Carol-Ann Triptik - The Straight Goods, Please

[rlord1974]

Let me preface by saying this thread is not meant to incite anger or hatred, or to just generally bash this amp. I just want some clear and honest feedback on the Triptik, from people that have owned it or have played it extensively (i.e., plugging into one for 15 minutes does not an expert make).

Why you ask? Because this amp has elicited comments ranging from "the best hotrodded amp ever" to "it left me wanting". Owners and players seem to have vastly divergent opinions on the amp.

So, if you have owned a Triptik, or played one extensively, please share your thoughts on it. If you are one of the people that believe it is God's gift to guitarists, please be specific as to why. Describe the tone, features and any other aspect(s) of the amp that have you feeling this way about it. Alternatively, if you are one of the people that believe it is over-hyped and does not deliver as advertised, please be specific as to why. Blanket, unsupported statements - be them positive or negative - are worthless. "Just because" is not a reason to like or dislike the amp.

I am most interested in hearing about the 50 and 100 watt Triptik, not the Trip-R. However, if you have an opinion on the Trip-R and wish to share it, please feel free, but please specify that that is the amp you are discussing.

Thanks!

P.S. As a point of reference, I like (a) crystal clean tones, (b) wide open, uncompressed rhythm tones (think cranked JMP 2204), and (c) a slight but more compression on my lead tone to up the level of sustain. You could keep this in mind when sharing your thoughts on the Triptik. Cheers!

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

TGP worthy..................


Sounds alright

 

[rlord1974]

TGP worthy..................

I'm trying to clean this place up a little.....

 

[Inca Roads]

I would really like to see jharpersj (Jim)
and Bionicmark (Mark) Chime in on this
one also!! They both are proud owners
of the Triptik.
I own the Triptik 100 and I can Honestly
say it is one of the Highest Quality Built,
PTP Amps on the Market today.
When opened to a Decent volume, the
Triptik has one of the Smoothest Lead Tones
and the Chords are Huge and just Bloom for day's.
It has a more Open, less compressed sound
than a Metal amp but more of JCM 800 style sound
with More Gain. It is Dead Quiet when you are
standing about 15ft away and you mute the strings
of your guitar, very uncommon for a High Gain Amp.
You can hear the string separation through all of your
chords and the Lead Tone is Super Smooth and Creamy.
It also has a Very Nice Crystal Clear, Clean Channel.
All in all, Smooth Overdrive Tone.
Open/Organic/not Compressed/Nice Mid-Range.
High Quality Build/Quiet/Low to No Noise.
Transparent FX Loop/with Loop Volume.
Doesn't sound like any other/has its own
Vibe going on.
A Total Professional piece of equipment, that
will expose flaws in your playing and make you
strive to be Tighter. Not a High Production Amp that
you can go into Guitar Center and buy right off
the rack/Not a beginners Amp!!

I am by no means, trying to talk this amp up...
Everyone's Taste is Subjective and constantly differing.
I call it, like I see it!! If you want a Professional
Amp that won't let you down...That has Killer,
Smooth Overdrive, by all means...Try one out.
-Rick-

 

[Ventura]

I knew Inca (Rick) was going to lay it down with an informative post.

And Rick, true too that you're coming from some pretty high-flutin' amps, no? CAA, Cameron, etc?

 

[Inca Roads]

I knew Inca (Rick) was going to lay it down with an informative post.

And Rick, true too that you're coming from some pretty high-flutin' amps, no? CAA, Cameron, etc?

No Doubt MO!
I've owned them all, Bogner, Soldano, Cameron
Friedman, CAA, VHT, Engl, Diezel, Wizard, Landry
just to name a few and I Loved everyone for different
reasons!!! But as Far as Noise for High Gainers
at Stage Volumes, the Diezel and Carol-Ann have
been the Quietest....Hands Down!!
That say's allot in the World of High Gain.
Wish I could've kept them all, I still want a
Bogner 20th XTC and I LOVED my Custom Audio's
but I like trying different amps...It's sort of my thing.
The D-Moll and Triptik 100 are a Killer Combination,
Trust Me on that Brutha!!

 

[Ventura]

Trust Me on that Brutha!!

This I do!

 

[jharpersj]

I love mine, I think Inca described it perfectly, it has amazing but very clean cleans, great crunch and great lead. it is my go to and I prefer it to anything else I have had. It does not hide slop though, very articulate, big and warm, has it's own thing going on that I happen to like. I can do every style except super edgy metal (meaning like ENGL or recto red). Build quality is top notch and it records/mics super, and is great in a live mix. Mine gets used every week for gigs and recording and has always performed perfectly. I would describe it as a bad ass rock amp with some class.

Here is a song I did with it, verse was a diez VH4 blueface but everything else was the CA 50W Triptik, the chorus to my ears is really what one sounds like. 2:19 is a heavier riffy thing. It is tight, warm, articulate, unique but also a bit familiar, no bias towars guitars.

https://soundcloud.com/fightingfriday/cricket-bat

For Clean this was 100% triptik, I went for a warm kinda dark thing but you can get it pretty brite as well

https://soundcloud.com/fightingfriday/our-destruction

The Tucana 3 is also incredible, a tad more classic sounding, hope this helps !

 

[IntenseJim]

I just want some clear and honest feedback on the _____ from people that have owned it or have played it extensively .

Why you ask? Because this amp has elicited comments ranging from "the best hotrodded amp ever" to "it left me wanting". Owners and players seem to have vastly divergent opinions on the amp.

Couldn't this be said/asked for nearly every reputable amp every made? I feel your frustration for amp quest but we both know the best way is for you to order one and play it; return it if you don't like it.

 

[Anonymous]

So the Wizard signature is gone and moving on to something else uh?

 

[rlord1974]

Oh, the Wizard is going nowhere. Looking to potentially add to the stable, not replace horses that are currently in the barn.

 

[rlord1974]

I just want some clear and honest feedback on the _____ from people that have owned it or have played it extensively .

Why you ask? Because this amp has elicited comments ranging from "the best hotrodded amp ever" to "it left me wanting". Owners and players seem to have vastly divergent opinions on the amp.

Couldn't this be said/asked for nearly every reputable amp every made? I feel your frustration for amp quest but we both know the best way is for you to order one and play it; return it if you don't like it.

I don't disagree with you, Jim. However, the Triptik is an amp that I have heard vastly differing reviews on, so am trying to cut through the bullshit and honeymoon period obsession as much as possible.

As for getting to try one: I really would have to buy to try, as last I checked, Alan does not have any retail dealers in Ontario, Canada.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Couldn't this be said/asked for nearly every reputable amp every made? I feel your frustration for amp quest but we both know the best way is for you to order one and play it; return it if you don't like it.

The OP's post could be a form letter where you fill in the blank of the amp in question imo.

The thing about internet opinions is (imo), looking for a "consensus" majority opinion of a product *may* increase the odds that you'll like it but is far from a guarantee compared to playing through one personally.

You can attempt to mitigate the risk filtering forum opinions, combined with buying used and flipping or a helpful forumite who will let you try it first hand.

 

[ampjunkie]

I loved what I heard at the NY Amp Show, but when I played it, I didn't get what I heard before. Cab maybe? To me it sounds like a thicker Marshall type tone in the clips.

 

[glip22]

Rob, If someone did not care for the amp I doubt they will publicly announce it as this would not be fair to Allan who is a great builder/engineer. Each individual has his/her own tastes. What I do not like you may. At the end of the day its for the individual to decide.

 

[rlord1974]

The OP's post could be a form letter where you fill in the blank of the amp in question imo.

Don't be surprised if you see it again next month, asking about a completely different amp.

Feel free to use it for your own research as well.

Btw, anybody in the Toronto area have a Triptik they will let me take for a test spin?

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Don't be surprised if you see it again next month, asking about a completely different amp.

Very true, ask away.

The merry-go-round will never stop turning.

 

[rlord1974]

Rob, If someone did not care for the amp I doubt they will publicly announce it as this would not be fair to Allan who is a great builder/engineer. Each individual has his/her own tastes. What I do not like you may. At the end of the day its for the individual to decide.

I hear what you're saying, Gary, but this is exactly the mentality that worries me. Am I reading a bunch of watered down comments from owners, because they are too scared to voice their true opinion because they don't want to upset the builder (Alan)? Or, are those that are not overly impressed with the amp still towing the party line simply to keep their re-sale potential higher? Regardless, when I see reviews ranging from "the best" to "meh", it really makes me wonder. Add to it that I am reading the majority of these reviews on TGP and, well, you know what I mean.....

Just because someone doesn't like a given amp doesn't mean the amp is no good, for precisely the reason you highlight: one man's "grail" is another man's "fail". I don't think we should shy away from voicing our true opinions of products. It's not being unfair to the builder/manufacturer, it's just sharing a personal opinion!

 

[Mailman1971]

You know the routine Rob....
buy one....rock it. Use/abuse........sell it for some new toy.
Flash cash....some one has one they will sell to try the next amp.

We have all traveled that road numerous times.

 

[rlord1974]

You know the routine Rob....
buy one....rock it. Use/abuse........sell it for some new toy.
Flash cash....some one has one they will sell to try the next amp.

We have all traveled that road numerous times.

Fuck man, my shoes are worn!