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Post by pcns on Sept 13, 2018 6:22:23 GMT -7
I took me almost 10 years of hanging around this forum before I got a Carmen Ghia. Now that I have one it is the most played amp in my house. My youngest son plays through my 1x10 combo for hours everyday. I think the coolest thing about this amp is the tone control. Too often I am quick to judge a tone stack and turn the knobs too fast when trying to dial something in. The tone control on the Ghia is one that takes time to appreciate. A quick turn of the knob reveals a wide variety of sounds but really slowing down turning the knob a millimeter at a time can unlock some really cool variety and some amazingly great sounds. I've used my Ghia to play a variety of music styles, anything from blues and classic rock to contemporary Christian music. Put a pedal or two in front of it and my son plays punk and metal core all day long. He loves the tone control too and he was able to dial in his Les Paul to get a very specific tone he had in his head. thanks Doc for an awesome amp that continues to surprise me every time I hear it! Todd
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 13, 2018 9:09:19 GMT -7
Todd, do you have a 5751 or a 12AX7 for V2 in your amp?
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Post by nmz on Sept 13, 2018 11:26:23 GMT -7
I am also in Ghia land these days. It just bonds so well with my Les Paul.
Therapy and the Lux have been getting jealous!
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Post by LT on Sept 13, 2018 11:30:29 GMT -7
Todd, do you have a 5751 or a 12AX7 for V2 in your amp? Dave, I tried a 5751 in V2 and went back to the 12AX7. The 5751 reduced gain and added a slight amount of clean headroom as I recall. In general, I'm not big on tube substitution. I prefer to stick with the set that Doc voices the amp with, but that's me.
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Post by pcns on Sept 13, 2018 11:30:54 GMT -7
Todd, do you have a 5751 or a 12AX7 for V2 in your amp? I haven't looked, just been playing the snot out of it. I stopped second guessing Dr Z a long time ago. I go with the tubes from the factory or what is recommended on the website.
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Post by John on Sept 13, 2018 12:58:55 GMT -7
One extra bonus of only having volume/tone controls: You play more guitar. It makes you focus on getting tones with your fingers. (or perhaps realize such a large portion of tone is in your fingers)
Quit fiddling with the amp's knobs....shut up and play!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 13, 2018 13:33:18 GMT -7
I might be wrong here but I thought the (much) older Carmen Ghia's came with 5751 as the phase inverter. I've tried both and prefer the 12AX7A too.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Sept 13, 2018 13:50:30 GMT -7
I might be wrong here but I thought the (much) older Carmen Ghia's came with 5751 as the phase inverter. I've tried both and prefer the 12AX7A too. Pretty sure you're correct, in that the older 'Ghias came with a 5751 in the PI spot. I would guess that either (A) low-availability or even low-awareness of 5751's or (B) people's preferences toward the increased gain of a 12AX7 simply pushed Doc to just build 'em with 12AX7's from the factory.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Sept 13, 2018 15:27:13 GMT -7
One of my Ghia came stock with a 12BX7 - just saying
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Post by Christopher on Sept 13, 2018 15:43:45 GMT -7
The Ghia is one of the Z's I've owned twice and the simplicity is the main reason. Plug in, crank it and go. No bull$#i+. Great amp and my number one grab and go.
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Post by byrdman44 on Oct 7, 2019 8:07:08 GMT -7
I am also in Ghia land these days. It just bonds so well with my Les Paul. Therapy and the Lux have been getting jealous! I agree, my Les Paul sounds so good with the Ghia. The SG also, but with a little more bite.
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Post by byrdman44 on Oct 7, 2019 8:13:28 GMT -7
One extra bonus of only having volume/tone controls: You play more guitar. It makes you focus on getting tones with your fingers. (or perhaps realize such a large portion of tone is in your fingers) Quit fiddling with the amp's knobs....shut up and play! I couldn't agree more. I played my Ghia for 2 days before even trying my pedals. I could hear and feel a difference in my playing.
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Post by eggman on Oct 2, 2020 9:32:01 GMT -7
Howdy,
The Ghia is unbeatable for it's fun-factor. It reminds me of my '68 Vibro Champ in that respect.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 2, 2020 13:15:53 GMT -7
It's just a great amp, and I have to use an attenuator when I play in the church Praise Band...I love it when I can open it up and crank. BW gigs it a lot, and has fantastic tone.
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