The best thing I've ever done for my guitar/amps tone...

[guitarman967]

The Furman P-1800. I always wanted to upgrade to a better conditioner or get into a voltage regulator and see how much better my rig would perform. The difference is astounding.

This thing is way beyond the glorified powerstrip and surge protector conditioners I've used in the past.
I can't believe what it's done for improving the tone of my amps at home and at gigs. My rig finally sounds consistent venue to venue!

The big difference with this model compared to the PL series is the 45 amp of instantaneous current reserve on tap which stores energy for peak-current demands. It basically keeps the line impedance low. I think they call it the power factor technology?? Not exactly a voltage regulator but effective none the less. They have PF-AR if that's a particular need. I personally wouldn't bother paying extra for it after using this product. I've seen a lot of pro touring bands using both daisy chained together however.
It basically allows your amp to operate consistently with the voltage it needs delivering consistent attack and clarity.

Furman's AC filters are pretty much unparalleled. For this particular line they focused the AC line noise scrub particularly in the guitar's range.
I'm happy with the results. I know some cant be bothered spending any dough with this type of gear.
I get that. I'm getting good results however and I got this conditioner new for under $400.
I usually don't do write ups but I felt the product excelled at what I had hoped it would add to my guitar rig.

Here's a review I found if anyone wants to learn more.
http://www.musicplayers.com/reviews/gui ... 800pfr.php

 

[maddnotez]

I thought these were to protect you from a power surge.

Do they actually change/improve/alter your tone?

 

[guitarman967]

I thought these were to protect you from a power surge.

Do they actually change/improve/alter your tone?

Surge protection is basically a given. Just about any conditioner will give you surge protection. Most times they'll filter out line noise but not necessarily noise that's directly in the guitar's range. That's part of Furman's claim with this particular Condition. They call it Clear Tone Technology.

The only complaint I have is that although Furman provides 3 isolated outlet banks on the back for further isolation of various types of gear (which is a nice touch) They're not particularly in an order that's conducive to wiring up a guitar rack IMO.
They put the wall wart spacing outlets on the left and the High current bank on the right.
Most amps (Mesa Boogie excluded) have their IEC power on the left rear of the amp.

I guess the bottom line is I learned what I kind of already knew in the back of my mind..No point in spending money on a great amp and effects just to allow variation in voltage to spoil what they do, and the spike protection is just good insurance.

Less noise, less hum and no Russian radios anymore.
During small gigs, part of the lightshow runs on the same power
as the backline causing interference. Not anymore.

It's an essential tool for a professional rig.

 

[RedRider]

That is a LOT of jack just for a glorified UPS (900 dollars!)....watch for IT companies going out of business selling thier rack mounted UPS's...that is the best thing you could EVER do for clean power...

 

[ericb]

Your post is about the p-1800 "AR" not the p-1800 PF right?
As far as I can see the 'AR" is the only one that is a Voltage REGULATOR, and damn that's expensive, but yea I hear ya , could be a very valuable tool.. A former bandmate used to use a different brand's version of this made by Tripplite


Eric

 

[maddnotez]

I just honestly cant see spending that much..I understand the use of all the outlets. But Id rather spend $125 on an ISP and call it a day.

 

[guitarman967]

Your post is about the p-1800 "AR" not the p-1800 PF right?
As far as I can see the 'AR" is the only one that is a Voltage REGULATOR, and damn that's expensive, but yea I hear ya , could be a very valuable tool.. A former bandmate used to use a different brand's version of this made by Tripplite


Eric

Eric, That mini review and link was for the P-1800 PFr. Which is the power factor rack version. They have a less expensive version that you do not rack up as well.
The PF is not necessarily a voltage regulator.
This conditioner basically insures that power is delivered to your amp with a constant level of resistance on the AC line.

---At a low resistance power is able to flow to your amp and it will operate as it was intended to. The attack, the dynamics, aka tight response for some, are what the MFG intended and what you can expect under ideal power conditions.
With a high resistance which can be caused by several factors (even before the power reaches your service)
the current flows at a slower rate resulting in less definition and a lackluster response.

Years ago, I would notice that my amp would sound and respond different on certain days and certainly place to place. Wasnt sure why. I assume there could be a myriad of reasons but I KNOW that one of them had to do with dirty power. This unit fixes that for me and like I mentioned earlier, it can be had for under $400.

I consider it to be as valuable as any other piece of gear I have and I wanted to share it with RG.
I mean honestly, how often do we spend similar amounts of money on things that do no not have the same overall impact on our tone? I'm definitely guilty of that. This is probably less than one boutique pedal. That's why I consider this a good buy and a good piece of mind.

 

[guitarman967]

I just honestly cant see spending that much..I understand the use of all the outlets. But Id rather spend $125 on an ISP and call it a day.

A noise gate is an entirely different thing. Although a really good gate (prorackG) can filter out some stray RF from your pickups, it's there mainly to quiet massive amounts of preamp gain. I wouldn't even bother running one unless that was the senario.

The truth is that unit does nothing to address the actual performance of the amp itself concerning incoming voltage and certainly doesn't protect it from incoming voltage spikes. My intention here was to inform other players of a product that does a specific job.

I say to each their own! Its the old, you can lead a horse to water senario.
It's probably not necessary for everyone.
I mean, good cables aren't for everyone either.
I will say however, there is merit in something like this. Look at any Pro rig. You'll find a PF or a AR.

 

[maddnotez]

Well I do want the best for my rig...But in your eyes is it worth a $400 investment?

I still need a nicer guitar and a few pedals as well.

 

[nwright]

where did you find it for less than 400 bucks?

new or used?

 

[guitarman967]

Well I do want the best for my rig...But in your eyes is it worth a $400 investment?

I still need a nicer guitar and a few pedals as well.

Is it worth it? For me, yes. mainly because I don't like the irritation of my amp's sounding great one day only to sound really flat the next. So, it's not that a good conditioner/regulator will actually make your amp sound better than it already does, just more consistent.

 

[guitarman967]

where did you find it for less than 400 bucks?

new or used?

New. Store on ebay. bamliquidation I believe.

 

[ericb]

That is a LOT of jack just for a glorified UPS (900 dollars!)....watch for IT companies going out of business selling thier rack mounted UPS's...that is the best thing you could EVER do for clean power...

That's the 'AR" version which is the Voltage Regulator .. He's talking about the PF which is under 400.00 on ebay! ... . The "AR" has to be much better to be double the price

Eric

 

[guitarman967]

That is a LOT of jack just for a glorified UPS (900 dollars!)....watch for IT companies going out of business selling thier rack mounted UPS's...that is the best thing you could EVER do for clean power...

That's the 'AR" version which is the Voltage Regulator .. He's talking about the PF which is under 400.00 on ebay! ... . The "AR" has to be much better to be double the price

Eric

The AR is a voltage regulator. It's not that it's better, just different.

 

[ericb]

That is a LOT of jack just for a glorified UPS (900 dollars!)....watch for IT companies going out of business selling thier rack mounted UPS's...that is the best thing you could EVER do for clean power...

That's the 'AR" version which is the Voltage Regulator .. He's talking about the PF which is under 400.00 on ebay! ... . The "AR" has to be much better to be double the price

Eric

The AR is a voltage regulator. It's not that it's better, just different.

I meant better at regulating voltage! Am I wrong? I thought the whole point here was to set and regulate the voltage so amps would act much more predictable. HONEST question , as I know my amps sound different at every gig

Eric

 

[skoora]

If I was to gig again I would gladly spend the money on a voltage regulator. So many clubs/bars have horrible power and it does affect your tone big time. I had a 2nd Master mod from Soldano on a 2203 that I had to have them tweak to work when the amp was getting a lot less than 117. At several gigs it wouldn't switch over because of the low voltage hitting my amp.

 

[Badronald]

I thought you were going to say practice.

 

[guitarmike]

If I was to gig again I would gladly spend the money on a voltage regulator. So many clubs/bars have horrible power and it does affect your tone big time. I had a 2nd Master mod from Soldano on a 2203 that I had to have them tweak to work when the amp was getting a lot less than 117. At several gigs it wouldn't switch over because of the low voltage hitting my amp.

I bought a tripplite voltage regulator from Newegg.com for $100 and have my Monster power station 2500 plugged into it. Even voltage, no noise, total cost of $325.

 

[RoidRage]

This is interesting to me...

I have ALWAYS found that any power filtration for HIGH CURRENT chokes off power...

It tends to have a smoothing effect, less brash. But Everyone I've ever tried for a high powered amp this for Stereo HI-FI as well that cost up to $5,000 make the amp sound Lame.
They Kill Punch & Dynamics, and make the amp sound dull... I can't believe something THAT small could pass enough current not to limit a high current tube amplifier...

Could you please be objective, and listen when the power is good... But pay attention to not the sound but the Power and punch of the amp. Does it make a lamb out of a Lion?

Thanks,

RR

 

[verderacer]

That is a LOT of jack just for a glorified UPS (900 dollars!)....watch for IT companies going out of business selling thier rack mounted UPS's...that is the best thing you could EVER do for clean power...

That's the 'AR" version which is the Voltage Regulator .. He's talking about the PF which is under 400.00 on ebay! ... . The "AR" has to be much better to be double the price

Eric

The AR is a voltage regulator. It's not that it's better, just different.

I meant better at regulating voltage! Am I wrong? I thought the whole point here was to set and regulate the voltage so amps would act much more predictable. HONEST question , as I know my amps sound different at every gig

Eric

You are correct IMO. The more stable and clean your source is the better off you are.