Guess the amplifier

Norman86

So...
On Saturday, Costa took my Albion TCT35H and GLS212 Cab for a spin...
We played around, using both my (Mexican) Standard Strat and his PRS SE Santana, as well as comparing it to his Mesa Boogie Express 5:50 Combo.

Not the most sceintific of tests or anything, but i thought it would be cool to take a few recordings, that have not been touched.
Recorded through my Nokia E7, in High Quality MP4 format.
As it was recorded, so its been uploaded. Costa was playing on all takes (thanks bud ? ).
Please excuse the fluffs, the recordings were just to take compare notes, not how accurate the solo is!
Solo in question, Mettalica's Nothing Else Matters.

Now, i have not Mentioned which amp was recorded first, or last, and I never marked them as which amp was which!
I do know though, so.....
Lets have fun trying to spot which amp is which! ?

One thing, the phone was around 1m off the floor, and about 1.5m away from each amp to record!
There is a crackle, but thats not from the amps, im, guessing its from the phone's mic! (2 mics actually, for noise cancelling!)

Lastly, you might want to try whip out some headphones to listen!

Good Luck ?

Anyways, here they are:

Recording 1
http://www.box.net/shared/i1pp18vqiq3ilph3haev

Recording 2
http://www.box.net/shared/ogal1t5z8r4jmvotc7z1

Recording 3
http://www.box.net/shared/6olg4x7gqvap1pp9e6te

Recording 4
http://www.box.net/shared/6598ovq8ah2enh7g52k2

Any problem with accessing the files, please let me know!!!

ezietsman

Here's my guess.

The Mesa Boogie was #2 and #3

???

Norman86

Hey Costa, Dont give it away yet ?

EZ, what makes you say the mesa was 2 and 3?? just out of curiosity??

ezietsman

Norman86 wrote: Hey Costa, Dont give it away yet ?

EZ, what makes you say the mesa was 2 and 3?? just out of curiosity??

Those two seemed to be darker sounding, the other two has more top-end. Of course, those two could be the PRS on either amp. Many variables. I just guessed based on that. Mesas are not quite as bright as most other amps.

MikeM

Ok after the update, why are there 4 takes then? Just different voicings of the same thing? Bridge for 2 and neck for 2?

Norman86

Sorry, forgot to add, all 4 takes were done with the PRS ?

And we tried to match the tone as close as possible too!!!

Norman86

MikeM wrote: Ok after the update, why are there 4 takes then? Just different voicings of the same thing? Bridge for 2 and neck for 2?

Nope, 2 of each amp, but, Costa wanted to redo as he made mistakes in the solo's, except on number 1.
I would have uploaded only 2 of the takes, but thought it would be cool to see out of 4 takes, what you guys would choose as the mesa and the albion ?

In one of the takes though, Costa was trying to get the "feedback squeel" from one of the amps!
That might help him remember which is which!
So only on that take, was a setting changed. Its recording 4!

domhatch

i'm going to agree with ez - 1 and 4 are definitely the same amp, and are probably the albion. sounds very similar to some of the brightness of the tones in the ant glynne demo someone put up here a while ago. i'm no expert, but 2 and 3 are definitely less bright and have a lot more middle and bass in them. then again you could be messing with us and trying to show off yer new amp's ability to mimic the mesa!

i'll wait and let the answer appear...
dh

ezietsman

domhatch wrote: i'm going to agree with ez - 1 and 4 are definitely the same amp, and are probably the albion. sounds very similar to some of the brightness of the tones in the ant glynne demo someone put up here a while ago. i'm no expert, but 2 and 3 are definitely less bright and have a lot more middle and bass in them. then again you could be messing with us and trying to show off yer new amp's ability to mimic the mesa!

i'll wait and let the answer appear...
dh

Yes that was my thoughts too. However, my 'analysis' is founded in that two clips sound unlike the two others. The tones heard in the clips can be reproduced by almost any high gain amp and in fact modeller or whatever. The recording quality is not of such standard to tell between small nuances of different amplifiers. So my guess is based on exactly what you say, EQ differences, which can be due to different amps or different knob settings or something else.

costafonix

1 & 4 are the Mesa Boogie
2 & 3 are the Albion
well done to those that paired up the amps correctly and yip there are too many variables to make this any form of academic exercise (for starters I would've have played the solo's a lot better ? )

domhatch

just goes to show how crappy nokia phones are... now, if you'd recorded that on an iphone...

costafonix

domhatch wrote: just goes to show how crappy nokia phones are... now, if you'd recorded that on an iphone...

:roflmao: :roflmao:
and they take crappy pictures too..... :?

domhatch

he he. so, if 2 and 3 are the albion, maybe i should rather be looking for a mesa? i like the sound of that mesa, even though it was recorded on a nokia. i feel some well-earned gas coming on...

Norman86

The Mesa just costs around 3 to 4 times more than the albion...

It might not be a fender, or a mesa, but for the price, its an awesome amplifier with many flavours!!
Best to try it out yourself hey!!

costafonix

domhatch wrote: he he. so, if 2 and 3 are the albion, maybe i should rather be looking for a mesa? i like the sound of that mesa, even though it was recorded on a nokia. i feel some well-earned gas coming on...

in that case I'd have to issue a health warning,,,,,,, don't come to my place to see (and hear) it for real, cos you will fall in love with this beast...

costafonix

Norman86 wrote:
It might not be a fender, or a mesa, but for the price, its an awesome amplifier with many flavours!!

very true :yup: :yup:

domhatch

Norman86 wrote: The Mesa just costs around 3 to 4 times more than the albion...

It might not be a fender, or a mesa, but for the price, its an awesome amplifier with many flavours!!
Best to try it out yourself hey!!

don't worry norman, it's the first on my list to try. i'm still thinking it's the best bang for the buck, and now that i have the $$$$ from the highway 1 sale, it's time to give it a try. watch this space over the next few weeks!

cheers
dh

Norman86

Good luck Dom ?

PS.. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Mesa Express, let me tell you that!
If i had the cash, a lot more disposable cash, i would buy the Fender Deluxe VM or the Mesa Boogie Express 5:50.

Though im more partial to a Head and Cab, so the Bandmaster Head and cab, or the Mesa Express head and cab!
Both have 2x12's!

Tone wise though, the Albion, Mesa and Fender do it for me, the 6L6 tubes are forever imprinted as the sound i like!

So in the end, personal preference!! (and cash constraints!)