White Whale 1 of 3 Acquired

Picked this up during the weekend from a friend of mine.  Its a Verellen Skyhammer from Seattle Washington.

I first fell in love when I played one a year ago (You can read about it here)

This is a little bit different from the standard model in the following ways:

• Clean/Pushed Channel has a full 3 band EQ.
• Pushed option is available via footswitch and modded to not have a tremendous increase in volume when selected
• Half Power Switch to knock it down to 50 Watts

I was really excited to try this out and was able to get time with it in our practice place.  Here's a few quick notes I mentally gathered:

• Master Volume, as stated before, has a great taper to it. No big jumps when you're adjusting. 10 means 10
• The Suhr Koko Boost works amazingly well with this thing
• All EQ adjustments have a great sweep and are interactive with each other. There are few tones that you can't achieve.
• Volume (Gain) for the Lead Channel not only increases the gain levels but adjusts the overall feel and tightness of the amp.
• The Lead Channel has an insane amount of gain on tap
• With the Koko Boost on Mid Boost, the Level was set on 11:30 and Mid set on 11:00. Volume was set at 10:00
• This tightened up a lot of the low end and maintained a tremendous amount of saturation
• The Pushed Clean has great classic and 80s rock tones available
• With the Koko Boost on Mid Boost, the Level was set on 11:30 and Mid set on 11:00. Volume was set at 2:00
•  This would stand very well with classic Marshalls
• Clean (non-Pushed) can be chimey but capable of great breakup when adjusting the Volume

I hope to get more time with it outside of practice and actually spend time with the Effects Loop and putting a Suhr Riot in front of the clean channel.

Side Note: I would LOVE to start putting clips/videos together for each amp I come across and post them. Frankly, I am not that great a player and would like to find someone that can do some riffing to help with this endeavor.

Home Rig

I got tired of lugging guitar cabs between our practice space and my house so I picked up this little Egnater 1x12.

Guitar > Maxon 808 > NS1 > Frenzel BUD50 > Egnater 1x12

December/January Update

Oddly enough, December started out pretty quiet but I have been able to wrangle in some trades in the past couple of weeks, which has been awesome. Here's a quick rundown:

I traded the Guiterrez for a Meteoro Mak3000. The Mak 3000 is the signature head of Andreas Kisser from Sepultura. 280 Watts (powered by 6 KT88s) and two channels. There's a lot of Marshall tone going on in that head. The biggest surprise was from the clean channel. It was great. You don't find that in a high gain head, especially when both channels share the same EQ.

In the past week, I traded the Mak3000 to a friend/former bandmate of mine for a Hughes & Kettner Triamp Mk1. I sold it to him a years ago and he's kept in great shape and has new pre and power tubes. Since selling it to him, I made the switch from EMG 81s (what was I thinking?) to Duncan JBs. I was blown away how great it sounds. All 6 channels have great tones and they take Overdrive pedals very well. It shares a lot of the same tonal qualities that the 5150 III does so I am having a hard time trying to figure out which one to use and which one Ryan will use for Unrestrained stuff.

Also last week, I traded one of my MXR EQ's and some cash for a Suhr Riot pedal. This is more of a distortion pedal than an overdrive. I have a huge gear boner for Suhr products since getting my Koko Boost. This doesn't disappoint. It's designed to put in front of a clean channel and you get that Suhr lead Channel. It's very tight but still have great saturation. I haven't had much time to play with it but that's my goal for the next week.

In other news, I am hopefully going to see the Mako back in my possession within the next month or two. February will mark 1 year since I sent it off to get modded and updated. As soon as I get it back, I will likely play it for a week before I put it up for sale.

I also picked up a Boss Heavy Metal (HM2) pedal. If you don't know, these things are basically responsible for the Swedish Death Metal Sound. Which, I prefer Dismember over any Entombed album.. but that's a different topic for a different forum. It's not the greatest thing but it does what it does and does it well. Because they aren't made anymore, you can't find one for less than $50 in working condition. Little do people know that Behringer makes a damn good copy of it, the HM300. You use it the same way and get the same results. Did I mention that they are only $25 brand new?

Gear List is updated.

Gear may come and gear may go

First off, I didn't get the Triaxis rig. It would have cost the guy a fortune to ship the thing and I didn't want to put out any funds to help him get it over here. I was able to sellI ended up trading the Mako Dorado for a Gutierrez Juggernaut.

It's a great guitar. Feels awesome. But I couldn't get past the Camo paint job and the EMG's. I put it up on the standard forums that I frequent and finally arranged a trade that I could live with. Currently incoming is a Caparison Applehorn HGS. And yes, it is already on Craigslist.

In other news, I traded my VHT 100cl for a 5150 III. I am very surprised how versatile it is. The rhythm channel was a little funky to dial in but I have a really good early Anthrax tone. Pretty stoked on it thus far.

Incoming!!

I am still trying to offload a lot of stuff that I am just not using. I put the Axe FX and really got nothing but lowball cash offers or some pretty good trades. I figured that I would try to get a trade that I can easily turn around and sell. So I got this coming,

As soon as I receive it, it's for sale:
150 for the GMajor
800 for the Triaxis
350 for the poweramp
25 for the furman
50 for the rack case

I am still selling a few other items:
Mako Dorado w/Makoplex Mod: 1050
VHT 100cl w/ftsw: 950

On a different note.. I got an update from Mako and it appears as though I can expect to get my second Dorado back sometime soon. Hopefully, I get it before I sell the first one so I can see how the different powertubes affect the tone and feel of the amp. Mako has had it since February and I am just glad that I had a different amp to use. Andrew is a nice guy and I think I just happened to send it in at the worst possible time.

A Few Updates

I traded the Mesa Racktifier for a VHT 100cl. The VHT does not have the EQ like most of the other ones do. I think I like it this way over having the EQ. I was able to find a few tones that I liked right away.

I picked up a Suhr Koko Boost a couple of weeks ago after researching for a month or two. It's a great clean and mid boost and I've found some really good uses for it.

While trying to find some trade deals for the Mako Dorado I am selling, I came across a deal that I couldn't pass up.

It's a 1980 Marshall JMP with a JCM 800 Straight 4x12. Both items are in great shape for their age. In the purchase, I also picked up a week old Ibanez TS808 Reissue. The head doesn't have the type of gain that I usually go after so I made a third pedal board and am now boosting the hell out of the front end of the JMP with both the TS808 and Koko Boost.

Tonight, I traded my Mesa 295 poweramp for a White Germino 4x12 with 2 Vintage 30s and 2 75s.

On a semi related note: The Marshall 4x12 is set aside for my friend Morgan to purchase and the JMP is currently for sale. =)

Current rig as of 7/14

Got the Mako Dorado from the trade I did and the Makoplex mod is really the best way to go on these. Its got two gain toggles, bright switch, and mid switch. I'm really glad that I decided to have my other Dorado outfitted with the same options.

While setting the Mako up, I decided to mess around with our guitar cab situation a little bit and do a Mesa/Marshall combo for each side. So far, I'm happy with the decision.

Last week, I came across an early (serial 9xx) rackmount dual recto on eBay for cheap. I didn't expect my bid to be the only one (hahaha). Anyways, I got it today and its pretty awesome. If I decide to part with it, my friend Morgan has already claimed dibs. Sorry.

Here's how they are being run:
Mako side: guitar > tuner > bb preamp > ns2 > mako dorado (both gains on. Bright and mid boost off) > mesa recto and Marshall 1960b 4x12s

Mesa side: guitar > maxon 808 > tuner > ns2 > dual recto (orange channel w/vintage voicing) > mesa recto and Marshall vm 4x12s.

Incoming!!!

Through a three way trade... the Titan is on the way out... this bad mother fucker is coming in.
Mako Dorado with factory done Makoplex mod.

This is not to be confused with the Dorado that is currently at Mako that may or may not be getting the same exact mod performed.

Half of my current rig

I am very stoked on this right now.

Coming soon (hopefully): Selling the Titan and getting a Mako Mak4/G-Major 2 setup.

The Madness Continues!

Remember that Les Paul that I said was a keeper?! Yeah.. It wasn't. It had a great feel and great balance/weight but something about it just didn't work. It was too damn bright and lacked the low end that I am used to. Three different pickups were tried with no luck in fixing the problem. Sometimes, you have to acknowledge that certain guitars have characteristics that you cannot modify. So that's gone.

I got my Axe-Fx and home recording setup. That Axe-FX is awesome. Here's the summary of that rig.
*Axe-Standard
*Carvin HT750 Poweramp
*Atomic Reactor Passive Cab.

I have never been so amazed by a single piece of equipment. When going in direct, you get the feeling and sound of playing through a mic'd rig. The free Axe-Edit interface makes things painfully easy to edit your patch and compare tones. Also, you can turn off the cab and poweramp simulations with ease. It's perfect for both a live rig and direct recording. I was so impressed that it led to my next purchase...

Mesa 295 Poweramp.
This thing is massive. I picked it up for 450, which is pretty fair considering that could use a retube within the next 6 months. What's great about it is that it was made prior to Mesa adding Presence controls. With the Axe-Fx, I want to edit everything through the unit itself. This includes the Presence.

Purchased a Voodoo Amps CP100. This was made for Ken from Unearth and was built into a Marshall 2210 headshell. SUPER loud and sounded pretty decent. However, with the Frenzel, Mako, and Titan.. it wasn't doing anything that I didn't already have somewhere else. It will be sent tomorrow for a 2003 Gibson Les Paul Swamp Ash Studio. I don't really need a fourth guitar right now so it's probably going to be traded. In fact, I believe that it's traded already.

With the acquisition of the Mesa 295 poweramp. I want to add an actual preamp to the mix. I've had my eye on a Mako MAK4 since I heard Mako was going to come out with them. I should find out today if I made a deal for that Swamp Ash LP for one. *fingers crossed*. I am going to need another 4 space rack case...

Other News
When I first thought of doing a gear blog, I wanted to get other people involved and interview other fellow nerds about their rigs. Well... I found my first person to interview in an old friend. I should be able to get that done and posted within the next two weeks.

Updated Gear List

New (to me) Les Paul

After three years of trying, I succeeded in getting my friend and former roommate, Shane, to sell me his Les Paul. While it's a Studio, I have never seen one with this finish and play so well. Of course, I can't be happy with how things come to me. The pickup is getting swapped with a Gibson 500T. It's a keep for sure.

As far as other updates, the Mark IV beat my original expectation and last over 4 months. It's gone. I arranged a trade yesterday for a custom Titan Dual Lead Channel rack head. Here are the specs from his forum post:

Feature-wise, this amp is pretty similar to the Cerberus, but without the clean channel, and with some more poweramp voicing options. Basically,
- 100w via KT88 x 2 (fresh JJs)
- 2 CH (both hi-gain, but can do clean with gain lowered)
--> Blue channel is TITAN's signature, super dynamic hi-gain channel
--> Red channel is a custom-voiced, more compressed hi-gain channel that shares some characteristics w/ the ENGL SE & VHT UL
- gain / vol / bass / mid / treb / contour controls per channel
- master vol / presence / depth / damping controls
- rear input (seriously, why don't more rack amps have this)
- switchable fx loop
- lot's o' speaker output options
- 5U, includes front handles (very nice to have getting it in / out of a rack)
 Pics will be posted as soon as I get it.

I have some funds set aside for a few purchases within the next month. Some are decided on already.. some are not. Hopefully, I will be able to do some minor recording and tracking at my house within the next few weeks.
Axe-Fx Standard *decided on*
Atomic Reactor Active 50w Cab *decided on*
Custom built Les Paul Copy
21.5in iMac
Verellen Skyhammer

Here's a quick picture of what my setup was as of last night:

New Acquisitions!

On my way home, I stopped by Guitar Center in Tukwila to trade in that Ibanez Rg I just got (we didn't mesh well) for a 4 space rack case for the Mark IV. I also picked up an Xotic BB Preamp. I have heard nothing but good things and they one used. Why not pick it up?!

The FJA Marshall is no longer. I traded it for my old Mako Dorado. I did like the Marshall quite a bit but I was finding myself frustrated because the bottom end wasn't tight enough, even with the Marshall cabinet. I only got rid of the Mako to try something different. I did that and now I'm glad to have it back. I am hoping to hear back from Andrew Solner (the man behind Mako) soon about sending it in for the latest circuit updates and get some 6550s in that bitch, I think those will tighten it up a bit. Thanks to my friend, Morgan... I now know that the amp is from the time when Andrew did PTP wiring (no turret boards).

I came home today to find my Mark IV waiting for me to unbox. As always, UPS damages something. Fortunately, it was just the rack ears. No biggie. After about 20 minutes of packing, putting in the tubes, and outing the head in it's rack case... I was able to try it out. Granted, it was 11pm so I really couldn't turn it up much but I'm beyond stoked on this thing. All the clips I've heard doesn't do it justice. It's got tons of gain, super tight feel and low end, and a lot of versatility. I was perfectly happy without an overdrive on the Lead channel and that never happens. I put the BB Preamp in front of the Rhythm 2 channel and the fucker is mean! It made me miss playing in a few of my previous bands.

In other news, I got Visio on my PC finally. I am using it to map out my pedal boards and my signal path. This, and taking pictures, will hopefully allow to map out my entire rig. Fuck I'm nerdy.

That's it for now. Gear List has been updated

I have to laugh at myself

Since my initial post, I haven't posted a single thing. When I thought of this blog, I had every intention of keeping it updated and actually posting a detailed list of my stuff with pictures. I had everything in one room and I started snapping pictures and I didn't like how any of the pictures came out. I get easily frustrated and defeated. So I stopped. I swear that this thing will happen by the end of the year. In the meantime, I will go through the latest happenings.

• I sold my Matamp 4x12. I didn't think that having 3 cabinets was really necessary and the money would allow me to search for some different heads. 
• Traded by ESP 7 String for an Ibanez RG. I immediately blocked the Floyd Rose System and changed the pickup. I have no idea what I am going to use it for.. but I am sure I can figure it out.  
• I got the itch to to try a different head. I started looking at high gain amps with more of a vintage voice. I looked at the following:
• Mako Makoplex - I had it before and I really miss it. 
• Roccaforte Vintage/Modern - I heard some clips via Youtube and it sounds exactly what I am looking for.
• Fortin Modded Marshalls - It's a dude out of Canada that just does amazing mods. Search for them and you'll be impressed
• Put my FJA Marshall on the chopping block to see if I can use it to prompt a trade situation for one of the above heads. I didn't have much luck.
• On one of the gear forums I frequent, I came across a guy looking to trade his Mesa Mark IV for a 5150 plus cash. I have always wanted to try one of these as they are versatile and while I can pick apart Lamb of God's tone.. it does have some really good qualities. I offered the  head and 600 (from the Matamp sale) and he accepted. I now have a Mark IV on the way and I am pretty excited about it. However, I can see it on the chopping block within 2 months unless it blows me away completely.
• In response to Twitter/Facebook post, Justin reminded me to check out Verellen. I called Ben and told him what I was looking for and what I have tried. He recommended his Skyhammer amp. First off, Ben is an extremely nice guy. When we talked, he offered to get a Skyhammer in his shop that he already built for someone (he doesn't have demos of each amp). I stopped by Friday of last week and tried it out. I am now trying to find out what I need to save/sell to place an order for a half stack (maybe even a full stack). Here are my impressions:
• The controls are very easy and very intuitive
• The Presence control is actually pleasant to work with. It doesn't just dump a bunch of ear piercing highs as you turn it up
• The Master Volume taper is great. You can get great tones at bedroom levels and it is effective the entire way through. Most amps reach maximum output around the half way point and then just add bottom end afterwards. With the Skyhammer, when you turn it up to 10.. it's actually at 10.
• His cabinets and headshells are beautiful. 
• If/when I place an order, I want...
• A tad more gain on both the crunch and lead channel
• More bottom end as I tend to like a darker tone with higher end bite
• Tighter attack/response. 
• While playing, I wondered how it would sound with a Vintage 30/gt75 X Pattern in the cabinet.  
•  Last night, I purchased one of my old Marshall cabs back. With having to cart both Mesa Cabs back and fourth, it's easier to have a third cab I can leave at home that I don't have to worry about moving. After plugging it in this morning with the Marshall... I kinda prefer this cabinet over the Recto cab. Makes me want to get another one. Or! If I go the Verellen route, I could make this cabinet mirror the Verellen with the same speaker mismatch.

I think that's pretty much it for now. Next post will be actual detailed information on my setup.