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New Custom Amp being built


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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...

 

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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:)

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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!?

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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!

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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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