Destin
58 posts
Feb 07, 2014
1:39 PM
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Hi everyone, so I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get a big amp for juke joint gigs. I believe in small amps for harp, but I'm just having issues cutting through. Even when I mic my little amp, I get feedback issues from the monitor if I try and use that and can't really hear the amp on stage either.
So I am thinking about an Vintage Ampeg vt40. It's vintage so I think I might get a warmer tone and hey go for like $500 and it has 4 10's with 40 watts, I'll use both my small amp and this one
What you guys think about this??
Thanks yall
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HawkeyeKane
2324 posts
Feb 07, 2014
1:57 PM
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From what I've read about that amp, it's actually 60 watts. There were versions with master volumes and versions without. Spring reverb...to me, this thing looks like it was Ampeg's precursor of a Fender DeVille. One thing I read mentioned was it was Ampeg's apparent answer to the Super Reverb, and that they're LOUD (this coming from a guitarist). I dunno...it looks pretty gainy, which creates a feedback hazard unless you can thoroughly dial it down with tube swaps. Do you have one available locally that you can try out? That'd be the only way to know for sure.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by HawkeyeKane on Feb 07, 2014 1:57 PM
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NiteCrawler .
257 posts
Feb 07, 2014
2:42 PM
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Damn Captcha,Here I go again,anyway I have one and used one for yrs.before I got my Meteor and if you can deal with the weight they are a great harp amp.They are a 60 watt amp and with some tube swaps they are fine.I sent mine to Kinder (Harp King)for a mod yrs back and it came back of coarse even better.(not that it was,nt beforehand)I saw Sugar Ray Norcia yrs back at Bubba Macs Shack in Southern Jersey and he was playing through one.I spoke to him before the set and mentioned that I was blowing through one and told him I sent it to Kinder as well as my RV 2 delay for a mod and he gave me a look kinda like, how weird is that because he had done the same thing.Anyway its a screaming, compact, rock solid powerful 4/10,heavy amp but great for harp and with the right pre-amp tubes it definitly tames her down.If there is anyway for you to bring some ay 7,s with you upon trying it out that will give you an idea.(try it even without swaps,turn the mids and treble down a bit and hear how it sounds as is) One thing to take into consideration is that the 7027 power tubes are pretty pricey if you have to replace them,but otherwise if mine was,nt in the infirmary I,d be going back and forth with my Meteor.If it was good enough for Sugar it sure as well was good enough for me,he screamed through that thing.
Last Edited by NiteCrawler . on Feb 08, 2014 6:09 AM
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Barley Nectar
290 posts
Feb 07, 2014
4:28 PM
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There was a pro harp man thru here a several yrs back that played a VT40. Can't remember his name but was awesome. I have a VT40 here that I have never played. Needs a tuneup that I havn't gotten to yet. You can run 6L6's in that but you must verify that the power tube sockets are setup correct for 6L6's. Pretty minor change needed if any IIRC. That amp is 60w with 7027's and 80W with 6550's!!! It has a real nice EQ with selectable crossover points. No doubt you can find a good tone in there with some tweeking. Mine is not as heavy because someone chopped it into a 2x10. They did a nice job too. I would not advise doing this. I Love big powerful amps!!!BN
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Rick Davis
2946 posts
Feb 07, 2014
5:09 PM
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Destin, for about the same money (~$500) you can probably find an early 90s Fender Bassman RI. I'd suggest you go that route if you are determined to get a big gigging amp in that price range. They sound great for harp without too much work and there are lots of good resources for mod info.
As for gigging your small amp, you will get less feedback and a more consistent sound with a line out rather than a mic in front of the amp. If I were you I'd try that before spending all the money for a big amp, especially if you like the tone you're getting now. I gig on loud stages with 5-watt 1x8 amp with a line out.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Feb 07, 2014 5:09 PM
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Destin
59 posts
Feb 08, 2014
7:37 AM
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Hey nitecrawler what input do u use, because channel 1 with the distortion knob on the one I'm looking at is broken
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Slimharp
183 posts
Feb 08, 2014
8:11 AM
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Destin - may take. I screwed around for several years with different mid size to big amps. I really didnt want a Bassman cause everybody had one. Now I know why. I finaly broke down and found one, did the minor mods and tube swaps and its the best amp I have owned ( with the exception of a 6-10 Harp King which I sold because it was just so big and didnt use it that often ). To each his own. Ampegs are great old amps. You cant go wrong with a Bassman RI.
Last Edited by Slimharp on Feb 08, 2014 8:12 AM
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barbequebob
2467 posts
Feb 08, 2014
9:05 AM
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The very early ones are the better ones and back in the 70's, I almost bought one when they were brand new production at the time, but wound up getting a better deal for a real '65 Super Reverb from a guy who bought it brand new in 1965.
The later ones are better as guitar amps and all VT-40's are much heavier amps than either a Super Reverb or a Twin Reverb (almost as heavy as a Super 6 Reverb) and not only for being a notorious back breaker but they're so conservatively rated power wise that they often put out more than 60 watts.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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NiteCrawler .
259 posts
Feb 08, 2014
1:56 PM
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@Destin I just noticed your ques.,I actually had to go check mine because its been in storage for bit and I did,nt quite understand the distortion channel ques. so I took a look at mine and channel one is bright and channel two is normal on mine. Mine is a 74 I believe and the controls are on the top and not on the front.I somewhat remember two versions and I believe the newer ones had the controls on the front and possibly a distortion input might have been added that as said I,m not familiar with.If the one input is broken though you,ve got to consider a repair and unless you can do it youself you,re looking at more $$.I would get a round about price on what that would cost you and make your offer( if you like the sound of the amp)taking that into consideration.Have you tried it out yet,and if so what did you think?
Last Edited by NiteCrawler . on Feb 08, 2014 1:57 PM
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Destin
60 posts
Feb 08, 2014
3:20 PM
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I did try it out and I really liked it. I got them down to $350 and I figure I can put $150 to $200 and be right around $500 which is really what it's worth.
I am considering a bassman reissue, though I never played on one I did play another model that was designed just like it and didn't care for it.
I play with a 58 and like a smooth warm sound I don't like the classic harp sound with crystal Mics.
The reason why I was asking about the inputs is because if all I need is channel 2 I don't need to get it fixed. Line must be different than yours
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Barley Nectar
293 posts
Feb 08, 2014
5:06 PM
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Destin, The price is fair. You like the amps tone, another +. I want you to know something about vintage tube amps. They all need work! They are like old cars. Some hold together better than others but they all need work. Also, good tube amp techs are not plentiful. Not trying to bum you out, you just need to know this. That Ampeg is a monster, big, heavy, loud and not cheep to fix. I repair tube amps and my VT40 has sat unfixed for several years. That should tell you something. Hope it all works out for you...BN
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Slimharp
189 posts
Feb 09, 2014
7:03 AM
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Destin if it were me I would play through both amps and screw around a bit on both.A stock Bassman is not quite as warm as one with the usual harp mod ( around $200.00 ). If you are not looking for the older style crunch I sure as hell would not be loading in, loading out a heavy amp. There are a lot of very good Solid State amps out there that are not super pricy. Laney ( British ) makes a great one. Botoom line, if its the VT40 you want - get it.It's a process with amps. For bigger amps I bought a GA-45T,Fender Hot Rod DeVille, Peavy Classic 50, Fender Blues DeVille and sold them all. Im keeping the Bassman RI.
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Destin
61 posts
Feb 09, 2014
9:51 AM
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Thanks everybody, I love this forum!
I decided I'm going to buy the amp!
I really liked the tone and got it down to the right price!
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Rick Davis
2953 posts
Feb 09, 2014
12:11 PM
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Post a video if you can... I'd like to hear it!
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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