Played one of these today. Was new so had the Master on the front and they internally jumper the volumes and have a push/pull Vol II for adding a bright cap. It was pretty fantastic. Had a microphonic tube which caused some issues but you could still hear everything fine that the amp could do. For people who think it might be too dark at times when overdriving, post phase inverter MV’s nullify the presence control when set low. So think of the Master as a courtesy but an attenuator ultimately would be best as you’ll get full effect of higher settings on the presence control. The variety in cleans, edge of breakup and full on rock in the amp was very cool. Plus it responds to volume roll off like a champ.
John Bohlinger Hey John! Could we please see a rig rundown of your gear? You are a guitar chameleon, and really play it all well! What do you use to be so versatile?
John Bohlinger John, Love your reviews & your playing but please do some more gear reviews with the bands. You have a back for asking the right questions :-)
hawg427 Thanks for the kind words Hawg47. I love doing this stuff. It's an honor to play this great gear and meet such killer players. Check out my new Premier Guitar lesson series. www.premierguitar.com/articles/21856-what-bohlinger-plays-van-halen-ish-hillbilly-licks If I can play it, anybody can. Cheers jb
I had always thought that about Marshall too. Then I saw Johnny A. use one & the clean tones blew me away. Of course he could counteract it with his Jimi Jam too. It was jaw dropping because I had always thought of Marshall as an amp for heavy thick stuff. This amp sounds great to me though too. & of your playing is sweet as usual. Love the gibby, esp with the Stets on it. Great tone.
That overtone sound is too fuzzy and muddy for me, I like more focused Marshall and/or MesaBoogie tone. But that clean is absolutely what I'm looking for, nice and creamy without fizzy highs. Great demo, John! And I love that 336 of yours, it's like a candy version of my black EP-339... :D
John, The amp sounds nice, but tell us about the stetsbar! How do you like it? Do you adjust the stops or let it float? Compare it to a bigsby, ( I've seen you use them). Love your demos!
Thanks for the kind words. I just installed the stetsbar a few days before filming this. I've always loved the sound of a Bigsby but the tuning problems drive me crazy. This Stets works much better. Stays in tune, floats, doesn't jack with your tuning. I love it.
I've got a '68 traynor voicemaster which is pretty much a jtm45 with bigger transformers that I picked up for 200 bucks. You can get great vintage stuff cheap if you know what you're looking for.
***** I have about 40 tube amps now and the Traynor Voicemaster is on my must have list. I did a repair on a Voicemaster and fell in love but the owner wouldn't sell. BTW...I have the schematic if you ever need it.
NuclearGrizzly I actually do need it the previous owner modded it so the master volume functions as a tone knob and I want to get it restored to factory.
I remember these amps first time round in the 70s, you couldn't get rid of them used. Funny how times change and they are viewed as if they had some kind of mojo, they didn't, not all vintage amps are equal. I own a gibson 336 and it sure sounds better than this through most amps. Not convinced, but it's horses for courses.
