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Tonecast
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Добавлен 12 апр 2022
Gear demos & lessons for guitar-centric musicians.
America’s First Guitar Pedalboards?
In today's episode we delve into story of how a guitar shop in North Hollywood, California became a hub of innovation in the development of the pedalboard during the mid 70's. This is the backstory of how a few session guitarists in Los Angeles partnered with Paul Rivera at the Valley Arts Guitar shop in North Hollywood to build some of the earliest professional pedalboards used by American guitarists. L.A. session guitar legends like Mitch Holder, Jay Graydon, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Tim May, Thom Rotella, & Dennis Budimir enlisted the help of local technicians such Paul Rivera, Chris Foreman, Mike Peterson, & the Anvil Case Co to mod their pedals and construct some of the first pro...
Просмотров: 1 748
Видео
Birth of the Guitar Pedalboard
Просмотров 66 тыс.11 месяцев назад
Almost every guitar player uses a pedalboard, but have you ever wondered how pedalboards got their start? When did guitarists starting wiring up effect pedals together and putting them on pedalboards? Who was the first player to put guitar pedals on a pedalboard? What pedals were on the first pedalboards? Who made the first guitar pedalboard? Where were the early pedalboard made? The answers ar...
The Amp Behind Clapton's Best Tone?
Просмотров 6 тыс.Год назад
Today we're discussing Eric Clapton's favorite Fender Tweed Twin, a modified '57 5E8A circuit. Clapton used the amp extensively during the 1990s and early 2000's. It was the primary amplifier for the guitars on "From the Cradle", the album Clapton himself hailed as the spiritual successor to his iconic appearance on John Mayall's Bluesbreakers record. Clapton loved the amp so much that he commi...
The Best AC30 Nobody Wants
Просмотров 139 тыс.Год назад
The AC30 amplifier is the iconic guitar amp; used by The Beatles, Tom Petty, Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, etc.. but sadly outside of a buying vintage Vox AC30, it's hard to find the AC30 in its original form today. The amp Dick Denney and Tom Jennings brought to market in the mid-60's is NOT the same amp you get when you buy a modern production AC30. Since the 60's more than six companies ha...
Noiseless Strat Pickups That DON'T Suck?
Просмотров 8 тыс.Год назад
Today we're checking out the Z-Series Tru-Gauge Hybrid Noiseless Strat pickups from Lawing Musical Products. I had a Fender FSR MIM Strat that wasn't getting much use because I wasn't a fan of the stock pickups so I removed the stock pickguard and installed the following parts on a new pickguard: Lawing Z-Series Tru-Gauge 55™ (ZV55) - Neck position Lawing Z-Core Vintage Underwound 5™ (ZVU5) - M...
4 Phaser Pedals Every Guitarist Should Consider
Просмотров 13 тыс.Год назад
In today's video, we shootout four different phaser pedals: the Mutron Phasor III, the Walrus Audio Lillian Phaser, the MXR Phase 90, & the JHS Series 3 Phaser. If you're a guitarist shopping around for best phaser pedal in 2023, you should be able get a good idea of how these four pedals compare to each other. I provide tonal examples of each phaser and I also review of each phaser; sharing my...
Level Up Your Rhythmic Feel On Guitar
Просмотров 914Год назад
If you want to improve your playing on guitar, focusing on your rhythm playing is one of the quickest ways to see some improvement. How we sense and relay time impacts every aspect of our playing on guitar. Sadly this doesn't get talked about enough. In this lesson we take a look at the classic blues guitar song by Jimmy Rogers, "That's All Right" as performed by Freddie King. Freddie King is a...
Level Up Your Solo Phrasing on Guitar
Просмотров 4,9 тыс.Год назад
If you want to improve your lead playing and improvisational chops on guitar when soloing, learning authentic, blues phrasings from the early greats is one of the easiest entry paths to more musical phrasing. B.B. King's - Live at the Regal is packed full of great guitar soloing concepts that today's guitar greats, such as Derek Trucks, John Mayer, & Robben Ford, have utilized to improve the ph...
Univibe Pedal Comparison
Просмотров 17 тыс.Год назад
In today's demo, we are showcasing the Univibe tones in the R. Weaver FX Violet Vibe, Kingtone Vibe 1968, Sabbadius Funky Vibe, & Sabbadius Tiny Vibe. Listen to each univibe circuit in a band context and soloed on its own. The guitar was plugged straight into the vibe pedalboard (no buffer between the guitar and univibes), which in turn was plugged into the amp's input. We also share some thoug...
Univibe Shootout: Funky Vibe vs FM-3 vs Mobius
Просмотров 5 тыс.2 года назад
In today's video we are comparing the Univibe tones in the analog Sabbadius Funky Vibe, to the digital recreations of the Univibe in the Fractal Audio Solution FM-3 & Strymon Mobius. We compare both the Chorus and Vibrato modes of each pedal along side a host of other effects to showcase how each Univibe interact with other pedals commonly used in conjunction with a Univibe. I've spent years tr...
Flying With A Guitar As A Stealth Carry-On!
Просмотров 7 тыс.2 года назад
Flying with your guitar is never fun. The anxiety of not having room to get your guitar in the plane's closet or in an overhead bin is a very really thing. No guitarist wants to be told there's no room for their guitar. I recently discovered an alternate method to transport your Fender-style guitar that will work with even the worst airline. I discovered this trick via Julian Lage, who learned ...
When An Amp Modeler Is The Right Solution
Просмотров 6272 года назад
When An Amp Modeler Is The Right Solution
EHX DMM vs UA Starlight for "Analog" Delay
Просмотров 2,9 тыс.2 года назад
EHX DMM vs UA Starlight for "Analog" Delay
Strymon Delay Shootout: Dig V2 vs El Cap V2
Просмотров 28 тыс.2 года назад
Strymon Delay Shootout: Dig V2 vs El Cap V2
Gearfight: Matchless HC30 vs JMI AC30/6TB
Просмотров 18 тыс.2 года назад
Gearfight: Matchless HC30 vs JMI AC30/6TB
Great demonstration here. I had already done a video with some sounds for my Boss Super Phaser, but this video and some others where people were discussing how the demonstrator never covered the knobs when they were in minimum positions made me go back and do a more meticulous exploration of sounds on that phaser, my Ibanez DFL, and my Walrus Slö. Thanks for the inspiration!
Glad the video helped inspire some sonic exploration with the gear you already have. Thanks for watching!
It took me a minute, but you didn't change the pictures of the pedals when you changed the sounds. I kept thinking "Boy, that Phase 90 sure seems to make a lot of different noises even though the knob stays in the same place! That's so weird!"
Yeah, I didn’t showcase the settings. The pedal pics were there to indicate which pedal was being used. I trust most viewers are smart enough to listen with their ears and not their eyes.
I like my 1986 Boss Super Phaser just fine, thank you!
I’m sure it sounds great too. Boss makes great stuff! Thanks for sharing.
The paranoid android is clean
I think Radiohead used an Electro Harmonix Small Stone for that but I thought it would a good tune to include. Thanks for commenting and watching!
@tonecast1 ment the riff lol, but Idk what thom has on his guitar. Johnny has the small stone on his board, so maybe?
Q: Did this amp series have a JMI badge? Do you know what serial numbers Steve Giles worked on?
The answers which you seek are all in the video. Namaste.
@@tonecast1 Np. I did. I had a chance to buy one amp at auction and decided to pass since there were some matamps for sale. This video made it hard to make that decision :(
Love the idea of this amp… and when used with Celestion speakers it really opens up. That said, those Fanes sound perfectly good enough. Have heard about JMI but before this video hadn’t even thought twice about them. Tempted to find out more about the other classic recreations they made. Really don’t think I’d personally let any controversy concerning the parent company put me off buying JMI made products. As if amps and foot pedals are well made & have the right tones, then nothing much really matters that much to me about what happens on the sidelines.
If you’re a purist the Celestion Alnico Blues would be the sound you’re probably looking for. I’d be selective and do my research if I were purchasing a JMI amp. There are decent deals to be had but also a lot of price gouging on these since this video was published. I’d skip on the majority of the JMI or BPC pedals but JMI did have Gary Hurst involved in a small batch of fuzz pedals early on, but a lot of the BPC pedals have been found with counterfeit transistors.
JMI 30/6 sounds fuller more musical IMO
It's interesting to hear another person prefer this the JMI. It seemed to be the lesser favored of the two. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm 63 years old. Been playing since 14yrs , loved eric clapton through all of his journeys and what you said was bang on . We've all been through the paralysis of equipment choice and fashion and quite frankly it can take you a million miles away from your musical self .
“A million miles away from your musical self.” Well said, Gary. Well said.
aren t they suppose to be noiseless??
The electrical wiring in my house is older so I get a little noise with all guitars even with my humbucker equipped guitars. The replacement pickups have none of the 60 cycle hum that the stock pickups had. Cheers!
what is the first song?
Jimi Hendrix Hey Baby Land of the New Rising Sun. I basically covered this version from the 90s. ruclips.net/video/7mVZyPSaYug/видео.htmlsi=4OHWhoIpXNl3vBoD
Music Ground are scammers though. Don't ever forget that.
I think the video makes the case for that to be pretty clear. Everyone who has read the facts about Music Ground probably feels this way. I’m sure there are more MG horror stories than I got into but ultimately the video was about the amp. I told as much of the Music Ground story necessary to relay why the 2000s iteration of JMI went under.
Great history
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking a moment to watch and comment.
VOX JMI sounds so complex and real….Matchless Is a modern sound of it. Both sounds amazing but I’d choose VOX
The Matchless recorded very well here. I wasn’t happy with the recording of the AC30 in this video and I made another video just for that amp that I feel was a more accurate representation. That said, I think the gist of your comment nails it. They’re both unique and interesting. You read a lot online how a Matchless C-30 is practically synonymous with the AC30 sound. I think this video does a good job showcasing the difference between the sound of the two circuits.
Awesome tones and playing my friend! I own a DC 30 in a Celestion Golds 2x10 conf. The only problem I have watching this video is I sold my HW ac30 with celestion blues and I am missing the compression the ac30 had, lol. Love this video, big thumbs up!!!
Thanks! Yes the compression in certain Vox circuits is very addictive. It’s definitely the sort of thing you miss once you don’t have it. The Matchless felt more stiff in that regard but there’s no denying that it sounded on point in this video. It recorded much better in this video than the AC30 did.
I actually came up with this same idea on my own recently. I would point out that it is possible to do this with non-Fender styles as long as the neck is still bolt on.
Most definitely. All that is required for this method to work is a bolt on neck design. Thanks for commenting and watching.
I'm really not keen on the Fane speakers fitted to the AC30 amp in this video. To be honest I think the Matchless sounds better in most of these clips. It would be interesting to hear the two amps through the same speakers, or the AC30 fitted with Celestion Blues or Tayden speakers. This may actually have been more of a speaker comparison than an amplifier comparison.
Hi Steve. Good to hear from you. You and I both know this JMI can sound better. I dialed in the recording chain for the Matchless then used those same settings for the JMI. I think doing this favored the Matchless which I agree sounded better in this video. I made another video about the JMI after this video and the recording of it came out a lot better in my opinion. ruclips.net/video/T9paJcgDNPI/видео.htmlsi=ThHHiljZxo0rtYsK
@@tonecast1 Yes, I saw that one too. Excellent video and very accurate. It's nice to have the JMI/MG story recorded for posterity.
I thought the amp warranted to have its story. The amps were great amps. Did you feel the recording of the JMI30/6 TB in that video was a more “accurate” representation of its true sound?
@@tonecast1 Yes, much better. BTW, I also built a limited quantity of single channel AC30's with a phase splitter located master volume control. Doing away with the lossy channel mixer circuit increased the gain somewhat. That was a _really_ nice sounding amplifier.
Oh I’m sure those did sound great! What was the model designation for that limited run?
Great video! I love my Rivera amp!
Thanks! I’ve never encountered any Rivera amps. You don’t see them often in my neck of the woods. I’ve always wanted to try one of his modded Princeton circuits. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Tommy Tedesco’s “pedalboard” was hilarious! He duct taped an Electro Harmonix Micro Phase and a Cry Baby wah way to a piece of plywood he bought at Hollywood hardware for $1.38.
Yeah Tedsco was a character. The photos from the Guitar Player article had a photo with him holding that board. He was in a bathroom sitting in a toilet bc he obviously thought that’d be a funny gag.
Paul Rivera's shop in SD was called "Libratronics" on University Ave. I have great and not so great memories of my experiences at his shop.
It doesn’t seem like he was in San Diego long. That’s cool that you visited that location. What was it like? Judging by his account it sounds like it was probably slow in terms of business before he relocated.
@@tonecast1 I went to Paul's shop quite a few times back in the day. On one occasion I went to his shop because my '72 50watt Marshall had started to sound dull and unresponsive and needed new tubes. Rather than replace the EL34's and bias the amp, Paul told me he could make it sound better. Being a young guitar player, I trusted him but said no. When I picked it up and plugged it in at the studio it sucked. I had a friend of mine give me a second opinion and found out that the original partridge or drake transformer had been replaced with God knows what and 6550's replaced the EL34's. I took it back to the shop. Paul tried to tell me it sounded better. But it didn't set well with me, it sucked sounded clanky and had lost its warmth, had no sustain worse than when I had originally brought it to him. I demanded as well as my friend Mike Sheel who told me about Paul's shop in the beginning, who I trusted, told him put the amp back using new EL34's and put back the original transformer. He argued but did the work less the transformer I found out later after I tried it out in our studio. He denied removing it. I was pissed. If you know anything about how Marshall assembled their hand wired amps, Marshall used a red die on all the solder joints so a tech can see if there had been any work done on the amp after the factory, so when heat contacts the solder connections the red die would go away. There was no red die on the transformer solder connections. I bought the amp new at Sol Bettman's on Larchmont Ave in LA. When I went back to confront him regarding the transformer, his shop was locked up and he was gone. So, years later I started working in music retail. worked for over 5 different stores while trying to pursue a music career. During that time Paul worked for Fender designing a red knob solid state amps for them. Paul and I crossed paths many times. being professional salesman, purchasing agent and advancing into management we crossed paths yearly from NAMM to instore visits by Paul and his son Paul junior. I have a lot of respect and distain for Paul at the same time as he had adamantly denied his work on my pride and joy Marshall 50 watt. I still have it to this day among other 100-watt vintage MarshalIs as my #1 best sounding amp. It's been through hell and back since. I have no ill will for Paul or after all these years hold a grudge, well maybe a little. But as a result, I never fully endorsed his Fender line or his Name brand while working in retail. The last time I saw his son we were on a plane to the Nashville NAMM show and I still speak to Paul Sr. but not in the last few years This was an exercise in life for me to suck it up and accept what life hands you good or bad and to "try" to never hold a grudge if you are a professional in any field. Life is just too short. To this day I still wonder if I was the only one who had a problem with Paul's "Libratronics" amp repair service and why he left so abruptly.? Unfortunately, I will never know.
Thanks for taking the time to share that detailed story. It sounds like you’re doing your best to relay your experience with dignity and respect for all involved while sharing the truth from your perspective. I’m sorry that was your experience. Glad you were able to get the original transformers reinstalled!
@@tonecast1 The original output transformer was NEVER reinstalled, but the EL34 tubes were replaced with new ones.
Oh wow. I totally misunderstood that. When you wrote, “less the transformers” in your last reply, I thought you meant less the cost of the transformers. That’s awful. And you are certain it had the original transformers before you dropped it off at the shop?
I've been contemplating a set of Zexcoils for my early 90s ESP S-style for awhile. I may have just been sold on them.
Glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for watching!
Did Julian Lagus guitar remove the strings? When he traveled?
I think everyone who takes this approach removes the strings.
I wasn't aware of that live record when I saw the picture some time ago - Oh, he's on a 335 with a Humbucker sound, Wow. I've got to hear this. Not since the Les Paul days.
Nice job. From the Cradle is definitely special. I've loved it for all the reasons you expressed here. And I'm a minimalist person in general. I watch videos where they just go on about tech stuff, which is great. But not so much for me. I like some effects, but simple. The playing is from me, as you say. Everything else is to compliment that. Eric has been part of my life like so many since 1969 probably, so I enjoy learning new things about him. Thanks for your work.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you learned something new about a player whose music you’ve enjoyed for so long. Thanks for taking a moment to watch and comment. Cheers!
Fractal vibe gets it done and with the vibes in the new fractal vp4 its a winner💪👊
I haven’t done any research on the algorithms in the new VP4. I assume that they’re the same effects as on the current existing Fractal units (FM3, FM9, AxeFx III)?
Thank you so much I was wondering what I should do then I stumbled upon this short! Thank you so much
Glad the short was helpful. It’s easier to tighten the output jack on most other style electrics, but this tool really makes doing it on a Gibson ES style guitar much easier.
Man what a great video, you guys need more more suscribers, love the info and the movie scenes got me crackin' specially the one from 2001 a Space Odyssey with the monkeys jumping around the pedalboard. It would be a sin not to suscribe, thanks for the time and effort that takes to make this vids.
Thanks for the kind words and a sub. It was a fun video to research and make.
violet gypsy or funky vibe for hendrix, trower and gilmour compatible with fuzz or od pedals which do you prefer i think i narrowed to these three dry bell i have a fulton v3 vibe
I haven’t played the Gypsy Vibe. Both the Funky and the Violet play well with overdrive and fuzz pedals. Violet probably responds to pedals with a wider frequency range. The Funky Vibe sounds more like traditional Univibe preamp (rolls of a little lows and highs).
thank you for this video. all of the pedals are very interesting however the FV and FM3 sounds/effects were too big or rather exaggerated for me in most instances. it's the mobius that won my ears and heart, I think it sounds more "real".
Glad you found the video helpful in finding the sound you preferred. The Mobius was my least fav but that only goes to show that we all have different tastes. Thanks watching and commenting!
Optimistic 🐻
There aren't many out there and they're expensive Been gigging my '93 Korg with blues for decades with no issues after tweaking it for reliability That way my original '66 can stay home and not get damaged or stolen
The JMIs are harder to find but they can be had for cheaper prices than you see on Reverb if your patient and know where to look. Glad to hear your 90s Korg has stood the test of time. How would you say the Korg era differs from your ‘66 sound wise?
Great Video !!
Thanks for watching!
yep you got it, found this out for myself, i had and Bassman,and a supper reverb, without all those peddles,you have find your vibrato, half bends micro bends,rakes,shakes ,and as muddy waters said yes that guy played a lot of notes' just play the right ones' I couldn't play for 20 years due to accidents back now bit I can't find a really good amps did try a low powerd twin, it was soulless my peavy bandit sounds better and feels better, its dead now, just wish I could find an amp that bass that loosens compression and feel.
Thanks for watching and comment. Glad to hear you’re back to playing after a long hiatus.
I have never bonded with any walrus pedals at all. The lilian sucks. The fathom is only good for ambient, the reverb with the slider controls just never sits in a mix... anyways those are the ones ive tried
I once owned a Walrus Audio Arp 87. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t a standout either. To each their own.
I have a mutation phasor which is a copy of a mutron. It is very versatile and has a vintage vibe. I also have a mxr phase 95 mini which is a little more versatile than the regular 90. Haven't tried the JHS phasor which im sure is great. I have the 3 series reverb and delay which are good quality sound
I’m usually impressed by the Mutron stuff I have tried. The JHS surprised me in this shootout. Great sound; best value. MXR phase is just a classic sound for cheap. It’s great if you want THAT sound.
Clapton's tones in the later years were underestimated. To me it's his best. But not that revolutionary as the tones from the beano album though. Probably that's why no one look up his tweed tones.
Well said. Totally agree.
Not true through about his Soldano, his Soldano was heavily used on those recordings. I read an article about that particular session from the cradle and the nothing but the blues tour. In the studio that said he used his Saldana.. along with his tweet twin. A Tweed champ. In a silver face deluxe reverb. Is custom shop signature strat in the Olympic White which was a new color for him. In about a dozen of his vintage Gibson's.
I’d love to read the article. If you can find it, please share it in a reply. Thanks for commenting and watching.
@@tonecast1 sure.. it was in an old magazine I have somewhere. He used many different amps and different guitars. As I mentioned his signature white strat with lace sener pickups from the fender custom shop. Various vintage Gibson's his famous 64' red one, a 1960 dot neck in tobacco burst. Play birdlyand, L-5's, super 400 with those AlNiCo staple pickups. A few pictures from back then on stage you can even see by the drum kit sitting on a chair what looks like a small Supro. Clapton mentioned using these different guitars and amps because he's copying so many different styles, from different blues players.
If you eventually come across the magazine, let me know the title, year, and month. I’d like to read it for myself. I don’t hear the Soldano on this record, but I’ve been wrong before. You hear him on the Soldano around 24 Nights in ‘91 but it seems he had moved on from it by the recording of FTC. We definitely don’t see it during the Nothing But the Blues concert at the Filmore in ‘94 which the clips are from. That said, I’d love to read your source to confirm this.
"In articles in Guitar World from 1994 and also in Tonequest Report from September 2001, the producer Russ Titleman and Clapton's guitar technician respectively confirmed that "about 99% of Clapton's broad palette of guitar tones on the album were achieved by an old Fender Twin [in this lot]" and that "Clapton used the same modified amp for the blues tour following the release of From the Cradle"." www.bonhams.com/auction/19226/lot/92/a-1957-fender-twin-amp-model-5e8a-serial-no-a-00752-chassis-number-a-00752-2/
@@tonecast1 I'd love to see a breakdown of what was modified on Clapton's twin compared to stock. Also always been curious why he switched to bandmasters on stage. I saw a video on RUclips here somewhere of Eric saying he bought his first tweed twin in the early 80's because the amp sounded so thick and warm. That it reminded him of the marshall combo he had with mayall. I myself have had to go through some bad times and I had to lose everything I had... Hopefully I can rebuild my life and "toys" pretty soon.
Never heard of this story....thanks for the info. And...your amp sounds freaking amazing!!
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!
I can confirm that Music Ground's Rick Harrison, and his slimeball son (dad of YoungBlood), are indead pieces of shit. Rick, seeing me coming being just 16 (in 1985), convinced me to sell him my 1969 Marshall JMP100 and a cab loaded with Vox Blues (sold to my dad to get me started in my first band a few months earlier - I didn't know the difference between tubes and transistor then) for one of the new 'Vox Venue Lead 100' transistor pieces of shite... for £100! Hate em, the pair of them.
Ooof, that’s a rough story. Sadly your story is one inline with their character. I’m sorry you got taken advantage of. If that were my experience, I’d be equally angry. Thanks for sharing for others to see. There’s no sense in giving business to any of Justin’s current efforts.
this deserves more views
Thanks! I appreciate you taking a second to comment. Sometimes videos don’t get the views you’d like. Not much you can do about it other than move on to the next one.
Subscribed. Your right on. Claptons allways been my favorite.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I appreciate the sub. I thought it might be fun to produce a follow up video about his “Riding with the King” record. I also enjoy the tones on that record even though they’re a little more subdued. FTC still is my fav tone and playing wise.
"This is my pedalboard! You might have one like it" Me: sure do! * opens it up to reveal even more pedals underneath * Me: 🤥
Ha! “But wait there’s more!!!”
My favorite EC sound was Crossroads and Spoonful, Wheels of Fire. Took me years to replicate: Plugged my '69 SG Standard into a Marshall stack and turned it up to 10 !
Yes, a lot of folks love Cream era Clapton. “Took me years to replicate” these days it’s more like “Took me years to afford”. 😂
Ajo pickups? This puckups was made in Russia more 6 years ago...
This particular design has been made in the United States since 2010. They were invented Dr. A. Scott Lawing, an engineer with a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Check out Lawing Musical Products. There’s a good chance Ajo pickups was largely inspired by LMP’s designs.
One thing you didn’t add on to your story . Is in 1973 Jennings took a partnership with Dallas music instrument and from 1973 to 1976 the made great vox hand wired under the sound limited company and this ac 30 are as good as the early 60s I own one it is fantastic amp .
I definitely skipped over a good bit of Vox history. I simply didn’t have time to include it all. I’m sure your amp sounds great. Thanks for sharing!
@@tonecast1 actually it’s was the closest if not the same 60’s box brain may and edge are using this Amps originally. Only was made for 3 years
Good Video with accurate and detailed information. Well done.
I appreciate the encouraging comment. Thanks for taking the time to watch. Glad you enjoyed the video.
@@tonecast1 You are welcome. I actually followed the story on the forums. Steve Giles himself was quite forthcoming about it all. The amps were quite heavily advertised when launched……. So they had a relatively high profile. Anybody who was aware of them back in the day knew that they were good, very good……. Aware of the price tag, too. So they were highly desirable, but not within the comfortable reach of many. But their reputation has prevailed. Anybody who knows anything about amps would gladly sweep one up. No one is going to run away. Some will be twitchy about price, but I believe most would be happy to pay a fair price and set aside any of those dumb “Will I get my money back?” Thoughts. It’s a high quality hand wired amp that does what it is supposed to do. What’s not to like? At the end of the day, the so called “Boutique” amp market can get a bit fickle at times, and prices of the amps from a given maker can fluctuate. For example I believe Top Hat prices are low. Ditto some Victoria prices……. And there are plenty of others who have been subject to fickle consumers migrating to the new kid on the block. The JMI’s may have had a down cycle, as many have. But that is just folk being dumb. And the low visibility is also partially due to the fact that there are not that many out there……. Incidentally, the Harrison’s snapped up as many lapsed trademarks as they could. They did relaunch Hi-Watt some time before the JMI’s iirc. In fact I recall the sales counter in one of their London stores was made from Hi-Watt speaker cabs!
A lot of players younger than us missed the drama from the Harrison ownership of JMI during the early 2000s. I knew the story from various forums as well. I had heard parts of the story here and there. Once I got the amp I thought it would make for a great research project that could be turned into a video that would consolidate the story into a single condensed narrative. A lot of the story had been scrubbed from the internet. I had to use the Internet Archive to find all those old articles. I agree that brands like Top Hat and Victoria are undervalued. I’d love to own low powered tweed twin clone a la 90s Eric Clapton. I think Victoria, Clark, and Germino have each made one in the past.
The Foals are AMAZING!
That’s what several people have told me. 😂
Dig all day for me. Sold my El Cap. Love the dig, love its sound, love how quick and easy it is to dial in, love the dual delays. It can do fun oscillation stuff. It can do a great stereo chorus/flanger. Does great sound effect style stuff. Have a dig and a Meraki going, stereo delay beauty.
The Dig is special. I get why you kept it. I’ve since gotten rid of my El Cap but I still have the Dig for now. I’m getting into early digital delay units. I have a Free The Tone Future Factory that I keep wired up on a stereo board. The Dig does the 80s early digital delay thing on my mono board.
Awesome video and comparison. I found this the day after finding a deal on a Violet Vibe so I'm excited but also keen to find a smaller one in the future.
The Violet / Midnight Vibe are both great. I especially love the most recent version Rick is making. I still own the Midnight Vibe and the Sabbadius Tiny Vibe 68. They get swapped around between my boards depending on the available space.
@@tonecast1 Great feedback. Any opinions on the Jam Pedals Retrovibe ? A lot of great players love it and the reviews are pretty good.
Unfortunately, I’ve not owned one so I can’t speak on it. I do own their Wahcko which is a great modern day Wah.
it's funny you don't know the band foals because your first riff kinda sounds like it could be in their songs
That first riff is an instrumental song by Andy Timmons called EWF; which is sort of an homage to Earth Wind And Fire’s, Shining Star. My guess is that Foals was also influenced by Earth Wind and Fire.
@@tonecast1 i think you're actually onto something. foals started as an art rock band with math rock influences but gradually became more and more funk driven as they went. and what's more funk than EWF right?
Not exactly an AC30 but I had a little VT40x that had some nice sounds in it.
The Valvetronix amps were interesting (I owned a VTX decades ago) but very different from a 60’s AC30 circuit.