sprucebringsteen's Activity

The 1484 In 2008, as I was prepping an old, well-loved Silvertone 1484 for international touring, I was possessed by a desire to improve on this classic. I have repaired dozens of these amplifiers over the years and always had a deep admiration for them. Danelectro created a unique product with mid-century modern looks, the cheapest parts and materials available, and amazing sounds. Sadly, they are not very roadworthy. One of my favorite discoveries in servicing these amps was the use of “Planet” brand electrolytic caps, which proudly proclaim “Guaranteed For One Year.” Ha!

Using a mix of top-shelf hifi grade components like Japanese gold-plated ceramic tube sockets, NOS parts like carbon composition resistors, and old-school point-to-point construction practices, I built a version of the 1484 that was as roadworthy and service friendly as I could imagine. I added a few useful features such as a bias adjustment control and test points, and an output selector switch for multiple speaker impedances. I also trimmed the circuit down to one channel with no effects and a single modification, a “hot” input that has slightly more gain and high end than the stock input, which is labeled “warm.”

Over the years I have used a variety of output transformers in my Acme Silvertones. A few units have bigger ones with bass guitar in mind, and the majority feature transformers salvaged from old Wurlitzer organs. I’ve found these impart a lovely color, and have a very pleasing breakup. In 2012 I secured a limited supply of these when Tacoma’s Puget Sound Organ Repair went out of business and liquidated its impressive supply of parts. While I have also experimented with various different resistors and capacitors, the output transformer, the last link in the chain, has the most dramatic effect on the sound of these amplifiers. --Jesse Quitslund

The Lerxst® CHI Combo, Working Man Tone and a Grab and Go package. When a last minute show pops up the CHI is Alex's go-to amp. Compact enough to fit in the back of his 98 Prius, the CHI is the perfect "Tone-to-Go" package.

With the spirit of one of rock's greatest guitarists at it's core, the CHI inspired you to explore, innovate and craft your signature sound.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

1/4" Finger joint construction Custom built in Burgaw, NC USA 24″ W x 20″ H x 9″ D Race Grey and Red Garnet Levant Tolex Finish Mojotone Black Matrix Grill Cloth 5/8″ 100% Voidless baltic birch Loaded with one 8 ohm Mojotone Greyhound Speaker 49 lbs

The Lerxst® CHI 30W Amplifier has all the growl and tone of its bigger brother, the OMEGA, but in a compact package. In one word the CHI is articulate. For example, the ringing open strings in the intro chords of Distant Early Warning from the Grace Under Pressure album requires a tonal purity that the CHI delivers.

When it comes to power chords (such as those found on Working Man) setting the “Gain control” between 7-10 pushes the gain stage slightly over the edge which faithfully creates Alex’s signature raw crunch tone. Add your favorite chorus pedal to the serial FX loop and recreate Kid Gloves or Freewill

Utilizing 6L6 tubes for more headroom, the amp can go from a articulate shimmering clean all the way up to a full-on rockin' distortion

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Custom CTS Potentiometers Finger-jointed Baltic Birch Cabinet Custom built in Burgaw, NC USA Carbon Comp Resistors Starman Power Indicator Light Lerxst® CHI One Button Footswitch Included Footswitchable clean and lead channels (Can also use pull knob on Master volume) Race Grey and Red Garnet Levant Tolex Finish Shared three-band EQ Hand-loaded PC Board construction Serial Effects Loop USA Made Heyboer Transformers Mojotone Dijon Coupling Capacitors Selectable Impedances: 8 or 16 ohms Three JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes and two JJ 6L6 power tubes Power Output: 30 Watts

Built to the exacting standards to satisfy the demands of one of rock's greatest guitar players, the Lerxst® OMEGA is Alex Lifeson's original signature guitar head. This Made-In-America, tone machine is constructed with top shelf components that deliver all of your favorite Lifeson tones from shimmering cleans to "Limelight" crunch.

Featuring a 50/25 watt switchable power section, footswitchable clean and lead channels, three-band EQ, and a serial effects loop. A tribute to the skill and artistry of boutique amplifiers and representing the finest elements of craftsmanship, tone, and quality the flagship Amp is hand built and wired in Burgaw, NC.

Elegantly constructed into a “Made in the USA” aluminum chassis, the quality of the build is evident at first glance. Clean solder joints, beautiful wire paths, thoughtful component selection and a well thought out topology, the Lerxst® OMEGAS are as much a work of art as they are a high quality piece of musical gear.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

3x JJ 12AX7 Preamp Tubes Selectable Impedances: 4, 8 or 16 ohms Switchable Power Output between 50 and 25 Watts Two Channels (Switchable) Shared three-band EQ 2x JJ EL34 Power Tubes Footswitchable clean and lead channels (Can also use pull knob on Master volume) Speaker Outputs: 2x ¼" Jacks (16Ω/ 8Ω/ 4Ω) Included Lerxst® Footswitch Inputs: 1x Instrument Jack, Footswitch Controls: Presence, Bass, Middle, Treble, Output Master, Channel Select, Lead Master, Input Gain Dimensions: (H) 10 ¾" x (W) 29" x (D) 8 ¼" Serial effects loop Weight: 44lbs

Our approach to the Special Edition OMEGA was to design an instrument that is an extension of Alex’s creativity. This prompted us to approach the SE OMEGA by considering the various frequencies and harmonic interactions that either significantly contribute to or are inherent in his overall sound. The range between 800 Hz and 2.5 kHz, for example, appeared heavily in many of his renowned Moving Pictures Era tones, so we knew we had to pay careful attention to each of these.

Our approach to the Special Edition OMEGA was to design an instrument that is an extension of Alex’s creativity. This prompted us to approach the SE OMEGA by considering the various frequencies and harmonic interactions that either significantly contribute to or are inherent in his overall sound. The range between 800 Hz and 2.5 kHz, for example, appeared heavily in many of his renowned Moving Pictures Era tones, so we knew we had to pay careful attention to each of these.

Elegantly hand-wired into a “Made in the USA'' aluminum chassis, the quality of the build is evident at first glance. Clean solder joints, beautiful wire paths, keen component selection and a well thought out topology, the Special Edition hand-wired Lerxst® OMEGA is as much a work of art as it is the high quality piece of musical gear.

The hand-wired OMEGA matches Alex’s stage rig that he used on the last two RUSH tours as well as his current setup when he plays with his new project, Envy of None. No cost was spared when building an Amp for one of Rock’s greatest guitar players.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Power Output: 50 Watts (Half Power Switch to 25 Watts) Elegantly wired into a Made-in-the-USA aluminum chassis Starman Power Indicator Light Amplifier and Cabinet are handmade in Burgaw, NC USA Fly By Night Black Tolex Finish Footswitchable clean and lead channels (Can also use pull knob on Master volume) Shared three-band EQ Selectable Impedances: 4, 8 or 16 ohms Included Footswitch Serial effects loop 44 lbs Two EL34 Power Tubes Three 12AX7 Preamp Tubes

Synonymous with stoner rock and doom metal, the Sunn Beta Lead is one of the most versatile amplifiers ever designed. The unique CMOS distortion circuit generates harmonically rich distortion, which is then shaped by an active EQ circuit with extremely wide range controls. The result is an amp that can go from sparkly clean, to edge of breakup, hard rock and pure fuzz with continuous sweeps of the controls.