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Post by iggs on Jan 5, 2006 7:25:25 GMT -7
Hi all,
looking for a new amp and since that is never an easy task I thought I post here for some help/opinions/experience ... etc.
I play mostly heavy rock like Queens Of The Stone Age, Audioslave, Foo Fighters ... etc. Original material with some covers. I have a few pedals and that's where I draw most of the sounds from so I need an amp that will take them well and provide me with great clean tone. Here's some gear info: Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Special w/humbucker; Fulltone: Clyde Deluxe, OCD, Distortion Pro, Fulldrive2; Tonebone Classic Trimode; MXR M-134 Chorus; Diamond Memory Lane Delay; BBE Sonic Stomp. Right now I have VHT Pittbull 50CL and while I love this amp it does not take pedals as well because both channels are too *hot*, I need something with a great clean or semi-clean sound. It has to be loud enough to handle anything from studio and rehearsal to gigs with a loud drummer and a second guitar player.
I am also looking into THD FLexi50, HIWATT Custom 50, Fuchs Train-45 and Matchless Chieftain. I will most likely be running the head through my 16ohm VHT 4x12 with 50 watt Eminence speakers. I have been reading great things about 6545 so I was wondering if this would fit my bill, I know the only way to find out is to try the amp but any insight from people already using the amp is always appreciated. What I was wondering is if any of you tried one of the other amps I am looking into and what made you go for 6545. Also, how much of a concern is the EF86 since the only good ones are NOS and there's little hope anyone will make any decent new ones.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
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Post by prowler on Jan 5, 2006 7:40:31 GMT -7
iggs... I also play mostly rock. Everything from stuff like the Eagles to metal. I currently use a 6545 and have no plans to switch amps. The 6545 easily handles any volume that I need. From low level (bedroom) practicing to full on gigs with a loud rock band. The 6545's "dirty" side (65) has a very articulate tone. I call it the cleanest dirty you have ever heard. The 45 side of the amp uses an EF86 so it will take pedals better than your VHT ever could. I posted a sound clip of my 6545 through a Z 2x10 cab in the "sounds" section of this site. I HIGHLY recommend that you try the 6545. You can call Midtown Music in Georgia. Midtown offers a 48 hour approval period. That gives you a virtually no risk chance to test out the amp with your gear. If you don't like the amp just send it back to them. It's that easy. I really don't think you'll want to return it though I cant recommend the 6545 enough. It's really an amazing amp.
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Post by terryg on Jan 5, 2006 8:17:14 GMT -7
I also own this amp, and I'd promote its use in the way you describe. For the money, it's really unbeatable.
As far as the EF86 concerns, I'd encourage you to look for the GEC EF86 that Mike Kropotkin has on his site (www.kcanostubes.com). They are durable, and should last quite a long time.
If I had to own one amp - this one would be a seriously strong contender.
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Post by mazmaster on Jan 5, 2006 15:41:20 GMT -7
Hi all, looking for a new amp and since that is never an easy task I thought I post here for some help/opinions/experience ... etc. I play mostly heavy rock like Queens Of The Stone Age, Audioslave, Foo Fighters ... etc. Original material with some covers. I have a few pedals and that's where I draw most of the sounds from so I need an amp that will take them well and provide me with great clean tone. Here's some gear info: Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Special w/humbucker; Fulltone: Clyde Deluxe, OCD, Distortion Pro, Fulldrive2; Tonebone Classic Trimode; MXR M-134 Chorus; Diamond Memory Lane Delay; BBE Sonic Stomp. Right now I have VHT Pittbull 50CL and while I love this amp it does not take pedals as well because both channels are too *hot*, I need something with a great clean or semi-clean sound. It has to be loud enough to handle anything from studio and rehearsal to gigs with a loud drummer and a second guitar player. I am also looking into THD FLexi50, HIWATT Custom 50, Fuchs Train-45 and Matchless Chieftain. I will most likely be running the head through my 16ohm VHT 4x12 with 50 watt Eminence speakers. I have been reading great things about 6545 so I was wondering if this would fit my bill, I know the only way to find out is to try the amp but any insight from people already using the amp is always appreciated. What I was wondering is if any of you tried one of the other amps I am looking into and what made you go for 6545. Also, how much of a concern is the EF86 since the only good ones are NOS and there's little hope anyone will make any decent new ones. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks. Well, I don't own a 6545, but I have owned the Route 66 and currently own a Maz 18 Jr Nr head, along with a Flexi, Hot Cat 30R and Allen Accomplice. (See below.) I've owned and played many other nice amps too. IMO, The Maz 18 Jr NR is the best amp with distortion pedals that I've ever played or owned...much better than the Route 66, which has the same front end as the KT45 side of the 6545. It has also been loud enough to play every gig thrown at me since I got it three years ago, from huge outdoor festivals to unmic'ed halls to quiet casino gigs. It's simply an amazing, do-it-all amp. People don't often think of it as a "heavy rock" amp, but even with just the Fulldrive pedals, it easily competes with the gain channel of my Hot Cat 30R! If you need even more headroom, you might want to check out the Maz 38, but I believe it's still slightly different than the Maz 18, even after the latest updates to make it more like the Maz 18.
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Post by mazmaster on Jan 5, 2006 15:42:58 GMT -7
Oops, forgot the pic.
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Post by iggs on Jan 6, 2006 7:24:49 GMT -7
Thanks for the info to all!
Found a music store that carries Dr.Z so I'll haul my pedalboard and guitar and check them out. Maz18 and 38 do look/sound good but I'm a big fan of EL34 (and 6L6) Class A/B, I find Class A to have a bit too much compression for my taste. I know that I have Matchless on my list but that was just another option ... I do prefer Class A/B sound with more headroom and dynamics.
Can 6545 be outfitted with 6L6 (with proper biasing)?
Mazmaster, I'd love to hear your opinion on the Flexi, e-mail me off-line if you don't think it's appropriate discussing it on this forum: igor.boros@bbdo.ca
Flexi was my first choice because of great features (easy tube substituting, FX send/return, switchable Master volume ... etc.) but I'm liking what I hear about 6545 more and more.
Thanks and keep the info coming.
Cheers, I.
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Post by taswegian on Jan 6, 2006 15:02:48 GMT -7
Iggs, you say you like El-34's don't forget the 45 side is El-34 powered. I also play rock with a Route 66. KT66's are kinda like 6l6's on steroids. Listen to the song "My Unwanted Friend" "Who the hell are They" or "Drift" for a reference of the 66 rocking out. www.broadjam.com/artists/artistindex.asp?artistID=3906My other suggestions with the pedals you have is the RXES or even the Delta 88. I think if you set the Delta 88 to run really clean and use your pedals you would get a KILLER rock sound and your 4x12 will take it. You could play that rig anywhere! People like Pete Cornish have (Gilmore, May, any British rock god) always adhered to the philosophy of using a powerful, clean amp and hitting it with a great stand alone pedal for overdrive. I think the Delta 88 and your pedals would work great in that application.
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Post by iggs on Jan 9, 2006 7:09:14 GMT -7
Yeah, I looked at the Delta88 and the RXES as well. I think I like the "idea" behind 6545 essentialy being two heads in one ... I can basicallly have my OD pedals set in such way that I can channel switch and go from low/medium gain sound to high just by switching from 45 side to 65 side ... this way I can cover pretty much any sound from clean to low medium crunch to full on assault.
And yes, I tend to gravitate more an more towards using a cleaner amp sound and then hitting it with pedals for something heavier.
Another question ... what do you guys think about putting delay and chorus in front of the amp vs. fx loop? In your experience, if the amp is already a bit "dirty" and then you hit it with some more OD but still have delay and/or chorus before the amp, is that going to be messy or not?
Cheers.
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Post by iggs on Jan 9, 2006 15:08:37 GMT -7
I assume it would be OK changing the 5AR4 rectifier in the 6545 to one of those GT solid state ones ... correct?
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Post by hdahs143 on Jan 10, 2006 19:42:56 GMT -7
As far as the Flexi-50 goes, I can only advise you to try it with whatever you gig with, and with the ability to return it, if it doesn't work out at the gig. I bought one and the THD 2x12 cab. It sounded amazing at the store every time I tried it, but like doo-doo at the gig. I fought with it for 2 weekends trying to get a decent sound out of it and lost. I tried swapping tubes, all the different switching options, and nothing worked. I returned it and ordered my MAZ 38 and ZBEST and my tone has never been better. I'm not trying to knock THD as they make some quality products, but this one didn't live up to its billing for me, and taught me a valuable lesson.
As far as effects, I've had them in the loop and in the front of the MAZ, and I like them in the front better. It's a simpler setup ( 2 less cables), and to me just sounds better.
Good Luck! ( Buy the "Z") ;D
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Post by iggs on Jan 16, 2006 11:14:19 GMT -7
Well ... I took a giant leap of faith and ordered the 6545. The store did not have any in stock but I liked everything I heard about the amp enough to go ahead with the order, plus, they were kind enough to offer a refund on my deposit if I don't like the amp. Guess that's fair enough. The wait time is (I've been told) 8-12 weeks ... I think it's going to feel more like 8-12 months but oh well ... good things come to those who wait.
Cheers.
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Post by smitty on Jan 17, 2006 15:48:07 GMT -7
The 6545 is a great amp. A GREAT amp. Probably somewhat overshadowed by the recent releases of the RXES and the Stingray, but I can tell you that you're probably just gonna grin from ear to ear. The "65" side of the amp is also capable of some great airy cleans, with a hint of compression... Don't be shy about throwing a Strat at that amp once in a while, too. I highly suspect you're gonna find what you're looking for in that one.
Smitty
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Post by taswegian on Jan 17, 2006 16:07:41 GMT -7
I agree, the set up possibilities of this amp (s) seem endless. You could run the 45 side clean, the 65 side classic crunch, and hard rock pedals back into the 45 side for EL34 style hard rock and leads. That's 3 or four "channels" right there. That's an obvious combination but I bet there are heaps others to explore with this amp. Outdoor gig, crank the 45 side for dirt and crank the 65 for leads....WHOOOH
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Post by smitty on Jan 17, 2006 22:20:24 GMT -7
And certainly don't rule out running the 65 side clean and the 45 side cranked for lead... it's all fair game.
Smitty
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Post by iggs on Jan 18, 2006 10:44:14 GMT -7
Thanks guys,
yup, the flexibility and seemingly endless possibilities are what attracted me the most ... and the promise of an amazing sound of course. I'd love to be able to get one of each of Dr.Z's amps and then just have a massive amp switching setup for any sound imaginable but when you lug your own gear even 2 heads are a pain ... oh, and there's that little issue of $$$ of course. I'm really excited and can't wait to experience the 6545. Sit tight, I'll definitely post a review once I get the amp.
All the best!
Iggs
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