bought a MINI COLOSSAL

[GONZO-X]

haven't got it yet....
still waiting...
but soon.




small Class A tube amps have become quite popular for several good reasons, but especially for what is often described as a "sweeter" overdrive—the vintage sound of the Vox AC-30, for example. First, a definition: Class A circuitry output tubes handle the complete 360° cycle of the guitar signal. This is compared to a Class AB amplifier (used by a majority of guitar amps such as Fender and Marshall) in which output tubes trade-off handling part of the 360° cycle. Sharing the load between output tubes means Class AB operates more efficiently, resulting in longer tube life. On the other hand, because Class A operates in a more linear fashion than AB, it emphasizes more of the desirable harmonics in the guitar signal that result in that great vintage sound. Because this Class A amp is only required to pump out five watts at the most, the inefficiency of the design is not as critical.

the MINI---a single-ended amp with true Class A circuitry. The preamp has one 12AX7 tube and the power amp uses one self-biasing EL84 tube. Both are handmade by JJ/Tesla at their factory in the Slovak Republic.

Peavey offered an old analog tremolo circuit. When he heard it, Joe raved about the deep, rich tremolo from the opto-electronic circuit. The 8" C8R-type speaker (based on the Jensen C Series ) is specially voiced. Peavey engineers tell me it took a little tweaking to get the right speaker sound. Joe was aiming for a tonality between two well-known mini-amps. Peavey took the same C8R 8" speaker used in both mini-amps and re-voiced it to better handle the amplifier’s output stage and not peak out. The re-voiced speaker handles the tonal transition from smooth to "grindy" with a full-bodied, less-airy tonality and tighter bass response.

You can hear how Joe used the microphone-simulated XLR direct output of the Mini Colossal to capture the actual sound of the amp when he recorded the song "Just Like Lightnin’" on the new Super Colossal album.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/docum...e&src=3SOSWXXA



i'm of the opinion, that i like both vintage and modern tones.
with my boogie, i'm kinda planted right in the middle of the the vintage/modern thing...

what i'd really like, is a mini amp that has a vintage vibe (hopefully this one) and a mini that is completely modern (either a Cornford Harlequin, or perhaps a custom built FAB amp at 2 watts)

the experiment continues.


if you go to peavey's home page, on the bottom right, there's a button that says 'radio peavey'

if you play it, and forward to the next song, it's a demo from satriani, using the mini amp.

http://www.peavey.com/flashHome.cfm

[jonnyc]

Ah you bitch, I was expecting some kind of review. I'm very interested in buying one of these as long is it'll do some higher gain stuff. I'm recording so many screamo bands I really need a low wattage high gain amp.

[GONZO-X]

it's not a high gain amp.

satriani refers to it as a 'champ-style' amp.

[jonnyc]

Originally Posted by GONZO-X

it's not a high gain amp.

satriani refers to it as a 'champ-style' amp.

Blah, scratch that one from my list. Anyone got any low watt/high gain solutions that isn't 2 grand.

[jonnyc]

Nevermind, I forgot about the Randall rm20 with the modules, that'll work and I think its somewhat close in price.

[mikeh]

It would be very cool if you can offer an opinion once you've tried it out.

I've been wating for the Mini Colossal to hit the local stores (no one local stocks them at this time). I've also waiting to see the Fender Champ 600 hit the stores.

[pikingrin]

Okay... 500 bucks for that? It better be damn good. Satriani could almost play through a pile of my dogs shit and make it sound good enough to eat...

[GONZO-X]

mikeh
i'll do a review, and post some recordings with it, after i get it.....

pikingrin

"Satriani could almost play through a pile of my dogs shit and make it sound good enough to eat... "

LOL
no shite!

[mikemorgan]

I'm sorry but anything made by PV that costs $500 better have at least 4 speakers and 300 watts. Harley, what are you thinking?

[GONZO-X]

ok, what happened to my reply?

[GONZO-X]

ok, i see it.

well, i think eddie van would argue with you over that!!

LOL

let's wait and see what the bugger can do, before we blanket statement, eh?

did you listen to the link i provided?

[mikemorgan]

Bump.


Hey Gonzo, what's the verdict?

[GONZO-X]

no get here yet.




as i understand it, they had em ready a while back, but got hung up with getting their "yes, you can use this in america" electrical certification.

places like sweetwater, have been saying 'they're on their way' for the last week.

LOL

i'll do a followup whenever it comes, and i get a chance to do some recording with it (the only reason i'm getting it)

if it doesn't work out, the next step is a Weber mass and a Palmer PDI-09.