SuperBee
3030 posts
Dec 05, 2015
12:54 AM
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I'm thinking about buying one. Opinions, experiences? What are they worth?
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arnenym
365 posts
Dec 05, 2015
2:34 AM
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They original build in a grounding issue made them humming. I do not remember what i did to solve it when i had one on the bench. It is something with the extra grounding to the plate with the volume and tone controls.
The 6V6 goes very hot and you have to swap them on regulary basis.
It's not perfect but, they sound gorgeous!
A killer if you want people hear you without mic it up.:D
Last Edited by arnenym on Dec 05, 2015 2:35 AM
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PeterG
41 posts
Dec 05, 2015
10:30 AM
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Gigged with mine regularly for 3 years. Bought used, but in mint condition. Only hums at home, so probably home-wiring issue. Only replaced two tubes shortly after I purchased it, so mine doesn't eat them.
Pros:
Great tone which can be varied (does clean and dirty well)
Rich bass tones (from two 10''s and a 12"), never shrill
Won't be overpowered by guitar players at gigs, don't need to mic
Sturdy, well-built, won't wear out if cared for and have a good cover
Purpose-built for harp, no need to modify
Eye-catching design (got to love the backlit "M" & "meatier" knob)
Sounds good at low volume, too
Cons:
Size and weight (goes with the volume)
Can feedback (not as much as guitar amps, can be controlled)
Saw one on eBay recently go for $1500. They don't come up often, which I think suggests people who have them tend to keep them.
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harpoon_man
133 posts
Dec 05, 2015
11:40 AM
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I had one for a couple of years. Eventually I sold it because I don't play out often enough, and it was driving me crazy to have such a nice amp sitting in my basement collecting dust. One of my local harp buddies used to call this amp the "Rig of the Gods" because it sounded so good.
I noticed the hum at home but never noticed it while playing out...it probably still hummed some playing out, but it was just not noticeable and certainly not a problem. I never had any problem with feedback and was able to play the Meteor quite loud when I wanted (just leave the "mids" tone control at zero, because that one can make you feed back).
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6SN7
606 posts
Dec 05, 2015
11:56 AM
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Good for you, go for it! None of this weenie 5 watt numbers.
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SuperBee
3035 posts
Dec 05, 2015
1:30 PM
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Thank you all. Peter G, you mentioned a $ price. Which country are you in? I am onto one in Australia at $1400. I think it's probably a good price (originally advertised at $1900).
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Barley Nectar
968 posts
Dec 05, 2015
6:04 PM
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Supe, i have never even saw one. This is your passion. Try it, if it sounds good, buy it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YONb44hv7Gs
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Dec 05, 2015 6:08 PM
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PeterG
43 posts
Dec 06, 2015
6:59 AM
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I'm in the U.S. Here's the last one I saw on eBay. Same as mine. Good price, I think, as I've seen the smaller Meteor go for as much.
http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/131623378577
Here's a comprehensive review:
http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-meteor-harp-amp.html
And maker's description:
http://harp-l.org/pipermail/harp-l/2004-September/msg00777.html
Last Edited by PeterG on Dec 06, 2015 7:14 AM
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jimr
89 posts
Dec 06, 2015
8:53 AM
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I bought Meteor #8. I never got comfortable with the controls, had feedback problems, and sold it. I Subsequently got a Super Sonny that works well for me. I like 5F6A Bassman style circuits (like the Super Sonny) and use a Bassman with single 12 as my medium size amp. The single 12 amp has switch that selects the value of the last power supply dropping resistance. Higher value results in lower preamp tube plate voltage for darker tone and more compression... makes the amp more versatile for different volume needs.
Jim
Last Edited by jimr on Dec 06, 2015 8:53 AM
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Tblues1
77 posts
Dec 06, 2015
9:45 AM
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Had one a few years back.
Had reliability issues.
After six months part of the wiring and bias resistor fried right at end of the last song of a gig.
Fuse did not blow.
Scooter, to his credit, fixed it, but after that I got rid of it when I found someone that wanted it.
It always had a hum at idle, but that was not audible when playing.
It was a little bit feedback prone above 4 on the volume knob. Plenty loud though.
Cabinet was not lacquered, but you may be able get it as man option.
Did have nice tone.
For me, I don't want another one.
I have had a a Mission Amps Chicago 50 for a few years now that I am happy with and it was actually a little cheaper.
Others have had good luck with Meteor.
You asked for opinions and experiences, those are mine.
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Pluto
281 posts
Dec 06, 2015
1:16 PM
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I too bought one of the first Meteors. I've own Sonny's amps and Mission amps, as well as several Bassmam reissues. Nothing comes close to volume or tone, to the Meteor. The hum isn't a grounding issue, its part of the amps design (four 6v6 power tubes)and goes away when you put a signal through it. It has been the most reliable amp I've owned. Having said that I own two and one is for sale.
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SuperBee
3039 posts
Dec 06, 2015
1:17 PM
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Yeas thanks all, I think this one is a very good deal but I have no opportunity to try it before purchase, and it's xmas so I am gonna let it go. Owner will take it off the list before I can make other arrangements so...anyone in Australia looking for a good deal on a very clean meteor...I can point you to it if you don't already know. It's in Geelong I believe
Last Edited by SuperBee on Dec 06, 2015 1:19 PM
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PeterG
44 posts
Dec 06, 2015
5:50 PM
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I'm curious whether anyone might have thoughts as to why one person's Meteor might have feedback issues and another might not.
Mine has feedback, but only when the overall band volume gets above a certain volume threshold, and then only if I'm using a bullet mic, in which case I use a Kinder AFB to dial it out. I recently discovered I have no feedback at all if I use an SM57 and either an inline transformer, or an inline transformer from a Samson wireless receiver to the amp. Cupping doesn't seem to be the issue.
Can anyone explain this?
Last Edited by PeterG on Dec 06, 2015 5:50 PM
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cliffy
175 posts
Dec 06, 2015
7:42 PM
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Pluto, what are you looking to get for your amp?
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SuperBee
3042 posts
Dec 07, 2015
11:47 AM
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The one I was looking at went at $1400 Australian , about $1000 usd. Originally put up at $1900 Aud. For context, he sold also a 74 Princeton at the same price. A 56 Princeton he had went at $2400
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PeterG
47 posts
Dec 15, 2015
7:57 PM
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I discovered that putting a new set of power tubes resulted in more dynamic response, less feedback, and more stable volume. I wonder how many other folks have suffered feedback issues from worn power tubes.
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Pluto
283 posts
Dec 16, 2015
7:54 AM
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I never have feedback issues with my Meteor. Maybe its your technique or the mic you're using.
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