Older Ghia Combo vs Ghia MINI 25th head

[mackaygtrs]

OK,
I have the 1988-2008 (20th) Ghai Combo and the 25th MINI Ghia head #15. I still think there is just something about the older combo that just sounds so amazingly different than the new 25th.

I have swapped out the tubes from amp to amp, compared them with different speakers, set the Knobs on the 25th every which way but still the older combo with the tone at noon just sounds better and I can’t explain it.

They both have that Ghia sound but one on one the old one is just incredible.

I was about to sell the combo since I have the new 25th but I just can’t. I have gone back and forth between the two and I still keep loving the sound and tone of the combo.

Anyone have this same kind of thing going on that have both.

[mackaygtrs]

Well, I asked for help on this but no one chimed in , S&P 25th is getting sold along with the S&P cab.. ... keeping the 2008 Combo..

[rickc007]

Not sure many are going to have Both

There's only 50 of the Anniversay model, and that's the only one I have

That said, I'm totally blown away by this one. Specially with pedals
my jaw just hit floor.
I liked the Master a lot, that's what sold me in the store, but I'm now
using mine wide open, as a pedal platform

Think it just unseated the Maz 18NR

Either way, keep the one that floats your boat
Great Amp

[digiTED aka 'Ted']

Interesting that with A/B testing one still stood out...but I'm not surprised! I think I read in a Ghia revision history thread that the Doc sees all of his Ghia offspring as individuals (like a good papa  It's a simple circuit and they're all hand made so some variation is to be expected, yeah?

I've owned two Ghias but not simultaneously; a 2010 and a 2006. I like my current 2006 SO much more, but my 2010 seemed to like a wider variety of 12AX7s in v1. So far I've tried an RFT, Bugle Boy, and Telefunken in the '06 and always go back to the JJ which may be original (it's old enough to now have brown paint instead of red like a worn-out EL84 LOL)! Some kind of warm, syrupy magic with that JJ.

Here's a possible explanation for why you like your '08 more than the 25th: I can tell when my output tubes are gone when my Ghia gets kinda harsh and thin (comparatively). Did you find your old one warmer and richer with better dynamics, even through the same cab/speaker?

I wonder if your 25th's output tubes aged prematurely from being run much harder due to the MV? I can kill a set of EL84 in something like 20-30 hours if I'm cranking the Ghia for crunch with heavy attenuation.

[mackaygtrs]

Thanks for the input guy's.... Sorry, I didn't mean to sound harsh just needed some advice... I did swap the tubes (V1, V2 and V5) but not the EL84's. I tried everything (multiple 5Y3's including a 6106 / 5Y3WGT Bendix,and a few other old RCAs)and still the '08 just has a sound of it's own. I did my tests with a Celestion Blue, Gold, Vintage 30 and a G12-65 Heritage)all the combinations and in different cabinets. The 25th left with the matching cab with it's new owner. It went to a great home and if it ever get's sold again I will get first bids on it.

'08 is all back together with a Blue and sounding exceptional...

I'm happy with the decision on keeping the '08,(and I still have my old one knob MINIZ)
but I just hooked up my old 1972 Twin with the gray basket JBL D120Fs and WOW..... hadn't played that in a while. My ears hurt and my back is sore just looking at it...

[chauna]

For the record, I'm #15's new owner.

Stu, thanks for a smooth transaction. Had a great time hanging out this morning. You need to stop by soon and try out the AST II.

[mackaygtrs]

Awesome and you're welcome... If i hadn't the old combo to compare it with I'd still be playing it and wouldn't know the difference. Maybe I'm just crazy or just needed the money.... lol.. great hanging with you too, I want that AST II to go with my STR you sold me....

I'm glad #15 stayed local and it's in good hands....

[muzacman02 "Jamie"]

I can tell you the older Z's any Model amp sounds way better to my ears. I also have a green Jewel Lit 1x12 CG Combo!!!! WOW!!! with any guitars , My 96' SRZ is pretty Amazing too. Its been the longest amp I have ever owned, and MY #1 Go To!!! What kind of S&P cab do you have to sell??? )

[Sam]

Ok, so I'm playing catchup in the Ghia thread as I just recently got an anniversary model. I used to have a ghia about two years ago and decided to move it on for an antidote which was great but overkill for me.
Anyway, I've just popped a V30 back in my Z 1x12 cab and plugged it back in.
A couple of things -

To me the master volume from about 9-dimed doesn't seem to do much. I prefer it dimed anyway but has anyone else noticed this.
I also remember the amp being generally louder, I can't remember ever getting the volume past noon on a gig yet I'm sat in my kitchen with the volume at 1 and the master dimed. Yes, it's loud but, I expected a lot louder.
Anyway, rehearsal tonight so will see how it holds up and report back.

Thanks
Sam

[ericatunc]

Mar 20, 2014 3:28:31 GMT -7 Sam said:

Ok, so I'm playing catchup in the Ghia thread as I just recently got an anniversary model. I used to have a ghia about two years ago and decided to move it on for an antidote which was great but overkill for me.
Anyway, I've just popped a V30 back in my Z 1x12 cab and plugged it back in.
A couple of things -

To me the master volume from about 9-dimed doesn't seem to do much. I prefer it dimed anyway but has anyone else noticed this.
I also remember the amp being generally louder, I can't remember ever getting the volume past noon on a gig yet I'm sat in my kitchen with the volume at 1 and the master dimed. Yes, it's loud but, I expected a lot louder.
Anyway, rehearsal tonight so will see how it holds up and report back.

Thanks
Sam

I also find that I don't get much of a volume boost with the MV past 9:00.  I've been playing with Vol at 1:30-2:00 and MV at 9:00.  This has been fine for rehearsal, but I'm slightly concerned for an upcoming outdoor gig.

[Sam]

Mar 20, 2014 11:14:53 GMT -7 ericatunc said:

Mar 20, 2014 3:28:31 GMT -7 Sam said:

Ok, so I'm playing catchup in the Ghia thread as I just recently got an anniversary model. I used to have a ghia about two years ago and decided to move it on for an antidote which was great but overkill for me.
Anyway, I've just popped a V30 back in my Z 1x12 cab and plugged it back in.
A couple of things -

To me the master volume from about 9-dimed doesn't seem to do much. I prefer it dimed anyway but has anyone else noticed this.
I also remember the amp being generally louder, I can't remember ever getting the volume past noon on a gig yet I'm sat in my kitchen with the volume at 1 and the master dimed. Yes, it's loud but, I expected a lot louder.
Anyway, rehearsal tonight so will see how it holds up and report back.

Thanks
Sam

I also find that I don't get much of a volume boost with the MV past 9:00.  I've been playing with Vol at 1:30-2:00 and MV at 9:00.  This has been fine for rehearsal, but I'm slightly concerned for an upcoming outdoor gig.

Just got back from rehearsal and my speaker change from the creamback to V30 was a definite win.
Much preferred the tone overall.
I was pretty loud, had the master dimed and volume at 1 and tone was between 12 & 1. I used the EP Booster on some solos and when I needed a bit more gain I was trying out a Joyo Crunch pedal which was impressive.
I'd like to think you'll be ok outdoor with you Ghia dependent on your speaker choice. My first gig with it is tomorrow night so I'll let you know how it pans out.