Webb Amps

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 30 Jan 2004 8:20 am

After dealing with a lot of different amplifiers, I have had the opportunity to hear the Webb amp with not only a pedal steel guitar going through it , but also a 6 string electric with GREAT results...I couldn't help but think to myself how the Webb sounded so much like a tube amp, but didn't have the distortion of the tube amp...For certain applications, the distortion is what makes SOME tube amps very attractive while other amps like the Webb sound really sweet for a cleaner tone for pedal steel, or some jazz on a 6 string...This being said, I am wondering from you Webb users out there , are there Webb amps that are a favorite, or any Webb years that are better , or Webb amps that guy's look for in particular ???...I know that when dealing with Evan's amps , I find a lot of guys who like the LV FET 500 for it's tone...Then there's the Fender Twin guys who like the 135 watt model Silverface for that tone with Pedal Steel....What is the sought after Webb model ??...Is there such a thing ??
Thanks to all you guys and gals out there ..
I appreciate your time....Sincerely, Jim

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 30 Jan 2004 8:58 am

The only thing that has changed on the 6-14E since he started building them is the speaker and the power rating. I used to own #24 that was 150 watts and I have a 1990s model and they sound the same. I believe the older ones have the JBL K130 and the later ones have an E130. Now Eminence is making speakers for Webbs. All the preamps and power amps are the same but some newer models have some newer options which you can read about on the website. www.webbamps.com

Dave[This message was edited by Dave Zirbel on 30 January 2004 at 08:58 AM.]

Chris Erbacher · Post by **Chris Erbacher** » 30 Jan 2004 12:52 pm

i recently saw one that was red and had silver looking knobs (as compared to my white ones) and that looked pretty cool, more vegas like, but it sounded the same as mine. can't go wrong with a webb

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 30 Jan 2004 4:50 pm

There are two reasons why the Webb sounds like a tube amp. First, in position #2 it's got a fixed EQ voicing that's nearly identical to the voicing of a Fender Twin. It's a huge midrange dip around 500-550Hz and a bass boost. The second reason is that there are two FETs in the Webb preamp circuit. They are a unique transistor that have been favored for some solid state guitar amps because they act much like a tube. Their distortion is rich in even ordered harmonics just like tubes and they also compress in a similar fashion. The Webb is very much like a super-clean tube amp.

Brad Sarno

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 30 Jan 2004 4:53 pm

Also, the circuit hasn't really changed since '74. I think the output transistor choice has changed with availability over the years but that's relatively minor when it comes to the overall sound and voice of the amp.

Brad Sarno

T. C. Furlong · Post by **T. C. Furlong** » 31 Jan 2004 11:32 am

Interesting discussion about Webbs. I have had one since the late 70's and I always thought the switch in the center for voicing was #1-left Fender Twin (tube) #3-right Peavey (solid state) and the center was a hybrid of the best of both tube and solid state. I used to play through a silver face Twin with JBL D-120's and #1 position seemed closest to my Twin when I put them side by side.
I have a bunch of amps now and I have been setting them up for A-B-C-D comparisons. What an eye(ear) opener! Amps in latest comparison group. Nashville 400 w/ BW, Vegas 400 w/BW, Webb w/E-130, Evans HV large cab w/E-130, Evans LV large cab w/ E-130, Evans LV small cab w/E-130, '53 Fender Pro w/Jensen blue label, 65 Pro Reverb w/ stock blue labels. Any info on favorite Webb settings and what they were intended to simulate, or what they have found to be comparable would be greatly appreciated.

TC

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 2 Feb 2004 7:07 pm

TC,
Care to share what you found in your comparison testing ??.... A 53 Pro huh ??...Very nice....Jim

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 3 Feb 2004 3:18 pm

I think that the official descriptions of the #1, #2, and #3 tone settings are sort of misleading. I know that #1 has been described as "tube", #2 as hybrid, and #3 as "solid state". What's happening in there is very simple. They are just 3 different fixed EQ shapes. Position #1 is a midrange dip at 375Hz. Position #2 is a dip at around 550Hz like a Twin. #3 doesn't really dip so it's the flattest of the settings. Since a Peavey solid state amp will give you that flat setting if you want it, maybe that's what they mean by that #3 "solid state" designation.

#1 is supposed to be fiddle friendly due to that 375Hz dip.

#2 is like a big loud Twin. It's the "Steel" setting according to Mr. Webb.

#3 is like a Peavey set flat or a vintage Tweed Fender. The old tweed Fenders with a single tone knob have this midrangey characteristic. Maybe that's why Jimmy Day used #3 on his Webb since he played an old Fender Pro for years and was used to that sound.

Brad Sarno

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 4 Feb 2004 9:42 am

There are Hi and Lo input sockets on the Webb, also. Does anyone ever use the Lo input; and on what occasion?

Ears in training would like to know.

Thanks, Rick

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 4 Feb 2004 12:40 pm

I use it when I play with Bill Lawrence 710 pickups.

T. C. Furlong · Post by **T. C. Furlong** » 5 Feb 2004 6:31 pm

James, I'll be doing some more comparisons so I'll wait to post any conclusions. So far, the tweed pro and the black face pro reverb sound are leading the pack for sweetness in the high frequencies. I am trying to be unbiased about making judgements because so many factors influence the way something sounds. Room,position of amp compared to nearby wall, position of amp compared to my ears, steel, pick up, my fingers, cables, type of volume pedal, effects or no effects, not using Brad Sarno's new cool black box for steel, etc.

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 9 Feb 2004 11:25 am

TC,
I look forward to your comparisons...I figured that old Pro would make you take notice !!... One of my buddies sold one so that he could afford a steel to get back into playing !!...Those Pro's don't come cheap !!.
Too rich for my blood !....Jim

John Bresler R.I.P. · Post by **John Bresler R.I.P.** » 9 Feb 2004 5:48 pm

Rick:

I use the Lo input on my Webb to drive another amp as discussed in the owners manual. The connection goes from the Webb Lo inputs jack to the other amps input jack. Works great.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 19 Feb 2004 11:44 pm

My Webb 614-E has serial #1359 on the inside of the cabinet. Can anyone tell me anything about it or what year it was made. It's a older Webb and is black. Also it has the old style knobs. The front panel is layed out exactly like the newer ones.[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 19 February 2004 at 11:45 PM.]

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 20 Feb 2004 8:23 am

Nick,
Probably around 1980 or so. The one that I
bought new in '78 was #739...also with the
old style knobs. I later sold it (like a
dern fool) but have since got ahold of
a couple others.

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 20 Feb 2004 5:26 pm

Mine is #749 bought the same year at the Pedal Steel Guitar Emporium in MPLS. It has the older style white knobs w/black face. It also had the aluminum tag on the bottom right hand corner of grill stating "CUSTOM".[This message was edited by Kevin Mincke on 20 February 2004 at 05:27 PM.]