What's everyone up to right now?

[Rev. Rye]

Now here's another installment in the ongoing saga of "Rev tries to figure out how loud the amp he's building is before he's had a chance to actually play through it."

Last time, I concluded that it has the potential to be a bit less than 100 dB from a meter away. Unfortunately, comparing it with several classic amps (mostly Fender since they have a big range of iconic amps of all sizes whose original speakers can easily be matched up with real speakers with readily available sensitivity ratings), it seems that that, peak volume wise, it's in roughly the same ballpark as a Tweed Fender Champ. A five watt amp.

But, of course, the whole reason I latched onto a 14 watt amp board is because I wanted it to be louder than my Pignose. So, I decided to test it out. Unfortunately, when I got this idea, Dad was already asleep, so waking him up to play at ear-splittingly loud levels was probably not a good idea. That said, I found this video:





It wasn't quite the apples-to-apples comparison I expected since it was being measured from 21 inches away and I'm fairly certain that the standard is one meter. However, it was pretty easy to calculate a comparison with this calc. If it maxes out at 98 dB from less than a meter away, at that distance, it's closer to 93 (and no, adjusting for potential rounding down and the two different wattages I found for the Pignose don't actually make much difference). 100 over 93. That's a pretty bloody good increase.

And even if that's not enough, at least we'll still have a line out. And maybe a speaker out.

[Rev. Rye]

Good news and bad news.

Good news: the boss has decided to take my internship to the next level, whatever that means.

Bad news: I accidentally sat on my earmuffs and this is what they look like now:

[The Valkyrie]

Good news and bad news.

Good news: the boss has decided to take my internship to the next level, whatever that means.

Bad news: I accidentally sat on my earmuffs and this is what they look like now:

Muff isn't for sitting on.

[Fireball]

Good news and bad news.

Good news: the boss has decided to take my internship to the next level, whatever that means.

Bad news: I accidentally sat on my earmuffs and this is what they look like now:

fuckin' earmuffs!

[The Valkyrie]

Went for a walk at lunchtime and there was a guy outside a day spa offering $15 facials.

It wasn't what I expected!

Ewww!!

On the bright side I'm $15 richer.

[Fireball]

Went for a walk at lunchtime and there was a guy outside a day spa offering $15 facials.

It wasn't what I expected!

Ewww!!

On the bright side I'm $15 richer.

Go look up "Bukakke Tears".

[LadyForCamus]

Drinking heavily. 🍷

[Rev. Rye]

Just finished an Anglotopia article, and it's about this guitar:





I talk about how Jimmy Page used that bitchin' Telecaster from his Yardbirds days up until he did the solo for "Stairway" on it, and about its tragic end at the hands of an overzealous friend who not only painted over that epic paintjob, but managed to ruin the electronics in the process.

And now Fender's decided to clone it and reissue it. Custom Shop versions start at $25,000 and the plebian model runs at $1400.





Also, for a brief time, inspired by Syd Barrett, he put some mirrors on the body.





Unfortunately, it's kind of a ripoff. It's got a less elaborate paintjob than the Dragon, but it costs $2500 (over a grand more than the more ostentatious one), and you still have to put the mirrors on yourself (to be fair, they do include it, along with some more extra tchotchkes, but still.) I'll wait for them to do a Syd Barrett signature guitar and get the whole "mirrored guitar" conceit right this time. Even if it's a standard Telecaster instead of the lesser but more intriguing Esquire.

Also, I tested the Pignose's volume after dinner. 93.2 dB maximum at one meter with preamp volume at unity gain, upped to 94.9 dB with my preamp volume at full. Did not test with the boost on my Orange Squeezer clone. Then again, I never use that boost. It's safe to assume that when the Vaux is finished, it will be louder.

[Jackalope]

The deal closed, and today I also learned I will be getting a promotion.

After the shit show most of last year was, things are really looking up in 2019.

[Rev. Rye]

Final score for maximum Pignose volume:

• With preamp at unity gain: 93.5 dB
  
• Preamp at full blast: 95.9 dB
  
• With Orange Squeezer clone at full blast: Raging ball of feedback that, once you get it to not squeal, just sounds like a fart and is actually softer than normal. Note: you marked unity gain on this pedal for a reason, Rye. 
  

Verdict: There is no reason that once the Vaux is done, it won't be louder.