New Sweet and Sour Sauce Cobra

[michaelomiya]

Well, she was delivered today. Major league DOMO ARIGATO's to Brian Harris and Charley's! (Brian I'll provide a pic for the Alley gallery)

Pic is not very clear, then again as Roy would say, red's a difficult color to photograph. I'll get take some in the sun this weekend.

Tonewise, close but not the same as the Atom. Comparatively speaking, the Cobra's have more attack/bite, and the Atom's more punch/less overtone (if that can be said about a mahogany guitar)! YMMV! I'm thinking the main differences lie in the body shape and the bridge, since all other parts are equal. And with the Atom, I hear more "spank and squawk" probably due to the M p/ups.

The neck shim in the Atom vs the standard neck pocket of the Cobra is not as big a deal as one would believe. Not surprisingly both play wonderfully.

anyway, here she is! (gotta love red!:D :D )

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w145/eddyrox5150/SSS_Cobra_6_27_07_full.jpg

[SonicGator]

Very nice indeed.

[mindology]

Beautiful guitar!!!!

You know I used to be a Floyd guy, but I have found that the vintage style is just as fun!!!

[michaelomiya]

thanks guys!
:D

Gotta go with a set or vintage bridge on a short scale neck - Tom's rules (wink, wink!:p ;) )

But, I do have something in the works in black hardware and a retro finish with a Floyd bridge dropping in the late summer. Gotta be able to the hi-gain divebombs!:D
m.

[theatomicjeff]

Congrats Michael!

[dave]

cool - like the colour combination - the fingerboard looks very dark - not ebony by any chance?

[michaelomiya]

cool - like the colour combination - the fingerboard looks very dark - not ebony by any chance?

Dave, funny you should ask. It's actually African RW, but I requested that Roy find me a really dark piece. I originally ordered Madagascar RW, but understand that the shop's not using that kind of wood any longer.

Ebony board with BLACK hardware and a Floyd Rose. It's the stuff of Charvel/Jackson dreams!!!:p
mike

[jem5150]

Michael I love your other Red Anderson too with the maple neck and the black hardware. There's something really cool looking about the black hardware on the maple neck. I have 4 Andersons myself.

[michaelomiya]

Michael I love your other Red Anderson too with the maple neck and the black hardware. There's something really cool looking about the black hardware on the maple neck. I have 4 Andersons myself.

jem5150, welcome aboard! Sounds like we've got A LOT in common!:D :p

Along with black hardware, maple necks and floyd rose bridges, do you have an affinity towards Hi-gain, Hi-wattage amps as well?:eek: ;)
mike

http://www.members.cox.net/eddyrox/diezels.jpg

http://www.members.cox.net/eddyrox/headcabs.jpg

http://www.members.cox.net/eddyrox/heads.jpg

[dannopelli]

That's sick! Have you ever played through all of them at once?

[michaelomiya]

That's sick! Have you ever played through all of them at once?

Scary as this sounds, we did so last week. I picked up the Voodoo Labs Amp Selector. 4 outs (to the amp inputs) and 2 guitar inputs. Basically it's a hi-tech A/B box but with 2 more outs.

The Diezel and the Marshall JVM combo resulted in the fattest, most articulate tone, without any flub, tub or loose low end (I'd define "loose" like a Bogner Ecstacy 101B). The Marshall provided the "cut", and the Diezel Herbert provided the "chunk". The tone that immediately came to mind was Jonathan Donais' tone on the newest Shadows Fall Cd "Threads of Life". I ran both the Herbert and the JVM through 2 5150 straight cabs. HUGE, sack rattling tone. Used the Atom. OMG - punch and thump, like a cannon going off. :cool: :cool: :cool: Through this rig, the Anderon Atom is sonic thunder.

The 5150II and the other Marshalls (Cameron-mod and stock heads) were too close in overall voicing, and resulted in a lot of harmonic cancellation.
I think I'm gonna try a Soldano SLO with the Herbert next.:eek: :cool:

[jem5150]

NICE AMPS!!

Right now I'm using a Peavey Triple XXX in the Iron Maiden tribute band that I play in.

I also own a 5150 combo which is my favorite of the 5150 series.

I sometimes use a rack setup with an ADA MP-1 (old school..lol!) through a VHT 2/50/20 power amp. Great power amp!! I've never found a rack preamp that I truly love though.

The Bogner Shiva is a sweet amp, I've played it in the store a few times.

What is your honest opinion about the Marshall JVM? I've been considering it for the Maiden tribute project.

I'm going to post a pic of each of my Andersons soon and a little story about each.....

[michaelomiya]

What is your honest opinion about the Marshall JVM? I've been considering it for the Maiden tribute project.

JEM,
IMHO the JVM is like the best 80's modded Marshalls in a box. BAR None.
I've played JMP's (2203's) and still own an '81 JCM800 2204 and an '82 2203. Mark Cameron's done some personal mods (Eddie/Jose style) and I've had the Aldrich/Ocean and Jose Hi/Lo. The JVM410H gets soooo close to the modded 80's Marshall it's laughable. I also have a '71 Super Trem, bone stock, plate voltage rating at 540V. The JVM gets a "convincing" plexi-ish tone as well (clean-Orange). Angus Young (JTM45) is also in the JVM (Crunch-orange, clean-red).

You mentioned that you're in a Maiden tribute band. I'd take the JVM410H over the JMP-1 and the 100/100 bloc as well. Why? 1. You get all of the functionality of a preamp/pwr amp in a head - along with the Midi functions AND footswitch, and 2. the preamp/pwr sections are all in one - so there's "less" compression relatively speaking. One caveat: the since the ADA MP1 and the JMP1 are preamps, you can program the EQ settings and the amp setting (and chorus options on the ADA MP1). The JVM, like the Herbert, will only change the channel, with the EQ settings constant (unlike the Soldano X99, the knobs are not motorized!).

The JVM is not a 1959/1987/JTM45 killer. If you're doing the studio thing, and really, really want '78 VH1 tone, I'd go with a Mojave Peacemaker/1959HW, a variac and a THD 16ohm HP. Too much front end "stuff" going on with the JVM. (I have found that the modded MV amps have gain stages/stacks that result in too much "noise", "buzz" and undesirable compression, even when the EQ's are dialed waaaaay back - good for 80's metal, bad for classic rock.) But if it's just a top40 thing, the JVM will definitely cover it.


I'm using a Peavey Triple XXX in the Iron Maiden tribute band that I play in

PV's stuff is killer. Like the JVM, you get so much for what you pay for. One of the best bangs for the buck. I'd take a XXX or a JSX over any Line6/Crate/Krank amp out there. The JSX's has the functionality needed for playing out, and it takes pedals really, really well. And for a 3 channel head, the clean channel is one of the best; and she gets a really convincing bloom. (the other two Hi-gain channel switchers with INSANE clean's are the Diezel Herbert and Suhr's OD100). The only thing about the PV stuff (excluding the 5150's) is that they give out at about 6-7 on the master. The trannies on those heads just can't be pushed without wheezing. YMMV!


I sometimes use a rack setup with an ADA MP-1 (old school..lol!) through a VHT 2/50/20 power amp. Great power amp!! I've never found a rack preamp that I truly love though.

Absolutely! The VHT 2/50/2 is my pwr amp of choice as well. I've owned the Rocktron Piranha, the Marshall JMP1 (twice), Egnater IE4 (Rocktron version), Boogie Triaxis (2.0 continuous control/phat mod), and an ADA MP1. I still have the ADA. I stupidly sold all of the preamps during my vintage Marshall-phase. I'd have reacquired the JMP1 had I not picked up the JVM. It's that good.


I'm going to post a pic of each of my Andersons soon and a little story about each

Looking forward to it!!:cool: :D
mike.

[BoraBora]

Beautiful guitar Mike, you seem to love red guitars as much as I love blue guitars. :D

[michaelomiya]

Beautiful guitar Mike, you seem to love red guitars as much as I love blue guitars. :D

thanks James! I think you're on to something there bud!:p ;)
mike

[enr1co]

Tonewise, close but not the same as the Atom. Comparatively speaking, the Cobra's have more attack/bite, and the Atom's more punch/less overtone (if that can be said about a mahogany guitar)! YMMV! I'm thinking the main differences lie in the body shape and the bridge, since all other parts are equal. And with the Atom, I hear more "spank and squawk" probably due to the M p/ups.

The neck shim in the Atom vs the standard neck pocket of the Cobra is not as big a deal as one would believe. Not surprisingly both play wonderfully.

anyway, here she is! (gotta love red!:D :D )

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w145/eddyrox5150/SSS_Cobra_6_27_07_full.jpg


Suuu-wweeet ( & sour) Cobra! Congrats on another winner! I think you need a few more amps though...:D ;)


e

[wreckfan]

Mike - nice mini-review on the JVM. I've been thinking of looking at one. I really would like to find something with nice warm cleans and some nice high gain sounds. I really prefer a combo amp and looked recently at the Diezel Herbert - have you tried one? Opinion?

[michaelomiya]

Mike - nice mini-review on the JVM. I've been thinking of looking at one. I really would like to find something with nice warm cleans and some nice high gain sounds. I really prefer a combo amp and looked recently at the Diezel Herbert - have you tried one? Opinion?

Wreckfan, thanks! Personally I think that the JVM410H represents the best bang for the buck (midi switching, 4 channels, very,very useable cleans, post eq controls, reverb, etc.) of the Hi-gainers and Hi-watters currently in the market (haven't tried the 5150III yet, but it's not midi).

Yes I do have a Diezel Herbert (and an Einstein as well). In all honesty, everything I own is in a head shell for the convenience of matching difference cabs, so I can't comment on the combos.

Regarding the Herbert, this is a modern amp to end all others. Not a Marshall, Soldano, 5150 voicing by any means. It's definitely got a low-mid that is appreciable and present in whatever channel you're in. Because of this, a Herbert with a V30 (240W) loaded cab is way too dark IMHO - especially when the cab has new, "unbroken in" speakers. So if you prefer a "brighter", more cutting/bitey tone, the Herbert might not be for you. It wasn't for me for a long time. As a Marshall-guy, it took years for me to get used to it, and finally this January I just caved. Now it's my main amp.

Functionally speaking, the Herbert's got all the bells and whistles. 180Ws of the most devastating modern metal tone known to man (it kills the Krank Revolution and the Krankenstein (Dime's head) in terms of versatility and tone). Footswitchable boost, scoop and series EFX loop. The BEST clean tone of any of the multi-channel heads and IMHO on par with a BF Fender (A/b'd with a '65 Super Reverb, '67 Pro Reverb and a Twin).

Channel 2 does have a non-midi "+/-" switch. In the "-" mode the amp responds like a non-MV/classA style amp - open and non-compressed, and real responsive feel. In the "+" mode, it's 80's-style tone - relatively more compressed. I used to think that the amp was too "stiff" but that's because I never really opened up the master volume. Like any good tube head, the Herbert needs to breathe. With the channel volume at 11/12 o'clock and the Master above 10 o'clock, the Herbert's true voice and tone are revealed, with all of the sag of any good Marshall (kinda like the SLO). Channel 3's like the best Pantera/Metallica tone, without getting too SS (technically there's one more gain stage added on top of the extreme gain in Channel 2).

And when test driving, remember "the Herbert is not Van Halen in a box" (which is my problem everytime I play a new amp!):p :D

Please check out Marc Seal's Herbert demo/review. This is probably the most representative clippage I've seen.http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6439601805213666365

Also, Andy Wood from the band "Down from Up" is also an Anderson/Diezel player. Check out his stuff here http://www.downfromup.com

Good luck!
mike

[michaelomiya]

Suuu-wweeet ( & sour) Cobra! Congrats on another winner! I think you need a few more amps though...:D ;)

Hey Enrico! Thanks man. Funny you said that, 'cause I'm chasing down an Avenger right now.:eek: :p
m.

[wreckfan]

Mike - Thank you for taking the time for such a nice detailed answer. 180 Watts is way over the top for me - narrows the choices to a JVM or possibly an Einstein (which I liked also). The Einstein seemed like a nice little combo that could easily cover a lot of territory for gigs or a little studio work. It is always hard to get a decent evaluation at GC !!

I blew the hearing in my left ear out a few years ago playing back to back gigs at the Del Mar Fair....stupidly loud stage volume using my Mesa Mark III and a dual rectifier at the same time. Regained about 50% hearing in that ear but it took about a year. No more headphones or loud amps !!

So it is probably the Einstein vs. Marshall


BTW - forgot on my last post to tell you what a nice Cobra !!

[michaelomiya]

I blew the hearing in my left ear out a few years ago playing back to back gigs at the Del Mar Fair....stupidly loud stage volume using my Mesa Mark III and a dual rectifier at the same time.

So it is probably the Einstein vs. Marshall


BTW - forgot on my last post to tell you what a nice Cobra !!

thank you sir! Sorry to hear about your left ear. I too had a MkIII (Green stripe). For me, Boogies require too much tweakin'. The tones are definitely in there, but they require patience. You'll do fine with the Einstein or the JVM. Both are voiced for rock (classic and modern), and it doesn't require 20 minutes to dial up anything.:p

You mentioned the Del Mar fair. Are you in SanDiego or Southern California?
mike.

[jem5150]

Thanks Mike for the in depth response. You certainly have great knowledge and experience with these amps and I agree with your viewpoint. I'm going to give the JVM410 a try.

[wreckfan]

I'm with you on the "tweaking" issue. The Mark was a love/hate relationship. The most frustrating amp I've owned.....when the good boogie showed up it was great - but sometimes its blah, bland flat unresponsive alter-ego would show up and was not going to be a good night !! I remember many good nights that when the band would take a break I was afraid to put it on standby since sometimes when it was "hot" - it would go "cold" for no other reason. Used to always plug into the same wall outlet in the studio trying to keep my sound consistent (didn't work !) .

I live in San Diego.......

[GuitarNorton]

[QUOTE=michaelomiya]

The neck shim in the Atom vs the standard neck pocket of the Cobra is not as big a deal as one would believe. Not surprisingly both play wonderfully.

Not following you here, could you explain.
Thanks

Beautiful guitar!

[Drew]

I'm with you on the "tweaking" issue. The Mark was a love/hate relationship. The most frustrating amp I've owned.....when the good boogie showed up it was great - but sometimes its blah, bland flat unresponsive alter-ego would show up and was not going to be a good night !! I remember many good nights that when the band would take a break I was afraid to put it on standby since sometimes when it was "hot" - it would go "cold" for no other reason. Used to always plug into the same wall outlet in the studio trying to keep my sound consistent (didn't work !) .

I live in San Diego.......

That was exactly my experience with Mark III's. I've owned numerous Mark III's over the last 20 years and I recently sold the last one I will ever own! I remember recording rhythm tracks where I used the Mark III and was happy with the sound. I returned the next day to double the rhythm and nobody had moved any knobs and the amp sounded totally different--the sound became very hollow and flat. I kept looking at my guitar to see if I had inadvertently moved the 5 way switch to middle & bridge instead of the full bridge humbucker. Variations on this happened with all the Mark III's I've had.

Hi Mike--love the red guitars.

[michaelomiya]

That was exactly my experience with Mark III's. I've owned numerous Mark III's over the last 20 years and I recently sold the last one I will ever own! I remember recording rhythm tracks where I used the Mark III and was happy with the sound. I returned the next day to double the rhythm and nobody had moved any knobs and the amp sounded totally different--the sound became very hollow and flat. I kept looking at my guitar to see if I had inadvertently moved the 5 way switch to middle & bridge instead of the full bridge humbucker. Variations on this happened with all the Mark III's I've had.

Hi Mike--love the red guitars.

thanks Drew! I'm with you on the great mystery that is the M/B Mark series. Sooo much going on (simul class switch, push/pull on everything except the mid's (Mk2C+), 5 way EQ) that it's no wonder that "stuff happens" seemingly w/o reason. :p :D