OK so I feel I've got to ask this question as I've been wondering it for a while - what is the deal with the Lazy J20 - is it really as good as people say - or is it just marketing?
As far as I can tell, it's a pretty standard Tweed Delxue 5e3 - one of the easiest amp circuits to build. (I built it as my first amp it looked so simple.) Yes the 5e3 is a lovely circuit - my favourite in fact, but what is it about this particular version that makes it worth well in excess of two grand? Maybe the builder tweaks the circuit slightly - couple of cap changes etc. but I just don't get it. Yep, they look pretty well built, but no more than some of the good neat home-build pics I've seen around.
I also don't understand how inelegant the mods are ... want reverb or trem? No problem, we'll just shove an ugly metal box in the back of the amp where the controls are really hard to reach and charge you a good whack more. For the kind of money people are paying I'd expect a bespoke reverb model - J20R for example, with a properly screen printed wider top control panel with the controls on and labelled.
Anyway, maybe it's just professional jealousy 'cos he's making the big bucks and I ain't. Just wondered if anyone felt the same?
Comments
So, no real magic I guess. Just good quality parts plus some well thought out tweaks, bespoke tranny and of course that really expensive Celestion Blue in it will push the price up alongside the man hours building it. Together with very respected guitarists being seen using them helps for some people I don't think there is much more you could do to that circuit / amp as Jesse has covered most I feel. Maybe Jesse was in the right place at the right time ?
I've never played one - so I'm in no position to comment, really. I doubt one would be for me, as I don't really like the voicing of tweed-style amps.
What amazes me is - given their relative rarity - how many get sold on. The same seems to be true of Tone Kings.
I'm much more into guitars than amps - I can easily get excited about a great guitar - far less so with amps. I think the other thing is that there are plenty of freely available, production line amps which are more than adequate for most players - at 'real world' money. One of the nicest sounding amps I've played through recently was a Princeton Reverb Reissue - hard to imagine needing to spend more, if Blackface cleans are your thing.
Just annoys me when you can see that it's quite obviously kit parts he's buying and assembling. The metal chassis come pre screen-printed and drilled for £39 in the UK and I'm almost certain he doesn't make the cabs himself. Maybe he lacquers them though.
Modulus do a great tweed cab for £249 which looks identical. Factor in transformers (£120ish), parts (£200 inc valves if I'm being generous) and a celestion blue (£180) and you're looking at a decent profit margin.
Maybe I'll start making one but with EL34 valves. All I need is someone famous to play it. Any takers?
Yes, they are essentially a 5E3 but for the modern gigging musician...IMO of course.
(formerly miserneil)
I've never played one btw, never really had the desire, but I don't agree with Richard, I stepped into a Carr some 4 years ago now and could never go back to an "adequate" amp.
I A-Bd them for an hour or so but it was immediately obvious the J20 had to come home with me. It was warmer, grittier and just more inspiring. And the Amgard was a great amp too, with the lowest noise floor I have ever come across.
The reason so many get sold on is because unlike most amps they keep their value. People get the itch for something else and know they can bank £2k or so for their Lazy J.
In a moment of madness last year I flirted with doing the same, and every time I turn it on now I am grateful I came to my senses
I let my brother in law play mine the other week, he is not into gear, doesn't visit forums and have no clue what a Lazy J is but his face changed when he started playing it. I just told him some guy in Guildford makes it.
It's like a lot of things in life, rules of diminishing returns, you can probably get close to it for half the money but to get that last 5% it just cost more, not proportional and it's up to you whether you want to make that step.
I just think that for the money they could come up with something better than awkwardly placed reverb and trem units that look like afterthoughts.
Also, those screen printed and chromed cold-rolled steel chassis are horrendously expensive to have custom made. I should know, a run of 25 has just cost me a sniff over £3000 landed from the USA.
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
But I don't use the Tremolo on it. The spring reverb however is a real one so not something i can replace with pedals. There is also something about putting a LP straight into it without pedals, add a touch of reverb and just go for it. It's glorious.
Quite happy to be proved wrong about his profits at some point. I'll drop you a PM. :-)
(formerly miserneil)
They do sound really good though.
However, if he wanted to incorporate either the tremolo, reverb, or both into the chassis then he would need to have them custom made. I'll explain on the phone
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk