S-harp
89 posts
Apr 19, 2013
4:02 PM
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So, this Gibson GA-90 1953 turned up ... tried it at home and rehersal ... worked like a gem and I really, really like the tone ... terrific low end ... ok highs ... 6x8" ... Haven't checked the tube layout yet. It pretty much liked all my different mics. I really don't know much about amps ... I just work my accoustic tone and what ever makes me louder makes me happy ... usually
But this one ... it got something ... you know ...
I'll try it soon at the next gig. We'll see then about feedback, cut and volume when cranked with a full set band.
Any thoughts?
Keeper? Feedback monster? Durability? ... it will be lugged around. Price range? The speaker config?
Thank You
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The tone, the tone ... and the Tone
Last Edited by S-harp on Apr 19, 2013 4:13 PM
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rbeetsme
1200 posts
Apr 19, 2013
4:09 PM
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Highly valued for harp, a keeper.
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tmf714
1687 posts
Apr 19, 2013
4:30 PM
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Killer amp-Kim used one to record "Tigerman"-
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S-harp
90 posts
Apr 20, 2013
5:55 AM
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It's not all original ... somebody a long time ago glued tolex (tweed) on it, but proffesionally done ... and time and wear has given it a very nice look ... Three orig. speakers + three Weber. The other three orig. speakers are included if I buy it. Don't know yet if anything's been done with the insides except the speakers.
Since it isn't all original ... and I now decided to give him an offer, what's a resonable price range?
Thanx
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The tone, the tone ... and the Tone
Last Edited by S-harp on Apr 20, 2013 7:28 AM
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Kingley
2540 posts
Apr 20, 2013
6:54 AM
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Well the last GA-90 on ebay had no speakers in it at all and went for over $600. So I guess you should base your offer on that premise. I suspect he'll want well over a $1000 for it. They are pretty rare amps and old Gibson amps are now starting to fetch the same prices that old Fender amps were getting a few years ago. Who knows though you may just get lucky. Decide what you're willing to spend and then make him an offer.
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Tweedaddict
10 posts
Apr 20, 2013
7:27 AM
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My two cents on the ga-90 amp for harp is as such...
Great tone! but not a particularly loud amp for its heft/weight/size. eight inch speakers alone in a 6L6 type amp just don't pump enough air to get real loud but a good ga90 sure does have a sweet sound.
The last ga90 I had (2? years ago) was mostly original and fetched about 1200 on ebay from memory.
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rbeetsme
1202 posts
Apr 20, 2013
7:39 AM
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I saw a nice one sell for 950.00 last year, bid on it myself. I know 2 harp players using the GA-90. They both love theirs.
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Banyan3
1 post
Apr 21, 2013
2:16 AM
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Not trying to pick an argument , but kim said he used a GA-40 with p12q Jensen in the interview with David Barrett for the tiger man track.
Last Edited by Banyan3 on Jun 26, 2013 10:29 PM
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Kingley
2548 posts
Apr 21, 2013
4:51 AM
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Banyan3 - Yes you're right a GA-40 is what Kim states in that interview. Those Gibson amps are just great for harp tonally. Mark Hummel did his "Heart of Chicago" using an old Gibson Maestro with 4x* speakers I believe. In Dennis Gruenlings mics for sale demos that he does on his website. I like the tone of the Gibson GA-40 amp the best by far.
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rbeetsme
1205 posts
Apr 21, 2013
5:18 AM
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I have 2 GA-20s, a 54 and a 59 ,nice amps.
Last Edited by rbeetsme on Apr 21, 2013 5:23 AM
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tmf714
1688 posts
Apr 21, 2013
6:54 AM
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From my friend Pete Kanaras ,who lived a few houses up the block when I lived in NY-guitarist for the Nighthawks for a few years,not to mention fronitng his own band-
pete kanaras02-23-2010, 11:59 AM
Pete...man I've been thinking about this post for a few days. First off, I can't WAIT to hear the WHITE LOAFER when it's released!
Secondly, can you elaborate more on what types of amps you guys were using? Was everything dialed in on the clean side, or were you using stuff small enough to get some dirt happening? I would imagine they were ALL small if you were playing to the acoustic volume of the piano. Very cool.
we just used regular old stuff, except for kim who had use of an unbelieveable gibson GA90 with six eights, i think he said it the same model he used for the "Tiger Man" sessions. for guitars pat and robert had their choice of a princeton reverb ri, a tweed deluxe, tweed vibrolux (or tremolux, i forget). pat used a real '53 lester, robert a '56 ri lester and maybe a strat. i ran with my tele and my modded 2-10 deluxe reverb (basically a vibrolux in a smaller box). it has a triode/pentode switch as well, and i set it to "triode", so it's about 12-14 watts. we played at very low volume, brushes most all day. i had my amp volume at 2 or 3 at the most and never turned the guitar up full. so yeah, for me i was as stone clean as it gets, which is pretty much where i like to live anyway
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Last Edited by tmf714 on Apr 21, 2013 6:54 AM
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tmf714
1689 posts
Apr 21, 2013
7:58 AM
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And from Harp-l 2005-Sonny Jr-
The GA90 was
used by Kim on Tiger man, it has good tone, but when you start to get more
volume out of it, she does not cooperate. You can check with anyone that has owned
one, I have had 4 or 5. Eric Besanko has one of the cleanest collections of
Gibson amps possibly available for sale, you can check the
_www.harmonicamasterlcass.com_ (http://www.harmonicamasterlcass.com) vintage amps p
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Kingley
2550 posts
Apr 21, 2013
8:19 AM
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tmf714 - Kim Wilson states quite clearly in his interview with Dave Barrett over on www.bluesharmonica.com that he used a GA-40 to record his Tigerman CD. I think I'd believe what comes from the horses mouth, over some quotes from folk that aren't the horse. .
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tmf714
1690 posts
Apr 21, 2013
8:22 AM
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I'm not saying he used the GA-90 exclusively-but it is well known he did use it on the "Tigerman" CD-for which songs,only Kim knows-again ,from Tom Ellis-not a "horse" for sure-
From: Tom Ellis III <74053.31~ompuServe.COM>
Date: 30 Aug 96 12:09:02 EDT
Subject: Best $250 amp/Kim Wilson-Tigerman
The best $250 amp is really a $300 amp--the reissue Ampeg Jet. It's new, under
warranty, has reverb, and packs a wallop as to tone. One 12' jensen. If you
change the two preamp tubes to 12AU7s, you'll be able to maximize volume at a
substantially reduced feedback level. In general, it's almost as good as the
original, and will outperform any of the comparable Fender modelsby a mile--the
$50 is really worth it.
On Tigerman Kim Wilson used a compliment of Gibsons--4X8, 6X8, 8X10, etc. with
Crystal and Ceramic mics; many of these amps were very rare and owned by a
collector in Wisconsin. He now is using a Sonny Jr. with a 12" speaker for
studio work and has been using his Fender Pro with a new vintage 15" Jensen
(from Craig's Music, see below) and another cabinet, and is still working with
the wonderful sound person who drops all those great effect in while he
performs. We've also been working with Kim on a few new mics.
For your information, the expert on vintage Gibson amps here in the US is Craig
Swancey at 817-599-8021. He bought most of the new-old stock stuff from Gibson
when they put it out for bid a few years back and has worked on most of those
same amps Kim used. You can only reach him by phone (sorry to distress all of
you folks who have forgotten how to use the phone). Great guy, very honest, and
knows mics and amps and harp players from the inside out. Kim and Sam Myers are
just two.
As was noted, the Tigerman stuff was pretty heavily processed in the studio.
Another example of why it's better to target a player's live sound (or live
album) for duplication, not his studio work, especially in these days of studio
wizardry.
Can't say enough good about those Ampegs. Gig with my vintage one all the time
and the perfect studio amp. Matches up well with all my gigging mics, too.
Tom Ellis/Tom's Mics
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Kingley
2552 posts
Apr 21, 2013
8:35 AM
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In the interview Dave Barrett specifically mentions Tigerman and Kim states quite clearly that he used a Gibson GA-40. So I'm inclined to believe the man himself and not anyone else. I think Kim would remember what he used. He doesn't mention any other amp at all. Now whether he's talking about that one track or the entire album is another thing altogether.
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tmf714
1691 posts
Apr 21, 2013
8:48 AM
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My point exactly- "Now whether he's talking about that one track or the entire album is another thing altogether"-I am inclined to believe you would be basing your statements on heresay otherwise-you would also have to point me to this "interview"-
Last Edited by tmf714 on Apr 21, 2013 8:48 AM
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Kingley
2553 posts
Apr 21, 2013
8:52 AM
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"I am inclined to believe you would be basing your statements on heresay otherwise-you would also have to point me to this "interview"-"
www.bluesharmonica.com In the interview section with Kim Wilson under "Kim’s Equipment: Studio Recording, Part 1". You have to subscribe to see it.
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S-harp
91 posts
Apr 21, 2013
3:17 PM
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@tmf714
" ... it has good tone, but when you start to get more
volume out of it, she does not cooperate. "
I know it has good tone, really good tone... I've test driven it in the studio and at rehersal with full set bands, worked like a charm ... good deal to be able to try it out before I decide to buy it or not.
When you mentioned that she at more demanding volumes doesn't cooperate, it makes me hesitate ... 'cause that's what I need it for, an amp that can stand its own ground when needed at smaller/medium sized club gigs. My next gig isn't until a couple of weeks and it could be I need to decide before that to cough up the money or not.
Doesn't cooperate: feedbacks? gets muddy? loses highs?
Regarding Kim W ... he gigged my DeVille at a Blues Festival nearby some years ago. It was great to hear my own gear off stage.... Why do I need something like the GA-90 when I've got a working DeVille 4x10? Well, my DeVille blooms when the going gets (too) loud, and that doesn't happen that often ...
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The tone, the tone ... and the Tone
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tmf714
1692 posts
Apr 21, 2013
3:36 PM
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"... it has good tone, but when you start to get more
volume out of it, she does not cooperate. "
Sonny posted that on harp-l back in 2005-I think what he may be refering to is the eight inch speakers-30 watts trying to push 6x8 is a little much for the speakers-it has a thick tone,not really getting into the house,unless you mic it of course.
Great studio amp I think Gary is reiterating to here as well.
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tmf714
2453 posts
Mar 03, 2014
4:42 PM
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Check the 2014 For Sale" page-Kims "Tigerman" amp has come up on this forum numerous times-I was fairly sure I was correct about him using this amp on that album-confirmed!
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Bigtone
362 posts
Mar 03, 2014
9:27 PM
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Kim has three Gibsons he uses. The ga90 I got from him a ga77 and ga40. Today when I got the amp he said he couldn't remember the amp it was it and the 40. They both sat in his storage for long time. Either way its a killer amp. Gibsons are awesome. Kim also lived in the fast lane back then. He has lots of great amps all of them bought by him because of the sound. So you can believe anything he has sounds great. He did tell me to my face he used it on the record. I'm his friend and guitarist lately I see no reason for him to make that up haha. He prob used it and the 40 and many other amps. I've recorded with him he's using a Silvertone 1482 .
His go too amps he uses lately are brown vibrolux and pro painted black. A 1482. The commando and the bassmans. He had a Gibson phase like all of us do
Last Edited by Bigtone on Mar 03, 2014 9:35 PM
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tmf714
2454 posts
Mar 04, 2014
6:14 AM
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I remember him telling me he got a lot of those amps from Fingers Taylor-Amandas ex-husband. I know he uses the raggedy Basmman a lot-chained to other amps-recently a Brown Concert. The man does have a lot to choose from!
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Bigtone
363 posts
Mar 04, 2014
9:06 AM
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He got a lot of shit from fingers. And yes he has a bassman with p10qs and the beat up on he uses a lot with the crazy tolex. Usually if the gigs loud enough he chains it to a concert. He has multiple concerts. He also uses blonde twins too sometimes for outside. This things are nuts.
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harpoon_man
44 posts
Mar 04, 2014
10:57 AM
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Hi Bigtone, that's cool that you have been playing with Kim these days.
Can you provide any insight on what Kim looks for in a drummer, or what kind of directions he gives the drummers that he plays with?
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Bigtone
364 posts
Mar 04, 2014
10:35 PM
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Ive played drums with before.
Usually Innes is the guy. But he likes a guy that can push and lay back all at once. The bass drum and ride must push where the snare sits behind. Kim's always been a Walter guy so he looks for more the below and clay styles. My father was a drummer so I play Lotta drums but mostly nasty Memphis boogie and gut bucket style from 40s. Kim's always getting better so he's constantly changing and trying things. He's one of the most talented cats Ive met all round.last week we recorded and he'd play song three times every time different energy and solos completely. Dudes got language
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Bigtone
365 posts
Mar 04, 2014
10:36 PM
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Yes the twins are. I'm currently trying to get one of him
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guitardunc
1 post
May 02, 2024
11:14 AM
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@Tweedaddict - you say "eight inch speakers alone in a 6L6 type amp just don't pump enough air to get real loud". Well, a 6x8" GA90 pumps 302 sq ins of air, only slightly less than a 4x10" Super Reverb (314 sq ins). And a poor old 2x12" amp will only pump 226 sq ins. I use my 1953 (first year of production) GA90 for guitar and, believe, me it's plenty loud.
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Gabriel.Harmonic
101 posts
May 02, 2024
11:42 PM
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On the GA-90, Tigerman, uses for the amp, etc. I can add a few experiences: Just entered my 51st year playing harp, was full-time pro by age 20 but left full-time after a few years for ministry work but kept playing. Later went back to public playing with a 7 piece Swing Dance, Jazz, Blues, R&B band 10 years and then 7 years in Austin, back in San Diego now. Met Sonny Jr. in 1976 and have owned all his amps, plus many customs we put together. Have owned about 9 original Bassmans, plus about 10 replicas, 1960 Concerts, etc. Fingers Taylor turned me onto Super Reverbs in 1976, Norton Buffalo Tweed Pros in 1978. I had one of the Gibson GA-90's people mentioned from Eric Besanko and gigged with it approx. 2004 +/-. Great Little Walter tone, heavy to carry, plenty of stage volume but 15' from the stage they don't push sound to the back of the room. Mark Hummel & I had this discussion when we both had the Sonny Jr. 2 also, compared to Bassmans.....that helped the SJ 410 come about. SJ2's are great with the 6x8" but at the back of the room with 100-300 people in a club, the Bassman sound carries to the back of the room. I sat in with Mark that night with his Bassman, sweet amp!
Okay, on Tigerman, the specific song, I sat in the Studio it was recorded in with the Engineer, Stuart Sullivan, the one who placed and mic'd up the amps for Tigerman album. The man has a huge array of mics, amps, etc. and knows his stuff. He told me specifically he put the GA-90 in a room by itself from the band on Tigerman. The rest of the band was in the main room. They may have used other Gibsons (GA-40) per Tom Ellis and others but I asked him specific for the Tigerman song. I was there by the way as his studio JT-30 had died and he bought a hot MC-151 from me. Stuart was VERY good friends with Gary Primach who he said loved his Ceramic element. Stuart was the Engineer on all those early Antone's label records that were done there in Austin. I believe he engineered 3 of Gary Primach's records.
To the Original poster's question, if you have a GA-90 and don't mind carrying it, and it's loud enough in the room with your band go for it. Upgraded speakers help too. I prefer Fender Tweeds myself, Bassman, Super, Bandmaster since I venture into Jazz with Chromatic too and they do better with cleaner tones when you need it. Enjoy the Amp!
Last Edited by Gabriel.Harmonic on May 03, 2024 12:00 AM
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Gnarly
Alternatetuning
3150 posts
May 04, 2024
6:48 AM
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Ancient thread!
So Gabriel, are you gigging in SD?
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Gabriel.Harmonic
102 posts
May 07, 2024
9:33 AM
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Hi Gnarly,
Oh my, I did not even notice how old the dates were on these posts.....it was that last one on March 02, 2024 that re-activated it. I thought I had even remembered sharing some of this information on here last year. It's always cool to hear about the gear. I had a nice chat with Bo Diddley in 2003, just him and I in the Green Room, after a New Year's Eve show where my band opened for him and then we backed him up for about 2 hours doing all his hits....he even did the Emcee part bringing in the New Year. Anyway, he shared some things about Little Walter's speaker cabinets I had not heard anywhere else.
To answer your question, I returned here right when Covid-19 hit so have been "laying low" but yes, I have been doing some appearances as a guest at places like Humphrey's Back Stage, Coombers in Oceanside, etc. with Tom Stewart (Backwater Blues Band, some with Johnny Vernaza, The Johnny Deadly Trio (Rockabilly), Triple Shot, some singer songwriters, etc.
They did give me a prime spot at 4:00 pm at the upcoming Spring Harp Fest 2024 on May 26, Sunday at Harry Griffin Park in La Mesa, (now rescheduled from the rainout last month). I will be after Billy Watson, Chris fast, etc. in the line-up and just before Zavala Soul who close at 5:00 pm. ...so 4:00 to 4:50 pm for my part.
I am working on putting together a band project but it is just at the beginning stages.
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Gabriel.Harmonic
103 posts
May 07, 2024
9:33 AM
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Hi Gnarly,
Oh my, I did not even notice how old the dates were on these posts.....it was that last one on March 02, 2024 that re-activated it. I thought I had even remembered sharing some of this information on here last year. It's always cool to hear about the gear. I had a nice chat with Bo Diddley in 2003, just him and I in the Green Room, after a New Year's Eve show where my band opened for him and then we backed him up for about 2 hours doing all his hits....he even did the Emcee part bringing in the New Year. Anyway, he shared some things about Little Walter's speaker cabinets I had not heard anywhere else.
To answer your question, I returned here right when Covid-19 hit so have been "laying low" but yes, I have been doing some appearances as a guest at places like Humphrey's Back Stage, Coombers in Oceanside, etc. with Tom Stewart (Backwater Blues Band, some with Johnny Vernaza, The Johnny Deadly Trio (Rockabilly), Triple Shot, some singer songwriters, etc.
They did give me a prime spot at 4:00 pm at the upcoming Spring Harp Fest 2024 on May 26, Sunday at Harry Griffin Park in La Mesa, (now rescheduled from the rainout last month). I will be after Billy Watson, Chris fast, etc. in the line-up and just before Zavala Soul who close at 5:00 pm. ...so 4:00 to 4:50 pm for my part.
I am working on putting together a band project but it is just at the beginning stages.
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Gnarly
Alternatetuning
3151 posts
May 07, 2024
7:56 PM
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Sounds like a great spot at the Fest—tell Harmonica John Gnarly sez hi!
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