Chopper
Joined: Jul 13, 2006
Posts: 271
Pennsylvania
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Posted on Dec 05 2006 03:21 PM
I know this will sound truely silly to the pros out there, but heres a question from a guy who enjoys playing his strat through a fender g dec after 500 miles of truck driving mail at 70 miles an hour 4 nights a week. It relaxes me 
Does anyone have any experience with the Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Classic Pedal into a solid state amp? I'm wondering if its possible to get a clean tube sound out of it without the crunch. I would imagine the amp would sound a bit more 'tubelike' since the pedal does have two tubes in it. From what I've read this pedal is pretty amazing, and I've seen video of it as well on youtube but with overdrive tones. lol yea, the crazy quest for tone continues on.
I guess my dilema is I play 'almost' always with headphones. I don't know that I'll ever invest in a Twin (which is what I'd like) because its just overkill amp for me. The Blues Junior has no headphone jack sadly...and I really do enjoy playing with the band so to speak on the g dec. It has nice clean but lacks tube warmth. The pedal is about $200 everywhere I look.
Thought someone here at  may have some experience with it.
Thanks for ideas and suggestions!
For those never hearing of it heres a 'distorted' look...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6X-AVfVGUk
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Dec 05 2006 04:38 PM
at about 3:35 into the video, he has 2 secs of clean sound, and it's actually worse then the pedal bypassed imho  the pedal just wasnt built for clean sound. (fwiw, I dont care too much for the distorted sounds either, low gain it sound toocrunchy to my taste, and high gain it's too ac/dc-ish. just not my style)
but ... do you have a reverb tank? if not, $200 will get you halfway there, and a tube reverb unit IS a tube preamp, built for clean tones. actually, when I use a non tube amp (same as you - to use with headphones), I always use the tank in front and it spices up the sound, a lot. when I use odpedals on that setting I turn the dwell to zero (no reverb)and still have that tube preamp in line. kick ass tones!
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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Chopper
Joined: Jul 13, 2006
Posts: 271
Pennsylvania
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Posted on Dec 05 2006 04:55 PM
Thanks WR!
Thats great info!!!
Consider me halfway there 
An a nice tank will hold value AND give me drip!
AND if I splurge on a 'real' amp...woot woot!
Thank you
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WindanseaBeachBoy
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 133
La Playa, Mexico
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Posted on Dec 05 2006 06:08 PM
Okay, just in the interest of experimentation, I hooked up my 60s Strat to my Weber G15 reverb tank and plugged it into my G-Dec. Settings: blackface amp, no effects. Conclusion: using a Fender Reverb into a G-Dec is like putting Pirelli Racing Tires on a Volkswagen Beetle.
The sound gets tinny through the weak 8" speaker, and it ain't any better through my monitor-quality headphones. In fact, it's worse. Mainly because, the headphones pick up all the ambient noise created by both the G-Dec and the reverb. The built-in reverb effect on the G-Dec actually sounds better because it isn't as trebly as the G15 tube reverb. FYI, the G15 is the same circuit design as the original Fender tube reverb).
My advice: spend some $$ on a better amp with built-in tube reverb (the Fender Blues Junior?), or look for one with a headphone jack. I can't think of any off-hand, but I am sure there are a few amps with headphone jacks. I like the Fender Champ with a good reverb pedal, such as the Electro Harmonix Holy Grail. It's quiet enought hat you won't really need the headphones, anyway.
The problem you're up against is, most practice amps (including the G-Dec) aren't made to sound real good, and most decent tube amps (like the Deluxe Reverb, Twin, Blues Junior, etc.) don't have headphone jacks.
Just my ¢2 - and worth every penny.
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Chopper
Joined: Jul 13, 2006
Posts: 271
Pennsylvania
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Posted on Dec 05 2006 07:02 PM
Thanks WindandSea!
I knew I'd get some great advice here. And I do appreciate it!
Worth every penny
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Dec 06 2006 04:38 AM
WindanseaBeachBoy
Just my ¢2 - and worth every penny.
that had me laughing out loud!
thank Gavin for chiming in. Note: I dont actually have a g-dec, Im using tank with a crate powerblock which is a headphone amp as well, and was talking from that. as far as the gdec is concerned, gav's first hand experience is the better advice here.
I dont know of any tube headphone amps ... Id suggest taking some time to evaluate your current and future needs and wants, and then decide what to buy if it's strictly headphone use, I dont think you'd necessarily need tubes, biut if low volume is what you want a small tube amp might be the way to go, with or without tank.
also, I remeber seeing one of the comp-tracks (download area) was done with a digitech reverb pedal, give it a listen and see whether you like it - perhaps that pedal could spice up the g-dec? just thinking out loud, I have one of tthose and while it doesn't cut it for playing live at loud volumes, it's pretty decent for headphone practicing, and I liked that comp track's sound as well.
good luck, check back,
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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Chopper
Joined: Jul 13, 2006
Posts: 271
Pennsylvania
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Posted on Dec 06 2006 08:18 AM
Appreciate the advice guys! It surely has made me re-evaluate the options, and has saved me from spending money on more equipment.
I really am quite happy with the sounds I get outa the g dec. It takes some tweaking but there are some super sounds there. I have it coupled with an ash strat with seymour duncan pickups, and at times I plug into a marshall edward compressor pedal, and I bought a danelectro spring king from a fellow sg101'r that is fun for a bit of drip etc. I have a mint rockman x100 headphone amp thats just super but I hardly use it anymore and will probrably be selling it. The g dec sure has made me enjoy playing more, and I know a good drummer so who knows, maybe a twin is in my future lol. I think thats the only way I'll get what I'm after after reading your advice. I've become addicted to the timing help the g dec provides and the newer 30 g dec is even offering more options so I may be stuck, happily, with it for now.
So how many guitarist does this make that tries to emulate that great sound with 100s of options that just won't do it lol. All these amp modelers and digital effects etc. Nutty selections galore. And yet if the guys who created this sound had even a third of the options available to us today...imagine.
I believe it was Sonichris who recently sold a blues junior with a tank upgrade on here for $280 shipped and now I'm kickin myself for not jumping on that! It would have been a nice intro to tube for me. I may just get a junior yet. Wish they woulda put a headphone jack on there. I've read a lot of good about it, and imagine it gets a fairly decent 'clean' sound. Tubes are gonna blow my mind one day lol. I've owned 5 solid states over the years, biggest being a sunn beta lead, but tubes I have yet to experience. Looking foward to it
I wonder if theres a tube g dec in the future 
Thanks again for the 'pointing in the right direction' friendship
Keep rockin' the reverb 
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Dec 06 2006 08:44 AM
Chopper
The g dec sure has made me enjoy playing more,
if equipment does that for you, it's good equipment for you!
Im not a 100% sure, but I dont think you'll find an affordable tubeamp with headphones out, and if you do chances are you wont get a decent sound out of the headphones. reason is a tubeamp MUST have a speaker load on the output, or else it'll blow up. (unlike a solid state amp which functions perfectly with a speaker disconnected). there are "motor speaker simulators", speakerlike devices which can lower (or take away entirely) the output of a tube amp (so called attenuators or powersoaks) but these cost a bunch (and are not cost effective to build into an amp Id guess). heavy resistorlike attenuators are available too, but these still are costly, and appearantly make the amp react and hence sound strange/less good. I suspect that's why Ive never seen a tube amp with a headphones out, but then again, someone else might post one five minutes from now.
for a small tube amp you might also enjoy the epiphone valve junior, Ive dissed it in the past, but it's great value for money, and with a little time and patience (and a cheap eq pedal) it can be made to sound good. I recorded my comp track and the lead on the song bigwave on http://www.myspace.com/monotonessurfmusic with it (with reverb tank) just so you know how it sounds, that's with a reverb unit though.
I dont necessarily agree with Gavin that a reverb unit through small speakers always sound bad, but it's ultimatly for you to decide, best would be if you know someone with a reverb unit and try for yourself. but I agree with Gav that a small practice amp with a decent pedal can make perfectly fun and good sounds.
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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WindanseaBeachBoy
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 133
La Playa, Mexico
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Posted on Dec 07 2006 09:18 AM
I got to thinking about this - the Crate Powerblock has been mentioned here as a cheap high-wattage solid-state amp that has impressive tube-like sound. And a headphone out. You can buy one on Musician's Friend for $99 bucks (amazing!), and save for a speaker cab if you ever start playing with pals. Playing with other people is to the G-Dec what sex with a woman is to watching porno films on your computer!
In this case, a tube reverb might make good sense, eventually. It would be a component-by-component system: Powerblock, Tube Reverb, Speaker cabinet.
That might be neat! And, I suppose you could also route the G-Dec signal from the Powerblock into the G-Dec via G-Dec's rear input (the one for an outside music source) and still jam to your presets using the Powerblock as the amplifier. Nifty, huh?
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11078
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Dec 07 2006 09:46 AM
I second the powerblock. I love mine.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Chopper
Joined: Jul 13, 2006
Posts: 271
Pennsylvania
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Posted on Dec 07 2006 10:22 AM
Well, now I understand why tube amps aren't headphone equiped. I also dabble in Shortwave radio a bit and am curious why the old tube sets (Hallicrafters anyone) sometimes had headphone jacks just like the solid state Shortwaves. My electronic knowledge is itty bitty lol.
I've seen the Epi Valve JR and I must say it sounds great on Bigwave! And the Power Block is pretty interesting. Never saw that. Component building is something thats making sence to me. I'm sure I could provide lots of love for a tank And I could love it too  I would even give it a nice blanket on cold winter nights  Did I mention love lol.
I've actually (like so many others on sg101) started a tank fund jar because nothing is going to get me there sooner. Everything else is secondary lol, other than being able to play of course
I'm actually, at this stage, wondering what this g dec 30 will be like. I've been minding the forums at Fender and its been pushed to a Jan/Feb release now. And the way it sounds there are issues with it that they are repairing. My 15 has a pretty nasty noise/ring/buzz etc to it when I hit a chord hard. If I turn the volume down on the pups it cleans up though. Been wondering if I shouldn't see if a trade up to the 30 with more options and 'hopefully' better quality in cleanliness would be wise when the 30 finally arrives. I have a feeling this type of amp is being looked into by other companies and would venture to say there will be a lot more options in the near future when it come to its 'do all combo' feel. After being named amp of the year at Namm in 2005 I bet heads at Crate and Marshall etc etc are spinning to get something out with drum/bass accompaniment. Well, maybe not Marshall. Its cool that Fender did it first, but it does have its drawbacks. Great fun practice amp, but it is never going to compare with its Fender Heritage of 'true' guitar amplification sound. None the less, its breakthrough.
I am so glad I posted here first and didn't throw 200 bucks into a Seymour Duncan Twin Tube pedal now! Not putting the pedal down at all, but I know now its not gonna get me where I hear to be.
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Dec 07 2006 02:36 PM
WindanseaBeachBoy
That might be neat! And, I suppose you could also route the G-Dec signal from the Powerblock into the G-Dec via G-Dec's rear input (the one for an outside music source) and still jam to your presets using the Powerblock as the amplifier. Nifty, huh?
And you could run the g-dec into the powerblock (which has rca / cdplayer connections as well) for playing at bbq or to p off the neighbours.
or you could run the powerblock into the gdec, and then the gdec back into the powerblock  strike an E minor ... and see if it all blows to hell!
seriously, yeah, one vote for the PB as well. got one, love it. sounds good at all volumes too (unlike a tube amp). a gazzilion ways to use it, and the sound is pretty damn good. and it's a steal.
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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DaveF
Joined: May 10, 2009
Posts: 1117
Green Valley, AZ
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Posted on Jun 17 2012 12:17 AM
I had a look at the g dec 30 today. Sam Ash in Westminster is selling them $150 while they last. I only goofed with it for 15 minutes, was not impressed. The presets are all the usual stuff: metal, hard rock, blues, reggae, no surf.
Preset music was very muddy sounding.
I thought the sdhc card was for importing files to play along with, but it looks like it is for saving preset info. Connect an ipod in the back to play along with music.
The manual is totally useless.
Does anyone have one & what do you like about it ?
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