NAD PRS HDRX 20... Get Experienced!

[revrand]

Sounds great maggot Brain

 

[EJstrat&JVM]

Here's a quick low volume phone clip!

It's got that addictive Jimi vibe (I would crank it obviously into acdc territory), and I can only imagine how well it will sound with fuzz, wah and od.

 

[revrand]

This amp loves fuzz

 

[Leonard Neemoil]

Here's a quick low volume phone clip!

Sounds great, beautiful playing, and nice vibrato.

Would love to hear something with more distortion like AC/DC.

 

[madone550]

Here's a quick low volume phone clip!

Sounds fantastic Maggot Brain. Would you mind sharing your settings for the low volume sound?

 

[M JUBE 64]

Just Picked up the head and matching 1/12 cab yesterday. Got an amazing deal as well. I am blown away at how good this amp sounds. It is def much better than the studio vintage I had and sold. I been reading all the post about speakers and so far the V type speaker that comes in the 1/12 cab is not bad at all. I was curious if anyone has tried any other speakers in 1/12 cabs with this head. The Scumback H55-PVC 65 does have my attention although
I heard they are dark sounding I am not sure if thats the case.
I was just wondering If anyone else has tried the Scumback or maybe a Creamback M-65 in a 1/12 cab?
I can def testify that the rave reviews this amp is getting are the truth. I am blown away by how good
it sounds. Especially for the price! I paid less for the head and matching cab then what they are selling the studio vintage 1/12 cab for!

awesome! I have the same thing. Head and matching cab. I love the V-type speaker. PRS knew what they were doing picking that speaker to compliment the head. I'm keeping it.

 

[revrand]

awesome! I have the same thing. Head and matching cab. I love the V-type speaker. PRS knew what they were doing picking that speaker to compliment the head. I'm keeping it.

Awesome! The only problem I am experiencing is when you crank up the amp the vibration from the cab makes the head. move. It’s so lightweight. Have you experienced this as well ?

 

[Maggot Brain]

Just Picked up the head and matching 1/12 cab yesterday. Got an amazing deal as well. I am blown away at how good this amp sounds. It is def much better than the studio vintage I had and sold. I been reading all the post about speakers and so far the V type speaker that comes in the 1/12 cab is not bad at all. I was curious if anyone has tried any other speakers in 1/12 cabs with this head. The Scumback H55-PVC 65 does have my attention although
I heard they are dark sounding I am not sure if thats the case.
I was just wondering If anyone else has tried the Scumback or maybe a Creamback M-65 in a 1/12 cab?
I can def testify that the rave reviews this amp is getting are the truth. I am blown away by how good
it sounds. Especially for the price! I paid less for the head and matching cab then what they are selling the studio vintage 1/12 cab for!

I agree 100000% that this amp is just incredible that's not even bringing the price into the equation.

I HIGHLY recommend the Scumback H55-PVC, Eminence The Wizard or Celestion G12H30 55hz Heritage Greenback... Or any G12H flavored speaker for that matter. The amp this is based on, Jimi would have most likely been using G12H30s with 55hz cones in his cabs. My opinion is with the Scumback H55-PVC (I got a 65w for modern convince) this amp "nails" those tones and can even capture his pre '69 tones with the High Mid Switch toggles off. I've been on a speaker kick and have played as many options as I could (either buying them or playing thru an aquantence's cab/speaker) and speakers make a MASSIVE difference. I would almost dare say the speaker is JUST as important as the amp and will always stress that a speaker can make a WORLD of difference, especially on the details.

I used to have my 4x12 loaded with Vtypes and initially liked them a lot but I've been nieve of the importance of speakers for most of my guitar playing life. The Vtypes were an upgrade to the stock speakers in the cab made by 'Acoustic' so they seemed quite better but after getting exposure to other speakers my impression changed. The Vtypes are far from bad speakers, quite good especially for the price but if someone is looking for the classic Greenback sound on legendary recordings it isn't the best option at all. Now with my experience with a lot more speakers I'd describe the Vtypes as a dominant Vintage 30 voice with a bit of Greenback qualities but more of a evolution of the Vintage 30 imo.

I have played numerous G12H voiced speakers and my favorites by far are the Scumback H55-PVC and close second the Eminence Wizard. I have demoed a WGS Reaper and WGS Reaper HP and both were good, have a G12H flavor but less so than my 2 favorites. Demoing the Celestion G12H30 Aniversary was the brightest and thinnest sound of all the speakers I tried, it was one of my least favorites. The Heritage G12H30 55hz was good, very dark tho and was missing some character I associate with the originals, it was the darkest of all the G12Hs I've tried.

The Wizard is the brightest of the ones I've played and just sounds amazing. It has a big sound and sweet highs and full lows with the G12H 'slight' scoop but signature mids. They sound VERY similar to the Scumback imo and I believe they both use Kurt Mueller cones. I have first gen Wizards and they have Kurt Mueller cones.

The Scumback H55-PVC has "the sound" and sounds impressively close to original pre rola Greenbacks. I will forever be grateful for the passion, love, dedication and hard work Jim put into bringing us Scumbacks and having the closest option for pre Rola Greenback speakers. I wouldn't call the H55-PVC dark, it is darker than some speakers and probably a tad darker than the Vtype but I can't say for sure as it's been some months since I had my Vtypes. The H55-PVC is very full with the 55hz cone and part of that signature character heard in so many of Jimi's recordings. It's top end could be considered bright but it's sweet, I describe it as sweet as my ears love it. It's not ice picky or painful at all but still cuts and is very evident.

Thats just my experience with the H voiced speakers. I had a Creamback M65 in my DSL40C that I really enjoyed but that to my ears was VERY dark. I had an early 2000s Vintage 30 for awhile and it was a cool speaker, it has that classic "Celestion sound" but has that upper mid push. If I needed speakers to cut and not for simply my tone wants, I'd pick a V30 to cut.

I still want to try some G12M options in the future.

Enjoy the amazing amp man! Congrats!

It's got that addictive Jimi vibe (I would crank it obviously into acdc territory), and I can only imagine how well it will sound with fuzz, wah and od.

It LOVES fuzz! It LOVES wah and it LOVES OD.

I have silicon and germanium fuzz faces/clones and they all sound incredible thru this amp.

I generally try to avoid OD pedals unless I'm having trouble getting amp gain/distortion at low volumes BUT this amp has made me fall in love with my Tubescreamer. I've owned this TS for probably 15+ years and rarely used it. I'd pull it out every once in awhile with a new amp and try to like it considering it's one of the legendary pedals... It sounds and plays so great with the HDRX 20, compliments the amp's voicing and just adds to the singing quality of the amp... Really didn't expect to ever "love" a TS so that said alot to me.

Sounds great, beautiful playing, and nice vibrato.

Would love to hear something with more distortion like AC/DC.

Thanks man, I'll be getting some more clips soon. I'm mostly waiting on my last speaker to arrive so my cab isn't a hodgepodge of speakers. I also gotta find a window when I can crank it but I will.

Sounds fantastic Maggot Brain. Would you mind sharing your settings for the low volume sound?

Thanks man! Sure!

Presence: 6, Bass: 2.5/3, Middle: 4.5, Treble: 8-9, Master Volume: 1-1.5, Treble Volume: 8, Bass Volume: 0.

I generally have the bright toggled up but just depends on my mood or fuzz I'm using. I alternate the High Mid Gain, sometimes I toggle it off for more pre '69 Hendrix flavor.

Those settings are with my sitting infront of a 4x12 with G12H voiced speakers. You may need to fine tune it for your set up (obviously).

FYI to others, I almost never use the Bass channel. I just run the Treble channel like on the top left or a 4 holer.

Awesome! The only problem I am experiencing is when you crank up the amp the vibration from the cab makes the head. move. It’s so lightweight. Have you experienced this as well ?

What's the tolex like on the matching cab? I've got mine of a 4x12 with smooth tolex and I have no problem with it moving at high volumes.

Might want to look into those no slide liner material and cut to shape to the very bottom of the head's feet if it won't stay in place.

 

[revrand]

I agree 100000% that this amp is just incredible that's not even bringing the price into the equation.

I HIGHLY recommend the Scumback H55-PVC, Eminence The Wizard or Celestion G12H30 55hz Heritage Greenback... Or any G12H flavored speaker for that matter. The amp this is based on, Jimi would have most likely been using G12H30s with 55hz cones in his cabs. My opinion is with the Scumback H55-PVC (I got a 65w for modern convince) this amp "nails" those tones and can even capture his pre '69 tones with the High Mid Switch toggles off. I've been on a speaker kick and have played as many options as I could (either buying them or playing thru an aquantence's cab/speaker) and speakers make a MASSIVE difference. I would almost dare say the speaker is JUST as important as the amp and will always stress that a speaker can make a WORLD of difference, especially on the details.

I used to have my 4x12 loaded with Vtypes and initially liked them a lot but I've been nieve of the importance of speakers for most of my guitar playing life. The Vtypes were an upgrade to the stock speakers in the cab made by 'Acoustic' so they seemed quite better but after getting exposure to other speakers my impression changed. The Vtypes are far from bad speakers, quite good especially for the price but if someone is looking for the classic Greenback sound on legendary recordings it isn't the best option at all. Now with my experience with a lot more speakers I'd describe the Vtypes as a dominant Vintage 30 voice with a bit of Greenback qualities but more of a evolution of the Vintage 30 imo.

I have played numerous G12H voiced speakers and my favorites by far are the Scumback H55-PVC and close second the Eminence Wizard. I have demoed a WGS Reaper and WGS Reaper HP and both were good, have a G12H flavor but less so than my 2 favorites. Demoing the Celestion G12H30 Aniversary was the brightest and thinnest sound of all the speakers I tried, it was one of my least favorites. The Heritage G12H30 55hz was good, very dark tho and was missing some character I associate with the originals, it was the darkest of all the G12Hs I've tried.

The Wizard is the brightest of the ones I've played and just sounds amazing. It has a big sound and sweet highs and full lows with the G12H 'slight' scoop but signature mids. They sound VERY similar to the Scumback imo and I believe they both use Kurt Mueller cones. I have first gen Wizards and they have Kurt Mueller cones.

The Scumback H55-PVC has "the sound" and sounds impressively close to original pre rola Greenbacks. I will forever be grateful for the passion, love, dedication and hard work Jim put into bringing us Scumbacks and having the closest option for pre Rola Greenback speakers. I wouldn't call the H55-PVC dark, it is darker than some speakers and probably a tad darker than the Vtype but I can't say for sure as it's been some months since I had my Vtypes. The H55-PVC is very full with the 55hz cone and part of that signature character heard in so many of Jimi's recordings. It's top end could be considered bright but it's sweet, I describe it as sweet as my ears love it. It's not ice picky or painful at all but still cuts and is very evident.

Thats just my experience with the H voiced speakers. I had a Creamback M65 in my DSL40C that I really enjoyed but that to my ears was VERY dark. I had an early 2000s Vintage 30 for awhile and it was a cool speaker, it has that classic "Celestion sound" but has that upper mid push. If I needed speakers to cut and not for simply my tone wants, I'd pick a V30 to cut.

I still want to try some G12M options in the future.

Enjoy the amazing amp man! Congrats!


It LOVES fuzz! It LOVES wah and it LOVES OD.

I have silicon and germanium fuzz faces/clones and they all sound incredible thru this amp.

I generally try to avoid OD pedals unless I'm having trouble getting amp gain/distortion at low volumes BUT this amp has made me fall in love with my Tubescreamer. I've owned this TS for probably 15+ years and rarely used it. I'd pull it out every once in awhile with a new amp and try to like it considering it's one of the legendary pedals... It sounds and plays so great with the HDRX 20, compliments the amp's voicing and just adds to the singing quality of the amp... Really didn't expect to ever "love" a TS so that said alot to me.

Thanks man, I'll be getting some more clips soon. I'm mostly waiting on my last speaker to arrive so my cab isn't a hodgepodge of speakers. I also gotta find a window when I can crank it but I will.


Thanks man! Sure!

Presence: 6, Bass: 2.5/3, Middle: 4.5, Treble: 8-9, Master Volume: 1-1.5, Treble Volume: 8, Bass Volume: 0.

I generally have the bright toggled up but just depends on my mood or fuzz I'm using. I alternate the High Mid Gain, sometimes I toggle it off for more pre '69 Hendrix flavor.

Those settings are with my sitting infront of a 4x12 with G12H voiced speakers. You may need to fine tune it for your set up (obviously).

FYI to others, I almost never use the Bass channel. I just run the Treble channel like on the top left or a 4 holer.


What's the tolex like on the matching cab? I've got mine of a 4x12 with smooth tolex and I have no problem with it moving at high volumes.

Might want to look into those no slide liner material and cut to shape to the very bottom of the head's feet if it won't stay in place.

Thank you Maggot Brain for breaking down the speaker choices. You are right about the V type speaker having that vintage 30 greenback MIX going on but with the V30 being the dominant side of the speaker. I like greenbacks but really don't care for the V30 at all.
I do like the Vtype speaker though it does sound pretty good. I may give that 65 watt scumback a shot. I have a creamback M65 in my DR. Z Z-28MK11 Combo and I plan on trying the HDRX through it eventually. BTW that amp is the best amp I ever purchased. Huge 3D surround sound tone. Vintage Fender/ Marshall tones just phenomenal. I was going back and forth all day yesterday between the Z and the HDRX and they are both so good. BTW I dig your tag here on the forum. That was the song I learned how to play lead guitar on back in the 70's !
Thank you for all your help and input brother. I appreciate it. What really blew me away about the HDRX is how it loves pedals.
The Z-28MK11 has that EF86 tube in it which just sucks up pedals just makes them sound like part of the amp which is a really good thing.
Well the HDRX also takes pedals like a champ as well. I use a lovepedal Tchula boost as a always on pedal. I like the dynamics it gives me.

 

[revrand]

Here it is

 

[revrand]

T

I agree 100000% that this amp is just incredible that's not even bringing the price into the equation.

I HIGHLY recommend the Scumback H55-PVC, Eminence The Wizard or Celestion G12H30 55hz Heritage Greenback... Or any G12H flavored speaker for that matter. The amp this is based on, Jimi would have most likely been using G12H30s with 55hz cones in his cabs. My opinion is with the Scumback H55-PVC (I got a 65w for modern convince) this amp "nails" those tones and can even capture his pre '69 tones with the High Mid Switch toggles off. I've been on a speaker kick and have played as many options as I could (either buying them or playing thru an aquantence's cab/speaker) and speakers make a MASSIVE difference. I would almost dare say the speaker is JUST as important as the amp and will always stress that a speaker can make a WORLD of difference, especially on the details.

I used to have my 4x12 loaded with Vtypes and initially liked them a lot but I've been nieve of the importance of speakers for most of my guitar playing life. The Vtypes were an upgrade to the stock speakers in the cab made by 'Acoustic' so they seemed quite better but after getting exposure to other speakers my impression changed. The Vtypes are far from bad speakers, quite good especially for the price but if someone is looking for the classic Greenback sound on legendary recordings it isn't the best option at all. Now with my experience with a lot more speakers I'd describe the Vtypes as a dominant Vintage 30 voice with a bit of Greenback qualities but more of a evolution of the Vintage 30 imo.

I have played numerous G12H voiced speakers and my favorites by far are the Scumback H55-PVC and close second the Eminence Wizard. I have demoed a WGS Reaper and WGS Reaper HP and both were good, have a G12H flavor but less so than my 2 favorites. Demoing the Celestion G12H30 Aniversary was the brightest and thinnest sound of all the speakers I tried, it was one of my least favorites. The Heritage G12H30 55hz was good, very dark tho and was missing some character I associate with the originals, it was the darkest of all the G12Hs I've tried.

The Wizard is the brightest of the ones I've played and just sounds amazing. It has a big sound and sweet highs and full lows with the G12H 'slight' scoop but signature mids. They sound VERY similar to the Scumback imo and I believe they both use Kurt Mueller cones. I have first gen Wizards and they have Kurt Mueller cones.

The Scumback H55-PVC has "the sound" and sounds impressively close to original pre rola Greenbacks. I will forever be grateful for the passion, love, dedication and hard work Jim put into bringing us Scumbacks and having the closest option for pre Rola Greenback speakers. I wouldn't call the H55-PVC dark, it is darker than some speakers and probably a tad darker than the Vtype but I can't say for sure as it's been some months since I had my Vtypes. The H55-PVC is very full with the 55hz cone and part of that signature character heard in so many of Jimi's recordings. It's top end could be considered bright but it's sweet, I describe it as sweet as my ears love it. It's not ice picky or painful at all but still cuts and is very evident.

Thats just my experience with the H voiced speakers. I had a Creamback M65 in my DSL40C that I really enjoyed but that to my ears was VERY dark. I had an early 2000s Vintage 30 for awhile and it was a cool speaker, it has that classic "Celestion sound" but has that upper mid push. If I needed speakers to cut and not for simply my tone wants, I'd pick a V30 to cut.

I still want to try some G12M options in the future.

Enjoy the amazing amp man! Congrats!


It LOVES fuzz! It LOVES wah and it LOVES OD.

I have silicon and germanium fuzz faces/clones and they all sound incredible thru this amp.

I generally try to avoid OD pedals unless I'm having trouble getting amp gain/distortion at low volumes BUT this amp has made me fall in love with my Tubescreamer. I've owned this TS for probably 15+ years and rarely used it. I'd pull it out every once in awhile with a new amp and try to like it considering it's one of the legendary pedals... It sounds and plays so great with the HDRX 20, compliments the amp's voicing and just adds to the singing quality of the amp... Really didn't expect to ever "love" a TS so that said alot to me.

Thanks man, I'll be getting some more clips soon. I'm mostly waiting on my last speaker to arrive so my cab isn't a hodgepodge of speakers. I also gotta find a window when I can crank it but I will.


Thanks man! Sure!

Presence: 6, Bass: 2.5/3, Middle: 4.5, Treble: 8-9, Master Volume: 1-1.5, Treble Volume: 8, Bass Volume: 0.

I generally have the bright toggled up but just depends on my mood or fuzz I'm using. I alternate the High Mid Gain, sometimes I toggle it off for more pre '69 Hendrix flavor.

Those settings are with my sitting infront of a 4x12 with G12H voiced speakers. You may need to fine tune it for your set up (obviously).

FYI to others, I almost never use the Bass channel. I just run the Treble channel like on the top left or a 4 holer.


What's the tolex like on the matching cab? I've got mine of a 4x12 with smooth tolex and I have no problem with it moving at high volumes.

Might want to look into those no slide liner material and cut to shape to the very bottom of the head's feet if it won't stay in place.

the tolex is the same as the head

 

[Maggot Brain]

Thank you Maggot Brain for breaking down the speaker choices. You are right about the V type speaker having that vintage 30 greenback MIX going on but with the V30 being the dominant side of the speaker. I like greenbacks but really don't care for the V30 at all.
I do like the Vtype speaker though it does sound pretty good. I may give that 65 watt scumback a shot. I have a creamback M65 in my DR. Z Z-28MK11 Combo and I plan on trying the HDRX through it eventually. BTW that amp is the best amp I ever purchased. Huge 3D surround sound tone. Vintage Fender/ Marshall tones just phenomenal. I was going back and forth all day yesterday between the Z and the HDRX and they are both so good. BTW I dig your tag here on the forum. That was the song I learned how to play lead guitar on back in the 70's !
Thank you for all your help and input brother. I appreciate it. What really blew me away about the HDRX is how it loves pedals.
The Z-28MK11 has that EF86 tube in it which just sucks up pedals just makes them sound like part of the amp which is a really good thing.
Well the HDRX also takes pedals like a champ as well. I use a lovepedal Tchula boost as a always on pedal. I like the dynamics it gives me.

No problem, I just really like to emphasize the speaker importance because I over looked it for So many years, all but up to about a year ago really. So many times I had a rig sounding great but just missing some details and I'd completely over look the speaker and continue my tone chase by getting different gear (amps, pedals, guitars, pickups etc) when I know had I got the right speaker it would have made a world of difference. So if anyone reading my replies that is maybe over looking the speaker aspect, might get inspired to look into them further.

I forgot to mention in my speaker descriptions, the Scumback H55-PVC is a very present speaker. In my current mix of speakers it's the dominant speaker and flavor. Even with 2 Wizards in my cab the H55-PVC is dominant and cuts beautifully. A quality that has REALLY impressed me and I can't wait to recieve my 2nd H55-PVC.

I know what you mean man! The HDRX takes every pedal I throw at it and just sounds glorious! Some amps just don't handle pedals well especially fuzz! I had a Fender Super Sonic 60 that I REALLY dug but my fuzzes just sounded like ass thru it... Really bummed me out and kinda mad at myself for not demoing a fuzz thru it before purchasing it (I need fuzz 😅). My DSL40C handles fuzz ok but not 100% like I'd like but the HDRX.... Just amazing, perfect I dare say.
I have a clone of the Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz and it's one of the only fuzzes I couldn't jive with but thru the HDRX 20 I now love it... Did not expect that.

Maggot Brain, such an emotional solo, I've been obsessed with it since a buddy showed me it years ago. Really cool it was something you learned back in it's day. I'm always blown away how many guitarist haven't even heard of this incredible song.

Let me know how the HDRX 20 sounds thru the Creamback! I still really want to try the H75 Creamback! I think it sounds closer to the H
G12H than the M65 does to the G12M.

Enjoy your amps man! You got amazing rigs and beautiful guitars!

T

the tolex is the same as the head

Duh I should of figured haha... That's interesting as the tolex on my 4x12 is very similar to the head. The 4x12 has a smooth un textured tolex and the rubber fit grip it no problem... Really unfortunate that is an issue and surprised PRS didn't catch that issue. They should have made spots for the feet to sit on the matching cab.

 

[EJstrat&JVM]

No problem, I just really like to emphasize the speaker importance because I over looked it for So many years, all but up to about a year ago really. So many times I had a rig sounding great but just missing some details and I'd completely over look the speaker and continue my tone chase by getting different gear (amps, pedals, guitars, pickups etc) when I know had I got the right speaker it would have made a world of difference. So if anyone reading my replies that is maybe over looking the speaker aspect, might get inspired to look into them further.

I forgot to mention in my speaker descriptions, the Scumback H55-PVC is a very present speaker. In my current mix of speakers it's the dominant speaker and flavor. Even with 2 Wizards in my cab the H55-PVC is dominant and cuts beautifully. A quality that has REALLY impressed me and I can't wait to recieve my 2nd H55-PVC.

I know what you mean man! The HDRX takes every pedal I throw at it and just sounds glorious! Some amps just don't handle pedals well especially fuzz! I had a Fender Super Sonic 60 that I REALLY dug but my fuzzes just sounded like ass thru it... Really bummed me out and kinda mad at myself for not demoing a fuzz thru it before purchasing it (I need fuzz 😅). My DSL40C handles fuzz ok but not 100% like I'd like but the HDRX.... Just amazing, perfect I dare say.
I have a clone of the Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz and it's one of the only fuzzes I couldn't jive with but thru the HDRX 20 I now love it... Did not expect that.

Maggot Brain, such an emotional solo, I've been obsessed with it since a buddy showed me it years ago. Really cool it was something you learned back in it's day. I'm always blown away how many guitarist haven't even heard of this incredible song.

Let me know how the HDRX 20 sounds thru the Creamback! I still really want to try the H75 Creamback! I think it sounds closer to the H
G12H than the M65 does to the G12M.

Enjoy your amps man! You got amazing rigs and beautiful guitars!



Duh I should of figured haha... That's interesting as the tolex on my 4x12 is very similar to the head. The 4x12 has a smooth un textured tolex and the rubber fit grip it no problem... Really unfortunate that is an issue and surprised PRS didn't catch that issue. They should have made spots for the feet to sit on the matching cab.

Or the WGS Invader is another greenback flavour choice.

 

[revrand]

Thank you for your kind words, I have a chase tone fuzz fella its a silicon fuzz its the blue one the 68 red fuzz fella is amazing as well its more like Jimi at Woodstock the blue one I have is more like Jimi BOG tone. I have had practically every high end fuzz out there even ones that cost over a grand and these fuzz pedals are amazing especially for the price. And If you can get your hands on the Chase tone purple stardust its one of the best 70's style octaves I have ever owned its smooth and has that decay delay tone in it its just incredible. I am a fuzz freak!
I am def interested in that scumback thank you again and here is a blast from the past my version of maggot brain with a different spin on it.
This was done in 1996 off of my album Just tryin ta stay up. I whish I had better equipment back then but i had to work with what I had a fender blues deluxe and a old crybaby fuzz pedal anyway thanks again brother...

 

[bamfordjf]

I agree 100000% that this amp is just incredible that's not even bringing the price into the equation.

I HIGHLY recommend the Scumback H55-PVC, Eminence The Wizard or Celestion G12H30 55hz Heritage Greenback... Or any G12H flavored speaker for that matter. The amp this is based on, Jimi would have most likely been using G12H30s with 55hz cones in his cabs. My opinion is with the Scumback H55-PVC (I got a 65w for modern convince) this amp "nails" those tones and can even capture his pre '69 tones with the High Mid Switch toggles off. I've been on a speaker kick and have played as many options as I could (either buying them or playing thru an aquantence's cab/speaker) and speakers make a MASSIVE difference. I would almost dare say the speaker is JUST as important as the amp and will always stress that a speaker can make a WORLD of difference, especially on the details.

I used to have my 4x12 loaded with Vtypes and initially liked them a lot but I've been nieve of the importance of speakers for most of my guitar playing life. The Vtypes were an upgrade to the stock speakers in the cab made by 'Acoustic' so they seemed quite better but after getting exposure to other speakers my impression changed. The Vtypes are far from bad speakers, quite good especially for the price but if someone is looking for the classic Greenback sound on legendary recordings it isn't the best option at all. Now with my experience with a lot more speakers I'd describe the Vtypes as a dominant Vintage 30 voice with a bit of Greenback qualities but more of a evolution of the Vintage 30 imo.

I have played numerous G12H voiced speakers and my favorites by far are the Scumback H55-PVC and close second the Eminence Wizard. I have demoed a WGS Reaper and WGS Reaper HP and both were good, have a G12H flavor but less so than my 2 favorites. Demoing the Celestion G12H30 Aniversary was the brightest and thinnest sound of all the speakers I tried, it was one of my least favorites. The Heritage G12H30 55hz was good, very dark tho and was missing some character I associate with the originals, it was the darkest of all the G12Hs I've tried.

The Wizard is the brightest of the ones I've played and just sounds amazing. It has a big sound and sweet highs and full lows with the G12H 'slight' scoop but signature mids. They sound VERY similar to the Scumback imo and I believe they both use Kurt Mueller cones. I have first gen Wizards and they have Kurt Mueller cones.

The Scumback H55-PVC has "the sound" and sounds impressively close to original pre rola Greenbacks. I will forever be grateful for the passion, love, dedication and hard work Jim put into bringing us Scumbacks and having the closest option for pre Rola Greenback speakers. I wouldn't call the H55-PVC dark, it is darker than some speakers and probably a tad darker than the Vtype but I can't say for sure as it's been some months since I had my Vtypes. The H55-PVC is very full with the 55hz cone and part of that signature character heard in so many of Jimi's recordings. It's top end could be considered bright but it's sweet, I describe it as sweet as my ears love it. It's not ice picky or painful at all but still cuts and is very evident.

Thats just my experience with the H voiced speakers. I had a Creamback M65 in my DSL40C that I really enjoyed but that to my ears was VERY dark. I had an early 2000s Vintage 30 for awhile and it was a cool speaker, it has that classic "Celestion sound" but has that upper mid push. If I needed speakers to cut and not for simply my tone wants, I'd pick a V30 to cut.

I still want to try some G12M options in the future.

Enjoy the amazing amp man! Congrats!


It LOVES fuzz! It LOVES wah and it LOVES OD.

I have silicon and germanium fuzz faces/clones and they all sound incredible thru this amp.

I generally try to avoid OD pedals unless I'm having trouble getting amp gain/distortion at low volumes BUT this amp has made me fall in love with my Tubescreamer. I've owned this TS for probably 15+ years and rarely used it. I'd pull it out every once in awhile with a new amp and try to like it considering it's one of the legendary pedals... It sounds and plays so great with the HDRX 20, compliments the amp's voicing and just adds to the singing quality of the amp... Really didn't expect to ever "love" a TS so that said alot to me.

Thanks man, I'll be getting some more clips soon. I'm mostly waiting on my last speaker to arrive so my cab isn't a hodgepodge of speakers. I also gotta find a window when I can crank it but I will.


Thanks man! Sure!

Presence: 6, Bass: 2.5/3, Middle: 4.5, Treble: 8-9, Master Volume: 1-1.5, Treble Volume: 8, Bass Volume: 0.

I generally have the bright toggled up but just depends on my mood or fuzz I'm using. I alternate the High Mid Gain, sometimes I toggle it off for more pre '69 Hendrix flavor.

Those settings are with my sitting infront of a 4x12 with G12H voiced speakers. You may need to fine tune it for your set up (obviously).

FYI to others, I almost never use the Bass channel. I just run the Treble channel like on the top left or a 4 holer.


What's the tolex like on the matching cab? I've got mine of a 4x12 with smooth tolex and I have no problem with it moving at high volumes.

Might want to look into those no slide liner material and cut to shape to the very bottom of the head's feet if it won't stay in place.

Hey Maggot Brain-

What TS settings are you working with? I have a TS9 and I’m trying to get it to bond with the amp as it’s my only OD pedal. Are you using it with the settings you posted above? Im a noob and this is my first tube amp

Thanks!!

 

[Maggot Brain]

Hey Maggot Brain-

What TS settings are you working with? I have a TS9 and I’m trying to get it to bond with the amp as it’s my only OD pedal. Are you using it with the settings you posted above? Im a noob and this is my first tube amp

Thanks!!

Welcome to the MF!


I've come up with some settings I like better than posted earlier.

Presence: 9, Bass: 4, Middle: 6, Treble: 4
High Mid Gain switch: Up, Bright switch: Up
Master Volume: to taste
Treble Volume: 8-9.5 or to taste
Bass Volume: 0

I usually set my TS9 with Volume to taste but around 3ish, a little bit of Drive so maybe 2-3ish and Tone around 5-7 or to taste.

I usually use the TS9 for late-night playing since I'm in a triplex. I can use the volume to fine tune my volume level and add a tiny bit of drive at low volume with the drive knob. If it's normal waking hours 😄 I play into the amp with my usual effects (wah, fuzz, univibe).

The HDRX 20 loves getting the front end hit, diming the volume on my Fuzz pedals is so damn fun. If you can get away with louder volumes try turning the TS drive down to 0 and crank the volume of the TS to slam the front end of the amp. The TS9 makes for a great Boost pedal running it this way.


Enjoy, share your experience!

 

[Dean Swindell]

Well; second gig with my HDRX 20, Mojotone British Lite 2x12 with their "Bluebacks" I call them. NYE. Different band, louder drummer, aggressive bass player rhythm guitar player with a lot of reverb. Am I old fashioned using a Deluxe Reverb as a standard of 20 watt volume? Are the Marshall 20 watters like this? Because this this is LOUD and I don't remember any Deluxe I've ever played being this loud though I could be wrong. I actually had to turn the master down at one point. My settings started off thusly; Presence at 1:00, Bass & Mid 3:00, Treb 1:00, master 10:00, Treb & Bass Vol 1:00, both mini toggles up. After one song the master went up to 1:00. Second song the treb vol back to noon, bass vol to 2:00 and the master back to about 11:00 the rest of the night, and if anything I was a tiny bit too loud. For boost, depending on the song I went for either side of the Farm Pedals Double drive, many songs just my volume knob. For guitars, my Tele has two Wilde L-90 humbuckers and my strat two Lawrence L-250s and a DiMarzio Fast Track 1. Finally I was far enough away to know what I was hearing and I was delighted. Not going for Hendrix' tone I got it anyway at times, clean or with the overdrive side of the Farm getting some Berkeley lead sounds. Also I believe I had enough power to keep up with the band while not too much to goose the power section to life, a rare luxury. Anyway, I won't be seeking out any Sylvania 6L6's for this thing, it's as loud as you'll need to be in any bar and I've liked the sound of these 5881's since they came out in the '90s. Now I'm kicking the idea around of selling my Granger 1987.

 

[Figaro]

.

 

[StrummerJoe]

Here it is View attachment 121458

Love the amps, the board, strats, and especially the Suhr Classic HSS.

(I have a Suhr Classic HSS too, so I know how good that guitar is)

 

[Figaro]

I had a thread recently asking for some suggestions on a new amp, unfortunately I got pretty busy the past week or so and didn't get to reply as much as I wanted. I had my initial plans but just wanted to see if there was anything else I may not be as aware of that might interest me. I ended up narrowing it down to the PRS HDRX 20 and a Ceriatone JTM45/100 clone, I actually came so close to putting my order in with Nik but my adult side stepped it for once... 100 watts even with a MV is just WAY more than I ever could use... I'm sure I'd rarely take it above 2 in a NMV set up... I "want" 100w but I'll never need it and rarely get it anywhere close to the sweet spot. I contemplated just using an attenuator with it to justify it but rationality won me over...

So the PRS HDRX 20 was the only other amp I was GASing bad for but was hesitant due to being a PRS... Nothing against PRS but in general I usually see "meh" responses from those that have owned or tried one of PRS previous amps. I haven't seen a PRS amp in person in about 8+ years, last time I saw one Guitar Center had a BIG PRS section that is now long gone... But the whole concept of the HDRX 20 was PERFECT for me and to be honest was almost like it was made for me.

What won me over was first the Hendrix "inspired" circuit, the larger 50 and 100 versions had copied the West Coast Organ and Amplifier mods (Dave Weyer's modifications) for Jimi's 1969 Superleads... To what extent? Idk, it could be only a gimmick or... maybe not? (I'll express my opinion further) then the 5881 power section, honestly every amp I've played with 5881s I have just LOVED the clean and driven tones. I didn't initially know the HDRX 20 was loaded with 5881s or I'd been drooling over it a lot sooner, I love these tubes. Next is the master volume... As much as I love the sound of a cranked NMV amp (I do believe they sound a little different) it just isn't practical and I really discovered that with the SV20H, I thought I could get away with it more than I really could and realize how beneficial a MV is for my application. The size! I love the size of the SV20H for quick grab and go to a buddy's or to an open jam, the HDRX 20 might be slightly smaller than the SV20H which makes it again a very practical and easy to lug amplifier.... It's a little Plexi! I've been wanting a low wattage Plexi for years and I was so PUMPED for the SV20H but... I really grew to not like it, I've found the SV20H really lacking in some Plexi qualities and can't get past them as they are my favorite qualities.

So, I decided to go for it and ordered the HDRX 20...

BLOWN AWAY, MIND BLOWN, TONAL NIRVANA, I FINALLY FOUND THE END OF THE RAINBOW, I FOUND THE SOUND IVE BEEN CHASING FOR 20 YEARS...

Sorry for the caps but holy F*(k is this amp what I've been searching for to a T... My signature amp, this is exactly what I'd ask for... I am beyond ecstatic, giddy, high, happy, relieved and inspired by going with the PRS... They NAILED it AND for under $1000!

This amp is what the SV20H should have been imo, the HDRX can switch from plain Plexi to Jimi's mod (mid high boost) and both sound incredibly accurate. The amp has the chime, the chime I so associate with the vintage plexis both Superleads and JTMs. The first time I plugged into a 1959 full stack nearly 15 years ago, I'll never forget that chime combined with that amazing edge of break up, almost clean, slight grit... The HDRX does it, this was my biggest disappointment in the SV20H. The SV20 is extremely strident and very trebely like the big Superleads but it just had no chime/jangle to my ears, no matter what speakers I used I just couldn't get my favorite sound out of it.

The HDRX sounds SOOO beautiful clean and so MASSIVE when pushing the power tubes. It 100000% has Hendrix's sonic DNA in it and I am really shocked as I truly figured it was a gimmick. I actually only watched 2 official PRS previews of the amp and read only the official description. I wanted NOTHING to skew, influence or bias my personal perspective of the amp. The 2 official videos I watched weren't THAT great to be honest BUT I heard the potential, I knew if there is any decent plexi voicing in that amp and/or a true Weyer inspired circuit, I could dig it out better than the official demos. In my hands I am getting some of the best Jimi tones I've ever achieved, I'm just constantly blown away every time I turn on this amp. I've had for about 4 days now and just finally pulling myself away from it to check into the forum.

I was initially going to buy the matching 1x12 but honestly, I'm not paying $400+ for a little 1x12 with a V type... I found a beautiful all ply custom 1x12 locally for $100, made it into a closed back and threw in my Eminence Wizard, sounds amazing too! I also ordered a Scumback H55-PVC which should be arriving soon. I can't wait to hear the HDRX 20 thru the Scumback, I'm already blown away

Only knock I could really find with the HDRX 20 is the lack of an effects loop. I'm not too concerned as I only ever used a loop for reverb and even then that was rarely.
I'm sure for some people the fact the amp is made in Indonesia could be a turn off. I haven't checked out the internals yet but everything feels NICE, nice quality, solid, sturdy, no slop or play in the controls or switches, all the preamp tubes have proper covers... Just over all a beautiful and solid feel. I really don't concern myself with country of origin anymore because either way all the parts are made in China.

I could go on and on and on and on, just feels like a dream come true. The sounds I've been chasing and trying to perfect, all exsist in this amp and I couldn't be any happier. I highly suggest anyone that wants a 20w Plexi should seriously consider the HDRX, you don't have to be a Hendrix fan to appreciate the beautiful Marshall tones in this amp and for being almost half the price of a brand new SV20H I say it is a no Brainer...

*Colombo voice* ah yes, one more thing!

The master volume on this amp is the best I've ever heard. I have no idea how they did it but it sounds beautiful even at VERY low volumes (sub TV volume). Where most amps sound dull, flat and thin below a certain volume, this amp retains all it's character. Do know that even tho this is a MV amp, it still behaves more like a NMV. Diming the channel volume will give you preamp break up but it's fairly low gain and if you really want some crunch you'll have to get the power section in on the action. Don't fret as the 5881s break up beautiful at decent volumes... Loud but not quite as deafening in comparison to say the SV20....

Oh man there is so much I am missing!... The layout is excellent, both channels are internally bridged but you still have the 2 volume controls ala a plexi + the MV. You have a bright switch that can tame the bright cap when playing at lower volume (this is such a great feature!) And then of course the "High Mid Gain" switch which makes it sound like Jimi's 69' modded Superleads. With this switch on the amp has this beautiful boost in high mids that beautifully morph into the trebles creating this just amazing clear, beautiful and unique sound. I have ALWAYS wondered about Jimi's amps post '69 as they are clearly Marshall's but I've never thought they sounded like a typical plexi, I always thought they sounded way brighter and way more upper middy than the common plexis... When I discovered Weyer's post then did all of it start to make perfect sense.

I'm getting carried away... If you come across one of these CHECK IT OUT, if you want a low watt tube plexi CHECK IT OUT. I HIGHLY suggest this over the SV20H, just play it without the mid high gain switch and you got classic plexi.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must be on my waaaay
.....

You said the Master Volume sounds beautiful even at very low settings. On mine, the Master Volume definitely affects the sound when it’s turned down low, like most master volumes do. It sounds thinner and a little grittier when turned down to around 2 and below. Is yours not like this?

Another question…
Do you think the High Mid Gain switch is the only mod that makes the HDRX‘s circuit different from a normal Plexi circuit, or does it have other mods to the circuit that make it different?
Thank you.