Best unit for Shadowssounds

[Didier]

In my humble opinion the reason for the digital units not capturing the essence of the old analogue machines, tape or otherwise, is that they don't have the options to process the impurities of retro equipment into the patches, which although were faults that the manafacturers' would rather not have had, actually added to the 'musicality' of the sound that is needed, for like for like reproduction of those old Shadows sounds. TVS have actually achieved this with their mostly solid state unit.

I said the same thing in a different way when I wrote : "According to my own listening experience, none of the digital units has enough processing power to provide both the correct tone and echoes, there are always some compromises."
It's quite complex, but not impossible, to emulate all of these "impurities" which were part of the old Shadows' sound.

Didier

[hansaustria]

I own a Zoom RFX 2000, a Zoom 508 and a a Magicstomp and an old Echolette / Klemt . I used the Magicstomp for my first big ( Shadows Night )
gig and all the audience said that the sound was great -very well and authentic. I`m not very satisfied with the Zoom RFX 2000. The old Echolette
brings the natural sustain of a tube preamp, but it`s impossible to give me the right echos with only 3 heads ( Atlantis / Wonderful Land ).
The 508 is a unit for reserve - if the main unit isn`t working well or broken.

I' ve been thinking to purchase a Q 2 / 20 . But Is it far better than a Magicstomp?

The ESE echomatic would be for me the best option ( according soundfiles on youtube ) but sorry - discontinued.

Hank used at that time only an amp a guitar and an echounit. No EQ or other pedals. That`s is it ! Phenomenal !

Hans

PS:

My new weapon for great vintage tones. Believe me that amp nails the tone. Not only for Shadows.

[Didier]

I' ve been thinking to purchase a Q 2 / 20 . But Is it far better than a Magicstomp?

They are supposed to be better than the Magicstomp, but production has stopped long ago, so reliability and maintenance might become a problem.

Didier

[Gary Allen]

[bazmusicman]

At one time I had two Q2's then two Q20's loaded with Charlies EFTP and excellent they were. But I was always afraid that the internal battery would die at a gig and I would lose all the echo's.
So about three years ago I 'bit the bullet' and spent all the kids inheritance on A TVS3, (from the same batch that Hank used on the 50th. final tour) excellent echo's and no battery to worry about.

Best regards,
Baz.

[shadowkarl]

At one time I had two Q2's then two Q20's loaded with Charlies EFTP and excellent they were. But I was always afraid that the internal battery would die at a gig and I would lose all the echo's.
So about three years ago I 'bit the bullet' and spent all the kids inheritance on A TVS3, (from the same batch that Hank used on the 50th. final tour) excellent echo's and no battery to worry about.

Best regards,
Baz.

Hi Baz,

I still have my Q20 and a GT with excellent results IMHO and that since 5 years without fearing, that the internal battery would give up during a gig. (would just switch because of this redundancy)
Now I am eagerly waiting for Charlie Halls/Collins new Echo pedal and still in the meantime I have not given up searching for an old Meazzi special Factotum. (will probably get one by the end of the year)
Good for you, that you got a TVS3 from the same batch that Hank used, and hopefully you enjoy it ; but did you also get the special programmes of Paul for Hank? (Even Charlie was always finetuning Hanks Q20 on the last reunion tour.)
Hank is always using a "formula one race car philosophy", be it the special Kinmans wiring in his Strats, prototype Impersonators Pups, or special programmes in his Echomachine, (Paul was there at the O2 sound checks) or circuits in the used JMI as last in Cliffs and the shads reunion tour.
So whatever we get on the market, will certainly not be the exact same rig as used by our "heroes"; but we still could try to get as near as possible to that sound, or what we like it to be.

Best Regards

Shadowkarl

[bazmusicman]

Hi Shadowkarl,

Yes I know that our equipment wont be exactly the same as our hero's but thats as close as we can get.

I also have a JMI 50th. Anniversary Amp wIth the Tayden Speakers. So I have THE fantastic sound but sadly lack the talent!!
Being retired I have loads and loads of enjoyment playing most every day at home, and don't regret spending every penny that it cost.

I also have a KORG AC30/6 Made in England with blue speakers, also I fitted a Roger Allcock EF86 Unit to it and this Amp is in almost as
new condition. I am thinking of selling it as I also have two KORG AC15 Amps Made in England.

Best regards,
Baz.

[shadowkarl]

Hi Baz,

talking to get as close as one can get at least I could buy Hanks original stage KCP giving me on channel one a wide variety of Hanks later more bass driven tones. (Couldn`t get closer)
My 72 AC 30/6 (fitted with the blue Alnico speakers) had also Roger Allcocks Vintage unit with the EF 86 channel fitted, gives me all the old twangy sounds. Additional Roger has made me a Tube based Preamp with the original Meazzi Circuits which I run before the Q 20. This gives nearly the same "warm" sound as in the TVS3, having also a tube in the preamp section. Pickups are Sliders or O.C. Duff on the second Strat.
So with all that Equipment combinations I am well off in seeking the shadows sounds...

Best Regards
shadowkarl

[hansaustria]

Hi Shadowkarl,

Yes I know that our equipment wont be exactly the same as our hero's but thats as close as we can get.

I also have a JMI 50th. Anniversary Amp wIth the Tayden Speakers. So I have THE fantastic sound but sadly lack the talent!!
Being retired I have loads and loads of enjoyment playing most every day at home, and don't regret spending every penny that it cost.

I also have a KORG AC30/6 Made in England with blue speakers, also I fitted a Roger Allcock EF86 Unit to it and this Amp is in almost as
new condition. I am thinking of selling it as I also have two KORG AC15 Amps Made in England.

Best regards,
Baz.

I did my first Shadows Gig 14 days ago. I used my JMI 50 Anniv. Amp with Taydens - the whole shadowscrowd in the audience
asked me after the gig - "what is the secret of your very authentic sound?" I used the Magicstomp of a friend of mine which
is loaded with different modified EFTP and J patches ( echotapper ) !

I think that ALL the patches has to be modified ( EQed ) and adapted to the amp settings. IMHO after doing this you can get a
very good result in sounding. I did the last modifications on stage - soundcheck - when the amp was driven to a special SWEET=
SPOT. You can not nail the right twang at home ( bedroom player ) !

The concert was a full success because in Austria good Shadows covers are very rare. Next year it will be a repeat of our
Shadows / CCR tribute night !

Hans

[abstamaria]

At one time I had two Q2's then two Q20's loaded with Charlies EFTP and excellent they were. But I was always afraid that the internal battery would die at a gig and I would lose all the echo's.
So about three years ago I 'bit the bullet' and spent all the kids inheritance on A TVS3, (from the same batch that Hank used on the 50th. final tour) excellent echo's and no battery to worry about.
Best regards,
Baz.

I have the same exact fear with my Q20.

Andy