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Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 19, 2012 19:11:59 GMT -7
Fedex guy showed up late but finally got here.
First impressions:
Very warm and smooth sounding with the V30 and the closed back 1x12.
You can have very low vol by keeping the tone controls at noon or lower. With all controls at noon and on low setting its about as loud as my 12w prinston set on 2 on the volume dial. Push the bass and treble up past noon and the volume starts going up. It kind of feels odd to have such low bedroom type volume running you amp at noon!
Tonewise is really does not sound like anything I have owned before, it really is a neutral sound.
Only bad thing is that I have a dead spot on the vol. If you run it up to right about 4pm it cuts out totally. Move it to either side of that spot and the volume is back. I tested it several times and at that one spot the volume cuts totally out.
Guess I will call the guys at Humbucker in the morning but not before I test it out a bit more at small gig vol! I only got to do it for like 10 seconds before I got the evil eye from the wife but it had a nice light breakup that sounded good with my tele.
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Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 19, 2012 19:14:14 GMT -7
Ps. Now I know how this amp relates to the zwreck, its not the tone so much as the feel. The top end has a smoother feel that reminded me of the zwreck.
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Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 19, 2012 21:08:06 GMT -7
OK, I could not wait til morning so I drug it out to the rehearsal room, noise be dammed.
This amp really comes to live when you crank it up! At low vol I was sort of hmmm. But run it at gig vol and its fantastic.
I also tested several speakers using my Telecaster and a closed back configuration on the Z 1x12 cab.
V30 Not horrible, brand new, I liked its smoother top end but was not thrilled about the bottom end. It was ok.
G12H30 55hz, broken in, Better on the bottom end, more clarity but didn't care for the top end, kind of grainy.
Celestion Gold, well broke in. To my ear it sounded like a higher quality G12H30. Very nice on the bottom but still just a bit harsh on the top end with my Tele.
WSG Black Hawk HP, brand new, WOW! The bottom end has some of the things that I liked about the Gold but has a very nice smooth singing top end. This speaker has a very nice balance with this amp. Clarity down low but singing on top. I have always struggled with this problem, especially with my Fender amps. I get a good sound on my low E and A strings and then my top E and B are making peoples ears bleed. Smooth sounding top and then you got a boomy low E.
So ya, the Black Hawk is staying. I can't recall ever playing a brand new un-broken in speaker that sounded that good to me right off the bat.
My favorite settings: High switch on Vol wide open Bass 3pm Treb 2pm
For lower vol I just rolled the Bass and Treb back closer to noon.
Worked well with my Tele but then I also run my pickups pretty low, 1/4" and 3/16".
So ya, its a keeper. Just have that vol pot issue.
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Post by Jefferson on Dec 20, 2012 8:07:27 GMT -7
Dang you, now I want to try the blackhawk! I agree that the feel is like the wreck...
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Post by kevinshiflett on Dec 20, 2012 8:27:41 GMT -7
Is conclusion to my story.
Called Humbucker this morning. No muss no fuss, they are easy to work with. The M12 will be traded out for another head.
I discovered some things along the way. Surf Green, while very cool by itself was not the best choice for me since it clashed epically with my guitars and normal wardrobe I wear at gigs.
Second, I like closed back 1x12 cabs! I never liked closed back before having tried 4x12 and 2x12 closed back. The closed 1x12 puts back some of the bottom. My other amps are 2x12 semi open zwreck cab and an open 4x12 fender.
However like all closed back cabs the are a bit more directional than open. Stand to the side and they disappear in when on stage. I guess many guys mic anyways so it would not matter. I don't like to mic. So I returned the 1x12 cab and ordered the Forte 3D 1x12. And the exchanged head will be black hehe.
As boring as it is black will not show the scuffs and what not that a gigging amp will accumulate.
Again, props to the guys at Humbucker. Very friendly and helpful every time I deal with them.
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Post by Maddog on Dec 20, 2012 11:48:47 GMT -7
Cool Kevin. My M12 is a 1 x 12 combo with a greenie. I tilt it against a back wall, or use a tilted amp stand at gigs. Boosts the bass and disperses the mids and treble perfectly.....Yer gonna LOVE this amp!!!
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