wheezer
1 post
Jun 14, 2008
2:11 AM
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Like most players I'm always looking for a bargain.On Ebay I found an amp I'd never heard of and could find no reviews of.
To cut a long story short I bought the amp for 117.00 GBP, brand new.
It was too cheap not to take a chance on. The amp is called a Rocktronic Tube 30 Tweed. It is a single channel 30 watt all tube with a 12" speaker. Valves are 2x12AX7 & 2X6L6GC. 12" speaker. Controls are Gain, Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Presence and a push Boost. Yes, it is Chinese built but there again so are many of the big name brand lower end amps.
Now the important bit, what did a harp sound like through it?
Well i thought that at least I would have to change the 12AX7's
for 12AT's to reduce feedback and possibly the speaker but much to my suprise you can drive this thing and get a great sound
straight from the box. Put the gain to about 4, volume up all the way T & M down Bass well up and the sound is great.
Last Edited by on Jun 15, 2008 7:02 AM
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wheezer
2 posts
Jun 14, 2008
2:33 AM
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Continuing on the Rocktronic Tweed Tube 30. I know our U.S cousins will not think that $234 is all that cheap for an amp, but here in England we pay through the nose for everything i.e
in the States a harp costs in dollars what we pay in pounds. That makes them half price in the U.S.
I was actually looking at a Harley Benton GA 15 when I bought the Tube 30, which Thoman sell for the same money but I was lured by the extra 15 watts of the Rocktronic.
Having now used the amp on a couple of gigs I think it needs micing up. It will cut under its own power but it requires too much top & mid for my liking. With the tone set bassy I love the sound of this amp. I will try and do a youtube posting
for you to form your own opinions. As to it being Chinese, I have used a Europower (Behringer) China built PA desk for the last 4 yrs. and had no probs. If you want to hear loads of different harp amps go to harpsucker on youtube
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Luke Juke
5 posts
Jun 17, 2008
7:15 AM
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Damn you wheezer. I bid £100 for that amp myself. Its a good looking amp and I'd be interested to hear it. They were selling them amps for £199 then they let one goto auction. ( the one I bid on but you stole from my grasp lol ) They've now set the price at £169. Still cheap me thinks for a 30 watt 6v6 tweed. Luke
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wheezer
4 posts
Jun 17, 2008
9:50 AM
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Sorry about that Luke Juke, I've been beaten at the post loads of times on ebay myself. A couple of guitarist mates did try the amp for guitar last night at a jam and found it a bit low on volume but they reckon that with a tube screamer it would be o.k. I do have a couple of mods in mind but I want to post a demo of the amp on youtube as it came from the shop. I have used it for harp on a couple of gigs but I miced it up to be on the safe side. I'll post here when I do the demo. Even at 169 GBP I still reckon it would be a good buy.
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wheezer
5 posts
Jun 18, 2008
3:09 AM
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Yep, that's my review. Never done one before and I hope I didn't miss any thing important out. I keep looking on H.C. for
a harp player review of the Harley Benton GA15 as that is another amp that seems great value for money being 116 GBP. You can find them by putting "Thoman" into Google. The Harley Benton range of gear is amazing, amps, harmonicas, guitars, drum kits, effects pedals etc. The established manufacturers had better watch out 'cos the Chinese are coming. I'm gonna try one of their harps soon as I'm fed up paying twice as much here
for the known brands as you have to pay in the U.S.
Last Edited by on Jun 18, 2008 3:22 AM
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