I have the opportunity to get one of these amps for a super low price. Both great condition. I unfortunately can’t try the either as they’re both four to five hours away in different directions.
The WeZo looks cool because it has a gain switch that supposedly drives the amp at lower volume. I’ve not been able to find many videos except for possibly one with Aki. It also looks cool but it’s also as heavy as the Avenger but only 2x10s.
Then there’s the avenger. It has more speakers and known by practically everyone. It seems to sound good at most volumes.
Any advice? I play mostly outdoor venues in Florida. Some are smaller but many are open air. We also play a few clubs that can hold about a hundred plus people and are super long. This is huge I don’t need a PA because we never use a pa to mix things except festivals.
Hey Zack- Hope all is well. I gigged a lot last year in Florida. Living here you will have a chance to play open air venues where the Avenger will come in handy. Due to it's versatility,the Avenger is at home in smaller clubs as well. Having personally played both type of venues,the Avenger would be my choice due to its speaker configuration,tube layout and the build quality is also outstanding. Please tell Doug and Andrew I said hello.
Hi Zach, You contacted me from my YouTube video, Demo Sonny Jr Cruncher Demo. I did not want to add too much there in the comments section but, I can add some here, plus now hearing you are asking in relation to outdoor gigs. I can add, I first me Sonny Jr. in 1976, his first gig with Sonny & Brownie. I have owned most all his amp models since 1998, and several experimental prototypes Sonny Jr. 2 & Sonny 410) of ones that later went into production. In addition to Cruncher that you heard, also 3 4x10's. Also, now, as a pair to my original 1959 Bassman, a "Custom" 4 x 10 using NOS caps, set of 1959 Jensen P10Rs from an Original Bassman and true 1959/60 Triad 45249 Output Trans & Choke. I have not owned and Avenger but, have talked extensively to Sonny about them and how they compare. Also, owned about 8 Tweed Bassmans and other Pros, etc. Having had a Swing Dance Band for 10 years and playing light volume Jazz Standard Dinner Gigs, Medium Clubs, large swing dance vents and many outdoor gigs, in my experience, anything less than a 4" x 10" amp outdoor and decent volume gets lost. The Avenger is equal-better even than 4 x 10 plus, they do sound good a low volume. The other amp you mention, may sound great indoor but, I agree with Tom Fiacco (who I do not know) that Avenger would be outstanding. As far as buying, I have never had one single problem with any Sonny Jr. Amp, they have always run perfect at all times. Good Luck!
I got to play them both, the Wezo was brought to a local jam by the host band harp player. I was impressed!
I helped my buddy get his Avenger dialed in by trying different tubes and bias adjustments. We got it it to sound really good. I sat in several times using his Avenger. It sounds great but a one trick pony IMO. If you want a bassman sound it has it. IMO, the super cruncher and the Super Sonny were the best two.
If I had a choice it would be the Wezo. It has a fatter, thicker tone like the old National/Valcos and more versatile.
@Harpaholic nice to hear from someone who has played both amps. I may have to check out one of those Wezo, in the market for a smaller/medium amp. Maybe someone in San Diego will have one!
Harpaholic, thanks for that. I’m not really after the bassman tone more old school. I spoke to WeZo and the guy he designed the amp with. He said it’s essentially a Bogen but modernized. It has a switch for normal, gritty, and fat which is awesome plus it has a gain for lower volume gigs and the pad for saturation/anti-feedback. It sounds like it’s multiple amps in one. Tomorrow I’m going to try one locally and see how I like it. It’s be a partial trade for my Mission.
Dave Barrett still has an interview with Dale Laslie on his site. Dale builds the MegaTone stuff. The 45 was the first project under the MegaTone brand. 9-10 years ago I think. There’s a section in that interview where they get Mike Wesolowski in and talk specifically about developing the Wezo 45. There’s not much hard information but they go on a bit about all the development work and the gist is that every component in that amp has been selected on the basis of performance through testing. There is no compromise on price etc. They spent about 18 months all up. There was an extension cab too but maybe they didn’t sell too many. It was a fairly expensive amp back then. 2 years later they brought out the ME18 model which was 30 watts and I think that’s the only “MegaTone” harp amp Dale makes now, although I see he has numerous editions of it in various formats. I think mainly old heads which he guts and rebuilds and a fair range of prices
Super Bee, pretty much. I think they were just able to make a much lighter chassis and condense everything by using a different circuit. They both sound great from what I’ve heard. The 45 is an absolute beast thought.
