I got the board in a pile of stuff in a basket...lol Everything else I built. Replaced and modified 80% of the components.
If you like amps with a zillion knobs (20 control knobs just on the front) and switches and is super sensitive to the smallest amount of knob movement, you will love this beast. This is not your dad's Mesa Boogie...lol
Five switches on the foot switch. Two Celestion G12T-85 speakers in custom cabinet. EL844 tubes that were custom made tubes in 2009 from JJ Electronics in Cadca Slovakia. That reduced the output from each tube to 9 watts from 12 watts for standard EL84's The amp will run with the EL84"s but has to be re biased. Yes...I know I have been crazy for some time now...lol Plug BIAB into this amp and turn it up on 14 to introduce the whole neighborhood to BIAB...lol Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 04/16/2107:08 PM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
They are, in no particular order, my Mesa Boogie Studio 22 watt amp. I used it a lot on stage with several bands and it still kicks after all these years. I also have a relatively new (last year) Positive Grid Spark modeler. Allegedly it has 40 watts out to 2 4" speakers. A number of models in it from breaking glass clean to nasty metal grunge. And everything in between. I think they list 10k different configurations possible with the models and pedals available as factory default. I've just started using this as my main studio amp. And of course, my old trusty Pod2 from Line 6. It has limited models and a few FX and has been a great studio amp as it is totally silent. Direct out only into the interface. I can listen through the speakers in my studio rig or headphones.
Five switches on the foot switch. Two Celestion G12T-85 speakers in custom cabinet. EL844 tubes that were custom made tubes in 2009 from JJ Electronics in Cadca Slovakia. That reduced the output from each tube to 9 watts from 12 watts for standard EL84's The amp will run with the EL84"s but has to be re biased. Yes...I know I have been crazy for some time now...lol Plug BIAB into this amp and turn it up on 14 to introduce the whole neighborhood to BIAB...lol Billy
Very cool. I read the reviews on those tubes and they seem to be quite nice. It seems they retain all the shimmer and punch of the 84's but breakup smoothly at lower volume and have a nice compression aspect to them as well. The review I read mentioned that the amp didn't need to be rebiased to switch the tubes.... plug and play according to the writer. I really like the lower wattage amps and appreciate the qualities they have when it comes to tone and volume and the combination of those two. I recall a certain Carvin I owned for a time. I've been a fan of Carvin ever since I bought one to replace a heavy as heck Ampeg 100w combo. It was lighter and half the power but oh my.... the tone, and the volume was comparable. I later bought a 100w Carvin, their equivilent to the Mesa of the time. With the EV speaker, that amp was just too dang loud. I sold both my Carvins at some point and switched to the 22w Boog.... and haven't looked back since. I'm a fan of low powered amps because if I need too, I can always use the direct out to power as many power amps and speakers as my ears can stand.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I have the Randall Commander II RG-120-212 I bought new (275$) in May 1979. IIRC....solid state was just coming of age and maybe not so popular with the tube purists at that time.
It's still in very good condition. A great amp, solid state, 2 channel....and would blow off your face if not careful.
As subjective as the choice is I'd endorse my Randall....FWIW.
(EDIT: Planobilly....you must have some great soldering skills. Me...I suck at it. But...if one needs and solder contacts or potentiometer posts melted?....I'm your man :))
I have had a number of amps over the years. They all came and went, except this one which I keep cause I can carry it without hurting my back. BTW, I just looked up pricing and this amp and was pleasantly surprised by how it has held value over the past 20 years.
Oh, I just saw the thread title. Sorry no tubes here.
Last edited by MusicStudent; 04/17/2108:58 AM.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
My amp pales in comparison to Billy's custom tube amp but it more than meets my needs.
It's a Roland Cube 80XL. From the website;
"With over one million CUBE amps sold and going strong, Roland continues to push the envelope with innovative amp technology and design. The latest addition to the top-selling CUBE amp family is the CUBE-XL series, with the CUBE-80XL representing the most powerful and feature-packed of the new lineup. The CUBE-80XL delivers 80 screaming watts of power through its 12" high-performance custom speaker. There are discrete, footswitchable* channels — JC Clean and Lead — with Solo settings for each. Twelve COSM amp models are onboard, including the new Extreme, plus eight effects to choose from, including the new Heavy Octave and COSM vintage Spring Reverb, plus an 80-second Phrase Looper. A 3-band EQ with Presence control is provided for detailing your sound."
It's a great amp but this sumbitch is heavy for a small amp.
A sort of Deluxe Reverb with twin speakers. Cool for studio but not stage.
I went crazy building amps for a while...lol
Billy
Metal Monster from Hell....sure to dom the lights at your house...lol
Last edited by Planobilly; 04/18/2104:24 PM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
That Deluxe is sweet. Looks like a custom boutique amp.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks Bob,
I guess it is a custom boutique amp.
Only issue with amps you build your self you never stop working on them...lol
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
mine is a 60s throwback that cost me £70 in the late 80s. going for silly money on ebay these days.
tube watts are so much louder it seems than solid state watts so i never got the chance to crank it up on stage to get crunch/overdrive. so i'm not sure what the amp sounds like at full volume but it always seemed to stay clean used at stage volume (but with a valve warmth) and i got distortion and fx from a processor.
i also bought this ibanez pedal at around the same time for £35 but that too is now going for silly money.
both are in the attic and i must remember to tell my son what they are worth when they clear the house. as well as my 1971 Martin D35..............
Nice looking amps guys! Especially like the Nomad, I've always wanted a Mesa (bought a Mesa Express 5:25 at one point, but it wasn't for me) - someday I'll have a Mark IIc or Single Recto.
You can see my amps in this pic of my home studio (I don't have close-up pics handy here at work). From top to bottom:
Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 bass amp head - solid state 300-watt (currently waiting for new output transistors to arrive) Peavey Valveking 100 head (heavily modded with the "Mesa" mod and the "JCM" mod) - an absolute beast and very underrated Rivera Knucklehead 55 (1994 version) - covers every sound from Fender Blackface to Tweed to hot-rodded Marshall Carvin MTS 3212 (heavily modded, rehoused into a head vs a 2x12 combo - the speaker cab is behind on the right) - excellent clean, and tube-driven reverb! Currently using only 2 6L6's for 50w output (power transformer sags a bit too much on the heater voltage with 4 power tubes) Epiphone Valve Jr head (not easily visible, soon to be very heavily modded) Akai/Roberts M7 (heavily modded, 2 channel guitar amp with EF86 channel and 12AX7 channel) - very loud for a single EL84 Weber Super Reverb head kit (not functioning, bought it from a guy partially built, going to start from scratch at some point)
Next to the shelf: Traynor YCV40 (with the pirate face in the torn grille, bought it in rough shape and added the face with a sharpie) - currently not working, probably will hand-wire something in it's chassis Under the Traynor is the cab for the Carvin MTS3212 - good speakers, not a great cab (too small) Kustom Defender 50 (a surprisingly good sounding amp stock, but with a terrible reverb circuit driving a proper spring tank)
Not shown: Carvin X100B head, 1990-ish (carpet version) - currently rebuilding the head as the carpet grew some mould in storage, not surprising given the age. Good reverb, good clean, great crunch and drive. Currently using only 2 6L6's for 50w output.
Last edited by Simon - PG Music; 04/19/2112:04 PM.
They are, in no particular order, my Mesa Boogie Studio 22 watt amp. I used it a lot on stage with several bands and it still kicks after all these years. I also have a relatively new (last year) Positive Grid Spark modeler. Allegedly it has 40 watts out to 2 4" speakers. A number of models in it from breaking glass clean to nasty metal grunge. And everything in between. I think they list 10k different configurations possible with the models and pedals available as factory default. I've just started using this as my main studio amp. And of course, my old trusty Pod2 from Line 6. It has limited models and a few FX and has been a great studio amp as it is totally silent. Direct out only into the interface. I can listen through the speakers in my studio rig or headphones.
I don't know why the pics are not displaying for me. Hummmmmmm... I used the PHOTO Icon..... hope you can see them or access the box files.
Back in the day I use to play through a Super Reverb. Clubs were bigger, people were more tolerant of loud blues and Rock. No cops standing in the street with a dB gun checking the volume level. For all the advances in electronics nothing sounds like a Fender cranked up on 10.
As time went by and there were requirements to play at lower volume levels I started experimenting with lower wattage amps. I had a Zinky Blue Velvet at around 25 watts but it was still loud as hell. Great sounding amp. I am trying to find one but no luck so far. I guess I could call Bruce and beg him to build me one. Two Rock makes a good amp but kindy pricey. I also like the sound of a Supro and I want to build one if I can find the proper output transformer.
As I got older I also got really tired of lugging around things like Twin Reverbs, B3 organs. I miss the sound but not the back breaking work. Same with a Les Paul, they can produce a really cool sustained sound that I was never able to get from any other guitar. Well...four sets on Saturday night with that hanging around my neck....no thanks.
We have very good PA systems now days so if the amp is not loud enough mic the damn thing through the PA.
There is really no answer to being jammed up on a tiny little stage without a mic on everything and a in ear monitor system with your own control panel.
No single amp will do everything well. Good excuse to buy more amps...lol
Billy
EDIT: Wonderful news. I just got off the phone with Bruce Zinky and he said he would send me the part to build a Blue Velvet. They don't make that amp any longer but he said he has enough parts left over to put one together. Fun stuff.
Last edited by Planobilly; 04/20/2106:33 AM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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