Most disappointing amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter Smash
  • Start date Start date
Soundstorm said:
Worst and most disappointing amp I've ever owned was a Hovercraft Falcon 50. What a piece of shit. The guy marketed it as a small Matamp clone. He'd even post these clips (post EQ'd i'm sure of it now) that would showcase him getting a decent Dopesmoker tone with it. When the amp came in I realized what it was, a modded Jet City amp. He literally glued his own Hovercraft logo over the Jet City one, then used a *sharpie* to black out other things on the faceplate. It sounded like pure static. I had my amp tech friend look inside and he said it was the worst thing he'd ever seen. Like someone had a seizure while holding a hot glue gun.
Click to expand...
Glad I never bought anything from them now. Back in the early 2010s I remember messaging them to try and commission a particular build, and they didn't seem keen. Good thing I dodged that bullet.
 
I find it really interesting that people dislike Amos that others rave about. It just goes to show how much is personal preference.

My least favourite amp I’ve owned was the TSL100. It could be made to sound ok but the gap in channel switching was a deal breaker. I’ve also owned better sounding amps since then.
 
Yeah. Also user error. I have a bud that is getting into high gain. He is falling into the same traps everyone of us did where he wants to play metal, but is listening to rock guys about high gain...I am being patient with him, because it is his money he will waste. But he is telling me his amp won't chugg, and I am just like..."bring it over, and I will show you, lmao"
 
Bxlxaxkxe said:
Reminder: it’s 100% ok for someone to dislike an amp that you love.

Not sure why we need any external validation
Click to expand...
I have seen people get legit mad because someone said they don't like an amp they have...and the more expensive and special they consider it, the more the anger rises. It's pretty funny if you think about it. "You not liking these wires, parts and tubes that I think are the best offends me! My amp defines me as a human being, how dare you!"
 
MrWoodchuck said:
I am also confused on the Uberschall fizz or Bogners being dark in general, or the SLO being even remotely disappointing.

Here is a recent comparison of my SLO, Hellrazor, and Uberschall Rev Green and they all kick ass.


It's so interesting to see everyone's tastes and also find a VH4 or 101b disappointing. Those are two of my personal favorites.

Here is a comparison I made of those 2.
Click to expand...


Interesting how close in your first clip the SLO and Wizard sound. Never owned a Wizard so I wouldn't know but maybe I'll like one now that I've heard that. The Ubershall is comically mid-scooped compared to the other two.
 
japetus said:
I have seen people get legit mad because someone said they don't like an amp they have...and the more expensive and special they consider it, the more the anger rises. It's pretty funny if you think about it. "You not liking these wires, parts and tubes that I think are the best offends me! My amp defines me as a human being, how dare you!"
Click to expand...
They just mad they feel stupid for spending so much $$ on something they dont like.

I get the same feeling when I try a new meal at a restaurant that tastes like crap, lol.
 
Just to be clear I think all these amps sound like shit. Every amp you ever owned. Including the one your thinking of buying.

Interesting no one has mentioned the amps I use most. Probably not a big enough demographic.
 
Soundstorm said:
Worst and most disappointing amp I've ever owned was a Hovercraft Falcon 50. What a piece of shit. The guy marketed it as a small Matamp clone. He'd even post these clips (post EQ'd i'm sure of it now) that would showcase him getting a decent Dopesmoker tone with it. When the amp came in I realized what it was, a modded Jet City amp. He literally glued his own Hovercraft logo over the Jet City one, then used a *sharpie* to black out other things on the faceplate. It sounded like pure static. I had my amp tech friend look inside and he said it was the worst thing he'd ever seen. Like someone had a seizure while holding a hot glue gun.
Click to expand...
Oh man, a month or so ago I was looking for one of these, thinking the clips were what I was looking for. The Dwarvenaut was a possibility too. Glad to hear this. It will save me the bother. (I already knew they were modified Jet City’s but the other things you mentioned....sheesh)
 
Last edited:
MrWoodchuck said:
I am also confused on the Uberschall fizz or Bogners being dark in general, or the SLO being even remotely disappointing.

Here is a recent comparison of my SLO, Hellrazor, and Uberschall Rev Green and they all kick ass.


It's so interesting to see everyone's tastes and also find a VH4 or 101b disappointing. Those are two of my personal favorites.

Here is a comparison I made of those 2.
Click to expand...

Interesting the SLO is Gain on 4..
I could never gel with my JCA 50 because it had so much gain..
If only he fine tuned it to have more usable gain.
I think the SLO has the most character although I'd prefer it a touch brighter..
The others are approaching fizz territory.
 
midnightlaundry said:
Interesting the SLO is Gain on 4..
I could never gel with my JCA 50 because it had so much gain..
If only he fine tuned it to have more usable gain.
I think the SLO has the most character although I'd prefer it a touch brighter..
The others are approaching fizz territory.
Click to expand...
Wow, I have to say I didn’t care for any one of those amp clips. Gonna be honest with my thoughts here and wonder how well the clip was played with right hand attack etc. if it was re-amped (sounded like it), one, possibly bad take, just got repeated on every amp.
From the second video of the one tune, dude can obviously play.
 
Erock said:
I'm embarrassed to say, I can have fun on just about anything these days if it makes noise. I haven't been disappointed in years unfortunately, so my amp room looks like an episode of Hoarders. :no:
Click to expand...

Just happy that I've never really been one to chase tones.
If it responds well and is articulate for whatever I'm doing, can usually manage with most anything.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
Just happy that I've never really been one to chase tones.
If it responds well and is articulate for whatever I'm doing, can usually manage with most anything.
Click to expand...
yeah, I've always had more fun making riffs than trying to learn other people's stuff. I have a general sound and feel I like, but haven't tried to match anyone else's. That might be part of the problem for me though, it's like "Ohhh, look at this new amp, all kinds of inspiring new tones!". Then I get it and make it sound like all my other amps. :LOL:
 
Basically, every 20W amp I had... Marshall DSL20CR, Peavey Invective MH, Revv G20.
Tubby, muddy, boxy, fizzy... Lack of controls, shared EQ (G20 doesn't even have gain on the clean channel). The DSL20 clean was actually great, but the Ultra Gain was muddy fizz. Invective clean was muddy even with treble at max. G20 does NOT have 'metal' gain levels, even on max gain with the 'aggression' switch on, it doesn't chug.
 
GuitarGuy08 said:
Tube swaps can help. Also, turning treble all the way down to 0 and using presence to dial it in instead. It just never had that tight, in your face sound I was trying to get out of it. It is alright, especially if it is not your only amp, but for someone who spent every penny they saved up for years and it was the most I had ever dropped on a piece of gear - disappointed. Was trying to struggle through until the whole - we stole the autographed part of of your amp and sent it back without doing any repairs.

Absolutely horrible experience with that company.

Never again.
Click to expand...
Yes I did the same thing by turning the treble all the way down. I got it to it's most usable form possible to my ears, but after weeks of playing that amp, then plugging back into any other amp I have, the difference was night and day and realized those Kettner amps just can't be saved. It's possible speaker swap might help it but then might fuck myself over on other amps' tones that I have dialed in already.
 
Fizz has more to do with the sensitivity of the individual than the gear.
Just like some people are more sensitive to light or smells.
That and 90% of perception is past experience.

I have a pair of Vintage 30 that is way brighter than the rest. It's like having a strobe light in your face. Takes cuts in the mix to a whole other level.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top