Talk me out of this GAS for a Milkman amp

[Joseph Lazo]

I just sold my '57 Custom Champ yesterday. I have 3 other nice tube amps, one of which I plan to also sell. Got the GAS for a Milkman, though.

Want a combo with an attenuator for low volume grind. Prefer having at least Reverb built-in. The 5-watt Half Pint appeals to me most, as it has an attenuator, 12" speaker, Reverb AND Trem. Anyone have one and care to comment on how well it works with pedal steel?

My rehabbed Musicmaster Bass amp is fine for pedal steel, and I'd be OK with the Half Pint not being great for pedal steel, but hoping someone can tell me from experience if it actually works great with steel.

Feel free to talk me out of this, or into something else. I really don't NEED another amp.

[Donn Lewis]

Can't talk you out of a Milkman product! Tim, in addition to being a pedal steel player himself, is an important resource to our community. You cannot go wrong with one of his products.

[Donny Hinson]

Do you think it will make you play better?

[Joseph Lazo]

Donny...you just had to give me a cold, hard slap of reality, didn't you? Thanks, brother!

Yeah, it's not going to make me play better. But I'll sound soooo much better!

[Steve Lipsey]

Actually YES, it will make you play better. When your tone is like angels singing, it motivates you to play clean and well. I guarantee it...

I'd suggest talking to Tim, tell him your needs, and he will suggest the best amp, or how to modify a standard amp to be just right for you (often that is cheap or even free).
He responds best to email, so start with that... tim@milkmansound.com

Of course, there is a real downside to Milkman amps...as I've found out over the dozen years I've been using them...you will end up buying more than one...

[Bob Hoffnar]

Once I played through one of Tim's amps I sold off my vintage Fenders and never looked back. We are in a golden age of tube amps.

[Joseph Carlson]

My current amp is the 1-15 half and half, the original two-tone model I've been using it for years now for both 6 string and pedal steel, jazz and country. It's a really great amp.

If money were no object I would go for a pedal steel mini or Milkman also used to make (maybe they still do?) an amp that has 2 channels, one for guitar and one for pedal steel.

https://reverb.com/item/44995124-milkma ... 2014-tweed

[Barry Yasika]

I just picked up three Milkman's in Tonex this morning. Not sure I'd spend the money on one but ya can't beat free.

[Joseph Lazo]

My current amp is the 1-15 half and half, the original two-tone model I've been using it for years now for both 6 string and pedal steel, jazz and country. It's a really great amp.

If money were no object I would go for a pedal steel mini or Milkman also used to make (maybe they still do?) an amp that has 2 channels, one for guitar and one for pedal steel.

https://reverb.com/item/44995124-milkma ... 2014-tweed

That half 'n half -- what a great idea! I don't think it's still being made. Didn't see it on the Milkman site, at least.

[Steve Lipsey]

I think Tim can make ANY of the amps he's ever made, and even mod them to add features, if you like...he actually builds them himself and has modded a few of them for me when purchased...the only practical limit is the number of holes in the chassis he gets for it, those are pre-configured...I added an extra reverb knob (dwell) in place of the reverb footswitch jack on the back panel once...

[Joseph Lazo]

I think Tim can make ANY of the amps he's ever made, and even mod them to add features, if you like...he actually builds them himself and has modded a few of them for me when purchased...the only practical limit is the number of holes in the chassis he gets for it, those are pre-configured...I added an extra reverb knob (dwell) in place of the reverb footswitch jack on the back panel once...

I'm sure he can add features, but that would add to the price. A new Pint with an upgraded speaker is already over $3k. I can afford it, just not convinced I can justify it. Especially since there's no place near me to try before buying. Would love to find a used one at a good price, but would have to know I'm not getting someone else's problem.

It's a nice daydream to have one of these amps, but that's probably all it will ever be. My '68 PRRI and rehabbed/recabbed Musicmaster Bass amp are plenty adequate. I think I might have talked myself down off the ledge.

[Dave Hopping]

The Milkman site does still have the PS300 Half & Half. I went with the 15" blonde combo and I'd do it again in an instant. It'll work just fine for a six- string/PSG pairing as long as you put a graphic like a GE-7 in line with whichever of the two instruments you're not EQ-ing the amp for. Clean power for days, lots of tonal flexibility and feather-light. What's not to love?

[Steve Lipsey]

Buying a Milkman amp actually is kind of simple...sell everything else you need to, to generate the cash for it. You won't be disappointed...Tim is a magician...
....There, I hope I've done it, prevented you from thinking you are done with this thread!

[Brad Sarno]

Tim makes really great stuff.

Did that help?

B

[Bill Ladd]

Maybe this will help: viewtopic.php?p=2107711&hilit=Milkman#p2107711

[K Maul]

I cannot do that. I picked up a used “the Amp” 50 watt(100w into my 2 8ohm 12” cabs @4ohms) amp that sits on the floor by my feet. It has a good direct out, tremolo and reverb and wasn’t near $3K! It’s very versatile and can be used in an “ampless” stage situation or as a preamp pedal in front of a bigger power amp(which I cannot see need for) - I changed out the 12AX7 for a 12AY7 which gave me more control and sweetness. I love it. Sorry!

[Joseph Lazo]

EPILOGUE...

I ended up getting a Roland Blues Cube Hot. This scratched the itch for something that can sound like an overdriven tube amp at condo-level volume, while also having a decent enough reverb and enough power for louder settings.

Does it sound as good as my Princeton '68 or Musicmaster Bass amp? No. But it's sooo close. This amp is a game changer for me.

[Jack Hanson]

Does it sound as good as my Princeton '68 or Musicmaster Bass amp? No.

My '79 MMB amp with a '60s Vox Bulldog in place of its original CTS "Fender Special Design" is a sleeper. My favorite for lap steel with an edge to it.

For clean lap steel, my '79 Princeton Reverb with a JBL E-110 always cuts the mustard.

[Kristian Meisling]

I bought a Milkman "The Amp 100". It looks like a big pedal, but is a versatile amp head. It's a hybrid design, with a single 12AX7 preamp tube that gives the warmth, compression, edge, and pickup response of a tube amp and a Class D power amp. If you keep the drive really low and dime the master volume it is very clean and warm...as you increase the drive it gets a nice natural tube overdrive. Tone controls are just bass and treble, but they really work and only small adjustments are needed to "dial in" your tone. The Amp 100 has a nice reverb, with level and decay knobs, but does not have tremolo...it does have an FET "boost" switch which fattens the mid-range tone, and adds a volume boost which enhances the drive. Best of all, The Milkman Amp 100 can be used as (1) a pedal in front of an amp (pedal out instrument level), (2) a 100 watt amp head into a speaker via Speakon connector (I use it into an open-back 12" cabinet), (3) a preamp to front-of-house, PA, or your DAW (XLR line level out, IR on), and (4) a practice amp (headphones out, IR on). It does not need to have a speaker connected! It has a switchable IR, and a ground lift switch. It weights 2.5 lbs. The Amp 100 is also available in a light-weight combo setup that looks like a small classic early-60's Fender amp. It also KILLS as a guitar amp, just sayin'. I don't miss the power tubes or the weight...and you can run it clean for pedal steel, or dial up the right "edge of tube distortion" for guitar. I can highly recommend it!