Just a quick video of my UG custom through a Tim Thompson built 1x12 with Celestion Cream Alnico.
Bruno Underground Custom
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Anje
Active member
Sounds great again!
Can you please describe how that particular "custom" differs from the "standard" Underground 30?
Bruno amps are another brand I'm not very familiar with; I only remember playing x1 ever, in a small amp shop in Paris years ago, don't even remember the model to be honest. Testing conditions were not really the best and I only remember not being impressed, leaving me kind of frustrated as I've always read great reviews on those.
I'd love to revisit some of Bruno's amps one of these days.
Can you please describe how that particular "custom" differs from the "standard" Underground 30?
Bruno amps are another brand I'm not very familiar with; I only remember playing x1 ever, in a small amp shop in Paris years ago, don't even remember the model to be honest. Testing conditions were not really the best and I only remember not being impressed, leaving me kind of frustrated as I've always read great reviews on those.
I'd love to revisit some of Bruno's amps one of these days.
Thanks, man! My understanding is that there are maybe only 1 or 2 other ones like this. This amp has a master volume, which is uncommon for Underground. It has a sort of "EQ" switch to shift the EQ to making it more/less aggressive sounding. I would say it has a fairly aggressive character compared to usual Bruno amps. I think this is Tony's take on a Trainwreck style amp, but it's fairly different sounding and feeling to something like a Komet Constellation to me. I have to admit I'm also not the biggest fan of EL84 power tubes, but this one is an exception.
However, it's a stellar example of Tony's work and is worthy to be alongside the other great Bruno amps I've owned - Super, Pony KT66, Tweedy Pie 80, Cow Tipper 90, and Lead Man.
Anje
Active member
Btw, on power tube types: I have never done full extensive "scientific" experiments on that, but I'd bet the power supply & output stage circuit design & parts used around the tubes have at least if not more impact on tone & feel than the type of tubes itself.
For EL84 amps in particular, I love the old classic Vox AC30.
The small x2 EL84 Marshall PA heads in the early 70's are also a fun special kind.
For EL84 amps in particular, I love the old classic Vox AC30.
The small x2 EL84 Marshall PA heads in the early 70's are also a fun special kind.
I have never played one of those, but I bet it could be a similar style to that.
this is where my ignorance (which is vast) of electronics/circuits factors in. That definitely could be the case. I have played three EL84 amps I would say I liked - this one, the Connie, and the Budda Stringmaster. The rest I've played just don't do it for me, though I can't say I've played a huge number of them either. To be fair, I know nothing and go strictly by the way amps feel/sound initially. I rarely turn knobs or change things around after I've found a sound I like. For me, if I get into that too far, I sort of lose my way and end up doing that rather than playing. Basically, I'm a simpleton. ha ha
For further explanation, there is a thinness to the tone and I generally don't like "sparkle" or "chime" in my sound, which seems to be common in those types of circuits. I tend to strongly prefer 6V6 in the smaller bottle power tubes that I've played.
Anje
Active member
Totally understand your point.
Have you had the occasion to play a good 60's AC30? The Normal channel on its own, whatever the amp "model" ("Bass", "Normal", especially, but even a "Treble"), makes for a pretty round/fat/full/dark sound to me.
When you push that with all kind of boosters in front, then it can morph into some of the best classic sound & feel ever IMHO, that you can "sculpt" with what/how you choose to put in front.
Top Boost channel is another animal on its own, that can quickly bring the "sparkle / chime" you are talking about.
And to link back to that speaker thread, the speakers/cab you will plug that into also have a huge impact on the overall result; for instance: AC30 head, normal channel, 4x12 closed back with greenbacks = not much sparkle/chime and very very full to me (to the point I would not really use that without some kind of booster / bass cut in front).
I often think big part of the "sparkle/chime" people talk about when describing classic Vox sound is actually coming from the Celestion Alnico (or other equivalent speaker) open back cab they are playing into.
Have you had the occasion to play a good 60's AC30? The Normal channel on its own, whatever the amp "model" ("Bass", "Normal", especially, but even a "Treble"), makes for a pretty round/fat/full/dark sound to me.
When you push that with all kind of boosters in front, then it can morph into some of the best classic sound & feel ever IMHO, that you can "sculpt" with what/how you choose to put in front.
Top Boost channel is another animal on its own, that can quickly bring the "sparkle / chime" you are talking about.
And to link back to that speaker thread, the speakers/cab you will plug that into also have a huge impact on the overall result; for instance: AC30 head, normal channel, 4x12 closed back with greenbacks = not much sparkle/chime and very very full to me (to the point I would not really use that without some kind of booster / bass cut in front).
I often think big part of the "sparkle/chime" people talk about when describing classic Vox sound is actually coming from the Celestion Alnico (or other equivalent speaker) open back cab they are playing into.
i haven't ever played an AC30 before that I know of. I will have to do that one day.
Voodoosound
Well-known member
This particular amp is more akin to a Trainwreck rocket. However, this circuit has even more overdrive possibilities and a much better reverb. There are a total of 4 UG Customs. 3 were built for Paisley. The one Judd posted is the only one that has a Master volume and an eq curve switch that takes from a standard UG30 to a more agressive Trainwreck style amp. But better in my opinion. Of the 3 I have owned this one was my favorite.
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