Budda

[ratter]

I had a guy offer me a trade on the 30 watt Budda (could have been a 45 watt amp, don't remember exactly) 2x12 for my JCM800 head. He came over and we a/b'd them for a good hour. We just stood there looking at each other in disbelief. He was very sad when I told him the trade wasn't going to happen. No way.

I often wonder if there was something wrong with that amp.

Interesting, as an ex-bandmate of mine had a SD45 and I agree, it did not sound that great IMO. Was also anything but dark, if anything it was too bright and a really touchy master volume. But who knows there could've been something wrong with it, I've heard lots of budda clips I really dug. Different tubes in the 45 though too (I think KT66s?).

I have no doubt OP can get some killer tones out of it (hint, that means post a clip now Adam! )

Happy NAD

Thanks!
I read where Jeff Bober said the 18, 30, 45, 80 watt models are all voiced differently in the preamp, so they aren't just different wattages of the same design, but actually different sounding amps altogether.
Seems the SD45 is not to all y'alls liking.

Yep, it's subtle but they are different. There's one cap you can play with on the 18 to brighten it up if desired....not really necessary IMO especially once you get some volume behind it...

 

[Meathead]

I had a guy offer me a trade on the 30 watt Budda (could have been a 45 watt amp, don't remember exactly) 2x12 for my JCM800 head. He came over and we a/b'd them for a good hour. We just stood there looking at each other in disbelief. He was very sad when I told him the trade wasn't going to happen. No way.

I often wonder if there was something wrong with that amp.

Interesting, as an ex-bandmate of mine had a SD45 and I agree, it did not sound that great IMO. Was also anything but dark, if anything it was too bright and a really touchy master volume. But who knows there could've been something wrong with it, I've heard lots of budda clips I really dug. Different tubes in the 45 though too (I think KT66s?).

I have no doubt OP can get some killer tones out of it (hint, that means post a clip now Adam! )

Happy NAD

Thanks!
I read where Jeff Bober said the 18, 30, 45, 80 watt models are all voiced differently in the preamp, so they aren't just different wattages of the same design, but actually different sounding amps altogether.
Seems the SD45 is not to all y'alls liking.

Yep, it's subtle but they are different. There's one cap you can play with on the 18 to brighten it up if desired....not really necessary IMO especially once you get some volume behind it...

It's fine as is, I wouldn't change anything.
You're right about volume. At low volume I turn up the treble up to around 2:00, but at a good volume the brightness is fine with the treble set straight at 12:00....really well voiced amp.
Jeff must be a pretty good guitar player to have created amps that sound and feel like this.

 

['63-Strat]

Congrats, KILLER Amp!!

I have owned 1-18, 2-30s, 2-80s, and 3 45s (Ok actually two, but the second one I got back again after not owning it for two years)... 8 x Budda love!

And... Yes my wife thinks I am a doofus anytime I sell one

I owe my addiction to the to Mike (Ratter) at the Virginia ampfest

On the 45s: I remember Sgt Thump mentioning a bunch of them being shipped out with two wires switched and it made the amp harsh and thin. My 45s have all been thick and meaty, with 66s or I put in 6L6s, little cleaner and more percussive.

They all sound killer and in the same vein, I wish I could own one of each!

CLIPS please!

Wow, that would explain it if that's true about the 45s.

 

[Meathead]

Here's a pretty cool resource for Budda owners.
Pretty well everything you'd want to know about Budda Amplification is in there.
It's one big budda love-in

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=251124&highlight=Budda+SD18