DetroitBlues

I read an article this morning from Guitar World on MSN. They provided some compelling information arguments stating five reasons why someone should switch (citing touring artists switched, so why not you?) "While sound quality was once something that held modelers back, it is now a big reason to buy": Five reasons you’re better off with an amp modeler than a tube amp Portable Reliable Price Flexibility Sound Great Can't get myself to do it. to me I find modelers to be finicky, prone to fail, and won't last in the long run. Tube amps are heavy, so digital modelers win there. I started using a separate head/cabinet. But really, I use a cart to move stuff around. Hardest lift is in/out of the truck. None of it is that heavy, its not like I'm lifting a 100w 2x12 Fender Twin. Reliability is subjective, digital modelers are great now, until the software becomes outdated, until fails, and there is no way to fix it. Digital modelers are disposable items that do not retain value in the long run. Price is also subjective. To achieve the high-end tube-like sound, you are paying way more than most tube amps. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives, but they aren't as good. Plus you still have to get a monitor system, my band asked me to look into going direct. I asked if they are buying me a monitor system so I can hear my guitar? Going to front of house doesn't help me, if I can't hear anything beyond the vocalists monitor. Flexibility. The right tube amp in combination with the right pedals, you can achieve nearly anything sound you want. Even rolling back the volume on your guitar to clean up the sound makes a huge difference. Sounds great. Tube amps sound great, modelers can, but you buy a modeler, then have to spend more on a monitor system for it. There are pros to modeling of which I won't deny, but I have yet to feel (yes, feel) a modeling amp that feels like a fire breathing tube amp. There is something about the sound and the feel when you have a 50w/100w head pushing a 2x12 or a 4x12 cabinet.

I believe the Marshall name was licensed out for the headphones, speakers, etc. But perhaps Chinese ownership could help Marshall the same way Bandlab has infused into Heritage to become a viable manufacture and widely recognized brand.

Marshall acquired by China’s HongShan in $1bn+ deal While Jim Marshall's family retains 20% of the company, the majority stake was sold awhile ago to some European investors. Those investors have since sold their shares to a Chinese firm for $1.16 Billion. HongShan Capital Group (HSG) is now the majority shareholder of Marshall. Will we see more higher end Marshall's made in China? Who knows... Curious to see what changes with the brand.

Congratulations! Looks awesome!

Handle was on the bottom and feet on the top. It was a simple mistake because it was assumed the controls were on the top edge, not the bottom.

I was offered a chance yesterday to visit Metropoulos Amplification yesterday. The purpose was to replace the cabinet of the Metroplex with the correct orientation. Original cabinet was an early prototype and it was built upside down. I was able to meet George yesterday and most of his staff. Very nice people and all guitar players! In a way it reminded me of how Heritage used to be. Odd collections of machinery; some in use and some covered in dust. They not only hand wire the amps, they also build their own cabinets from void-free birch plywood (9 layers deep), custom tolex, all of which is done with such pride that every detail is taken in account. In the room where the cabinets were made, there was lots of saw dust and some things covered in tarps and cobwebs. Reminded so much of the factory floor of Heritage years and years ago. There were old vintage Marshall Amps and cabinets everywhere. Plus many other vintage amps, I think I even saw a tweed Bassman. In every corner it seemed to be vintage and new speakers, guitars, and guitar cases everywhere for testing out this amps. Most of which were rather old and probably valuable. The guitars reminded me of the prototype rack that contained everything Heritage worked on including the ghost builds. i didn’t take any photos of the manufacturing areas out of respect to the company, but I did get a few photos of their demo room after asking permission. This alone was worth the price of admission… Check out this vintage Marshall amps and cabinets

That is a lightweight H157, congrats to your grandsons!

I remember someone brought one of those little Stewart amps years ago to PSP. While the amp itself was small, it was a loud firecracker that sounded way bigger than the cabinet would suggest. If I recall correctly, it was real gig worthy amp that didn't need to be mic'd up. I could be wrong as I find myself playing a heck of a lot louder than I used to when out live.

I can definitely relate to with my own past and present experiences with a band. Ultimately family comes first and if the thrill is gone.... Well, you know the rest. Best to move on, I bet there will be days you'll miss it. But I think when you're building memories of family, you'll find you don't miss it all.

Thank you all!

Good luck with the weight loss, I struggle myself. It's hard to stay the course. I find my Tele Style Guitar (Reverend Buckshot) is my favorite guitar, I think I'd rather have a Tele than a Strat. It just feels right.

So as a band, you're taking in 350 Euros or individually? Either way, live music must fare better over there than here... We'd wish to make that much. Most I ever made was $80. Least I made was $8. Average was maybe $20 for four hours... But the important thing is doing what you love.

Saturday I sold my Peavey Bandit to an older gentlemen that recently lost his job. He had been on the prowl for a Peavey Bandit USA Red Stripe model because they sound better than the older USA models. Couldn’t help but agree with him. As we sat there for nearly an hour talking about guitars, amps, and the thirst that can never be quenched for obtaining them, I told him something about my guitar buying. As I looked about the floor in the living room, I had a brand new Fender Stratocaster, a Reverend Six-Gun III, and a Martin MMV. I told him the longest I’ve had any of those was three weeks. But I said, my wife cannot complain about my buying guitars for one very good reason. In a way, they have provided for my family. And it has a lot to do with The Heritage and PSP. The week of PSP VI, I had a job for nearly eight years as a Senior Traffic Engineer with MetroPCS before they were “merged” with T-Mobile. I was called in the Human Resources Director’s office and with him was my boss and our Vice President of Network Operations. I thought it was really odd and found it immediately worrisome. And just like that it was over; I was told that T-Mobile has looked at all the markets and decided that Traffic Engineers weren’t needed. All the Traffic Engineers were to be laid off in 60 days. It didn’t matter what I really did for my job above and beyond my job title or how I was the senior engineer with the most knowledge and experience. What matter was my official job title. So for the second time in ten years, I was out of a job. Of course, that overshadowed my plans that week, the week of PSP VI. I packed my old HFT-445, loaded up my car, and headed off to PSP. I picked up Slammer from the airport on the way there and checked in the hotel for the night. Seeing all the guitars on display in the conference room that night and all the people I admire and consider friends really helped me to forget my own problems for a while. The next day, I was walking through the factory and saw so many unique instruments. Then there was the smell of the old wood dust, the sound of the machines sanding down necks and carving tops; it was just amazing. Undoubtedly, I had forgotten my problems, at least for now. I took my Heritage HFT-445 out of its case and held it proudly outside that factory for the group photo. 225 Parson Street, the birthplace of many guitars of rock stars. A place that should be a national monument. A place where it’s not the end of line, but just the beginning. I was in front of a factory who has seen its own end, its doors closed, people sent to Nashville or laid off, and left to rot. But a few people chose to stay; chose to open those doors again and start over. Marv, Ren, Jim and few others gave that old building and the equipment inside basically a reset button, a new lease of life. Perhaps there was some hope for me too. Perhaps, I’ll be able to restart my career and pick-up the pieces to begin again. The Saturday after PSP VI, I was still at the hotel when an ex co-worker from MetroPCS sent me a text message about his latest bass guitar purchase. He had quit on his own a few years ago, but he was happy with his decision. He asked how I was doing and I told him what happened. He demanded I talk to his wife immediately. He gave me her cell number and said I have to call her right now. She, of course, was a HR manager at General Motors. It never dawned on me to call her since I knew nothing about cars nor was I an electrical or mechanical engineer. I called her, she asked about my bachelor’s degree and my knowledge of Microsoft Office. She had me look up a specific job on the GM website and how to adjust my resume to highlight certain skill sets. That following Friday, I had a job interview. Less than a week later, I had a job offer. When my time was up with T-Mobile, I left on a Friday and started my new job at General Motors the following Monday. That was just about two years ago now. Last December sparked a heated conversation that banned members and damaged relationships to other members of the forum. The site shut down for several weeks and when the lights turned back on, things changed. One of those things was PSP. There was a looming question of will there be another PSP again. One could only hope. I decided to step up and see what I could do. I didn’t know if I would fail or not, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. I called the VFW Hall to see if we could play there. Thankfully, they were excited to hear from us and not have to pay a band. We were able to play live music again and entertain some veterans at the same time. It was a win-win for everyone. I had help from Pressure to get a PSP VIII Logo setup. Called a friend from church about having shirts made with the logo. Obtained a guest list of all those who were going to be there. Guy was able to get the Factory to participate again. I received lots of help from a lot of people to make PSP a success. I cannot take credit for it all. PSP VIII came and went like a whirlwind. It was over just like that. As I woke up still tired and exhausted on Saturday, I checked my email and found someone wanted my Peavey, so I had to pack up and head home quickly. My family had left a few hours before to head out east on a vacation with my mother-in-law; so I had the house to myself and enjoyed the quiet stillness of home that night. No amps, no guitars, no beer, no sound; just peacefulness. I could have died a happy man knowing how much everyone enjoyed PSP this year. As I look back, I will always remember the great times I had at this PSP and the ones before. Someone asked why I did all this; it’s very simple really. The Heritage brought us all together. It’s the people who bring us back. That's PSP. Enjoy those beautiful Heritages everyone. There is a lot of history in your hands.

Great news. I need to get my chops up to par so I can one day do as you are doing.