Talking Heads amps
- Tafarel
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Talking Heads amps
Does anybody know what amps they used back in the pre-Belew(JC-120) years? I am speaking about these, in particular: http://www.mixdownmag.com.au/gear-rundo ... ng-tongues
I assume they were SS amps? It looks like they are sitting on Ampeg cabs, but the badge is on the wrong side. I've searched the forum and there is one reference to them, but the poster didn't know the make or model. Any help would be appreciated.
I assume they were SS amps? It looks like they are sitting on Ampeg cabs, but the badge is on the wrong side. I've searched the forum and there is one reference to them, but the poster didn't know the make or model. Any help would be appreciated.
"I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory, and I didn't have a good time."
- Maggieo
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Re: Talking Heads amps
I'm really interested in this, too.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
- marqueemoon
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Re: Talking Heads amps
Their early stuff sounds pretty Fendery, but I could be wrong.
There are a lot of live pictures in The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads. I have the double LP. I’ll see if I can spot anything specific.
I suspect they just used whatever in the studio.
There are a lot of live pictures in The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads. I have the double LP. I’ll see if I can spot anything specific.
I suspect they just used whatever in the studio.
- Tafarel
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Re: Talking Heads amps
There is some footage of them at a South Bank show and in practice at around this same time (1979) and those monster amps can be spotted in the video, as well. https://youtu.be/f5EzLDD1D_Q
That sound, at about 13:17, is just killer for me.
It is really a confounding mystery. A friend of mine has been obsessed with this sound (as am I, tho far less obsessively) for a number of years without any payoff.
That sound, at about 13:17, is just killer for me.
It is really a confounding mystery. A friend of mine has been obsessed with this sound (as am I, tho far less obsessively) for a number of years without any payoff.
Last edited by Tafarel on Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
"I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory, and I didn't have a good time."
- Tafarel
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Re: Talking Heads amps
Oh, and that entire documentary is fascinating -- worth all the time you can give it, really.
"I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory, and I didn't have a good time."
- marqueemoon
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Re: Talking Heads amps
The head behind David in those pictures looks like it has a Gallien Krueger logo, but I’ve never seen a GK with two rows of knobs like that.Tafarel wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 5:43 amDoes anybody know what amps they used back in the pre-Belew(JC-120) years? I am speaking about these, in particular: http://www.mixdownmag.com.au/gear-rundo ... ng-tongues
I assume they were SS amps? It looks like they are sitting on Ampeg cabs, but the badge is on the wrong side. I've searched the forum and there is one reference to them, but the poster didn't know the make or model. Any help would be appreciated.
- Tafarel
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Re: Talking Heads amps
I know! Right?marqueemoon wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:50 amThe head behind David in those pictures looks like it has a Gallien Krueger logo, but I’ve never seen a GK with two rows of knobs like that.Tafarel wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 5:43 amDoes anybody know what amps they used back in the pre-Belew(JC-120) years? I am speaking about these, in particular: http://www.mixdownmag.com.au/gear-rundo ... ng-tongues
I assume they were SS amps? It looks like they are sitting on Ampeg cabs, but the badge is on the wrong side. I've searched the forum and there is one reference to them, but the poster didn't know the make or model. Any help would be appreciated.
I looked at every GK head, too, thinking it might be that, as well. The knobs and case look like they could be Traynor, but I couldn't find anything by them that had the dual rows of knobs.
"I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory, and I didn't have a good time."
- higgsblossom
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Re: Talking Heads amps
I know that he used a Laney GH120, but it’s not the one in the video obviously. Shouldn’t even have been released back then afaik, but... great solid state amp anyway.
See https://reverb.com/item/3470793-laney-g ... id=1&pid=1
See https://reverb.com/item/3470793-laney-g ... id=1&pid=1
"500€? That's the price of a J Mascis Jazzmaster!"
- Tafarel
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Re: Talking Heads amps
Thanks. That's great info. Down the rabbit hole again.
In looking up that Laney, I noticed that their contemporary solid-state amps have two rows of controls.
In looking up that Laney, I noticed that their contemporary solid-state amps have two rows of controls.
"I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory, and I didn't have a good time."
- WonderCouncil
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Re: Talking Heads amps
I haven't posted on the forum in a long while but happened to have some down time and could use a distraction. Nothing like good gear search hah. Pretty sure it was just pure luck...well and the spot on suggestions in the thread.
The head looks to be a Gallien Krueger 400GT. For comparison...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lionkiller/3637818892
The cab is definitely an Ampeg (4x12?) turned on it's side. If you check in the first picture from the article, you can see the silver feet just to the left of the microphone. That would explain the badge positioning.
Hope a link is for the picture is alright, haven't signed up for a new image host since the PhotoBucket fiasco.
The head looks to be a Gallien Krueger 400GT. For comparison...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lionkiller/3637818892
The cab is definitely an Ampeg (4x12?) turned on it's side. If you check in the first picture from the article, you can see the silver feet just to the left of the microphone. That would explain the badge positioning.
Hope a link is for the picture is alright, haven't signed up for a new image host since the PhotoBucket fiasco.
- marqueemoon
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Re: Talking Heads amps
We have a winner! Nice detective work.
- Tafarel
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Re: Talking Heads amps
Gawd! That's fantastic. Your skills are way beyond my imagining.
Thanks so much! Glad you're back on the forum.
Good catch on the Ampeg cabs turned on your side. It's a fair guess I'm no detective -- you on the other hand...
Thanks so much! Glad you're back on the forum.
Good catch on the Ampeg cabs turned on your side. It's a fair guess I'm no detective -- you on the other hand...
"I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory, and I didn't have a good time."
- Maggieo
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Re: Talking Heads amps
Seconded!!!!
PS: I think we looked at each other as I was walking into Lidgett's and you were walking out.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
- Tafarel
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Re: Talking Heads amps
Really? I glanced at the front door as I was leaving but was lost in my own head. I had tried to make a deal with Rob, but he had a real weird valuation on my tele. He was going to give me $1000 in trade on a guitar (that I was not at all interested in), but only $600 if it was on an amp. I was actually not very happy at that moment -- I am sorry about that. I wasn't seeing much of anything but red. He's usually so reasonable.
Did you make a deal?
Did you make a deal?
"I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I'm reminiscing this right now. I can't go to the bar because I've already looked back on it in my memory, and I didn't have a good time."
- Maggieo
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Re: Talking Heads amps
I'm sorry Rob wouldn't deal with you. That sucks. I don't blame you for being in the red mist at all.Tafarel wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 6:52 pmReally? I glanced at the front door as I was leaving but was lost in my own head. I had tried to make a deal with Rob, but he had a real weird valuation on my tele. He was going to give me $1000 in trade on a guitar (that I was not at all interested in), but only $600 if it was on an amp. I was actually not very happy at that moment -- I am sorry about that. I wasn't seeing much of anything but red. He's usually so reasonable.
Did you make a deal?
I made two pretty great deals. Straight-up trade for the amps (Electrosonic for your Milkman) and my gold Sparkle Jet for a unicorn guitar that will be unveiled in a proper NGD thread.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.