I want a twin reverb-am I crazy?

[Revelwood]

I want a twin, but I only have my apartment to play it in, for now anyways.

That may changes someday as I finally learn to play decently but in the meantime (next year or so) am I insane to get this amp, take it home and then hang a weber attenuator on it just so I can play it without getting kicked out of my apartment?

Or should I just wise the heck up and get the vox actv4 for the fun clean tube tone I gotta have.

Tones I love are Jerry Garcia, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour.
Clean bright and sweet but able to drive and grind at will.

How crazy am I

[me_alex]

If you want a Knopfler-tone, buy an Epiphone Valve Junior; and add the Bitmo Trio mod; you will get the same sound, for a lot less money. You get a sparkly bright tone, but it can go up to Led Zeppelin and beyond!

(although I also want a twin reverb, I just can't afford it, so maybe I'm biased.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Yes, you would be crazy.

The attenuator is a good product but IMO you still don't get the same impact.

Get a Reissue Princeton on closeout at Best Buy for $ 599.

[peskypesky]

you would be crazy. i got a Peavey Classic 30 and the thing is so loud i can't turn it up past 1!

[Jabs]

Guitar Rig 4 and foot controller would do everything and more for your situation.

[Revelwood]

Many thanks for the help guys.

I just love that sound so. But if I get it, I'll crank it, then I'll have to live in it.

Boris, wouldn't the Princeton be just as loud in an apartment? How would you compare the tone between the two?

[ArlenBucy]

I'd get a Twin if I had the money so I don't think your crazy. Can't hurt to have it.

[Revelwood]

Ah I see the princeton is only 15 watts. Makes sense.
Still tonewise, the 6V6 versus 6L6 tone?
Any thoughts?

[Revelwood]

Originally Posted by ArlenBucy

I'd get a Twin if I had the money so I don't think your crazy. Can't hurt to have it.

I know, I may not get this chance again. Kid will need braces and there goes the amp budget!

[Epinez]

The Princeton is not a quiet amp by any means. IMO the super champ is even too loud for most reasonable apartment uses (15 watt as well).

[me_alex]

what about the Fender 57 Champ Combo Tweed ? It seems really cool.

[TexBiker]

Originally Posted by me_alex

what about the Fender 57 Champ Combo Tweed ? It seems really cool.

It's nice, but $1000 for a five watt 5F1 tube circuit is nuts. There are tons of 5F1 clones that sound just as good or better for a lot less money.

[Christian2009]

I have a twin, but I only use it for gigs and we gig pretty regularly. Even for that, it's pretty loud.

If you're going to be playing in your apartment I'd get something smaller.

[PorkRollExpress]

Your crazy now.

Get it. Then you won't be crazy.







However, you will be DEAF, with one arm longer than the other.

[Namelyguitar]

Can you lug it somewhere else to play it LOUD once in awhile? That will work better than rattling the windows (and neighbors) at the apartment.

Just arrived...a 65 watt, all tube amp for the apartment. Does the volume get cranked to 3 or so in the living room? Of course!

[Revelwood]

I'm so tempted....I'm drawn to the Fender clean tone like the Millenium Falcon is drawn to the Death Star...can't resist...

I am going to get some nice etymotic musican earplugs regardless if I go nuts and buy this monster. I like hearing. Definitely worth the $150 or so to hear for the rest of my life.

[Revelwood]

Originally Posted by Namelyguitar

Can you lug it somewhere else to play it LOUD once in awhile? That will work better than rattling the windows (and neighbors) at the apartment.

Just arrived...a 65 watt, all tube amp for the apartment. Does the volume get cranked to 3 or so in the living room? Of course!

That's the plan. Learn to play at least as well as I did on bass, and maybe even get together with friends and informally gig.
Since I just started learning a few months ago after years on bass, I'm thinking about a year till I can play some decent songs with a group of friends.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Revelwood

Many thanks for the help guys.

I just love that sound so. But if I get it, I'll crank it, then I'll have to live in it.

Boris, wouldn't the Princeton be just as loud in an apartment? How would you compare the tone between the two?

I admit the Princeton is not "just a little Twin". This is true.

What the Princeton will do is get into its sweet spot, where the tubes are "in the zone" (and that's what tube amps are all about) at a decibel level that hopefully will not get you evicted. You may even be able to dial in some "breakup" where tubes produce a sound the human ear loves, which solid state amps can't really replicate. A Princeton can get you evicted but a Twin can get you evicted 5 times faster, and the signal is still clean at that sound level.

[Scott L]

Borris,

Do you have a link to the BestBuy deal on this amp?

Thanks

[TexBiker]

Originally Posted by Scott L

Borris,

Do you have a link to the BestBuy deal on this amp?

Thanks

I'm pretty sure it's an "in-store" deal only.

[Christian2009]

Originally Posted by Boris Bubbanov

I admit the Princeton is not "just a little Twin". This is true.

What the Princeton will do is get into its sweet spot, where the tubes are "in the zone" (and that's what tube amps are all about) at a decibel level that hopefully will not get you evicted. You may even be able to dial in some "breakup" where tubes produce a sound the human ear loves, which solid state amps can't really replicate. A Princeton can get you evicted but a Twin can get you evicted 5 times faster, and the signal is still clean at that sound level.

Obviously you won't get break up at really low volumes, but the level the Twin breaks up at also depends on the tubes you put in it.

[ToneRanger]

I love my Twin Reverb, but then again I want my amp to be crystal clean and I get my overdrives and distortions with out board gear - it still has a "tubey" character even without being distorted.
If you're wanting slight breakup with a blackface tone have you considered a Deluxe Reverb? I know it's not 2x12, but at 22 watts you'll get that grit earlier on...

[07 road house]

The picture in my avatar is my twin. I loved it. It is probally the best amp ever made if you want clean sound. It is loud and in an apartment you may have to get a volume pedal to turn it down enough. I played mine at 5 all the time and it was crazy loud. I wish I still had it but stuff happens. My wife could hear me playing a block away sometimes.

[Revelwood]

Originally Posted by Boris Bubbanov

I admit the Princeton is not "just a little Twin". This is true.

What the Princeton will do is get into its sweet spot, where the tubes are "in the zone" (and that's what tube amps are all about) at a decibel level that hopefully will not get you evicted. You may even be able to dial in some "breakup" where tubes produce a sound the human ear loves, which solid state amps can't really replicate. A Princeton can get you evicted but a Twin can get you evicted 5 times faster, and the signal is still clean at that sound level.

Thanks for your insight Boris, I appreciate it.

[Revelwood]

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

I love my Twin Reverb, but then again I want my amp to be crystal clean and I get my overdrives and distortions with out board gear - it still has a "tubey" character even without being distorted.
If you're wanting slight breakup with a blackface tone have you considered a Deluxe Reverb? I know it's not 2x12, but at 22 watts you'll get that grit earlier on...

I'm seriously considering this option now ToneRanger.
Is there that much difference in tone given the different circuit and tube types?

[Bangbang]

I would go for the Vox myself ....considering your situation and get the BIG one later. I went through and still struggle with the issues you are. I can't play my amps full tilt and I live in a house. Just think....you can put the Vox on 1/4 and pick as hard as you like without using earphones. However you probably won't do this because you can't hold in your GAS. Have fun!

[mseals]

I have a '65 reissue Twin Reverb and I wouldn't trade it for the world... even though I can't turn it up past 1 1/2 or 2 during rehearsal...

Now, on a gig... that's a different story all together...!

Mike in Kuwait

[midifarm]

Who cares if you can't turn it up past one? If you like clean sparkly tone you don't need to OD. Buy the amp you want with no regrets. If you get into a band then you have your gigging amp. Done deal! It'll save you money in the long run.

[g fun baby]

Hey , I just got the AC4tv head with a 1 x 12 cab and I love it. I can get amazing clean tone or break up at low volumes (in the basement of my house). This amp takes to various pedals very well. The only thing about the 8 and 10 inch combo's is I found some of th low end can get a bit muddy at higher volumes (based on playing it in the stores), that why I went with the head and cab. Play around with the two and choose what is best for your day to day playing. (just my advice). Cheers!

[Revelwood]

Thanks everyone for your comments and information.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm old enough to learn from the wisdom of others (finally) and just because I can buy the amp, doesn't mean I have to.

I should earn that amp, by playing more and becoming better first.

So I will take several of your good suggestions and go with the Vox AC4TV, maybe head and cab and sanity will prevail.

Plus my little girl wants to practice with me on her little pink Luna acoustic, and me blasting away on a twin just wouldn't be fatherly of me.

Yes she has me wrapped around her finger, as all good little daughters do.

thanks for all the help my friends.

Robert

[midifarm]

Then again if you do blast away, she might end up like Lita Ford! Errr uh, maybe that isn't necessarily a good idea. Rock on!

[eyerish]

I have owned lots of 60's and 70's twins I have a 1970 twin I bought in the late 70's. I kept it as it has the blackface circuit and I certainly cant afford a blackface now. You can get a sweet clean tone at low volume. The problem is if you want that chime of any kind of dirt you will be very loud. An attenuator will still need to be cranked. The twins run from 85 to a 130 watts. Of mostly clean headroom. Thats why steel and blues players love 'em. I put celestions in mine back in the 80's. The thing is with boosters(ts9,ds2 etc.) you still crank it. with attenuators((I have had a few custom built) you will still more than likely be above apartment levels.

Get it if you want it. just realize that to fully appreciate it you may not be able to "legally" or neighborly" do so at an apartment.

Twins are great amps even the silverface ones. I have a 1979 Bassman 10 the 70watt version I bought back then and it is sweet as heck but again to get that sugar you have to start climbing above 6 on the dial and let me tell you its loud,like a bell but a very loud bell,LoL.

I had a hot rod deluxe that was 40 watts I sold it as it was so extraordinarily loud to get to the good stuff.

So try low watt or maybe for now a modeler amp.

[Ladynational]

Heres my 2 cents,,, get he amp that calls! Its instinct and theres alot of it in this business..
I got myself a fender delux texas red and it screams clear and bright, is way to loud and i turn it up to 3.. I love it, and has plen "T" of head room, can do the job anytime anywhere and is pro. It doesnt weigh much more than the blues JR, anyhow I am strong. its packable and means business.
And it has input and output jacks. So can run it right through to the system and know what sound I am getting.
I had a fender deluxe reverb twin years back. I loved that amp. It was the real meat and potatoes, next to the super champ. and also It was heavy! I used it as a bed on the bus, if i put it on front of two seats i could actually spread out and sleep 10 hours on top of it.

I regretted everyday scince for letting it go.. Thats why I went for the deluxe with the celestian in it... and some weird tubes..with that chili pepper logo.. But it was instinct and I had to have yup.
Attenuators are junk dont use them.. They just waste your money and tone.
Thats the word on the street anyhoo.

[Bangbang]

So I will take several of your good suggestions and go with the Vox AC4TV, maybe head and cab and sanity will prevail.

Made the right decision...trust me on this.

[Revelwood]

Originally Posted by Bangbang

So I will take several of your good suggestions and go with the Vox AC4TV, maybe head and cab and sanity will prevail.

Made the right decision...trust me on this.

I did it. Got the AC4TVH and cab. With a carbon copy delay and a cathedral reverb. Very happy with it.

Still gonna get a twin someday though!

[Bangbang]

Originally Posted by Revelwood

I did it. Got the AC4TVH and cab. With a carbon copy delay and a cathedral reverb. Very happy with it.

Still gonna get a twin someday though!

Congrats!