Little Walter Amplifiers

JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

OK so everybody in Nashville iIncluding Paul Franklin , Mr White , Vince Gill and many others are RAVING and buying Lil Walter Ams..Any one out there tried one a these? how do they compare to what else is out there.. I'm worried about the Power rating cause Paul. Franklin had the twin 50 model (2 separate 50 watt amps inside) made to suite his power needs..So this model with the 2 stereo cabinets is gnna set me back 5 GRAND!! Are they worth it..IS thesis money well spent compared to say the Stewart stereo systems and the regular Fender Steel kings that are a fraction of the cost..Mickey Adams please chime in here ..I can't get a hold a you on your Facebook account any more..Says its inactive and your gmail email doesn't work either.. Anyway I'm sure lots a you have tried em so please advise me as to the tone and quality of this amplifier.. IS IT THE HOLY GRALE OF STEEL AMPS?
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Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Boutique amps come and go but Fender and Peavey go on forever! Very Happy

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

My personal take: 90% of us don't have the touch in the hands to justify the expense of a boutique amp, whether solid state (Bradshaw Webb) or tube (LW or Milkman). If you have the bucks, go for it. But most of us won't sound much better than we would through a Peavey (Transistor) or Twin (tube).
90% of us would get more mileage out of throwing half as much into face to face instruction from Reece or Wright.
That amp won't come with a can of FrankliTone, or a bottle of Clam-B-Gone. If you wanna sound like Paul, get a time machine, go back to the 60s and play 50 hours a week for 45 years.
That said, give one a try. Only your ears can tell you if that's five grand worth of tone.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

JR, I believe tone and amplifier/effects feel are as different as choice of guitar, and musical influences, from player to player. Yes, it's probably a waste of money if one has limited skills to pursue high-dollar equipment as a path to "tone", but if one has the scratch and it makes playing more fun or rewarding, why not.

I myself haven't played a Little Walter, I'm kind of afraid to! But I've recently gone through amp search hell. For many years I was really happy with the tone and feel I got from a Walker Stereo steel rig, and sold it to move to something more compact. I've been through quite a few amps, and while some sounded good, some great, none of them was quite... there... I got hold of a Walker Mono combo, and in 45 seconds of adjustment, I was back to the sound I love.

Of course, that's just my story. While I have stayed with certain amps, guitars , or effects setups for good periods of time over the years, I have also really enjoyed the search. Each piece of equipment has it's own plusses and minuses, some very personal to the individual, and just because something is the new big thing, it might not be what rings your bell. Best to take a test drive, I'd say!
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Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Several players here in the NW use them and there is no question among those of us who have heard or played them that the Little Walter amp is in a class all by itself. If you play in public all the time and/or have the money to buy one there is no reason not to go there. However, if you are a part-timer or have limited funds there are lots of less expensive choices that will serve your needs just fine.

Is the difference between a modern 'American Standard' Stratocaster and a vintage Strat built in 1959 worth the extra money? You tell me....

Jerry Kippola · From: UP Michigan, USA

I never trust the opinion of others when it comes to what's good for me, how would anyone else know what it feels like?

Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

I have one coming this wed, you cant really judge anything till its in your hands and ears , only then can you give your honest opinion about something, im not buying one to sound like paul or tommy, ive played 38 yrs with mostly SS amps but i love the sound of tube amps and learned to dislike an amp with a lot of knobs , i may find its not for me but then again it might be the ultimate amp for me, its a tool that will pay for its self just like my guitar and everything else i use for music, if it didnt i would just buy the basics and be happy. The 50 watts might be a little lite but i wont know till i play it out, ill be using mine with 2 1201-8 speakers and see what happens, paul uses his 50 when he plays with the time jumpers at smaller clubs, ive been using 2 80 watt SS amps and have plenty of headroom when i need it
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Rittenberry SD10, 2 nashville 112s with telonics speaker, behringer EPQ450 power amp, 705 pups, Telonics FP-100, live steel strings, mogami cords, wet reverb

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

I have to disagree that boutique amps don't make a difference for a newbie (e.g., me)....when I first set up my Milkman at the back corner of the stage nobody in the band noticed...but when I started playing they all looked over with surprise....and commented later on the tone.

The tactile feedback you get from this amp, plus its ability to just sound amazing, definitely gives me a bump in my playing and how it sounds...not a replacement for developing the skills, of course, but certainly makes it more fun from day 1...

I'm sure the other boutique amps are fine also....the tactile feedback and pretty harmonic structure on output is probably the prime characteristic of most boutique amps (I've played boutiques for decades, first on guitar, now on steel), compared even to classic original Fenders, which I have owned..I went with the Milkman Pedal Steel Amp because it is designed for steel...more than enough power (you don't need two of them), exactly the right EQ, built-in Fender Tube Reverb, etc. But that is just me, it is a very personal choice....
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Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

I have no opinion about the "Little Walter" since I have not had an oportunity to use it.

However, my life long experience is that your amplifier will be the most effective element of whatever sound you are trying to achieve, and the brand of your guitar is a minor player in your quest.

I did buy one of the most recent amps to have rave revues because of it's small size and supposedly big sound. Sadly, I used it once and was disapointed so it still sits sadly alone in my unused accessories closet among many others.
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"FROM THEN TIL' NOW"

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

To corroborate what Gene said, I think the choice of amp makes a huge difference. I have a varied collection of vintage and new amps. Same guitar, same hands same "manos de piedra" technique and each amp sounds noticeably different.

A few years back, I got a VHT Sig:X and I had it voiced for steel guitar. I also have a silverface super Twin that's my point of reference for what "traditional" is supposed to sound like. I was using the Twin to "dial in" the VHT and if you had told me that the VHT would have a "tighter" bottom than the Twin, before I started, I would have looked at you like you were nuts, not to mention that having a tighter bottom opens up the floor for a lot of one-liners. The Twin is loose, the VHT is tight, go figure.

JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

DAVE: YES I'm a life long player....I am retired now and music is my FULL time passion now ..I probly play over 120 gigs a year now.. I own 2 Mulllens now and my primary is a G-2 ...I HAD A GREAT tube works boutique Stereo setup with a 500 watt stereo ( the one that P . Franklin was using in the recording sessions but my memory escapes me now what it was .I bought it from Herbie Wallace)..Problem was that the rack alone weighed 120 LBS..Just to heavy but I loved the tone..Bobby Seymores had the Little Walter people do a seminar a few weeks ago at Steel Guitar Nashville ..All the players there sounded great on that equipment....As they told me people think nothing of spending 5 grand on a guitar so why should the choice of amplifier be any different..

RODGER: Let me know how you like your new Lil Walter comin in..For the extra 5 or $600 dollars I wouldn't wanna regret not getting the twin 50 for the single 50 as Paul Franklin wanted the extra power of the twin 50.. that way for smaller clubs you can always go with just using half a the amp when needed....Let me know if the power of the single 50 is adequate for you...Also how heavy is it?

STEVE: That "EXTRA BUMP " in my or your playing is exactly what I'm after.. I'm at a point in my career that I figure I've spent my whole life playing and I make enough money doing it that I dont want to compromise EXCELLANCE because of a few extra thousand bucks .. I've dedicated my life to this passion I have. I'm 62 years old now and I may have another 10 or 20 (I hope ) years left to make this my best years to perform...

LANE: I hole heatedly agree that this is not a good investment for a novice player cause a novice would not have the ability to get the toneality out of it..It wouldn't sound any better than the Fenders and Peaveys out there in that case..

Shorty Rogers · Posted 3 Mar 2013 9:34 am **Walker amp**

Mark You're welcome. Wink

Steve Spitz · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

+ 1 to what Gene and Chas posted.
We play solid body , AMPLIFIED instruments. They don't sound like much without the amp. The amp becomes part of the instrument.
Yes, you could make a living with a twin, or a NV400 or any "non-boutique" amp. I own both, and use them regularly. Lots of guys sound better on an inexpensive amp than I'll ever sound on a " holy grail" amp.
To be objective, we have to not consider the price. It doesn't sound better because its more expensive,most likely, it sounds better because it is better.
Like many things in life, its only a lot of money if you can't afford it.

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

If you are coming to Dallas, come to the Little Walter room and try one out. Phil is bringing a bunch of amps this year, and I will be on hand to demo.

Gordon Hartin · From: Durham, NC

One thing that adds to the Little Walter amp, is how simple it is. It is almost impossible to make the amp sound bad. The only setting i wouldn't use is when the tone knob is turned all the way down(off), but as soon as you slightly turn it up the sound immediately cleans up. You can turn the tone knob all the way to 10 and you are not killed by piercing highs. How many amps can you say sound good, no matter how the knobs are set? On all the Peavey amps I owned, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, Session 400...I was constantly fighting to get a sound that was pleasing to my ears.

If you are playing a $2,000-$4,000 Steel, what is so crazy about an amp in the same price range? Smile

Gordon

JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

That's what I'm lookin for..Im talked to Mickey Adams today..He is gonna give a good look to what Phil brings to Dallas this week at the Steel convention.. .. I'm lookin forward to what you all have to say ..If The Little Walter steals the show then my mind will be made up..I look forward to all a your opinions on this..

JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

From what I'm hearing, the only boutique amp that compares is the Milkman.? Both the Little Walter and Milkman are hand made and use top quality components including the cloth coverd wires...The Milkman has more powe (85 watts oposed to 50 ) and also has reverb.. I'd be very interrested to here a comparison from someone who has played through both of these.. Maybe even Paul F, Tommy White, and company could chime in here..

Gordon Hartin · From: Durham, NC

JR,

If you are considering a Little Walter or a Milkman, I go straight to the source and email Phil or Tim. I'm sure they will both give you a call back and answer any questions that you might have about their amps.

My amp collection these days is pretty complete, I have a

Ken Fox Twin with 2x12s
Ken Fox Bassman
LW50 with a 2x12 cabinet
and just added a
5 watt Milkman amp.

I have not had a chance to play any of the Hi-powered Milkman amps, but the quality and customer servie from all 3 above builders is superb.

Gordon

JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

thanks Gordon..I appreciate the input..

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Boutique amps come and go but Fender and Peavey go on forever!

Hey ERV, I have a Roland 80XL and a Brad Sarno FREELOADER and that is all I need. The Peavery 1000 and 112 are just sitting on their stands collecting dust. As far as the Boutique amps go, I guess they are great for the people playing those few existing $300 a night jobs or for rich guys that have plenty of money to spend. It is great that we have people like the guys that build the Milkman and the little Walter amps..if I ever hit the lottery, I will have something to spend my money on.

Gibson Hartwell · From: Missoula, Montana, USA

Hey JR, As far as comparison, it doesn't seem like many out there have had the chance to play through both of them! Little Walter amps don't advertise much about the guts of their amps--except that they use Hammond transformers. Hammond makes fine transformers, but Milkman uses large Mercury Magnetics transformers, which was a selling point for me. If you look at the components alone in the Milkman, it is a great value compared to many of the boutique amps out there.

Franklin · Posted 6 Mar 2013 7:12 am

Ken Fox · From: Nashville GA USA

Well there you have! The only amp tube amp suitable for pedal steel has been declared by the leading expert.

Any more questions?

JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

Thanks Paul.. I really appreciate the input..Like I said before I been doin this too long to sacrifice having the best equipment for the expence of paying a little more.. We spend this kind of money on our guitars why not our amps? I just wanna be sure Im getting the best for what Im paying for..Theres a reason you guys are buying this stuff as you too wouldnt settle for second best and I appreciate your expertise in this..

Tim Marcus · From: San Francisco, CA

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