Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Its all in the fingers, or is it?

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Molly
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Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Molly »

Hadn't played through the TopHat in over a week, maybe two but having packed the Splawn down I needed something to noodle through. Put the EJ Strat through it and some John Mayer on to play along with. Sat at 45 degrees to the amp with the open back facing into a corner and put everything on exactly half except the reverb (louder it gets, the less you seem to need). Preamp was on full. Dear Lord what a beautiful sound.... I thought: "Do I really need any more than this?" It was perfect for the bluesey stuff I was noodling along with.

Still way too loud for home but seemingly earlier break-up than before (maybe I'm going deaf). I turned it up louder but right near the top end the overdrive detracts somehow. It was nicer back on half. I could play delicately or smack it and get that nice, dynamic thing going on. Would've loved to have a good clean boost to try it with.

I still think the Mk.V (which from memory has a stunning clean) will win in the practicality / Swiss Army knife stakes but it was so nice to not view the TopHat as some sort of millstone. I'd honestly be happy to keep it. Put the new Hot Rod Tele through it. Hand on heart, I miss my Nocaster. The HRT is great but that Nocaster was something else. Wonder if I could buy the same pickups and if that'd get me back there?

Anyway, not playing for a bit sort of gave me a fresh take on the amp and I'm happy with it again. Funny that. :thumbup:

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by MattH »

Amen to that. Took two months out from our band last year. We're much happier after the break. Came back and just dropped a bunch of pedals off my board (it was getting a bit silly). A simpler and more enjoyable rig. Fresh ears!
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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by null_pointer »

I'm going to send you one of my KTRs for a couple of weeks Molly you need to at least have TRIED a good boost in the nose before you decide it's not going to work!

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by calling card »

I've not plugged into anything so far this year, just keeping the fingertip calluses going with the acoustic. All hell is gonna break loose when I hit the plexi soon.
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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Molly »

null_pointer wrote:I'm going to send you one of my KTRs for a couple of weeks Molly you need to at least have TRIED a good boost in the nose before you decide it's not going to work!
That's very decent of you to offer. Thank you. I'd been meaning to ask what pedal you thought it worked best with.

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by JHorner »

Molly wrote:That's very decent of you to offer
Yes and no.

I was going to offer the same with one of my MC401's, but then I thought, nah, pedals are like crack and Molly seems waaay to susceptible, I don't want to be the one to get him hooked :lol:

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Molly »

JHorner wrote: pedals are like crack and Molly seems waaay to susceptible, I don't want to be the one to get him hooked :lol:
I can handle it. How bad can it get?

Then again, I think this guy was on the hard stuff. Mainlining Strymon...

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Eruera »

It can get really fucking bad TBH

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Bg »

yep I've been having downtime now for about 5 years, and my sanity is still close to zero :)
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Molly »

null_pointer wrote:I'm going to send you one of my KTRs for a couple of weeks Molly you need to at least have TRIED a good boost in the nose before you decide it's not going to work!
Is this the one you were talking about? I know nothing about Klon pedals at all but this one sounds great.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP-qS1EfUDs[/youtube]

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by null_pointer »

That's the puppy

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Molly »

null_pointer wrote:That's the puppy
A keeper?

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by null_pointer »

Actually the last OD pedal I'd sell (along with the Honey Bee). I don't use the OD aspect of the KTR much (I use it as an awesome boost instead) but it's great in that area too. I've had 4 KTRs in total (sold two) but since 2013 I've always had at least one and I can't see that changing - I just love what it does

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by Molly »

null_pointer wrote:Actually the last OD pedal I'd sell (along with the Honey Bee). I don't use the OD aspect of the KTR much (I use it as an awesome boost instead) but it's great in that area too. I've had 4 KTRs in total (sold two) but since 2013 I've always had at least one and I can't see that changing - I just love what it does
I did hear a Honey Bee through, of all things, a Roland JC120 and it sounded great.

eBay has a few KTRs. Obviously sod all locally.

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Re: Sometimes pays to have some down-time.

Post by TmcB »

I need someone to do a side by side comparison of a KTR/Klon and my Rogue
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