BWM "Chimp" tube amp

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Ron Vogel
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2009/03/17 10:11:29 (permalink)

BWM "Chimp" tube amp

Anybody use these, or heard of them? Sounds promising, but I have a hard time buying an amp from across the world w/o hearing it in person, or a qulified reccomendation!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250388371762
Seems ebay is the only place to buy them, but their feedback is very good.

I'm stuck in the past, but my foot's tapping forward 
Ron Vogel Soundclick page
#1

10 Replies Related Threads

    newfuturevintage
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/17 20:45:53 (permalink)
    they look pretty cool...no experience with them though.

    I'd make sure they have a 117 volt version before ordering.

    My inner child is an angry drunk.
    #2
    Guitarhacker
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/17 21:39:07 (permalink)
    Ron.... why would you want an amp you haven't heard..... that's a crapshoot. Unless I could hear one at a store somewhere, I'd shy away from it...... unless you want to take the chance.

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    #3
    Ron Vogel
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/17 21:49:27 (permalink)
    Yeah, after trying out an orange (what I though this would be comarable to) I would run far away from it.

    However, I'm still intersted in hearing about it.

    I'm stuck in the past, but my foot's tapping forward 
    Ron Vogel Soundclick page
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    Ron Vogel
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/18 20:23:18 (permalink)
    I posted this elsewhere, but I checked out a Princeton reverb today...and I'm set on that. It is exactly the sound I'm looking for. Although I tried the recording version out, Im probably getting either an older one, or a '65 reissue. The recording stuff sucked the tone and brilliance out of it, but it can be bypassed. No real reason to spend the extra dough on stuff that'll never get used.

    I tried out a champ 600 (new one) right after the Princeton and it was no contest. The champ sounded like crap after hearing the Princeton.

    I'm stuck in the past, but my foot's tapping forward 
    Ron Vogel Soundclick page
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    droddey
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/19 19:35:42 (permalink)
    If you are looking for that classic Champ/Princeton type vibe, definitely check out the Emery Microbaby or Superbaby, depending on whether you want veyr low wattage for home/apartment or something with more oomph. It's a great amp with a great sound, and very flexible since you can swap tubes easily. I have the Microbaby and love it. It's vintage amp tone world definitely.

    BTW, if you sold that amp, would that make you a Chimp Pimp?
    post edited by droddey - 2009/03/19 19:42:58

    Dean Roddey
    Chairman/CTO, Charmed Quark Systems
    www.charmedquark.com
    #6
    Ron Vogel
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/19 21:19:54 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: droddey

    If you are looking for that classic Champ/Princeton type vibe, definitely check out the Emery Microbaby or Superbaby, depending on whether you want veyr low wattage for home/apartment or something with more oomph. It's a great amp with a great sound, and very flexible since you can swap tubes easily. I have the Microbaby and love it. It's vintage amp tone world definitely.

    BTW, if you sold that amp, would that make you a Chimp Pimp?


    lol

    I can only dream of affording the Emory! I have to sell both my amps to afford a new one. I love (and I really mean it) my Supro 1606, but I want a Princeton enough that I'm selling it also. A local amp builder has a killer modded Princeton I'm probably checking out this weekend (This is a top-notch custom), he wanted $900, but said he'd let it go for $750...and there are 2 local Princeton recording amps for $600...and a silverface mid '70s for $550 cash. I'm leaning towards the custom build, but for resale, may do the Silverface and eventually swap in a 12" and do the Torres blackface mods.

    If I can talk down the Recording models to the lower $500's then they'd be contenders, but unfortunately they aren't moddible like the originals.

    (you may be able to tell I've been researching this far too much)

    I'm stuck in the past, but my foot's tapping forward 
    Ron Vogel Soundclick page
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    droddey
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/19 22:40:36 (permalink)
    The open chassis Microbaby or Superbaby is only $695. Keep the current amp and use the speaker/cab for both of them for the meantime. I got the open chassis one and it's nice like that. Very small and unobtrusive. Another $50 to $100 later down the line, to put a Weber speaker in there, and you're set.

    Or sell both, buy the Micro/SuperBaby. Pick up a used empty 1x12 cab for a few bucks, and put a Weber in it. That's a smoking nice setup, and all new and fully warranted and whatnot, and probably could be done for around $825.
    post edited by droddey - 2009/03/19 22:50:02

    Dean Roddey
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    www.charmedquark.com
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    edentowers
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/20 04:08:55 (permalink)
    If I based my decision on the videos from that ebay link there is no way those guys would get AUS$399 from me.

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    #9
    Ron Vogel
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/20 11:04:30 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: edentowers

    If I based my decision on the videos from that ebay link there is no way those guys would get AUS$399 from me.

    Exactly, however the feedback is glowing. Looks a lot more versitile than a new champ, and cheaper.

    However, I am learning the ins and outs of anntenuators...and they are more or less gimmicks. Yeah, you can crank up the gain with an anntenuator, but it kills tone and sensitivity. If they used a mass driver anttenuator, that would be a different story. I can tell a lot from the vids, but the most important clean tones aren't shown at all.

    I'm stuck in the past, but my foot's tapping forward 
    Ron Vogel Soundclick page
    #10
    droddey
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    RE: BWM "Chimp" tube amp 2009/03/20 14:14:43 (permalink)
    The Weber MiniMASS is pretty dang good. I'm using one with the Microbaby. I can get actually quite nice tones with it cranked all the way down (which is good since even a 1 watter is way too loud in an apartment for night time recording at anything more.) I'm in the processing of putting together an ISO cab (a large one so it won't be too problematic hopefully), not because I can't get good tones but because I can't get good levels into the analog input chain at those volumes unless the mics are jammed right up against the grill, which doesnt' always give me the tone I want.

    I'll still use the attenuator sometimes, if for no other reason than to work on mic placement before I close the iso cab up. And probably when recording bass through the amp so as not to push the speaker too hard while cranking the amp up for some nice grunge.

    Dean Roddey
    Chairman/CTO, Charmed Quark Systems
    www.charmedquark.com
    #11
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