rstites
Well-known member
The Tone Zone is a really niche pickup with about one good use case. Everywhere else it's just sludge. There are other pickups I've had like that...and some work great in that one guitar, but sound like ass everywhere else.
The Tone Zone is a really niche pickup with about one good use case. Everywhere else it's just sludge. There are other pickups I've had like that...and some work great in that one guitar, but sound like ass everywhere else.
rstites
Well-known member
Apparently some people’s worst hyped products are other people’s justifiably hyped products
It's almost like different people have different tastes! There's also a price-point thing that kicks in here for me. I know people who rave about the Katana still, for example, but none of them are in a place where they're looking at any of the usual suspects we talk about here due to finances. Likewise, I've never even played one due to what I have on hand already.
DanTravis62
Moderator
Staff member
The problem with the Katana isn't that it sounds like shit when compared to Wizards and Modded Marshalls and Boogies
It's that it sounds like shit (especially the gain sounds) compared to a hot rod deluxe, orange crush, or 5150 iconic which are all in that same sort of price range
Which is why it shows up in "overhype" type lists and posts all the time
DanTravis62
Moderator
Staff member
Apparently some people’s worst hyped products are other people’s justifiably hyped products
There are always going to be things that just don't work for certain people
The interesting part in the post is where people widely agree on the same pieces of gear not working despite their hype
Which, so far, there's been a lot of BE100 (which I agree with, is pretty overhyped) and SLO and Diezel Herbert (which I disagree with, and think live up to the hype)
Kind of to be expected
thegame
Well-known member
The Katana is awesome….for an AM radio
DanTravis62
Moderator
Staff member
It sounds fine squeaky clean, and I'm sure it's nice having all that flexibility and in built effects
But there isn't a single fucking person on earth who buys a guitar amp for it's squeaky clean solid state no breakup tone, or else everyone would be using HH power amps with no preamp
Can you massage the gain sound with enough post, IRs and EQ to make it work in a mix? Sure, but you can do that with literally anything. I have a Vox AC30 amplug that I will guarantee right now I can get sounding better than a boss katana in a mix.
Even for people on a tight budget there are just a million options that sound great out there. We live in a great era for budget gear.
If you like the idea of SS? Get an orange crush. The gain sounds are a million times better than a katana. If you like the idea of a hybrid or want high gain? Get an iconic. If you want edge of breakup? get a Hot Rod Deluxe or an Egnater tweaker. I've seen every single one of those amps used for prices comparable to ordering a new katana from sweetwater.
thegame
Well-known member
It took me less time to plug into a Katana (just once in some random Music Store) before turning it off in disgust, than it did for you to type all that out.
V
VonBonfire
Well-known member
thegame
Well-known member
Shouldn’t you be writing that on a chalkboard then?Digital detected
Amp rejected
No exceptions
V
VonBonfire
Well-known member
I would but they quit repairing eraser cleaners decades ago.
Fusionbear
Well-known member
Well stated.... word...
rstites
Well-known member
Fair enough. I didn't recall the Katana being in that price range either. I thought it was a hyped cheaper amplifier that was below anything tube (in the same power range). I do recall the hyped, but just assumed it wasn't compared to amps I'd actually consider. I wonder if I'm confusing it with something else, or was just confused about something I never really investigated....
DanTravis62
Moderator
Staff member
it's a little bit cheaper than the ones i mentioned, but not by a ton
There are 2 used HRDS on my local marketplace for 350 and 400, and ive seen Egnater Tweakers for around 300, and Iconic combos used go for like 450-550
A boss Katana 50w new is like 350 and a 100w is like 600 from memory
It's one of those cases where youre at a price point where the next step up in price range is a GIANT step up in tonal quality, so I am comparing new prices to used price just to illustrate the point
Hiwatts-n-Gibsons
Well-known member
57 Classics are on the warm side of the PAF spectrum for sure, but I wouldn't call them muddy. They definitely have a more vintage soft around the edges tone. Lots of midrange, soft bottom, and smooth highs without sounding overly honky.
For my playing I like the 490R/498T combo from modern Gibson humbuckers, but at heart I'm a P90 guy. Imo their P90's are second to none. I've had other P90's I love just as much, but none that I love more.
N
Nigel
Well-known member
Bang on!
FYI, I had two 93 UK V30's and the enshittification at Celestion had already taken place. My '06 T4416's sound better. The two '93's literally came from Zinky's own private stash for a quarter stack rig he made for Matt Heady. After talking to Steve Fryette, the change was as early as '91! In the 16 ohms, there's a boxiness in the mids and it's obvious as night and day when compared to a T4416.
DanTravis62
Moderator
Staff member
I've owned a ton of v30s. Mesa OEMs, Marshall Vintage, modern chinese
Honestly they vary enough that it's possible to get a great one (or even 2-3) of any time period
It's just easier the earlier you go
N
Nigel
Well-known member
Randall Smith stated recently that even the way the magnet is attached went from a rivet to glue. Modern V30's may sound good, but unless the construction has reverted, they are essentially different speakers by design.
Kind of like modern construction homes vs. <1980's construction.
E
ewill52
Well-known member
i haven't been able to unplug my '67 Bassman since I got it back from being worked over. It's absolutely bullet-proof, sounds like a million bucks, takes pedals like a champ, and I've got maybe $1200-$1300 in it.
Bandmate has done the same with Supers and Bandmasters (all blackface). Insane amps for the money.
V
VonBonfire
Well-known member
The drip edge bassmans are one of the best vintage amp deals on the market. Killer tone! Kinda glad not that many guys are hip to late 60's Fender amps, keeps the prices down. It's awesome to be able to afford a handwired classic amp being a poor guy like me!
fusedbrain
Well-known member
98% of the gear hype im subjected to comes from logging into this forum, so keep that in mind:
SLO100- don't get me wrong, this is a good amp, but I just don't get the hype on these. Someone described it as pedestrian, and I would agree. It just didn't bring anything to the table to compell me to plug into it, vs the majority of other amps I owned at the same time.
I will say that all you bastards were right about Wizard amps. The first time I plugged into my MCIi, it was a holy shit moment, and that has continued for going on 10 years now.
Dimarzio pickups. There are a couple special use cases, and form factors, not available elsewhere, but for straight up humbucker and single coils, there's nothing in their lineup that beats the offerings from the other usual suspects.
Alnico creambacks- spent a small fortune on a quad to put in a 4x12 when they first came out. Man, what a waste of money that was. Yuck!
SLO100- don't get me wrong, this is a good amp, but I just don't get the hype on these. Someone described it as pedestrian, and I would agree. It just didn't bring anything to the table to compell me to plug into it, vs the majority of other amps I owned at the same time.
I will say that all you bastards were right about Wizard amps. The first time I plugged into my MCIi, it was a holy shit moment, and that has continued for going on 10 years now.
Dimarzio pickups. There are a couple special use cases, and form factors, not available elsewhere, but for straight up humbucker and single coils, there's nothing in their lineup that beats the offerings from the other usual suspects.
Alnico creambacks- spent a small fortune on a quad to put in a 4x12 when they first came out. Man, what a waste of money that was. Yuck!