Holy Grail Amp in the House!!!

Trying out one of the Fender/Zinky Tone-Masters through Celestion Black Shadows, this time fronted by Diamond comp into Analog.man-modded DOD YJM 308 (set for low/medium gain). Cleans up quite nicely on guitar volume.

Similar-ish tone, but with a bit more "bone" than my main Two Rocks: probably enough to match the Boogies. Group rehearsals will tell.
 
It's an amp you need to spend time with, especially in the case of the un-modded originals. It's got a very sensitive (instant "woah!") gain knob on the lead channel.

Mine both had their loops removed, and have always been used as huge no/low gain pedal platforms - both by me and their previous owner.
 
I know you guys think I make most of this stuff up, and often you’re right, but I’ve said for years that a solid state amp can be designed to sound VERY good. In few areas, as good as tubes and maybe even better. The main issue in doing so is that a very well designed and implemented solid-state amp cost about as much as a tube amp. Most guitar players are not willing to pay as much for solid-state as they are for tubes. This is in large part because of all the junk transistor stuff that’s been designed over the years, that was just made to be cheap has created the belief that tubes sound great and SS is cheap.
 
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I know you guys think I make most of this stuff up, and often you’re right, but I’ve said for years that a solid state amp can be designed to sound VERY good. In few areas, as good as tubes and maybe even better. The main issue in doing so is that a very well designed and implemented solid-state amp cost about as much as a tube amp. Most guitar players are not willing to pay as much for solid-state as they are for tubes. This is in large part because of all the junk transistor stuff that’s been designed over the years, that was just made to be cheap has created the belief that tubes sound great and SS is cheap.
The only one I know of and like is the Vox tube/solid state amp on Whole Lotta Love (allegedly).
 
This is in large part because of all the junk transistor stuff that’s been designed over the years, that was just made to be cheap has created the belief that tubes sound great and SS is cheap.
My belief isn't that solid state is bad because it's cheap at all. It's that solid state guitar amps sound sh!tty. With one exception: the Roland JC 120, an amp that has its moments and doesn't try to be what it isn't, but doesn't suit my playing style.

I don't even care for the solid state jazz amp that so many jazzboxers love (can't remember the name of it offhand). And the Pritchard? Doesn't really sound tube to me, YMMV.

EDIT/RANT - Tube amps have the classic sound. I don't really see the point in trying to make a solid state amp sound like a tube amp, because you can simply go out and buy a tube amp brand spanking new. Instead of getting 90% there, or whatever your percentage is, you can get all the way there. So to me, the traditional solid state, imitation tube amp is a pointless exercise.

I see the point of a modeler due to weight and portability issues. Or if you're in a cover band and feel you absolutely must cop the tone of every guy who played on every record you're covering.

Certainly, solid state can be very expensive. I've had Krell, McIntosh and other solid state amps (including built-in amps) powering speakers in my studio; they're hella expensive amps and they sound great - for their purpose.

That purpose does not include guitars.

Your mileage obviously varies. Adopting this opinion may cause itching, redness, anaphylactic shock, leprosy and/or yaws. Ask your doctor before agreeing with this opinion, that's why we take them out to lunch and pick up the tab. Safety studies were run only on laboratory animals and may not apply to humans. Do not taunt Laz, he has a bad temper.
 
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Not to derail the conversation, but I think we might be talking about two different amps… I’m assuming that @WingerRules is talking about the current Tonemaster amps, but the amp @Wyzard is referring to is the 90’s Tone-Master, which is a tube amp. I think it was a pretty nice amp, too, the photos I’ve seen look like they were hand wired. I certainly liked the tone when I tried it.
 
Not to derail the conversation, but I think we might be talking about two different amps… I’m assuming that @WingerRules is talking about the current Tonemaster amps, but the amp @Wyzard is referring to is the 90’s Tone-Master, which is a tube amp. I think it was a pretty nice amp, too, the photos I’ve seen look like they were hand wired. I certainly liked the tone when I tried it.
You’re correct. I thought he was referring to the new version.
 
The HXDA has always been on my "list." An amp from the prime-time era of CAD goodness, hand wiring, and the pinnacle of smaller batch PRS high-end amp production. But, since I had to buy used I wanted one that I was confident was in good condition. DIdn't think it was gonna happen for a while, and then out of nowhere, this fellow posts for sale not only his immaculate HXDA 30 head, but a matching 2x12 with it! I'm a sucker for the cabinets from that time frame, too. I had a couple guitars for sale myself, so I messaged him and let him know, "Hey, if these guitars sell, and you still have the amp, I'll want to buy it from you. If you get another offer in the meantime, take it, I'll understand, just wanted to let you know I'm interested."

Well, whaddya know, both my guitars sold over the weekend, and he found an amp that he wanted and needed to move the HXDA rig fast, so it was ON!

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Happy to report it's in just as good of shape as he described, and functions perfectly - dead quiet (when it's supposed to be), and the build quality is just something else. Bonus, seller had the PRS branded soft cover for the head, and was nice enough to include a really good speaker cable, too. And, as you can see, it even matches my 594!

Wiener dog approved!
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Betcha didn't know they make artist package wiener dogs?
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Wait, were we talking about an amp?

The big question, for me, was how would the HXDA compare to the considerably more affordable HDRX 20 that I already have. The HDRX 20 is really a remarkable sounding amp, especially with the master turned up on the higher side, but I hoped the HXDA would sound a little better at all MV settings. I also suspected it would be slightly less rotund in the lows - not that the HDRX is boomy, but it is sort of tuned for single coils. Well, I'm happy to say both things are true! The tones from lower MV settings on the HXDA are warmer and closer to the sound with the amp wide open - it still sounds best opened up, but it's really close. I probably wouldn't use the HDRX in a lower volume setting, but I definitely would the HXDA. Also, the bass gain on the HXDA is more useable than on the HDRX, without having a bright cap on the bass channel of the HDRX, on its own, the bass channel can be a little dull, the HXDA it can be mixed higher and still cut. The HXDA has just a little bit more of that barking midrange overall. Credit where due, the HDRX 20 is still a fantastic amp, it's crazy to see this being available at such a price compared to what was around even 10 years ago in that more affordable range. How well it compares overall to the HXDA is really impressive.

So far I like the first switch in the HX setting, second switch both ways depending on how much gain I want, and third switch in the DA setting.

Really happy to have added such a great, clean example of the HXDA to "the wall." I think it's going to see a ton of use!

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Wow! Great setup and that amp matches your guitar perfectly. Beautiful pups too.
 
Not to derail the conversation, but I think we might be talking about two different amps… I’m assuming that @WingerRules is talking about the current Tonemaster amps, but the amp @Wyzard is referring to is the 90’s Tone-Master, which is a tube amp. I think it was a pretty nice amp, too, the photos I’ve seen look like they were hand wired. I certainly liked the tone when I tried it.

Correct. They're ex-Genesis stage L and R; and the loops in them were removed by the band's amp tech, as they weren't being used. Like Rutherford did, I just chuck everything in through the front.

Amazing (un-scooped) clean channels, and - with a measure of restraint - great lead channels too, which is how I mostly use them. I'd describe them as "loud, bold, and blonde"! Used wisely - again, with restraint - they work well at lower volumes too. With the Silver Sky and my latest pedal set-up, they're sounding phenomenal.


I tried one that still had its loops intact, with the time-related fx run at that point in the circuit. Long story short: the ones I've got sounded more ....ah, "forthright" :oops:, and clearer too.
 
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