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Post by cooluke on Feb 12, 2023 7:46:22 GMT -7
Pretty sure I'm in a rare place to have a DB4, Quantum Wreck, and my Wreck Jr combo. I can't afford to keep all 3 so I'm trying to put the Quantum through it's paces and make sure I can make it work for me, or get it back to SW.
After playing the Wreck into the DB4's Gold for 90 min, I decided to plug into the DB4 for a bit. Full power, but neither amp past 10 o'clock or so.
I think I actually like the DB4 better! The Wreck seems to be way bigger sounding, but it's just so loud to get even close to the sweet spot (11-1 o'clock). The DB4 has a good feel quicker, but like the Wreck, it needs to be past noon to break up much. If I'm looking at it as a pedal amp for stage, the DB4 takes up less sonic space, and has a "tube amp feel" at lower volume in my opinion. If I had to pick, the DB4 takes pedals better at a similar amount of breakup.
1/2 power works well on both, and the wreck can be turned up a bit more on 1/2, but both sound better at full power. I double anyone in the audience could even tell though!
Anyone else had/have both? I know playing them together would probably sound amazing, but thats not really plausible in my band/gig world.
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Post by Rockerfeller on Feb 12, 2023 8:06:02 GMT -7
I have both. The Wreck is louder, but I can play it in a smaller setting. I just turn it down. The sweet spot for me is 10-11 o'clock, but it sounds great at 9 too. I don't have the 1/2 power options so that's at full power. Anywhere from 9-11 has a pretty cool edge of breakup tone that I like. If I need more dirt, I hit it with a pedal. I also have a Brake-lite that I use on 1 or 2 clicks to take some of the DB's off for smaller venues.
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Post by cooluke on Feb 12, 2023 14:13:02 GMT -7
I thought of you when I posted. I have never liked attenuators, but to be honest thats from 15-20 years ago! I agree it sounds great at 9. 10 to 11 is where it really starts to shine for sure. May look at a break light after a while. 1/2 power sounds real good, but full is just better. I wonder if I could really tell in a blind test. The low low and high highs are where I hear it in full power. I decided to sell my Jr so I can keep both the DB4 and the Quantum. Something about alnico speakers that just gets me smiling.
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Post by cooluke on Mar 3, 2023 14:35:34 GMT -7
So I have had some more time with the Wreck vs DB4. I play them both into the gold in the DB4 combo. Going back and forth when no one is around the house. I am blessed to have these!!! Both of these amps are very special. For a while I was thinking the wreck was straight up louder, but once they are past noon they are both pretty similar. I have a show soon and most likely will use the DB4. Indoors and kinda open, bright room. The DB4 sounds really good at low volume, so does the Wreck, but the DB4 is really something. It really has grown on me the more I play it. Both are easy to get a great tone. but the DB4 seems less picky when switching guitars and with various OD's. I will need just a bit of attenuation eventually.
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Post by cooluke on Mar 11, 2023 13:09:13 GMT -7
So picked up an Ox Box to solve a few issues I have. I know there're other more popular options, but a Demo from SW for under a grand was hard to pass on.
The DB4 combo really, really, seems to work well with this unit. Down 1 click in Full Power mode is likely to do the trick for me. Volume straight up (noon) with my Telecaster or LP Junior is really just a great foundation. Amp on 1/2 power might be the case for really small stages.
The Wreck sounds amazing as well at around 11 o'clock full power, down 1 click. I can't wait to gig these. My country band has a show in a few weeks and I will try the DB4. I'm subbing a classic rock gig soon as well and might drag the Quantum Wreck for that one.Good problems to have!
Now I need to set up a PA speaker and dial a few cabinet rigs for direct to FOH. With headphones I was really impressed with the alnico 2x12 cabs.
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Post by tumeniamps (Tom) on Mar 13, 2023 16:32:38 GMT -7
I have both and love both, but I think if I were forced to pick one, it would have to be the DB4. I'm glad I don't have to choose. I did add a 3-way bright switch to both of them as well.
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