What amps were used???

Gregg kelly · Post by **Gregg kelly** » 02 Nov 2004 13:01

Does anyone know what amplifiers were used for the Velvets recordings. I think it's a VOX amp, but not completely sure.
I love the guitar sound on the White Light/White Heat L.P

Cheers

jimjim · Post by **jimjim** » 02 Nov 2004 15:17

I know they used Sunn amps at times (& yes, VOX too) but I'll need to check up 'Uptight' to be sure..

Pernod time · Post by **Pernod time** » 02 Nov 2004 16:35

I'm not sure, but you can see a picture of me (big guy on the right)playing White Light White Heat live last Wednesday with an original VOX AC 30 (1966) here on
http://www.green-river.ch , I would guess they used this amp, its the best amp i've ever used by far, apparently the Beatles and the Stones both recorded a lot of there best numbers with it.

European Son · Post by **European Son** » 02 Nov 2004 22:55

In 1966/67, The Velvet Underground were the only band from the USA which was officially endorsed by VOX/JMI (the UK-based original manufacturer of VOX-equipment), and therefore received quite a lot of 'goodies' from JMI, including amps...
Around this time Sterling and Lou were probably using VOX AC-50 and/or AC-100 amps, while John Cale had a VOX Westminster Bass amp; Cale later switched to an Acoustic bass amp, and towards the end of his stint with the VU had switched to a self-built 12-speaker cabinet enclosure, which was used with Crown power amps.
Sterling (and Lou probably used these amps as well) used a Silvertone Twin Twelve, a Fender Deluxe, a Gemini 2 and quite likely their VOX amps on the VU's 1st album, ;
What was used by them on the 2nd and third album is not clear to me, but it's possibly that they again used their VOX-amps plus some of the amps which were used on the 1st album.
During the last part of the VU's career they were using Sunn amps and Marshalls...
hope this helps!

bleach · Post by **bleach** » 04 Nov 2004 01:46

Try this website - its as detailed as you could find anywhere:

http://ww21.tiki.ne.jp/~wildside/gear.htm#velvets

The Velvet Underground era

Lou Reed:

* Fender Deluxe Amp
* on rehearsal scene appeared in Andy Warhol's movie Up-Tight

* Silvertone 2143 Amp
* Vox AC100 The Super Beatle Amp
* customized with mid-range booster
* on 1st and 2nd albums

* Acoustic Amp
* since 1969

* Sunn Amp
* since 1970

* Vox Tone Bender Fuzz

* Kent No.532 Copa model
* Japanese brand "Guyatone" export model
* co-using with Sterling
* on rehearsal scene appeared in Andy Warhol's movie Up-Tight, on EPI shows

* Gretsch Country Gentleman 1964
* later customized with Fender Stratocaster pickups (taken off from Sterling's Stratocaster) + preamp + speed controller + tremolo controller, stereo electronics

* Gretsch 6136 White Falcon
* live at La Cave, late April, 1968

* Gibson ES-335TD
* since 3rd album

* Gibson ES-345TD
* stereo electronics
* since 3rd album

* Gibson ES-335-12
* 12-string
* since 3rd album

* Fender Electric XII
* 12-string solid body
* since 3rd album

* Epiphone Riviera
* 2x mini humbucker
* with Bigsby vibrato
* Max's Kansas City era

* ? Acoustic Guitar
* flat-top, non-cutaway, Natural finish

Pernod time · Post by **Pernod time** » 17 Nov 2004 12:19

Speaking of VOX, has anyone tried the new VOX Valvetronic 50 Watt, I am thinking of buying one and would be interested to hear any comments on this small combo

MJG196 · Post by **MJG196** » 17 Nov 2004 13:04

VOX vodka is quite good. Does that help?