Brown Note 18watt Lite IIb Demo

[BoogieEngineer]

How do you run this thing with effects? Just plug straight in front of the amp?

[beckyjc]

i almost started singing wonderwall gabe <3

nice demo :)

[stratman7000]

where can I get one??

[GeekG]

you sound great. also nice voice. i am in the process of doing a 18w amp too, if it turns it like that i am more than happy

[Kitarist88]

What kind of speakers did you use here? Also what kind of master volume did you use is it PPIMV or something else

[Olieoe]

Speaker type and configuration?

[xzibit2313]

I expected it to be a horrible demo at first but it turned out alright

[FingerLickinGravy67]

this thing doesnt have a master volume...does it? thought it just had a full-brown switch on back.

[gabel1337]

@FingerLickinGravy67 Well I put in a master volume. However it acts more to control the preamp distortion rather than the volume out...

[rockfreak611]

Hey I'm thinking of getting a Ceriatone 36/18 watter for home practice (bedroom levels) and for band practce and gigging. Do you think this amp will be best for what I want?

I read that PPIMVs don't really work well with 18 watters, so do you think buying a Ceriatone Plexi with a PPIMV mod or a power scaling mod would be better for low volume tones?

[gabel1337]

@rockfreak611 An 18watter on itself is far too loud for bedroom practice (my 5W Blackheart is still way too loud on halfway) and for band practicing and gigging I have not once been able to crank it without power scaling or attenuating. For me, 18W is more than enough.

Power scale of a VVR 100%. Nik offers a VVR for only $75 and I highly recommend that.

[rockfreak611]

@gabel1337 Awesome. Does the VVR significantly color the tone? And since I'll be getting a VVR mod, would buying a plexi or JCM clone be a better choice since they will be closer to the tones I'm after?

[kingjoemom]

Hey hate to be annoying, but what tuner pedal do you have? Or recommend?

[gabel1337]

@kingjoemom A Korg Pitchblack is the one I use.

[kwyt]

Sounds killer to me :)

[kingjoemom]

Ok cool thanks. Oh by the way are you still on UG or are you on other forums now?

[gabel1337]

@kingjoemom Well not on UG really... I haven't had the time really and since I don't play as much anymore (my band is on a break).

[kingjoemom]

@gabel1337 OK gotcha, one more question lol. What picks and strings do you use? I ask because you have great sound. Haha

[gabel1337]

@kingjoemom Well I use D'Addarios for their clarity and then Dunlop Tortex .73s. But most comes from my guitar, pickups and amp. Oh and the way I play... I use very little gain but hit the string HARD. But thank you!

[kingjoemom]

@gabel1337 I use .73 as well. I have been using Ernie Ball Regular Slinky .10s. So what gauge do you use? And can you tell a difference between string companies?

[gabel1337]

@kingjoemom Back then I used 10s, but now I have 11s.

And yes I can, that's why D'Addarios are my favs, because of their clarity.

[kingjoemom]

@gabel1337 Do you use the EXL115 Blues/Jazz Rock?

[kingjoemom]

So 1.) Do you lose clarity like some people do?

2.) Is the cab you have for the 18 watter the vintage compact or the wide body one?

[gabel1337]

@kingjoemom Well when it comes to clarity, it's nothing I've noticed (I do however change my strings often).

It's nowadays a vintage 1x12 style.

[kingjoemom]

Do you like your strings topwrapped?

[gabel1337]

@kingjoemom I do very much. Easier tension and bending.

[AndreAmeli]

sounds really good, congrats

[incantatis]

This is what I understand with quality - you need no time to waste for searching sweet spot, whatever you dial sounds articulate and juicy! Superb review! Rock ON! \m/

[murfdog19]

That little thing sounds fantastic! This amp would be perfect for the studio.

[spentonmediocrity]

This is one of the more thoughtfull demos for the 18 watt amp.

The recording is clear and full and the playing utilizes chords and the full range of the amp...there are how many guys out there trying to play blues?(and usually horribly and tinny sounding)

Thanks for the useful demo,I'm leaning towards an 18 watt lite with a WGS Black and Blue(an improved version of the Celestion Blue) in a closed/semi closed back cab.

Time to pawn my inferior gear off.

[gabel1337]

Yeah exactly. I recorded it with an SM57, to get nice quality and all.

I'm not too keen on a Blue in this amp. Had a Red Fang in it, but it was way too thin IMO. I think a G12H is the best speaker for it, there's a reason people at 18watt love them!

[kingjoemom]

Sorry to keep bugging you but do you have the stock JJ Tungsol and RFT current prodution tubes that came with this amp? Or are you using NOS tubes?

[gabel1337]

Well I have JJs in the power amp, but the V1 preamp tube is a NOS Mullard.

[kingjoemom]

Does this amp need an OD pedal or do you even need one for this beast? Would you recommend one?

And where would/did you put the VVR powerscaling knob at? It dosent look like theres a whole lot of room on the plexi panel. :/

Thanks. :)

[spentonmediocrity]

About NOS tubes:If it's about money I would suggest be patient.Read on...

I now have a nice collection of vintage glass entirely dug up from the roadside trash,no kidding.And yes,the old tubes are definitely better sounding.I have the new Tung Sols(good by today's standards,decent tubes)but they are not as smooth as say my Sylvania 12ax7's

I have some Mullards and Phillips el84's and GE,Sylvania,etc 12ax7's...all from old stereos left on the curb for the dump truck...go figure:)

[kingjoemom]

Wow. I never thought about looking in other peoples trash. But you know what they say, another mans trash is another mans treasure. :)

[kingjoemom]

Ok cool. Just one more thing.. Do you plan on replacing this amp or getting a new one or "better" one. Because if not. Im pretty sure this is the amp I'll be getting for Christmas. Not sure if that question came out right or not But just making sure this will be the right amp for me and that I won't need to go amp hunting in 2-3 more years you know? I want an thatwill be my main amp for a REALLY LONG TIME.

Ha well I guess thats it. I just really value your opionions here and on UG.

thnx

[gabel1337]

It's a wonderful sounding amp and I love it to death. This is one that I'll probably keep all my life, the only thing I'd sell it for could POSSIBLY be a JTM45. It's a great amp and if I do eventually sell it, it would only be if I needed the money and got "bored" with this one. So if you get this amp, you'll do a great buy.

Thank you!

[kingjoemom]

Ok thanks so much Gabe. One last question.. :) Would you recommend a JTM45 clone or an 18 watt clone? Lets say price isnt an option (it is) but I'm just saying which would you like to have better?

Thanks so much for answering my pesky questions. I really want to have a nice amp!!

[gabel1337]

That's a tough choice, but I'd go with an 18watter. Those JTM45s are LOUD and if you can't run it at the volume it's supposed to, it won't be anywhere near as good.

[kingjoemom]

Which of course is 10 with the channels jumpered. :P I played one through a half stack at a music store cranked. And yes it was making quite a bit of musical noise. :) But thanks for answering those questions I had. Now I know which amp to get :)

[kingjoemom]

Hey gabel sorry for double posting but which would be best? a 1X12 a 2X12 or a 4X12 for this? I was thinking 2X12....

Thanks

[gabel1337]

It's really about preference. I use a 1x12 and it works great, but a 2x12 is of course great too.

[kingjoemom]

Hey Ive got some questions :)

1. which speaker cab, open or closed back would sound best with this amp? what speakers?

2. on the brown note website, there are options for sozo capacitatos and a super mod for all these NOS parts. Are they worth it?

I play mostly AC/DC style of music so im sure this amp would nail their tone..

Thanks Gabe You rock dude. :)

[gabel1337]

1. I use a Celestion G12H30 with an open back, that speaker is PERFECT for the amp.

2. I didn't get them, so that's up to you.

Listen to the clip of Highway To Hell and it says the rest!

Thank you!

[kingjoemom]

Ok sweeeeeet. :) So what made you want the combo over the stack? portability I'm guessing? Or were you just over the Z0mg I h4v3 2 have teh Stackz0rz stage. Lol. But yeah that tone is just sick man. It'll most likely kill my just insanley crushing Marshall MG30FX amp. (yeah I know, I have one) :'(

[gabel1337]

Well actually it's a combo now. Back then it was monetary reasons, I couldn't afford a combo cab for it.

[selectpaint]

Great demo! I looked at these kits a while back and always wanted to do one.

Also, I have a pair of Bare Knuckle Mules in my Gibson Lucille. That, along with a 335 wiring assembly from Mojotone has transformed a great guitar into a dream come true guitar.

If you're going to replace the pickups in the Mexistrat, I highly recommend the Sinners. High output, incredible punch, clarity and tone.

And I also have a Top Hat Club Royale 2x12. Mullard EL84s, Tungsten gold 12AX7s. Incredible amp.

[gabel1337]

Thanks a lot.

The Strat in the video isn't mine anyway... But for my own I'm putting in some Rock Monkey pickups.

[Spraak]

titta inte in i kameran när du spelar!

[LennyRayZappa]

Awesome job there Gabel, great video. The quality is amasing compared to the amount of camcorder mic users :D

You can really taste that strat tone. Just beutiful, i'm asking, how heavy is that head? I might get one and i don't want it over 10-15 kgs so i can sneek it past customs :P

[gabel1337]

Well I don't have it as a head anymore I'm afraid. My tip is to email Rocko at Brown Note, he knows his stuff.

Yeah as I said, the vid' been recorded with an SM57. But it's just straight into the camera and no effects or anything else.

[golfandguitars]

nice build, nice playing, real nice tone . . keep rocking :)

[superdan157]

what speakers you use for this? sounds delicious though, I'm probably getting a ceriatone soon

[gabel1337]

The speakers in that cab are a pair of 1977 Celestion G12-50s.

[jjjhhhmmmxxx26]

smd

[Manu9078]

nice demo what mic are you using? it sounds really good!

[gabel1337]

A regular Shure SM57, on axis to the speaker.

[OgreDaddy]

Rock On! :-)

I pulled some IEC Mullards out of an old Univox 100 head and placed them in the gain sockets of my Hot Cat 100.

Good tubes and considerably less expensive than the Shield Logo versions.

[b24warbaby]

Nice. Hopefully you used the blue Mallory caps and a NOS Mullard with green letters ;-}

[gabel1337]

No the yellow Mallory 150 caps and a mid 60's MUllard with red text.

[b24warbaby]

Well, you will never find tone heaven with those. Not NOS enough, or vintage, or collectible. f=1/rc has no color variable .

[gabel1337]

Well I mistook myself about the Mullard, it is a mid 60's with a white Mullard/IEC text.

When you say NOS enough you are forgetting something. I was only 17 when I built this amp and I'm only 18 now. I don't have a lot of money to spend, hence I got a kit and I got what was the best money could buy me at that time. Keep in mind I also live in Sweden, so my options were limited and I had to import the kit.

[jodygrind69]

Nice video tosser, the amp sounds great!

[2Cerebrus]

Oh wow!! Heyboar transformer!! Mallory Caps!! NOS Mullard!! Sounds great an' all ... but big fuggin deal. It's all a lot of trouble just to get the same tone you can get out of pretty much any old amp.

[gabel1337]

What? I used nice components and a vintage version of these go for about $3000, mine was about $800. Plus I can mod it however I want, couldn't do that on an old one. Also there's a lot more reliabilty. But most of all I wanted to build it myself, what's the problem with choosing good components? They were all included!

[itsjonduhh]

yeah dude my spider III nails the plexi tone way better!

[gabel1337]

I hope you're kidding...

[itsjonduhh]

yeah its me (unsignedrecords) ha.

[bladerunner12]

I lol'd. Figured you were from UG :P

[deadlesblue]

He sounds older than he looks

[irritatedmushroom2]

Damn thats one nice sound!

What's the songs you play at 1.32 and 3.28?

[gabel1337]

At 1:32 it's Substitue by The Who. The one at 3:28 is Panama by Van Halen.

[foxthewolfie]

awesome demo :o

[thebandD47R]

Nice demo...we get to hear the colors available with chords instead of the standard "blues" leads.

The sound quality is much better/more faithful than the typical demo as well.

I just love the simple circuit amps with tube rectifiers like the18 watt,5e3,non-TB Vox,...they especially fatten up strats and teles.

Thanks.

[emanon909]

Nice sounding amp. Now I know you should never smile when playing guitar (I think Dee Snyder said that) but you don't have to look like you are going to cry either.....

[gabel1337]

I just look like that if Im concentrated...

[lazelefty]

led zeppelin :D

[mattpowers2]

I keep hearing you mention the master volume setting but don't see a master knob in the vid - is this part of the amp and I just can't see it or are you using an external attenuator?

Great sounding homebrew btw...

[indysmith666]

Wow - you sound like a 1940s news presenter!

Great vid, thanks!

[BetinhoSM]

Really good video, but you must have to learn how to use a stratocaster.

Tks

[gabel1337]

How do you mean?

But yeah the Strat isn't mine, I'm a Les Paul kind of guy.

[zaphodphil]

He seems to be using the Start pretty well as far as I can see! At the end of the day, it's just another kind of electric guitar, and there's no set way of playing any kind of guitar. It's an expressive instrument that's perfect for every individual to play whichever way they find best. Ritchie Blackmore is a famous Strat player, who scallops the fretboard and never uses the middle pickup. But the middle is my favourite pickup on a Strat. Everyone's different. :-)

[gabel1337]

Exactly. As I said, my main is a Les Paul so.

[RealityBend]

Whats wht song at 1:31?

[gabel1337]

Substitute by The Who.

[weare7R]

I noticed that non-tone stack circuits(the simple ones with a single tone control like a 5e3,18watt,non-TB Vox amps,etc..)all sound *great* with single coils in the bridge...not thin sounding either.A strat with any of those amps pushing a celestion blue is wonderfull.

Your strat tone cuts,it's nice and percusive ...it's full(FE 4:50-5:05).

[gabel1337]

I fully agree on that!

[slurmalot]

Did you power scale the whole amp or just the power section? And, do you still use the master volume now that you have the power scaling set up?

thanks

[gabel1337]

A little update! My cab for it will arrive shortly and then I will do a new demo, with the speaker I now have for it (Celestion G12H39) and also a new one of my Rocker 30 and the Laney TT50H and my Fulltone pedals too.

[weare7R]

Cool,your tone with that rig is part Edge part Hendrix...

Edge-cathode biased/tube rectified el84's.Hendrix-Marshall voiced with closed back multi speaker cab.

Your tone on purple haze with bridge PU sounds killer!(thwack)

The tone set on full sounded nice too for the ACDC sound.

[gabel1337]

Thanks a lot. It's a very cool amp. Hopefully the new demo will be up next week.

[rickyvanzakk]

Wow!

[stratman3511]

Great tone man!!! (from a fellow UG'er :)

The Van Halen sounded spot on; you really nailed that tone.

What speakers/cab are you running it through?

[gabel1337]

The cab is an old Japanese one (Kent) with two 1977 Celestion G12-50s.

[drgonzoguitar]

Great demo of this amp!

[ganchester12]

the clean with the fender is really amazing

[slurmalot]

Excellent playing and best demo I have seen on the versatility of these amps! Are you using the stock trannies or the upgrade ones the BN offers for $50 USD? Hows the power scale coming along and do you like it? I am going to build a Lite IIb soon probably with VVR (PS) too. Also what pickups are in your LP?

[gabel1337]

Thanks a lot!

Well I got the Heyboer ones, definatly worth it, they are just great.

Well the Power Scale is great and simple to use. Way superior to an attenuator.

Those pickups are Bareknuckle Mules. They are ALNICO IV PAF copies that are handmade in England and are pure and simply amazing.

I have also ordered a new cab for it, so I will do a new review of it when it's here!

[yoyodunno]

I'm trying to decide between this and a ceriatone. I want to build a High gain british amplifier(i don't want the american 6L6 metal sound) do you know what kit would be good for that?

[gabel1337]

I'd get the Ceriatone TMB and then mod it.

[flyfish777]

trinity plexi 18 watt is best i ever heard, i just couldnt believe how crunchy an sustain, and rich, an thick, it was miked though good stuff..

[gabel1337]

Haven't heard Trinity I'm afraid.

[evrmc1]

did you built the amp or buy a kit?

[gabel1337]

I built it from a kit.

[Puguglybonehead]

Nice amp! Some nice playing there too. I was considering building a IIB, myself. Is that a 2x10" cab you're running there, or 2x12"? Sounds really tight.

[gabel1337]

A 2x12 with Celestion G12-50s from 1977. Normally I run it through a 1x12 with an Emince Red Fang though.

[ontariomaximus]

I enjoyed your clip immensely. What camera are you using?

[gabel1337]

Canon XH-A1. The vocals were recorded with a Rode NTG-1 and the guitar with a Shure SM57.

[ChickenRapist]

Nice clip man! How much did this cost you?

[gabel1337]

$400 for the amp, $100 in shipping. Then I had to pay around $80 for import taxes. Might sound like a lot, but here in Sweden it is still very cheap.

[ChickenRapist]

Great price.. Good playing, fantastic amp..

Overall superb review!

Now you made me consider this bugger! Haha.. Is there a master volume? So I can crank it without being loud?

[gabel1337]

Well the master volume is a post phase-inverter one. It controls how much preamp distortion you get more or less. The amp itself is a bit loud, nothing you can crank at home, but I'm putting in a power scale in it this week.

[jks2]

awesome man this is an amp you have to play as long as you live in my opinion. looks like you played that les paul for many many years isn't it?

[gabel1337]

Well I'll never sell it.

WEll the Les Paul is 1998. It was that beat up when I got it (hence I could afford it), but it sounds and plays like a dream. I've done a lot to it though, like changing the pickups, knobs and so on.

[jks2]

yeah the les paul sounds really great! gfs pickups?

[gabel1337]

Nono! Bareknuckle Mules, which are handwound PAF replicas.

[vitruviancat]

lol. youre selling it now arent you gabe? :p

[gabel1337]

No no no! That was a long time ago I was considering it, before I got the power scale...

[vitruviancat]

I'm thinking of building an 18watt clone, can you tell me where you got the parts / kit/ schematic for the power scaling from please?

[andythrash]

Awesome tone! That amp is really sweet!

[gabel1337]

Thanks a lot man!

[vivalaking]

damn some of these comments are way unnecessary. oh but yea- that amp is pretty cool! acdc tones were spot on!

[gabel1337]

Well I often refer to the amp as a "Mini-JTM45" so...

[Basspelarn]

Awsoem Gabe!

[gabel1337]

Thanks man!

[tonzmcbonz]

Thanks for the great, informative video

[metalwillhatecrew]

Awesome amp man! Great job - pulls off some nice rock tones!

[gabel1337]

Yeah it is a great blues and rock amp. I love it to death.

[gabel1337]

That was... random.

[boblong101]

what the fuck is wrong with your voice? you sound like an old man

[gabel1337]

Well that just happens to be my voice. It's not like I can do anything about it...

[BlueBarrier782]

and you sound like zeus

[gabel1337]

It's defiently worth the price! I love this amp. It's probably my all time favourite amp.

[vernon408]

I built one of these recently. It has the 215/290v switch. The 215v is nice and gives what Moss calls the "Brown Sound". It's still quite loud. I play through a 1x12 cabinet with a Celestion G12H30. Real good power chord amp.

[gabel1337]

How hard is it to add one of those switch? How does it affect the tone? And most of all is there any use for it with a power scale?

[vernon408]

Not sure how power scale works. In 290v mode, more volume, more punch, more headroom. In 215v mode, less volume, a bit less punch and earlier breakup. Takes maybe 30 minutes to hook up. Just email Moss.

[dinesalone]

dude, for some reason. my solid state can get taht same clean sound >.>

[vernon408]

Sorry. I missed you saying it's on the back.

[gabel1337]

Yeah exactly. But it's not really like a normal master, it more controls how clean the tone is.

[vernon408]

What do you mean master volume? The guitar itself?

[jimladen78]

Gabe... why do you have so much gear?

[gabel1337]

Why not?

[darkarbiter7]

Oh, is this running on EL84's or EL34's?

[gabel1337]

It has a piar of EL84's.

[msoderberg]

EL84's. El34's would (in most cases) give you twice the wattage of this.

[gabel1337]

Exactly.

I really like the EL84s in this amp!

[hermantehgerman]

very nice!

i needs a marshall i guess...no way im gonna get that tone out of a fender:P...:(

[imgooley]

Lulz, wonderwall.

[gabel1337]

It's an easy song so. Originally I was using a capo, but it was the wrong type so some notes sounded sh*t really.

[AdamDK]

Great review Gabe. I loved the 60/70's rock tones you got out of it, and most importantly, classic rock! That's a great amp. How much was it to build?

[gabel1337]

Well the kit went on $400. Shipping was a little more than $100. Then I had to pay $125 in taxes/import when it got here. Then the head cab cost me about $100. So the amp was about $750 in total.

[Blompcube]

sounds very versatile for such simple controls - i now have GAS for an 18watt clone lol.

Great demo :)

[gabel1337]

Well it really is! It's not a high gain monster, but for vintage style British tones, it delivers!

[gabel1337]

Also sorry for the odd autofocus at times. My friend was filming and he isn't the best cameraman...

[rhcpzeppelin]

I bet if you used a chubby wing to hold the camera and played open strings with the other it woulda been perfect.

[gabel1337]

What?

[hermantehgerman]

wtf?