Re: RI Bassman "limited" PTP vc PCB

[Ray Beltran <raybeltran@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 2/26/04 10:31 AM, "harp-l-digest" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 09:50:46 -0500
> From: "Hambone Hamilton" <harpmanx@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: RI Bassman "limited" PTP vc PCB
> 
> Jim said:  >I think the BM RI "standard"  is a fine harp amp.  I compared a
> stock one to
>> the same amp with a Hoffman hand wired board with the same tube compliment
>> and bias setting.  I could hear no difference.
> 
> 
> This doesn't surprise me.  All else being equal (and that's very important),
> I don't beleive that there is any tonal difference in printed circuit board
> as opposed to point to point.  Of course, PTP setups are much easier to work
> on and tweak, and probably more durable in the long run, but that's a
> separate issue.  Personally, I'm not that big on Bassman's...they're too
> heavy and too damn loud for my tastes, although they do sound great of
> course.  I gig with a 1957 Carvin Tweed Deluxe class w/2 6V6's and a single
> 12".  I have to mic it, but it sounds big and full to me.
> 
> Hambone
> 
> _________________________________________________________________

I talked at length with my tech Ron Holmes (holmeseng.com) before I went for
the change from PCB to PTP. The PCB is mass-produced, and Ron told me about
stampings that don't set all the way, etchings on the board that are only
adequate, cheap, noisy pots, and electrical emissions crossing points on the
board. Can you hear these things, especially at a gig? I don't think so. But
I did notice an "opening up" of the amp's sound when I had the Uiltratone
(ultratoneamps.com) board installed. It's also the quitest amp I've ever
owned. Peace of mind knowing that nothing weird will happen at a gig
sometime because of the board. Knowing that the point-to-point board is
totally serviceable.

For me, it's kinda like the whole custom harmonica thing. If you feel good
about your gear, if it makes you feel like you sound better, if it erases
any "what if" in the back of your mind, well then I believe you WILL play
and sound better.

Solid state is not a bad thing, according to Ron. Back in it's heyday, there
was an art to solid state engineering. But when manufacturers found that
they could marry solid state engineering to the production line, then the
bean counters stepped in and found that they could do things on the cheap.

Big amp or small, I favor the sound of 6L6's. Owned a couple of Ampeg Jets.
They were great amps, I liked their sound, but I like the bigger, bolder
sound of 6L6's much more.

Ray.