Steve, I can’t get over the tone you’re getting with the goldtop. I like it more than you’re other humbucker related tones that you get from the Explorer and Walkers. My favorite tones are coming from your Jerry-related Instagram video. It looks like you’re using a brownface pro, some combo of 2×12 or 2×15 cab with Jbl’s, and chassis that looks mysterious. Can you provide some insight into how you’re running the Goldtop in those videos? The rainbow cadillac video tone is incredible too. Who woulda thunk that my favorite sounds from you recently have come from a Les Paul (an instrument that I usually shun). I will say that I picked up a Tokai Les Paul from 1980 or so, and it is definitely a keeper. Just wish the pups weren’t as hot. Thanks as always, and your insights make my day. Thanks continuing to play beautiful music to the world.
-Sam
Wyoming
Samuel, WY
I share your feelings about the Les Paul, it’s charmed. .
The mystery amp you’re referring to is a Magnatone TC1 chassis on top of a 2×15 JBL D130 cab.
TC1 is an all tube, stereo, pitch shifting tremolo Leslie simulator keyboard amp from the 50’s.
I use those things a lot, I have three, they’re not easy to get running, but once they’re up they tend to keep going.
Maybe 20 watts a side, not enough to gig with on it’s own, but enough to provide beautiful modulation in the mix with another amp.
I carried one for a long time with SKB, and still occasionally take one out.
I just found another in the original cab that I’ll keep in the studio, save the 2×15 for the stage.
For analog modulation it’s the next best thing to an actual rotating speaker to my ear.
Anyway, Magnatone TC1. Pain in the ass, but a very special amp if you can find one and get it working for guitar.
Regarding “how-to” with the amps for me these days, it’s mostly a pair of Fenders with a couple pedals in front.
Occasionally there’s a Magnatone or an old movie projector amp along with a primary Fender, and occasionally it’s just a single amp dry.
Typically it’s Guitar – tuner – RV2 – Stereo Wet L/R outputs to Brown Pro and BF Bandmaster.
If I need fuzz I plug it in after the tuner.
If I’m not in the mood to look at a tuner I skip it and go straight to RV2, and if I’m using a Fender Reverb amp sometimes I just use the spring.
There’s very little modern or fancy about it.
My cousin Kenny told me when I was just a kid, the way you get a good a guitar sound is plug a Gibson guitar into a Fender amp.
He was right and that’s his old goldtop too.
Thank you Steve