Misinformation. There’s a direct correlation between buying more pedals and being better. I don’t even get offers to play anymore because my pedals have made me too good.
The Eb Strat through the Stonk box simultaneously made the hairs on my arms stand up on end and a huge smile break across my face. What a phenomenal sound!
I got to hang out with Chris in Chicago at Fretboard Summit and he’s such a wonderfully intelligent and genuine dude - can’t wait to hang out again (hopefully) again this year!
Watching this episode and suddenly remembered a dream I had last night where I was watching an episode of TPS and Mick played something so awesome that his ‘61 Strat literally burst into flames. Mick sets the guitar down on the stool and he and Dan back away from it as the whole guitar goes up in a blaze. Dan starts freaking out and trying to find a fire extinguisher, but Mick just stood there, calmly, accepting the guitars fate.
I have one too. Got it when they were about $1,800. Used ones now list for about $3,000. It's a wonderful clean/pedal platform, but the distortion sucks if you turn it up. It's classic tweeb-flubby sludge - it's very one trick pony. I never turn mine past about 10 o'clock, usually keeping it around 9 o'clock. All dirt comes from pedals. It's still uber loud at home. But if you use one for a large show, you'll need more power (though there is no Direct Out on it) or go direct to PA with the appropriate box. Just an FYI, people. It is what it is, and it's great for what it does.
Wow, Great show guys I love Benson pedals I own the preamp and the boost and now I will be purchasing your latest fuzz next week also you guys the playing was crazy good, great job always!
Chris is one of those humble geniuses… I use the preamp in front of my little two rock, has been like a magic second channel, but it’s the feel of that pedal that separates it Looking forward to trying the florist
Love this. I’m a big fan of Benson Pedals. The Preamp and Stonk are the heart (drive stage) of my studio board. And my smaller board has been transformed by the recent delay. Thanks for this gentlemen, and Chris for his excellent work. Florist looks to be a MUST-try.
Please, ask an amp designer to explain the significance of power tube type relative to the surrounding circuit (including the output transformer). Dave Friedman has said for years that he would stop using EL34s, hundreds of which he has had to discard, if his customers did not demand them.
Absolutely fantastic show and sounds that totaly got me. One of the best, if not the best sounds you ever made on show (even if I consider Andy Timmons and Roben Ford episodes)
Wow! Sensational, literally. What a wonderful array of sounds, and what a humble gentleman. Yet another vid that I did not want to end. Great job, gang.
My goodness...I love my Bensons, but I love that hat he's wearing too. Does anybody know where to find it? Chris Benson is a super good dude, I love everything he makes and can't wait to see what comes next!
Dang! Thank you so much. Not only was this a really great show with an awesome builder and awesome tones (and once again great playing). I had to stop right in the beginning and place my Benson Boost before my Okko Cocaine (Preamp, Compressor, Boost). What a difference. So it took me quite a couple of hours to finish this episode, what a heavenly Friday evening.
If you delve into Benson amplifiers in a future show, I would love to hear Chris’s perspective on the contribution of the Soursound transformers he uses in the Bellringer, Vincent, Monarch, etc. What does Bryan Sours bring to the designs? Thanks!
Thanks Gents, what a great way to start the Weekend and what an interesting guy Chris is. The stuff he makes sound awesome and the secret of his success is simple, UNBRIDLED PASSION AND NO COMPROMISE and it certainly pays off. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. PEACE AND LOVE TO EVERYONE ❤❤.
Super interesting episode(as always) Benson was under my radar until this episode!! Germanium boost(🤪), the Delay, the mk1/zonk, and the germanium preamps are all WOW! Thanks a lot.
Well, I think it is fair to say that Chris does indeed know how to make things sound good!! 🥰 I already own his Germanium Fuzz (which is on my board) and his Stonk Box… I’ve loved the Germanium Preamp from all the demos I’ve heard of it (including this one) and the Florist sounds bloody amazing, so I think I may have other Benson purchases to make 🤔👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I'm only twenty mins in and they are talking about the stonk box and mk1 designs- while I don't think it's a true mk1 clone by any stretch, but the 3 germanium transistors design of the Jack deville buzzmaster is the best "mk1" I've heard, it has amazing sustain and clean up and gated octave character at times, just my favorite fuzz every time I plug in. Since Chris and jack are buds I had to show some JD love. Buzzmaster for life.
The only thing I wish you’d have had time for would be a little more on his amps. I know the drive is his pre-amp, but those things really are special. Love everything this man does. And you guys too, of course!
Really love Benson gear!! I've been wanting a Vinny for sometime but it's tough to get without paying secondary prices. Looks like I'm getting a new delay instead😂!!! Brilliant design and what a fantastic episode all around! Thanks so much!!
Dan, I think I heard you play part of Thrak on the Stonk Box! LOL. This episode has been out only 2 hours and I am on my 3rd pass at it. Just blown away. Such great stuff! I got to get some of that in my life!
Great episode. The Bellringer cleans reminded me of my Trainwreck Express clone. Beautiful sounds from el34s. The Dumble episode was also very similar to the experience people have playing my ‘wreck clone. Absolutely visceral, exposes every thing you do, but majestic when you can control it. Life changing tones. Mick, Epi DG335 update. I’ve had it for a couple months now. Exceptionally well built, feels amazing to play and just sounds so good. Sounds more ‘alive’ then my other 335. Really impressed with it and it’s made me want to play more which is a great change. It’s worth having a go on one if you come across one. Cheers
Nice one Nick! Great that the DG is working out. Super cool machine! On the visceral front, look out for a 100 watt Marshall Super Bass on the channel soon. Bone shaking! :0)
Kinda crazy that Benson has found a way to improve a reverb unit... So cool about the blending of the short and long tanks! Not to mention the Ge temp control...
I own old 100w Marshalls, and a Lion, and I must say the Lion using the Fryette Power Station as a power amp put through an old 4x12 with Blackbacks is a glorious thing, pretty authentic sound... and I'm a grumpy old purist!
If one wanted a REALLY tiny travelling amp solution (snd their friends and destinations all had speaker cabinets or PAs) is there a small POWER amp pedal that you could pair with one of these and just call it an amp?
Not that this comment will help anybody, but still... With RU-vid's auto-generated closed captions insisting on the existence of 'geranium transistors', the Florist makes more sense than you might have imagined :-)
I'm not even a pedal dude, I bought his preamp mkii now I want another one like germanium pedal pre or fuzz. I was just wondering if I can get close with my mkii set on germanium? I decrease the guitar volume on preamp or fuzz setting but it seems never to replicate what I hear
This one was such a gift as are you all. My likely closest family hails from near Portland... Oregon City. SO! Decades ago I toured the UK properly, (no guides) and my wife and I let our senses of Enchantment drive us thither and yon. The trip was blessed, immensely. Mick, Dan... please, if you've a drop of inclination to rest your souls in enchanted geographies. I swear... shamelessly reach out and ask Chris to host you on a visit to Portland and then the greater Oregonian and Costal experience. Bring family. Your deepest desires for your arts in music, and your loved ones will be what's the word... just a blessed place to come from like many in the UK. Can't say enough it seems. Ok... I want a Benson Board! Cheers all. Old Sam at 71 in two weeks. And... I'm thinking about coming back to England and Oregon just from the vibes in this episode... absolutely kindred.
for me i would say . everything those pedals do is add balls! beautiful sounds. Its like a pedal to whish off hte blanketness of an amp under volumed, as the modern day. I am sure with a full blown situation it sould be all you need and more. cool episode
![Chris Benson Of Benson Amps & Pedals At TPS! [Preamps, Fuzzes, Delay, Surf's Up & Florist]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
