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August 2012 Staff Picks: Fire Power

August 2012 Staff Picks: Fire Power

It’s our amp issue so it’s only fitting that PG staff enlist the help of two audiophiles —Ampmen Jeff Bober and Tim Schroeder—to celebrate our inner tubage.

Jeff Bober -- EAST Amplification, Columnist
What am I listening to?
Joe Bonamassa, Driving Towards the Daylight; Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Lion the Beast the Beat; Warren Haynes Band, Live at the Moody Theater; and of course—one of my amps!
What is your power tube of choice?
Why, a 12AT7, of course! When used as an output tube, it can be glassy and full sounding or compress up and become very harmonically rich when pushed into distortion. A very cool little performer.


Rebecca Dirks -- Web Content Editor
What am I listening to?
Regina Spektor, Begin to Hope. I’m rediscovering this favorite from a few years ago. Simultaneously funky, pretty, and strong—I love this girl’s voice.
What is your power tube of choice?
Fresh off a 14-hour video shoot with the nine spectacular “Champions of Chime” amps —closed out by the simply amazing Justin Derrico—I feel I have no choice but to say EL84. Go watch the videos. Now.


Andy Ellis -- Senior Editor
What am I listening to?
Matt Munisteri, Still Runnin’ Round in the Wilderness: The Lost Music of Willard Robison. Swinging interpretations of tunes by an amazing—yet largely forgotten—1920s songwriter and bandleader.
What is your power tube of choice?
Currently, a lightly used, vintage Mullard EL34 running in my single-end THD UniValve head—an ideal “tube tasting” machine. But with dozens of single tubes to savor, I might say a NOS Philips 6V6GTA next week.


Shawn Hammond -- Editor in Chief
What am I listening to?
The National, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. The 2003 sophomore effort from inimitable vocalist Matt Berninger and twin 6-stringers Aaron and Bryce Dessner has all their trademark moodiness and atmospherics, plus some pretty rad electric-piano and vocal-chordstrafing moments.
What is your power tube of choice?
In general, 6V6s suit my playing best, but for the last couple of years I've been getting the best tones of my life with 6973s.


Chris Kies -- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
I’ve always lived and died by Queen’s debut because of thrillers like “Liar” and “Keep Yourself Alive” alongside psych-tripper “Jesus.” But after reexamining their catalog, A Night at the Opera takes the crown thanks to new B-side faves “The Prophet’s Song,” “39,” and “Death on Two Legs.”
What is your power tube of choice?
My current setup is an EL34-monster Marshall combo, but after hearing the “Champions of Chime” in person, I’m ready to get a bit cleaner.


Rich Osweiler -- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
A Place to Bury Strangers, Worship. With elements of Bauhaus, the Jesus and Mary Chain, and a meat grinder plugged into an overdrive, the fuzzed-out chaos served up from these Brooklyn-based noise rockers is aggressive, yet hauntingly melodic at the same time. Pick out your best shoes to gaze upon.
What is your power tube of choice?
Give me 6550s and their oh-so-nice, big-and-clear warmth.


Tim Schroeder -- Schroeder Audio -- Guest Picker
What am I listening to?
I’m a bit obsessed with a little-known Wisconsin band, Fragile. They’ve made one album. I stress the word album because, while the tunes are strong in their own right, you are rewarded by sitting and listening to the whole CD, start to finish.
What song pumps you up before a gig?
As I’m a big fan of headroom, I’m partial to the old GE-made 6550s. Big and beautiful!


Charles Saufley -- Gear Editor
What am I listening to?
All over the map, but keep returning to the amazing Jim Sullivan U.F.O. LP reissue (killer, circa-’69, baroque-country rock with Earl Palmer on drums!), Blues Control’s Valley Tangents (genre-obliterating, twisted mood-manipulation instrumentals), and White Fence’s Family Perfume Vol. 2. (sweet Kinksian/Syd Barrett/Skip Spence jigsaw puzzle pop).
What is your power tube of choice?
The fresh ones my repairman puts in after a tune-up! No worries for another two years!


Jason Shadrick -- Associate Editor
What am I listening to?
Pink Floyd, The Wall. After seeing Roger Waters’ epic production at Wrigley Field, it gives me a new appreciation and insight into the greatest concept album ever made. Hearing Dave Kilminster play the “Numb” solo from 60 feet in the air makes you reconsider everything.
What is your power tube of choice?
My usual tone recipe starts with a robust, clean tone and then I color that with pedals. To my ears, an EL84-powered combo usually does the trick.

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