Two-Rock Classic Reverb is Dumble inspired ?

[boldaslove6789]

Sorry I'll clarify, the later 150w SSS's measured @ around 135v (Not the 100w Classic low plate derived amps)

[mhartman]

Sorry I'll clarify, the later 150w SSS's measured @ around 135v (Not the 100w Classic low plate derived amps)

That makes sense. Were those Skyliner based or something else?

[StratStringSlinger]

Hello guys, I've come here to read for a awhile but don't post often; mainly b/c I'm not technical and don't know how to build amps. I do have a Classic Reverb and Sterling Signature and thought I would post a few observations and things I know about my amps. First the Sterling Signature is said to be based on SSS #4. I've seen gut shots of #4 and the Sterling Signature and the layout is quite different. I'm not sure how much layout matters or what was changed by the builder. When I heard the SSS #4 from the Doug Doppler How to Get Killer Tone videos, I definitely recognize the tone and heard the same silkiness that seems to be a specialty of this amp. Regarding the Classic Reverb, I heard from the builder that they went through 7 iterations (or prototypes) with John Mayer before they settled on the amp. I guess if you go through 7 iterations, it must mean it's not an exact clone of anything and has significant changes. The Classic Reverb then would be the 8th iteration of the amp as features were added for versatility such as the three mode reverb, adjustable preamp negative feedback and adjustable power amp negative feedback, etc. From a sound perspective, I can't dial the Classic Reverb to be like the Sterling and I can't dial the Sterling to be like the Classic Reverb. There are some similarity in tone but definitely I don't feel I can interchange the amps in my regular use. To be honest I remember feeling more comfortable using my Jet Signature as a backup for my Classic Reverb. The Classic Reverb definitely has a lot more bass and mids. The Sterling can easily get a very glassy/silky clean with tight clean bass; A tone I've never been able to achieve with the Classic Reverb. John Mayer said in an interview that he runs both SSS#2 and his TR Sig Amp together b/c they both do things well and together compliment each other. I think he likes the warm/rich mids and extended bass of the Mayer Sig and likes the edgy extended yet sweet highs of the SSS and tight clear bass. I guess in summary, I think it's an over simplification to say the Classic Reverb is a SSS#4 minus step filters. Even with the step filters turned all the way down, the amp can't be dialed to sound exactly like how I like my Classsic Reverb dialed. Furthermore, what about all the feature of the Classic Reverb that the Steel String Singer doesn't have like feedback switching, reverb switching, class a/b switching, etc. I think the Classic Reverb deserves status an it's own design. Maybe not as original as say a Vox was but definitely as much as say a Trainwreck, Marshall, or Mesa are unique amps.

[mhartman]

Hello guys, I've come here to read for a awhile but don't post often; mainly b/c I'm not technical and don't know how to build amps. I do have a Classic Reverb and Sterling Signature and thought I would post a few observations and things I know about my amps. First the Sterling Signature is said to be based on SSS #4. I've seen gut shots of #4 and the Sterling Signature and the layout is quite different. I'm not sure how much layout matters or what was changed by the builder. When I heard the SSS #4 from the Doug Doppler How to Get Killer Tone videos, I definitely recognize the tone and heard the same silkiness that seems to be a specialty of this amp. Regarding the Classic Reverb, I heard from the builder that they went through 7 iterations (or prototypes) with John Mayer before they settled on the amp. I guess if you go through 7 iterations, it must mean it's not an exact clone of anything and has significant changes. The Classic Reverb then would be the 8th iteration of the amp as features were added for versatility such as the three mode reverb, adjustable preamp negative feedback and adjustable power amp negative feedback, etc. From a sound perspective, I can't dial the Classic Reverb to be like the Sterling and I can't dial the Sterling to be like the Classic Reverb. There are some similarity in tone but definitely I don't feel I can interchange the amps in my regular use. To be honest I remember feeling more comfortable using my Jet Signature as a backup for my Classic Reverb. The Classic Reverb definitely has a lot more bass and mids. The Sterling can easily get a very glassy/silky clean with tight clean bass; A tone I've never been able to achieve with the Classic Reverb. John Mayer said in an interview that he runs both SSS#2 and his TR Sig Amp together b/c they both do things well and together compliment each other. I think he likes the warm/rich mids and extended bass of the Mayer Sig and likes the edgy extended yet sweet highs of the SSS and tight clear bass. I guess in summary, I think it's an over simplification to say the Classic Reverb is a SSS#4 minus step filters. Even with the step filters turned all the way down, the amp can't be dialed to sound exactly like how I like my Classsic Reverb dialed. Furthermore, what about all the feature of the Classic Reverb that the Steel String Singer doesn't have like feedback switching, reverb switching, class a/b switching, etc. I think the Classic Reverb deserves status an it's own design. Maybe not as original as say a Vox was but definitely as much as say a Trainwreck, Marshall, or Mesa are unique amps.

Hey Wayne -- thanks for chiming in! From a player perspective, I totally agree with everything you said. I agree -- these amps feel and sound much different (especially in the bass ranges). From a technical perspective, the core circuits are very similar. Despite the circuit similarities, however, TR has tweaked voltages, local negative feedback loops, and various front/back panel options (switches, filters, reverb options) to come up with amps that sound very different and have different aspects of versitility. So, from my perspective, they are fundamentally similar, but different.

Regarding the SSS roots. The Sterling Sig/Custom Clean seem similar to SSS#4, but, as you said, they are different. It is a different layout (among other things, PCB vs. eyelet board) and, in fact, the TR amps have 5 preamp tubes vs. 6 (post filter and reverb drivers/mixers being 1 tube vs 2 on the SSS I would guess). So, the TR amps, as best I can tell, share a foundation with the Dumble SSS, but have taken off in a different direction and evolved separately.

All of this being said, I am not a TR or a SSS expert, so I could be mistaken in my points.

Regards,
Mike