Blades amps

[Jeff Hilligan]

I don't think anyone ever said the tone sucked. He just sucked as a person - which turns a lot of people off. When that happens, people don't want to spend a dime toward said person.

If that doesn't bother you and and own(ed) a Blades more power to ya.

Also, I don't think any of his amps blew up or even blew smoke. The prototype that Dirty Steve had did have some issues - but catching on fire was not one of them. How the issue was handled is what kicked off the firestorm.

I was a partner. I ran USA custom shop. Helped develop the rebel line and the renegade. Lots of custom work for players in the modular line.

Very cool. I particularly dig the Renegade

Pushed to have there be USA amps but they went to China! Then after a bit of success with the velocity of selling amps in GC, The USA stuff ended as did our partnership.

 

[cecilbag]

If something sounds good, rock the shit out of it. I've heard enough clips myself that if I got one for a good enough price, I'd buy it. I've never really gave two shits what people thought of me in real life so I wouldn't let a forum sway me away from solid tone. The other guitarist in my band plays a flextone 2 for crying out loud. Somehow, he makes it sound alright. The only thing I'd like to know is how it sounds in a band setting. That seems to be where amps fall apart from my experience. Just my 2 cents.

I would not care what anyone thought of me if I owned a Blades, but that is not it. I would not contribute to Blades himself, he is such a maniacal megalomaniac that I could never do it. The fact that he attacked everyone imaginable including the likes of Friedman, and Fortin for no reason other than the names of their amps, and made up such preposterous lies trying to pump up his image, is totally mad. But to me the worst is how he went out, got a Cameron, copied it exactly and then just started selling them as Blades amps. Hee didn't have the electrical experience, didn't know anything, didn't put in all the years that all the guys who do mods and build amps do. Some of those guys have spent MANY years tweaking this circuit, reworking that one, and then doing it all over trying to discover great tone. Billy just went out and copied someone else's work. The reason he states for doing it is that Cameron stole his amp, the amp builders CHARGE TOO MUCH(he said he would never charge anywhere near those guys, about half price), and that ALL of the modders/builders were reaping the benefits of Jose's circuit without giving him credit and figuring out their own mods. Well, hate to break it to you, but he did EVERY single thing he raged about the other guys for doing. His hypocrisy knows no bounds and he ripped off someone's circuit, exactly! I could never contribute to someone like that. Poor form.

I think you're taking my comment wrong. I'm not advocating the stuff Billy said or did. My point was if the amp sounds good, I'll buy one for the right price. I let tone dictate my gear purchases above all other factors. If it sounds good, play it. I don't understand the bad mouthing guys like Friedman or Fortin. Those guys have given me insight or answered technical questions etc. and I wasn't even their customer at the time. Guys like that are stand up and deserve my hard earned dollars. If I see a blades cheap and can swing it, I will. The fact that he had multiple meltdowns online wouldn't affect my used gear purchase. I just wouldn't post it hear because no matter what I paid for it, how good it sounded, or how amazing it felt......whoever posts about a blades will be force fed a ton of replies about being sliced by the blades/stupid cupholder/looks like shit. If it works for you and gives you a tone you can smile about, you should buy it. The purchase shouldn't be tied to how much of a verbal beatdown you might unleash by being happy with a purchase.

 

[mooncobra]

If something sounds good, rock the shit out of it. I've heard enough clips myself that if I got one for a good enough price, I'd buy it. I've never really gave two shits what people thought of me in real life so I wouldn't let a forum sway me away from solid tone. The other guitarist in my band plays a flextone 2 for crying out loud. Somehow, he makes it sound alright. The only thing I'd like to know is how it sounds in a band setting. That seems to be where amps fall apart from my experience. Just my 2 cents.

I would not care what anyone thought of me if I owned a Blades, but that is not it. I would not contribute to Blades himself, he is such a maniacal megalomaniac that I could never do it. The fact that he attacked everyone imaginable including the likes of Friedman, and Fortin for no reason other than the names of their amps, and made up such preposterous lies trying to pump up his image, is totally mad. But to me the worst is how he went out, got a Cameron, copied it exactly and then just started selling them as Blades amps. Hee didn't have the electrical experience, didn't know anything, didn't put in all the years that all the guys who do mods and build amps do. Some of those guys have spent MANY years tweaking this circuit, reworking that one, and then doing it all over trying to discover great tone. Billy just went out and copied someone else's work. The reason he states for doing it is that Cameron stole his amp, the amp builders CHARGE TOO MUCH(he said he would never charge anywhere near those guys, about half price), and that ALL of the modders/builders were reaping the benefits of Jose's circuit without giving him credit and figuring out their own mods. Well, hate to break it to you, but he did EVERY single thing he raged about the other guys for doing. His hypocrisy knows no bounds and he ripped off someone's circuit, exactly! I could never contribute to someone like that. Poor form.

I think you're taking my comment wrong. I'm not advocating the stuff Billy said or did. My point was if the amp sounds good, I'll buy one for the right price. I let tone dictate my gear purchases above all other factors. If it sounds good, play it. I don't understand the bad mouthing guys like Friedman or Fortin. Those guys have given me insight or answered technical questions etc. and I wasn't even their customer at the time. Guys like that are stand up and deserve my hard earned dollars. If I see a blades cheap and can swing it, I will. The fact that he had multiple meltdowns online wouldn't affect my used gear purchase. I just wouldn't post it hear because no matter what I paid for it, how good it sounded, or how amazing it felt......whoever posts about a blades will be force fed a ton of replies about being sliced by the blades/stupid cupholder/looks like shit. If it works for you and gives you a tone you can smile about, you should buy it. The purchase shouldn't be tied to how much of a verbal beatdown you might unleash by being happy with a purchase.

this was meant to be a response to another post, not yours, sorry.

 

[guitarnate2000]

Just got my second blades this past Tuesday. I've got a Firebolt and now a Reaper and they both kill! Seems like a bunch of snobs that would rather trash someone busting their ass trying to build something better than to allow anyone to have an opinion contrary to their own. I've taken my Firebolt apart and the wiring job was spectacular and much cleaner than my Tri-Rec or JCM800. You want videos? I'll record and post some quality videos for ya but I hardly doubt the haters have the courage to admit they were wrong...

Reaper. ......Damn I want that bad. Awesome man!

Dan I told you that Houston is representing! Dale, (the author of this post) is a good friend of mine. He has my original 50 watt.. I am about to pull the trigger on the venom. gotta get you and Jeff down here for the 1st annual Blades Fest! LMAO

 

[Mailman1971]

Just got my second blades this past Tuesday. I've got a Firebolt and now a Reaper and they both kill! Seems like a bunch of snobs that would rather trash someone busting their ass trying to build something better than to allow anyone to have an opinion contrary to their own. I've taken my Firebolt apart and the wiring job was spectacular and much cleaner than my Tri-Rec or JCM800. You want videos? I'll record and post some quality videos for ya but I hardly doubt the haters have the courage to admit they were wrong...

Reaper. ......Damn I want that bad. Awesome man!

Dan I told you that Houston is representing! Dale, (the author of this post) is a good friend of mine. He has my original 50 watt.. I am about to pull the trigger on the venom. gotta get you and Jeff down here for the 1st annual Blades Fest! LMAO

You get a chance to play the Reaper yet?

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Dan...the site might blow up tonight. I am going to post a iPhone clip of the bolt.

 

[Mailman1971]

Dan...the site might blow up tonight. I am going to post a iPhone clip of the bolt.

I will do damage control. hahaha
I tried a phone clip on it. But didnt seem to capture it.
Your clips always sound good though.

 

[drewiv]

Dan...the site might blow up tonight. I am going to post a iPhone clip of the bolt.

I for one am interested. I didn't care for the way Blades "bolted" onto the scene, but I'd be interested in the tone. Again, if you say it's good it HAS to be good. Your Scorch module was wicked, you certainly have a pedigree of knowing tone, and if you were ever interested in doing a dual channel version, I'd be up for one.

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Dan...the site might blow up tonight. I am going to post a iPhone clip of the bolt.

I for one am interested. I didn't care for the way Blades "bolted" onto the scene, but I'd be interested in the tone. Again, if you say it's good it HAS to be good. Your Scorch module was wicked, you certainly have a pedigree of knowing tone, and if you were ever interested in doing a dual channel version, I'd be up for one.

I have been unable to get a dual to sound like the single, so I gave up on modular?

 

[Mailman1971]

Just got my second blades this past Tuesday. I've got a Firebolt and now a Reaper and they both kill! Seems like a bunch of snobs that would rather trash someone busting their ass trying to build something better than to allow anyone to have an opinion contrary to their own. I've taken my Firebolt apart and the wiring job was spectacular and much cleaner than my Tri-Rec or JCM800. You want videos? I'll record and post some quality videos for ya but I hardly doubt the haters have the courage to admit they were wrong...

Do it man, Post some vids, but don't clean it up in the studio first. Just play the amp and show us some different settings. I have never said it sounds bad. I am sure it sounds good, he copied a Cameron, and the Camerons I have owned were awesome, they all sounded great. I have never trashed Billy for trying to bust his ass. I have just stated the real and truthful facts about what he has done and said to people, including all his lies, fabrications, delusions and attacks. I mean really, do you think other amp lines really went to Billy and begged him not to start an amp line because he would put them out of business? Do you think other builders secretly went to Billy and said, "people are destroying Jose's good name, Billy, you are the one that can change that and turn it all around!" Do you think he really donated all his profits to charity to cleanse the dirtiness he felt when he started modding and building amps, and continues to donate his profits to charity? I am not, nor do I care if someone has an opinion different than my own. Are you aware of the full history of Blades?? just google billy blades amps or read through this entire thread, there are links and even exerts from one of Billy's insane manifesto's. I have never said his amps sound like shit. The Mike Himmel demo sounds good. His youtube vids that he says are Cameron mods, some of those do sound like shit. But the clips of the firebolt I have heard (only a couple and were cleaned in the studio) sounded great. I would really like to hear some firebolt vids just plugged straight into the amp.

Actually as crazy as this sounds....
the Mike Himmel video was awesome. That is what the amp sounds like in the room.
Maybe for recording they cleaned it up a bit in production for youtube/video purposes.
But when your standing in front of it. It does sound like the Video clip.

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Here you go...Ipad mini from 5 feet away.

https://youtu.be/kxJbHqrZ7xQ

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Thanks for the clip.

Bill has enough gain figured out but the voicing needs work.

It still has that "banging on a tin drum" sound thats just kinda weird.

That amp sounds like an early 5150 with a boost.

I hear no note separation or can't distinguish bass. middle, treble or presence its just kinda all or nothing.

I wouldn't stack to much weigh on that headshell it looks ready to collapse [being serious].

 

[Mailman1971]

Thanks for the clip.

Bill has enough gain figured out but the voicing needs work.

It still has that "banging on a tin drum" sound thats just kinda weird.

That amp sounds like an early 5150 with a boost.

I hear no note separation or can't distinguish bass. middle, treble or presence its just kinda all or nothing.

I wouldn't stack to much weigh on that headshell it looks ready to collapse [being serious].

Its a clip for christ sakes.
Now you see why I dont post clips anymore?
Too many arm chair American idol critics.
And stop using Navy heros for a sign up name.
Its insulting to real men that served.
Just go by good old Charvel Dan.

 

[HilltopExplosion]

Here you go...Ipad mini from 5 feet away.

https://youtu.be/kxJbHqrZ7xQ

Good job man! Sounds gnarly.. in a good way. I'm sure if it was cranked it would sound better. What speakers were you running into?

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Here you go...Ipad mini from 5 feet away.

https://youtu.be/kxJbHqrZ7xQ

Good job man! Sounds gnarly.. in a good way. I'm sure if it was cranked it would sound better. What speakers were you running into?

Ya I always seem to make things sound gnarly. Celestion vintage 10's

 

[Racerxrated]

Sounds really good, growly and articulate. I like it. Sounds like a Cameron, and reminds me of my old Jubilee boosted. Nice playing! These are the demos I like best, chords/rhythym stuff. Lets me hear note seperation.

 

[Racerxrated]

Thanks for the clip.

Bill has enough gain figured out but the voicing needs work.

It still has that "banging on a tin drum" sound thats just kinda weird.

That amp sounds like an early 5150 with a boost.

I hear no note separation or can't distinguish bass. middle, treble or presence its just kinda all or nothing.

I wouldn't stack to much weigh on that headshell it looks ready to collapse [being serious].

Dan, I'm convinced you have no ears. I'm no fan of the 'bladez' but he's copied the Cameron circuit well.

Of course, I do remember you commenting long ago that an SLO is a 'fizzy buzz box' . User error on your part.

Or you've never played one. Anyone who has an ear for tone can tell that this amp sounds good, even with a phone clip
.

 

[mooncobra]

Thanks for the clip.

Bill has enough gain figured out but the voicing needs work.

It still has that "banging on a tin drum" sound thats just kinda weird.

That amp sounds like an early 5150 with a boost.

I hear no note separation or can't distinguish bass. middle, treble or presence its just kinda all or nothing.

I wouldn't stack to much weigh on that headshell it looks ready to collapse [being serious].

Its a clip for christ sakes.
Now you see why I dont post clips anymore?
Too many arm chair American idol critics.
And stop using Navy heros for a sign up name.
Its insulting to real men that served.
Just go by good old Charvel Dan.

is that really charvel dan?

 

[Racerxrated]

Thanks for the clip.

Bill has enough gain figured out but the voicing needs work.

It still has that "banging on a tin drum" sound thats just kinda weird.

That amp sounds like an early 5150 with a boost.

I hear no note separation or can't distinguish bass. middle, treble or presence its just kinda all or nothing.

I wouldn't stack to much weigh on that headshell it looks ready to collapse [being serious].

Its a clip for christ sakes.
Now you see why I dont post clips anymore?
Too many arm chair American idol critics.
And stop using Navy heros for a sign up name.
Its insulting to real men that served.
Just go by good old Charvel Dan.

is that really charvel dan?

Gotta be...based on his pic of his gear. Same stuff from what I remember. And CharvelDan/Chester n....even though most guys, including me give you shit...welcome back!

 

[Chester Nimitz]

I was spending 16 hour days on the flight deck in the South China Sea while most of you were in diapers, and Chester Nimitz defeated the Japenese in the Pacific without him we would be the land of Sushi.

And ive been a personal friend with Colonel Ed Harper U.S.M.C Ret. of Boyingtons Famed VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron for decades, family friends.

I also have a Marine friend from the Battles of Ramadi, Falljah, Afganistan and everything fecked up about the middle east that has more metal in his body than a 30 pak of beverages that will eat your liver with his lunch. These are his men in the photo above.

As for tone its subjective, not slamming the amp, just an impression.

There is no appeal for me to own a Blades amp because Bill himself killed the deal.

Lots of great sounding amps.



ADM C. Nimitz WESCOMPAC.

I AM A UNITED STATES VETERAN >

All HC/GAB Bullshito aside i try to be part of the SOLUTION rather than the PROBLEM, keep things real and we will all have a good time.

I'm tired of petty insults & bullshit if you're grown men ACT LIKE IT.

SEMPER FI