Milkman 40W Pedal Steel Mini

Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

I am interested in the Milkman line of amps. From what Tim has told me plus what I have read on this forum they sound like a quality piece of gear. I really like the 85 watt model. The only concern I have is the weight. I'm afraid my days of hauling "Fender Twin like" gear around is over. The 40w model weighs less and I wondered if anyone here had one and has played it in clubs and if so how did it do? Obviously the preference would be to have the extra wattage for the headroom but due to the weight I don't see that model as a good fit in my situation but maybe the 40W would work out fine. Just wondered what experience others have had.
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David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

For my money, the Mini is all the amp you will need. I have a 12" Eminence neo in mine and run a 15" extension cab when the situation warrants. Always met my needs quite well.

Jonathan Lam · From: Brooklyn, NY

Some of the absolute best.
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Marty Broussard · From: Broussard, Louisiana, USA

FWIW,
I've been experimenting with tube amps of different wattages lately. I just had to know through my own experience how much it would take with a tube amp for me to be happy.
I think you'd be happy with the 40W version. If my final experiment results are positive I intend to sell/trade the experiment amps that I've acquired and go for something in that range.

For some additional insights:
Note #1: One of the amps I have is a Mesa Boogie Mark-2 with the 60W/100W selectable power feature. I haven't had to switch it to full power yet. The sound is great but my experience is that 60W is plenty. I'm planning on using a Super Reverb head into a single 12" and a single 15" cabinet respectively this weekend or next. That's ~40W of power. If it works well I will have narrowed my requirements down and I'll start pursuing something permanent in a combo version. Frankly, I'll probably be going for the Milkman Mini concept with a 12" spkr.

Note #2: I've been using a NV112 since 2010 without any power issues. Granted, some of the venues are medium sized and we are mic'd for the larger ones, BUT, I've never had to set the MV and Volume above 5 each. Keep in mind that the PV is rated at ~80watts and tube amps are allegedly louder(based upon my reading on this forum). Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that I find myself looking at a tube combo around 40watts.

Note #3: I play 98% of my gigs on E9th so if you play an abundance of C6th you may need additional headroom for the lower voicings. I'm not sure but I at least want to put it out there to be fair. I'm sure there are others on the forum who can provide useful input on that.

Note #4: Of the experimental amps I purchased the Boogie has been the most useful because it has a channel that is very similar to the Fenders and the Power Switch helped to determine my power needs. If you can borrow one it may be useful for you also.

I hope my experiments and info help you.

Best of luck
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Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

Tube watts are interesting...and its interrelation with speaker sensitivity. Interestingly...you need double the tube wattage to increase volume by 3 db IIRC, and speaker sensitivities range from about 96db to 103db...so, one obvious fix for too much volume or not enough is to change speakers.

For six string guitar (not particularly relevant because a bit of power tube distortion is part of the sound), I started with 100W, then 50, then 20, then 20 with power scale to about half scale...eg...10W is all an electric guitar needs on most club stages to keep up with the band. That 10W number corresponds with me running my 20W non-scaled amp with the master at about 2...Typically, at least, master volume on 4 is at rated amp output, after that, power tube distortion comes into play, and by 8, you're actually running everything pretty close to 2x rated output.

I could never imagine a steel needing much more than 50W.

Rick Contino · From: Brattleboro, Vermont

Not to "steel" the focus from Tim's Milkmen, but my 50watt Gwin Steel tube amp blows my head off before I get half-way up on the volume knob. I feel like it is too much amp a lot of the time and sometimes consider getting something in the 20watt range. 85 tube watts sounds like pure insanity to me. I've played in really loud bands outdoors with my 50 watter and have yet to turn the volume up past half-way.
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Tim Marcus · From: San Francisco, CA

I use my 20W Milkman for about 95% of my gigs and 100% of my sessions.

I used to drag my 85W everywhere but I never got to turn it up very loud. I dropped it down to 50W and I still get my head blown off by the thing.

The mini is a great little compromise between weight and power. It's loud!

There are some who desire more than 85W and I just can't believe it. That is a lot of power and probably on par with a 2-300W solid state amp. That said, nothing sounds like the real McCoy - because of its massive power reserves, the 85W can do what no other milkman can. I'm really pleased and proud of that amp. I don't evnvy making the decision Gary, but I'm really flattered that you are seriously considering Milkman Very Happy

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Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

I never looked very hard, but is the mini running a pair of 6L6's or a quad of 6v6's?

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

I've had them all - Milkman amps...the 85 watt, the 50 watt sideman, the 20 watt guitar amp, the 40 watt mini. The Mini is sort of a Bassman (that is the transformer Tim uses), with a pair of 6L6s, and is my current favorite for all needs...but they all have a niche, it depends on how you will use them...power, flexibility (6-string + steel?), speaker size, etc.

I now gig with the mini - such a joy to lift it with a couple of fingers! It will hold its own in a noisy club without a mic on it (A touch of tube hair on the tone when the room is packed, the crowd is screaming, and the band is rocking out, but I like that)...
...mine has a Telonics 12", since I play only E9, the 12" has the same low end as the 15". And it has the same EQ as the big amp, which I love - so easy to tailor it to my preference, my steel, or the room...and a great reverb.

The 85 watt was a delight - and still only 55 lbs - it would do anything, slay dragons with lightning bolts, you name it...but I just didn't need that power. Total clean and sparkling at volume that would shatter bottles on the bar....

The Sideman has 2 channels and *maybe* a touch more headroom, a cabinet just a touch smaller than the 85 watt (which is in a Twin Reverb cab) but I've built a pedalboard with an instrument switch and some EQ, so I can now run a couple of instruments through a single channel easily...and the headroom difference from the Mini is very subtle.

So the Mini is the one that wins. In a Princeton cab! I had Tim put a cathode/fixed bias switch in it, so I can run it either way (cathode for a bit more touch sensitivity and no need to rebias for new tubes, fixed for tighter low end and a bit more headroom). I'll use fixed bias for gigging and cathode bias for recording...
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Daniel Morris · From: Westlake, Ohio, USA

I've still got the 85W (~ 55#), as well as the 40W Mini (~ 35#).
Unfortunately, some guys I work with are just LOUD. So the PSG amp is called upon, and delivers. For more modest gigs - and even some fairly loud ones - the Mini does the trick. Telonics 15" speakers in both; light and clear.

I agree, Tim - how much more power could someone really use? After a point, ya gotta be mic'd anyhow, right? I don't think I've had my PSG amp above 4.
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Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
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Andrew Kilinski · From: Atlanta, GA

Garry,

I have a 50W Sideman, and i've never had to turn it past 5 on the steel channel. I would bet the 40W, or even the 20W, would fit your needs.
Anyone who has ever picked up my sideman (I can usually sucker someone into carrying it for me at least for a minute) is immediately surprised at how light it is.

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I find that I usually need the full 85 watts of power in my Milkman steel amp. The stage volume of country bands in Texas is very very loud and for bar gigs I need to push the room. For road gigs and club gigs in NYC a Deluxe reverb was plenty.

If you need a twin or a nashville 400 to cover your needs the 40 watt might not do it. If you can cover the gig with a fender deluxe or a peavey 112 the 40 should work fine.
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Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

Having loud on-stage volume is viewed as "unprofessional conduct" amongst the pro musician community up here, anyways...haha... seriously...everyone is worried about hearing loss up here. We have enough risk having our ears frozen off.

We run good PA rigs, though, and make the audience go deaf instead of us.

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

The 40 watt is noticeably louder/cleaner than a Deluxe - it actually is sort of a Fender Bassman in a Princeton cabinet....

Tim put the big Bassman transformer in there and that makes a real difference. Also, having the full 3-band EQ lets you trim back the bass if you need more reach, that gives you more headroom...
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Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
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JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

My Milkman 85 is perfect for me..I can't imagine using anything else..I can ring out a chime twice as long as my old Peaveys and Fender Steelkings...I like having that reserve power to swell notes forever with my volume pedal without touching the strings..No other amp I've tried does this for me like the 85..

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Garry-
the Milkman Pedal Steel Amp weighs a lot less than a Twin...55lbs, thanks to Neo Speaker....but it is still a handful, that is why I switched to a Sideman (42 lbs) and now a Mini (35 lbs)....the Mini just takes a couple of fingers to lift...but if you can deal with the 55lbs, you wouldn't be sorry...

JR-
You are absolutely right, nothing like that Pedal Steel Amp....especially if it has the color scheme you picked...and the extension speaker cab...
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Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor

Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

Steve, I have talked to several people and have not heard the 1st negative comment about the Milkman line of amps. I am just trying to decide what amp would be the best fit for my situation. I am interested in a hardwood cabinet, with Walnut being my 1st choice. Does anyone have a feel for what woods make the best sounding cabinet, in this application?
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JR Ross · From: New Mexico, USA

Thanks Steve ..Guys like you convinced me to chose this one over the Franklin Rig..by Little Walter.. I'm glad I did and someday I hope to test one side by side with mine to reconfirm my decision..Tim should send one to Bobby Seymores in Nashville..They carry Little Walters and I bet the Milkman wouldn't be on the floor very long with all the steel players there..

Gary .. Tim's subs out his cabinet builds to an awesome cab maker whose name escapes my mind.. They use solid maple I believe for most or their Tolex cabs to create great tonality..I'm sure the exotic woods like walnut have good tone characteristics also..better get a good road case if you go the Furniture look route..

Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

I agree JR, Bobbe's shop would be a good home for the Milkman pedal steel amp line. It would be nice to have a place where those of us within driving distance of Nashville could try them out.
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Emmons PP D10 8X5, GFI Ultra D10,both are setup up "Emmons" style. Quilter 202 Tone Block, Nashville 400, Milkman 85, Stewart PA200, BW and JBL speakers, Profex II

cell # 812-603-1612

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