Three amps fit me perfectly - decided to move on from the 4th

[HowieJams]

I have 4 great tube amps, Soldano SLO-30, Soldano Astro 20, Victory MKX and a Friedman JEL-20.
I also have a cool Laney Solid State Dual Top 60w head that I like.

As for the 4 tube amps, I love the Soldanos and Victory, they aren't going anywhere, but I just can't quite bond with the Friedman JEL-20.

I like to play over a lot of fusion rock type backing tracks and the JEL-20 doesn't have that darker smooth lead tone that compliments that style, it is a more in your face rock machine.

So, I finally decided to move on from it.

I have been back and forth about it for a while and finally decided to move on.

Have you guys/gals ever had an amp that you just could not gel with?

The strange thing is, I have owned 4 Friedmans, Little Sister, PT20 V2, JJ Jr, and the JEL-20 and now I will be down to none.
I will say, I loved the Little Sister, but when I decided to go the No Boost Pedal route the Little Sister had to go as it just had a little less gain than I needed without a boost from a SD-1 or TS808.

I am sure I will end up with another tube amp in the future, but I will need to be very selective.

 

[bste328]

I guess with the SLO30 you can get "that darker smooth lead tone" so wonder that's covered on your side? Why not going the synergy route and get a syn30 or a syn20ir (or a syn1/syn2 to go with your other amp heads) and have some modules to cover those grounds? like the OS and the Friedman DS

 

[HowieJams]

I guess with the SLO30 you can get "that darker smooth lead tone" so wonder that's covered on your side? Why not going the synergy route and get a syn30 or a syn20ir (or a syn1/syn2 to go with your other amp heads) and have some modules to cover those grounds? like the OS and the Friedman DS

I thought about the Syn20, so many great options, but truth is I am happy with my 3 amps I have now.

 

[bste328]

then there you go! nothing wrong in having 3 amps and not 4 (I will be banned for saying so )

 

[griff10672]

Does the JEL 20 run EL84's ??

 

[SoooRad]

I think you running the Friedman gauntlet and landing with none of them actually checks out. People seem to either really like them, and have a pile of Friedmans, or run through all of them and come out the other side wondering why they did it.

 

[HowieJams]

Does the JEL 20 run EL84's ??

yes, 2 el84s and 3 ax7s I believe.
I have a spare set of tubes so I can check if you want

 

[HowieJams]

then there you go! nothing wrong in having 3 amps and not 4 (I will be banned for saying so )

lol

then there you go! nothing wrong in having 3 amps and not 4 (I will be banned for saying so )

oops double lol

 

[HowieJams]

I think you running the Friedman gauntlet and landing with none of them actually checks out. People seem to either really like them, and have a pile of Friedmans, or run through all of them and come out the other side wondering why they did it.

I think the Little Sister or the Two channel Twin Sister are really great amps, if it just had a little more gain on tap I would still have it.

 

[griff10672]

yes, 2 el84s and 3 ax7s I believe.
I have a spare set of tubes so I can check if you want

No ... no need to check ...... I just find that EL84 versions of some amps often fall short to their bigger tube cousins

what does the Victory run ??? I know the Soldano runs 6L6's

 

[Music&Chaos]

No ... no need to check ...... I just find that EL84 versions of some amps often fall short to their bigger tube cousins

what does the Victory run ??? I know the Soldano runs 6L6's

Bigger glass man...it's a real thing. Victory runs EL34s I believe.

 

[BABMusic]

I just can't accept EL84 powered amps, as EL34 is what I much prefer. I've wanted to try the JEL50 (which is the same preamp as the JEL20), but after reading your comments and others, it sounds like it might not have the liquid feel I like. The Jose does have a very good liquid feel for leads, and the rhythm tone is even better (huge sound). Not a super high gain amp, but maybe something to consider.

 

[griff10672]

I just can't accept EL84 powered amps, as EL34 is what I much prefer. I've wanted to try the JEL50 (which is the same preamp as the JEL20), but after reading your comments and others, it sounds like it might not have the liquid feel I like. The Jose does have a very good liquid feel for leads, and the rhythm tone is even better (huge sound). Not a super high gain amp, but maybe something to consider.

I've built a few JCM800/JEL 's ..... 50 watters but I run 6550's in them instead of EL34's .... I don't hate the EL34 by any means but man .... 6550's or KT88's in that circuit just sound sooooo huge

 

[HowieJams]

No ... no need to check ...... I just find that EL84 versions of some amps often fall short to their bigger tube cousins

what does the Victory run ??? I know the Soldano runs 6L6's

Victory MKX runs EL34s, Soldano SLO-30 is 6L6s, and Soldano Astro 20 is 6V6s.
6V6s are like the EL84s to the EL34ws, they sound great.

 

[HowieJams]

I just can't accept EL84 powered amps, as EL34 is what I much prefer. I've wanted to try the JEL50 (which is the same preamp as the JEL20), but after reading your comments and others, it sounds like it might not have the liquid feel I like. The Jose does have a very good liquid feel for leads, and the rhythm tone is even better (huge sound). Not a super high gain amp, but maybe something to consider.

The JEL-50 does not have the SAT switch that the JEL-20 has, it will be more raw and open where the JEL-20 gets more compressed.

 

[HowieJams]

I've built a few JCM800/JEL 's ..... 50 watters but I run 6550's in them instead of EL34's .... I don't hate the EL34 by any means but man .... 6550's or KT88's in that circuit just sound sooooo huge

I had KT88s in a Budda SD45 I believe, great sounding amp, but way too loud, it did not do low voluem at all.

 

[BABMusic]

I've built a few JCM800/JEL 's ..... 50 watters but I run 6550's in them instead of EL34's .... I don't hate the EL34 by any means but man .... 6550's or KT88's in that circuit just sound sooooo huge

When I switch from EL34 to 6L6 in my Mesa Mark IV, the sound is so huge that I go back to EL34 only mode. Most people prefer this mode in the IV, but I'm one of the few that prefer triode mode with just the EL34s working.

 

[griff10672]

When I switch from EL34 to 6L6 in my Mesa Mark IV, the sound is so huge that I go back to EL34 only mode. Most people prefer this mode in the IV, but I'm one of the few that prefer triode mode with just the EL34s working.

I've never even thought of trying EL34's in my Mark V ............ hmmmmm what a dummy ..... option has been there forever and I've never tried it

 

[harddriver]

That's what it's about Mr. Howie...........finding an amp that inspires you to play! And you won't know until you play them in person.

 

[BABMusic]

I've never even thought of trying EL34's in my Mark V ............ hmmmmm what a dummy ..... option has been there forever and I've never tried it

EL34s in the IV are an interesting thing. It's not exactly a Marshall, and it's not the same huge, punchy Mesa thing either. I find it's easier on my ears as well in the highs.