I took delivery of Charlie Musselwhite's Avenger as Gary wanted to get it out here but Charlie is extremely busy on the road touring with Cyndi Lauper and doing his own shows. So Gary shipped it to me to set up and I will be able to deliver it to Charlie when he gets a chance to come home! By way of introduction if you're not familiar with the Avenger it has a 12, a 10 and 2 8's w/ 45 watts. Last weekend I spoke to Gary Smith who had already tried it and gave it a glowing review (and Gary has played EVERYTHING) - so I was pretty excited to have a chance to hear the amp.
I own a Cruncher (1x12" and 2x8", 35W) and a Four-Ten (4x10", 45W), which I have upgraded to Super Sonny specification. So needless to say I wanted to compare this amp to those, simply because I know them like the back of my hand. All of these amps mix speaker types to minimize any speaker-specific characteristics that can be overpowering when you have a bunch of the same speaker. In my experience this will smooth out ANY multiple speaker amp. I've known Gary now for years and I know he spends not days, not weeks, but MONTHS choosing the right speaker combination for an amp. I pulled the upper rear panel off for a look see and the build quality is typical of Sonny Jr amps - exceptional. Every lead is neatly dressed, all pairs are twisted - "tingabeauty."
I've had the Four-Ten/Super Sonny for years. Great amp, especially for newer players (those who haven't mastered cupping technique yet) as it is very forgiving of playing too bright - and adds lots of bass. It is also loud enough to fill a room at a very loud jam - a challenge many, many amps cannot meet. That amp got me my first gigs, has been completely reliable and is still one of the best harp amps I've ever heard in the "larger amp"category. When the Cruncher came out I bought one because I only owned one big amp, and as I was gigging more and beginning to record, I thought I ought to have a backup. The Cruncher was a revelation. Incredible presence and wonderful tone, with more, well... crunch - than the Four-Ten. But the Cruncher has less speaker and a little less power and unless you can use the line out or mic it, it isn't always loud enough - especially at a jam. I gig with mine frequently because I have some control over my band's volume but jam wise it wasn't quite cutting it. That's why I did the Super Sonny mod to the Four-Ten. It added a lot of projection and cool tone - effectively bringing the tone closer to the Cruncher while sacrificing some bass - however it always had bass to spare so I could bring it back with a turn of the bass knob. Both of these are superb amps and I've never regretted a single dollar I spent on them. I've heard them along side many other amps and never heard anything I lusted after more, with the possible exception of some HUGE amps I would never attempt to lift into my trunk, if they would fit.
The Avenger..... is like the Cruncher, on steroids. It has every bit as much tone - thick bass, nice compression, great cut - with more volume and presence than the Super Sonny. I actually set them up side by side with my A/B/Y box, set them both to threshold of feedback and compared them because it is easier for me to hear the differences that way. I used a dB meter - in the low range they were both equal, but the Avenger had a few more dB on the upper half of my A harp. This thing is as responsive as a Ferrari! The most amazing difference was when I turned it down. The lower the volume, the more the "cut" component of the Super Sonny fell away. (Adjustment of the knobs could easily have brought it back. Gary's amps are infinitely adjustable, and if I needed to play the SS this way I would bring the normal volume down and use mostly bright channel volume.) But without changing any settings, the Avenger sounded good, no, GREAT - all the way down to 2! Un-freaking-believable.
In the relatively small room I did most of the testing in, I could get the Avenger's normal volume to 7.5 with the Bright set at 2.5 (yes, bridged inputs.) This was good for 103.5 dB without feedback. I learned through experimentation that by raising the bright volume and lowering the normal, you have a very effective "edge/projection/cut" control. In the smaller room I tried them at 5/5 and it was a different sound that would cut through a crowded dance floor like a hot knife through butter. The next day I took the Avenger out to my garage where there is a lot more free air. I stood 20' in front of it, outdoors, and blew - I could get normal volume to 8 and bright to 6 (and it might have gone higher yet.) I didn't measure it but I wanted to see how well it would cut for an outdoor gig and believe me, it kicked serious ass.
If you're a beginner you will want to set this amp up for "max dark". Once you have better chops and microphone technique you'll want more definition and need less bass to get good bottom. Gary provides a number of configurations on a "cheat sheet"so it is easy to get the amp dialed in. Here's my take on recommended settings. (And I apologize for all the white space before this table, it's the forum sw's fault - I didn't add the space! Scroll down.)
Sonny Jr Avenger
Starting Settings
Max Dark
Favorite
Max Clean
Bridged?
No
Yes
Yes
Treble
4
6
8
Mid
1.5
2
2.5
Bass
8
8
7
Bright Volume
N/A
2
As Needed
Normal Volume
As Needed
As Needed
2
I ordered one on the spot. Sadly I'm going to have to sell the Super Sonny to finance the new amp. And the whole time I was A/B'ing I was reminded what a killer amp IT is. But the Avenger is just better yet. Can't WAIT to gig with it.
An excellent, thoughtful review that should stand as the standard by which all amp reviews should be judged. This stands heads and tails above the absolute shrill "amateur hour" garbage that was on this site over the last month or so about the Mission Amp. I hope someone can do a similar review of that amp as it has some very interesting features and deserves to have as similar write up. The Harp Community can benefit from excellent write ups like this and here's hoping that we see more reviews on the Wezo, Mission, Fatdog, Harpkings, Meteors, Skip Simmons Mascos, etc, etc (if I left any out, my apologies.) Nice work Greg.
Last Edited by on Jun 13, 2010 6:09 PM
Yo Bro great diplomatic Review thanks for that, person would be more inclined to buy this amp great work mate:)
being that it wasn't forced down our thoats, the last one left a nasty after tast that lasted for months:(
I read thread in full and just did a spead read, reread back over, you didn't mention what Microphone you used I'm sure you used one of you Favorite customs:)
Last Edited by on Jun 13, 2010 7:45 PM
Hey Greg, I noted in the photos that the back panel is not like the SS 410. That enhanced panel makes a huge difference. Does the Avenger have something similar?
Also, I get the impression the Avenger weighs a gazillion pounds, is it heavier than the SS 410?
Last question, what the difference between a Cruncher with 2-8" 's vs. 1-10"?
Good luck selling your 410. You'll find it is an excellent guitar amp with a swap of tubes, so don't limit your marketing to harp players. But , I am sure you already know that!
Last Edited by on Jun 13, 2010 6:35 PM
@Scrapboss - I think I have the SS sold. I'm only asking $1200 for because that's what I think is fair, although Gary told me a few have gone for more than that recently. But that means the new amp only costs me $600.
@Nasty - I tried this with a few of my custom CRs, as well as a Shure Crystal. That crystal (R7) is a freak - still has full output - and it is hyper-sensitive to bass and gets bass feedback fairly quick (on any amp.) I had to turn the bass way down on the amp but it sounded good too.
@6SN7. The Cruncher at one point came with a 12 and a 10 - mine was that way, but later models came with a 12 and 2 8's. I like the latter better - it has better cut and is less stiff - so I upgraded my Cruncher to that config. On my bathroom scale (and I don't vouch for its accuracy) my Super Sonny is 52 and the Avenger is 55 lbs. ---------- /Greg
Greg, I think my Super Sonny is now up for grabs, %*#*#@##! I really like the SS too, like you, I think it's the best amp out there, till Gary went and spoiled things with this Avenger! Thanks for the review. (Scrapboss, email me if interested)
rbeetsme@hotmail.com
Last Edited by on Jun 14, 2010 6:56 AM
@LittleJoe - what's your point? If you have a question I'll try to answer it. I can't think of a $600 vintage amp that would come close to this amp. ---------- /Greg
Based on Greg's review it seems that the Super Sonny is still an awesome amp that can be adjusted with the control knobs to do what the Avenger basically does. So I'm keeping my Super Sonny.
There really is no reason to sell mine, unless I want the Avenger. However, I picked up a killer vintage some months back that I feel compelled to keep and the amp room is getting full. My SJ is about 4-5 years old, jammed out with it twice, otherwise it's been in a climate controlled room, looks and plays new. I did the Super Sonny mod when Gary announced it, so it is a mint Super Sonny, lightly broken in. It appears the Avenger is a bit more versatile, worth a look. As for the price, holy cow, $1800.00 is a steal! I paid $2800.00 for the SJ with mods and that is on par with the HarpKing, anything Kendrick, Meteor and others. If you want a nice vintage Bassman expect to pay $6,000.00 or more! You can't get a decent 1X8 vintage Champ for $600.00, even the Premier 2X8's are going for more.
Last Edited by on Jun 14, 2010 8:47 AM
Well Greg if I could get $1400 for mine plus shipping I might seriously consider moving towards the Avenger. My amp is only about 3 months old and has not left the house yet because I've been on vacation for quite a while. Your review was very well done - thanks.
@rbeetsme- I feel your pain brother regarding the SS410 price,but it is what it is. I remember testing the Cruncher and 410 @ Gary's but both amps' had different speaker configurations @ the time (2 cermaics,2 alnicos in the 410; a cruncher w/ a 12 & a 10 and a one off Crucher w/ 4-10's alnicos) . The Crunchers were a harp tone monster but i found the 410 had greater range and would be easier to resale to a guitar player if I had to do that.
With the SS upgrade, it put it w/ the Cruncher tone but with real thump. Within a year, the Cruncher had 2-8's and the 410 had a sound panel/speaker/tube change. Who is to say that will not happen with the Avenger.
I use my SS410 on all gigs now including small rooms. I leave the Masco and Tweeds at home. The SS does its job, it has been knocked over, tossed around in transit, dropped, used as a beer coaster and a stool, generally used and abused and takes a licking and keeps on ticking. And it still looks brand new! LOL!
The best amp I ever owned was a 59 Bassman, the real deal. When the time came to fix some bum parts , it lost its mojo and became a vintage tone master guitar amp and I didn't want to tinker with the latest mod, fix for the rest of my lfe. I was sick of treating it like an antique when I wanted a durable amp to gig with, not pose with. Thus becan a 10 year journey through amp land, what a pain in the ass. With A SS I got the goods and no worries, plug and play. I came full circle.
Last Edited by on Jun 14, 2010 10:13 AM
Cisco I don't see any reason you shouldn't get $1400 for an as-new Super Sonny. It is a great amp and worth every penny of that. I've had my amp since May '04 so it is not new. It is in very good shape though. Those Tuki covers that Gary provides really protect the amp well. ---------- /Greg
Greg - I was able to get great crunch out the Super Sonny buy plugging the mic (Shure BLCR bullet) into Normal 1 input an then bridging Normal 2 to Bright 2 (modified crystal input). Most folks bridge from Normal 2 to Bright 1 which is OK but definitely doesn't get into good Chicago crunch territory. I would like to get your A/B/Y feedback on a comparison with the Avenger with this bridge setup.
