Non-keyboard amps used for your keyboard

[t9cstudio]

If you want to use the JC120 in true stereo, you'll have to run your kybd stereo outs into the L & R FX return jacks on the back. You won't be able to utilize the 2 front panel preamps in a stereo situation. Both preamps' outputs go to the chorus section whose output is stereo to the 2 power amps/speakers. Kinda weird, but it is what it is.

 

+1 for getting a used JC120.

Used to use if for my synth rig and it was loud and clean.

Would never use it for guitar though...

 

RE: What learjeff said, though, would it sound good with an Acoustic Piano sound? I was considering the Traynor but it's pricey, and I'm really happy with how my synths sound through my Hartke KM60 (really wonderful amp), so I'm thinking of trading up to a KM200. I figure maybe I'd use a JC-120 as a nice stereo amp for my piano/EP/organ type sounds, and the KM60 for all the synth stuff. Or am I crazy to want two amps on stage?

[andi85]

Again +1 on the JC120. I bought one for my Rhodes and love it. It's also well suited for Wurlitzer or sampled EP sounds, like my Nord Electro or my Yamaha CP5. APs kind of work, but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

Another nice-sounding amp is the Fender HotRod Deluxe. I know some hate it, however, with good tubes, adequate bias settings and a Jensen C12N I'm pretty satisfied. Best amp for Wurlitzer I've heard so far, obviously nice for overdriven Rhodes, and also EP samples work. For APs pretty much impossible :-)

[bloodyMary]

Again +1 on the JC120. I bought one for my Rhodes and love it. It's also well suited for Wurlitzer or sampled EP sounds, like my Nord Electro or my Yamaha CP5. APs kind of work, but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

Another nice-sounding amp is the Fender HotRod Deluxe. I know some hate it, however, with good tubes, adequate bias settings and a Jensen C12N I'm pretty satisfied. Best amp for Wurlitzer I've heard so far, obviously nice for overdriven Rhodes, and also EP samples work. For APs pretty much impossible :-)

 

I ran through a tube Deluxe once, and kinda liked the upright piano samples through it. Gave it a nice rock vice, worked really well on some punchy uptempo tunes. Not good for hi-fi piano you'd want on ballads, obviously.

 

[andi85]

Cool, maybe I should give it another try :-)

[JeffLearman]

Another nice-sounding amp is the Fender HotRod Deluxe. I know some hate it, however, with good tubes, adequate bias settings and a Jensen C12N I'm pretty satisfied. Best amp for Wurlitzer I've heard so far, obviously nice for overdriven Rhodes, and also EP samples work. For APs pretty much impossible :-)

I have a Blues Deluxe and my Rhodes sounds great through it. I tried a Blues Jr and it just doesn't work for the Rhodes. I think it needs a 12" speaker.

 

The Blues Deluxe is nearly identical to the Hot Rod Deluxe, but biased differently for a smoother breakup. I had a HRD that was stolen and replaced it with the BD. At first I missed the HRD, but later came to prefer the BD (probably because I don't play with much distortion any more anyway).

 

When using the Rhodes I always use the clean channel, and I don't know if there's any difference between BD and HRD when using only clean channel. They sound pretty much the same to me.

 

I stand by my statement that I wouldn't want to use a JC-120 (or any guitar or bass amp) for piano.

[jeff7b9]

Rhodes 54 key + Fender Twin Reverb with vibrato was AMAZING!!!

[andi85]

The Blues Deluxe is nearly identical to the Hot Rod Deluxe, but biased differently for a smoother breakup. I had a HRD that was stolen and replaced it with the BD. At first I missed the HRD, but later came to prefer the BD (probably because I don't play with much distortion any more anyway).

The nicest overdriven sound I ever heard from my HRD was when I rented the stuff out for a Pee Wee Ellis show. They ran a pretty enormous volume on stage, so the HRD was turned up to 7 with the Rhodes almost at max either. It sounded like icecream melting in the sun

 

I stand by my statement that I wouldn't want to use a JC-120 (or any guitar or bass amp) for piano.

Usually I'm on the piano as a jazz pianist, so I wouldn't do any of that sort either. However, for an effect it might be cool.

[The Real MC]

Rhodes 54 key + Fender Twin Reverb with vibrato was AMAZING!!!

 

When I got my silvertop Rhodes I wanted to try other amps. I didn't have a Twin Reverb but I did have something close:

 

http://www.retrosynth.com/~analoguediehard/studio/guitars/selmer_truvoice-zodiac-twin-thirty/selmer-truvoice-zodiac-twin-thirty-stock-side.jpg

 

This is a vintage 1960s british tube amp - Selmer Twin Thirty - that I found for a bargain before I got the silvertop. I had been playing guitar through it, but I *LOVE* the tone of the rhodes through this thing. It's a measly 30 watt amp and you can only go up about halfway before the onset of distortion but the volume is plenty loud enough with small groups or for home playing (thanks to its efficient celestion alnico speakers).

 

It's a two channel amp - channel one is full range while channel two has selector switches for all kinds of tone variation. I borrowed a trick from guitar players and bridged the two channels, and with some experimentation with the selector switches I landed a great tone. I especially like the way that vacuum tubes color the sound, and this Selmer also has a tube rectifier in the power supply that has an inherent "sag" under sudden increases in demand of power current which adds a nice "punch" when I play hard on the Rhodes.

[Franz Schiller]

I have a Blues Deluxe and my Rhodes sounds great through it. I tried a Blues Jr and it just doesn't work for the Rhodes. I think it needs a 12" speaker.

 

Actually, the Blues Jr. does have a 12" speaker, but the amp is a meager 15 watts. I think it doesn't work because its both underpowered, and it reaches speaker distortion too fast.

 

A few years ago, Fender made an interesting variation of the Twin, called the Fender Twin Custom '65 (i think). It's just a so-called twin, but with a single 15" speaker.

 

I got one of those used...it absolutely RULES. I've mostly run my organs through it, but when I used to have an OB8, it sounded amazing. It's big enough to handle most low frequencies, and loud enough not to clip too early (as opposed to a Blues Deluxe which I used to use).

[Ken Beaumont]

I have a Blues Jr, its a wonderful little amp when mic'd. And can get quite loud for 15 watts! I played a Rhodes patch through it a couple of times and found that I had to really pay attention to the level going into it.

[Mr. Nightime]

Way back when I had my Rhodes, I ran it through a Fender Bassman 50 with a 2-15 cabinet loaded with Eminence speakers. The amp was given to me because it sounded like hell. Turns out the guy had replaced the speakers and wired them out-of-phase. I fixed the phase issue, and had a sweet amp

 

Then I exchanged the Rhodes for a Yamaha CP-70B. After a while I changed amps, needing more power. I went with a Fender Super Twin with 2-12 JBLs. This worked really well with the CP-70B, giving it a nice tube warmth. I updated the 6L6 power tubes with 5881. Gave it a bit more warmth, and more output. Thing had 6 power tubes. With 180 watts, it was very clean.

 

I went from that to a Peavey KB 300. My first ever dedicated KB amp. Loud and clean.

 

Then came the Crown D-150 in mono into an EV S15-3. That was my favorite combination for a long while.

 

I kept the Crown for a long time until it finally died. At the time I was into stereo PA set up, and I've had PA setup ever since.

 

My amp setup's gotten smaller and louder as I get older. Next gig I'm only bringing 2 boards and plugging them both directly into my K-10. Won't need the board or the Pro3 as I should get the Vent tomorrow. I'll bring the Mackie just in case, but I don't think I'll need it

 

 

 

[stepay]

UPDATE: Seems my Sumo just had a bad connector (Channel 3). I moved the input to Channel 4, and the thing is putting out some really nice sound. Not sure how I didn't notice this before. Anyway, it's still big an ugly, but it's doing what I want, so I'll keep it for now.

[andi85]

That's the easiest and cheapest solution. Happy to hear that!

[JeffLearman]

Tubes are like rose colored glasses. :-)

[RABid]

I have a bass cabinet/head combination that I would like to try in a live situation and see how it compares to my JBL Eons. Genz Benz Uber Quad cabinet and Genz Benz ShuttleMax 9.2 head.

 

The worst thing I ever played through was a set of JBL monitors back in the early 80's. No bottom end at all.

[Seannn]

Parts of this sound really good to me:

 

[video:youtube]pXa3BVZVFdg&feature=related

 

Unfortunately used JC-120s have vanished from the local classifieds, so I'd have to post an ad for one.

 

Anyone familiar with Hartke amps? I love my Hartke KM60 and was thinking of getting the KM200. It's less expensive than the K4 (I don't really need the tube option anymore), and if the KM200 is anything like my KM60, the synths will sound great.

 

A Juno-60 through a KC monitor sounds terrible--it's a sad affair. A Juno-60 dry sounds alright, but a Juno-60 through a KM60, man--there's some colour there.

[hoggernick]

I've been using a Behringer b205d lately, but it's just not loud enough with acoustic drums and a guitar amp on stage competing with it. It's a very versatile monitor though. I love that it mounts on a mic stand.

 

I'm thinking of getting a Simmons Drum Amp. I really like its floor monitor format, and it's stereo! Anybody tried keys through one? I mostly play organ (vb3), EP (vintage vibe), and clav (soft synth) live, and an occasional bright roland piano patch.

[NYKeys]

Hey Steve - you might want to head up to Guitar Center, They had 2 Powered mackies in the PA room.

 

Plus they are running this special for the weekend

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used-Gear-Expo-2012-g26439t0.gc

 

 

 

[bourniplus]

Unfortunately used JC-120s have vanished from the local classifieds, so I'd have to post an ad for one.

Have you looked for JC-77s? (or JC-90) Not as loud and only 2 10 inch speakers, but way more portable than a 120. If the rhodes didn't sound so good through it, I'd sell you mine! (a JC77)

[David Loving]

Stepay - I have a couple of Sumo300s. Good sound and dsp. And they have wheels! Sorry you had trouble with yours, but a connection is easily fixed.

[hamer12string]

I was interested to see the guitar amps mentioned in this thread.

 

I'd recently stumbled across a Music Man RD50 combo that I purchased which is 50W and has a 12". It's pretty light and to my ears it sounds great with organ/clav/synth sounds.

 

I use it quite a bit now since alot of my gigs aren't really piano oriented.

 

I get asked about it alot. By guitar players. Who want to buy it. Apparently I really lucked out when I found it.

[hoggernick]

I went ahead and got that Simmons drum amp. I think it's going to work GREAT. Very loud, clear, stereo, small wedge format, inexpensive, and it's got XLR outs so no more need for direct boxes. The most surprising thing about it is that it's solving a problem that I've had a hell of a time finding a solution for - an amp that lets me send my mix to the house board, and lets me get a monitor signal back from the house board with vocals, yet doesn't send that monitor signal back to the house board. This amp has a line in that doesn't get sent to the XLR outs. It has no volume control for that input, but I have fashioned an outboard passive volume box that fixes that, sounds fine. So, after five recent keyboard monitor solution attempts, this drum amp is finally the one that does everything I've wanted.

[VLH]

I use a fishman soloamp with my keyboard.

[stillplaying]

I use a fishman soloamp with my keyboard.

 

Very interested - solo or in a band/ensemble?

[drawback]

I used an AER Domino for years and loved it, although it wasn't good for putting out volume from the stage, the fidelity was clean, flat and perfect for keyboards. I sold it to buy a QSC K10 after succumbing to forum frenzy, and after two gigs, I dumped it. Sure it's loud, but clumsy sounding (and clumsy loading, plus I HATE wedge monitoring 'cause I don't like the throw distance).

 

Recently I tried out and purchased a Roland SA-300. I must say, it's a fantastic little amp (or portable PA) and is perfect for my needs. I can run stereo up top, and there's tons of bass from a lightweight 12.

 

They're pricey, but lots of features come with it. The SA300 I think has been replaced by an SA1000 which doesn't have the PA functions such as phantom power, that I'm occasionally in need of.

 

Highly recommended for those who like almost hi-fi stage sound for themselves, while sending a mixed signal out to FOH, or simply on a club stage by itself.

 

In hindsight I should have kept the Domino, run a powered 12" sub. Heaven.

 

 

 

 

[MonksDream]

Hey drawback - where did you find the SA-300? I've been wanting to try one of those for years! Never could find one locally though.

[AnotherScott]

I like the SA300 for its terrific ergonomics and some nice features. Sound isn't bad, but not great either, not nearly as neutral as the EV ZXa1. Though I'm surprised that Drawback found the QSC to not sound as good as the Roland either. I never A/B'd them but I would have expected the QSC to sound as good or better, interesting.

 

Other limitations of the Roland are a constant hiss, and so-so bass... although it may go a little deeper at quiet levels, you can't really push it, so I found that, practically speaking, I got more bass out of the EV's 8' than the Roland's 12" as well. The Roland's built-in mixer is convenient and well placed, though I wish it had separate EQ on each channel (even if it was just bass and treble). The "wide" feature to increase the stereo effect and make the sound appear as if its coming from outside the box is very cool, but is unfortunately global. The organ sounds great with Wide switched on, but the piano sounds bad (and vocals become more prone to feedback), so I ended up not using it. Too bad you can't enable it on just some channels.

 

I have considered bringing one around just for organ (and maybe other non-piano sounds), but as often happens with me, it seems like a better idea until I'm loading up on the day of the gig and I look at it and say, "do I really need to bring that?"

 

 

[VLH]

I use a fishman soloamp with my keyboard.

 

Very interested - solo or in a band/ensemble?

 

I use it in a trio setting with no problems, indoors or out. I use it for keyboard and for amplified vibraphone. It has also doubled as a PA for a vocalist. The sound is clean. It has antifeedback for mic situations, good reverb, and hi/mid/lo filters. But I play jazz and don't seek to be loud. May be different if you are into a music that needs to be loud. I was able to pick mine up inexpensively after it had sat at a consignment shop for some months. Today, I would probably pick an ev-zxa1. They weren't available at the time.

[stillplaying]

Thanks for posting. Currently working on the Folk scene (quiet) and with function bands (loudish pop but not rock). Looking at that EV you mentioned, the Fishman and the Bose L1 Compact.

[JeffLearman]

I found that, practically speaking, I got more bass out of the EV's 8' than the Roland's 12" as well.

Yeah, but it's a bitch trying to fit an 8 foot cabinet in the minivan!

 

VLH, vibes has to be a very demanding application, unless the you don't need the attack to come through (relying on instrument itself for that). I heard a Peter Appleyard direct-to-disc half-speed mastered album through my Klipsch Heresies, which is the closest I've ever heard a recording sound to the real thing. Ain't nothin quite like it.