Panama Amps - Feedback please.

jtcnj

Ambassador of the Crossroad
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A member on another forum requests feedback on Panama amps build quality, longevity, etc.
I think 2 or 3 at least here have experience with them @eSGEe , @RVA I think.

"Gimme a bullet to bite on
Something to chew
So I can....."

pass it along.

I dont know why my mind thinks in song lyrics so often.

 
A member on another forum requests feedback on Panama amps build quality, longevity, etc.
I think 2 or 3 at least here have experience with them @eSGEe , @RVA I think.

"Gimme a bullet to bite on
Something to chew
So I can....."

pass it along.

I dont know why my mind thinks in song lyrics so often.

I sold mine. It worked reasonably well, except for a power light issue, and I enjoyed the tone while I had it. When I opened it up and posted pics, the collective noted that the guts were not up to standard. I would say that it is good for the price
 
A member on another forum requests feedback on Panama amps build quality, longevity, etc.
I think 2 or 3 at least here have experience with them @eSGEe , @RVA I think.

"Gimme a bullet to bite on
Something to chew
So I can....."

pass it along.

I dont know why my mind thinks in song lyrics so often.

Powerage is a great album. I have it on my 'phone & listen to regularly. Cheers
 
I sold mine. It worked reasonably well, except for a power light issue, and I enjoyed the tone while I had it. When I opened it up and posted pics, the collective noted that the guts were not up to standard. I would say that it is good for the price
EXACTLY what he said-- and I too sold mine a while back
 
You could hear that Angus hadn't found his way to his " Schaffer-Vega Diversity System " wireless yet. When he got it changed his sound from great to what it is now. About 1977 he first used it on Back in Black and never played without it again. It's the missing link in his signal chain to get his exact sound that few knew about and probably still don't. Recently the original designer of it started making them w/ the exact parts he used back then …. The Schaffer-Vega system introduced a new twist to a process called “companding.” Angus used the SVDS’ proprietary processing and companding to shape his sound and create his unmistakable signature.​
Keep in mind that AC/DC’s Back in Black is one of the best-selling albums of all time. Much of the lead guitar tone of Angus Young from that magic era is due to the Schaffer-Vega. The SVDS sported a clean boost, a compressor and an expander (companding), and a optical limiter in its audio circuitry, allowing it to further overdrive the amplifiers and add a unique signature to the sound. As with all guitar effects or sound effects in general in the known universe, some will like it and some won’t. We have tested the original Schaffer-Vega and its Replica extensively for two years and published many videos with it.

The Schaffer Replica® EX Tower EXTower_Front_550x825.jpg
$1,149.00

The Schaffer Replica® EX Tower is the result of this recent painstaking reverse-engineering. Several new features were added in order to offer maximum audio quality and flexibility.


The most important new feature is a vintage design analog limiter derived from the opto-isolator found in the original TX10 transmitter. Previously overlooked in our first iterations of the Replica, this component delivers incredible dynamics and touch sensitivity.


The enclosure was also completely redesigned and now is an exact reproduction of the ’63EX’ receiver. It comes in two versions: Classic or Blue

The Schaffer Replica ‘Classic’ Pedal (In Stock) The_Schaffer_REPLICA_550x825.png
$299.00

The second iteration of the Replica was a much more affordable and user friendly unit – the pedal version. Surface mount technology (SMD) allowed for a much more compact product while still retaining the same sound of the Gold Tag edition.


It was a success, selling well over thousands of units and amassing many awards and positive reviews.



2019 SD Storm V2 (PRE-ORDER) STORM_SOLODALLAS_550x825.png
$199.00

The SoloDallas Storm® is the latest evolution of our product line. Derived directly from our latest Schaffer Replica EX Tower, this particular design of our product line delivers the same strong character as its predecessor, the Schaffer Replica Pedal, in a different – more market standard – package, updating and even enhancing previously seen and heard features.
Smaller, powered by standard 9v power supply or battery, the Storm® was designed to suit the practical needs of gigging musicians and bedroom rockers alike.
It features the same vintage design analog limiter of the EX Tower.
The Schaffer tone will now fit into your pedalboard along with all your other favorite effects without any compromise.



SoloDallas Logo



SoloDallas LLC © 2019 San Diego, California, USA
 
Funny the way people were bragging about their Panama amps a few years ago looks like they didn't stand the test of time.

I built a guitar amp that nails Back in Black just with a flick of a bright switch 500pf custom wound power transformer from
my friend that worked for Two-Rock. 1968 Dagnall C-1998 output transformer like what is in the famous EVH Super Lead 100 Marshall
It is a #183 Dumble Clone platform with a few extras like Marshall JTM 45/100 B+ filtering on/off/on bright switch.
Bright switch off sounds like Jimmy Page Bright switch on 250pf Jimmi Hendrix Bright switch 500pf Angus in spades.

183 001.JPG
 
Telefunken rib plate 12AX7 and a quad of Wing C EL34 that's what the real #183 used for power tubes.

After 12 years only played this amp a few times just to loud for the venues our band plays

Next I built a 50 watt version that's my holy grail amp of all time the volume is more manageable both amps the notes bloom out of control.

A #183 clone mid boost engaged Tag did own the real #183 Shad sent me photos and voltage chart before he went nuts or crazy

 
You could hear that Angus hadn't found his way to his " Schaffer-Vega Diversity System " wireless yet. When he got it changed his sound from great to what it is now. About 1977 he first used it on Back in Black and never played without it again. It's the missing link in his signal chain to get his exact sound that few knew about and probably still don't. Recently the original designer of it started making them w/ the exact parts he used back then …. The Schaffer-Vega system introduced a new twist to a process called “companding.” Angus used the SVDS’ proprietary processing and companding to shape his sound and create his unmistakable signature.​
Keep in mind that AC/DC’s Back in Black is one of the best-selling albums of all time. Much of the lead guitar tone of Angus Young from that magic era is due to the Schaffer-Vega. The SVDS sported a clean boost, a compressor and an expander (companding), and a optical limiter in its audio circuitry, allowing it to further overdrive the amplifiers and add a unique signature to the sound. As with all guitar effects or sound effects in general in the known universe, some will like it and some won’t. We have tested the original Schaffer-Vega and its Replica extensively for two years and published many videos with it.

The Schaffer Replica® EX Tower View attachment 34792
$1,149.00

The Schaffer Replica® EX Tower is the result of this recent painstaking reverse-engineering. Several new features were added in order to offer maximum audio quality and flexibility.


The most important new feature is a vintage design analog limiter derived from the opto-isolator found in the original TX10 transmitter. Previously overlooked in our first iterations of the Replica, this component delivers incredible dynamics and touch sensitivity.


The enclosure was also completely redesigned and now is an exact reproduction of the ’63EX’ receiver. It comes in two versions: Classic or Blue

The Schaffer Replica ‘Classic’ Pedal (In Stock) View attachment 34793
$299.00

The second iteration of the Replica was a much more affordable and user friendly unit – the pedal version. Surface mount technology (SMD) allowed for a much more compact product while still retaining the same sound of the Gold Tag edition.


It was a success, selling well over thousands of units and amassing many awards and positive reviews.



2019 SD Storm V2 (PRE-ORDER) View attachment 34794
$199.00

The SoloDallas Storm® is the latest evolution of our product line. Derived directly from our latest Schaffer Replica EX Tower, this particular design of our product line delivers the same strong character as its predecessor, the Schaffer Replica Pedal, in a different – more market standard – package, updating and even enhancing previously seen and heard features.
Smaller, powered by standard 9v power supply or battery, the Storm® was designed to suit the practical needs of gigging musicians and bedroom rockers alike.
It features the same vintage design analog limiter of the EX Tower.
The Schaffer tone will now fit into your pedalboard along with all your other favorite effects without any compromise.



SoloDallas Logo



SoloDallas LLC © 2019 San Diego, California, USA
The Schaffer Vega wireless system was first used in the studio (Angus only) for the recording of Highway to Hell. To recreate his live sound they used his live rig. It was used for lead parts, however there's still conflicting views on whether or not it was used for rhythm parts (& Mutt Lange ain't talking).
While Angus had two Schaffer Vega wireless systems in his live rig he would still sometimes plug straight into the amps with a cable, see "Let There Be Rock" (1980), he's using a cable for the entire show. Im not sure when he stopped using them (remember, the Schaffer Vega wireless were not available for quite some time), but he started using them again after Solodallas presented him with the first reproduction unit. Cheers
 
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I liked my Panaama -- but - a very talented fellow (member of these here forums even) BUILT me the Lil Sexy---and it was TRULY a Panama SLAYER when it comes to Fender ish tonefull 5 watt hand wired Boutiquie Amperage
little sexy1.jpg

here they are during a tone on tone contest------- the Panama had a more Champ oriented SLant to its tone while the SEXY has more of a Princeton esque sound---
but with unique NON Fender feel as well.

the Panam DID have an aattenuation feature which allowed FULL tube distortion at liveable levels---- but hey I have a Joyo Ultimate drive for that so----
Lil SExy WINS!
 
I likes this off Powerage too...

Overdose is off the fourth album "Let There Be Rock". Powerage was the fifth album, tracklist; rock 'n' roll damnation, down payment blues, gimme a bullet, riff Raff, sin city, what's next to the moon, gone shooting, up to my neck in you & kicked in the teeth. Cheers
 
Overdose is off the fourth album "Let There Be Rock". Powerage was the fifth album, tracklist; rock 'n' roll damnation, down payment blues, gimme a bullet, riff Raff, sin city, what's next to the moon, gone shooting, up to my neck in you & kicked in the teeth. Cheers

Thought so too yet it was under Powerage when I searched it. Made me second guess myself.Lol

Make up for it...

 
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