After All That Switching, It's Still...

László

László

Master Of The Universe (Emeritus)
Joined
Apr 26, 2012
Messages
37,318
Location
Michigan
...the HXDA.

OK, I've previously posted about days and days of playing around switching amps. And tonight I had one of those epiphanies. I do have a #1 amp, and it's the same #1 amp I've called my #1 amp for a while.

I love my DG30, and I dig the Lone Star, but tonight I played the HXDA lot (posted about it in another thread in the guitar forum), got my best tone EVER with my 30th CU24, and realized that the HXDA is absolutely unchallenged as my favorite amplifier of all time. And this includes some mighty fine, classic and boutique amps.

It sounded so good tonight, so clean when I wanted clean, so "edge of grit" just by attacking a little harder with the pick, and so buttery-smooth distorted when I rolled the guitar volume up a bit, that it was not capable of making a sound I didn't love.

I love this amp.

I mean it. I might have to get a backup at some point this year, because I would be heartbroken if it even needed service and I didn't have one around to play.

The HXDA wins my "Best Amp of All Time" award. And since I'm almost 800 years old, "all time" is a long time. ;)
 
toothace said:
So...what exactly are you saying Les?:p
Click to expand...

I am saying that you, even though you are a Master of the Tooth, a practitioner of a learned profession, must now throw caution to the wind and buy yourself an HXDA or be forever missing out on the greatest amp of all time.

Of course, if you have one already, you must now buy another.

So it is written! So it shall be done!
 
LSchefman said:
I am saying that you, even though you are a Master of the Tooth, a practitioner of a learned profession, must now throw caution to the wind and buy yourself an HXDA or be forever missing out on the greatest amp of all time.

Of course, if you have one already, you must now buy another.

So it is written! So it shall be done!
Click to expand...

It's already on the list Les!:cool:
 
Now, once I get to the point of pulling the trigger, the big question is, 30w or 50w?
 
While strolling thru the Dallas Guitar Show on Saturday, there was vintage amp after amp displayed. There was NOT ONE that I would trade for my 50 watt HXDA (or Fender Vibroking for that matter). And I think I've said this before, if there's a forum member that's never played thru the HXDA with their favorite guitar, you are missing out hearing the greatest single channel amp head on the market at any price. And I will never forget the day when Paul himself came to Austin and demo'd the head at Guitar Rez, played the first riffs to Whipping Post. (After I had just listened to the Fillmore Live cut in the car not knowing that would be the first thing he would play either). So sell all your 'iffy' amps and get one. There will be no 'buyers remorse'.
 
Last edited:
Boogie said:
Now, once I get to the point of pulling the trigger, the big question is, 30w or 50w?
Click to expand...

Either, but use a 2x12. It matters. There's a little bit of congestion with a 1x12. In the past I have remarked that I preferred the 50 to the 30, but I think it might have simply been that I ran the 50 with a 2x12 and at first ran the 30 with a 1x12.

WeFixFlats said:
While strolling thru the Dallas Guitar Show on Saturday, there was vintage amp after amp displayed. There was NOT ONE that I would trade for my 50 watt HXDA (or Fender Vibroking for that matter).
Click to expand...

This is my feeling exactly.

BrianC said:
Maybe the CU 24 really helped!!!! ( said the CU 24 lover)
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It certainly couldn't have hurt!
 
I'm with you Les... I LOVE my HXDA 100! It is easily the most gratifying amp I've ever plugged into! I run it through its matching 212 cab and have yet to try a 412 with it. It is so flexible and works with everything from my tele to my 408 standard!
 
duhdewd said:
I'm with you Les... I LOVE my HXDA 100! It is easily the most gratifying amp I've ever plugged into! I run it through its matching 212 cab and have yet to try a 412 with it. It is so flexible and works with everything from my tele to my 408 standard!
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Awesome! I'll bet the 100 sounds amazing.
 
Hey Les I'm pretty interested in this amp my self, I really want to try one out so bad.
If I ever get the chance, I won't let up!
 
The Fight said:
Hey Les I'm pretty interested in this amp my self, I really want to try one out so bad.
If I ever get the chance, I won't let up!
Click to expand...

If you are able, just buy one.

Set up correctly, with the right tubes, through a cabinet that's right for the amp, there is nothing else on the market that sounds like it, or responds to the picking hand like it. The tone is glorious.

As with any amp, of course, the tubes need to break in and the amp needs to settle, but....man. Nothing like it.
 
LSchefman said:
If you are able, just buy one.

Set up correctly, with the right tubes, through a cabinet that's right for the amp, there is nothing else on the market that sounds like it, or responds to the picking hand like it. The tone is glorious.

As with any amp, of course, the tubes need to break in and the amp needs to settle, but....man. Nothing like it.
Click to expand...

You review makes it sound like you're talking about chocolate~

I will definitely take you advice, and I think I'd prefer the 50watt my self. Just seems like the right amount of head room for any amp.
 
The Fight said:
I will definitely take you advice, and I think I'd prefer the 50watt my self. Just seems like the right amount of head room for any amp.
Click to expand...

More like chocolate covered caramel...

Yup, the 50 has great fabulousness (I just made that word up). ;)
 
WeFixFlats said:
While strolling thru the Dallas Guitar Show on Saturday, there was vintage amp after amp displayed. There was NOT ONE that I would trade for my 50 watt HXDA (or Fender Vibroking for that matter). And I think I've said this before, if there's a forum member that's never played thru the HXDA with their favorite guitar, you are missing out hearing the greatest single channel amp head on the market at any price. And I will never forget the day when Paul himself came to Austin and demo'd the head at Guitar Rez, played the first riffs to Whipping Post. (After I had just listened to the Fillmore Live cut in the car not knowing that would be the first thing he would play either). So sell all your 'iffy' amps and get one. There will be no 'buyers remorse'.
Click to expand...

Plugs ears...

LALALALALALA!!!!!
 
dmatthews said:
Well let's see... if I sold my H, and my Hot Rod, and a guitar, I could...
Aaaaaaaaagh... stop it! You should not prey on the weak!
Click to expand...
You know you want one. There's no use fighting it. I rented the wife out for a weekend to get mine. Totally worth it :confused:
 
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