some ground loops). As before I record with an Audio Technica Pro24 Stereo Mic direct into an M-Audio Microtrack. Zero Processing pre/post or otherwise. The frequency response of the mic rolls off around 100Hz. Trust me when I say the bass response of this amp is far better than what is captured in these recordings. But they should give you an idea of how the amp sounds.
I can't tell you what the amp settings were becuase Mike was constantly fiddling with it during these clips. I can tell you that he finally settled on the following: Vol 10:30, Tr 9, Mid 9, Bass 3, Pr ?, VVR 100%.
He normally plays a Fargen Blackbird. He never plugged it in the whole night. I felt like such a proud parent.

Enjoy,

Steve

[sst4270]

Here are some of the whole band. 128k sampling rate for upload. Pardon the compression.

I hope you like 'em.

Steve

[Decko]

Hi Steve...Wow! Amp/Guitar sounds awesome! Are you singing too?

Back to the amp...I notice the eyelet boards. Did you make those? They look very clean and easy to use. How costly are the boards?

Danny

[sst4270]

Danny,

Yes I make the boards myself.
Board material comes from McMaster-Carr. Look up Garolite on their site. This is the part number of the specific material I use: 85345K612 ($16 for a 12"x12"x1/8" sheet. enough to build a few amps)

I order eyelets from: http://www.turretboards.com/

good luck.

Steve

[sst4270]

That's Mike McHenry singing.

[M Fowler]

Steve

Great amp and tell Mike and the gang that they sound fantastic but I need more songs to make a CD for driving to and from work thanks.

Mark

[sst4270]

Anyone else interested in the rest of the clips I recorded that night. Please send a pm with a valid email address. I will send you a link to an online storage site where you can download them.

Sincerely,

Steve

[UR12]

Steve

Those are extremely cool clips. Cudos to you and Mike and the guys. You have built a wonderful sounding amp! Now you got me wanting to get back on mine and try that 12AY7 in there.

I think you have proven beyond any doubt that the TW circuits can sound fantastic in a combo when done right.

Again congrats on a beautiful looking and sounding amp!!

[M Fowler]

Steve,

I down loaded the other tracks, thanks.

I have one more question regarding the VVR. Does Mike use the VVR for his gigs or only for recording purposes? Also, does he use a distortion pedal or use the VVR on his higher gain lead runs?

Mark

[sst4270]

Mark,

With this amp at 20Watts and the very efficient Scumbacks. There was no need for the VVR to be used. The amp's volume was only at about 10:30~11:00. And it was plenty loud for this medium sized club. It cut through the drums and bass no problem.

He's using the VVR on his Liverpool when he's practicing at home. Don't know how he has the amp set when he's recording.

Steve

[M Fowler]

Steve,

Thanks for the info. One more question are the Scumbacks M75's?
I don't know if you new, but I built one of these combo amps and liked mine with the 6V6 as well. Right now have the Eminence speakers that came with the Line6 cab I used. I have cabs withe G12H, G12V, Greenback 25w, Carvin vintage, and G12-100. Oh, also Peavey Sheffields.

So I am trying to decide which speaker I want to try next in my combo.
Thanks for the information. I had asked about the VVR because I have never used that before and in gigging situations was wondering how it is used.

Mark

[sst4270]

Speakers were one M75 one H75.

Regarding using the VVR in a gigging situation.
Mike had the amp at around 10:30~11:00. It was plenty loud there.

Had he turned up the volume knob much more than that (say if he wanted more gain) then it would have been too loud for this particular room. At that point you'd use the VVR to dial back the volume and keep the gain/tone you wanted.

Steve.

[soma_hero]

Mark,

I've used my Liverpool combo at church a few times. We play in an auditorium, maybe 500 seats, medium sized. We mic everything so I just use the VVR so it's not too loud on the stage for the singers.

[M Fowler]

Thanks guys the VVR thing is new for me and I have not incorporated one into any of my builds. Great information guys, thank you very much. I did talk to Dana and Richie about the VVR a little on another thread. I should probably just order one so I can try it on one of my amps.

So many things I think I need what the heck!

Mark