Nickcha
09-15-2006, 09:13 PM
...continued from part 1...
Other Amps…
There were several amps at TONEfest this year that were demo’d but we didn’t receive Amp Evals on them, from our participants. A few of these amps were evaluated at previous TONEfests, both Vintage and moderns, and are well known to TF followers; so we didn’t focus on providing Evals for them. However all these amps sounded spectacular and we want to be sure to list them and give you an opportunity to share your comments.
Metropoulos JTM 45/100 Replica (http://metroamp.com/amps_jtm45.php) and the Metropoulos ’68 100w head (http://metroamp.com/amps_67_100_watt.php) - George Metropoulos of MetroAmps came to TF06 and brought 2 of his amps and one of his 412s. And because of MetroAmps’ reputation for producing such great Plexi clones we were eager to try them out along side the originals. George’s amps made a serious impact with our Marshall heads so I’m expecting to hear some commentary.
Jones Amplification KL100 (proto type head) (http://www.jonesamplifiers.com/) – Don Jones brought us his new 100w gigging machine. Don involved Kerry Livgren in this amps development and the results were wonderful. I’ve never heard an EL34 100w with such a genuinely Fender Showman sounding alternate channel. The amp has a number of really cool gig-friendly features.
Marshall Hand Wired series (http://www.marshallamps.com/product_range.asp?productRangeId=3) – Dave Costner and Joe Rodgers of Guitar Center were terrific. They got together an entire line of Marshall HW amps (as well as others) and gave the Marshall heads a real chance to A/B yesterday and today. I was amazed but I’ll let the some of the others elaborate…
Wallace BKW50 / proto type (50w head) (http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1542048) - I’m the proud owner of Brian Wallace’s proto type ’67 Plexi 50w clone (Marstran Trannies, Sozo caps, etc.). I own a really nice ’67 50w Marshall and the Wallace clone seriously nails it. Since TF I’ve re-biased the Wallace to use KT66s, and with it’s GZ34 rectifier this amp is a JTM45-meets-a-JMP50…hey, that’s a ’67 JTM50! Exactly.
Wallace Abaddon MV Amp / proto type (50w head) (http://wallaceamps.com/Page%202.htm) – Brian blew all the non-MV purists away with this amp. Patrick Robinson, who owns a house full of Plexis and Hiwatts, and just learned earlier this year that there were amps with MVs, was so smitten with this amp I thought he was gonna buy it! And he wasn’t the only one. Maybe we’ll get them to comment.
Vintage Amps…
All our Vintage amps this year simply killed. They were truly awesome: Marshall Plexis, Hiwatts, Fender Tweeds, Brown and Black faces and AC30s…simply tremendous. Of course, it’s just my opinion, but the Vintage greats still rule.
Vintage Guitars…
Although TONEfest is not a guitar show, guys bring their favorite guitars to play and we usually end up with some nice vintage pieces. There were many very sweet 50s and 60s Strats on hand, thanks to Tommy Hatcher and Ross Schlichting who brought a nice collection of vintage Strats. I also brought my ’62 Black Strat. In addition, Frank King brought a beautiful ’58 (?) Black 3 pup LP Custom and Terry Young had a really sweet early 60s 335.
DVD’s and CD’s of this year’s event (including Clinic by George Metropoulos, Jams, Amp Demos), as well as photos, were produced by Rich Dutton and are available through his site at Richweb.net (http://richweb.net/TonefestVideo.htm).
Other Amps…
There were several amps at TONEfest this year that were demo’d but we didn’t receive Amp Evals on them, from our participants. A few of these amps were evaluated at previous TONEfests, both Vintage and moderns, and are well known to TF followers; so we didn’t focus on providing Evals for them. However all these amps sounded spectacular and we want to be sure to list them and give you an opportunity to share your comments.
Metropoulos JTM 45/100 Replica (http://metroamp.com/amps_jtm45.php) and the Metropoulos ’68 100w head (http://metroamp.com/amps_67_100_watt.php) - George Metropoulos of MetroAmps came to TF06 and brought 2 of his amps and one of his 412s. And because of MetroAmps’ reputation for producing such great Plexi clones we were eager to try them out along side the originals. George’s amps made a serious impact with our Marshall heads so I’m expecting to hear some commentary.
Jones Amplification KL100 (proto type head) (http://www.jonesamplifiers.com/) – Don Jones brought us his new 100w gigging machine. Don involved Kerry Livgren in this amps development and the results were wonderful. I’ve never heard an EL34 100w with such a genuinely Fender Showman sounding alternate channel. The amp has a number of really cool gig-friendly features.
Marshall Hand Wired series (http://www.marshallamps.com/product_range.asp?productRangeId=3) – Dave Costner and Joe Rodgers of Guitar Center were terrific. They got together an entire line of Marshall HW amps (as well as others) and gave the Marshall heads a real chance to A/B yesterday and today. I was amazed but I’ll let the some of the others elaborate…
Wallace BKW50 / proto type (50w head) (http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1542048) - I’m the proud owner of Brian Wallace’s proto type ’67 Plexi 50w clone (Marstran Trannies, Sozo caps, etc.). I own a really nice ’67 50w Marshall and the Wallace clone seriously nails it. Since TF I’ve re-biased the Wallace to use KT66s, and with it’s GZ34 rectifier this amp is a JTM45-meets-a-JMP50…hey, that’s a ’67 JTM50! Exactly.
Wallace Abaddon MV Amp / proto type (50w head) (http://wallaceamps.com/Page%202.htm) – Brian blew all the non-MV purists away with this amp. Patrick Robinson, who owns a house full of Plexis and Hiwatts, and just learned earlier this year that there were amps with MVs, was so smitten with this amp I thought he was gonna buy it! And he wasn’t the only one. Maybe we’ll get them to comment.
Vintage Amps…
All our Vintage amps this year simply killed. They were truly awesome: Marshall Plexis, Hiwatts, Fender Tweeds, Brown and Black faces and AC30s…simply tremendous. Of course, it’s just my opinion, but the Vintage greats still rule.
Vintage Guitars…
Although TONEfest is not a guitar show, guys bring their favorite guitars to play and we usually end up with some nice vintage pieces. There were many very sweet 50s and 60s Strats on hand, thanks to Tommy Hatcher and Ross Schlichting who brought a nice collection of vintage Strats. I also brought my ’62 Black Strat. In addition, Frank King brought a beautiful ’58 (?) Black 3 pup LP Custom and Terry Young had a really sweet early 60s 335.
DVD’s and CD’s of this year’s event (including Clinic by George Metropoulos, Jams, Amp Demos), as well as photos, were produced by Rich Dutton and are available through his site at Richweb.net (http://richweb.net/TonefestVideo.htm).