rockabilly69 Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Just thought I'd let you guys know about a new amp that I'm having built. The amp is based on a Supro 1624T style circuit (the Led Zeppelin 1 amp), although it will also have reverb! The guy who builds these amps is Eric Kettenburg, and he is a very knowledgeable, infatuated fanboy, of all things vintage Supro. I have been on a Supro kick ever since I plugged my new Historic SG Special into one of my friend's 6973 tube loaded vintage Supros. I heard a slide sound that was out of this world. So I spent alot of time researching on who builds the best modern Supro Style amps, and I just happened to find out about DIRTYGIRL Amplification http://www.dirtygirlamplification.com/Amp_site/Home.html which is Eric's company. Basically my amp will be his 1624T circuit (The Heavy Hindenburg) with the addition of reverb based on the early 60's Ampeg R12R circuit, which just so happens to be my favorite reverb circuit. He's building it with a nice lightweight pine cab, Supro style faceplate, all NOS tubes, and 3.2 Vintage Rola speaker reconed to his specs for this amp. Also, it will be tube rectified, handwired, and will feature all custom "made to spec" transformers. It's going to take 8 to 12 weeks to build this. I hope is execution his up to his level of infatuation. This is what it will look like in lacquered tweed, although mine will have a simple brass plate with the words "Dirty Girl Reverb" mounted top center on the amp, and will have a luggage style handle instead ot the fender style shown in this pick...
rockabilly69 Posted March 13, 2015 Author Posted March 13, 2015 Oh if you're wondering why I just didn't buy a vintage Supro, it's because I'm really not a fan of the way they were built. And I didn't want to put a lot of money into reconditioning a vintage amp that is generally overpriced. I hated the reverb tanks in the cardboard boxes, and the rats nests for wiring jobs, leading to not so stellar consistency in the tone department. And Eric builds them so you can use either 6CZ5 or 6973 power tubes without modification to the amp. Also, I really want to gig this amp so I appreciate the build quality that Eric is going for. I hope this amp lives up to the promise:)
TalismanRich Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Oh if you're wondering why I just didn't buy a vintage Supro, it's because I'm really not a fan of the way they were built. And I didn't want to put a lot of money into reconditioning a vintage amp that is generally overpriced. I hated the reverb tanks in the cardboard boxes, and the rats nests for wiring jobs, leading to not so stellar consistency in the tone department. And Eric builds them so you can use either 6CZ5 or 6973 power tubes without modification to the amp. Also, I really want to gig this amp so I appreciate the build quality that Eric is going for. I hope this amp lives up to the promise:) You're spot on with the rats nest wiring. I couldn't believe it when I first looked inside my '53 National. There is NO organization, from what I could see. No turret boards, just wires going here and there. But it sounds really cool. Harp players love 'em. Maybe that's the trick!?
t0aj15 Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 The Dirty Girl link doesn't work. 404: Page not found This error is generated when there was no web page with the name you specified at the web site.
barrymclark Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Wonderful man! Of course post clips when you get it all square. I will do the same for my Gibson when it is all buttoned up. I have a fun my version of Sleepwalk that I will use.
PaGator Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Sounds and looks awesome, keep us posted. Good luck
PaGator Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Try this link http://www.dirtygirlamplification.com/Amp_site/Home.html
fxdx99 Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Nice - hadn't heard of that builder. Reverb with trem in that swampy config... yeh, that should give up the goods. Great look to it, too.
DOGBOY Posted March 13, 2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Sounds like a good one Dan, best of luck on this one.
bolero Posted March 15, 2015 Posted March 15, 2015 that is pretty cool! looking forward to your clips I'm also a fan of those, here's my 1624T
rockabilly69 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Posted March 15, 2015 that is pretty cool! looking forward to your clips I'm also a fan of those, here's my 1624T looks like your amp is in nice condition!
Gitfiddler Posted March 15, 2015 Posted March 15, 2015 Daniel, that looks like a very cool amp! Keep us posted.
bolero Posted March 15, 2015 Posted March 15, 2015 looks like your amp is in nice condition! well, it's got a few bumps & bruises....broken supro logo & some holes thru the grillcloth but it is mechanically, and sonically sound
rockabilly69 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 well, it's got a few bumps & bruises....broken supro logo & some holes thru the grillcloth but it is mechanically, and sonically sound good enough for me:)
DetroitBlues Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 Supro has been all the rage lately. Sounds like a good amp, I like the narrow depth cab like that. Seems really portable.
mark555 Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 Sounds like it is going to be nice Daniel, will you post a sound clip?
rockabilly69 Posted March 27, 2015 Author Posted March 27, 2015 Yep I will post a clip. The amp will be done in 6 to 10 weeks from now.
DetroitBlues Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 You lead an awesome life from my point of view. Walk away from the 9-5 and play music for a living. So few can ever accomplish such a feat. Sure wish we could see your talents at PSP/Heritage Guitar Fest.
rockabilly69 Posted March 31, 2015 Author Posted March 31, 2015 I would love go to a Heritage get together to see all the Heritages, but these summer get togethers are right in my busy season and as a fulltime musician I would lose a lot of my income to go to one of these. An when I do go on vacation, I try and get away from the music scene to recharge my batteries! As for living my lifestyle it is a hard life. No paid vacation, no paid health insurance, driving 150 or miles a day which is especially bad in the winter seasons, maintaining broke equipment. And, to remain competitive I have to constantly work on new material, and work on my sound. You wouldn't believe how many younger players are constantly coming up that are shooting for my gigs! You really have to love being a musician to be able to constantly give up the goods so to speak. Am I glad I quit my day job, yes, but I am alot more hardcore than a lot of people! I have taken people out on the road with me for a few days, and when they got back, they were glad they had a 9 to 5! For example, on a typical Saturday in my busy seasons, I leave my house at 10am drive 70 miles, set up equipment, play a 3 hour gig, break down equipment, drive 40 more miles, set up equipment, play 3 hour gig, break down equipment, drive 65 miles, arrive at my house at 1am the next day. And I do this almost every Saturday in the winter season. And the next day, I do a Sunday afternoon gig that is a 145 round trip from my house. So as you can see being a fulltime musician is a lot more than just playing music. To be successful at ANYTHING it requires hard work!
koula901 Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 I would love go to a Heritage get together to see all the Heritages, but these summer get togethers are right in my busy season and as a fulltime musician I would lose a lot of my income to go to one of these. An when I do go on vacation, I try and get away from the music scene to recharge my batteries! As for living my lifestyle it is a hard life. No paid vacation, no paid health insurance, driving 150 or miles a day which is especially bad in the winter seasons, maintaining broke equipment. And, to remain competitive I have to constantly work on new material, and work on my sound. You wouldn't believe how many younger players are constantly coming up that are shooting for my gigs! You really have to love being a musician to be able to constantly give up the goods so to speak. Am I glad I quit my day job, yes, but I am alot more hardcore than a lot of people! I have taken people out on the road with me for a few days, and when they got back, they were glad they had a 9 to 5! For example, on a typical Saturday in my busy seasons, I leave my house at 10am drive 70 miles, set up equipment, play a 3 hour gig, break down equipment, drive 40 more miles, set up equipment, play 3 hour gig, break down equipment, drive 65 miles, arrive at my house at 1am the next day. And I do this almost every Saturday in the winter season. And the next day, I do a Sunday afternoon gig that is a 145 round trip from my house. So as you can see being a fulltime musician is a lot more than just playing music. To be successful at ANYTHING it requires hard work! Wow! Thanks for this Rockabilly. Every musician should read it. I, for one, could not maintain this schedule, let alone not getting health insurance.
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