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Topic: Milbert GAGA Amplifier |
Tim Holmgren
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2011 1:07 pm |
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I searched the SGF archives and to my surprise I found no mention of the Milbert/Berning OTL GAGA amplifier. Has anyone here had any experience with this machine? Here's a link to information:
http://www.milbert.com/gaga#HolyGrail
On paper it sounds like the perfect amp. It's tube-agnostic, and tubes are hot-swappable. It will drive a dead-short with no difficulty, according to one of the designers. Cost is about $2,000. However, most new handmade amps are in this price range.
I would love to hear any comments on firsthand impressions of the amp. Thanks. |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2011 2:53 pm
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| I am simply blown away. I want one! May be some reason(s) why this will not be a good steel guitar amp. Don't know, but GAS is ramping up on this one. |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 2 Dec 2011 6:50 pm
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I sent an email asking about the frequency of the mid range dip they describe and this is the response I got:
Hi Gary,
Thank you for your interest in Milbert Amplifier's GAGA. Center frequency of midrange dip you describe is at 1,000 HZ. Bass is centered at 100 HZ and Treble is centered at 10,000 HZ. Before shipment, we can adjust the Treble center freq. from 5,000 HZ to 15,000 HZ if you want it customized for your needs.
Al Milbert
I sent another asking if they could adjust the center frequency of the mid range dip to about 600 Hz and have not gotten a response. Its been 3 days now but if I do get one I will post it here. |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 1:11 pm
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| I couldn't see any clips on the site, and there are no videos that I could see on youtube. That's not a good sign, IMHO. It seems interesting on paper, but if they don't post examples of how it sounds, it makes you wonder. |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 2:05 pm
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| I didn't see anybdy actually playing through the amp on those clips..... |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 2:25 pm
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| Found the clips: clips. |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 9:37 pm
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| That thing is really cool. I don't quite understand how it works with no transformers, but still... if it mated with a four-band fully-parametric EQ, I'd buy the baby. I like the idea of amplifiers that just work, and don't need to be matched to stuff all finicky & precious-like. |
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Jason Hull
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Posted 5 Dec 2011 3:17 am
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Last edited by Jason Hull on 22 Apr 2012 3:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jay Ganz
From:
Out Behind The Barn
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Posted 5 Dec 2011 6:25 am
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No output transformer and I would guess no power transformer either. So, is he using some type of SMPS for the supply voltage or what?
Not much about the power supply on the site description (unless I missed something).
Whatever the case, it seems like the wave of the future in tube amps. Who's gonna order one to try out?  |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2011 7:24 am
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I'll believe it when I hear it (in person). I know that transformers have a huge impact on the sound of an amp, so I'm a little skeptical that an amp without an OT would sound 'better' without one. Especially since the proof that is presented are pictures of scope screens.
But if it sounds good, I'm all for it.
Although I think that if you want to get a great tube amp sound that's light and loud, you are best off using a smaller tube amp, and making it louder with something like the Furlong powered cab. |
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 5 Dec 2011 7:46 am
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I'm with you Dan - transformer saturation is a HUGE part of a guitar amps sound. Maybe a switching output is good for Hi Fi performance but the human ear demands distortion.
Seeing those perfect waveforms on the scope is a big turn off to me. I don't want perfect. I want character.
_________________
Milkmansound.com |
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Gordon Hartin
From:
Durham, NC
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Posted 4 Jan 2012 11:55 am
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I just read about this also...Pretty interesting, can use any tube...
gordon http://milbert.com/gaga |
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