Picked up a 2x12" LSC combo the other day on a "At prices like this, I can't afford not to buy it!" deal. 4.5 years old with some minor cosmetic issues and a gremlin in the effects loop return jack (rattle, rattle, bzzt), but it's in good shape overall. I was planning on having a few months of fun with it, then selling at a small profit, but... but... after learning how to dial in a few tones, this amp is starting to sound so sweet, I may need to change my plans...
As a side effect, I've also become interested in the LSS.
I'd like to ask some general questions of people here who have experience with the LSC, especially if they also have experience with the LSS.
LSS ONLY:
I've never played a LSS in person, and can't even recall seeing one listed locally any time recently. But from videos I've seen, the main difference seems to be that they've got more chime, less punch, and a tighter low end. If you've played both, would you say the difference in sound is just that we're dealing with lower-watt/EL84/fewer option version of a larger amp (e.g. Mark V:25/35), or does the LSS have a personality all its own that you'd recommend/warn against? If headroom is no issue, which would you pick?
Thanks!
As a side effect, I've also become interested in the LSS.
I'd like to ask some general questions of people here who have experience with the LSC, especially if they also have experience with the LSS.
- It seems like the LSC loses more of its personality at lower (non-pushed) volumes compared to many other modern tube amps. The TC-100 and Mark V come to mind: while neither are amazing at bedroom volumes, they still sound quite good... but I've kinda resigned myself to the fact that a "quite good" approximation of the LSC's tones at bedroom levels may not be possible here. Your experience?
- The stock 2x12" speakers can go from "lush" to "mush" fairly quick; IMO, it actually sounds better through a single 1x12" (also open back, also Black Shadow). Just a touch more definition and bite, and still sounds big! If you had a 2x12" combo, did you feel it was "mushy" or convert to a 1x12" (or a 4x10/12")?
- Did you hate the drive channel when you first got it? Do you still hate the drive channel? I thought it sounded like somebody'd put a chloroform-soaked rag over the front of the amp at first, but my thought was who cares, 'cause everybody just uses the clean channel all the time. Plus, I'm just gonna sell it in a few months, anyway, right? But there are so many videos of people playing unmodded LSCs (without a ton of pedals) on the drive channel and sounding GREAT, it started to bug me. Sooo... I'm still discovering it, but after a few days of experimenting (and actually reading the manual), the flub is gone and I kinda, well... I'm starting to really like it. It's like two parts Mark I with equal parts Fender and Marshall. Unexpected, to say the least. I don't like the Mark I sound at all, but it works here.
- This amp has Strat fever (probably why the bass knob is so ridiculous?). Now, I don't mind how humbuckers and P-90s (especially neck P-90s) sound through this thing, and my Telecaster sounds good... but Strats. Wow. I was actually just whining in the Mark V forum about the bridge pickup on my Strat, but it sounds glorious here. No pedals, no nothin'. What's worked best with you through the LSC?
LSS ONLY:
I've never played a LSS in person, and can't even recall seeing one listed locally any time recently. But from videos I've seen, the main difference seems to be that they've got more chime, less punch, and a tighter low end. If you've played both, would you say the difference in sound is just that we're dealing with lower-watt/EL84/fewer option version of a larger amp (e.g. Mark V:25/35), or does the LSS have a personality all its own that you'd recommend/warn against? If headroom is no issue, which would you pick?
Thanks!