The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Amps: ultimate low wattage amp for rockabilly

ultimate low wattage amp for rockabilly

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- Rated: 10 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 9:08 a.m. jezzbo:

Hi,

What is YOUR favorite low wattage (<30 watt) amp for rockabilly playing (recording)? I want to make another amp and can't choose what to make. Thinking about a BF vibro champ, BF or tweed champ, Princeton Reverb maybe BF deluxe reverb(?)

Thanks!
- Rated: 31 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 9:26 a.m. do not be afraid:

a "blackface" for Rockabilly? no! they're just too… perfect! you need something that can get nasty! personally, i'd go for a "tweed" Deluxe or an AC15.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 9:26 a.m. wenzel:

Try and make a silvertone 1484! Sub 30 watts... Made by Danelectro, but I have never seen one that was home-made...
- Rated: 31 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 9:29 a.m. do not be afraid:

wenzel, that's actually a pretty cool idea! along the same sort of lines of "the road less traveled", have you considered a Valco amp jezzbo? i don't think i've ever seen one of those as a home build either, and it'd be kind of cool, i think — especially if you make one of the Gretsch models, and do it up in full-on western trim! 'course, that might only be cool to me…
- Rated: 4 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 12:38 p.m. DrDiabolo:

Doesn't the idea of a recording amp open up the possibility of truly low wattage amps, such as the Leilani 1/4 (claimed to be inspired by the Bassman) or the EmerySound MicroBaby? Or do micropower amps limit headroom too much? If so, does moving to a more traditional low power Fender Champ based amp solve this issue?
- Rated: 40 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 12:56 p.m. roadjunkie:

I was working to find that sound with the Fargen Bastage then backed off when things got bad with mom before she died. So now I'm gonna crank up that tube search again. I really liked the 5881 but I need a better one then what I have. The Dario Miniwatt ef 86 made a big difference over the stocker so the search is on. So the search is on!

4 watts don't allow for much headroom hence the 12 inch cab but I'm shopping around for a 2x10
- Rated: 10 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 1:18 p.m. jezzbo:

Hi all,

thanks for your responces. I allready build a "Matchless" HC30 and a "Fender" 5E3 deluxe. The 5E3 just needs tolex now. Wanted to do something else than tweed .

now you may ask why have another amp when I already have two good ones. Let's say that putting amps together is addictive.

Anyway I look into the silvertone 1484 and the valco amps great idea.

thanks
- Rated: 13 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 1:20 p.m. LDC:

Tweed Fender Deluxe
- Rated: 49 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 2:21 p.m. GuitarFarm:

"...Let's say that putting amps together is addictive..."

Tell me about it. Good luck in your search. When I started building amps, they were all low powered. I was convinced that an amp did not need nore than 10 watts for really great tone. Now, I find my best results in the 35 to 40 watt range. Not sure why, but they just seem to sound better to me for some reason. Good luck to you in your quest. Half the enjoyment is in the journey.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 3:03 p.m. Mark S(ynchro):

Jezzbo said: What is YOUR favorite low wattage (<30 watt) amp for rockabilly playing (recording)? I want to make another amp and can't choose what to make. Thinking about a BF vibro champ, BF or tweed champ, Princeton Reverb maybe BF deluxe reverb(?)
I like the idea of a Blackface amp myself. When Jeff Beck did his tribute to Cliff Gallup he went for a fundamentally clean sound with a set of Dynas and it sounded great.

Just my opinion here, but a little distortion goes a long way with me, especially in Rockabilly. Blackface amps are clean, but not necessarily harsh.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 3:07 p.m. J(et)D:

Agree with GF. I sold my "higher power" amps, and went for several years, with "only" low powered Tweed Champs/Princetons and VibroChamps.

All great amps, and plenty loud when cranked to grind away. But, something was missing

That good old multi 6l6 thump and "bloom" was missing. A single "anything" doesn't get that pair of Fender 6l6 sound.

They only small amp left is a Fender "Bronco" (VibroChamp)

Now to the thread's topic, if I was a builder, and wanted a small, low power amp that sounds good for about any type of music, takes pedals well, and works GREAT at home, I'll build a VibroChamp with a 10" or 12" speaker.

SF/BF Champs, VibroChamps, and Broncos are THE SAME circuit. A few component upgrades, but not the same BF/SF change that the "big" Fenders got.

Yes some cabinet construction and trim changed over the years, but they are the same circuit.

These little fella's just sound like a GOOD Fender, but just on a smaller scale.

I'm glad I haven't caught the "builder" bug. I would end up with a "fence line" of amps. Every era/design/wattage
- Rated: 19 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 7:43 p.m. Gretschadelphia:

It would have been my cherry 1960 Ampeg R15R Superbreverb if I hadn't sold it like a dumbass several years back. Around 18-20 watts with a 15" speaker, best sounding reverb and vibrato you'll ever hear, clean and OD tones to die for. Would have sounded like heaven on Earth with my Power Tenny (sounded amazing with the Tele and Ibanez ES 175 copy I had at the time). Stupid me
- Rated: 25 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 8:26 p.m. Scott:

If you're looking to build something that will emulate 1950s rockabilly tone, nothing will really come close to the 5E3 Deluxe.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 8:55 p.m. roadjunkie:

Allen kits could be considered expensive but I like that Brown Sugar in a 15 inch combo for 1099
- Rated: 41 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 9:15 p.m. J(et)D:

That would be a great kit, and should be a great sounding amp.

David is a class guy, and this is his spin on a "brown" Fender.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 9:23 p.m. roadjunkie:

That special that he's running for January ain't too bad either! $899 for an unloaded 4x10 Old Flame! A couple of nice weber's would make that a nice setup! Emmi's too!
- Rated: 40 ↑
Jan 6, 2008 9:47 p.m. Pseudo Man:

Wenzel i was thinking the other day about making a 1484, I got so far as finding a schematic, but I got scared from there, not ever having built a n amp, and not even having a layout to go from.
- Rated: 74 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 1:32 a.m. bonedaddy:

Well, my Silverface Fender Champ is great for rockabilly. It's not stock though; It's running a 6L6 and a 10" speaker. But, the clean headroom is a little higher, yet it can still get quite nasty when cranked up past about 7. If you dime it you can do everything wit your volume and tone pots on your guitar. I learned more about string attack playing like this and on any other amp I've played.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 3:09 a.m. HillbillyWolf:

I have a 52' Oahu Tonemaster that uses two 6v6's for power. it sounds great, i run tape echo through it and go!

it looks good too
- Rated: 10 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 1:13 p.m. jezzbo:

That's a nice amp indeed mr HillbillyWolf.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 1:57 p.m. HillbillyWolf:

Scored it for Two Hundred even.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 2:20 p.m. wenzel:

Pseudo Man, that's awesome! I have the schematic too, but I wouldn't attempt to build one either. Too many wires, pots, resistors, caps, parts galore! I'd love it if they came out with a complete package with everything ready to assemble. The 2 6L6's sound so good and it really does resemble a fender bassman's tone. I think they called them the poor man's Bassman. If anyone has every built one I'd love to see it. The vintage ones are still reasonably cheap at between $300-400, so it's probably better just to buy one and refurbish it like I did. I probably spent $100-200 fixing it up by adding a removeable 1/4" speaker jack and adding a 3 prong grounded power cord to it. Safety first!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 2:56 p.m. Mark S(ynchro):

Could you send me a copy of the schematic Chris?
- Rated: 115 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 3:22 p.m. wenzel:

Here you go Mark!

http://www.schematicheaven.com/bargainbin/silvertone1484.pdf
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jan 7, 2008 4:11 p.m. Mark S(ynchro):

Wenzel said: Here you go Mark!

http://www.schematicheaven.com/bargainbin/silvertone1484.pdf

Thanks Chris!