Komet. Worth it?

[breakneckblues]

What’s up all? New to the forum, dig it already. Like pretty much every one with ears, I’m hooked on the Trainwreck tone. Since I don’t have an extra $25,000, I’ve been thinking about getting the Komet. I’ve played it at Ultrasound in NYC a few times but wanted to get the forum’s opinion on a few things before I take the plunge.

How close to a wreck does the Komet come? As I’ve never played a wreck, I can’t say.

Is the Komet actually worth the $3,600 plus cab?

Komets and Trainwrecks: What makes them similar and different?

I appreciate the feedback.

R

[LeftyStrat]

I've never played a Komet, however, from the information I've gathered from people who have played both, the Komet is similar but perhaps not as "over-the-edge" as an Express. It is supposedly a more versatile amp, designed to have the Express vibe, but be suitable for a wider range of tasks. The Express was designed as sort of the ultimate lead amp, which might not lend itself completely to your needs. I've only played the Express clone I built, and while it is a blast to play, it might not be the first amp I grab for some of the music I play. While the Express can get sort of clean when rolling back on the volume knob, it is not real clean. I've heard multiple people say the cleans on a Komet are really gorgeous.

Another thing is if you like experimenting with different tubes, the Komet is a natural choice. The Express is limited to either EL34's or 6V6's. The Komet will allow a much wider range of tubes.

The Komet build quality is second to no other production amp. You don't see very many on the used market, which suggests the people who purchase them really like them. That should also help them to hold their resale value.

And since they are such a limited production amp, I'm sure their value will increase in years to come.

Since you've played one, the bottom line is whether or not it worked for you. If you have the cash and love the tone go for it.

[JimiB]

I really like the Komet - at least I really like the pre amp and would probably love a Komet. I have modifiec some of my "wreck" build to use a similar preamp - fender topology with a goosed 3rd stage and I really like it. Very usable - more to me than a "wreck" but like was stated above nothing does the lead thing like a "wreck express"

[pamaz67]

Hello.
First of all, my opinion is based more on clean sounds than in lead ones, so probably I'm a little out of the mainstream as a Komet user.
I do not have an original komet , but have made 2 clones.
Both are excellent amps, with outstanding qualities.
It's an amp in which if you want, simply by substituting the preamp tubes you can get diffrent flavours and sounds that span from one of the best clean you can imagine (think that i borrowed it to well known italian jazz guitarist that has given me an enthusiastic feedback on it!!!), to an incredibly "angry and sweet " lead sound.
Definitely one of the best amps ever designed in my opinion.
Try an NOS AT7 in V2 and listen to the tone.
Ciao

Paolo

PS: if you can afford the original one I think it's worth the money.
Once you have tried a Komet it's difficult to part with it, also if it will not be your first choice amp .

[BBQLS1]

Though I've never played a TW, I have played a Komet and a Concorde. The amps act like what gets described as a TW. I'm sure they're not "spot" on, but the amps are very fun to play and react very quickly to the way you play. Very fun amps to play!

The build is great, they don't look as neat as maybe a Harry Joyce, but very clean.

I don't think you will find another amp like them for that kind of money.

[sliberty]

I have neevr played an amp that I thought was so outstanding that I would pay $3600 for it, let alone, just a head. Even my prized old HiWatt, at the end of the day, is just an amp. I have built some great sounding amps in recent years for between $250 (Z28) and $1000 (JTM45) depending upon how true ot the original I tried to be. But $3600 sounds like a vacation to me, not an amp.

Having said that....the Komet is a great sounding amp

[LeftyStrat]

Well I bought an Ampeg VT22 in the seventies for around $800, and in todays dollars that would be $3159.28 (according to http://www.westegg.com/inflation/). Admittedly, it was a combo. But that was for a mass produced amp.

If you are a collector or a touring musician, I think the expense could be justified. I guess it depends on disposable income vs time.

I couldn't justify the financial cost for me personally, but I'm sure someone like Mark Knopfler couldn't justify the cost in time to build his own amps.

[mhuss]

It all depends on your perspective. For a home builder, $3000 plus just seems insane. If you can't DIY, and need to buy something, (and have the cash to burn) perhaps it's not quite so bad.

For the record, I'm in the former camp!

Both great sounding amps; From what I've heard, the Komet is perhaps a bit more polite/less over the top. Certainly more available!

--mark

[murkat]

Ive had my Komet Concorde now for about a year. Ive had many amps in my life. No other amp sounds as good. I even hate to gig with it and look for substitute,..... another Komet would suffice... Seriously though, It be hard press to seperate me with my Concorde. Pure magic. And I do play hard, loud, crunchy, gainychewygooweygoodness...

[boogieongtr]

I have owned my Concorde for about 3 months now (It came with Winged C's & Sovtek tubes) It is the best sounding, touch responsive amp I have owned in the past 28 years. (I have owned about 40 name brand & boutique amps) I just retubed the amp with NOS tubes. The amp just took a step up into the "Incredible Tone" realm. I set the amp up as a clean platform and use 3 different OD pedals for my gain stages. If you put a price on tone I would say $3,900. is money well spent.

[Jack]

Do you concord owner perfer the fast or the grad mode?

[Buschman]

There are not many things that you can buy that hold their retail value. I think any Komet amp would. It's like playing with your 3.6 grand. Better than in the bank. Explain this to your wife & if you ever sell it you can buy her a diamond. If I could get the teenagers grown I would have to buy one. Actually I could sell some vintage gear to fund it but that stuff is better than money in the bank as well.
To put it in perspective, the Komet is worth more than 2 of my cars combined but should last lots longer & be a lot more fun.

[skyboltone]

Another thing is if you like experimenting with different tubes, the Komet is a natural choice. The Express is limited to either EL34's or 6V6's. The Komet will allow a much wider range of tubes.

At 5.2K into 8 ohms and 400 hunnert volts why can't you slam a pair of 6L6s in there. Seems like a natural.

[LeftyStrat]

Didn't mean to suggest that was all you could do, just that the way the Expressed is designed, you can switch between EL34 and 6V6 without even having to adjust the bias.

[bnwitt]

Well, I love my Asteroid and it cost less than a grand.