| Some of my equipment - page 2 Click on any photo below for a larger image |
Rivera Custom Fandango head with front cover on, sitting
on top of Rivera SUB-1 sub-woffer system with JBL
speaker in ported cabinet, its own 300 watt amplifier that
can handle 500 watt peaks, built in effects loop, and high
filter which can be by-passed if wanted.
Using the high pass filter network sends all lower
frequencies to the SUB system and thus the amp does not
produce these frequencies, so produces much more
power and clean headroom. This SUB-1 can also be used
with amps that do not have a line out or amp out by
connecting directly to a high level speaker output. You
can also plug this into an effects loop and the SUB-1 has a
patch panel in the rear for your effects if your amp's
effects loop was used to drive the SUB-1.
on top of Rivera SUB-1 sub-woffer system with JBL
speaker in ported cabinet, its own 300 watt amplifier that
can handle 500 watt peaks, built in effects loop, and high
filter which can be by-passed if wanted.
Using the high pass filter network sends all lower
frequencies to the SUB system and thus the amp does not
produce these frequencies, so produces much more
power and clean headroom. This SUB-1 can also be used
with amps that do not have a line out or amp out by
connecting directly to a high level speaker output. You
can also plug this into an effects loop and the SUB-1 has a
patch panel in the rear for your effects if your amp's
effects loop was used to drive the SUB-1.
Rivera CS-410 ported cabinet. Very efficient, and more
low end than any 4x12 cabinet due to the ported design.
Taller and more volume than a Marshall 4x12. Notice the
four ports in each corner.
A very loud cabinet capable of very high sound levels
that are clear and have very wide dispersion. The mid
range of this cabinet with the Celestion 10's is more
articulate than a 12" speaker due to the decreased mass
of the speaker cone.
low end than any 4x12 cabinet due to the ported design.
Taller and more volume than a Marshall 4x12. Notice the
four ports in each corner.
A very loud cabinet capable of very high sound levels
that are clear and have very wide dispersion. The mid
range of this cabinet with the Celestion 10's is more
articulate than a 12" speaker due to the decreased mass
of the speaker cone.
Some Mesa amps .... Blue Angel and Mark 1
In any live application where there is a house sound
system, the DITTO above is used as a backup, rather than
a second amp rig. This is a tube input device, so I get full
level control and tube compression.
I use this with an A/B switch, so if an amp were to fail in a
performance, I fall back to the in house system with ease.
This is much easier than a second rig.
I have since moved to the GT "The Brick" which has all
the original DITTO features but also has on-board
phantom power and a lot of new features.
system, the DITTO above is used as a backup, rather than
a second amp rig. This is a tube input device, so I get full
level control and tube compression.
I use this with an A/B switch, so if an amp were to fail in a
performance, I fall back to the in house system with ease.
This is much easier than a second rig.
I have since moved to the GT "The Brick" which has all
the original DITTO features but also has on-board
phantom power and a lot of new features.
The amp above is a Groove Tubes Soul-O 75 amplifier from the Groove Tubes Custom Shop which
has been blueprinted
The tube compliment of the amp is: V1 = GT12AX7R3 at 116/115
V2 and V3 are GTECC83, one at 112/110 and the other at 103/100. These were selected for the gain
channel for a British tone. These were selected for very low noise in the high gain channel. The gain
of this amp exceeds the current Marshalls or Bogners as an example. It's gain can pass the levels of
a Soldono SLO 100 with less background noise.
The phase inverter, V4, is a GT 12AX7R2 long plate. Its SAG rating is 112/112 and is an MPI.
V5 (effects loop send and return), is a GT12AX7R3 with a SAG rating of 107/110, and a very quiet tube.
The output set are GT-KT88SV's that are a specific design to Groove Tubes. These are #7's.
The output of this amplifier is in excess of 95 watts. This amp may be rebiased to use any 6L6, 5881,
KT66, KT77, 6CA7, EL-34, E34L, E34Ls, 6550 or KT88 output tube. The output transformer is of a
custom design to allow various output tubes. The B+ voltage of this amp is about 575 volts.
This amp can run in class A/B, or two different class A configurations. Most amps with a "Class A"
switch, due nothing more than turn off the screen voltage, thus turning a pentode configuration into
a triode configuration. This amplifier has two class A settings; one which will use the Fender pre
1954 class A circuit topology. The second class A setting uses a cathode bias circuit topology such
as the Vox AC-30 or Matchless. Think of this as a Matchless C-85 on steroids.
There are two channels, clean and scream. These can also be combined. There is a footswitch that
selects the channels, and can also turn on and off the parallel effects loop.
This amp has all factory tech tips and mods, such as the fat switch and bright switch. This amp is
currently up for sale to the right player.
has been blueprinted
The tube compliment of the amp is: V1 = GT12AX7R3 at 116/115
V2 and V3 are GTECC83, one at 112/110 and the other at 103/100. These were selected for the gain
channel for a British tone. These were selected for very low noise in the high gain channel. The gain
of this amp exceeds the current Marshalls or Bogners as an example. It's gain can pass the levels of
a Soldono SLO 100 with less background noise.
The phase inverter, V4, is a GT 12AX7R2 long plate. Its SAG rating is 112/112 and is an MPI.
V5 (effects loop send and return), is a GT12AX7R3 with a SAG rating of 107/110, and a very quiet tube.
The output set are GT-KT88SV's that are a specific design to Groove Tubes. These are #7's.
The output of this amplifier is in excess of 95 watts. This amp may be rebiased to use any 6L6, 5881,
KT66, KT77, 6CA7, EL-34, E34L, E34Ls, 6550 or KT88 output tube. The output transformer is of a
custom design to allow various output tubes. The B+ voltage of this amp is about 575 volts.
This amp can run in class A/B, or two different class A configurations. Most amps with a "Class A"
switch, due nothing more than turn off the screen voltage, thus turning a pentode configuration into
a triode configuration. This amplifier has two class A settings; one which will use the Fender pre
1954 class A circuit topology. The second class A setting uses a cathode bias circuit topology such
as the Vox AC-30 or Matchless. Think of this as a Matchless C-85 on steroids.
There are two channels, clean and scream. These can also be combined. There is a footswitch that
selects the channels, and can also turn on and off the parallel effects loop.
This amp has all factory tech tips and mods, such as the fat switch and bright switch. This amp is
currently up for sale to the right player.
These are the "Fender Deluxe's" ... a Fender Deluxe Reverb
and a Victoria 20112-T (tweed deluxe). This is maybe the
area where I spend the most time. I prefer P-90's for blues,
and these are perhaps, two of the best blues amps ever
made. Since there are amps all over the place here, in this
particular room I had to "hide" these as best as possible ...
the Blackface covered with animal friends of my wife's, and
the Victoria fitted nicely below an antique little table, both
out of the way for the most part. If you think it is bad in this
room, you should see the rooms with the other stuff. In the
bar as an example, the fridge was removed to hold amps,
and the corian bar top now supports a Marshall JTM-45 half
stack on one side and a bank of GT amps on the other side.
If you have a wife or girlfriend that complains about your
amps and guitars, show her some of these pictures.
and a Victoria 20112-T (tweed deluxe). This is maybe the
area where I spend the most time. I prefer P-90's for blues,
and these are perhaps, two of the best blues amps ever
made. Since there are amps all over the place here, in this
particular room I had to "hide" these as best as possible ...
the Blackface covered with animal friends of my wife's, and
the Victoria fitted nicely below an antique little table, both
out of the way for the most part. If you think it is bad in this
room, you should see the rooms with the other stuff. In the
bar as an example, the fridge was removed to hold amps,
and the corian bar top now supports a Marshall JTM-45 half
stack on one side and a bank of GT amps on the other side.
If you have a wife or girlfriend that complains about your
amps and guitars, show her some of these pictures.
Victoria Sovereign. 50 watt EL-34 based amp (can also use
6L6). "VFE" Variable front end, takes one from early
Marshall Plexi era to JCM 800 to JCM 900 to DSL/TSL gain
structures. Hand wired, carbon comp resistors, etc. Tube
compliment is a duet of power tubes, tube or SS recfifier,
EF86. 12AX7, 6BM8 (triode/pentode), 12AX7, 12AT7.
All the magic of a Tweed Bassman / Marshall JTM45 front
end.
This is perhaps the most impressive "modern" or "high
gain" amp I have played in decades.
A full review can be found by CLICKING HERE
6L6). "VFE" Variable front end, takes one from early
Marshall Plexi era to JCM 800 to JCM 900 to DSL/TSL gain
structures. Hand wired, carbon comp resistors, etc. Tube
compliment is a duet of power tubes, tube or SS recfifier,
EF86. 12AX7, 6BM8 (triode/pentode), 12AX7, 12AT7.
All the magic of a Tweed Bassman / Marshall JTM45 front
end.
This is perhaps the most impressive "modern" or "high
gain" amp I have played in decades.
A full review can be found by CLICKING HERE
"Wall of ready" in another area. Here
are some cabs, Mesa Mk 1, GT S-45,
Fender Deluxe Reverb, and a Top Hat
King Royale.
are some cabs, Mesa Mk 1, GT S-45,
Fender Deluxe Reverb, and a Top Hat
King Royale.
Here is a Phil Jones "PJB Briefcase" in
the foreground. 110 watts in a very
compact package.
the foreground. 110 watts in a very
compact package.
Dr. Z MAX Sr. on the left. This amp is generally
used with a Dr. Z Z-Best cabinet but is shown
here with a modified Carvin 2x12 open back
cabinet. The two larger boxes on the floor are a
GT DITTO box on the left and a Dr. Z Air Brake on
the right.
On the right is a Dr. Z Z-28 with a Dr. Z open back
2x10 cabinet. Below the Z 2x10 cabinet is a
Rivera C-210 open back stereo cabinet.
One of my favorite rigs that is a piece of cake to
transport is the Z-28 with the Z 2x10 cab.
Cables run from all the cabs on this page so any
amp and/or cab configuration can be quickly
selected.
used with a Dr. Z Z-Best cabinet but is shown
here with a modified Carvin 2x12 open back
cabinet. The two larger boxes on the floor are a
GT DITTO box on the left and a Dr. Z Air Brake on
the right.
On the right is a Dr. Z Z-28 with a Dr. Z open back
2x10 cabinet. Below the Z 2x10 cabinet is a
Rivera C-210 open back stereo cabinet.
One of my favorite rigs that is a piece of cake to
transport is the Z-28 with the Z 2x10 cab.
Cables run from all the cabs on this page so any
amp and/or cab configuration can be quickly
selected.
This is the upper bar setup as of September 2004. This layout changes a lot,
many times in a given month. Currently shown are:
Upper left - Dr. Z KT-45 on a Rivera CS-410 ported cab. This cab has more low
end than my Marshall 4x12 cabs and is also much more efficient. With the
Ghia is can fill a room to the point of people saying it is too loud.
The K&K Audio ported 1x12 is one of two that I use. This one is set up for very
fast speaker changes and currently has a Celestion H-100 installed.
To the right from the top: Vox AC-1 mini amp, Dr. Z Delta 88 (running into Rivera
Cab at the moment), Dr. Z Carmen Ghia (cabled to the Rivera C-210 currently),
and Dr. Z Mazerati (into a Z-Best 2x12).
many times in a given month. Currently shown are:
Upper left - Dr. Z KT-45 on a Rivera CS-410 ported cab. This cab has more low
end than my Marshall 4x12 cabs and is also much more efficient. With the
Ghia is can fill a room to the point of people saying it is too loud.
The K&K Audio ported 1x12 is one of two that I use. This one is set up for very
fast speaker changes and currently has a Celestion H-100 installed.
To the right from the top: Vox AC-1 mini amp, Dr. Z Delta 88 (running into Rivera
Cab at the moment), Dr. Z Carmen Ghia (cabled to the Rivera C-210 currently),
and Dr. Z Mazerati (into a Z-Best 2x12).
Something of a poor shot of this area of the room.
This used to be a wet bar. The fridge was removed so amps could be placed in that
space.
Next to the couch vertically on it's side is a GT ViPRE. This is used when any amp is
recorded.
Next to the guitar case (Martin D-28 in there, no amp needed!), is a Dr. Z Prescription
"Extra Strength" on a Z-Best cabinet.
Don't think there are nothing but Z amps around ... there is a Fender room, Marshall
room, and upstairs there are Rivera, Mesa, Groove Tubes, and THD amps. I have
been able to "hide" many amps upstairs by covering them with stuffed animals ... my
wife isn't falling for it as often.
This used to be a wet bar. The fridge was removed so amps could be placed in that
space.
Next to the couch vertically on it's side is a GT ViPRE. This is used when any amp is
recorded.
Next to the guitar case (Martin D-28 in there, no amp needed!), is a Dr. Z Prescription
"Extra Strength" on a Z-Best cabinet.
Don't think there are nothing but Z amps around ... there is a Fender room, Marshall
room, and upstairs there are Rivera, Mesa, Groove Tubes, and THD amps. I have
been able to "hide" many amps upstairs by covering them with stuffed animals ... my
wife isn't falling for it as often.
This is a Fargen Blackbird
on a GT 1x15 cab. This
amp is a hand wired
"Blackface Deluxe" with a
few twists. Fargen builds a
number of amp of diffent
types. I have always been
a Fender "Deluxe" fan
whether it be tweed or
blackface so this amp is
one of my primary amps.
This amp is wonderful alone
but it also shines in a small
three amp rig where a Dr Z
Z-28 (also somewhat
Fender in tone but can
drive harder) is used for
one side, the Fargen on the
other side and a Dr. Z
Carmen Ghia in the center
for lead tones. There is
more on Fargen where I
have the "world's great
amps".
on a GT 1x15 cab. This
amp is a hand wired
"Blackface Deluxe" with a
few twists. Fargen builds a
number of amp of diffent
types. I have always been
a Fender "Deluxe" fan
whether it be tweed or
blackface so this amp is
one of my primary amps.
This amp is wonderful alone
but it also shines in a small
three amp rig where a Dr Z
Z-28 (also somewhat
Fender in tone but can
drive harder) is used for
one side, the Fargen on the
other side and a Dr. Z
Carmen Ghia in the center
for lead tones. There is
more on Fargen where I
have the "world's great
amps".
Above: The most recent "Z area" as of
mid June 05. This is now set up so
any Z amp (or the Fargen below the
Z's) can be run at a time in single or
multi amp combinations. There are
additional speaker cabs close at hand.
mid June 05. This is now set up so
any Z amp (or the Fargen below the
Z's) can be run at a time in single or
multi amp combinations. There are
additional speaker cabs close at hand.
Above: Something of a "holding
area" which is at least out of view
from the door of the master
bedroom so my wife tolerates it to a
degree. Rivera 2x10, Top Hat King
Royal 2x12 amp (for those Vox
AC-30 gigs when you need
something that can travel reliably
and sound great), Z 2x10 cab,
Fender Deluxe Reverb, Mesa 1x12
cab, Mesa Mk 1 (under a GT S-45
modded head), Victoria Tweed
Deluxe (20112T), and Pierson
Tweed Champ.
area" which is at least out of view
from the door of the master
bedroom so my wife tolerates it to a
degree. Rivera 2x10, Top Hat King
Royal 2x12 amp (for those Vox
AC-30 gigs when you need
something that can travel reliably
and sound great), Z 2x10 cab,
Fender Deluxe Reverb, Mesa 1x12
cab, Mesa Mk 1 (under a GT S-45
modded head), Victoria Tweed
Deluxe (20112T), and Pierson
Tweed Champ.
Above: Fender Twin Reverb and THD
Univalve.
TIPS for people that have "significant
others" that do not like equipment all
over the house:
1 - Stuffed animals can sometimes
make things a bit easier to take with
your mate.
2 - If the animals do not work, try
antique furniture to distract the eye as
with the Univalve above. This worked
for years by the way, with a Tweed
Deluxe under that small table.
Univalve.
TIPS for people that have "significant
others" that do not like equipment all
over the house:
1 - Stuffed animals can sometimes
make things a bit easier to take with
your mate.
2 - If the animals do not work, try
antique furniture to distract the eye as
with the Univalve above. This worked
for years by the way, with a Tweed
Deluxe under that small table.
| All photos will be shown much larger if you click on them |
To some of the guitars, click here