[Harp-L] The Crunch Is ON! Part II

["Ronald Tuffel" <ronnyt@xxxxx>]

This is a message I sent to David Brown that covers a bunch of my thoughts,
ideas, and my view of the Cruncher. It stems from a post I made on Jan.30,
2008 "How to Become A Bluesman". Pretty silly! But, my encounter with David
Brown was super. Rather than trying to recreate the situation I hope it is
okay with David that I pass this email to him on to you all.

 

 

 

David,

 

            We're cut from the same cloth. I love the quest for the best! I
have about 15- 20 mics myself. Actually, more, but some I bought just to try
that after a few attempts they have been relegated to the bottom of the mic
case. If this info only helps you, clears-up or substantiates your thoughts
or ideas then I am a happy guy. I check Harp-L in search of info, any info
that will help me continue developing. Tips, hints, thoughts, or insights
into the world of amplification, projection, or sound in general. I get lots
of good stuff, so I'm always hoping to give back to the community from which
I come from. If one person benefits then I am feeling I have done my duty.
So, this is no bother, in fact, it is my pleasure.

            Dropping the tubes means increasing the headroom which gives you
the overdrive. In my SJ410, I run a 12AU7 and then two 12AU6's across,
presently. Not long ago I ran all 12AU6's, but I wasn't able to project in
the bigger rooms efficiently. And, with low range mics that are supposed to
give more bass and bottom the sound was not clear, more towards the
beginning of what some folks say is a muddy sound. But, muddy was one of
those blues terms that they said was cool!

            I was playing in four different bands, a few years ago and I
moved the tubes around to suit the situation. Now, I'm set-up for ME! When I
play small rooms I just turn down to fit the occasion. The Cruncher seems to
have all the technology from the SJ410 and all the other amps he developed.
So, in a smaller package he has delivered the bomb. It overdrives like
crazy, but you need to know how to make it growl. Without individual
technique the amp is still a monster and can be clean, but with the ability
to make any amp overdrive, this one just hummmms!

            The Cruncher's general set-up is 5U4 6L6GE 6L6GE 12AU7 12AU7
12AT7. The treble is the boost on this amp. The bass should only be on 6
(normally 10-12 on most amps), middle 2-5, and volume can probably get to
7-8 before it starts to feedback, all this in normal position. Bridged,
which I forgot to say with the SJ410 is that I always bridge that amp, just
makes it have more punch. And, presence is set inside which is generally
around 4. At low volume 2-5. both bridged and unbridged it overdrives
fantastically. I'm looking to turn it up! I've played out with just reverb
one night, then reverb and a little delay the next. Last night I added the
Digitech 200A with the delay and reverb all hooked up together which gave
the amp a wonderful coloring and flavor with the spillover from the
Digitech, but I never used any of the effects. Tonight I will try to employ
a few effects.

            So, there it is so far. I'll let you know what happens when I
unleash the effects. The room tonight is also small but I can turn it up a
bit more because it is a cafe and the room is for the immediate on lookers
and the sound is intended to reach the whole place which is 45 meters by 20
meters with room at the far end separated from the rest of the place by a
fairly large interior bar. I'm using three mics a night. A Turner 254 with
CR that I got from SJ especially to match up with the SJ410 and Cruncher. A
SM545 from Tom Ellis, and a Super Blues Blaster CR element and fixtures by
Chuck Gurney. The only thing from the Blues Blaster was the shell Chuck
completely refitted everything.

            Well, I've got to start getting ready. I'll get back to you
soon! Be Good!

 

Ron

 

 I cleaned up the letter I originally sent Dave a bit for clarity, grammar,
and a few additional thoughts, but not much. I've used a few different
effects with the Digitech 200A. I got all the patches from Richard Hunter.
They sound even better than I thought because the overdrive gives some of
the patches an even more developed effect. I have played in five different
venues with the Cruncher and enjoy practicing at home in my recreation room
at low volume full effect. Unbelievable!  Playing out once un-bridged, the
other times bridged and always with additional pedals for reverb, delay, an
effects.

I have never had the amp loud enough to have feedback. The loudest I've
played it was bridged and both volumes on 61/2 and they asked me to turn it
down after two songs at that volume, so I eased it back to 51/2 and stayed
there the rest of the evening. I admit I was over doing it at 61/2, but I
immediately played the" I'm experimenting" card. I sit the amp on a box
about 1 ft. or 30cms off the floor. The ultimate would be to sit it up and
tilt it. That's my next addition is to get an amp stand that can do it all.
The settings that I gave for treble, mid, and bass are applicable if you are
trying to project and get some bottom also. You can brighten it up easily,
and you can lower that low end a bit more as well by simply dialing in your
settings or you can play the "tube game", and I like bottom.  The first four
places I played in I had the Cruncher at volumes between (bridged) 2 and
41/2 and the amp responds at low volume exceptionally well, amazingly well.
This thing covers well, ample power and projection in all the small venues
I've been in last week. I don't expect it to cover the range and power of my
SJ410 and, I certainly didn't buy it to rival the features of the SJ410.

I got this amp for one extended reason "Instant Overdrive"," The Growl", or
"The Purr". I have a SJ410, so this just means I've got all bases completely
covered. I can play in every size venue with the touch or effect I wish to
employ for the occasion before needing to mic. (Obviously, I'll mic it when
necessary or line out.) And, mics do make a difference depending on what
you're playing or what you want to sound like. People are already saying
that I won't play the SJ410 anymore. But, what an advantage to know that I
have both at my disposal, I can choose. I had high expectations before hand
and this amp has exceeded my beliefs by far. Outdoors I'm going to run the
two amps in parallel. Value for money or money is often necessary to gain
value, I'm pleased with myself for the move. I feel good that I made the
choice and feel rewarded for having situational intelligence.  These amps
are functional collector's items! And, once again, I have those darn guitar
players begging to give my amp a ride! Hey, David, I hope this covered it?

 

Ya'll be good!

 

Rockin' Ronny

 

P.S.-  Now go and get famous !!