RD Amps

hotpickups

Apart from @Barney who has given glowing reports on Rob's amps has anyone else here had an amp off of Rob. They look and sound very nice

http://www.rdamplification.co.uk/

hotpickups

Blimey no one? I'm surprised at that. Maybe that's a good thing as he still charges moderately compared to some boutique builders. Maybe I should never have started this post to keep him relatively unknown LOL

Chester

Yeah - I know what you mean 

Check out the "amps that bloom" thread on this board. A video clip of an RDA there which I think sounds great, even through a phone mic. I have been looking at Robs' options for a while now, and may well take the plunge on a Dualist soon

Will have to sell something first though .. the queen has drawn the line, so it's a one out one in rule these days

hotpickups

I'll be demoing in the new year so I'll keep you all posted

BowynMadley

I've had an RD Dualist head for two years now and the matching 2x12 for about 18 months. Robs work is great. Attention to detail and going the extra mile with everything. Sound wise, even after 2 years I plug in (with or without pedal board) I get that fizz. I've since rid my board of any distortion pedals or any pedal that alters the natural tone of the amp. It cleans up beautiful and can really rock when you want to. I went for a pair of kt66s in cathode bias for the output stage and she's loud. If you have any questions or want any more info if i can help I will

Can't recommend them enough

Modulus_Amps

I don't own one, but I have known Rob for years and he builds great sounding amps, you can't go wrong if that is the sort of thing you are after.

hotpickups

Modulus_Amps said:

I don't own one, but I have known Rob for years and he builds great sounding amps, you can't go wrong if that is the sort of thing you are after.

You mean Dumble type of thing @Modulus_Amps ?

Modulus_Amps

yes that's what I was implying, but I am sure he is not limited to that sort of thing...

hotpickups

Modulus_Amps said:

yes that's what I was implying, but I am sure he is not limited to that sort of thing...

Well not ever having played a Dumble I'm not sure what one sounds like. However, I'm quite keen to try something soundwise that I haven't heard before. I certainly like Robben Ford's tone and SRV so I believe they were Dumble users  but then again each Dumble amp sounds different apparently

jpfamps

SRV used a huge number of amps in his career, and usually in multi amp set ups.

When he was using a Dumble, he didn't use what's generally regarded as a Dumble which all the clones have copied, ie the Overdrive Special which a relatively high gain Fender-based amp.

He used a Steel String Singer, which is a loud clean amp mainly aimed a steel players, and very rare even by Dumble standards.

Stevie's sounds isn't actually that high gain, he essientially just turned the amp up very loud.

Modulus_Amps

yes they do, but the key thing on the robin ford one and the early versions is that the tone stack is before the overdrive section, so you don't get the same control of the over drive tone as you do on a more modern hot rodded bassman derived circuit.

The drive tone is also different too, I have a robin ford style amp here that I have been tweaking for a few weeks, for that jazzy/bluesy coffee break grooves sort of thing it is great, but if I want the classic rock /modern rock tone then I generally would go to another amp first.

You have to try them to know if it is going to work for you. - the cleans are great though - must have an effects loop, preferably with a buffered send!

BowynMadley

The link between dumble style amps and the dualist is very subtle. The pre-amp design started as a dumble style fender clean but it's been fettled and tweaked to be its own thing. The output couldn't be more different. Dumbles were design for maximum headroom and no power amp break up where as the dualist has a tweed style output so will saturate beautifully. 

hotpickups

BowynMadley said:

The link between dumble style amps and the dualist is very subtle. The pre-amp design started as a dumble style fender clean but it's been fettled and tweaked to be its own thing. The output couldn't be more different. Dumbles were design for maximum headroom and no power amp break up where as the dualist has a tweed style output so will saturate beautifully. 

Sounding good. Can't wait to try one

Stevepage

Not an amp but I do own an oversized 2x12 cab from RD amps. Bought off a member of this board.

Very well made cab, solid as you like an sounds great

hotpickups

Stevepage said:

Not an amp but I do own an oversized 2x12 cab from RD amps. Bought off a member of this board.

Very well made cab, solid as you like an sounds great

What speakers have you in it @Stevepage ;

Stevepage

I believe Celestion G12H-30s

Barney

Stevepage said:

Not an amp but I do own an oversized 2x12 cab from RD amps. Bought off a member of this board.

Very well made cab, solid as you like an sounds great

When i got my head and speaker i thought he would probably buy the cabinets for them in...but all built by hand ..! The cabs i think he was saying about a floting baffle or something ?.. for better sound they sound great though ..mine is the oval back with 2 different taydens in and tayden diffusers..

BowynMadley

Barney said:

Stevepage said:

Not an amp but I do own an oversized 2x12 cab from RD amps. Bought off a member of this board.

Very well made cab, solid as you like an sounds great

When i got my head and speaker i thought he would probably buy the cabinets for them in...but all built by hand ..! The cabs i think he was saying about a floting baffle or something ?.. for better sound they sound great though ..mine is the oval back with 2 different taydens in and tayden diffusers..

Most of his cabs unless stated by the buyer are made of pine, have floating baffles and are open backed.

Stevepage

^ correct. I think mine was a special request as it's an oversized 2x12, floating baffle but closed back.