Hello Again Everyone!
So I gigged again with the TA-15 last night (both channels at 15 watts) in a small bar. I replaced the OEM Fender Eminence Legend speaker in my 1x12 cab with an Eminence Swamp Thang and it was freaking LOUD !! I was running the Vox channel in MV mode at about 9:30AM and Channel two between 10-Noon depending on the voicing (higher for Tweed, much lower for H1, and in between for H2). This gig, I also tried running a Boss '63 Fender Reverb pedal, with all controls at about 9AM, and unfortunately, it did not sound good, especially when any OD was kicked in (from a pedal or the amp).
The biggest tricks with the TA-15 (thus far) seem to be having the "correct" order of the pedals and being conservative with the effects levels on the time-based effects (i.e. chorus and delay). This worked reasonably well ("good enough") with the TA-15 when I have used it, but it was "a second banana" option compared to having an efx loop. I also had contacted Monsta-Tone (Andy Turner) and the Boogie guys to inquire about the possibility of adding a simple insert loop, but it was a no-go due to 1. lack of space to put it and 2. the need to add a tube stage to run it. So, no dice there. The only crazy idea that came to mind was to run a sort of stereo set-up (say using a stereo DDL or chorus pedal) with a dry feed going to the TA-15 and a wet feed going to a powered cab or a second amp. This has PIA++ written all over it and mega overkill for playing bars! :lol:
Anyway, as much as I like the TA-15 and it's variety of great tones, the lack of an effects loop/reverb is starting to look like a deal breaker for me. Nonetheless, I stand by my previous praises of the TA-15's sounds across the board. You may find that in a live situation, and as I discovered last night, depending on the speaker one uses, that you might need to tweak levels between songs, for example, if you had been using the Tweed voicing on one song, but needed the Marshall voicing on the next one. Also, FWIW, to my ears, the Swamp Thang sounded pretty close to the EVM12L in my Thiele, but did not have the projected bottom end, which I chalk up to the properties of the Thiele cab design vs. a more traditional rectangular closed back cab.
For gigging, I picked up a used minty Express 5:50 head today at GC and plan to do some A-B comparisons with the TA before I decide whether or not to sell it (I can't keep both - the wife will divorce me or worse :twisted: :shock: ). For me, the Express is a practical middle ground (I have had one before). No, I do not have any delusions that it will give me the Top Boost Sparkle/Grit or the H1 Marshall vibe. If I need a Marshall sound that badly, I just bring my Monsta-Tone custom built 36 watt Plexi head and another cab (and catch Hell from my bandmates for bring too much gear to our gigs :lol: ).
Nonetheless, the TA-15 is a GREAT sounding little amp and the "grab and go" quality is perfect. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any other questions.
Matt
So I gigged again with the TA-15 last night (both channels at 15 watts) in a small bar. I replaced the OEM Fender Eminence Legend speaker in my 1x12 cab with an Eminence Swamp Thang and it was freaking LOUD !! I was running the Vox channel in MV mode at about 9:30AM and Channel two between 10-Noon depending on the voicing (higher for Tweed, much lower for H1, and in between for H2). This gig, I also tried running a Boss '63 Fender Reverb pedal, with all controls at about 9AM, and unfortunately, it did not sound good, especially when any OD was kicked in (from a pedal or the amp).
The biggest tricks with the TA-15 (thus far) seem to be having the "correct" order of the pedals and being conservative with the effects levels on the time-based effects (i.e. chorus and delay). This worked reasonably well ("good enough") with the TA-15 when I have used it, but it was "a second banana" option compared to having an efx loop. I also had contacted Monsta-Tone (Andy Turner) and the Boogie guys to inquire about the possibility of adding a simple insert loop, but it was a no-go due to 1. lack of space to put it and 2. the need to add a tube stage to run it. So, no dice there. The only crazy idea that came to mind was to run a sort of stereo set-up (say using a stereo DDL or chorus pedal) with a dry feed going to the TA-15 and a wet feed going to a powered cab or a second amp. This has PIA++ written all over it and mega overkill for playing bars! :lol:
Anyway, as much as I like the TA-15 and it's variety of great tones, the lack of an effects loop/reverb is starting to look like a deal breaker for me. Nonetheless, I stand by my previous praises of the TA-15's sounds across the board. You may find that in a live situation, and as I discovered last night, depending on the speaker one uses, that you might need to tweak levels between songs, for example, if you had been using the Tweed voicing on one song, but needed the Marshall voicing on the next one. Also, FWIW, to my ears, the Swamp Thang sounded pretty close to the EVM12L in my Thiele, but did not have the projected bottom end, which I chalk up to the properties of the Thiele cab design vs. a more traditional rectangular closed back cab.
For gigging, I picked up a used minty Express 5:50 head today at GC and plan to do some A-B comparisons with the TA before I decide whether or not to sell it (I can't keep both - the wife will divorce me or worse :twisted: :shock: ). For me, the Express is a practical middle ground (I have had one before). No, I do not have any delusions that it will give me the Top Boost Sparkle/Grit or the H1 Marshall vibe. If I need a Marshall sound that badly, I just bring my Monsta-Tone custom built 36 watt Plexi head and another cab (and catch Hell from my bandmates for bring too much gear to our gigs :lol: ).
Nonetheless, the TA-15 is a GREAT sounding little amp and the "grab and go" quality is perfect. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any other questions.
Matt
