Ruddiger
02-03-2008, 11:02 PM
Hi,
I would have posted this in the Gear Review section however I do not have the permissions to do so as of yet.
I have attached a excerpt from an email I recently sent to Member 'Wild Bill' of Busen Amps regarding my 2203.
A brief background of my situation;
I traded a brand new Marshall TSL 2 years ago for my current 2203 because I was dissatisfied with the overall lack of tone in the amp. It just wasn't what I was after. I purchased the TSL brand new, played and experimented with it constantly for aprox. 2 1/2 years before making the decision to sell it.
The 2203 was a great improvement towards the sound I was after although I felt that it could have used a bit more 'built-in gain' as opposed to using a boost pedal. It soon found it's way on a 'competent' tech's bench in Oakville Ont. where after much email correspondence & lengthy conversations, I felt the tech really knew what I was after. After all, apparently it's a 'refreshing joy to work on these amps'...
I got the amp back and put it to the test.
What I wanted was a straight up, pure rock amp with a bit added gain and to have it a bit less bright. What I now owned was a Death Metal machine that had way too much of everything which made it a struggle to play through. I mean, no offense to anyone reading, but I personally don't listen to death metal. The tech said it was no problem to 'try' again and long story short, stopped returning my calls.
I was given Bill's number from a satisfied customer so I called.
I explained the situation, asked him some questions. He listened & asked questions of his own and took the time to explained things on a level that he knew I would understand which I appreciated. (I'm capable of swapping pre amp tubes and speakers at this point so admittedly, I'm still learning and am thirsty for knowledge/guidance).
Not only did Bill have to 'de-modify' the amp, but then 're-modify' it to suit my tastes. By no means am I the type of person that was asking to have my 2203 sound like a; Soldano, Dual Rectifier, Dumble, Trainwreck, insert name of other amp here...Let me be clear that I wanted my Marshall to sound like a Marshall.
So I got my amp back about two weeks ago and have been subjecting it to fierce levels of volume and hours of playing/experimenting since then...so I decided to write Bill an email - here is a portion that I'm posting for all to view;
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Bill,
I thought it would be a good time to send over a thorough review of my amp now that I've had it for a few weeks and really experimented with it up to pretty much full throttle.
First off; I realize that the following is everything you already know all too well. But I've written it anyway as I thought it may be nice to hear from a client.
So the amp is ridiculously loud. I realize that that was possibly the stupidest statement anyone has ever written you but it seems louder now. I'm actually scared of it!
Anyway; as I mentioned over the phone, it's dead quiet when I'm not playing and when I hit a power chord, it roars to life as if every note is an explosion. Each note is clear & defined. To say the gain is 'crunchy' is an understatement. It's boarder line crushing. It crackles with attitude as well. I love it.
When I roll back the volume on the guitar, I can let as much breakup bleed through to get some beautiful sounds. I suppose I was most impressed with how clean it can get while retaining actual volume. Very useful indeed. I roll the pot the opposite way and the fire breather is right there again. I'm simply in awe of this.
The low input. I can't tell you how surprised I am with this. How much fun is this?! Beautiful tones! Clean, chimey, and more! Some swampy, dirty blues sounds here. I now have it all.
The amp has this very musical sort of under lying blooming harmonic about it. I've heard it on many CD's but have never been able to capture it with any of my amps. I really think that was the one main detail I wanted from the amp.
I can say that it is what I was hoping for & much more. It's very evil and I love it. It's so much fun to play! I mean, I plug in and then five minutes later, an hour has passed. You really were the right person for this project without a doubt. I'm so impressed and will tell everyone I know that I have the phone number to the best Amp tech - who happens to be a great guy to just sit and talk with above all.
I hope all is well. & thanks so much again!
A new fan,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's very true. The amp is killer. The sound is ferocious & clear. I'll try to record a few samples and post them as well but for now all I wanted is for anyone who took the time to read this to know; Mr. Wild Bill of Busen Amps handed me an amp that kicks my ass every time I play through it. He cleaned up the previous abortion and I'm a very happy man. His lack of ego and genuine desire to help others is so refreshing to say the least. A talented, knowledgeable & experienced tech who happens to love Marshall's to top it off. He just may be the best secret weapon I've found.
Thanks for reading.
I would have posted this in the Gear Review section however I do not have the permissions to do so as of yet.
I have attached a excerpt from an email I recently sent to Member 'Wild Bill' of Busen Amps regarding my 2203.
A brief background of my situation;
I traded a brand new Marshall TSL 2 years ago for my current 2203 because I was dissatisfied with the overall lack of tone in the amp. It just wasn't what I was after. I purchased the TSL brand new, played and experimented with it constantly for aprox. 2 1/2 years before making the decision to sell it.
The 2203 was a great improvement towards the sound I was after although I felt that it could have used a bit more 'built-in gain' as opposed to using a boost pedal. It soon found it's way on a 'competent' tech's bench in Oakville Ont. where after much email correspondence & lengthy conversations, I felt the tech really knew what I was after. After all, apparently it's a 'refreshing joy to work on these amps'...
I got the amp back and put it to the test.
What I wanted was a straight up, pure rock amp with a bit added gain and to have it a bit less bright. What I now owned was a Death Metal machine that had way too much of everything which made it a struggle to play through. I mean, no offense to anyone reading, but I personally don't listen to death metal. The tech said it was no problem to 'try' again and long story short, stopped returning my calls.
I was given Bill's number from a satisfied customer so I called.
I explained the situation, asked him some questions. He listened & asked questions of his own and took the time to explained things on a level that he knew I would understand which I appreciated. (I'm capable of swapping pre amp tubes and speakers at this point so admittedly, I'm still learning and am thirsty for knowledge/guidance).
Not only did Bill have to 'de-modify' the amp, but then 're-modify' it to suit my tastes. By no means am I the type of person that was asking to have my 2203 sound like a; Soldano, Dual Rectifier, Dumble, Trainwreck, insert name of other amp here...Let me be clear that I wanted my Marshall to sound like a Marshall.
So I got my amp back about two weeks ago and have been subjecting it to fierce levels of volume and hours of playing/experimenting since then...so I decided to write Bill an email - here is a portion that I'm posting for all to view;
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Bill,
I thought it would be a good time to send over a thorough review of my amp now that I've had it for a few weeks and really experimented with it up to pretty much full throttle.
First off; I realize that the following is everything you already know all too well. But I've written it anyway as I thought it may be nice to hear from a client.
So the amp is ridiculously loud. I realize that that was possibly the stupidest statement anyone has ever written you but it seems louder now. I'm actually scared of it!
Anyway; as I mentioned over the phone, it's dead quiet when I'm not playing and when I hit a power chord, it roars to life as if every note is an explosion. Each note is clear & defined. To say the gain is 'crunchy' is an understatement. It's boarder line crushing. It crackles with attitude as well. I love it.
When I roll back the volume on the guitar, I can let as much breakup bleed through to get some beautiful sounds. I suppose I was most impressed with how clean it can get while retaining actual volume. Very useful indeed. I roll the pot the opposite way and the fire breather is right there again. I'm simply in awe of this.
The low input. I can't tell you how surprised I am with this. How much fun is this?! Beautiful tones! Clean, chimey, and more! Some swampy, dirty blues sounds here. I now have it all.
The amp has this very musical sort of under lying blooming harmonic about it. I've heard it on many CD's but have never been able to capture it with any of my amps. I really think that was the one main detail I wanted from the amp.
I can say that it is what I was hoping for & much more. It's very evil and I love it. It's so much fun to play! I mean, I plug in and then five minutes later, an hour has passed. You really were the right person for this project without a doubt. I'm so impressed and will tell everyone I know that I have the phone number to the best Amp tech - who happens to be a great guy to just sit and talk with above all.
I hope all is well. & thanks so much again!
A new fan,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's very true. The amp is killer. The sound is ferocious & clear. I'll try to record a few samples and post them as well but for now all I wanted is for anyone who took the time to read this to know; Mr. Wild Bill of Busen Amps handed me an amp that kicks my ass every time I play through it. He cleaned up the previous abortion and I'm a very happy man. His lack of ego and genuine desire to help others is so refreshing to say the least. A talented, knowledgeable & experienced tech who happens to love Marshall's to top it off. He just may be the best secret weapon I've found.
Thanks for reading.