Brett Garsed Discussion

chris_johnstone · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 185 Location: Canberra

Hey Brett,

just a question about that new Statesman amp you seem to be using. Is it just the combo you are playing?

And are you using the amp gain or still the tubezone?

Any mp3's?

cheers

Chris

bretto212 · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 265

I'm using the Quad EL 84 which is a 1x12 combo and is the only one in OZ at the moment. I think it sounds fantastic but I also can't wait to try out the 2x12 version. I think this is a great direction for Hughes & Kettner as they're pretty much pure tube amps with reverb.
I'm only using the amp sustain so I don't have to use the Tube Zone. No quality clips as yet.

chris_johnstone · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 185 Location: Canberra

It looks like a great amp, and yes, I thought you would just be using the amp gain.

Thanks Brett

Chris

MartinC · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Sydney

chris_johnstone · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 185 Location: Canberra

While were on the topic, if anyone is looking for a little practice amp which rocks check out their Edition Blue Series.

I bought the 15 watt as a portable amp for teaching. (it weighs about as much as a laptop) The built in amp distortion is really good and I haven't found an amp at that price range which is as good. (I paid $225)
I then ran all my pedals through it ( I use the TC electronics Vintage Distortion for my gain) and it blew me away!

I loved it so much I went out and got the 60 watt version today for a portable gigging amp too.

Ok, they aren't valve, but for the price you can't knock these little beauties.

cheers

Chris

bretto212 · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 265

I really like the Statesman amps. I'm not sure about the driver for the distortion but I don't use the boost switch on the amp at all as there's more than enough gain in the regular stage for me plus I don't like the tone when the boost is activated. That's just a personal preference however.
I'm hoping that H&K will be open to me giving them my opinion on the amps in regards to future models and mods. The combo is great and I used the 50 watt head/4x12 cab in LA recently and it sounded really good.

MartinC · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Sydney

Thanks Brett.

I did actually email Thomas Blug with the same question. I believe Thomas was demo'ing the Statesman amps at NAMM recently too.

Thomas told me that there is a solid state driver in the amp to produce some of the gain. I don't know the details, but the design approach was to create an amp using the classic set up of tube amp with a decent solid state driver in front of it as the model ... like Hendrix or Gilmour's approach.

Whatever they've done, it brings a grin to my face when I plug in ...

bretto212 · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 265

OK, that explains it. I still prefer to run the amp harder without the boost but I'm sure some interesting tones could be achieved by backing off the amp gain and employing the boost. I'll be doing quite a few live gigs during May here in Melbourne so I'll have a good chance to check out the subtleties of it all.
Glad you're happy with the amp, it's a quality piece of gear!

Sgt. Baker · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

Just out of curiosity: Have you ceased to use the Flexi at this point?
On your site the Flexi is still listed as your main amp.

bretto212 · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 265

I still use the Flexi and Bivalve a lot for recording. It's just that they don't have parallel fx loops so I couldn't use them live unless I took another amp along for the effects. I'm sure THD are such tone purists that this is what they intended and it's the best way to do it but I just can't lug all the extra gear around. The H&K has a great loop that can switch to either so it's much more convenient.
The HOT PLATE by THD is probably the most amazing thing I've owned in a long time!

Sgt. Baker · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

Thanks for the reply. I didn't know that you use many fx when playing live.

However, I like your tone very much on tjhelmerich@earthlink.net (the second track on the first uncle moe's album). There is a solo in there that starts at 5:00 that has a very hendrixy vibe to it. How did you achieve that sound?
Is that your tele and a univibe?

I like your guitar sound on the entire album very much. (I started listening to this album some days ago after a long time of not having listened to it. I like it better and better.)

bretto212 · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 265

That was my Strat and the Bogner with a Voodoo Labs "Micro Vibe" pedal. That's a really great pedal actually. It belonged to TJ although I did try to steal it!

Sgt. Baker · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 14