McFly never got to experience the UMC life in Detroit in the '50s and '60s. He'd have been very jealous.
Hell, I'm jealous and want to go back!
No more valves…..?
- Thread starter GuitarAddict
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McFly never got to experience the UMC life in Detroit in the '50s and '60s. He'd have been very jealous.
Hell, I'm jealous and want to go back!
Alnus Rubra
Loving nature’s wonders
McFly never got to experience the UMC life in Detroit in the '50s and '60s. He'd have been very jealous.
Hell, I'm jealous and want to go back!
I’m just showing my limited knowledge through ‘80’s film culture (well if you can class BTTF as culture!).
It's culture! But each decade has its own spin on reality.
In the mid '60s Detroit was called, "The Paris of the Midwest." My family lived in a swanky neighborhood, and I couldn't have been happier with where I lived.
In 1968, there was rioting that destroyed parts of the city, and it seemed as though every house on my street was suddenly for sale. Sad time, but I've always believed in being here. I may not want to for much longer, but that's mostly about the weather and me being.,,um...ancient.
Not that I've found a place to go. But I guess one day I either will do that, or drop dead. Or both! Then my urn will live in a nicer place. Or not.
singularity6
New Member
Of the tube amps I've actually had the opportunity to play out of, I've really loved the Mesa Boogie Rectifiers (all of them.) Fender amps have amazing clean tones and reverb... However, that's all really expensive, and they do require upkeep. My Peavey Bandit 112 gets me pretty close to what I'd want tone-wise, and has zero maintenance. It also takes pedals really well.
singularity6
New Member
For most of us, the digital technology is making more and more sense. You can get a decent modeling unit or software for not too much money, and get good approximations of many amps for less than the cost of a good tube amp.
The ability to play through headphones is also really important if you live with/near lots if people. It's even more so if you play as bad as I do!
singularity6
New Member
It's culture! But each decade has its own spin on reality.
In the mid '60s Detroit was called, "The Paris of the Midwest." My family lived in a swanky neighborhood, and I couldn't have been happier with where I lived.
In 1968, there was rioting that destroyed parts of the city, and it seemed as though every house on my street was suddenly for sale. Sad time, but I've always believed in being here. I may not want to for much longer, but that's mostly about the weather and me being.,,um...ancient.
Not that I've found a place to go. But I guess one day I either will do that, or drop dead. Or both! Then my urn will live in a nicer place. Or not.
I'm from the Detroit area. Both sets of my grandparents left Detroit in the mid-50's for the suburbs (yeah, they were sadly part of the flight...)
I left the area for work, but I'm trying to get back.
singularity6
New Member
The Katana would be extremely attractive to me when I was 16-20 or so. Not so much now.
Nice! What suburb were you from originally? You wouldn't believe what's happened downtown, it's almost unrecognizable. They've completely updated it, lots of rehabbing, etc. It's actually quite nice. I still live in the suburbs, however.
singularity6
New Member
Garden City. I went to and worked for Wayne State and my mom is still down there and a season ticket holder for The Tigers. I've been around Detroit enough (pre-COVID.) I saw Ghost down there a few years ago.
Nice!
Tom Bradovich
Iron Range Born & Raised
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- 563
Concerning tubes vs modeling, I loved my Egnater Rebel 30. After if completely died following many years of service, I would have bought another if I could have found a legitimate ship date from any retail outlet. But I couldn't, and just could not be without an amp for another 3 months or more. The tube amps I would love to own cost between $2,500 and $3,000 - and I just cannot justify that expenditure. So, I bought a modeling amp that rhymes with SmackStar. The sound is close to tubes guys, it's really close. For platinum ears, you'll hear the difference. But for the average hacker like me on a budget, it will have to do. I understand the "timelessness" argument postulated by Les in another thread, but sometimes those like me without real deep pockets need to draw a line.
singularity6
New Member
Concerning tubes vs modeling, I loved my Egnater Rebel 30. After if completely died following many years of service, I would have bought another if I could have found a legitimate ship date from any retail outlet. But I couldn't, and just could not be without an amp for another 3 months or more. The tube amps I would love to own cost between $2,500 and $3,000 - and I just cannot justify that expenditure. So, I bought a modeling amp that rhymes with SmackStar. The sound is close to tubes guys, it's really close. For platinum ears, you'll hear the difference. But for the average hacker like me on a budget, it will have to do. I understand the "timelessness" argument postulated by Les in another thread, but sometimes those like me without real deep pockets need to draw a line.
Yeah, I can hear the difference between the different quality MP3 and lossless compressions, especially when comparing them back-to-back. My ears are are a lot better than my playing, and could cost me a lot of money if I let them. I don't think I'll ever invest in a new amp. My Bandit 112 sounds just fine to me.
Goran Lorencin
New Member
I get what you are saying Tom, I as well do not have the financial funds for 2-3k and above amps or guitars. But I must say that buying my first tube amp, a second hand MT15 (and getting to know it better + some tube swaps) was something eye opening, more ear opening to be exact. I know it is fairly basic, with maybe some additional functionalities to be wished for like the ones on Egnater or Engl Fireball (nothing you could not live without, but it would not hurt to have those features), but damn does it sound amazing when you dial it in (clean and lead channel), so simple, but so effective for a reasonably small unit. And 15W is plenty powerful(more like 25-30W). I also have a solid state GK 250ML, which was awesome for many years(still is), but hand on my heart, the MT15 is worth every euro I payed for it ... and much more. We just had a jam session this weekend and with the 4 cable method working like it is supposed to (many have complained about the FX loop, me as well, but a tube swap fixed that) I was just in love with the pristine sounds I was getting out of the small beast, clean, lead & pedalboard OD or reverb, I just could not stop playing and my friends reminded me of that a couple of times that eveningConcerning tubes vs modeling, I loved my Egnater Rebel 30. After if completely died following many years of service, I would have bought another if I could have found a legitimate ship date from any retail outlet. But I couldn't, and just could not be without an amp for another 3 months or more. The tube amps I would love to own cost between $2,500 and $3,000 - and I just cannot justify that expenditure. So, I bought a modeling amp that rhymes with SmackStar. The sound is close to tubes guys, it's really close. For platinum ears, you'll hear the difference. But for the average hacker like me on a budget, it will have to do. I understand the "timelessness" argument postulated by Les in another thread, but sometimes those like me without real deep pockets need to draw a line.
... no real need for 3k amps(except if you really need specific features or power), for my ears my MT15 sounds as good (or better) as a Boogie Dual Rectifier or some other much more expensive amp, but naturally it is not a 100W.All my gear does not go over approx 3k dollars, and I mean everything: two amps, cab, pedalboard, cables, a small power conditioner and two guitars.
What I'm saying is you can get good gear for a reasonable price if you want, although if you take the "affordable and comfy" road and are not that fussy about the sound, then a solid state combo can hardly be beaten as it can take a lot of beating before a service is needed, and usually much cheaper. And in the end it all depends on what sound you are after, and how badly you need it
... you know how you say:"Oh, so this model has that feature, and I am willing to splurge a 100 more for that.", then seeing another amp with this and that finish, and you give another 150 ... and so on.And also ... I should do more reading than writing ... said the newb with his first tube (amp).
Concerning tubes vs modeling, I loved my Egnater Rebel 30. After if completely died following many years of service, I would have bought another if I could have found a legitimate ship date from any retail outlet. But I couldn't, and just could not be without an amp for another 3 months or more. The tube amps I would love to own cost between $2,500 and $3,000 - and I just cannot justify that expenditure. So, I bought a modeling amp that rhymes with SmackStar. The sound is close to tubes guys, it's really close. For platinum ears, you'll hear the difference. But for the average hacker like me on a budget, it will have to do. I understand the "timelessness" argument postulated by Les in another thread, but sometimes those like me without real deep pockets need to draw a line.
Totally legit, Tom. No sense in buying what you don't need.
Tom Bradovich
Iron Range Born & Raised
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2021
- Messages
- 563
Thanks, Les. That's one of the classic battles within one's self, isn't it - trying to balance needs with wants? If I were making a living creating music, that would be a different story, and I could and would justify all expenses related to those endeavors. I still want a Dr Z Nova and also a Tone King Imperial Mk ii, and what the heck - throw in a DG 30 as well. I can afford any one of them, but not all three. So, why don't I buy one? I can't justify the expense, and as much as I want a great tube amp, I don't need one right now. So, I'll continue to be grateful to have a music room I can play in with the nicest guitar I've ever owned (my McCarty TL) and a modeling amp that comes real darn close to the sounds I want it to make.
Lee Mac
New Member
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- Sep 2, 2021
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- 21
Funny to find fellow former "Detroiters" here. I graduated from Grosse Pointe H.S. in 1966. I remember the riots well, a scary time. Haven't been in downtown Detroit for probably 15+ years (last time I went to an SAE exposition) and have lived in Indiana for 45 years so I may never get back.
Lee Mac
New Member
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- Sep 2, 2021
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When I was invited to join my son's band in June, I decided there was no way I was going to lug my 42# homemade (Marshall Plexi-style preamp with 2xEL84 power amp) upstairs, into and out of my car and back every couple of weeks. I bought a 25# Katana 50 and couldn't be happier (I'm not getting any younger or stronger.) Our lead player runs his Strymon Iridium and massive pedal board direct into the PA and leaves his Boogies and Oranges at home. I program four different patches into the presets and with the panel setting, that gives me five. Does it sound as good as my tube amp? No. Does anyone listening to it in a band context (another guitar, keyboard, bass and drums) care? Nope. Is my back happy? You bet!
singularity6
New Member
Detroit is far superior.
Simon Says
Paramedics > Fire Fighters
Katana 1x12 combo
14.8 kg
32 lbs
Boogie Fillmore 1x12
20.412 kg
45 lbs
Just saying...
...or as new Boogie ownership would say - play authentic
alantig
Zombie Four, DFZ
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2012
- Messages
- 15,102
Viagra makes it big enough to block your reflection?
