|
|
| userName | text | Dr._Ellwood | It’s time to start our Tungsten Amplifier interview with owner Adam Palow, Welcome Adam, members and guests! I hope we have a good turn out today, but being it’s still summer there is no way of knowing. Being that this is Adam’s second interview with us, we will ask him to give us a update on his current and future projects, new developments in the amp business and just a general overview of the business climate these days. We will let Adam make the first post and some general comments, then open up the Forum for members questions, I think we are all familiar with the format here so let’s get it going … Adam, how is everything and we are very glad to see you bank on The String Network Forums!! |
| Rampdog | do tell Adam |
| TungstenAmp | This one is a hybrid 25W Cortez/Cremawheat. A clone of a one-off I did a couple months ago. |
| strategery | Nice!! |
| ChatBot | /channelLeave mdrs |
| ChatBot | /channelEnter mdrs |
| Dr._Ellwood | Adam is typing stand by guys ..thanks.. |
| TungstenAmp | Hello again. Current projects are the Crema What amplifier primarily. It is a 20 watt, 6v6/GZ34 based platform that has a nice smooth taper to the gain ramp up. |
| Dr._Ellwood | great Adam.. hows the business going |
| TungstenAmp | An extentsion of the 5E3 and 5E5 designs. |
| TungstenAmp | Business has been slower than last year. I think that peoples expedable cash is a little tight right now, so that trickles down. I'm looking forward to the Nashville Amp Expo later this month and expect an uptick after that event. I usually do well when people can crank my amps and try them out. |
| Dr._Ellwood | Questions for Adam... just type i have a question and stand by |
| strategery | Randy...question. |
| mdrs | question |
| Dr._Ellwood | great Adam... im sure it will pick up... |
| Dr._Ellwood | yes a question from strategery |
| Dr._Ellwood | go strat |
| strategery | Hi Adam... |
| Rampdog | http://www.tungstenamp.com/amps.htm |
| strategery | You know the Cortez I have..... |
| strategery | How does it compare to the Crema Wheat? |
| strategery | Back to you. |
| strategery | By the way guys....my Tungsten amp ROCKS... :) |
| Dr._Ellwood | :) |
| TungstenAmp | Hey Randy. The 25W Cortez is based around 6L6 power tubes and the 50W Alnico T12N, so it has a very distinct 5E3/5E5 American sound. The Crema Wheat retains the American topology, but is based around the 6V6/GZ34 pairing and uses a Scumback M75 speaker for a British flavour on the output side of the amp. |
| Dr._Ellwood | I have a question for Adam...8o |
| strategery | Ahhh....I see. |
| strategery | Thank you. |
| Dr._Ellwood | ok now my question |
| Dr._Ellwood | Adam I and Doc own old 1962 Fender Pro Amps... I have friends that love my amp... what would it take to clone one |
| Dr._Ellwood | with the 15 inch speaker in a combo |
| Dr._Ellwood | while hes typing .. we are taking check ins with questions for Adam |
| TungstenAmp | Circuit-wise, it would not any more difficult that cloning any other transition/bf-era amps. The main thing would just to find the right size chassis and cabinet. I haven't spent much time doing the later Fender clones, so I am not sure what is commonly available, partswise. |
| Dr._Ellwood | Ok .... do you build limited clones of any Fender type circut and speaker comliment |
| TungstenAmp | If parts are available, I am usually willing to do custom replicas. |
| Dr._Ellwood | ok very good.. we will keep that in mind |
| TungstenAmp | And while I cut my teeth on BF Fenders, I will say that my heart is with the Tweed stuff. |
| Craig | Question. |
| Dr._Ellwood | ok very good! that is a real good place to put your efforts too actually |
| revolead | Question. |
| Dr._Ellwood | yes Craig has a question go Craig |
| Dr._Ellwood | got u REVO |
| Craig | Regarding your new Crema Wheat amp, how does it compare with the older, British amp? What are the main differences? |
| Rampdog | Question |
| Dr._Ellwood | got u Rampster |
| ChatBot | /logout Dr._Ellwood Timeout |
| ChatBot | /login Dr._Ellwood |
| TungstenAmp | The tonality of the 18W Marshall can be a little on the ratty, more upper mid and treble side of things. It is the nature of the Beast. What the Cream Wheat does is retain the fullness generally associated with the tweed 5E3/5E5 but push it out through a Brit style speaker, so you get a nice blending of the two thanks to the added midrange of the M75 speaker. |
| Dr._Ellwood | Go ... REVO!!!! |
| revolead | I'm speculating here, but after looking at your lineup on your website, you seem to know a great deal about tweed Fender stuff |
| Dr._Ellwood | Go Ramp and let Adam include yours in his post if he sees it...K |
| revolead | so my question is in regard to that. I have a Fender Deluxe and i love it but i always noticed with the Fender tweed stuff it has more bass than the BF stuff. is there a reason for this in terms of construction or design? |
| Rampdog | Adam, you said you like the Tweed Fenders... I have a NOS Blues Jr. Stock... Is there anything YOU would do to it and why? |
| TungstenAmp | Revo - The 5E3 in particular uses large value coupling capacitors all the way across the board, which tends to result in a full (and somewhat bassy) response. As the designs progressed, some of the models started seeing .047 and .022 caps being used. I can't say for certain, but I'd guess this is an attempt to reduce distortion at the power tube stage, and perhaps voicing for the ceramic speakers that were coming into use at the BF-era. |
| ChatBot | /logout mdrs Timeout |
| ChatBot | /login mdrs |
| Rampdog | Adam, you said you like the Tweed Fenders... I have a NOS Blues Jr. Stock... Is there anything YOU would do to it and why? |
| Dr._Ellwood | all set REVO? or more? |
| revolead | i have a short follow up |
| Rampdog | sorry |
| Dr._Ellwood | ok great go ahead while hes working on Ramps |
| TungstenAmp | Rampdog - Tough question to answer. You could see some tonal benefit by having the smaller import capacitors replaced with some thing higher quality. This may net you a 15% benefit. Speaker swaps can also shift the tonality. Bassier, chime-ier, etc. IT is all about what -you- would like to hear. |
| Dr._Ellwood | no prob im just trying to have him see two at once |
| revolead | i back the bass way off in response to this. i suppose it would help to move it further from the wall, but otherwise, is there an inexpensive way to reduce some of the bass and increase the chime, like a speaker change or something? |
| revolead | (and its cool ramp. no harm done.) |
| Rampdog | :o) |
| strategery | :P |
| Dr._Ellwood | blame it on the Moderator LOL!! |
| Dr._Ellwood | Adam is typing...... |
| TungstenAmp | revo - The first thing I would recommend would be a simple capacitor change. A swap from 0.1 to 0.047 in the preamp can make a big difference. You can do the same swap in the output section if needed. If that doesn't do it, you could start going to speaker swaps, of which there are many. |
| revolead | (first time chatting with you guys too, so blame me for not knowing the decorum) lol |
| Rampdog | damn engineers |
| Dr._Ellwood | YEP!! LOL |
| revolead | adam, is that something easily done or should i leave it to a pro? |
| Dr._Ellwood | no RTFM to follow! |
| Rampdog | :| |
| TungstenAmp | I'd recommend a pro if you're not familiar with safe procedures. It doesn't happen often, but there are lethal voltages in the amps even when turned off and unplugged. |
| Dr._Ellwood | Adam is typing a BIG ONE!! |
| revolead | /privmsgto Dr._Ellwood RTFM? |
| revolead | /privmsg RTFM? |
| Dr._Ellwood | Reat The F..king Manual |
| Dr._Ellwood | teehe |
| strategery | hahahahaha |
| revolead | okay thanks, adam. go ahead next person |
| Dr._Ellwood | OK... all set REVO |
| revolead | yup |
| Dr._Ellwood | ok post that again RAMP |
| Rampdog | he got me Lee |
| Dr._Ellwood | oh he did OK .. |
| Rampdog | thanks |
| Dr._Ellwood | ok anymore questions for Adam |
| mdrs | sure |
| strategery | Follow up? |
| Dr._Ellwood | Yep go go go strat |
| Craig | Can Adam tell us a bit more about his new amp. Changes from some of his other works etc. |
| mdrs | Lee, can you see me 8o |
| Dr._Ellwood | yes doc |
| mdrs | O.K. |
| Dr._Ellwood | O:-D |
| Dr._Ellwood | birthday boy!! |
| Craig | I think you missed Don's last request for a question Lee. |
| Dr._Ellwood | OH.. i didnt see that one sorry |
| Dr._Ellwood | woops |
| Craig | ;) |
| Dr._Ellwood | post it Doc sorry |
| Dr._Ellwood | he will see it now |
| mdrs | Adam, have you put a 15" speaker in any of your amps? |
| TungstenAmp | Craig - The Crema Wheat primarily is my effort to make a more versatile and gigworthy 5E3. One of the "features" of the 5E3 is that the volume jumps from "can't hear a thing" to "wow that is loud" at 2.5 on the volume. So the Crema Wheat rides the volume and gain taper very smoothly from 1 to about 8 or 9. Beyond that you are dialing in more grit. |
| TungstenAmp | The Tone control adds gain above 7, just like on the 5E3, but it also functions on both channels. |
| Dr._Ellwood | see now THAT is a huge imporvement!!! |
| Dr._Ellwood | because that is so SO true on the 5E3 |
| TungstenAmp | I use a bigger output xformer to alleviate the chokepoint that a stock 5E3 has where the OT is at full saturation. While this is a huge part of the 5E3 sound, it is also why you can't hear one over a loud drummer. |
| Dr._Ellwood | way more giggable!!! |
| Dr._Ellwood | ok did you see Doc's question Adam |
| Dr._Ellwood | Adam, have you put a 15" speaker in any of your amps? |
| TungstenAmp | The power transformer is voltage corrected for a slightly smoother tone. Etc... I probably forgot a few other points. I used three different brands of capacitors on the board to voice this one. |
| Craig | So this would allow your amp to be used in a wider range of gigs and gig sizes. |
| Dr._Ellwood | Non mic'ing situations.. |
| TungstenAmp | Doc - I have built a 5E5-A using an original 1959 P15N , and have also done a 15" Mosaic with one of my T15Q speakers. I don't get many requests for the 15", which is odd considering how cool they do sound. |
| Dr._Ellwood | OH YES if guys ONLY KNEW!!!! |
| TungstenAmp | Craig - I believe so. The clean headroom available also allows it to be used it more situations where the 5E3 would be distorting. The overall response is similar to Randy's 25W Cortez, but with more 6V6 crunch. |
| Dr._Ellwood | If someone want's to hear one cranked I have a nice clip for you Adam!!! that will do it!!! |
| Dr._Ellwood | Adam is there a Tungsten Forum ?? |
| Dr._Ellwood | user Forum set up |
| TungstenAmp | There is not. I'm not very tech savvy with board code. :D |
| Dr._Ellwood | OK... well put a link to our Forum you have some pretty good fans here |
| Craig | Feel free to hang out here Adam. |
| strategery | Hey Adam....status on building the Reverb unit and the Marshall clone? |
| TungstenAmp | Definitely. I appreciate the support from you guys. |
| strategery | Oops...I jumped ahead. :-( |
| Dr._Ellwood | bad strat!! 10 demerit points buddy |
| strategery | hahahaha |
| Dr._Ellwood | >:-D |
| TungstenAmp | I have the parts here for the T-Verb and am just waiting for some custom circuit boards to come in so I can begin prototyping. The Marshall project is still a possibility. At the very least, I will clone this killer 1972 JMP50 for myself. |
| Dr._Ellwood | OK!!! more questions guys ...after Strats question |
| strategery | WOW...thanks!! |
| Dr._Ellwood | OK WAIT!!!!!! how much will that reverb unit cost Adam |
| Dr._Ellwood | is it a separate like the vintage Fender box |
| Dr._Ellwood | in BROWN TOXEX !!!!! >:-D |
| TungstenAmp | I'm hoping to keep them in the 750-800 range. They will be based (heavily) on the outboard Fender tanks. |
| TungstenAmp | Brown tolex/wheat grille = no problem. |
| Dr._Ellwood | yes ... and look like them too ..the brown with wheat grille!!!! |
| Dr._Ellwood | 8o>:-D>:-D>:-D |
| strategery | Rock-N-Roll!!!! :D |
| Dr._Ellwood | hey Doc it's PRO AMP HEAVEN!!! O:-D>:-D>:-D |
| mdrs | I love me those old "The Pros" |
| TungstenAmp | I have a few minor changes I'd like to try an incorporate. We'll see how it goes. :D |
| Dr._Ellwood | yep AND the out board SURF boxes |
| Dr._Ellwood | improvements!!! to the Fender ..like what |
| strategery | There's mine. [url=http://usera.imagecave.com/Strategery/Straterery1/randys3.JPG][/url] |
| strategery | Crap. |
| TungstenAmp | I'm going to try and set it up so trat you can switch output tubes, and may try to incorporate a litle extra gain that you can dial in or out. I haven't tried yet, so it may or may not work. |
| strategery | [img]http://usera.imagecave.com/Strategery/Straterery1/randys3.JPG[/img] |
| strategery | :P |
| TungstenAmp | I am typing really poorly today. Sorry for all of these typos. |
| mdrs | what's a few typos amoungst friends?? |
| Dr._Ellwood | Well I know one thing with the Tube Tape Echo front end ..it does wonders as a pre amp |
| Dr._Ellwood | Ok any more questions for Adam |
| mdrs | Did I miss details about a possible marshall clone type of model from you, Adam?? |
| Dr._Ellwood | We knew this was just a update from Adam ..so it will go shorter I'm sure |
| strategery | Thanks Adam!! My amp rocks!! :) |
| TungstenAmp | mdrs - Just an idea I have been toying with. I have a modded JMP50 that is incredible and have considered cloning it. |
| mdrs | That might be fun! |
| Dr._Ellwood | is that in a Blues Breaker style combo |
| Dr._Ellwood | oh wait JMP..ok |
| TungstenAmp | It is a metalface 1972. Very aggressive and has a unique non original OT that gives it a large, open sound. |
| Dr._Ellwood | Ok im going to open this up for general chatter with Adam now.... we will transcribe the formal part of this and it will be on the transcripts link later... thanks for all the uupdates Adam we appreciate it buddy... Lee |
| mdrs | I have an old 18 watt 2x12 "Bluesbreaker".........that one's tone is KILLER. Ever consider a clone of such an amp? |
| TungstenAmp | Thanks, Lee. I appreciate the opportunity to talk shop again. |
| Dr._Ellwood | our pleasure Adam...stick around ... we are just general now ... but please hang with us... |
| mdrs | [IMG]http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/mdrs1/Marshall%20Combos/IMG_1191.jpg[/IMG] |
| strategery | Check out this stereo combo!! |
| strategery | [img]http://usera.imagecave.com/Strategery/Straterery1/randys4.JPG[/img] |
| revolead | does anyone have any advice for dealing with apartments as far as playing and practicing? |
| revolead | rockin setup randy |
| strategery | Yeah...Keep a gun. :D |
| revolead | lol done :) |
| revolead | two actually |
| strategery | hahaha |
| TungstenAmp | mdrs - I did build an 18 watt prototype several years ago and it was a good amplifier, but my heart lies with the tweed amps for now. I do currently own a Hoaglad 18W and consider it the best of that variety. |
| mdrs | My fav is a blackface Champ |
| mdrs | Thanks, Adam |
| TungstenAmp | Hoagland |
| revolead | done have you ever played through a little 22w deluxe? |
| revolead | dn* |
| revolead | don* |
| revolead | one from the blackface era specifically |
| mdrs | I have every Deluxe from the TV Tweed to the blackface.......so, yes. I love them |
| strategery | Nice. :) |
| Dr._Ellwood | Yep me too REVO the are fantatic tone machines |
| mdrs | Yes, I have two blackface Deluxes, one is a reverb |
| Craig | When you clone amps, how much does using new parts, compared to the old, original parts, effect the sound? |
| mdrs | they are wonderful amps, very versatile |
| TungstenAmp | I must say that the thread a couple weeks back about the 1955 Bassman got me pretty excited about that circuit. I may have to build myself one before the end of the year. |
| strategery | Nice. |
| strategery | 4/10....right? |
| mdrs | I love my '56 Bassman!! |
| Dr._Ellwood | I played on for years!! that are great amps |
| mdrs | Adam, I use The Klon in front of virtually every amp, and love it. Somehow, it doesn't seem to work well with that Bassman. I wonder why??? |
| Dr._Ellwood | O:-D |
| Dr._Ellwood | 8o |
| TungstenAmp | Craig - I think if you're going to invest the money in vintage amp parts, the speaker is probably where you'll achieve the most gains for your dollars invested. A nice vintage Jensen can do as much for your project as a good set of NOS tubes. |
| mdrs | The Klon is amazing in front of literally every other amp I have. But, I don't think that the Bassman likes it?? |
| Dr._Ellwood | have you really tweeked that Klon Doc??? you know the old treble control thing |
| Dr._Ellwood | 8o8o8o |
| TungstenAmp | I'm not sure. The input section differs slightly from the 5E7/5F4, that may account for it. |
| Dr._Ellwood | I bet the Klon would love the Tungsten's |
| mdrs | I've played around with it a bit..........I need to work it some more. Usually I get The Klon perfect for any amp right away. I need to work it some more..........which, with that amp, I'm more than happy to do!! |
| mdrs | :P |
| Dr._Ellwood | O:-D |
| strategery | Adam....how are your customers liking your use of Weber speakers compared to others? Just curious. |
| mdrs | Adam, you have a small practice amp in your line, right?? Similiar to a Champ?? |
| Dr._Ellwood | Adam have you ever used a Klon in front of your amps |
| strategery | Machine gun questioning...you gotta love it. :D |
| Dr._Ellwood | :P |
| mdrs | LOL |
| revolead | sorry guys downstairs for a min |
| revolead | anyway, yeah I love those deluxes too |
| mdrs | Adam will be stuttering soon........ |
| Dr._Ellwood | come back FAST |
| strategery | hahahaha |
| revolead | my fav amp ever is still a 68 silverface |
| TungstenAmp | Strat - Most people that have owned the original Jensens are very happy with the custom speakers that Weber makes for me. I'm a stickler for authenticity and when I heard the T12Q, I knew they had nailed it. |
| revolead | i covet it (a friend owns it) |
| strategery | Cool...thanks, just curious. |
| mdrs | Weber makes good stuff |
| TungstenAmp | mdrs - I do build 8" and 12" 5F1 inspired amps. |
| Dr._Ellwood | you covet your neighbors Silver face 8o |
| mdrs | Revo asked about an apartment/practice amp, and that's what I'd recommend, for sure |
| revolead | the 5F1? |
| TungstenAmp | Doc - I do not own a Klon, but have played and listened to a few good examples. Some of my customers use them regularly with the Cortez and seem to dig the combination. |
| mdrs | yes.....Champ like |
| mdrs | Adam, I've got to head out for dinner. I wanted to thank you for your time. We enjoyed chatting with you!! Please don't be a stranger. I'd love to see you on the forum more. And, we will continue to be great supporters of your most excellent amps!! |
| strategery | :D I'll will you my walker. |
| Dr._Ellwood | Yes you are!! |
| Rampdog | Thanks Adam |
| TungstenAmp | Thank you. |
| revolead | well i dunno. the guys my age make me wonder sometimes. |
| strategery | Thanks Adam!! |
| revolead | thanks adam. |
| Rampdog | enlightning as always |
| TungstenAmp | I was just sitting here trying to decide if I am a geezer or not at 35. |
| Craig | Thanks Adam. Was there anything further you wanted to add about your new amp? |
| TungstenAmp | Craig - Thanks. I should mention that it is cream tolex and wheat grille. The photos on the website are of a different amp, need to get some shots of the new model. |
