Budda Superdrive vs. THD Uni or Bivalve

Shredhead777 · #1 03-10-2003, 11:07 PM

I've pretty much made up my mind that my next amp will be one of the two. There aren't any Budda dealers in AZ and the closest dealer where there is a THD is two hours away so I can't get to one easily. What are your opinions of these amps

gkelm · #2 03-11-2003, 05:56 PM

I tried a Budda Verbmaster...it sounded good, but did not blow me away. I compared it to a Fender Tonemaster, Matchless, Tophat, Dr. Z...and the winner is?...Carr Slant 6v.

I've tried the Uni on a couple occasions and thought it was pretty good sounding...then I tried the BiValve, and I was surprised at how much better it sounded. Tried the two side by side with similar cabs...the Bi just had more presence, etc. Different tubes may have been in play here, but theoretically there should not be that much difference...I was surprised.

Greg

oooo · #3 03-12-2003, 12:24 AM

The superdrive 30 is nothing like anything Budda has ever made before. It's got a really killer gain stage. I've had mine for a little over a year and have never been disapointed with what it does. It has way more gain than anything else they've put out and I usually only run the gain at 60%.
Shortly after buying it I sold my VHT Pitbull, I prefered the Budda.

If you don't have a local Budda dealer call budda direct and talk to Scot Sier. He's a great guy. I didn't have any dealers here so he actually sent me one with a money back deal. If I hated it I had a week (I think it was a week, I don't remember) to send it back no questions asked. I've never even considered returning it.

I also picked up a Budda 1210 cab. It's a 2x12, 2x10 cabinet set up... on top: open back with one 10" and one 12" and on bottom: closed back one 10 and one 12". The head has some assignable features and the cabinet is wired to be run in full range, or you can set it up so clean is on open back, distortion is on closed... etc. Makes for some great tonal options.

On a side note... they actually make the superdrive series in rack mount form.

If you want to pick my brain on the amp, drop me an e-mail (my addy's in my profile). Shannon

gkelm · #4 05-14-2003, 09:51 PM

Shannon-
Had to resurrect this thread...

Just hauled an SD30 1x12 home last night...I now share your enthusiasm for this amp! Slightly used & I think I got a fair deal on it.

What a tight, smooth, and responsive OD section...incredible. I haven't owned a lot of amps over the years, but had a few pretty good ones...

Fender Quad
Little vintage Gretch tube
Yamaha G100 112
Marshall JCM800/4x12
Boogie MKIV
PV C30 & C50
Laney LC30 & 50
Bogner Shiva
And a rack system

I think this is going to be a keeper. I'm currently using a Boss FS for channel switching, and would like to get a Holy Grail for the loop...oops, just remebered, I have an RV-2 stashed away. Groovy.

My only issue, as you mentioned, is the shared master volume...it has great clean headroom, but then you're left with very little gain on the other channel, and vica versa. Oh, well...it would have been TOO purrfect. I love its simplicity and tone...and I'll get used to the purple.

Greg

oooo · #5 05-14-2003, 10:10 PM

Cool, I love mine. It took a little bit of tweeking to get the clean/gain levels to work... but now it's perfect. Just for kicks put it on clean, turn the clean control to zero, then crank the master. Slowly turn up the clean knob for some of the most awesome power section distortion, blues tones. Killer amp. It's hard to get anything but great tones out of it.

There's a rumor floating aroung that they are working on a three channel version with a dedicated clean.

gkelm · #6 05-14-2003, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oooo

Just for kicks put it on clean, turn the clean control to zero, then crank the master. Slowly turn up the clean knob for some of the most awesome power section distortion, blues tones. Killer amp. It's hard to get anything but great tones out of it.

I'll try it...sounds yummy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oooo

There's a rumor floating aroung that they are working on a three channel version with a dedicated clean.

Stop that!

Shredhead777 · #7 05-15-2003, 02:09 AM

How much gain does it have(or what does it compare too). Like most people here I play mainly Satriani andVai, but some classic rock and blues too. I'm sure the tone is great. I don't need tons of gain but I wonder if its the wrong amp for my playing preferences. I guess I could get a boost if I needed to but I'd rather use the amps distortion.

gkelm · #8 05-15-2003, 10:21 AM

I'm not sure it's the ideal Satch/Vai amp, buyt I'd say there IS enough gain for your purposes, but a boost of some type is always a good idea anyway.
Greg

Gresh · #9 05-15-2003, 10:29 AM

Just as a note: The THD amps have built in hotplate attenuators...this is a very very cool feature.