| userName | text |
| mdrs |
I want to just ask the members to type "question", and I'll call on them in turn to ask Ben a Question |
| mdrs |
Shall we start? |
| Verndog |
ok go |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
sounds good |
| mdrs |
O.K. |
| mdrs |
Ben, Do you play any instruments? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Yes...I play guitar,bass and keyboards in several bands...I also do sound design work for video games... |
| mdrs |
Do you have any formal musical training? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
a little...I did the whole jazz band thing in high school..but i taught myself most of what i use today |
| mdrs |
What kind of bands are you playing in now? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
I actually play in a pop group called "claire voyant" and also an ACDC tribute band called "The Jacks" |
| mdrs |
are you Angus or Malcolm? |
| mdrs |
Kidding.... |
| mdrs |
that's cool |
| mdrs |
Now |
| Verndog |
question |
| mdrs |
How did you get interested in electronics and tube technology? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Angus...it took about a year or so to nail the bit |
| mdrs |
you are next Vern |
| mdrs |
I'll let you know vern |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
I started repairing my own vinatge amp gear because I had no other option at the time...$$$:>) |
| mdrs |
so, were your first amps vintage?? BTW...how old are you? |
| ChatBot |
/login strategery |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
No...I had a GK SS thing and peavey's when I was 12-16...then I traded some gear for my first great amp which was a VOX Cambridge reverb...I am 37 years old now |
| strategery |
Still going on? |
| mdrs |
OK, Vern, your question for Ben..... |
| Verndog |
what was your first really favorite tone from an amp, and did you use that as the basis to design your tonal structure? Your amps have that crean in the coffee distortion rather than skim milk in tea. |
| Verndog |
i like the sound |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
The Vox CR really inspired me to build my first amp clone which was a "spitfire" based design...I slowly tweaked it to fit my needs as I used it live and in the studio |
| mdrs |
follow up, Vern? |
| Verndog |
the players heard with them had the best tone in a blues weekend |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Thanks for the kind words on my amp BTW |
| mdrs |
How and when did you get started building amps? And, what made you get into the business of amp design/building? |
| Verndog |
nice to talk at ya.. i need to go |
| mdrs |
Thanks for being here, Vern! |
| mdrs |
btw.......Vern played bass for Greg Howe, Ben. |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
I started it just as a hobby in 98 and did repair for local guys and friends...I eventually had enough interest to start doing it full time in 2000 and release a few models. |
| mdrs |
"in the day...." |
| mdrs |
How did you learn tube technology?? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
cool...take it easy Vern |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
I bought every book I could on the subject and I was lucky enough to have ROP electronics in high school which helped |
| mdrs |
No mentor?? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
I also had big help from a great man named Bruce Collins at Mission amps...he really was my unofficial mentor and really helped me get beyond the basics...such a smart guy! |
| mdrs |
You are obviously a student of some of the classic amps. Your models seem to be a cool mix of "clones" and originals???? |
| mdrs |
Am I right? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Yes..I have rarely ever done straight clones unless I was hired to nail a sound...I just have tried to use my ears to fix inherent issues with some of the classics while throwing my little twists in here and there... |
| ChatBot |
/logout Zephyr Timeout |
| strategery |
May I ask one question? |
| mdrs |
go ahead, Strat |
| strategery |
Thanks..... |
| strategery |
I've heard your amps are fantastic. |
| strategery |
Haven't played one yet. |
| strategery |
My question is this...... |
| strategery |
What is the big difference between..... |
| strategery |
PTP, Hand wired amps....larger components..... |
| strategery |
and those on a PCB.... |
| strategery |
When it comes to sound quality.... |
| strategery |
and reliability? |
| strategery |
Thank you. |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Same parts...it's just the construction methods that are different... |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
as far as tone... |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
PCB amp can sound great if they are designed well with double sided PCB and good parts... |
| mdrs |
follow up, strategery? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
The biggest issue is surface mounted control post and such which can break the whole PCB with impact rendering the amp useless |
| strategery |
No....I'll need to try one of these fine amps. |
| strategery |
Thanks. |
| strategery |
That makes sense. |
| strategery |
I'm on the website now. |
| mdrs |
Ben, how large is your company? (how many employees do you have?) |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
most of the problems with PCB amps is cheap parts and transformers... |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Including myself we have 3...we are very lean..lol |
| mdrs |
How is business these days? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
We are always out 6-8 weeks with backlogged orders as well as repairs and mods....I am also busy with consultant design work like the new carvin Vai legacy 2 amp that will be released at NAMM next week |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Question" |
| mdrs |
is that Carvin amp your latest project? |
| mdrs |
you are on deck, Lee |
| mdrs |
And, did you work with Steve Vai directly on that? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Yes...I have worked with Steve Vai directly for 2 years on the amp and it is done now...he is very happy with it... |
| mdrs |
Steve's a pretty cool guy...........easy to work with? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Steve is a great guy...so mellow and personable... he made it easy for me to do the job i was hired to do...create a great amp for him... |
| mdrs |
cool |
| mdrs |
Lee, your question.... |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Ben, we noticed the beautiful cabinet work on some of your natural finished amp cabinets, do you build your own or do you use a supplier |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
My brother Jeff @ J. designcabs.com does all our cabs...he is a master craftsman and a great guy as well..his work is the best in the biz as far as I am concerned.. |
| mdrs |
follow up, Lee? |
| Dr._Ellwood |
that's for sure Ben!! |
| Dr._Ellwood |
done for now Doc |
| mdrs |
How do you accomplish the 100 hours burn in prior to delivery of your amps? And, what is the purpose of the burn in? |
| ChatBot |
/logout strategery |
| ChatBot |
/login strategery |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
The burn in helps all the high end caps/resistors/transformers we use settle into there correct spec which sounds so different vs hour #1...it is necessary for great tone |
| mdrs |
How do you do the actual burn in? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
we actually just load the amp up with used bench tubes and let her run for 100 straight... |
| mdrs |
Ben, I've heard that you will build pretty much anything a customer wants, as far as amps goes....do you stick to your "line" of amps, or do you also do custom builds? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
I have done many custom build in the last 10 years...so many i create confusion for some buyers;)I am starting to cut back on some of the custom work because i am so busy with other things that need to get done..right now i am quoting 9-12 month for any custom piece now... |
| mdrs |
What's your most popular model, currently? |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Question: |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
The Mini Plex MKII by far...the Mighty Plex MKII is next in line |
| mdrs |
Lee your question |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Ben back to the burn in period... how often do you have component failure in that time period? |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
That |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
that's what is so important...the bell curve states that most failures happen in the first 8 hours of operation |
| Dr._Ellwood |
yes! |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
i would rather have a failure in house to correct than send an amp that might fail at the customers location...but we use such high quality part's we don't have many failures |
| ChatBot |
/logout Millo Timeout |
| Dr._Ellwood |
ok great Ben!! thanks.. done for now Doc |
| mdrs |
Any other questions for Ben? |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Yes.. |
| mdrs |
go |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Ben how would you say your mini plexi likes effects pedals going right into the front end |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
I like many pedals in front of the MP....fuzz's clean boosts ect.but super high gain stuff would not be best because the mini has plenty of it's own gain on tap |
| Dr._Ellwood |
ok thanks Ben!! |
| mdrs |
Well, since dinner is on the table :P I'll say, on behalf of Lee, Craig, and I (I'm Don, BTW), as well as the members of The String Network, I'd like to thank you for your time. We really enjoyed having you. We will set up a thread on "The Guitar Forum" for follow up questions members may have for you. Please check in as often as you can!! |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Sounds good...thanks! |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Yes and Ben could we have you back at some future date?? |
| Dr._Ellwood |
a full transcript will be available later toight Ben... |
| mdrs |
Also, the transcript of this chat will be permanently posted on The String Network for all to see! |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
Sure...just set up a time and i would be happy to do this again...cheers! |
| mdrs |
THANK YOU BEN |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Thanks Buddy !!!! have a great evening |
| Fargen_Amplifica |
same to you! |
| Craig |
Should have the transcript up in about an hour. |
| Craig |
Thanks for coming Ben! |
| Dr._Ellwood |
Thanks Craig!!! |
