New Amp -OR- Midpriced modelers -OR- Is anyone here (still) playing a Tonex?

[DreamTheaterRules]

Bwahahahahahaha!!!

I didn't know Sergio was doing ads again. Cool!

 

[dmatthews]

A Marshall Kemper?

 

[aamefford]

That helps. I’m going to cool my jets until next week. My daughter is participating in a cheer camp for kids with Down Sundrome this weekend. It’s put on by the SF 49’ers every year. They do both football and cheerleading. This is her first time participating.

We’ll see where desire leads me next week. DTR’s comments make good sense. So do @Bogner ’s, to get a milk crate-ish item and enjoy the 1x10 combo. Happy to hear from others. I’ll eventually either do what makes sense, or what looks cool in my space.

Or, I could do what I did, commit to buy a used but never used Mesa closed back wide body 1x12 off FB Marketplace. Supposedly never out of the box except for photos. I think they call it the Recto 23" 1x12 now or something. Why this after all the other flailing around? Good price. I've owned the open back, and it sounded good. I just want to try a closed back. I visualized hauling a 50 or 60+ lb 2x12 cab up our newly laminate floored staircase by myself. I visualized the hospital trip if I slipped. I visualized the much more serious hospital trip if I damaged the new flooring. I saved a few bucks. I can try turning it vertical, my combo will fit perfect on side turned top. When oriented horizontally, a Mesa or other medium head will fit, it's 23" long. I can pick up another one, or re-buy the open back to compliment it. It is also ported, but is not built to Thiele design parameters. It only weighs 36 lb. It has the 90 watt Mesa / Celestion Black Shadow (C90?). A 100 watt amp shouldn't kill it, at least not how I'll play it, and the speaker sounds pretty good. I pick it up on Monday. To all who pitched in with advice and comments, thank you.

Any way to accelerate the speaker break in?

 

[Bogner]

Nice!

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

Any way to accelerate the speaker break in?

First, it’s a good cab, but I don’t love the speaker. Easily changed if you agree later.

Face down on about 6” of blankets between it and the floor. Plug an MP3 player into… hmm, your power station would be the best thing to use. Full range music will break it in faster as it has more bass than a guitar. Leave it playing as loud as you can get away with when you leave home and put on a playlist that plays for at least an hour (or more) and do that a few times.

 

[aamefford]

First, it’s a good cab, but I don’t love the speaker. Easily changed if you agree later.

Face down on about 6” of blankets between it and the floor. Plug an MP3 player into… hmm, your power station would be the best thing to use. Full range music will break it in faster as it has more bass than a guitar. Leave it playing as loud as you can get away with when you leave home and put on a playlist that plays for at least an hour (or more) and do that a few times.

The speaker has always been “fine.” There seem to always be used V30’s and other things around on CL and FB Marketplace for when I choose to peer down but not jump in that rabbit hole. Thanks for the break-in tips. Kinda what I was thinking. Same with high end headphones, back when I spent stupid time and stupid money on those.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

The speaker has always been “fine.” There seem to always be used V30’s and other things around on CL and FB Marketplace for when I choose to peer down but not jump in that rabbit hole. Thanks for the break-in tips. Kinda what I was thinking. Same with high end headphones, back when I spent stupid time and stupid money on those.

Yeah, never flip a speaker til you’ve given it a thorough try UNLESS you really don’t like it right from the start AND some quick dialing doesn’t make it better.

 

[aamefford]

https://imgur.com/a/Zd9vDm5

I’ll get it properly horizontal at some point as soon as I find something to raise the amp a bit (errr, milk crate?).

I had it face down on the bed with the PS2 at 3 pm on the volume, cranking Evanescence into it for 3 or 4 hours. It’s f’in loud! Set up with the PS2 as in the photo, it’s well behaved, with or without the 10” combo speaker.

 

[Bogner]

https://imgur.com/a/Zd9vDm5

I’ll get it properly horizontal at some point as soon as I find something to raise the amp a bit (errr, milk crate?).

I had it face down on the bed with the PS2 at 3 pm on the volume, cranking Evanescence into it for 3 or 4 hours. It’s f’in loud! Set up with the PS2 as in the photo, it’s well behaved, with or without the 10” combo speaker.

Make Sure You Let That PS2 Breathe And Get Plenty Of Air As They Get Very Hot. I Would Place It On Top But That Is Me.

 

[aamefford]

Make Sure You Let That PS2 Breathe And Get Plenty Of Air As They Get Very Hot. I Would Place It On Top But That Is Me.

For the length of time I play atm, it’s probably ok. The amp feet are fairly tall. This is pretty temporary.

 

[aamefford]

I put together version 1 of my Holeyboard. I haven’t decided on a power supply yet, so I haven’t run power yet. Sweetwater had the Holeyboard 123 kit on sale over Memorial Day. I used the flat piece and one of the angled pieces. Any new pedals will require the expansion piece be added. I’m a bit conflicted on the zip tie method of affixing pedals. It’s pretty secure, and it’s not super difficult to move pedals, but…. You can go through lots of zip ties, you are somewhat to fairly constrained on where you can put pedals, it kinda sucks for Boss pedals. Here’s a pic for those who might be interested. Remember, no power yet.

https://imgur.com/a/Xej0OtO

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

Make Sure You Let That PS2 Breathe And Get Plenty Of Air As They Get Very Hot. I Would Place It On Top But That Is Me.

Yes, big time! I have mine sitting on top of a cab that doesn't have an amp head on it, so that there is nothing above it to block any air flow.

 

[aamefford]

Yes, big time! I have mine sitting on top of a cab that doesn't have an amp head on it, so that there is nothing above it to block any air flow.

Hmmm. No heat from above or below, just combo cab and 1x12. ‘Bout 3/4” to 1” clearance above and below and a fan in the PS2. That said, I have a spot I can move it to until I get a more permanent set up. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for looking out for me guys.

 

[RC Mike]

I’d suggest having a look at the manual. It should tell you how much air space you need around the PS2. They do pump out a lot of heat, but Fryette also sells a rack mount kit for them. That makes me think there’ll be guidance in the manual.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

I’d suggest having a look at the manual. It should tell you how much air space you need around the PS2. They do pump out a lot of heat, but Fryette also sells a rack mount kit for them. That makes me think there’ll be guidance in the manual.

Yeah, agree. They do put out some heat so I wouldn't want any air restrictions around it at all. Think about the layout compared to a tube amp head or combo. Even in an amp headshell, lots of air around the tubes, which are mounted upright (or downward) from the circuit board. In this flatter layout of the PS, the tubes lie flat along a low profile chassis. The more air flow on all sides that you can have, the better, IMO.

 

[Bogner]

Yeah, agree. They do put out some heat so I wouldn't want any air restrictions around it at all. Think about the layout compared to a tube amp head or combo. Even in an amp headshell, lots of air around the tubes, which are mounted upright (or downward) from the circuit board. In this flatter layout of the PS, the tubes lie flat along a low profile chassis. The more air flow on all sides that you can have, the better, IMO.

100%

I Would Definitely Place It On Top Or Away To The Side Somewhere.

 

[aamefford]

I’d suggest having a look at the manual. It should tell you how much air space you need around the PS2. They do pump out a lot of heat, but Fryette also sells a rack mount kit for them. That makes me think there’ll be guidance in the manual.

Yeah, agree. They do put out some heat so I wouldn't want any air restrictions around it at all. Think about the layout compared to a tube amp head or combo. Even in an amp headshell, lots of air around the tubes, which are mounted upright (or downward) from the circuit board. In this flatter layout of the PS, the tubes lie flat along a low profile chassis. The more air flow on all sides that you can have, the better, IMO.

100%

I Would Definitely Place It On Top Or Away To The Side Somewhere.

Fryette's PS-2 manual is exceedingly clear and helpful regarding adequate clearance (OK, I'm being snarky). They include the following helpful statements:

1) Maintain unobstructed air space behind and above the unit to allow for proper ventilation and cooling. To be fair, unobstructed probably means don't block the vents, but probably also means don't sit a cab on top of it like I've done.

2) Even though you may follow this advice carefully, you will still observe that the amplifier tends to run hot during use. This is normal and there is not only a cooling fan and plenty of ventilation in the chassis design, but all of the critical components and transformers are designed to withstand much more heat than you will normally experience at during typical operation.

3) RUNNING HOT
1. Make sure that the unit has adequate ventilation.

So... It won't fit on top of the combo. There is no off to the side right now, doesn't fit where I thought it would. I never have it on in this location for more than 1/2 hour or so, my amp is 25 watts, and I play like a beginner, ie, not fluid, and not continuously. I've got a Fluke meter with a temp probe. I'll stick that in near the power tubes or the fan exhaust, (or transformers?) and see what the temp looks like. Much over 140 F or so and I'll be concerned. This all gets rectified in the the next month or so when I move into the "studio" (i.e. the spare bedroom/video editing room/escape room...)

Anyway, I'll figure something out soon. Thanks again for all y'all's help.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

I didn't complete a thought above. My comment about the tubes running horizontally means the whole power tube is in close proximity to everything in it, due to the thin/flat layout. But others have told stories of putting under a head shell and it melting the tolex on the bottom of the amp. LOL So, I just wanted you to be careful. But I think the point is made now. LOL

 

[Bogner]

This Is Why You Need Multiple 4x12's.

 

[aamefford]

I didn't complete a thought above. My comment about the tubes running horizontally means the whole power tube is in close proximity to everything in it, due to the thin/flat layout. But others have told stories of putting under a head shell and it melting the tolex on the bottom of the amp. LOL So, I just wanted you to be careful. But I think the point is made now. LOL

Points taken. I have run it like this in the past, with the cab horizontal. Nothing failed, but probably just lucky.

This Is Why You Need Multiple 4x12's.

Gotta love a man who favors excess when it comes to loud music!

Edit - due to the anonymity of the internet, all genders are an assumption. For instance, as far as you know, I could actually be an old, balding retired guy.