Similarities to other amps

[nussbajh]

With the idea that the brain learns in differences, so we are constantly comparing new information to what we previously know, what known or iconic amps do each of the PRS amps sound like. Obviously the HXDA is based on the Fender Balckface, and the Marshall Plexi, and supposedly the MDT sounds like Marshall, Dumble, and Fender Twin. What do the Customs, Archons, Dallas, DG and other PRS amps sound like?

 

[Black Plaid]

To me, the Archon is somewhere in the neighborhood of a Trem-O-Verb and a JCM 900

 

[László]

With the idea that the brain learns in differences, so we are constantly comparing new information to what we previously know, what known or iconic amps do each of the PRS amps sound like. Obviously the HXDA is based on the Fender Balckface, and the Marshall Plexi, and supposedly the MDT sounds like Marshall, Dumble, and Fender Twin. What do the Customs, Archons, Dallas, DG and other PRS amps sound like?

The HXDA is only based on the Plexi. It's a single channel amp. There's no Fender in it, and there wasn't supposed to be. I've had one since the model came out.

HXDA backstory:

PRS got hold of Duane Allman's original Plexi Superbass that he actually used on 'Live at the Fillmore' and cloned it. While creating it, they discovered that with a few switches, they could switch in parts to make it a Superlead like Hendrix' (I believe they got hold of one of Eric Johnson's Superleads). Thus, HX (Hendrix) and DA (Duane Allman). It absolutely nails both. It's a very authentic sounding, vintage sounding amp that does late '60s Marshall beautifully. It isn't dry and grainy like the later JCM 800s, etc. There's a liquid quality to the tone.

The DG30 was conceived as a blend of Grissom's favorite attributes of his vintage Tweed, AC30 and HiWatt amps. It's a stellar and unique amp and shares the #1 spot in my studio with the HXDA. My feeling is that it sometimes leans Tweed, but has more thickness in the mids, the bass holds up better, and it's fatter than an AC30, too.The tone stack is said to be influenced by the Hiwatt. After experiencing the HXDA, I got the DG30 when it was introduced. It's phenomenal. It also has a boost circuit that can be switched in that alters how the amp responds, and a hi-cut control like the ones on the AC30s. You can do a lot with it.

MDT was Marshall, Dumble, Tweed, not Twin. But as with the DGT it's really its own thing. Based on a short listen, I thought it leaned Marshall more than Tweed or Dumble. But of course, the original Marshalls were copies of the Fender Tweed circuits. Dumbles are in a different place. I don't really hear Dumble in the MDT (was a Two Rock player for a long time, so I'm pretty used to the Dumble style sound).

I should mention that I have some other nice amps, but when I play through the HXDA and DG30, I feel like I'm playing amps on a different level entirely.

 

[Black-Viper75]

The HXDA is only based on the Plexi. It's a single channel amp. There's no Fender in it, and there wasn't supposed to be. I've had one since the model came out.

HXDA backstory:

PRS got hold of Duane Allman's original Plexi Superbass that he actually used on 'Live at the Fillmore' and cloned it. While creating it, they discovered that with a few switches, they could switch in parts to make it a Superlead like Hendrix' (I believe they got hold of one of Eric Johnson's Superleads). Thus, HX (Hendrix) and DA (Duane Allman). It absolutely nails both. It's a very authentic sounding, vintage sounding amp that does late '60s Marshall beautifully. It isn't dry and grainy like the later JCM 800s, etc. There's a liquid quality to the tone.

The DG30 was conceived as a blend of Grissom's favorite attributes of his vintage Tweed, AC30 and HiWatt amps. It's a stellar and unique amp and shares the #1 spot in my studio with the HXDA. My feeling is that it sometimes leans Tweed, but has more thickness in the mids, the bass holds up better, and it's fatter than an AC30, too.The tone stack is said to be influenced by the Hiwatt. After experiencing the HXDA, I got the DG30 when it was introduced. It's phenomenal. It also has a boost circuit that can be switched in that alters how the amp responds, and a hi-cut control like the ones on the AC30s. You can do a lot with it.

MDT was Marshall, Dumble, Tweed, not Twin. But as with the DGT it's really its own thing. Based on a short listen, I thought it leaned Marshall more than Tweed or Dumble. But of course, the original Marshalls were copies of the Fender Tweed circuits. Dumbles are in a different place. I don't really hear Dumble in the MDT (was a Two Rock player for a long time, so I'm pretty used to the Dumble style sound).

I should mention that I have some other nice amps, but when I play through the HXDA and DG30, I feel like I'm playing amps on a different level entirely.

I can defiantly say that I learned quite a bit reading that. Thanks for that fantastic write up.

 

[elvis]

Archon is pretty well SLO/Recto, but with more gain. I have all three, and the Archon stays gritty/grainy at all gain levels. It compares as very similar to a boosted Recto. It cannot be overstated how grainy it is, which is what I love about it. To me that differentiates it from any Marshall.

The overall tone is VERY low-end heavy, and most of my tuning of the amp has been to keep that under control. It can be honky, but in a mix the lows are the biggest liability. Luckily it has a very effective depth control. Presence is an aggression control. Dialing that low reduces the grit, pushing it up makes the amp very raw.

The brightness switches are nice and add additional flexibility, though I can’t imagine running the amp with them off. I will point out that the brightness and the overall mid structure favors low mids relative to any of my other amps that all have more high mid emphasis. Similar I suppose to a dual Rec Vs. my single rec style mini.

The super clean channel is an odd pairing. I get that many people want an 80s style clean plus overdrive pair, but it would be nice to be able to get some push on the clean channel. As it is, the clean channel is quite like pairing a JC120 with the lead channel. I’ve seen 80s bands do this with a JC plus a Marshall.

 

[László]

I’ve seen 80s bands do this with a JC plus a Marshall.

Is it OK to say that I miss the '80s?

 

[markd21]

Dude, the JC + 800 was a blast!!

 

[Deleted member 5962]

The HXDA is only based on the Plexi. It's a single channel amp. There's no Fender in it, and there wasn't supposed to be. I've had one since the model came out.

HXDA backstory:

PRS got hold of Duane Allman's original Plexi Superbass that he actually used on 'Live at the Fillmore' and cloned it. While creating it, they discovered that with a few switches, they could switch in parts to make it a Superlead like Hendrix' (I believe they got hold of one of Eric Johnson's Superleads). Thus, HX (Hendrix) and DA (Duane Allman). It absolutely nails both. It's a very authentic sounding, vintage sounding amp that does late '60s Marshall beautifully. It isn't dry and grainy like the later JCM 800s, etc. There's a liquid quality to the tone.

The DG30 was conceived as a blend of Grissom's favorite attributes of his vintage Tweed, AC30 and HiWatt amps. It's a stellar and unique amp and shares the #1 spot in my studio with the HXDA. My feeling is that it sometimes leans Tweed, but has more thickness in the mids, the bass holds up better, and it's fatter than an AC30, too.The tone stack is said to be influenced by the Hiwatt. After experiencing the HXDA, I got the DG30 when it was introduced. It's phenomenal. It also has a boost circuit that can be switched in that alters how the amp responds, and a hi-cut control like the ones on the AC30s. You can do a lot with it.

MDT was Marshall, Dumble, Tweed, not Twin. But as with the DGT it's really its own thing. Based on a short listen, I thought it leaned Marshall more than Tweed or Dumble. But of course, the original Marshalls were copies of the Fender Tweed circuits. Dumbles are in a different place. I don't really hear Dumble in the MDT (was a Two Rock player for a long time, so I'm pretty used to the Dumble style sound).

I should mention that I have some other nice amps, but when I play through the HXDA and DG30, I feel like I'm playing amps on a different level entirely.

You are such a BAD influence... I’ve always known I wanted an HX/DA. I’ve always REALLY wanted to try an MDT. Now I konw I want one. And, it’s late, so heck with it. I want a DGT too! I could probably just get an HX/DA OR MDT and be in love, and not need the other. I’m sure either would make me very happy and be a nice addition to what I have.

I played the Archon for almost an hour last night, between 9:00 and 10:00 on the master knob. Amps... with volume... addictive...

 

[elvis]

I never wanted an HXDA until Les started talking it up. Now I find myself shopping for them.

 

[László]

You are such a BAD influence... .

I never wanted an HXDA until Les started talking it up. Now I find myself shopping for them.

Guys, for real, I never talk up the HXDA with the thought that someone else should buy one. What works for me may not work for someone else. It really is an amp you have to play old-school, using the volume and tone knobs, and it isn't gainy enough for a lot of players. One of the folks here told me he bought one, and absolutely didn't get it.

I love late '60s Marshall Plexi tones. I play "edge of breakup", not high gain. I never play with the guitar volume on 10 and leave it there. I play clean with the guitar volume at 3-5. I mean, not everyone is going to dig an amp like the HXDA.

However...

If you want that 'Live at the Fillmore' or Jimi thing, and use it the old school way, it's hard to beat the HXDA. But those are big 'ifs'.

 

[Black-Viper75]

Is it OK to say that I miss the '80s?

Yes. Every single day.

 

[WEDGE]

I know Les loves the HXDA for low and mid gain stuff, but it can do some seriously chewy gain tones if your not afraid to twist the dials. Not highly saturated, but the kind of gain that feels good and makes you smile, especially if you like pushed Plexi brown type tones. I miss mine. I can say that about a sh!t ton of gear.....

I want to say that for really gainy stuff you need to be in the HX positions, the DA seemed to muffled to me, need the high end that sounds rolled off to me on the DA side to really feel the sizzle when you drive it hard with a humbucker.

 

[László]

I know Les loves the HXDA for low and mid gain stuff, but it can do some seriously chewy gain tones if your not afraid to twist the dials. Not highly saturated, but the kind of gain that feels good and makes you smile, especially if you like pushed Plexi brown type tones. I miss mine. I can say that about a sh!t ton of gear.....

I want to say that for really gainy stuff you need to be in the HX positions, the DA seemed to muffled to me, need the high end that sounds rolled off to me on the DA side to really feel the sizzle when you drive it hard with a humbucker.

Yes, the DA is darker when you turn up the gain, I'm going to guess it's because the old Superbass amp that Duane used was designed for bass.

The HX side is the Superlead that Jimi used. Remember though, that he also used a fuzz pedal, like, all the time. A fuzz also gives a nice sparkle to clean tones when you roll the volume on the guitar back, it's one of the tricks he used to get that great clean sound. What happens with a fuzz when the volume is rolled back is that it adds extra harmonics to the signal, but in a very subtle way that sounds wonderful (assuming you use a vintage style fuzz that can actually respond to the volume control in that way). I don't use fuzz often with my HXDA, because I don't want fuzz when I turn up the volume on the guitar, but I have tried it with my amp. It sounds really great.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I want it because of what it is. I don't need another high gain amp. I want something I can use with a Fuzz Face. Or muff. Or OD>Vibe for Trower stuff. Etc.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I never wanted an HXDA until Les started talking it up. Now I find myself shopping for them.

I wanted one as soon as it was introduced, and Paul said "Jimi's superlead." Hooked! I've always wanted a Plexi type amp and the only knock on them has been that they have to be LOUD to get the "plexi" tone. There are other amps that do the plexi thing that have good master volumes that help (some, a lot per users) like some of Ceriatones version. And, some that add more gain to the plexi formula, like Splawn and others. If I can't ever swing a deal for an HX/DA, I'll probably have some other version before too long. Splawn has always been on the radar is they make a 3 channel amp with clean, higher gain plexi, and higher gain JCM800 channel and I've heard them live and they sounded great!

 

[László]

I wanted one as soon as it was introduced, and Paul said "Jimi's superlead." Hooked! I've always wanted a Plexi type amp and the only knock on them has been that they have to be LOUD to get the "plexi" tone. There are other amps that do the plexi thing that have good master volumes that help (some, a lot per users) like some of Ceriatones version. And, some that add more gain to the plexi formula, like Splawn and others. If I can't ever swing a deal for an HX/DA, I'll probably have some other version before too long. Splawn has always been on the radar is they make a 3 channel amp with clean, higher gain plexi, and higher gain JCM800 channel and I've heard them live and they sounded great!

Actually, the master volume on the HXDA works great. Basically, I crank EVERY amp to get the best tone, regardless of who makes it!

I've gotten 100% exact Trower tones with the HXDA, by the way. For a while I had a Fulltone wah, the Fulltone Trower overdrive, and a Deja Vibe on my pedalboard.

This post is making me think I need a second pedalboard just to do that stuff.

"Les, that's crazy talk. You only play 'Bridge of Sighs' by Trower."

"True, but it's a VERY good song!"

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Actually, the master volume on the HXDA works great. Basically, I crank EVERY amp to get the best tone, regardless of who makes it!

I've gotten 100% exact Trower tones with the HXDA, by the way. For a while I had a Fulltone wah, the Fulltone Trower overdrive, and a Deja Vibe on my pedalboard.

This post is making me think I need a second pedalboard just to do that stuff.

"Les, that's crazy talk. You only play 'Bridge of Sighs' by Trower."

"True, but it's a VERY good song!"

No Trower OD, but Fulltone Clyde Deluxe and Deja Vibe at the ready.

 

[Boogie]

I mean, not everyone is going to dig an amp like the HXDA.

However...

If you want that 'Live at the Fillmore' or Jimi thing, and use it the old school way, it's hard to beat the HXDA. But those are big 'ifs'.

You’re just a pedal away from having almost anything you want with the HXDA. If Satriani can do it, you can too. You can be a purist or a rebel with old Marshalls and PRS made one of the best clones ever. Oh, plus it is a new amp, so it’s reliable.

 

[László]

You’re just a pedal away from having almost anything you want with the HXDA. If Satriani can do it, you can too. You can be a purist or a rebel with old Marshalls and PRS made one of the best clones ever. Oh, plus it is a new amp, so it’s reliable.

True!

 

[László]

I played through the DG30 for quite a while yesterday, and was thinking about this thread. The amp is truly a great blend of tones. It reminds me of the stuff that combines to make a great martini. A good gin like Monkey 47, a good dry vermouth, such as Dolin, a dash of bitters and some good Spanish olives. And there you have it! The perfect blend.