Silkyn Tube Amp Review Now With Sound Samples! (added PSG!)

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 30 Jul 2016 7:38 pm

I've powered on the amp, lost no magic smoke, and recorded 26 tracks with different instruments to show what it sounds like. The amp is pretty awesome! I tried to hate it since it was missing the Fender or other fine nameplate but it produces a rich tube harmonic sound much like a vintage Fender Princeton or Deluxe Reverb tube amp minus the power supply sag/compression.

Just added pedal steel sound samples on 10/22/16!

Updated Silkyn Amp review with sound samples

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 31 Jul 2016 9:04 am

Great review and sample sounds. Any pedal steel E 9th and C6th (full chords,)this will test the 'headroom', and distortion?

Now the price will go up!

Thanks,
Jim

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 31 Jul 2016 5:46 pm

I don't currently have a pedal steel on hand but will in the October time frame and I'll put out another set of sounds for pedal steel at that time!

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 31 Jul 2016 6:22 pm

Greg, that's a lot of work you went through to deliver a thorough description of the amp and all it's components.

The samples are all very clear and I enjoyed listening to you perform them. I love the Tele, but I'm a pushover for nice clean archtop guitar tone....they all sounded great.

I, for one, appreciate your devoting the time to the project and for sharing it with us here.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 2 Aug 2016 5:44 am

Yes, thank you Greg. I have learned a lot from all your reviews and insight on gear and approach to playing. Much appreciated...

Lenny

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 7 Aug 2016 5:36 pm

Well, I needed another amp like I need another hernia

However, I ordered the Silkyn and it arrived new in a factory unopened box as Greg mentiond for $250 including shipping. The sound and power from this unit is exceptional and very Fendery. The switchable second channel has a gain that will make you smile and a tube overdrive that is more appreciated than an pedal. My only niggle is the reverb, while Ok is not in Fender territory and I will try to see if there is a long tank that could replace the short stock tank. However, as Greg mentioned, if you use a reverb pedal it is a non issue.

I don't intend on carrying this unit but I would leave it at a rehearsal space as it is hefty. Love it with any guitar I plugged into it and will hook up a steel to it to see what that produces. For the price of a stomp box it's a nice addition to the sonic party.

Mark Fowler · Post by **Mark Fowler** » 9 Aug 2016 5:52 am

Looks like you need the 9AB2AIB medium decay 16.5" tank

or 8AB2A1B medium decay 9" tank

8AB3AIB would be long decay 9" tank

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 10 Aug 2016 12:44 pm

Mark, thanks for the info on the reverb tanks. What tank would get the nearest to a Fender vibe? I would think the longer tank?

Thanks,

Lenny

Mark Fowler · Post by **Mark Fowler** » 11 Aug 2016 10:17 am

Longer tank, long decay gets that Twin reverb swampy reverb.

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 12 Aug 2016 1:26 pm

I may be mistaken, but I don't know if it's always as simple as switching pans. Yes, the "2"vs "3" designation of the same tank will change the length of the decay, but I don't think all tanks are interchangeable. The amps reverb circuit often determines which pans will and will not work.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 12 Aug 2016 2:51 pm

clickhere for charts.

Some info on reverb tanks here courtesy of Antique Electronic Supply. See the charts toward the bottom of the page. I think the critical elements that need to be maintained are input and output impedance and tank mounting plane. Of course I defer to experts like Ken Fox concerning same.

Look over the other data for more info on how they perform. You can see what will cross with the Silkyn RubyTubes tank by comparing the numbers and you should be able to use a 3 spring unit in a longer tank. The MOD tanks they sell are great sounding.

Of course you won't really know how it works and/or sounds until you replace it.

Typically, Fender reverb has a long decay.

I replaced my old Accutronics tank with one of the new MOD models and it's a lot sweeter.

Mark Fowler · Post by **Mark Fowler** » 13 Aug 2016 5:51 am

You compare the secondary and primary of the reverb driver transformer based on the existing tank, then the next important thing is grounded or ungrounded input/output jacks.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 13 Aug 2016 11:28 am

Will take the tank out of the amp next week and cross reference the number on the chart. I'll report back with the stock reverb tank number.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 13 Aug 2016 1:44 pm

Mine is a Ruby Reverberation Unit, RRVS2AB1A1B, S/N 0706280126.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 15 Aug 2016 2:05 pm

Greg,

I removed the reverb tank from my silkyn amp today and it has the same model and serial numbers as you posted.

It is also a 2 spring reverb tank. I may order the long tank medium delay with the same numbers so it should be a match with the stock tank. Should be interesting to see if the longer springs gives a deeper vibe.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 16 Aug 2016 2:49 pm

Before I order a new long tank reverb realizing it will not fit in the bag the tank goes into. What is the impression of the 9 inch tank # 8AB2A1B long decay?

Bill A. Moore · Post by **Bill A. Moore** » 16 Aug 2016 3:41 pm

I feel that the length of the springs is a major part of the reverb sound I like. I have changed out most of the short spring tanks, (in different amplifiers), with great results. Even my 80's MusicMan benefited from a change to a long spring Mod tank. (The original was a short spring Accutronics). The "2", and "3", decay rates do sound different, but a long spring with a "2" tank sounds better to me than a short spring tank with a "3".
(As we all know, God made everybody's ears different!)
Len AES has the bags also.
https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/r ... verb-tanks

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 17 Aug 2016 3:50 am

Thanks Bill,

I just ordered the Mod long reverb tank #9AB2A1B med delay long tank with a bag to install it.

Nice upgrade and I'll report back after I get it installed.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 26 Aug 2016 4:34 pm

Changed the reverb tank to a long 3 spring version MOD unit. Made little to no difference in the volume of reverb. I don't think the tank is the issue but rather the circuit itself. I put the stock tank back in the amp. It's good enough.

I did change the speaker go an 8 ohm Warehouse Guitar Speaker that has the Vintage 30 specifications. Nice upgrade.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 26 Aug 2016 5:03 pm

Bummer. You shouldn't have any trouble selling the MOD tank though if you decide to do so....or you can probably return it. Sorry it didn't work out.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 27 Aug 2016 3:37 am

For $22.00 it was a good experiment. I'll keep the tank and maybe someday use it in another amp.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 27 Aug 2016 4:18 am

Two other great amps to consider in the low price but still tubes range are the Monoprice ones:

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

Right now Monoprice has a $20 off coupon for any order over $100 and the 15 watt version has free shipping right now.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 22 Oct 2016 8:42 am

Added pedal steel sound samples!

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Silkyn%20Tub ... 20Amp.html

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 24 Oct 2016 6:12 am

Added a picture on the web page to show the Silkyn amp settings used on the Dirty channel for the recordings.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 4 Nov 2016 7:59 pm

Added a new song, Honky Tonk, using a bit of the Silkyn's built in tube distortion:

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Silkyn%20Tub ... 20Amp.html