Alternatives to Fender for tweed tone?

Skoora · Post by **Skoora** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:02 pm

I've been looking at Victoria's but want to find out what other makers out there are making 20-40 watt tweed style amps. I'm looking to cover tones like early 70's ZZ top and other non-Marshall rock tones from that era. I already own a Marshall and no pedal can make it sound like one of those raunchy Fender tweed or early 60's combos. Opinions, options?....

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:01 pm

The Tweed Bassman is probablyt the only amp out there I can really get into as much or more then marshalls. Weber has a great $600 bassman kit but I think Id try and upgrade caps and maybe the OT. The first bassman I did could be the best sounding amp Ive built.

Taking the fifth · Post by **Taking the fifth** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:39 pm

The Airtight Garage are tweed nuts, as evidenced by their wares...http://www.theairtightgarage.com/

Kendrick was a big tweed artiste, though his site is kinda lax these dats...http://kendrick-amplifiers.com/

Not sure if it's tweed, but they seem serious enough...http://www.pennalizer.com/index.asp

These certainly look the part...http://www.pennalizer.com/index.asp

And, for true grit,...http://www.sonnyjr.com/

Skoora · Post by **Skoora** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:25 pm

Those Penn amps sound incredible!

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:44 pm

I've got a Victoria Double Deluxe that I fell over while haggling another deal at GC. While waiting for "the manager in the back" to review my trade deal I A/B/C's the Deluxe against an RI Bassman and an RI Deluxe. The Vic was hands down nicer sounding. Had to take it home!!

Dan, I'm planning on a 4-10 Bassman soon and have been looking at the Weber, Mojo and Torres stuff. Even thinking about picking up a used RI and gutting it. What are your thoughts/ suggestions?

Skoora · Post by **Skoora** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:15 pm

Are Penn amps out of business? Their phone number is disconnected. Also no-one has posted on their forum since late 2004.

Flames1950 · Post by **Flames1950** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:16 pm

NY Chief wrote:Dan, I'm planning on a 4-10 Bassman soon and have been looking at the Weber, Mojo and Torres stuff. Even thinking about picking up a used RI and gutting it. What are your thoughts/ suggestions?

I picked up a Weber 100-watt kit for the hell of it, just to see how they were. The chassis is great, but if this was something I was going to build for myself and keep I'd have to upgrade the boards, caps, resistors, pots and trannies, which would raise the price right about to where George's kit was anyway. I've just started it so I can't comment on how the tone is, I'd still be seriously dismayed if Ted marketed something that was really crappy tone-wise.....but a more expensive kit (maybe the similar MoJo kit has better parts?) would be in order for your tastes in tone.

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:16 pm

That's what I'm really concerned about with any of these kits. We really don't know what quality the componets are.

I'm afraid George has spoiled us all, Andy!!!

OK George, how about a tweed Bassman kit!?!??

I've been thinking of getting Fender RI and dropping some MM trannies in there but thr review over at Legendary tones really trashed the RI and they don't don't typically do that unless it's really warranted.

oh, what to do???

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 11:40 pm

Flames1950 wrote:
NY Chief wrote:Dan, I'm planning on a 4-10 Bassman soon and have been looking at the Weber, Mojo and Torres stuff. Even thinking about picking up a used RI and gutting it. What are your thoughts/ suggestions?
I picked up a Weber 100-watt kit for the hell of it, just to see how they were. The chassis is great, but if this was something I was going to build for myself and keep I'd have to upgrade the boards, caps, resistors, pots and trannies, which would raise the price right about to where George's kit was anyway. I've just started it so I can't comment on how the tone is, I'd still be seriously dismayed if Ted marketed something that was really crappy tone-wise.....but a more expensive kit (maybe the similar MoJo kit has better parts?) would be in order for your tastes in tone.

Ive done the weber tweed kits before. He does much better on the tweed stuff then marshall form what I can tell. Tweed is easier anyway. But theres few things I would definitely do. I get some AB CC resistors and different caps (I used sozos in the bassman which was by far the best tweed I did), get a better OT (I just never thought webers trannys were that great int he tweed kits). His kits knock off so much of the price of buying the parts individually too remember. To not include the OT will only save you liek $40 or something. I really think the old sozos are really decent sounding in tweeds.

Sportsterguy · Post by **Sportsterguy** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 4:30 pm

Just my 2 cents, but in any of the kits marketed, I think you get the best bang for your buck in upgrading speakers, preamp tubes, output transformers, and output tubes; in that order. I wouldn't obsess about caps or resisters.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 5:51 pm

Thats great but I wasnt listing whats most important. Only what where I think the webers are weak vs a Metro type kit only for tweeds. Weber really is outstanding for speakers for these things, your gonna use whatever tubes you want anyway. The cab and chassis are very nice. The boards are accurate looking. All the switches jacks and sockets are pretty accurate and quality. OT and caps is about all Id upgrade myself. I did just about every popular tweed there is. The best one by far was the bassman which I used a MM output and sozo+ caps and weber speakers. Totaly 3D chorusy sounding. In fact that was the first amp from scratch I used sozos in. Im definitely gonna get a weber kit (-)tubes, and OT again.

I dont know that Id feel as safe with his plexi type kits. Like Andy said by the time I upgraded everything Id be at a metro price anyway

Sportsterguy · Post by **Sportsterguy** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:49 am

From what I've seen, George by far has the best Plexi clone kits going. I will build one in the not too far distant future. Well, it seems that I don't follow my own advice.

Currently, I'm sourcing the parts for a 6v6 build using one of Weber's 5E3 chassis. The output section is pretty much straight forward 5E3, except I'm using an 18 Watt OT. The preamp section is totally different and I'm doing turret board construction with my own layout. Sourcing the parts is a hassle. If I were to do a straight up 5E3 kit, I would get one of Weber's or one from Mission Amps.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:54 am

Missions cool too. I did a mission 5E3 when he had the $350 deal for a kit.

What is the amp going to be? I dont understand? Like an 18W built into a tweed Dlx cab and speaker?

Sportsterguy · Post by **Sportsterguy** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 11:02 am

From the PI back, it's pretty much 5E3. On the preamp section, one channel is going to be voiced like a JTM 45, the other like a Supro S6424.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 11:12 am

Thats the alleged Page Supro?