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Post by ragan on Feb 27, 2018 16:56:54 GMT -6
This little tube amp is 20% off today plus there's a coupon code (FEB27) which brings it down to $127. My total after tax and shipping was like $150. Total impulse buy but I bit. There are reviews on the site. What's there to lose at that price?  I love little amps. 3 12ax7s, pair of EL84s, spring reverb, FX loop, switchable between 15w and 1w, Celestion speaker. Why not? ? www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611815 |
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Post by drbill on Feb 27, 2018 22:09:59 GMT -6
Nice Ragan!! Such great reviews and such a killer price. I had to do it. Bought the 15W to go with my Leslie 120 (which has no amp in it), and the 5W champ version which is even cheaper. $71. I'll give that to my wife unless it REALLY rocks.  then Im keeping it LOL |
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Post by ragan on Feb 27, 2018 22:15:37 GMT -6
Nice Ragan!! Such great reviews and such a killer price. I had to do it. Bought the 15W to go with my Leslie 120 (which has no amp in it), and the 5W champ version which is even cheaper. $71. I'll give that to my wife unless it REALLY rocks. then Im keeping it LOL Is it (the 5W) supposed to be Champ like? I’d seriously consider grabbing that one too, today. |
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Post by drbill on Feb 27, 2018 23:57:40 GMT -6
Nice Ragan!! Such great reviews and such a killer price. I had to do it. Bought the 15W to go with my Leslie 120 (which has no amp in it), and the 5W champ version which is even cheaper. $71. I'll give that to my wife unless it REALLY rocks. then Im keeping it LOL Is it (the 5W) supposed to be Champ like? I’d seriously consider grabbing that one too, today. yes. there's also a lot of info in the comments / reviews about taking it more towards vintage champ status by various mods. |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 28, 2018 5:32:29 GMT -6
I bought their studio power amps. 3 of them. High power, low cost.
Unusable. Fans sounded like an airport. Amps distorting like crazy. I would have thought the first one was broken if I didn't have 2 others that also acted the same way. Had to return them. Lost probably 40 bucks on shipping on the deal. If it wasn't for that experience, I probably would have grabbed one of these amps already.
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Post by johneppstein on Feb 28, 2018 12:26:50 GMT -6
Bought the 15 watt. At that price if I don't like what comes in the mail I can always go into it and mod it to something I DO like.
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Post by johneppstein on Feb 28, 2018 14:20:28 GMT -6
According to a recent post at GS (yeah, I know....) the Monoprice guitar amps are rebadged Laneys.
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Post by ragan on Feb 28, 2018 16:00:50 GMT -6
Figured they were off brand something like that since that’s kind of Monoprices thing in this regard.
I’m looking forward to it. I love little tube amps. And like you say, John, easily improved if need be.
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 1, 2018 12:48:19 GMT -6
Well, my 15 watt arrived this morning. It seems like a decent little amp and it's pretty loud on the 15 watt setting. My only real criticism so far is that it really doesn't have much in the way of cleans - it gets dirty pretty fast. I have not opened it up yet so I can't speak for the build quality at this time. I'm guessing that a cathode resistor swap in the first stage might clean it up a bit if I get around to it - OTOH I have around half a dozen assorted small amps so I just might leave it alone. The tone controls are a bit weird. It has "treble", "bass" and....... "tone". I'm guessing the "tone" may be a tilt control or possibly midrange. I don't think it's a true Fender/Marshall style presence control but I'm not sure yet. Somebody posted a schematic of what is supposed to be the equivalent Laney on GS - I'll take a look later and see if it makes sense... Ther reverb is decent on first listen. No included footswitch. |
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Post by winetree on Mar 1, 2018 17:30:23 GMT -6
Just picked mine up from the Monoprice store. I always like to look inside.
Removed all the top and side screws and tried to slide out the chassis.
That mirrored front faceplate is part of the front grill and not part of the chassis.
All the knobs and nuts on the pots would have to be removed to slide out the chassis. Oh well, not for now.
The black lettering is hard to read on the mirrored front faceplate. Maybe some different color chicken knobs would differentiate better?
Sound wise it's pretty versatile. But it does get dirty fast on the drive knob. Maybe a tube change would give a wider clean range. But love that dirt.
Bass, Mid, treble and an overall tone knob. Effects loop send acts as a Direct out. Reverb is pretty cool, all the way up it's the surf sound.
15/7 watt button. From clean to rock, Makes playing fun.
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Post by drbill on Mar 2, 2018 16:26:08 GMT -6
Hey Tube Guys!! ragan , johneppstein , winetree , Can you help a guy out??? (disclaimer - I know not much about tubes....) I ordered both the 15W and the little champ version. The 5W champ version came with a broken tube. It's the larger tube. I believe the manual says it's a 6V6GT Power Tube. It seems hardly worthwhile sending the whole amp back - (which is what they will no doubt want). Any ideas or links on what kind of tube to replace it with? Is the "GT" a particular version of 6V6? Again, consider me a #1 Class-A Tube Noob - thanks!! bp |
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Post by ragan on Mar 2, 2018 17:12:02 GMT -6
Hey Tube Guys!! ragan , johneppstein , winetree , Can you help a guy out??? (disclaimer - I know not much about tubes....) I ordered both the 15W and the little champ version. The 5W champ version came with a broken tube. It's the larger tube. I believe the manual says it's a 6V6GT Power Tube. It seems hardly worthwhile sending the whole amp back - (which is what they will no doubt want). Any ideas or links on what kind of tube to replace it with? Is the "GT" a particular version of 6V6? Again, consider me a #1 Class-A Tube Noob - thanks!! bp I'm afraid I straight up don't know if the 'gt' matters. I'm almost sure it doesn't? Let's see if bowie is around. |
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 2, 2018 17:23:20 GMT -6
Hey Tube Guys!! ragan , johneppstein , winetree , Can you help a guy out??? (disclaimer - I know not much about tubes....) I ordered both the 15W and the little champ version. The 5W champ version came with a broken tube. It's the larger tube. I believe the manual says it's a 6V6GT Power Tube. It seems hardly worthwhile sending the whole amp back - (which is what they will no doubt want). Any ideas or links on what kind of tube to replace it with? Is the "GT" a particular version of 6V6? Again, consider me a #1 Class-A Tube Noob - thanks!! bp GT denoted the upgraded "modern" version of the tube ("modern" in this case meaning circa 1960 or later), as differentiated from the older, obsolete versions produced before that time. Unless you're into NOS tubes (which wouldn't make a lot of sense in this case) don't worry about it, any new 6V6 will be a GT. |
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Post by drbill on Mar 2, 2018 17:40:17 GMT -6
Local shop told me the amp would need to be rebiased, and had packs of 2 tubes for $50. aT that rate, I think I'll just return it for a new one. Getting it rebiased for a new tube would cost as much as I paid for it - $71. I'm sure they'll cover shipping both ways, but it's a hassle.... Easier to get a tube, but I don't even know how it sounds yet.
Thanks for the info guys!! Much appreciated!!!
bp
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Post by ragan on Mar 2, 2018 18:06:57 GMT -6
Local shop told me the amp would need to be rebiased, and had packs of 2 tubes for $50. aT that rate, I think I'll just return it for a new one. Getting it rebiased for a new tube would cost as much as I paid for it - $71. I'm sure they'll cover shipping both ways, but it's a hassle.... Easier to get a tube, but I don't even know how it sounds yet. Thanks for the info guys!! Much appreciated!!! bp Man, I’d sure wanna make sure Monoproce wouldn’t just ship you another tube. Way cheaper for them. Maybe you already tried that. |
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Post by bowie on Mar 2, 2018 19:32:10 GMT -6
Hey Tube Guys!! ragan , johneppstein , winetree , Can you help a guy out??? (disclaimer - I know not much about tubes....) I ordered both the 15W and the little champ version. The 5W champ version came with a broken tube. It's the larger tube. I believe the manual says it's a 6V6GT Power Tube. It seems hardly worthwhile sending the whole amp back - (which is what they will no doubt want). Any ideas or links on what kind of tube to replace it with? Is the "GT" a particular version of 6V6? Again, consider me a #1 Class-A Tube Noob - thanks!! bp I'm afraid I straight up don't know if the 'gt' matters. I'm almost sure it doesn't? Let's see if bowie is around. I didn't follow the convo but "GT" is "glass tube" and in relation to 6V6, you can use the GT, GTA, or GTY. With 6V6s, you usually don't want to go backwards and use a metal 6V6 in a circuit that calls for GT. In amps that punish power tubes (like the old Fenders with high plate voltage) it can sometimes help to have a GTA or GTY for the extra plate dissipation. Edit; and as John said, any modern 6V6 will be compatible. |
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Post by winetree on Mar 2, 2018 20:16:04 GMT -6
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 2, 2018 20:29:22 GMT -6
Local shop told me the amp would need to be rebiased, and had packs of 2 tubes for $50. aT that rate, I think I'll just return it for a new one. Getting it rebiased for a new tube would cost as much as I paid for it - $71. I'm sure they'll cover shipping both ways, but it's a hassle.... Easier to get a tube, but I don't even know how it sounds yet. Thanks for the info guys!! Much appreciated!!! bp Don't worry about it - and don't go to that shop again - they're ripoofs and idiots. Or they think YOU're an idiot, which is worse. Why would you need a pack of 2 tubes for an amp that only uses one? Why should you pay them to "rebias" an amp that is self-biasing? And tell all you friends and clients to avoid that den of thieves like the very plague. Buy a tube from Bowie. Hell, buy a tube from frikken' AMAZON, it's better than those turkeys. But if you want a really good tube, ask Bowie. I HATE crooked "techs". Some internert sources: www.amazon.com/Electro-Harmonix-6V6-EH-Vacuum-Tube/dp/B0002M72HU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1520044527&sr=8-2&keywords=6V6www.tubedepot.com/products/jj-6v6s-power-vacuum-tubewww.tubesandmore.com/search/node/6V6?cats%5B0%5D=1 |
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 2, 2018 20:45:16 GMT -6
That's a little high for the EH tube.... |
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Post by drbill on Mar 2, 2018 21:20:14 GMT -6
Point well taken. I found a couple old 6V6's from some amp refreshes that I might drop in there tomorrow and check out. They could still have a lot of life left in em - or maybe none. I had all my amps refreshed right before leaving LA, so I think I'm going to give that a shot. Cheers, bp |
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Post by drbill on Mar 2, 2018 21:21:45 GMT -6
Local shop told me the amp would need to be rebiased, and had packs of 2 tubes for $50. aT that rate, I think I'll just return it for a new one. Getting it rebiased for a new tube would cost as much as I paid for it - $71. I'm sure they'll cover shipping both ways, but it's a hassle.... Easier to get a tube, but I don't even know how it sounds yet. Thanks for the info guys!! Much appreciated!!! bp Don't worry about it - and don't go to that shop again - they're ripoofs and idiots. Or they think YOU're an idiot, which is worse. Why would you need a pack of 2 tubes for an amp that only uses one? Why should you pay them to "rebias" an amp that is self-biasing? And tell all you friends and clients to avoid that den of thieves like the very plague. Buy a tube from Bowie. Hell, buy a tube from frikken' AMAZON, it's better than those turkeys. But if you want a really good tube, ask Bowie. I HATE crooked "techs". Some internert sources: www.amazon.com/Electro-Harmonix-6V6-EH-Vacuum-Tube/dp/B0002M72HU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1520044527&sr=8-2&keywords=6V6www.tubedepot.com/products/jj-6v6s-power-vacuum-tubewww.tubesandmore.com/search/node/6V6?cats%5B0%5D=1I don't think it's nearly as malicious as you make it out to be John. LOL The guy wasn't a tech - merely an uninformed barely out of HS kid, fairly ignorant, and didn't even know what kind of amp I had - much less if it was self biasing or not. But thanks for that, Now that I know if self biases, I'm going to throw in an old 6V6 I found laying around in the interim. Will report back.... |
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Post by drbill on Mar 2, 2018 21:24:09 GMT -6
I'm afraid I straight up don't know if the 'gt' matters. I'm almost sure it doesn't? Let's see if bowie is around. I didn't follow the convo but "GT" is "glass tube" and in relation to 6V6, you can use the GT, GTA, or GTY. With 6V6s, you usually don't want to go backwards and use a metal 6V6 in a circuit that calls for GT. In amps that punish power tubes (like the old Fenders with high plate voltage) it can sometimes help to have a GTA or GTY for the extra plate dissipation. Edit; and as John said, any modern 6V6 will be compatible. Thanks Bowie!! If the old 6V6 gets it up and running, I'll contact you for a nice one to swap out and give it some longer life. I have a feeling the tubes I scrounged up are fairly beat.... |
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Post by drbill on Mar 2, 2018 22:27:25 GMT -6
winetree ragan johneppstein bowie I found a couple old 6V6's. An RCA GT, and it was deader than a doornail....and a GE GTA, which did the trick. Pulled from my Rivera modded Black Face Deluxe when had them all refreshed before I left town a few years ago. Still working fine. Sounds good, but I've got to get a feel for the amp first to know if it's "all that it can be". My wife was happy that her new amp was working. LOL Wifey's got her new toy, and I learned something!! Win / Win!! Thanks for the help all!!!
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Post by ragan on Mar 2, 2018 22:58:13 GMT -6
winetree ragan johneppstein bowie I found a couple old 6V6's. An RCA GT, and it was deader than a doornail....and a GE GTA, which did the trick. Pulled from my Rivera modded Black Face Deluxe when had them all refreshed before I left town a few years ago. Still working fine. Sounds good, but I've got to get a feel for the amp first to know if it's "all that it can be". My wife was happy that her new amp was working. LOL Wifey's got her new toy, and I learned something!! Win / Win!! Thanks for the help all!!! Beautiful. I'm kinda kicking myself for not also ordering the little 5w. It's like half the price of a decent pedal and I friggin adore low wattage tube amps. Granted with my school schedule I have more amps than I have time to play but still. Probably shoulda grabbed one. |
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Post by johneppstein on Mar 3, 2018 1:08:52 GMT -6
I don't think it's nearly as malicious as you make it out to be John. LOL The guy wasn't a tech - merely an uninformed barely out of HS kid, fairly ignorant, and didn't even know what kind of amp I had - much less if it was self biasing or not. But thanks for that, Now that I know if self biases, I'm going to throw in an old 6V6 I found laying around in the interim. Will report back.... OK, glad you're up and running. A couple things you should know - first, if it's a little amp with a single output tube it's self biasing. At least I've never heard of one that wasn't. (Push-pull amps can be either way.) Second, a good "seat of the pants" to determine how much life is left in a used tube is to look at the "getter", which is the silver-black deposit on the glass envelope. It might be a spot on the side or it might be a coating in the top or something similar. The purpose of the getter is to absorb stray ions floating around in the tube which will compromise performance. (Hence the term "getter" - it's there to "get" that stuff and render it inert.) If a tube is approaching the end of its life the getter will start turning white instead of a healthy silver-black. The greyer or whiter the getter is, the more worn out the tube. Of course there are a number of other things that can adversely affect the life of a tube (shorts, dead filaments, loose elements that make it microphonic - which are obvious - lotsa stuff) but as long as a tube stays on the "main sequence" of tube life, the getter is a good indication of how worn out it might be getting (Lousy pun intended.) And the kid should have asked before immediately trying to sell you on the most expensive "solution".... |
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I love little amps. 
then Im keeping it LOL
