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View Full Version : LA Amp Show report: GT = God’s Tubes


Pearly Gator
05-09-2005, 04:30 PM
Saturday, I went to the first annual LA Amp convention in hopes of meeting some new wholesale venders to buy my parts from. Being in business, I’d like to get parts locally for faster turn around times for my customers.

At the convention I met people from Mesa Boogie, CE Distributing, AES, Groove Tubes and others. A panel of amp gurus led a discussion forum. It included representatives from Randal, GK and Groove Tubes. I left the forum to go back to the Groove Tubes booth and spoke with a guy named Patrick, who gave me a dealer application packet. Groove Tubes is a half hour drive from my shop and I can get an account for an initial purchase of only $700 - $900 worth of tubes. (Gulp!) I bought the latest deluxe edition of The Tube Amp Book, which includes a CD containing over 800 schematics. Patrick told be to come back when Aspen Pittman was there and he would autograph it.

When Aspen arrived, I introduced myself and asked about the local audio companies that were around in the ‘70s. We had a mutual acquaintance named Ed Miller and we both worked for the various companies like Cerwin-Vega, Acoustic and the Great American Sound Company. Aspen signed my copy of The Tube Amp Book and said, “God bless you!” I was caught off guard by the comment but even as a throng of fellow technophiles pressed for Aspen’s attention, I replied, “God bless you too, sir!”

For two days, I’ve delved deep into the book and just came across the page ohaving Aspen Pittman’s bio. The closing paragraph explains it:

“Aspen resides near his San Fernando, California, Groove Tubes factory with his wife and business partner Sigrid, two nasty two blue and gold macaws, and two good dogs. He regularly attends Christian music workshop groups at several nearby churches….”

I think I’m switching to Groove Tubes to support a brother. The problem is, I have to justify buying almost a thousand dollars worth of tubes. Perhaps I can ask my customers to help me make the initial purchase and I’ll let them have the tubes at cost. From what I saw, GT is a good, honest company that carries tubes from every modern European and Asian manufacturer.


In Christ,

Gator

Micter
05-09-2005, 10:00 PM
I looked for a guy with an Aligator on his shirt but didn't see you. I was wearing a Rush 30th anniversary tour shirt.

I had a great time. I got to clear out the Hiwatt room! :mrgreen: The guy in charge of the room with the Hiwatt and Orange amps handed me a Les Paul plugged into the Hiwatt half stack KRANKED and asked me if I would be so kind as to play for the crowd. It was so loud that everybody left. Or wa it cuz I play horribly? :innocent

My favorite amp was the Orange Rockerverb!!!!!!!!!!! The Guytron was soo versatile I was shocked. Fargen had some cool stuff too.

Were you at the Q&A session in the main room? That was great to see those guys being honest and forthright about amp building.

Pearly Gator
05-10-2005, 12:04 AM
LA Amp Show (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81679)

In the second photo, you can see The Gator and son. I'm wearing a blue denim jacket and Gator Jr. has a black Tee shirt (courtesy of Mesa Boogie) & red hair.

Gary

Micter
05-10-2005, 12:40 AM
LA Amp Show (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81679)

In the second photo, you can see The Gator and son. I'm wearing a blue denim jacket and Gator Jr. has a black Tee shirt (courtesy of Mesa Boogie) & red hair.

Gary

Too funny! I was with Hasserl! I didn't see you, I must be blind!!!!!

Pearly Gator
05-10-2005, 02:21 AM
Ha! How close was THAT?!

I'm really diggiing the book and inspiration from the show. I've tweaked my Tweed Deluxe clone & Pro Reverb into sonic heaven. Next plan is for a Tweed Pro clone and a homebrew Univalve....
God bless,

Gary

Micter
05-10-2005, 05:40 AM
I left that place wanting to build a Marshall 18 watt clone. I've been lurking at the 18 Watt site for years and now I'm ready to bite the bullet and get all of the stuff together. I modded my Carvin Belair (with some help from Hasserl) so I'm up for the challange.

Crunchyriff
05-10-2005, 08:27 AM
I left that place wanting to build a Marshall 18 watt clone.

THERE you go, Micter!!

The proof is in da pudding with that unit, I'm telling ya!!

Pearly Gator
05-10-2005, 01:33 PM
One of my Tweed Deluxe experiments was to pull the 6V6s out and plug in a pair of EL84s, via an adapter. It was mucho groovy. Very crunchy and chimey. I think that's close to 18W. :mrgreen:

There's a guy who makes an 18W kit amp. Have you heard of Woodcross amps? I'm in negotiation with the owner for a 10W, Class A, 1X12 kit.

PG

Micter
05-10-2005, 03:33 PM
One of my Tweed Deluxe experiments was to pull the 6V6s out and plug in a pair of EL84s, via an adapter. It was mucho groovy. Very crunchy and chimey. I think that's close to 18W. :mrgreen:

There's a guy who makes an 18W kit amp. Have you heard of Woodcross amps? I'm in negotiation with the owner for a 10W, Class A, 1X12 kit.

PG

Ya I'm familiar with Bluesaxe. Great guy, I didn't know he was making 18 watt kits. I'll dig his site up and check it out.

Thanx

Micter
05-10-2005, 03:49 PM
I just looked at CR's site and I didn't see a "true" Marshall 18 watt clone. I think I'm gonna go with the weber kit and mod it a tad bit! I want the TMB style 18 watt.

Pearly Gator
05-10-2005, 06:17 PM
I can hear it now :mrgreen:

http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/images/stupid.gif

Micter
05-10-2005, 07:34 PM
I can hear it now :mrgreen:

http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/images/stupid.gif

Good thing I'm single! I have built like 6 guitars in the last year let alone the refinishes I've done. Now, I'm planning on an amp building addiction! :oops: A guy has to keep busy!!! :innocent