Intro | Decoding | Speakers | Main Channels | Subwoofer

Intro

This is the only brand-name amp I own.  Even still, this amp came to me in heavily-modified form, mostly blackfaced with a multi-tap Bassman OT and a number of circuit changes including a solid-state rectifier and absurdly high B+ on the preamp.  It hummed a lot.  One speaker had a warped coil and the power tubes were microphonic.  The reverb driver 12AT7 had run so hot it was misshapen!  Goodness, it needed some help.

When it comes to the semi-hollowbody electric, the Gibson ES-335 is the standard by which all others are judged.  When I think Gibson, I think ES-335.  That's because it's awesome.  Unfortunately a proper ES-335 or similar variant is incredibly expensive, starting at over $2,000 and running up to $5,000 for a new one, and the better-made old ones are just as pricy.  So like most people who respect their wallets I went looking for the best clones.  The Epiphones are cheaply built and it really shows.  Plenty of modern semi-hollows are 335-ish but look fu

When it comes to the electric guitar, the Telecaster is the one that started it all.  It's so simple and rudimentary it's almost insulting.