Talk to me about the Ironball 606SE

[Spiattalo]

I play in a cover band and use a Friedman IR-X as my amp + cab sim, however I recently felt the urge to go back to a proper amp and cabinet setup. It sounds perfect, as it essentially have the same features of the IR-X (i.e. 2 channel with pre-gain boost, MIDI) and more, on different circuits, and still allow me to go direct.

Unfortunately I do not have the option to try it out, and most of the videos I've seen seem to focus on modern metal, while I'm still stuck in the 80s. I know it can do crunch, but I guess the questions I have are:

1) Can I have the clean channel set as sparkly clean, and at AC/DC level with the pre-gain on? That's how achieve those tones on the IR-X, but that circuit is obviously Plexi-inspired. I would also use an overdrive like a SD-1 or a TS in front.
2) How does the lead channel perform at lower levels of gain?
3) What cabinets would you suggest? I have my eyes on a Mesa Recto 2x12 but worry that the V30s might work against me in this case.

 

[zeen]

Hi,

this will not 100% answer your questions I am afraid, but lets give it a try.

I am using the Ironball 606SE since multiple years now (not playing any kind of metal), and it´s my favorite amp for smaller Gigs..
Playing through a 2x12" Rearloaded V30

coming to the strength of this little monster:

- it can be LOUD!! more than enough for practicing with your band and for smaller gigs even without FOH
- It sounds really great, there is (for myself) the smooth and warm feedback and responses from the tubes you would expect and want to have from a tube Top
- built in Reverb and Delay sounds fantastic and storable in the different MIDI presets
- Attenuator and load box as well as IR is built in (the 3 built in IRs are... good... at least more than good enough for practicing at home via headphones. I am not a huge fan of using IRs as so far I do not have found one that suits me well..
- with Pre gain most and MV boost you can get some nice different sounds, so lets call it a 2.5 Channel amp.. but remember you only have TREB/MID/BASS for both channels, and that's not MIDI storable of course
- you can run it on more than reasonable volume and still have a sparkling clean from channel 1

---
Downsides:

not so many I would say, at least not if you take into account that you are talking about a Lunchbox amp here...

GlobalTREB/MID/BASS, but hey, it´s a lunchbox...

I personally would say that going in Channel 1 from sparkling clean to AC/DC level by pre gain boost might be a challenge... but that's only my view
Going from sparkling clean to AC/DC channel 1/Channel 2 and keep some gain reserves via the Gain boost in Channel 2, rather possible...

anyhow, always difficult to decide on some gear via YouTube, posts and so on... and this piece does not come for a few bucks... but still at least I can assure that it is a fantastic sounding amp, also on the lower gain in channel 2 and does way more than hard driven monster gain heavy sounds...

hope this helps..

BR

 

[gritstogroats]

I did not own the special edition just the e606.
Yes you can get clean.
Yes you can push it crunchy. Hotter pickups, boosts go great.

Lead channel is fine with lower gain. What are you worried about?

Cabs i cant say I used a 1x12 with a v30. Sounded good to me but to each their own.

 

[Clay K]

Love my ironball. I gig with it more often than my big heads because of easy transport. Sounds great and can get loud enough for gigs. Especially if you mic it up.