Brown Deluxe?

Barry Anderson · From: Nevada City, California, USA

Hi buddies. Anyone have any experience using a brown deluxe for pedal steel?

I have an Ampeg J-20 that's a pretty close approximation of one but I can't seem to get rid of the honk. Tried using the brght channel and really dialing back the tone but it's still there.

Would putting a graphic EQ stomp box in front of the amp help me out? Or am I really just fighting a losing battle?

FWIW, I also have a 70's Ampeg VT-22 that sounds pretty great for steel. But it weighs a ton and is so much more amp than I generally need.

Thanks for whatever thought y''all might have.

Ken Pippus · From: Langford, BC, Canada

That Deluxe should sound great in your living room, but I doubt it has enough power to stay clean in a venue much bigger than that. Cool guitar amp.

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

I agree with Barry. You're probably looking at 12 watts - not enough headroom for much more than practice. A brownface Vibrasonic is the sweetest amp I've ever heard for steel guitar, but even at 35 - 40 watts it's underpowered unless your band is very quiet.

On the subject of EQ pedals, I would never use one to cure a bad amp. They are usually noisy and don't make up for an amp's shortcomings. Better to get yourself a decent steel guitar amp if you are serious about getting the right sound.

Barry Anderson · From: Nevada City, California, USA

Thanks. That's kinda what I was thinking but I've never tried using an EQ before.

Maybe I'll just stick with the VT-22 and get a back brace.

Michael Brebes · From: Northridge CA

The Ampeg J20 circuit is also similar to the late Tweed Deluxe, which I have. Since it only has the one Tone control, if the amp sounds "honky"then most of the "honk" is probably in the speaker.
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Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
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Goldtone Paul Beard Reso

Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100

Barry Anderson · From: Nevada City, California, USA

Hey, so last night a friend brought over a Reverb/Delay pedal (Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master - killer pedal, btw) and it seemed to either mask or otherwise magically reduce the honk I couldn't dial out with the amp's single tone knob. I mean it really took it out. Crazy. All of a sudden I was sounding pretty good.

Now, I know that these are pretty standard dressings for the sound, but I guess I was trying to make sure my base was solid before adding them in.

So I guess I'm wondering if this is common? Do any of you find that adding in reverb and/or delay to the chain will "fix" an otherwise less than stellar sounding amp?

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

I've been using a brownface Princeton lately for some gigs that have good a sound system/sound man. I put it up on a milk crate and it's fine ....for quiet bar/club gigs. I did put a higher powered 60 watt 12" speaker in it and that's another important factor. Best sounding amp I own. I'm into trying to play quieter these days, but I have bigger amps when I need them. Very Happy

BTW Barry, I'm playing the Crazy Horse in February. Stop by for a beer if you're around! Smile

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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps

Barry Anderson · From: Nevada City, California, USA

That sounds great! Who you playing with?

Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

Barry Anderson · From: Nevada City, California, USA

An update for y'all, in case anyone cares...

Based on a couple of the comments that the honk might be coming from the speaker, I ended up replacing the stock speaker in the Ampeg J-20 with a Weber 12F150 (50watt, light dope). What a world of difference!

Seriously, night and day. The honk is a non-issue and everything sounds so much rounder and more crisp.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I think I'm gonna need a Holy Grail nano, but from there I should be in pretty good shape.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Just to go back to the Deluxe for a sec-

*If* it were roughly equal in output to the Ampeg it would break up earlier by design. Ampeg amplifiers are made to stay clean. Although they can be overdriven it's generally only at the far upper end of the volume level.

A properly-maintained '62/'63 Fender Deluxe (reasonably fresh filter and bias caps, good tubes, bias not set overly hot, speaker in good shape) will inherently start to break up a bit with the volume around 5-6. It'll be clear but have a hint of "hair".

It'll keep moving in to smooth breakup - usually - up to around 8 or so, then start to get a bit ragged with the stock speaker.

I've heard them with a speaker change and just some minor tweaks used for pedal steel and hold up pretty well. Not a squeaky clean steel tone, but very warm and clear. It can be a good amp at lower volume levels in a small club situation.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Tom Wolverton · From: Carpinteria, CA

I know the circuit is different, but I regularly gig in small clubs on a ‘64 non-reverb Deluxe. I put a Telonics neo 12” speaker in it. It works really well for pedal steel and non-pedal steel. A really lovely amp.
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

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