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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | While I've been having fun with the GuitarPort, I'm getting a bit tired of the regular BSOD that it triggers. Soooo, what I'm looking for is a small TUBE driven practice amp with a headphone jack. No, I'm not going to be micing it up at some smokey dive, just noodling around on it.
So, I've stumbled across the Kustom Tube 12, which looks to be just about what I'm after...but reviews are mixed (and nobody around here carries 'em). Not to mention I'd like to have some other options...comparison is good, and doing the research is 90% of the fun.
Anyone have any ideas? Suggestions? Quotable quips? Maybe Al has a mauve tuck and roll 70's Kustom hidden away?
Shanks! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 77
Location: Texas | Did the 70s Kustom amps have tubes? The ones I remember were solid state.
-Gary K |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Gary K:
Did the 70s Kustom amps have tubes? The ones I remember were solid state.
-Gary K
You know, I don't know...huh. I do know I'd like a small tube amp with a headphone jack, though. :) |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 77
Location: Texas | Cruster,
I don't think you can get the result you really want.
You will damage your hearing if using headphones.
I actually believe your hearing will be better off by using the Guitarport or a POD Xt. The reason is, these can simulate tube amps in overdrive, but at a low volume level through headphones. So you get the sound, but at a hearing-friendly level.
-Gary K |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Most of the practice amps marketed as "tube amps" have a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp stage. In reality this does very little except enable the manufacturers to put the word "tube" in their adverstising. If you must have a tube amp get something that is all tube. The problem is that low-powered all tube-amps are relatively expensive and pretty loud, and most do not have a headphone out.
Personally I'd spend a little more time learning how to use Guitar Port. I've had one since they came out & in that time I've never needed to use an amp in my studio. All of the electric guitar tracks on my bands new CD were recorded entirely with Guitar Port. |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Gary/Paul-
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I hadn't thought about amps, like the Tube 12, only having the single 12ax7. In fact, I was just doing a bit more research, after reading Paul's post, and one site goes so far as to say that the pre-amp tube is actually bypassed. WTF?
I like the GuitarPort from a technical/fun standpoint. It can make me sound like just about any amp/effect/cabinet combo possible. Unfortunately, it likes to take down my system at random intervals. And frankly, sometimes it's a PITA to have to turn the laptop on just to play around. I guess I'll just have to live with it.
Thanks again.. |
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May 2003
Posts: 79
Location: Toronto, Canada | Cruster:
How about something like the Korg Pandora? It is very portable and self-contained, with amp simulators, effects, rhythm, etc. You can clip it on to your belt. I believe it even has an infared port for wireless headphones. No need to attach to any computer at all. Perhaps this would suit your needs?
I considered a Guitar Port as well and decided on the Pandora for the same reason; did not want to be tied to my computer everytime I wantd to play.
Hope this helps,
wemedge |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Wemedge-
The GP was sort of an impulse buy...and I payed a political price for it (if you're married you'll understand) . At this point, if I turn around and buy something else, there'll be no end to the whining and carrying on...and then my wife will get started. HAHAH.
Seriously, I think I'm going to scout around on fleaBay for something inexpensive that doesn't require the GP. I'll keep the GP for recording into Sonar, which rawks(!). The next step, after finding something suitable, is then finding a way to 'jam along'...that was one of the nice things about the GP, being able to jam along with tracks...when it isn't busy crashing.
Edit:
Hey, Wem, did you get the PX4 or the PXR4? Just curious.. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 79
Location: Toronto, Canada | Originally posted by cruster:
Wemedge-
The GP was sort of an impulse buy...and I payed a political price for it (if you're married you'll understand) ....
Hey, Wem, did you get the PX4 or the PXR4? Just curious..
I think I understand :D
I got the PXR4. I was looking for a simple 4 track at the time too, so it fitted in nicely. Not crazy about the Smartmedia card though. wish they went with CF...
Good luck with your search... and enjoy the "medication" ;)
wemedge |
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OT: Practice Amp w/ Tubes