Bill's Amp and Effects List

Can't recall having a Burman, but then I've owned lots of gear over the years and some of it for not very long. I may well have owned one once though but can't remember anything about it.

The Boogie I had for quite awhile and liked, but I was used to a bigger, less boxy sound. It was good for some things but not everything. The Boogie was a small combo and didn't have that wide open sound I got with the twin 100 watt Carlsbro heads coupled with six 2x12 SAE cabinets. Now that was a hell of a rig, a huge, broad sound but it needed to be run very loud to get the best from it. (Which is probably why I've completely lost my hearing in one ear and struggle with the other one today.) The Boogie seemed like a more compact, simpler solution at the time but I eventually sold it.

The Marshall combo was an amp that I'd originally acquired through an ex-manager who owned some gear he wanted me to store at my home. (It had belonged to a band he'd managed and when they split up he took possession of all their equipment.) It wasn't a bad amp but, again, I didn't feel that comfortable with it.

I have various amps here in the house now, the biggest one being the custom built Carlsbro Nelsonic that I designed in conjunction with Carlsbro for the 2014 'Be Bop Deluxe and Beyond' tour. It's a totally unique amp and sounds incredible. Carlsbro built only one more to show at trade fairs but mine was the first. Unfortunately, it's just too loud to use in my home studio.

I also have a custom built Rosewell combo which is a great sounding amp too, but again, too loud to use at home without causing offence to my neighbours!

So, on all my home recorded albums I simply use an old Line 6 Pod II modeller and a Fractal Audio Axe FX processor, both direct injected into Cubase. Those seem to get me to where I want to go and are quick and straightforward to use with no need to mic up speaker cabs. I often get questions about what amps I'm using these days and my reply is always "none" but folks don't always believe me! 😉

Yes, I really understand the Impracticalities of recording with big amps at home.

the small 1 X 12 Boogies do sound great, but very directional, unless used with a larger extension cab. your Carlsbro’s & the SAE Cabs were a phenomenal sound, at all gigs I witnessed. 😲

Before the SAE cabs, you did have Carlsbro cabs, did you blow those up eventually?

re your Carlsbro Signature amp, I spoke with the tech at Carlsbro just before they closed down, as to whether it would be released to the public, as I fancied ordering one.

He couldn’t confirm, but in retrospect, He probably had an Idea the company was closing soon.

pity, I’m sure it would have been a great,” Live” set up.

Thanks for the response Bill, on my , Geeky gear questions.

Stay Safe, Sir.