Robbin Ford forum and Pritchard amps

[Mark]

What do you guys think of this?

(Mind you it is probably old news to the Robbin Ford fans.)

http://www.online-discussion.com/Robben ... sc&start=0

[heisthl]

Call me old fashoned - Here's one man's honest opinion: solid state doesn't get it for 2 reasons - 1. The tonality lacks overtones and desirable character and 2. it's inability to project if you try and simulate overtones and character. If you doubt me listen closely to the clips on their website. There's a reason a 50 watt tube amp is louder than a 100 watt solid state amp and it's because it's ok for the tube amp to distort and still sound good. The day one of these amps becomes Robben Ford's favorite is the day I stop building amps.

[Blindog]

Call me old fashoned - Here's one man's honest opinion: solid state doesn't get it for 2 reasons - 1. The tonality lacks overtones and desirable character and 2. it's inability to project if you try and simulate overtones and character. If you doubt me listen closely to the clips on their website

I listened to a lot of those clips. You hit the nail on the head. Most solid state amps or digital emulations sound "stuck in the box", for lack of a better term, to my ears.

[wescaster]

I like how Dumble put it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVTj08qTwGw

[d95err]

If you check the website descriptions of the amps, you'll se he's added tons of various circuits to try to mimic tube amp behavior like sag, ripple modulation, current feedback, etc. All that probably makes it sound better than a simple solid state amp. However, the fact that you need to add all those band-aid solutions shows that there is a fundamental flaw with the whole concept.

The future of solid state is definately in digital modelling. Wait 5-10 years and we'll probably see true component by component modelling in realtime in a regular stompbox, with a sample rate and bit depth much better than todays digital modellers. It's just a matter of time.

[stelligan]

(Mind you it is probably old news to the Robbin Ford fans.)

That forum thread dates to 2004? If he was rocking those amps, we'd have heard something by now. I have seen recently that he is doing some playing with a Louis Electric KR(Keef Richards) model - a tube amp. The tone was OK but, far from a "signature" tone IMHO. On a solid state note - A Vetta can sound pretty damn good if you remove a lot of compression and over processing. I also use Tech21 solid state slaves for effects and can get one of those to behave nicely with a modeler pedal in front.AXE FX things that I've heard clips of are also producing some cool tones. As for the theory, engineering, and reliability factors covered in the thread - interesting. I do not doubt that solid state and modeling may eventually mimic the glassy tubey tones we desire. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, it ain't broke - why "fix" it? I'd rather see engineering innovate a new tone we all lust after rather than emulate a known one. Granted, they may be able to make a certain tone attainable at a much more attractive price point...

as for me and my house, we will serve the TUBE........... Stelligan 24:15

[fabiomayo]

However, the fact that you need to add all those band-aid solutions shows that there is a fundamental flaw with the whole concept.

Those band-aids solutions and component-to-component digital modelling are essentially doing the same thing but from different approachs.

I do agree that digital modelling is more likely to get better results. Better is subjective though....

Also, I don't know anything about electronics digital modelling but I never thought they did component to component modelling. Is this what they do?

[heisthl]

I'd rather see engineering innovate a new tone we all lust after rather than emulate a known one. ........... Stelligan 24:15

You mean like a phase shifter? The first time I heard one I had to have one - I still have it - a Maestro with big colored rocker switches.

[wescaster]

I tried one of those and it really knocked my socks off! Hard to not use it all the time. The Maestro that is.

[jaysg]

Jack Zucker is the only one at TGP who seems to like them. It all depends on what you like. A few days ago, I found a Yellowjackets video with Robben Ford using a Yamaha G100.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57WSFRDqTPw

[JImmyD]

Jack Zucker is the only one at TGP who seems to like them.

Jack did try the Pritchards out a couple of years ago IIRC, but he couldn't bond with it, so off that experiment went.

[Mark]

Go to the Ceriatone site. Jack Zucker is using a Ceriatone D clone amp. I did ask him about the Pritchard amp thing.

If I could build a transistor amp that sounded as good as valve amps I've heard I'd go with it. I have a Guitarport and my neighbors appreciate that.

[Mark]

Actually, that isn't entirely true. I did have a neighbor hear me playing my Strat through the D'Lite tonight and told me that it sounded good. I have yet to have that happen with the Guitarport, but in the right hands ........

[Baxtercat]

Hi all [newbie here; first post!:D]
Just had to pipe in: Robben just played here at the old downtown movie theater. He was great, as usual, playing the whole show with a rosewood fingerboard Tele thru a Dumble. A real nice semi-clean but punchy sound.