Kelvin's Guitar/drums stuff and JV Squier refurbishment thread.

hyperfish

HNAD

I have the Orange 112, great sound and built like a tank. I put castors on mine instead of dragging it around. They also do them in black Kelvin.

KelvinS1965

I think it was a 112 I played through today and it was black. I was surprised how much of the low end 'thump' the 1 x 12 had (perhaps due to the sealed back?). My old Blackstar really sounded quite boxy when he plugged it in to check it over, so the cab makes a big difference.

The OH is going out all day tomorrow, so I'll have chance to try my other guitars through it as I haven't tried a humbucker through it, just a Strat and a P90 Tribute.

Christian 71

Happy new amp day Kelvin!

You could always try upgrading the speaker, the Blackstar speakers sound like someone has thrown a blanket over them to me. No doubt though a 12" sounds much more open sounding and I avoid smaller speakers now.

Celestion do a 10" V30 which people say are pretty good, just bear in mind any speaker you buy will need breaking in and the V30 can sound a bit harsh out of the box.

KelvinS1965

I traded the HT5-R against the JMP-1H. I did consider upgrading the 12" 'Blackbird' speaker in it, but I just fancy having one decent cabinet and the 2 heads to use with it. I might buy a 12" V30 and fit it to the Line 6 'cab' until I have the new cabinet built, still haven't decided what style to go for yet.

KelvinS1965

Tried my Epi Les Paul through it today...that's the sound I was after. Then I went up to the studio with my neighbour as he wanted to try out his various guitars through the half stacks they have. Of course I took along the JMP-1 and the Vox Lil Night Train as well. Both drove the 4 x 12 pretty loud considering their low wattage.

We compared my Epi against his as he has just replaced the pickups with some brand I've not heard of before. They aren't as 'hot' as the Dimarzio I've got in the bridge, but comparing my original neck pick up with his (through the Marshall of course ) I think his sounded better/clearer. I'll have to get round to deciding what neck pick up to get for mine. I might splash out on a pair of Bareknuckle 'Mules' but still seems a lot to pay for pick ups. (Ignoring what I've spent recently on the guitar and amps ).

The Vox NT15G2 arrives on Monday and I've got the day off.

KelvinS1965

Played nearly all afternoon...just put away all the guitars and put the faulty Vox back together (I couldn't resist trying some different valves in it to see if it sorted out the crackles, which it did).

@Steve Stifler this is the 1 watt amp I was talking about (I don't expect you've seen this sub forum?).

Just took a couple of pictures for posterity:

                                                                                                                                                        

KelvinS1965

The Vox NT15G2 turned up today and I just happen to have the day off. Plugged it straight in and had a blast with my Strat while the OH was out. It really does give me the clean tones that I've been after (even more so than the 2 watt head, since the tone controls work on this amp). The built in reverb adds to the tone too so I can get the classic Hank Marvin/Buddy Holly/Mark Knopffler clean tones I've been after, though the Strat desperately needs new strings to really get the best out of the Vox.

The dirtier/edgier sounds are good too...a passable Brian May distortion (think the start of 'Tie your Mother down') is possible on the Strat bridge pick up. With the mid turned down a more metal sounding saturated lead is possible too. There is an FX loop in the back so I'll be able to try my pedals into it as well (not that I use many).

Just off to try the other guitars through it now, but it's a great compliment to the Marshall.

                                                                       

hyperfish

HNAD

KelvinS1965

I had to give in and admit that I don't like the frets on the new Gibson. I guess after 33 year of the Strat which has 'vintage' frets (as does my 50s Classic Tele and my Epiphone Les Paul) I just can't adapt to the 'speed bumps' that the new Gibson has, as it feels really distracting to me feeling my fingers bounce as I slide up and down the neck.

However, through a contact at the guitar class I've found a new local Luthier who is going to level the frets down (1mm down from the current 1.5mm) then crown and polish them, then a full set up afterwards. Maybe I shouldn't have to spend more money on a new guitar (and a Gibson at that), but it's partly my fault for buying 'blind' on line. It's not like I don't like the sound, weight and looks of it though, just that I'm not settling into the frets (the neck itself is fine though).

In any case for what I paid, plus another £85 for the above work I'll still have a great guitar for under £500 total. Once it's set up the same as my Epiphone(!) I'll feel more comfortable playing it, judging by how my Strat and Epiphone felt after a pro set up. Ironically, my 'made in Mexico' Telecaster was spot on once I'd changed the strings and tweaked the action/truss rod slightly, so doesn't need a pro set up to suit me.

Hoping to get it back in time for our end of term gig at the local pub. I'm playing three songs; lead in 'Up around the bend' by Credance, Clearwater Revival & also 'Hanging on the telephone' by Blondie, plus rhythm on 'I hate myself for loving you' by Joan Jet. Probably non of them played on a P90 Les Paul, but seems to sound good enough to fit the songs.

KungFuPro

Sounds like jumbo frets, nice once they're broken in but can feel clumsy when new, especially if you're used to vintage frets. I had a similar problem with a used Jackson I bought, frets were like new and didn't feel nice to play until a fret level, feels a lot more smoother to play now.

Nice tunes you've lined up for your gig, do they supply PA/amps or will the Night Train/Marshall heads be put through their paces.