My Redplate Journey...

[WazMeister]

My journey into Redplate land...

Well, well, well... I wasn't expecting that !


Heavy snow was falling. It's 3.15. I decided to head to Coda Music as planned, despite the severe weather warnings, and knowing that part of my journey took in the dreaded M25 route to Stevenage...


I got there, and the owner Doug had already set up the Redplates. There was, in order of size, the following;


- Blackloop
- Tweedyverb
- Tweedydrive


- Blackverb
- Blackverb duo


I play a CS '51 Nocaster and a CS '56 Strat, so Doug mirrored these guitars, and gave me a quick demo of each model. He plays well does Doug... And he played all of the models LOUD ! And, they ALL sounded awesome...


BUT,


What struck me immediately was how the larger cabs sounded that little bit fuller and sweeter (to my ears anyway). It was noticeable straight away.


Anyway, he left me to it, and I played and stumbled through the various amps. It's difficult I think with only around an hour to get really comfortable, AND learn how the amps wok, and how all the knobs interact... At one point, I was a bit overwhelmed, and nearly left the search for another day. The weather warnings and the possible fraught journey back to the hotel in the back of my mind. Still, I carried on...


I mainly played the Tele, although for quite a while at home, I've used my Strat. I quickly discounted the Blackverb Duo. Yep, more options which I liked, but too heavy a weight for me. I was actually surprised at how small the smaller cabs were. Also, the BV was just about the right side of heavy for me; not much more than my Rambler... The smaller (CD2, Tweedyverb) would be a lovely choice, size and weight wise...


So, I concentrated on finding my sounds from the Tweedyverb (in gorgeous red). A clean, and an accompanying drive was found. Then, I unplugged and tried the next amp. Then the next.


As I journeyed, back and forth, trial and error, I kept unveiling some awesome and unique tones. I tried to play at lower volumes. After the tone, but always, that feel emerged on every amp. The basic tweed and BF cleans weren't a million miles apart on my brief encounter. I could almost copy each on each amp. But the BF cleans has the smoother edge in my opinion. More Fender like (i guess, more Carr Rambler like which I've been used to).


So, in the end, I came to 2 conclusions;


1.) I preferred the BF cleans and pre-amp
2.) I preferred the 'bigger' cabs


This hence led me toward the Blackverb Standard.


I then experimented with the drives, and foxx moi, they were impressive !! The sound in my head, became the sound in the amp; my amp. I loved the cleans, the chimes, the drives. These are all truly very impressive amplifiers.


I finished with the Strat at low volumes, and even managed to coax some musical feedback out of it ! Be-a-utiful...


Doug went away to get the prices... Gumffffff... £2449 for Blackverb Combo with cane grill.
Wow ! I knew the prices in advance but it's still a lot of corn ain't it ???


He went away again, and offered me an awesome p/x on my Rambler.


Deal done ! My choice was the Blackverb Combo. Here is the link;


http://www.coda-music.com/amplifiers...-c-28_338.html


It looks good, but I would've preferred a bone/wheat finish. Maybe on my next Redplate
eh ? You see ? Infected already...


But, i have to bring my amp down next week when I'm working next to complete the swap. A WHOLE WEEK !!!!


Awesome service from Doug and his team. Awesome amps from Henry.


The strange thing is....
...I feel like I've left one of the family behind in that shop tonight ! I already feel a bond; how weird is that !?

[dindude]

Interesting read Waz, they do look like awesome amps, what is the drive like on them?

[WazMeister]

Hi mate, how are you doing ?

I cannot even begin to describe these amps. The sound in my head, now out in the air !! Lots to learn, unlimited sounds...

Overdrive... Awesome. Slightly clipped to heavy. That moment, when at VERY low volumes the amp FELT like a driven Fender ... And i got it to slighly feedback. It was an epiphany. Honest.

[mattacjones2]

I was looking at those Carr Ramblers. Did you just want a change or did you find the rambler unsatisfactory in some way?

[WazMeister]

I was looking at those Carr Ramblers. Did you just want a change or did you find the rambler unsatisfactory in some way?

Matt, the Rambler is satisfactory in EVERY WAY !!! Except, it is mainly a clean amp. Current projects require me to use more and more OD, and clipped Blackface sounds... The Redplates excel at this...

I love Steve Carr's stuff though mate. I'm part-exing my Rambler on Monday for the Redplate, so I'll keep you posted.

Do you like your cleans ?

[mattacjones2]

I like cleans, but on the break up point. I'd seen the rambler as a sort of grown up tweed deluxe with trem and reverb = heaven. That would be the ideal. I imagined the rambler would be like that on the 14w settings. I was pointed in the direction of carr's 'cos was interested in princeton style boutique copies - carr sportsman was suggested, but the rambler just looks like a more grown up version (and looks cooler imho). Have to try it really, instead of youtube demos What sort of price did he give you on it?

[WazMeister]

Matt,

It was the Carr Sportsman that started my journey... It has better 'break up' for me on the Sportsman.

I never really got that direct from the Rambler, BUT they take pedals very very well.

I'll PM the deal to you...

[mattacjones2]

The redplates never fall short of stunning in the demo's. Heavy?

[WazMeister]

The CD2 size ones are incredibly small and VERY VERY light.

I preferred the bigger sound of the bigger cab, not surprisingly ! I went for a Blackverb, but would really like to try a CD2.
The reverb unit tends to dictate a bigger model. But the Blackverb is only slightly heavier than the Rambler.

The demos are a very accurate portrait of the sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VtKv3XHTGc

[mattacjones2]

I'd better go and have a try. have a couple of sales in the offing and deep urge for a new amp!