Hot Rodding a DSL40C???

gball said:
Nah, I have a Mark 5:25, the little one:

mark-5-25-head-center-1.jpg


But I have been talking myself out of the Petrucci head ever since they were released. It's the most phenomenally great-sounding and versatile amp I have ever plugged into. However, I will say that the Mk IIC+ and Mk 4 modes of the 25 are so close it probably makes no difference in the end. No more than the difference from one guitar to the next...it's just that the engine room in the JP will move a mountain while the 25 is loud enough but lacks that kind of brute force behind it, if you know what I mean.
Click to expand...

That "little one" looks formidable! Like a Mark 1!
 
Robert Herndon said:
That "little one" looks formidable! Like a Mark 1!
Click to expand...

Dude, that little thing will take your head off through a 4x12 cab. At full-on gigging volume I run it at 10:00/11:00 on the master, never have any trouble cutting through, never run out of headroom. The preamp circuits are identical to big brother so the tones are the same quality, only difference is the output section knocks it down to a more usable 25-watts. It's the perfect size and weight, has spring reverb if you like that sort of thing, and is built like a sh!thouse. Plus it has the built-in CabClone, so I can run it direct into a recording interface, or even just plug in headphones and noodle the night away without bothering the wife. Even the, ehem, clean tones are incredible - pure Blackface if you want it (for the record, I do not).

It's honestly the best money I have ever spent on a piece of gear in my life. I wax on about the JP, but really this amp does suit me better. Could not be happier with it and really wouldn't change a thing about it.
 
@chilipeppermaniac
gball said:
and there are some pretty reputable repair guys in both Baltimore and DC that I am sure could do just as good a job.
Click to expand...
Yes there is... VVT Amps!
From their website:
Company Location
520 University Drive
Waldorf, MD 20602

How To Contact Us
Email: vvtamps@vvtamps.com
Phone: (240) 222 -3830

Office Hours
Mon-Wed: 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
Thurs-Sun: 10:00 am-8:00 pm

Due to the number of orders and repairs we receive, We recommend that you call prior to visiting our location.
 
gball said:
Dude, that little thing will take your head off through a 4x12 cab. At full-on gigging volume I run it at 10:00/11:00 on the master, never have any trouble cutting through, never run out of headroom. The preamp circuits are identical to big brother so the tones are the same quality, only difference is the output section knocks it down to a more usable 25-watts. It's the perfect size and weight, has spring reverb if you like that sort of thing, and is built like a sh!thouse. Plus it has the built-in CabClone, so I can run it direct into a recording interface, or even just plug in headphones and noodle the night away without bothering the wife. Even the, ehem, clean tones are incredible - pure Blackface if you want it (for the record, I do not).

It's honestly the best money I have ever spent on a piece of gear in my life. I wax on about the JP, but really this amp does suit me better. Could not be happier with it and really wouldn't change a thing about it.
Click to expand...

The little head is tube, right?
 
Hey Gball, I know about the shipping. darnit. Now, as for the reputable guys around Bmore, hit me up with some names if you will.

Sadly, one I thought was good at the suggestion of another player friend of mine, really isn't and is not trustable. I took my JMP to him once and he left me very uneasy about his honesty. That's all I want to say about that.

I actually am probably quite capable of doing the mouse wire and coupling cap repairs, but when it comes to getting the amp in optimal condition and thus optimal reliability and sound, I really would like an expert to do a thorough assessment and go over everything.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
Hey Gball, I know about the shipping. darnit. Now, as for the reputable guys around Bmore, hit me up with some names if you will.

Sadly, one I thought was good at the suggestion of another player friend of mine, really isn't and is not trustable. I took my JMP to him once and he left me very uneasy about his honesty. That's all I want to say about that.

I actually am probably quite capable of doing the mouse wire and coupling cap repairs, but when it comes to getting the amp in optimal condition and thus optimal reliability and sound, I really would like an expert to do a thorough assessment and go over everything.
Click to expand...

Man, it's been a looong time since I lived in the area, but when I used to get work done it was normally from the guy at Bill's (can't remember his name but Ron rings a bell) or I would take them to Chuck Levin's. Honestly, I never really liked going to independent guys because the big places would stand by the work and if anything got f'd they'd make it right or replace your gear.
 
Robert Herndon said:
That "little one" looks formidable! Like a Mark 1!
Click to expand...

I should also mention that they have the best master volume of any amp I've yet played. Don't know how they do it but it maintains the same sound at below-conversation-level volume as it has wound up to practice level. Higher than that and it just keeps getting better and sweeter-sounding.
 
gball said:
Yeah, Mesa has never built a solid-state amp and it would be hard to believe they ever will. They've also never built an amp outside of Petaluma, CA and it's equally hard to believe they ever would.
Click to expand...

They sound great from your descriptions!!!
 
I'm leaning towards a 2×10 combo of some sort in the 45 pound range. Man handling my DSL40C into my trunks is rough at 68 pounds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top