Bruce Collins tells me the Mission Delta Sonic amp will be offered in two versions. Cathode bias (CB) and fixed bias (FB). Nic Clark is playing the CB version in this video.
The CB amp makes 15 watts and sounds slightly more vintage, with more crunch and sag. The FB amp makes about 18 watts and sounds punchier, slightly stiffer, more forward.
The price will be $869 for the CB amp and $899 for the FB amp. Both amps have the same tube complement: two 6V6S JJ Tesla power tubes with a 12AY7 preamp and a solid state rectifier. The speaker is a 10-inch Eminence Lil Buddy in a tweed Harvard cab.
I'll get video of the FB version up as soon as I can.
Rick, Sorry to crash this thread --- I am not able to "start new topic" My computer has gone bunkers and this site is not working for me...can someone please inform Nacron "Nate" to shoot me an email at franze52@msn.com -- Hopin he may have the magic juice solution :) Thank you !
Last Edited by Frank on Jun 18, 2013 5:52 PM
"6V6S JJ Tesla power tubes with a 12AY7 preamp and a solid state rectifier" that's exactly what I got in my amp at the moment!It doesn't sound as good ha ha! Haven't made a decision about the speaker yet, still using the legend right now. Did he use line out/mic in this clip or is it just the amp straight into the camera?
re my previous thread about ordering harp amps/ kits from the US..well after weighing up all the options I've decided F..k the cost! I'm ordering a Delta from Mission. It'll be the first one in Newzealand for sure. Divorce comes after ;-)
Harpaholic, here is a lo-res phone photo of the face plate /chassis of the amp as it will be on production amps. The Delta Sonic amp I have is a prototype and has the same controls but looks a lot different.
fuse - on/off - old school Chicago Electrics jeweled pilot lamp - line out jack - tone - volume - lo and hi mic inputs
I like the idea of the line out being on top. That makes things a lot easier. Rick will the Delta Sonic be available in a 220/240v version for people wanting one who aren't based in the States?
Thanks Rick! I'm a big fan of separate bass and treble, even though one of my favorite amps doesn't have it. If the amp has good bottom end, then its not an issue. How good is the Delta's low end?
harpaholic, the low end is good for a 1x10 amp. The Lil Buddy speakers are known for a warm tone. I like a deep tone, so that got incorporated into the sound of the original Mission 32-20 harp amp and the new Delta Sonic.
Listen to the video of Nic at the top of this thread. Here is another video with Greg McKenzie and Nic playing the amp. Old school tongue slap playing.
Harp, cool... glad you like it. I have exactly nothing to do with the amps except I helped design and develop them, and I own and play two Mission prototype amps. I don't work for Mission or have any stake in it. If someone buys a Mission amp I don't make any money, and if someone buys a different amp I don't lose any money.
Bruce is a good friend and bandmate, and Nic is a good friend and official endorser of Mission Amps. I have learned a lot from both of them. Good people.
Hey Rick, do you know if the speaker is hard wired in or connects with a 1/4" jack? would be cool to have the option to run amp into a separate cabinet.
Rick, I'd love to hear Nic playing the FB and then the CB, same phrase mic etc. I can say this interests me enough to count some change. Any guess on when they'll be available?
Harpaholic, all Mission amps have a 1/4 inch jack at the bottom of the chassis for speaker leads. You can just pull it out and insert another speaker cable to run a different cab. This amp is 8 ohms.
Littoral, I'd love to hear that too. I've had the Mission Chicago 32-20 amp for a couple years and it has a toggle switch on the top of the amp to switch from cathode bias to fixed bias. I am pretty familiar with the tonal difference in my amp since I've switched it about a thousand times while playing. The difference is subtle, and even having Nic play one amp right after the other may not demonstrate it that well. But I'd sure like to try it! I bet I'll get to that as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
As far as I know Bruce is ready to take orders on the amp. I think the last piece he was waiting on was the screen printing for the chassis / face plate and that is done. I'll be at his shop tomorrow and I'll ask him and let you know.
jimr- The Mission 32-20 amp is switchable. I think on this amp Bruce is going for a nice low price point. If you wanted a Delta Sonic amp with a bias switch I'm sure he could do it for you but there would be a cost.
So how do you get one of these great sounding amps.Bruce is very reluctant to ship to Australia.If anyone has one to sell and willing to ship to Australia i would be interested.
Last Edited by surfingjack on Jun 22, 2013 7:17 PM
I think he will ship to OZ but there will be a delay and a fee for the different power transformer. I'll see him at the jam Sunday and talk to him about it.
Superbee, here is Nic trying to act all hard out on the sidewalk between sets. Nic is 17; he is very funny kid.
BTW----> Several Mission Delta Sonic amps will be ready to ship on July 1. You guys can put your order in. I don't now how many of them already are spoken for. Interest in the amp has been very high.
I contacted Bruce earlier this year too about getting one sent to Newzealand. He wasn't too enthusiastic about it.Fair enough it is his decision i suppose. In contrast Harp Gear(Brian Purdy) was more than happy to export.(and a friend of mine here bought one it arrived with no problems) Seeems strange really,whats the problem with exporting after all a lot of companies do it. Maybe Bruce has had a problem in the past with doing it?
As soon as my new combo 120v-240v transformers are in stock I will be able to make these available to my customers in Europe, AU and NZ if they accept the high cost of shipping and import fees there.
When I started this project, I was not sure what the response would be, so my initial DS15 power transformer order was for North American 120v power only. For the time being, for those customers wishing the 240v model, I am forced to buy a "one off" power transformer at retail and pass the cost on.
I have been doing this for quite a while and enjoy a good reputation on the NET. However, the cost to ship to AU and NZ from the middle of the USA is, well, just outrageous.
In the past I have had many potential customers spend many emails with me and simply come to a dead stop in the project when those shipping/handling/insurance and import fees costs were finally added to the price of any amp I offer. Yet, I have sent quite a few there over the last 5-6 years anyhow. But because of some very unwarranted, negative responses I have received to those costs in recent months, I made a conscience decision to cut sales to AU and NZ unless a customer was persistent or they fully accepted and understood how unfair their S/H/I and tax costs were, compared to many other countries I have shipped amplifiers to. Sorry that has upset some potential customers and I really hope to do a better job in the upcoming months.
---------- Bruce Mission Amps soulkicker@missionamps.com
Hi Bruce(if you are indeed reading this) "Shipping to New Zealand will be $135usd and the amplifier is $880usd. I can indeed send you an HG2." (Direct quote from Brian Purdy)
Round figures that is about 1000$ US (1200 NZ) Our taxes etc at this end would put about 150$ on that yes makes an 800$ amp expensive but that would be the guy importing its worry.? The Aussie dollar is about on par with the US so the cost to them would be relatively cheaper. The real point i'm making is that you can ship an amp down here for 135$? . I don't pretend to understand the US postal system(i don't even fully understand ours ^) We guys down here in the Southern Hemisphere are inured to 'expensive 'amps, as an example a new Fender Princeton RI would cost me 2100$ ,that makes an imported dedicated harp amp seem cheap.
Last Edited by Jehosaphat on Nov 21, 2013 7:40 PM
Jehosaphat, money talks. If you want a Delta Sonic amp sent to NZ then buy one. Bruce explained it pretty well, I think.
The DS amp is larger and heavier than the HG2, and it will be shipped from Denver. I think the shipping charge will be more. Pay all the costs upfront and I'm sure it can be done.
Living in the UK I know all about exorbitant customs charges and shipping costs. I have to agree though that if you really want the amp then you just have to eat the costs. The costs of shipping will vary on location, size and weight of any item. A Mission 32-20 is significantly heavier than a HarpGear HG2 and has further to travel, so I'd expect there to be quite a difference in shipping costs between the two. If you want a relatively low cost option you could always get a local amp tech to build you a Lone Wolf 6L6SE amp or the famous Mark Burness Self Split amp. Both of which are proven amps for harp. Or you could of course build one of them yourself.
Last Edited by Kingley on Nov 21, 2013 10:26 PM
