Members bq9187 Posted July 16, 2013 Members Share Posted July 16, 2013 Hey gang, I'm looking for some advice on boutique amplifiers. Long story short, I'm selling off some gear in hopes to acquire a new amplifier. As I've been poking around online, I find that my research is only complicating things since there are so many choices in the boutique realm. I'm looking for something with fantastic tone that isn't sacrificed by a lower wattage. Basically, something that I can play in my apartment without disturbing my neighbors, but something I can throw a mic infront of and play a show.Ideally, I'm looking for:- Hand-wired- Maximum of 5 watts- 12" Speaker- Attenuator or power switching of sortsAm I asking for too much??? Does anyone have any recommendations on a quality boutique amplifier with all or most of the above?Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thom Posted July 16, 2013 Members Share Posted July 16, 2013 Can't really think of anything that fits the bill, but since you mension it's got to be 'boutique', I'm assuming the price of a quality attenuator might not be a hige problem...Right?Cause that migh open up a lot more possibilities. There's not a whole lot of 5W 12" combos out there that I know of (Gries 5, that's one), it's usually either 12"/15W or 10"/5-10W. I'm more of a vintage/oldschool guy rather that a booteek buff, so my vote would go to a Fender 5E3 style amp, with something like an Ultimate Attenuator. Either that, or settle for a 10" speaker and go with a fender champ. The reason why 10" speakers are not for me: Volume. I mean even when things are loud, dirty tones are too boxy/garage to my taste. It sounds like it might work perfect for someone who's more into blues/jazz than me, but anything remotely modern/heavy sounds a bit thin with anything smaller than a 12" speaker. I basicaly go for a 'quiet half stack' sort of tone, which is tricky since a big part of that tone is enherant with the volume. Anyway, I'm derailing. I'm just curious why you insist on the 12" speaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bq9187 Posted July 16, 2013 Author Members Share Posted July 16, 2013 I've only ever used one attenuator that wasn't built into the amplifier. Wasn't a fan of it, but it was pretty cheap.I agree with you on the volume and the boxy tone you're identifying in your description. I find that the smaller speaker just doesn't sound the same, like it's missing something and doesn't offer the same range of sound or openness of a 12" speaker. The Gries sounds nice!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Knutsaq Posted July 17, 2013 Members Share Posted July 17, 2013 Since you said "most of" the above, I will recommend the Reeves Custom 18:http://www.reevesamps.com/custom18.htmThe only thing missing from your list is the 5watt limit, but this thing has power scaling (there is a link on the page for the full description - not like an attenuator at all, actually effects the output power) and will give you the desired effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Stonedtone Posted July 17, 2013 Members Share Posted July 17, 2013 Caee mini-Mercury is a great pick. I've never owned a Carr, but it is on my list. Great low vol tones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted July 18, 2013 Members Share Posted July 18, 2013 What about a Reason Bambino? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Stonedtone Posted July 19, 2013 Members Share Posted July 19, 2013 Stonedtone wrote: Caee mini-Mercury is a great pick. I've never owned a Carr, but it is on my list. Great low vol tones sorry--- Carr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members VagueSubscription Posted August 23, 2013 Members Share Posted August 23, 2013 bq9187 wrote: Hey gang, I'm looking for some advice on boutique amplifiers. Long story short, I'm selling off some gear in hopes to acquire a new amplifier. As I've been poking around online, I find that my research is only complicating things since there are so many choices in the boutique realm. I'm looking for something with fantastic tone that isn't sacrificed by a lower wattage. Basically, something that I can play in my apartment without disturbing my neighbors, but something I can throw a mic infront of and play a show. Ideally, I'm looking for: - Hand-wired - Maximum of 5 watts - 12" Speaker - Attenuator or power switching of sorts Am I asking for too much??? Does anyone have any recommendations on a quality boutique amplifier with all or most of the above? Thanks in advance! Ceriatone Mini 20 Lunchbox: http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPages/Overtone\%20LunchBox/OTSLunchBox\_Complete.htm I think their American distributor sells it for $762. American Ceriatone: $762! http://www.ceriatone.net/upload/index.php?route=product/product&path=59\_104&product\_id=116 Fuchs Lucky 7: $1295 http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/amps/casino-series#lucky7 Also, not that it is handwired, but the Marshall SL5 is a dandy little amp, for cheap! 5 watt and 1 watt setting. Figure about $620. VVT recently came out with a Dumble style preamp: http://www.vvtamps.com/portfolio/x-model-guitar-preamp/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bubdude Posted August 23, 2013 Members Share Posted August 23, 2013 Go to the emery amp site. People are raving about the quality of sound and build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hosehead Posted August 23, 2013 Members Share Posted August 23, 2013 After having excellent results with a prototype of mine there is a couple of them in use I made for local musicians/friends. The idea was to have a direct, pure sound that connects you to your guitar and have as little crap in the way coloring the sound of a beautiful guitar. First thing I did was get rid of capacitors in the signal chain and directly coupled the EF86 to the EL84. To still have tonal options I needed to figure out different ways of doing things and one is midrange scoop switch. The switch allows you to scoop the mids to get that fender or marshall sound using local feedback and not the typical RC tone stack. I adjust treble with the guitar's tone controls because that's what they are there for. Ok so I also have a global feedback control off the speaker tap to clean up the amp so this is similar to a gain control. It goes from nice and clean to screaming mean. Then lastly it has an internal Lpad to adjust volume, this allows you to have the gain cranked and get that overdriven sound at low output volumes. It is 5W single ended class ADirect coupledmidrange controlsGain controlsVolume control My point to all this is I find that a lot of "boutique" amps out are just clones of vintage amps with some bells and whistles. The info is out there just take your time and do the research, eventually you will come across something your ears and fingers can't beleive and you will know it's right for you. After studying Hi-Fi topolgies form various designs I came up with alternitive methods to get better tone in guitar amplification, but I do love the classics too. Thom above suggested a 5E3 topology which I have one and can say that these little amps are really fun to play! I haven't used one with an attunuator though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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