Lower cost Telonics Combo

[Mark]

Just for interest, Dave Beaty aired some thoughts last week about making a lower cost version of the Combo... we discussed what features could be cut to help keep down the cost. If you haven't seen it, the Combo user manual can be downloaded here - http://www.tpa-az.com/page26.htm, the question is, what features would you not use? Thought I should start a new thread for this discussion, I've put it in News Bob... I wasn't sure if this is the right section, but we don't appear to have an Electronics section.

Cheers
Mark

[Malcolm]

Mark , I think a lower price version of combo would be a welcome addition.Personally I could live without the effects section, as low priced outboard effects are available, and everyone's opinion on effects differs greatly.There is no doubt the 500 is a superb sounding amp, but in my opinion beyond the price range of many players on both sides of the pond,particularly here, so anything that sounded as good and was cheaper would open it up to many more players ,me included,( this excludes MR BING and IVOR the DRIVER),who according to rumours print their own money).The one thing I do dislike about the 500 is the size, perhaps if a cheaper version came out it could be smaller, with removal of space for the effects unit in current model cabinet size could be reduced, or even a 12 inch speaker version?I know cabinet has been designed for best sound, but perhaps a scaled down version could sound equally as good.I know you specifically said the 500, but how about a basic Pre 1000 , mono, as a stand alone unit as many of us have speakers and power amps we could use?

[Ken Byng]

Mark
Apart from removing the 1U slot, using a lower grade timber for the cabinet, making a simpler EQ section (removing the brilliant dobro sim), removing the lighting strip for the control panel, putting a 12" speaker in as standard, I really can't see where corners can be cut to reduce the cost of this wonderful amp. For me at least, it is about as perfect as any steel amp that I can envisage, and is worth every penny. OK, it certainly isn't cheap, but quality always comes with cost.

[Mark]

Your wish is our command!

TCA-500 Three types of enclosure

TCA-500 12" speaker, no effects space

TCA-500 Head only with rack space

Click on the images to expand.

Cheers
Mark

[Malcolm]

Mark, don't see that 12 inch speaker one listed, is it a special order one?if it was a lot cheaper think it would appeal to a lot of players, not everyone has old Mr BING'S resources.( I'll rephrase that No one has Mr BING'S resources, not even Ivor the Driver,although he is pretty near).

[Ken Byng]

Mark
I like the look of the 12" version. Would be ideal as a back up, or for doing guitar-only gigs. Can you email me the price please.

Don't listen to Malcolm McMiser pleading poverty. Just because he won't spend his money, doesn't mean he doesn't have any. He just spends all day counting it, whereas Ivor and I spend ours. He could afford a dozen TCA-500 combo amps and wouldn't miss the money. Mr McMiser is the second richest man in Scotland, just behind Brian Souter.

[Malcolm]

I wish, if I was I would put a contract out on old Bing.----retired from day job living on pension, retired from playing no money coming in from that source, daughter at uni spending like Mr Bing, two large elderly dogs to feed, living on cold porridge (cutting down on fuel bills) .Wish I had last page of Mr BING'S bank book.

[Mark]

Ken / Malcolm
They are very new out... Dave only sent me the pictures just before the Phoenix show. I think they put a few together just before the show. I believe the TCA-500 chassis is the same for all three versions, it's just the enclosure that changes; so the European spec chassis could be fitted in any enclosure... as long as it's in stock.

It was interesting your comment on what not to include Ken... It struck me, your thoughts were similar to Dave's and my own... Having used the amp you find just about all the features really handy... It's a tough one

Mark

[Ken Byng]

Eat the dog food and give the dogs porridge Malcolm. Make the daughter go to college instead of Uni like I did - she earns more than I do now.

Ken / Malcolm
They are very new out... Dave only sent me the pictures just before the Phoenix show. I think they put a few together just before the show. I believe the TCA-500 chassis is the same for all three versions, it's just the enclosure that changes; so the European spec chassis could be fitted in any enclosure... as long as it's in stock.

It was interesting your comment on what not to include Ken... It struck me, your thoughts were similar to Dave's and my own... Having used the amp you find just about all the features really handy... It's a tough one

Mark

Exactly Mark
Take out any of the amp's features and it would just not be anywhere near as good. I would hate to be without it now. I did a gig in Bournemouth 2 weeks ago with my band, and a couple of my steel playing mates were there. They both said what a huge sound the amp has out front.

[Malcolm]

Mark are the head only and twelve inch just prototypes or are (or will be) available as regular stock, if so are any prices available yet.
I noticed Davie came up with same suggestion I had, a basic Pre 1000 as a stand alone unit in mono configuration, so I guess more people would consider this as an alternative, obviously cost dependant.