Scott Henderson Discussion

countandduke · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 197

I've started this thread so we can put out the word that our man Scott Henderson has a need for an amp for "quieter" gigs. If I knew enough about building amps I'd make one myself based on what Scott needs in an amp. My guess is it needs to be a combo... 6L6 or 5881 tubes, low wattage, light weight, open back...

Scott, what else would you be looking for? I think amp builders out there would jump at the chance to either build something for you or turn you on to something already in their product line. I personally heard Allan Holdsworth missed his old Roland VG-8 system, so I made arrangements to send him mine, no money exchanged. Allan actually called and thanked me for doing so and was indeed able to use it for a while. My claim to fame...

Best,
Chris

daschwarjazz · Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 28

Shazam!

http://friedmanamplification.com/products/heads/dirty-shirley-head/

daschwarjazz · Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 28

I also highly recommend the Mesa Rectoverb 25. It's the only non-Vox EL-84 amp I've liked in recent years. 25 watts switchable to 10, two channels, great pedal-friendly cleans, and an od channel that can get into Marshall territory if you need to go there. Comes in both head and combo configurations.

Scott Henderson · The Man Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 2135

Thanks for the thread - just a few things....

40 watts is way too loud - at the volume I'm playing, the tubes would be barely warm. The HRD and Bella are 40 watts, and at 2 they drown out the band. I'm playing acoustic jazz, and often the bass player doesn't even use an amp. Drummer with brushes or extremely soft - you get the idea. And I'm trying to get my tone at that volume - so I was thinking Fender Blues Jr. or something like it. No class A amps allowed, and it has to have an FX loop and master volume. Has to be able to do crunch, not just clean like an HRD. Well, the HRD does have a crunch channel, but it sucks.

I've never liked Boogie amps, but I've never tried the one mentioned above - it seems to be the right wattage.

BTW I wouldn't ask John to make an amp like this because the majority of his clients would have no need for it.

countandduke · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 197

So the first thought that came to mind is a THD Bivalve which can come in s head OR a combo version, but the combo is kinda weird looking. Scott, do you, or would you prefer any tubes over another? My guess is that you're almost wanting a one power tube amp which is why I thought of the BI-Valve. I know the Bi-valve has an effects loop but from what their rep Ed told me (REALLY nice guy btw) it's not a "typical" effects loop.

Best,
Chris

countandduke · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 197

So the first thought that came to mind is a THD Bivalve which can come in s head OR a combo version, but the combo is kinda weird looking. Scott, do you, or would you prefer any tubes over another? My guess is that you're almost wanting a one power tube amp which is why I thought of the BI-Valve. I know the Bi-valve has an effects loop but from what their rep Ed told me (REALLY nice guy btw) it's not a "typical" effects loop.

Best,
Chris

daschwarjazz · Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 28

daschwarjazz · Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 28

I just realized I posted the wrong version of the Dirty Shirley. Here's the 20 watt version:

http://friedmanamplification.com/products/heads/mini-dirty-shirley-head/

PatrickHealy · Joined: 06 May 2015 Posts: 1

Hey Scott, have you considered the Egnater Tweaker 15? I recently picked one up used and it's served me quite well. Portable low wattage tube tone with, well, lots of room for tweaking. Effects loop and master volume. Inexpensive, also.

http://www.egnateramps.com/EgnaterProducts/Tweaker/TweakerHead/TweakerHead.html

spellbound · Joined: 13 Aug 2015 Posts: 21

I've been looking into the Rectoverb recently, it looks like everything I want.
The wattage is right, effects loop, good clean sounds, hi gain when needed.

I would love a Red Plate Blackline combo. Allen Hinds speaks very highly of them. Just not sure I can justify more than double the RectoVerb price for my limited uses.

criminel · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 1:15 pm Post subject:

guitarplayer · Joined: 08 Jun 2015 Posts: 64

The little mesa recto-verb 25 is a nice sounding amp. I once saw David Grissom (great player, great tone) doing a clinic on one. He was boosting the crunch channel with an EP booster and another boost for high gain. It sounded fantastic at low volume. I was really impressed. It does not sound like the older boogies.

vidaest · Joined: 10 Oct 2011 Posts: 3

The Hughes&Kettner Tubemeister18 might be a good option.
Has switchable 18W/5W/1W output into a 10 or 12 inch speaker, closed back, with FX loop and DI Out:
http://hughes-and-kettner.com/products/tubemeister/tubemeister-18/tubemaster-18-twelve/

Also available as head only:
http://hughes-and-kettner.com/products/tubemeister/tubemeister-18/tubemaster-18-head/

Robert · Joined: 15 Apr 2016 Posts: 5

I would try the Soldano Hot rod 25. Looks like a class A/B 25 Watt amp with effect loop.

http://www.soldano.com/products/guitar-amplifiers/hot-rod-25/

Freidman minis sounds better to me though but they are Class A

trap · Joined: 02 Apr 2013 Posts: 14 Location: New York

Man Scott, you've been hanging with Forman too much! Acoustic? Smile