Mellotronists

Hi All, 
I'm in the process of trying to find a decent amp (without breaking my
rather small bank) for my M400.  I want to go with a tube amp, which I
thought would be way out of my range, but to my surprise, I've found
that not to be the case.  

At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Vox AC15 (15 watts, spring
reverb, and with a 12" speaker specially manufactured for them
by...Wharfedale).
It gets glowing reviews for its' clean and warm tone. 

I'm also considering a Crate V33-212 33W  which is a 33 watt, 2X12"
combo with spring reverb and 3 channel eq.

Lastly, there's a Crate Palomino V16, which has 15 watts with one 12"
speaker and spring reverb.

While the MSRP is much higher on all of these, the Vox retails
normally at $599, the Crate V33 at $529, and the Crate Palamino goes
for about $350.  These are new prices and I'm hoping to be able to go
lower with a used one.

I've messed around with a Vox years ago and really enjoyed its sound.
 I have no experience with Crates, but have heard from some friends
that they're actually pretty good amps.

Can anyone help me out with an informed opinion?

thanks,
john b
1407

In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time,  
astroboy@... writes:

Can  anyone help me out with an informed opinion?


This might not go down well but I would steer away from valve guitar style  
amps and go for something that can handle the full range that a well adjusted  
mellotron can deliver.
 
Time to duck?
 
Norm

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@... wrote:
>
>  
> In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time,  
> astroboy@... writes:
> 
> Can  anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
> 
> 
> This might not go down well but I would steer away from valve 
guitar style  
> amps and go for something that can handle the full range that a 
well adjusted  
> mellotron can deliver.
>  
> Time to duck?
>  
> Norm
>

I agree. I'm running my M400 through an Onkyo 100W amp powering 2 
JBL 4311 studio monitors. Sounds much better than a guitar amp.

Bernie

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@... wrote:
>
>  
> In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time,  
> astroboy@... writes:
> 
> Can  anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
> 
> 
> This might not go down well but I would steer away from valve 
guitar style  
> amps and go for something that can handle the full range that a 
well adjusted  
> mellotron can deliver.
>  
> Time to duck?
>  
> Norm
>Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but as Norm said,
I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's just hard to find 
one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not tubes...but what goes 
in comes out.
Lee

Mackie srm 450
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: "leetronhead" <surfbeach@hawaii.rr.com>

Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:46:24 
To:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?


--- In Mellotronists@ <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@... wrote:
 >
 > 
 > In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time, 
 > astroboy@... writes:
 > 
 > Can anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
 > 
 > 
 > This might not go down well but I would steer away from valve 
 guitar style 
 > amps and go for something that can handle the full range that a 
 well adjusted 
 > mellotron can deliver.
 > 
 > Time to duck?
 > 
 > Norm
 >Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but as Norm said,
 I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's just hard to find 
 one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
 Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not tubes...but what goes 
 in comes out.
 Lee

I assumed that since all that great stuff seemed to have been played
through Marshalls and Hiwatts and such, that a tube guitar amp was
desirable.  

If the consensus is a solid state keyboard type of amp (a Roland,
maybe?), then I get a lot more for my dollar and really don't have to
spend as much.  

Thanks Norm, Bernie, Lee, and David - any more opinions out there? 
I'd love to hear from all sides on this.
inquiringly,
john b
1407




--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, djacques@... wrote:
>
> Mackie srm 450
> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "leetronhead" <surfbeach@...>
> 
> Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:46:24 
> To:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?
> 
> 
> --- In Mellotronists@ <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com>
yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@ wrote:

>  >
>  > 
>  > In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time, 
>  > astroboy@ writes:
>  > 
>  > Can anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
>  > 
>  > 
>  > This might not go down well but I would steer away from valve 
>  guitar style 
>  > amps and go for something that can handle the full range that a 
>  well adjusted 
>  > mellotron can deliver.
>  > 
>  > Time to duck?
>  > 
>  > Norm
>  >Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but as Norm said,
>  I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's just hard to find 
>  one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
>  Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not tubes...but what goes 
>  in comes out.
>  Lee
>

Granted, Marshall and Hiwatt are the vintage norm,
they do tend to break up at louder levels.  We should
remember that these were used mostly because it was
what was available and portable back in the day.  
Live rigs in the sixties and seventies were often
quite underpowered.       
    Solid state would be the way.  A good clean power
amp (Bryston, Crown, Hafler etc.) and a good
full-range speaker would be optimum.  Many inexpensive
choices, although an EAW or Warfdale cabinet would
keep things bright, but not brash.  I would steer
clear of JBL as they tend to be a bit harsh
(especially the string patches, yikes!)  I have a
friend who uses a JC120 and it's quite clean.  Nice
reverb, too.  Norm, hold your head up high.
-Jack 


--- john barrick <astroboy@...> wrote:

> I assumed that since all that great stuff seemed to
> have been played
> through Marshalls and Hiwatts and such, that a tube
> guitar amp was
> desirable.  
> 
> If the consensus is a solid state keyboard type of
> amp (a Roland,
> maybe?), then I get a lot more for my dollar and
> really don't have to
> spend as much.  
> 
> Thanks Norm, Bernie, Lee, and David - any more
> opinions out there? 
> I'd love to hear from all sides on this.
> inquiringly,
> john b
> 1407
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, djacques@...
> wrote:
> >
> > Mackie srm 450
> > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: "leetronhead" <surfbeach@...>
> > 
> > Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:46:24 
> > To:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier
> Recommendations?
> > 
> > 
> > --- In Mellotronists@
> <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com>
> yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@ wrote:
> >  >
> >  > 
> >  > In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT
> Standard Time, 
> >  > astroboy@ writes:
> >  > 
> >  > Can anyone help me out with an informed
> opinion?
> >  > 
> >  > 
> >  > This might not go down well but I would steer
> away from valve 
> >  guitar style 
> >  > amps and go for something that can handle the
> full range that a 
> >  well adjusted 
> >  > mellotron can deliver.
> >  > 
> >  > Time to duck?
> >  > 
> >  > Norm
> >  >Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but
> as Norm said,
> >  I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's
> just hard to find 
> >  one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
> >  Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not
> tubes...but what goes 
> >  in comes out.
> >  Lee
> >
> 
> 
> 


__________________________________________________
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I am going to second the JC-120 recommendation.

 

These are also great for other keys/synths as well, and kind of just cool
all around amps (especially for "clean" stuff).

 

They are also LOUD.  Second hand,  they have held their value quite well, so
you cannot always find these so cheap really. Though you can still buy them
new and they are pretty much the same as they ever were, as I understand.

 

-brendan

From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Jack Younger
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 12:17 PM
To: john barrick; Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?

 

Granted, Marshall and Hiwatt are the vintage norm,
they do tend to break up at louder levels. We should
remember that these were used mostly because it was
what was available and portable back in the day. 
Live rigs in the sixties and seventies were often
quite underpowered. 
Solid state would be the way. A good clean power
amp (Bryston, Crown, Hafler etc.) and a good
full-range speaker would be optimum. Many inexpensive
choices, although an EAW or Warfdale cabinet would
keep things bright, but not brash. I would steer
clear of JBL as they tend to be a bit harsh
(especially the string patches, yikes!) I have a
friend who uses a JC120 and it's quite clean. Nice
reverb, too. Norm, hold your head up high.
-Jack

I run my Korg and Alesis thruogh a Poland KC300 and KC500.
They too are great key amp...good for the Tron too, nut I like 
running the Tron through the PA...or route the Roland into the PA 
using the amp as a monitor.
Lee



--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "john barrick" <astroboy@...> 
wrote:
>
> I assumed that since all that great stuff seemed to have been played
> through Marshalls and Hiwatts and such, that a tube guitar amp was
> desirable.  
> 
> If the consensus is a solid state keyboard type of amp (a Roland,
> maybe?), then I get a lot more for my dollar and really don't have 
to
> spend as much.  
> 
> Thanks Norm, Bernie, Lee, and David - any more opinions out there? 
> I'd love to hear from all sides on this.
> inquiringly,
> john b
> 1407
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, djacques@ wrote:
> >
> > Mackie srm 450
> > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: "leetronhead" <surfbeach@>
> > 
> > Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:46:24 
> > To:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?
> > 
> > 
> > --- In Mellotronists@ <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com>
> yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@ wrote:
> >  >
> >  > 
> >  > In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time, 
> >  > astroboy@ writes:
> >  > 
> >  > Can anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
> >  > 
> >  > 
> >  > This might not go down well but I would steer away from valve 
> >  guitar style 
> >  > amps and go for something that can handle the full range that 
a 
> >  well adjusted 
> >  > mellotron can deliver.
> >  > 
> >  > Time to duck?
> >  > 
> >  > Norm
> >  >Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but as Norm said,
> >  I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's just hard to 
find 
> >  one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
> >  Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not tubes...but what 
goes 

> >  in comes out.
> >  Lee
> >
>

I gotta try me one o' them Polish keyboard amps. Does the sound come 
out backwards?

Bernie

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "leetronhead" <surfbeach@...> 
wrote:
>
> I run my Korg and Alesis thruogh a Poland KC300 and KC500.
> They too are great key amp...good for the Tron too, nut I like 
> running the Tron through the PA...or route the Roland into the PA 
> using the amp as a monitor.
> Lee
> 
> 
> 
> --- In Mellotronists@...m, "john barrick" <astroboy@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > I assumed that since all that great stuff seemed to have been 
played
> > through Marshalls and Hiwatts and such, that a tube guitar amp 
was
> > desirable.  
> > 
> > If the consensus is a solid state keyboard type of amp (a Roland,
> > maybe?), then I get a lot more for my dollar and really don't 
have 
> to
> > spend as much.  
> > 
> > Thanks Norm, Bernie, Lee, and David - any more opinions out 
there? 
> > I'd love to hear from all sides on this.
> > inquiringly,
> > john b
> > 1407
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > --- In Mellotronists@...m, djacques@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Mackie srm 450
> > > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: "leetronhead" <surfbeach@>
> > > 
> > > Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:46:24 
> > > To:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In Mellotronists@ <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com>
> > yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@ wrote:
> > >  >
> > >  > 
> > >  > In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time, 
> > >  > astroboy@ writes:
> > >  > 
> > >  > Can anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
> > >  > 
> > >  > 
> > >  > This might not go down well but I would steer away from 
valve 
> > >  guitar style 
> > >  > amps and go for something that can handle the full range 
that 
> a 
> > >  well adjusted 
> > >  > mellotron can deliver.
> > >  > 
> > >  > Time to duck?
> > >  > 
> > >  > Norm
> > >  >Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but as Norm said,
> > >  I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's just hard to 
> find 
> > >  one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
> > >  Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not tubes...but 
what 

> goes 
> > >  in comes out.
> > >  Lee
> > >
> >
>

Going home RIGHT NOW to change the "R" on my JC-120 to a "P"

 

From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Bernie
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 3:14 PM
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?

 

I gotta try me one o' them Polish keyboard amps. Does the sound come 
out backwards?

Bernie

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> , "leetronhead" <surfbeach@...> 
wrote:
>
> I run my Korg and Alesis thruogh a Poland KC300 and KC500.
> They too are great key amp...good for the Tron too, nut I like 
> running the Tron through the PA...or route the Roland into the PA 
> using the amp as a monitor.
> Lee
> 
> 
> 
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> , "john barrick" <astroboy@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > I assumed that since all that great stuff seemed to have been 
played
> > through Marshalls and Hiwatts and such, that a tube guitar amp 
was
> > desirable. 
> > 
> > If the consensus is a solid state keyboard type of amp (a Roland,
> > maybe?), then I get a lot more for my dollar and really don't 
have 
> to
> > spend as much. 
> > 
> > Thanks Norm, Bernie, Lee, and David - any more opinions out 
there? 
> > I'd love to hear from all sides on this.
> > inquiringly,
> > john b
> > 1407
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> , djacques@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Mackie srm 450
> > > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: "leetronhead" <surfbeach@>
> > > 
> > > Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:46:24 
> > > To:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > > Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In Mellotronists@ <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com>
> > yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@ wrote:
> > > >
> > > > 
> > > > In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time, 
> > > > astroboy@ writes:
> > > > 
> > > > Can anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > This might not go down well but I would steer away from 
valve 
> > > guitar style 
> > > > amps and go for something that can handle the full range 
that 
> a 
> > > well adjusted 
> > > > mellotron can deliver.
> > > > 
> > > > Time to duck?
> > > > 
> > > > Norm
> > > >Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but as Norm said,
> > > I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's just hard to 
> find 
> > > one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
> > > Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not tubes...but 
what 

> goes 
> > > in comes out.
> > > Lee
> > >
> >
>

OKAY!!!OKAY!!!so I mizpeled a copel of wurdz...doez that make me 
anylesser of a student???????
HUH?
Leigh


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Brendan Haley" <b.haley@...> 
wrote:
>
> Going home RIGHT NOW to change the "R" on my JC-120 to a "P"
> 
>  
> 
> From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of Bernie
> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 3:14 PM
> To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?
> 
>  
> 
> I gotta try me one o' them Polish keyboard amps. Does the sound 
come 
> out backwards?
> 
> Bernie
> 
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> , "leetronhead" 
<surfbeach@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > I run my Korg and Alesis thruogh a Poland KC300 and KC500.
> > They too are great key amp...good for the Tron too, nut I like 
> > running the Tron through the PA...or route the Roland into the PA 
> > using the amp as a monitor.
> > Lee
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> , "john barrick" 
<astroboy@> 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I assumed that since all that great stuff seemed to have been 
> played
> > > through Marshalls and Hiwatts and such, that a tube guitar amp 
> was
> > > desirable. 
> > > 
> > > If the consensus is a solid state keyboard type of amp (a 
Roland,

> > > maybe?), then I get a lot more for my dollar and really don't 
> have 
> > to
> > > spend as much. 
> > > 
> > > Thanks Norm, Bernie, Lee, and David - any more opinions out 
> there? 
> > > I'd love to hear from all sides on this.
> > > inquiringly,
> > > john b
> > > 1407
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> , djacques@ wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Mackie srm 450
> > > > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> > > > 
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: "leetronhead" <surfbeach@>
> > > > 
> > > > Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:46:24 
> > > > To:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > > > Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Amplifier Recommendations?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > --- In Mellotronists@ <mailto:Mellotronists%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > yahoogroups.com, NormLeete@ wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > 
> > > > > In a message dated 31/10/2007 18:15:34 GMT Standard Time, 
> > > > > astroboy@ writes:
> > > > > 
> > > > > Can anyone help me out with an informed opinion?
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > This might not go down well but I would steer away from 
> valve 
> > > > guitar style 
> > > > > amps and go for something that can handle the full range 
> that 
> > a 
> > > > well adjusted 
> > > > > mellotron can deliver.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Time to duck?
> > > > > 
> > > > > Norm
> > > > >Shouldn't have to duck...the Vox is great, but as Norm said,
> > > > I would go with a full range Keyboard amp...it's just hard to 
> > find 
> > > > one with tubes...but give that suggestion a try.
> > > > Also, try a Fender Acoustic...I know it's not tubes...but 
> what 
> > goes 
> > > > in comes out.
> > > > Lee
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "john barrick" <astroboy@...> 
wrote:
>
> I assumed that since all that great stuff seemed to have been 
played
> through Marshalls and Hiwatts and such, that a tube guitar amp was
> desirable.  
> 
> If the consensus is a solid state keyboard type of amp (a Roland,
> maybe?), then I get a lot more for my dollar and really don't have 
to
> spend as much.  
> 
> Thanks Norm, Bernie, Lee, and David - any more opinions out there? 
> I'd love to hear from all sides on this.
> inquiringly,
> john b
> 1407
> 
> 
> 
> 
>Hi John, In theory, we all would like to have the ideal audio 
device handling our signals, but think first of your question, you 
wand to run a signal from a solid state preamp into a tube amp.  In 
a way it's like putting the cart before the horse.  
IMO you would want to match closely the frequency range of the 
output device to the amp you will use.  At home I run EVERYTHING 
thru a Mackie mixer(they really are quiet) into a Dynaco 400 and JBL 
studio monitors.  Earlier this year I went shopping for power amps 
for the live stuff. After some checking decided on either the Roland 
KC 500 OR A Peavey KBA 300.  I took a cd of stuff recorded on the 
M400 to a local music shop and tried it thru the Roland, and the 
sound just did not seem natural or what I expected to hear or not 
hear. Was deficient in the mid range and heavy in the highs.   Also 
tried a comparable Behringer with same results.  About a week later 
stopped into local Sam Ash and they had a used Peavey KBA 300  but I 
did not have my cd with me.  The sales person knew what I needed and 
said this would fare better for my use over the Roland or Behringer, 
and made me an offer I couldn't refuse, so I took it home for a 
hundred and tax.  Now it may not be the best, but it handled the mid 
range well and although somewhat heavy, worth the investment and 
then some.  In short look for whatever will reproduce what you are 
feeding it without changing the original overall sound.  Happy 
Hunting, Doug  #703