1 Topic by pc

  • pc
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  • From: Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2008-03-29
  • Posts: 12

Topic: Going back in time--Question about Joe's Buddas

Hi all.  Excellent forum.  I've browsed many times but have a question now I want to ask.  I've seen Joe a couple times and no matter what rig he uses I generally spend a lot less time fixating on that than I do his amazing, emotional playing.  The rig always sounds great no matter what's in it.

That said, I happened to pick up a copy of Joe's "Tips & Tricks" DVD, which was made at the time period where his rig was a Budda SD30, SD80 and the two Jubilees. 

My main gigging amp is a Budda SD30 (2x12), so the DVD made me curious as to Joe's preferred use of the SD30.  There's never a close-up of the amps' faces, but I could make out the settings for the most part (Maxed bass, nearly maxed mids, treble completely off)

So here's my question.  Does anyone know if Joe was using the Rhythm or Drive channel of the Buddas?  Particularly the SD30?  In the video there's a shadow right over the Rhythm channel level knob, and you can't tell where its set.  Also, if he's using the Rhythm channel, is the pull bright on or off?  Looks off, but can't tell.

My guess is that he's using the rhythm channel due to the sound he's getting, which at those levels should have just about that amount of breakup.  However, since the tone is always combined with the one Jubilee, I can't be quite sure.

Just got curious.  Thanks for any insight anyone may have.

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2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-03-29 18:27:15)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Going back in time--Question about Joe's Buddas

Hi, and welcome to the forum!  Joe chimes in every now and then - and you may be able to do a "search" on Buddas in the forum and find something...but I'll take a crack at it!

This is just a guess mind you, but I think the Budda was set to "clean" and the Jub's were the distortion amp. Not sure.

I think right now, his Jub's are on all the time with delay, and has two other amps for whatever tone he's going for.

Glad you like the Budda, they have tons of headroom! Very nice amps...

Do forget to post a thread in the Introductions part of the forum, so everyone can get to know ya!

later broseph

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

3 Reply by pc

  • pc
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  • From: Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2008-03-29
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Re: Going back in time--Question about Joe's Buddas

Thanks for your response!

I did do a search for Budda stuff in the gear section and read all the threads before posting this.  I'm a moderator on another gear-related forum, so I know the drill.  big_smile

Anyway, I'm betting you're exactly right.  My guess is that he was using the Rhythm channel (which the way he has it set would be pretty hairy on it's on at those volumes).  It's just that on the video the Rhythm channel volume looks like it could be set either at 12:00 (halfway up) or at 7:00 (which would be off, meaning that he's using the Drive channel), so I'm just not sure.  As I said, an unfortunate shadow makes it impossible to be sure what the exact setting of that one knob is, and Budda amps don't have a "status LED" to let you know what channel is engaged at any one time.

Maybe Joe will see this thread and confirm one way or another.

Thanks again for your insight!

pc's Website

  • From: Tampa, Fl.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 870

Re: Going back in time--Question about Joe's Buddas

Hey pc - Welcome to the board!

From what I gather - Joe uses the SD30 as more of a distorted rythm tone and the SD80 as more of a cleanish rythm tone.  One Silver Jubilee is always on so he switches between the SJ and both SD's during the time period you're talking about.

Scott

"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought-- particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things." - Woody Allen

http://www.last.fm/user/skynyrd128

5 Reply by Libby (edited by Libby 2008-03-29 21:21:35)

  • Libby
  • Libby
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  • From: Sunny Southern California
  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 1,551

Re: Going back in time--Question about Joe's Buddas

Just wanted to extend a warm welcome to you Pete!  I don't have anything to add to this particular thread because I don't have any knowledge or expertise in this area.  Just wanted to say "hi" and let you know that if you drop a post onto an Introduction page a lot more members will see that you have arrived and will be sure to welcome you with open arms.  Indeed, it's a great place to hang out.  Glad you've joined us.

How long have you been in Columbus?  I have DEEP familial roots there......DEEP.  smile  Go Bucks!

smile  Libby  smile

I know that Joe could play one of those kid's guitars with the plastic strings and make it sound good-
Bill S.

6 Reply by pc

  • pc
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  • Registered: 2008-03-29
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Re: Going back in time--Question about Joe's Buddas

Thanks so much for the replies everyone. 

I will indeed stop by the Intro section in a minute.

As to the topic at hand I think I answered my own question last night.  When I posed my question my SD30 was stowed away with the other gear for my band's gigs so I couldn't do my own investigation, but I did so last night while setting up for a show.

I'm pretty sure it was indeed the Rhythm channel.  I went ahead and set my dials to match what Joe's head was set for on the DVD and I realized (D'oh!) that I'd switched the position of the Drive and Rhythm channel gain knobs in my head while watching the DVD.  It's indeed the Drive knob that is obscured by the shadow--the Rhythm knob is clearly set right at 12:00.

So setting the knobs like that and leaving my SD30 in the Rhythm channel (which I always do anyway), it was suddenly a slice of Smokin' Joe heaven.  I could instantly hear the "half" of the tone from the DVD when he mixes the SD30 with the bottom Jubilee to get his intermediate, "plexi-like" sound.

My primary band is a Funk/Rock/R&B kind of thing and different tones are generally needed from my Budda at our shows, but it was nice to hear the Budda crank out the Joe-esque stuff too.

As an aside, I must say I was really amazed at the amount of warm high end you still get from the amp even with the treble all the way off and the bass and mid cranked so high. 

Anyway, thanks again for all your suggestions and warm welcome.

pc's Website