Smallbox: Wildwood/Peach 3-mode Upgrade Version.

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Fret King

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Dave,

Wondering if you could please clarify the latest upgraded specs to both the Wildwood/Peach Guitars
limited edition smallbox amps.

Wildwood clearly state the 3rd mode is not to be confused with your HBE mod but is a micro-preamp added to the 2nd channel - so whats the difference/benefit here compared to simply using an external pedal boost ?

Peach don't go into detail but state confusingly "full-on HBE tone on ch3" - is this correct ?

As an original SB owner I'm trying to get clarity on what the spec actually is & whether the upgrade (if available ?)
is merited.

Thanks,
Graeme.
 
Great question . Is the micro-preamp similar to the SAT switch ?
 
I thought it was just the SAT. It's definately not the HBE.
 
I've got one. Fricken awesome amp! 3rd channel is a "boosted" channel 2 with it's own master volume (has three different master volumes). The "boosted" channel has enough gain and bite, sort of like a nice boost or overdrive pedal being added in front, enough gain for liquid and punchy solos! The gain amount is NOT adjustable as there is only one gain knob for channel 2...it just boosts it. It sounds better and more chewy than the HBE. The amp comes with a 2-button footswitch.

Call Steve S at Wildwood Guitars. Best $2999 you've ever spent! :thumbsup:

This is a CUSTOM SHOP amp. You can't just send your standard Smallbox in for an upgrade. This is the brain child of Wildwood Guitars and Friedman.


 
SLOgriff, thanks for your reply but you are totally missing the points I've raised !

Us original SB owners are surely already boosting ch2 with whatever boost/OD etc we favour -
question is, how is this much different to the new amp where there is a "micro-preamp" installed
internally for this purpose...i.e why would any original SB owner be tempted to sell & purchase the
new version amp ?

Its a legit question you know ...

Additionally, if there is an upgrade route Dave will surely let us know with the pricing etc -
what makes you so sure its not possible, has Dave told you this ?
 
Its sort of a modified sat circuit, when on the 3rd channel. Although the whole amp is a bit different, voiced slightly different then the stock Smallbox. You could upgrade but the extra master would have to be put on back.
 
Fret King":dlr7b6f3 said:
SLOgriff, thanks for your reply but you are totally missing the points I've raised !

Us original SB owners are surely already boosting ch2 with whatever boost/OD etc we favour -
question is, how is this much different to the new amp where there is a "micro-preamp" installed
internally for this purpose...i.e why would any original SB owner be tempted to sell & purchase the
new version amp ?

Its a legit question you know ...

Additionally, if there is an upgrade route Dave will surely let us know with the pricing etc -
what makes you so sure its not possible, has Dave told you this ?
Click to expand...


I was told you could only get the amp through WW...so that's where I went. Their version Smallbox has a different "faceplate" as well. That's cool Dave can mod your existing amp....definitely worth it if it gets you the Wildwood version Smallbox! :thumbsup:
 
very cool,so it has 2 master volumes? which is very useful, I would boost mine with an H9 which was nice and transparent.I sold it because I wanted a more versatile amp. Now what..lol
 
Can anyone shed some light on how the WW SB version sounds compared to the original SB ? In what way is it voiced "slightly different" ? thx
 
It's a tad tighter and a tad more gain on the BE style channel then the Smallbox.
 
Can I be so bold as to ask where the "tad amount of extra gain" is coming from? I understand the 2nd master volume being a seperate pot and really makes it a great feature..does the 2nd master work on both channells or just the be channel...?thank you
 
Tad amount of extra gain is just some circuit changes. The extra master works only on the Gain channel.
 
There are three (3) Volumes on the front....the WW SB comes with a two button footswitch labeled "Drive" on switch 1 & "Boost" on switch 2. The DRIVE switch activates the BE channel and Volume #2. The BOOST switch activates Volume 3 and adds more gain. (There is ONLY one gain knob shared for Drive & Boost modes).

Hope that clears up any confusion. This amp is just perfect! Great punch, tone, and feel! :rock:
 
Well, I have the stock SB and before buy it, I asked a lot for this "boost" option but there was no mod avaiable at the time, as I was informed.
I really don't like to use pedals. :thumbsdown:

Maybe I'll never change my SB again, because I live in Brazil and it is expensive (taxes) to get an imported amp like that. :cry:

But would be nice to see some comparison between the stock and 3-channel version.
 
Del Rei":23a0swex said:
Well, I have the stock SB and before buy it, I asked a lot for this "boost" option but there was no mod avaiable at the time, as I was informed.
I really don't like to use pedals. :thumbsdown:

Maybe I'll never change my SB again, because I live in Brazil and it is expensive (taxes) to get an imported amp like that. :cry:

But would be nice to see some comparison between the stock and 3-channel version.
Click to expand...


Del Rei, let´s do it here in Rio de Janeiro!!! I´m back in town and we can do it right here. I had the opportunity to crank my Smallbox combo a few weeks ago and gain is not a problem on BE channel (without the Sat Switch). To be honest it has more than enough gain for me on BE mode. The Sat switch works great at house friendly volumes, and yes you can use it as a solo boost, but you will have to deal with extra gain and compression that you will not be able to set the exactly amount that you want and it has a slightly different voicing. It is a great tool, but I think the stock Smallbox should be a great amp for sure! I doubt you will ever need to replace it... Don´t get me wrong! I love my Smallbox with footswitchable Sat Switch and I think I did the right move ordering this way, but it is just a small boost on BE channel with a slightly different voicing. Any quality boost/overdrive pedal will get you close enough. Really!

Cheers, man!

Bruno
 
Check this out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlKpHzOFt80

Keep in mind that the electric power source here in Brazil is terrible, especially on my apartment... The amp is not that noisy when used on a good electric power source!
Plexi gain on 10, BE gain on 8 and then Sat Switch on! \m/
 
btsimoes":1phl35uw said:
Del Rei, let´s do it here in Rio de Janeiro!!! I´m back in town and we can do it right here. I had the opportunity to crank my Smallbox combo a few weeks ago and gain is not a problem on BE channel (without the Sat Switch). To be honest it has more than enough gain for me on BE mode. The Sat switch works great at house friendly volumes, and yes you can use it as a solo boost, but you will have to deal with extra gain and compression that you will not be able to set the exactly amount that you want and it has a slightly different voicing. It is a great tool, but I think the stock Smallbox should be a great amp for sure! I doubt you will ever need to replace it... Don´t get me wrong! I love my Smallbox with footswitchable Sat Switch and I think I did the right move ordering this way, but it is just a small boost on BE channel with a slightly different voicing. Any quality boost/overdrive pedal will get you close enough. Really!

Cheers, man!

Bruno
Click to expand...

Hey, man!
Nice to hear from you!

You are right!
Actually, I'm quite happy with my SB.
I installed a 9V battery in a small pedal and use as boost, and is very practical, I don't need external power.
And it is only connect 2 cables (use it in the loop).

Man, we should definitely do these tests with the amps. It will be fun.
I'll be on vacation next week, and will be easier to find some time.

By the way, what a great video you recorded!!
I never get tired of watching.

:rock: :rock:
 
Del Rei":1mzz9zbt said:
Well, I have the stock SB and before buy it, I asked a lot for this "boost" option but there was no mod avaiable at the time, as I was informed.
I really don't like to use pedals. :thumbsdown:

Maybe I'll never change my SB again, because I live in Brazil and it is expensive (taxes) to get an imported amp like that. :cry:

But would be nice to see some comparison between the stock and 3-channel version.
Click to expand...

Hi,

just my thought about this topic:

I was a little disappointed, when I saw the Wildwood-version offered, cause I bought a smallbox here in Europe, and it was very pricy as well. I would have liked these features on my smallbox too. It tore me down a bit, that one year after launching the stock small box there was already an updated version coming out, with better features.

The stock smallbox sounds good and you could it boost with a pedal, no doubt. But there might be a particular view, that the stock smallbox is less value now.

Not sure. :scared:
 
RACKSYSTEMS":bd22bxui said:
Tad amount of extra gain is just some circuit changes. The extra master works only on the Gain channel.
Click to expand...
Is there a little more gain added to the Plexi channel also with the mod? I am still on the fence about having my Smallbox modded because I love way it sounds and works the way it is stock. I would be bringing in the best amp I have ever owned to get changed and I am not sure I want to do that.
 
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