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OK Phaez-ers! Out with it!


JGale

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I've had a dual channel phaez based on a clean blackface tone and a dumble in a 50 watt size.  A glorious amp that is being enjoyed today by a good friend I sold it to.  This amp is going on close to 10 years old and no problems to speak of.  I also own a 22 watt 2/6v6 SIBLY that is as good as one could ask for in a small form marhsall in a box.  Again no complaints and no issues over the years.  Randy can be hard to communicate with, as he is more interested in building amps than answering emails, so customer service could be better, if that's a concern, maybe pass.  For me, I grabbed both used and have not had a reason to deal with Randy, nor do I see a reason to going forward.

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I bought a SIBLY here and then ordered a Corona from Randy his own self.  He wasn't chatty, but we exchanged enough emails to settle on what I wanted and after a decent interval it was on its way to me.  I put it into a Sourmash cab that I ordered separately.  I haven't put a ton of hours on either one, but I have no complaints.  I just play unamplified most of the time.

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I own an 18 watt Pasadena head that I have posted about on these forums a couple of times before. While intended to be Randy's take on the brown sound, I have it set at relatively low gain, mainly to give me a slightly beyond break up platform a la Setzer or Paisley.

Knock on wood, that little amp has been reliable through at least a hundred rehearsals and roughly 40 gigs. I run it mostly through a home built Pine cabinet loaded with a single Celestion g12h 100w harvested from an old Kitty Hawk combo. I'd really like to try running it through a proper Thiele cabinet, which is why I entered the discussion about the original EV speakers a few days ago.

Anyone interested in a simple single channel tube platform that both qualifies as hand-built and won't break the bank should consider  one of these worth a try.

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I checked his site, Thanks! He’s got something figured out with the power transformers others haven’t for sure. Really simple point to point wiring and great cap’s!! Might have to check one out!!

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Randy built me a Daisycutter early on.  It was truly point to point and sounded great.  He uses the same transformers as another guy that built an amp for me years ago.  His name was Jarrod Lee.  Don't know if he's still doing it.  The Hooker was the one I had.  

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Great, this is all I needed to muddy my amp buying waters...

Checking out his website. These look fantastic and priced very affordably. 

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2 hours ago, Travis said:

Great, this is all I needed to muddy my amp buying waters...

Checking out his website. These look fantastic and priced very affordably. 

Can't argue with fantastic, but pricing-wise, make sure you are accounting for whether it's chassis only, and whether it comes with tubes.  Adding a cabinet and tubes could add quite a bit, depending on your tastes and whether you have it on hand already.

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4 hours ago, mrjamiam said:

Can't argue with fantastic, but pricing-wise, make sure you are accounting for whether it's chassis only, and whether it comes with tubes.  Adding a cabinet and tubes could add quite a bit, depending on your tastes and whether you have it on hand already.

Good advice. Still, I live 40 minutes away from Steve Carr's operation and just couldn't justify spending $2250 on what I felt was a oh-so-slightly superior version of a Phaez that I snagged for $400. I bought mine barely used condition in a cool reclaimed maple cab and fully tubed. There's a shitload of other stuff I can (and did) do with that extra $1,850. Food for thought. 

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14 hours ago, Travis said:

You know me too well 

You have to look at all your options, but eventually you have to go kick in the tunnel vision. 

I thought about buying a Phaez a few times. Then I figured after the shipping, head cab and tubes, I was in the range of other amps that I could actually put my hands on that sound great. 

 

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A few years ago Randy built me an 8 watt Pasadena. One 6V6, power scaling and an effects loop.  The head shell was built by JDesigns.  This one was a little more high-gain than I pictured in my head.  Came with Marshall style knobs and I added the mini chicken heads.  I eventually passed it on and the new owner is happy with it.  As others have said, Randy isn't the best at answering email.  He came through in the end and delivered as promised.  It was quite a wait.  The wiring wasn't as neat as it could've been but everything functioned.  I don't have a gut shot.  There are lots of Phaez fans out there.  

 

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Earlier this year I traded for  a Phaez Brink attenuator here to help bring down the Bassman a bit. Works as advertised. I have looked  at his amps a zillion times. I know he gets lots of great reviews, his prices are low, and I communicated with him on a build that I changed my mind on and he was prompt and informative with me.

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I've got two: an Asheville and a two channel custom beastie, called the Duofaze.

The Asheville is his take on Warren Haynes' modded SLO.  Mine is his EL84 (2014?) version and it still blows me away; there is just something special about this circuit.  At one time was tempted to grab a used EL34 version for more headroom, but since it really shines in overdrive/distortionland, no need.

The Duofaze is a SIBLY and a McClane (trainwreck express) in one.  I didnt want a clean channel at all, so asked for this combo.  Took him a while, and he had to go thru a few different designs/changes before he was satisfied. Of the two, probably use the SIBLY more often because the McClane is more of a lead guitar specialist.  Like them both tho, and it's going nowhere any time soon. 

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