LSC
705 posts
Feb 14, 2015
1:08 PM
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I ended up taking my SJ Cruncher for the tranny swap to Bill Webb, the guy I've gone to for years but he'd been on the road with Eric Johnson but he's back now. Bill is very much THE amp guy in town and has been for years and years.
I phoned today to see if the amp was ready and ended up having a very interesting conversation with Bill. Turns out Bill was amp tech to Charlie Musslewhite and Ben Harper and had some experience of the Super Cruncher used by Charlie. He'd never had to do anything to Charlie's amp other than a tube swap and replace a duff speaker. Working on mine was the first time he'd ever pulled the chassis and had a look inside. A couple of Bill's comments, all made in the most reverential of tones.
"This thing is beautiful. Every little component and value is there for a very specific reason." "This guy is an artist".
When I mentioned Musslewhite's comment that SJs are the "Rolls Royce of harp amps," Bill replied. "I would say that is certainly true."
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LSC
Last Edited by LSC on Feb 14, 2015 1:10 PM
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Harpaholic
620 posts
Feb 14, 2015
1:25 PM
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That"s Keith Robb's design and layout.
When the builds were tranferred from Keith to Mojo,
Keith wrote out a stack of very specific build sheets for Mojo"s tech's to follow from beginning to end.
Your amp may be a KR build depending on the year?
Mojo has done a really nice job!
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Feb 14, 2015 1:32 PM
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Harpaholic
621 posts
Feb 14, 2015
3:18 PM
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LSC, I forgot to say, John Nemeth told me the Super Cruncher was his favorite SJ amp. He used to play here twice a year before moving. When I got to try one at our local jam a few months ago I was blown away!
I owned a Cruncher at one time and have played the Avenger many times.
The Super Cruncher has a tone that you can't get from the others.
You didn't comment on the tone with the upgrade?
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Feb 14, 2015 3:25 PM
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LSC
706 posts
Feb 14, 2015
8:53 PM
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Harpaholic - I just picked it up today. Gig tomorrow.
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LSC
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Chinaski
299 posts
Feb 16, 2015
10:34 AM
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The Super Cruncher is probably the best mid-sized amp I've played. Tone and bottom end for days..
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bluemoose
1047 posts
Feb 16, 2015
10:54 AM
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@LSC - did he re-bias with the tranny upgrade?
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MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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LSC
707 posts
Feb 16, 2015
4:07 PM
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@bluemoose - Bill said he checked to see if the bias was correct. Whether or not he actually adjusted it I don't know for sure. I bought it with a pair of matched NOS 6l6s already installed.
@Harpaholic - Used the SJ (now a Super Cruncher) yesterday in a good size room with a large stage and great PA. Not surprisingly, sounded fantastic.
The thing is with these amps the versatility and variety of tone one can obtain with the different inputs and judicious use of the tone controls is extraordinary.
What you have to understand is though the control panel looks like a Bassman it is NOT a Bassman. Things work in a different way and even the most minor of adjustments has a noticeable affect. I feel like as I use it more I can make it even better. There are two other very minor mods suggested by Gary, neither involving any electronic knowledge, that I'm going to also try at some point but I want to use it as it is then make the changes one at a time so I know what change was created by each.
To anyone who is searching for the best harp amp just save up and buy a Sonny Jr. You will never want another amp and you'll save money by not having to buy amps and then sell because you're still not satisfied. Hey, Charlie Musslewhite ships his overseas when touring so he won't be without it. That should tell you volumes.
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LSC
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LSC
Last Edited by LSC on Feb 16, 2015 4:09 PM
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Chinaski
300 posts
Feb 16, 2015
10:45 PM
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Hey Steve,
What are the two other minor mods Gary has suggested for the SC?
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Harpaholic
637 posts
Feb 16, 2015
11:24 PM
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I'm guessing a speaker swap and maybe the lower back panel?
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