[GuitaristZ]

http://visualsound.net/Amps_wh.htm

it has a hubcab like thing that disperses the sound...and im sure it works because well known guitarists even say it works.

it is so easy to bias, a 4 year old could do it.
All you have to do is turn the little screws with the provided screwdriver until the LED's turn a certain color...so easy.
heres a pic:

Also, "Workhorse amps come with 6L6 power tubes stock as we felt that they were the best fit for a single channel clean tube amp. However, if you prefer EL34 power tubes, no problem. Under the chassis is a tube selector switch that you can set for 6L6, 6L6 Hot, EL34, or EL34 Hot. Just install your tubes, set the selector switch, and bias the tubes yourself with the easy user-biasing system on all Workhorse amps."

The amp even has a line out so you could connect it to anything you want...a PA system, computer, or recording equipment.

It even has a 9volt output to power your chain of pedals...now that is INNOVATION!!!

The amp also comes with a sweet cover and has nice celestions speakers.

I just thought I would share this with you as I discovered these amps when I bought my jekyll and hyde overdrive from the same company and I like it a lot.

 

[nine]

Those silly looking hubcap things seem pretty gimmicky, but I suppose that if the amp sounds good, then it's a great idea. They're not that dissimilar to those Weber Beam Blocker things you can buy. Looks to me, however, that they're just trying to market the amp to all of those OCC and car tuning kids that love to monkey with things. If they were really smart, they'd sell different speaker hubcap covers. With the spiderman logo or the biohazard logo and stuff so that people could customize thier amp to suit their personality. Did I just break anyone's sarcasm meter with those last few sentences? Haha.

I do like the 9v output for pedals, el34 or 6l6 swappability and easy biasing features but time will tell whether any of these things will really attract buyers. I have my doubts.

 

[Guest]

The hubcap thing is based around the old put-your-case-in-front-of-your-amp idea so there's some science and truth to the idea. In theory it helps diffuse the higher frequencies so you don't get this narrow wave of high frequency sound shooting straight out of the amp and at your bass player's head.

I've tried the Pony and it was very flat. Apparently it's designed to be that way. This is not an amp you use without a flurry of pedals in front of it. It's an amp you use to recreate the sound of your pedals. Even when pushed to overdrive the power tubes it was just awful. With the Route 66 it was pretty decent. It is very expensive for a one channel amp that you can't use without some sort of pedal/preamp in front of it. IIRC it was around $800 USD. The Stallion was about $1300 USD. That's a lotta scratch for an amp that does nothing without some supporting products. I do think you got a free Jekyll & Hyde pedal with it though.

 

[torndownunit]

Ya that is pretty much exactly how they advertise it. Strange marketing gimmick, but then again I don't really use pedals. To someone who does it might seem like a fantastic idea.

I read about them in a guitar mag and was interested. I was shocked when I found out the price. The way they market it you would figure it would be a little more affordable.

It does come with a Jeckyl and Hyde as mentioned.

 

[acdc54_caddy62]

Seen those in a Guitar One or Guitar World mag, they looked kool and all until I looked on ebay at one for the since 12'' the BIN was 899 and the 2x12 was probley over a grand

 

[GuitaristZ]

that is too expensive for what you are getting....A person could get a lot better amp for that price. The jekyll hyde pedal is good though, and is worth about 170 easily in Canada.

 

[lenbone]

hub caps

They look like rather Large Subs,Something you see in the trunk of a car on "Overhaulin" But I should not be a "Deaf Critic" I should first try one out myself before I stick my BIG Foot in my mouth! .....whatever ...........

 

[Robboman]

Anyone else tried one?

Not so interested in the amp itself, but how well the 'hubcap' thing works. It seems like a great idea, even if it does look funny.

http://visualsound.net/Amps_TH.htm

I haven't tried the Weber beam blockers either,

http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?storycode=11734

but this dispersion issue has been a bit of a problem on ALL amps IMO. It's not a new idea, some guys used to just stick gaff tape right on the grill cloth around the center of the cones as a means of dealing with the same issue. I think that's what led Weber to the Beam Blocker, which is really just a speaker dustcap mounted to a flat bar that you put between the speaker and baffle.

Now the VS hubcap seems like it might work even better, they might really be onto something there.

 

[Hamm Guitars]

Tape something to the grill cloth on the front of your speaker cabinet. Higher frequencies emminate from the center of the cone of the speaker and blocking their direct path changes the sound of a speaker cabinet drastically.

Different PA Mid boxes have been using 'phasing plugs' for years as this has long been known to soften up and mellow out the upper mid range.