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Topic: Telonics Amps Review |
Mike Scaggs
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 17 Mar 2017 3:35 pm |
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Ok Steel Pickers, I have to talk about Telonics for a minute here. I have been very curious about these amps for a while now but being an amp builder myself (tube amps) I was of course skeptical. So off to Dallas I go for the show and I drag my Infinity into the private Telonics room and plug in. At first I wasn’t sure. JD was in there along with some other top players like Wayne Dahl and others. Then they brought me in the 12†model and things started to happen in a good way. Very clear tone and lots of bandwidth for each tone control. It was also loaded with lots of nice features like a headphone jack, Aux input, Dobro Sim, and the amp reverb was very nice to my ear. Big deep tones and lots of tone choices, I like that.
I have played Peaveys, Quilters, Walkers, MosValve, you name it LOL…
So, I pulled the trigger and brought one home. Dave Beaty is one great guy and provided me with customer service like I have never had before, quite remarkable to be honest. I even decided I wanted to switch to the TC G-Major 2 from the Lexicon, Dave says “no Problem Mike, just want you to be 100% happy†and I am!
If you are on the fence with one of these great machines do yourself a favor and plug in and play for a while and I think you will see what all the fuss is about.
Next, I ended up picking up a Telonics volume pedal used from someone at the show. Dave provided me with the updates for the pedal, I loaded them and I am blown away. For those who know me know that doesn’t come out of my mouth too often.
Anyway, there you have it, another mans opinion for what’s it worth. I know we all like different things and sounds but you may want to give one of these amps a whirl and see what you think.
Cheers from Nashville
Scaggs
_________________
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you
Zum double Hybrid 8x9, 64 Twin (JBLs), p2pAmps Bad-Dawg, p2pAmps Tremendous Reverb, Visit my website www.p2pamps.com |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Mike Scaggs
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 17 Mar 2017 3:49 pm .
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the 12" is just fine. Good enough for Lloyd good enough for me LOL 
_________________
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you
Zum double Hybrid 8x9, 64 Twin (JBLs), p2pAmps Bad-Dawg, p2pAmps Tremendous Reverb, Visit my website www.p2pamps.com |
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Greg Derksen
From:
Alberta, Canada
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Posted 18 Mar 2017 7:01 am
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Mike , could you post a clip of the Infinity and the Telonics?
Be really nice to hear that Combo together, if ya can,
Greg |
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Mike Scaggs
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 18 Mar 2017 2:41 pm
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| Greg Derksen wrote: |
Mike , could you post a clip of the Infinity and the Telonics?
Be really nice to hear that Combo together, if ya can,
Greg |
Yeah Greg I need to do that. I hate doing sound clips with my iPhone so I will need to setup and do a real recording so it sounds like it should.
_________________
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you
Zum double Hybrid 8x9, 64 Twin (JBLs), p2pAmps Bad-Dawg, p2pAmps Tremendous Reverb, Visit my website www.p2pamps.com |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2017 8:28 pm
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| Yep, the 12" does the job. Good tight lows without being boomy. Great sounding amp. |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 19 Mar 2017 2:27 pm
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| Quote: |
| Yeah Greg I need to do that. I hate doing sound clips with my iPhone so I will need to setup and do a real recording so it sounds like it should. |
Good idea Mike. As great as iPhones are they still produce simply awful sound recordings. It certainly wouldn't be representative of what the Telonics really sounds like.
I've got the 15" speaker and I played out with it again last night. It really connects! I've had more compliments on my sound since I got the amp than ever before. |
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 19 Mar 2017 8:58 pm
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Love mine and love the 12"...I really can't imagine any improvement on this, sonically or feature wise.
_________________
John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 20 Mar 2017 3:14 am
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| Welcome aboard the Telonics train. I've been using them for 7 + years now, couldn't be more pleased. Dave and the crew are #1 .....!!!... |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Mike Scaggs
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 20 Mar 2017 12:27 pm
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I couldn't agree more, great stuff David. I am sorry I missed hangin at the show as I had to get home to my wife who decided that weekend was a good time to have an appendicitis! I also will call you back David, been a crazy week so far and it's only Monday 
_________________
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you
Zum double Hybrid 8x9, 64 Twin (JBLs), p2pAmps Bad-Dawg, p2pAmps Tremendous Reverb, Visit my website www.p2pamps.com |
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Steve Spitz
From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2017 5:20 pm
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I picked one up from the show as well. Im really digging it. Dave took the time to go over the amp with me, feature by feature. Great guy. Positive experience with the whole transaction , Sophie and Ron as well. I couldnt be more pleased.
I got the 15" , and it sounds great. Im really enjoying dialing it in. Its dead quiet and has great clarity. Im using the Telonics pickups and volume pedal, and I think the combination is outstanding. The owners manual is by far more thorough than any other amp Ive owned. Very informative and user friendly.
Im looking forward to trying some other steels and such when time permits, but my Infinity sounds unbelievable through this amp.
Thanks again to the whole team , Im loving it. |
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Duane Dunard
From:
Troy, MO. U.S.A.
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Posted 23 Mar 2017 4:27 am
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| Last month I sold my two year old TCA-500A Combo model Telonics and purchased a new TCA-500C, Mini-15" combo. The 15" speaker, short cabinet was not available two years ago, and the new "C" models have a few upgrades over the earlier product, but the short size cabinet was the important factor to me. Absolutely love the amp, and the Telonics team is first class! |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 23 Mar 2017 5:11 am
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| I've been wondering, what are the differences in the 'C' models exactly? What sort of upgrades are involved? |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2017 7:42 am
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From my review link above:
"One of the features in this model C (TCA-500C) version is that the internal speaker is 4 ohms. Plugging in an external speaker using the speakON external speaker jack reconfigures the amp so that the two speakers are in series for a total of 8 ohms"
I have actually used this feature and it works quite well. There's a toggle switch on the back of the amp that activates the feature so you can switch the external cabinet on and off without removing the cable. And you can use any 4 ohm external speaker cab with a standard 1/4" jack/cable via a speakON to 1/4" adapter.
(click for larger picture)
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John Blair
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 23 Sep 2019 4:18 pm
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| Just a reminder that the Speakon jack on the TCA-500 is also a 1/4" TRS jack. So no adapter is needed on the TCA-500. You might need one on the speaker end, if it is not a Telonics speaker cabinet. Our speaker cabinets have both jacks available. |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 24 Sep 2019 3:23 am
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Love this setup....
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Posted 24 Sep 2019 4:11 am
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I had been interested in the Telonics amps for some time... I have a Telonic’s Multi-Taper Volume Pedal, and LOVE IT... So when I found a Telonic’s 500C 212 SuperTwin, I jumped on it and I’m glad I did... Like Mike, I wasn’t sure about it right off the bat, but after reading the BEST Manuel I’ve ever seen written about ANYTHING, and better understood some of the nuance of this amp, well now I’m in heaven... This amp has so much range and has some really cool features. If I want to get crazy with this amp, I can plug in BOTH of my 15†Rick Johnson Cabinets, (Loaded w/TT-15’s) and stick them way off to the side. It doesn’t matter what the ohm’s are, the circuitry within the amp takes care of anything you throw at it. (according to the folks at Telonic’s) This amp also has HUGE power, up to 600 watts peak, which handles both 12’s and both 15’s, like it’s on an early morning walk. And at only 39 pounds, even at my age is very manageable. AND, Dave Beaty’s middle name should be Service, as he’s so focused on it... I didn’t buy my amp from him, yet he has replied to any questions I might have had, with DETAILED emails. Hard to say enough good things about Dave, his team or their world class products.
_________________
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 24 Sep 2019 4:28 am
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I've had a TCA500 for a few years now and I love it. I took the stock speaker out and replaced it with a Travis Toy Double T 15" speaker. Superb combination.
Overall, Telonics is a byword for quality. Their volume pedal is incredible, and can be powered by a single lead. Their pickup range covers all bases for 10 and 12 string pedal steels.
The Beaty family are as good as it gets as far as customer care is concerned.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,
Last edited by Ken Byng on 25 Sep 2019 11:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 25 Sep 2019 5:19 pm
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I have been using the TCA-500 for quite a few years now too - fabulous amp and very versatile. I have yet to encounter a situation where the amp didn't shine through . I'm more than happy with the stock Telonics 15" speaker too. I did play my set in Dallas 2018 with a 12" TCA-500 and was blown away with how good that sounded, including the C6th stuff.
I also have a Telonics rack setup as well just in case I need more horsepower and have a bit more stage room. I usually use this in the studio as well.
Between their amps, pickups and volume pedal you won't find better products anywhere - and Dave's customer service has already been mentioned as way above amazing !!!
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Steve Sycamore
From:
Sweden
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Posted 26 Sep 2019 12:46 am
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The Telonics amplifiers do great things for vintage guitars I find. Guitars from the 60's and 70's tend to have lower impedence pickups and are significantly brighter than more modern ones which increases the challenges for an amp to generate fantastic, musical tones. They are also harder to get great sustain from. But when those guitars are beautifully represented by the amp, magical things happen. Telonics amps make that happen.
If you want the ultimate reverb setup to accompany the amp it might be worth considering the Demeter RV-1 single rack space spring reverb followed by a gate or expander. Digital reverbs can sound magnificent but the perfect spring reverb setup goes far beyond for PSG. |
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Billy Knowles
From:
Kenansville, N. C. 28349 usa
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Posted 27 Sep 2019 6:39 pm Telonics
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The Telonics amp is great, sounds wonderful and loaded with everything you will need. Plus Dave builds only top notch products with top shelf service.
_________________
Billy Knowles
STEEL GUITAR EAST
Emmons authorized dealer and approved service technician
my web site: http://www.steelguitareast.com |
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Dale McPherson
From:
Morristown, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2019 4:40 am
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| And the customer service is at the top. I had a question this week and Dave responded with a detailed explanation in just a few minutes. Proud to do business with a company like his. |
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Murray McDowall
From:
Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
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Posted 28 Sep 2019 7:43 pm
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I’ve had my Telonics TCA 500-C Mini 12 and Telonics Vol Pedal for a couple of years now. Absolutely blown away by it’s performance and the very handy features it has.
Everyone who hears it comments on its clarity and sound, especially other steel pickers.
As far as TELONICS, Dave & Sophie go, you could not find a better company to deal with. THE VERY BEST. !!!
And, to quote Mike Scaggs, “Good enough for Lloyd, good enough for me.â€
_________________
'99 Zum D-10 9x8,
'64 L Series "P" Bass,
Peavey Session 500,
Telonics TCA-500C & FP-100D pedal.
Steelers Choice Sidekick & Backrest. |
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