So I was digging through some of the crap I still have.... one thing in the pile is the Boss Tube Amp Expander. I bought it and used it with my Marshalls (800, Jube) and it was pretty cool especially for the 800.
I think my original intent was to get a plexi but I bailed because of some threads I read about it having impedance issues depending on the resonance settings (I think it might have been on the gear page ) - some dudes amps were blowing up?
Anyone know any more about this? In the short time I was using it didn't see anything weird but I didn't run a NMV amp through it.
I read about this issue before, I think the consensus is if you keep the load controls at their lowest settings, it's 100% safe to use with anything.
The higher load settings caused issues with some amps. But it's still very rare. Boss sold tens of thousands of these units and they were like 5 reports of problems.
So it's not a big deal, you know how the Internet can be dramatic at times.
That said, I much prefer the Fryette Power Station for this application. Having the tube power section makes a good difference in the response of the rig.
I use a Power Station with my '77 Super Lead and it's great. But it's a bit of a convoluted rig to use live, since it's effectively gigging with 2 amp heads, with all that comes with it, extra cables and tubes to worry about, more time to setup and tear down etc so at the end of the day, I just play most shows with the DSL, which is much simpler.
That sounds about right - I think dudes like Pete Thorn and John Suhr even weighed in (and Pete was using one IIRC).
And I totally agree on convoluted - I used to run so much tech when I was using MIDI + JVM + 4CM that adding in one more thing kind of broke my brain lol. I was close to moving to a helix floor and power cab as I was convinced it was simpler ....
So I got a chance to hook it up and try it out with my Dirty Shirley and Jube. It works lol - kept it on Lo Resonance and didnt notice anything weird. Neither amp really needs it as both have loops and decent master volume. I was going to try the whole IR thing/etc but my buzz kicked in lol
Guitarbilly wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:29 pm
How do you compare the tone from the TAE vs the amps? Is it transparent? Any SS feel?
It was definitely not transparent, but sounded good. Almost like it had low and high pass filters on it and that was without the eq engaged (I did use the loop). Totally useable and most of what was cut out would get cut out anyway if it were mixed.
The Fryette Power Station is one of the coolest pieces of gear I've tried. Billy introduced me to it up in Baltimore and each time I try it again I want one more haha
I've been using my Two Notes Captor for similar purposes, except with only monitoring through my DAW/IRs. Load boxes and NMW Marshalls are a match made in heaven.
1/1 Update - tried the Tube Amp Expander again and it's not working. Left it on top of the jube / same setup - no sound. Turned everything off quickly and removed it from the chain. Amp is fine. Tried it on my Dirty Shirley - same thing.
No clue what is wrong with it but I'm not fucking with it any more.
If I do get a plexi or something I will research getting it fixed or switching to a power station.
Sizzler wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2025 4:13 pm
1/1 Update - tried the Tube Amp Expander again and it's not working. Left it on top of the jube / same setup - no sound. Turned everything off quickly and removed it from the chain. Amp is fine. Tried it on my Dirty Shirley - same thing.
No clue what is wrong with it but I'm not fucking with it any more.
If I do get a plexi or something I will research getting it fixed or switching to a power station.
PS2 is the answer along with a Palmer PDI-03 and 09 run in series(amp>09>03) and layered as one track. Send either the 03 or 09 output through a HD-90 for post FX and bask in the glory.
) - some dudes amps were blowing up?
