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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2753.0. "Polytone Amps" by POWDML::DAGG () Thu Jun 17 1993 08:29

             
    I've been getting alot of good info from this conference, 
    so here's another subject I'm curious about: Polytone Amps. 
    
    Anyone have info on current Polytone offerings, such as
    speaker size, power output, size and weight, where to 
    get them, and even how they sound? 
    
    As I understand it, the models are called Mini-Brutes I through V, 
    and a Baby Brute.  That's about all I know.   
    
    I'm looking for something reasonably small to match up
    with a Gibson ES165/175 style guitar, for attempted jazz
    playing.  I suppose I'm looking for something with 
    a little reverb. 
    
    Thanks again, 
    
    Dave 
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2753.1TECRUS::ROSTDeja vu all over againThu Jun 17 1993 08:3518
    The current Brute line:
    
    Mini Brute I	80 watts RMS, 1-12"
    Mini Brute II	same but with reverb and distortion
    Mini Brute III	100 watts RMS, 1-15"
    Mini Brute IV	same but with reverb and distortion
    
    Baby Brute		?? watts, 1-10"
    Teeny Brute 	?? watts, 1-8"
    
    Mini-Brain		80 watts (same as Mini II) with gig bag
    
    They make some other amps like the Taurus which are larger, have more
    features and don't seem to sell too well  8^)
    
    In the Boston area, Mr. Music has a franchise.
    
    							Brian
2753.2NamesNWACES::HICKERNELLSweet summer sweatThu Jun 17 1993 09:596
    I think the "Brute" names are kind of cute, but "Mini-Brain"?  That's a
    name?  What kind of marketeer thought *that* one up?
    
    Or is it a bass amp?  %^)
    
    Dave
2753.3TECRUS::ROSTDeja vu all over againThu Jun 17 1993 10:0611
    Re: .2
    
    The Mini-Brain is an amp head (no speaker).  We call 'em "heads" here in
    the US, aren't they called "brains" in the UK?
    
    They also make accordion amps, since the company owner is a jazz
    accordionist (betcha didn't know any existed!).
    
    I have a catalog from Polytone at home if you have more questions.
    
    							Brian
2753.4%^)NWACES::HICKERNELLSweet summer sweatThu Jun 17 1993 10:205
>    I have a catalog from Polytone at home if you have more questions.
    
    Thanks, Brian, but my brain is full already.
    
    Dave
2753.5 if memory serves EZ2GET::STEWARTFight fire with marshmallows!Thu Jun 17 1993 11:1710
    
    
    So, Danny Weber, did you ever sell your MiniBrute?
    
    I played with one of those in night school (commercial harmony class)
    and was favorably impressed -- it made a nice clean jazz guitar amp,
    but didn't work too well for the guy that tried to play bass through
    it.
    
    
2753.6string envyCSC32::B_KNOXRock'n'Roll RefugeeThu Jun 17 1993 13:198
    RE: .2
    
    Ooo.. another cheap shot at bass players !!
    
    I think it's "String Envy" (ours are thicker, longer and deeper!!)
    
    
    /Billy_K
2753.7GOES11::G_HOUSESon of SpamThu Jun 17 1993 14:513
    re: .6
    
    Actually, he (Dave, .2) IS a bass player!!
2753.8MiniBrute IV is still hereRANGER::WEBERThu Jun 17 1993 14:579
    After I advertised my MB IV here, several noters contacted me, but none
    ever came over to look at it and I haven't advertised it again.
    
    I use my BabyBrute for practice sometimes, but the Boogie Studio .22
    has replaced the MB IV for most of my small group playing. The MB is a
    better jazz and solo amp; the Studio .22 projects more and has a more
    complex tone that works better for me just now.
    
    Danny W.
2753.9Yew kin call home an' ask mah wife!NWACES::HICKERNELLSweet summer sweatThu Jun 17 1993 15:287
    re: .6
    
    Greg's right, Billy, I only make those comments because I are one.
    
    And I heard "Bass players do it with low frequency".
    
    Dave
2753.10LEVERS::R_PEPEFri Jun 18 1993 11:5120
    I recently was comparison shopping for a Polytone Minibrute for my bass
    and in the midst of trying some out, one dealer showed me a Yorkville
    M40 to try out as well.  After checking them both out, I ended up
    buying the Yorkville and I'm not sorry I did.  I paid about $225.00 new
    and to me, it was worth it.  The sound out of this little thing is
    surprisingly deep for its size.  I've been using it on a steady gig
    playing acoustic bass in a small restaurant for which it's perfect.  I've
    also used it satisfactorily in a fairly large banquet room.
    
    The amp is only rated for 40 watts and has a 10" speaker but I can
    literally carry it with 1 finger (well, maybe 2).   Part of the secret
    of how the low frequency acoustics are enhanced is in the enclosure
    design where they run a little plenum chamber out the back of the case.
    In my opinion, this amp sounds as good as a Polytone.  Check it out if you
    can.
    
    I believe the amp is made by the former Traynor company. The factory is 
    located in Canada.  Is that right, Brian?
    
    -Ralph
2753.11Yorkville == TraynorSUBSYS::GODINFri Jun 18 1993 13:4711
    Yeah, Yorkville == Traynor. They make PA stuff under the name of Audio
    Pro. That's a stretch !The only thing of theirs I ever liked was the
    HUGE bass amp with (4) 7027's & a fan in the side. The thing weighed a
    ton & had practically nothing but a clean sound, but it made a
    devastatingly loud guitar amp.
    
    Maybe I should start another note, but I have a question. 
    
    What's the *best* practice amp in the world?
    
    Paul
2753.12SOLVIT::SNORAT::OLOUGHLINThe fun begins at 80!Fri Jun 18 1993 14:5725
    
    
    
       Mine.
    
       Buy it.
    
       Please.
    
       
    
       'cause I hate it.
       
       Depends on what you consider a practice amp.   What *I* would
    consider a straight amp,  (like a Super 60) some Twin or monster
    Marshall owner would call a practice amp.  Go figure. 
    
       How many watts?  Portable, and so on.  Honestly, I'm not sure 
    if you're asking about a Mini-Marshall, Pignose, Maxi Mouse or a 
    Peavey.   
       
    
       RickRat(tm)
    
    
2753.13it's the sustain that does it!!CSC32::B_KNOXRock'n'Roll RefugeeWed Jun 23 1993 14:159
    RE: .9
    
    >>> "Bass players do it with lower frequency"
    
    Yeah, but like Sting... we do it with lengthy sustain"
    
    
    /Billy_K
    
2753.14dont do it 10...hertzGIDDAY::KNIGHTPget me a gin and pentatonicThu Jun 24 1993 21:496
    re -1
    	If bass players have lengthy sustaing....do they also
     have more bottom end????   d8^)
    
    P.K.
    
2753.15NWACES::HICKERNELLSweet summer sweatFri Jun 25 1993 08:455
    re: .14
    
    You bet!  And it gets worse as you get older.  %^)
    
    Dave