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Topic: Super Twin Users, please help ! |
Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2004 5:13 pm |
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I will be using a Super Twin this weekend for the first time, and will not have time to mess with it before the job. Since I am unfamiliar with one of these beasts, could you please share a good starting point for tone settings? I like a rich tone that still has plenty of bite. I'll be playing my Zum Universal Keyless. The amp is for sale at a good price, hope I like it!!
Thanks a bunch,
Doug |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 20 Jul 2004 5:41 pm
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If you don't have time to properly "learn" this amp, just set all the EQ's to "0", and use the treble, middle, and bass controls (treble 3, middle 2, bass  . Keep volumes way up for the best tone. (Remember, this is tubes!)[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 20 July 2004 at 06:58 PM.] |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2004 8:07 pm
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| Thanks Donny, that's what I had in mind. I wasn't sure just how the eq section was configured. Is it parametric? Haven't seen one of these amps in a long time. I may not even be able to lift it on to my amp stand. The sound guy is a stout young fella, maybe he'll take pity on me. Why can't I like a Nashville 112????? |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 21 Jul 2004 7:39 am
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No, it's not parametric, it's an active 5-band graphic EQ. "Parametric" is likely a buzzword someone coined, probably to designate a regular tone network (bass-mid-treble) with a mid-shift. I can tell you what the term "parametric" means in mathematics, but what it's supposed to represent in an amplifier is anyone's guess.
A good graphic EQ is far more capable than a "parawhatzit". That's why EVERY major recording studio in the world has a graphic equalizer. (Most small studios have one, too.  ) |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2004 8:14 am
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So it's a graphic eq with knobs instead of sliders, right? Won't that be a handy thing!
Thanks,
Doug |
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Melvin Farmer
From:
Saraland, Alabama, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2004 5:54 pm
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Hello Doug, I was suprised & pleased to read you were going to try the Super Twin Reverb. You were kind enough to share your Cybertwin settings with me about a month or so ago. Thanks again for that. I just couldn't get the sound I was looking for from the Cybertwin, even after twisting knobs until my fingers hurt. Then as chance would have it, I saw a Super Twin Reverb on Ebay and bought it. Had it 3 weeks now & am proud to say I love it. Like you, with no experience with this amp,it was sorta a trial and error method with all them eq knobs, but one thing I do know, this is the best sounding amp I've played thru to date. I think for me it sounds better with the bright knob pulled out, plus the far right knob with the 100 underneath up to about 2 seems to add real good sounding bottom. Hope things go well with your first gig with the Super Twin and look forward to hear what you think of it. Thanks again for your help, I think you'll love it
Melvin |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2004 7:04 am
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Hi Melvin,
I have been using the CyberTwin because it is handy, not because it was the best sound I ever heard (although it ain't bad...). I stumbled onto this SuperTwin the other day and figured I may as well try it, if I don't like it I'll sell it. It's like new so it won't be hard to get rid of it. I don't play many jobs any more, so maybe I can stand to haul it around infrequently. I have two perfectly good Session 400's and don't particularly care for them, and a ProFex rack rig that is too sterile sounding. My Boogie Studio Preamp sounds pretty good with the rest of the rack stuff, but it gets to be a larger rack than I want to deal with. Good grief!!!! |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 22 Jul 2004 8:17 am
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Doug, I got one of these recently and now use it for all my loud gigs. It has tone like a silver face Twin, only louder, which translates to more sustain at high volume for steel played with a volume pedal. Here are some things you should know.
The 5 knob non-parametric EQ section (on the far right, labelled in hz) can be switched on or off with the foot switch. Default without the foot switch is on. There are also the usual three "parametric" bass, mid, treble knobs. When the 5-knob EQ section is off, the regular three knobs work as on a Twin. When the 5-knob section is on, it is layered over the regular three knobs, so all 8 knobs work together. The most sensible thing to do with these different sets of EQ knobs is to set them so that you have two switchable EQ settings to use on different types of songs (or different verses, or with different guitars, whatever). To achieve this, turn the 5-knob EQ off, and set the regular three knobs where you like them for normal playing. Then for your second EQ setting, turn the 5-knob EQ on and adjust it (don't touch the regular three knobs) to get your alternate sound. Now you can switch back and forth between these two sounds by hitting the foot switch. With my feet occupied on pedal steel, I set the foot switch on top of the amp and hit it with my hand.
You should be aware that the volume boost switch is by default off without the foot switch plugged in. When it is off, you are only getting about two-thirds, maybe even half volume (about the same as a regular Twin). Many people don't understand this, and so don't appreciate how loud these amps really are. You can get a little more saturated tube sound by turning the boost off and the volumes up, but these amps have so much clean headroom that you wont notice much difference. They basically don't distort at any volume.
If you try the built in distortion switch, you will laugh at first, then you will frown and turn it off and never try it again. It sounds like you are playing through a little transistor radio in the next room. Fortunately, this is off by default when the switch is not plugged in. If you want distortion, use a stomp box or a multiple effects unit.
The reverb in these units is dicey. Works good in some, and not in others.
With the stock 12" speakers, my typical settings (Zum S12U with TrueTone single coils) would be the same as with a standard Twin: bass 8, mid 5, treble 3, bright on or off depending on the room and the group. But I play mine through two 15" JBLs, and these sound better with: bass 4, mid 8, treble 4. I haven't settled on any particular settings for the 5-knob EQ. Eventually I will set it so I can switch between a darker and brighter sound.
If you decide to keep this baby, here's the weight solution. Get a Dual head cabinet from Mojotone (about $200), or make your own, and put the chassis in it. The head only weighs 50 lbs. (only a little more than a Dual head) and is very manageable. You can use a single heavy duty 15" 4 ohm speaker, but this amp really wants two 15s (and it is safer for the speakers that way). There is only one speaker jack, so you have to get a Y connector to run two 8 ohm speakers in parallel.
You will not find a better amp on earth for pedal steel. Have fun.  [This message was edited by David Doggett on 22 July 2004 at 09:23 AM.] [This message was edited by David Doggett on 22 July 2004 at 09:25 AM.] |
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Melvin Farmer
From:
Saraland, Alabama, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2004 8:41 am
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Good to hear from you Doug. I forgot to mention that I read a post on the forum about putting the Super Twin head in a Dual Showman head & cutting the weight of this "monster about half." I ordered one from Ampwares yesterday. 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. I plan on cutting down the cabinet I have which will give me one set of speakers to leave down at the hall where I play each & every Saturday night. Seems like I've heard that somewhere? Thats right, Johnny McBrown & his Cadillac Cowboys. Anybody remember them? I don't play jobs anymore, just play for fun. Check us out at (WWW.MOBILECOUNTRYMUSIC.COM) and see what can be done with a little effort by a lot of people. I have read posts on here about not having anybody to play with. Run a ad in the paper etc. You might be suprised at the number of muscians like yourself looking for a place to play, and somebody to play with. I got way off subject but anyway, Doug if for some reason you don't like what you hear this weekend give me first shot at that amp. I can see myself now playing stero thru 2 Super Twins. Makes my teeth hurt thinking about it.
Good pickin
Melvin |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2004 10:04 am
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David,
Thank you for the informative reply, that clarifies some things for me.
Melvin, I think I heard somewhere that playing through two SuperTwins is illegal.
Thanks guys,
Doug |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 22 Jul 2004 11:53 am
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Wow. Great stuff about the Super Twin that I didn't know.
Melvin--the mistake you made with the Cyber Twin was in twiddling all those kobs. The whole point of this amp is to select a preset and then watch the knobs move themselves! I guess you can plug into it and play thru it if you want but I'm more interested in the entertainment value of the motorized pots.
But seriously---best of luck with Ampwares. This guy has a long record of bad service. It's too bad because he has a good website and good prices but I had a bad experience with him and then did some research and found many many more people with similar complaints. I don't think he is crooked. Just very erratic in filling orders, very very slow, has poor (or no) communication, and basically acts like he doesn't much care. I sincerely hope that your deal is smooth and timely. |
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Melvin Farmer
From:
Saraland, Alabama, USA
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Posted 1 Aug 2004 6:02 am
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Hi Doug,
Give us a report on your gig with the Super Twin Reverb. |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Aug 2004 10:06 am
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| I heard you needed a crash helmet and a seat belt to play through a Super Twin! How did you like that amp??? |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 2 Aug 2004 10:53 am
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| As it turns out, I have not been able to get in touch with the person who owns the amp to audition it yet. He is supposed to return soon, I will post the results. Thanks for the interest. |
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