Carol Ann Tucana - Better than a Mesa Boogie?

[@TheSuperDmyers]

What an incredible sounding amp. It's truly a shame these aren't made anymore.

[@alanphillips4851]

Hi John, Lovely review mate and great playing, made me smile. You are correct, I design AI circuits for robots now.

[@Groovemaster2000]

I have a real Carol Ann OD-2 100W EL-34 from 2006 that is a prototype. That is the best amp I have ever tried and owned. You are correct that Alan does not make amps anymore, sad since he made the best amps in the world. My OD-2 goes from Dumble to Trainwreck and all in between. Amazingly versatile amp that refuses to sound bad. There’s also a long and cool story about who the prototype was made for and how it ended up in Sweden.

[@alanphillips4851]

I think that was possibly the Eric Johnson amp, yeah ? I met Joe B shortly after I sold that amp to Eric and he said, 'just make me what you did for Eric'. How did it end up in Sweden ?

[@Groovemaster2000]

@@alanphillips4851 I was in contact with you three years ago about this amp. It has no serial number and the chassi is flipped (you explained why). It was purchased by the Swedish master guitar builder Johan Gustavsson (JG Guitars Sweden) with help from Matte Henderson. I’ve been in contact with both Matte and Johan but they remember the amp but not more then that. It’s rumored that Eric Johnsson was the first owner but I have never had that confirmed. Nevertheless it’s one hell of an amp. People who had played it had a life before and after OD-2 🤣

[@TheBigH1975]

Thanks for doing the "in the room" sound. I only play at home, so nice to get an idea of what an amp will sound like when I'm sitting next to it.

[@sbanville4761]

Great video and review. I've owned my CA Tucana 3 now for quite a few years. I've met Alan n a number of occasions being from the NH area. Alan's amps are second to none with sound and quality.

[@progpogs]

Just another vid full of beautiful tones. Love it.

[@christopherjbutler]

I was all like where's my morning John Cordy video?? And like magic, it appeared! 😅 never heard a Carol-Ann 'cept for the little girl trapped in the television's dialog in Poltergeist before. Lol. Heard of the amp, never heard one demoed. Very cool

[@theericbeaty]

Loving those in the room sounds! Definitely a contender.

[@mentoneman]

great amps. owned the OD2r and played OD100, DS100, and Tuc 2. your style sounds perfect for it.

[@Polletross]

Can we just all recognize how amazing Cliff and the fractal team do recreating these amazing tones with their Modellers? Love my fm3! Gonna go build a preset for this amp.

[@uralemekci]

I got a OD2, after years of playing it’s Axe fx model. It is a holy grail amp for me. I am not techy but i think it has a dumble type pre amp coupled with a british power amp section, and that’s also the recipe of many mesa models.

[@madguruJ]

That’s one of the best lead tones I’ve heard

[@MrX-tv7mh]

Dashcorblimey your playing is so fluid..it s incredible how much expression and clarity you get out of the gear.. Never again can I credibly blame my setup for not getting the tones I want 😆

[@jerryhorton5708]

No doubt that the Carol Ann suits you. Like a lot of high end amps, it has incredible tone but this model has a pretty unique character. It seems to a very wide EQ palette without developing too much midrange bump or high end spikiness - traits I’ve found in Mesa Boogie amps. Thanks again for sharing. Cheers!

[@ahall3823]

I've never played a real Carol-Ann amp, but on my AX8, it's one of my favourites.

[@ksharpe10]

I've never played an AXe 8, but have heard about it. Those are Pretty Pricey TOO.

[@ParFive]

Beautiful playing, Jon.

[@stratless]

Such a lush tone! Love it! ❤

[@thibaultabrial]

Amazing sounds with this amplifier,cool ;-)

[@tiagoramalhais5493]

It sounds amazing actually

[@picksalot1]

Very good sounding Amp I've never heard of before.

[@elmolewis9123]

Your guitar sounds amazing no matter what amp/sim you use.

[@michaelcolemanuk]

I have an OD2 with an open back 1x12. Addictive clean sound, maybe best sounding amp I’ve ever owned. Bought from some bloke in the NW Uk who claimed he knew Alan. Convinced him to send it, otherwise a long drive. Tried a Silk years ago, also amazing, unsurprisingly.

[@alanphillips4851]

If he was in Cumbria, then high probability I know him. I'm from Ulverston, Cumbria originally.

[@tonecollector7303]

@@alanphillips4851 he said he did. Superb amp. His name was Richard, in or near BiF.

[@CrazyBiscuit]

Awesome vid, you got Carol Ann amp, can you make a comparison between Fractal and the real amp? Thanks

[@gabrielmisa]

Nice playing. What speaker/cab did you use? And the master at back panel where was it set? Thank you!

[@kluker]

Wow! This amp sounds fantastic when you switch to the camera's microphone.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

They are incredible, and that one is no exception. Have you tried Amplified Nation amps? You should. Great playing.

[@ksharpe10]

He Needs too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He needs to talk to the owner because he is a treasure trove of Dumble information. he could interview him for a video!!!

[@monroegrisman2000]

Sounds great, been intrigued for quite some time. What’s the difference between the T2 and T3 models?

[@DaveyWoodford]

Great amps 🎉

[@cbsaulren]

Very pristine sound output. I think I prefer the extra saturation from mesas and the like but that's probably because it hides my flubs better 😅

[@dan_santana]

There is one amp named Carol on the mooer ge150 and it is great.

[@KyleLaulo]

This amp is definitely "Better than a Mesa Boogie" in terms of its simplicity!

[@carlfreeman4342]

What was the amp loader used in this video please, beautiful tone thanks

[@uralemekci]

Btw, would you please break down the phrase that start around 09:01 ?

[@genesisfalling]

A comparison with the Fractal model would be very cool. 😎

[@alanphillips4851]

Theres some videos around. I worked with Cliff to get the models as close as possible.

[@ianbarnes1406]

Would love to see what chords you were playing around 11:45

[@JamesGrilliMusic]

Gonna need *someone* to make a few NAM captures of this... 😉😅

[@m00nchildblues]

On my tucana 3,channels 2 & 3 no longer can get high gain, just loud clean, also lead master volume does not work or control anything? I looked at the preamp tubes and noticed 1 tube was burnt out so I replaced all of them. Tested and channels 2/3 still only produces a loud clean sound. Chan 1 is normal w a loud clean. No noise at all.1 owner for 7 years. Anyone experience and advice? Thank you!

[@alanphillips4851]

Something has gone wrong with the relay circuit. One of the relays sounds like its not switching but the other is. Have a qualified tech look at it. The relay board is located at the front near the controls. This isn't a major issue but make sure the tech you use has a signal generator and a scope, inject a 1KHz signal and follow it through. The issue should be easy to find. Not too many things can cause those symptoms. Regards, Alan Phillips.

[@m00nchildblues]

​@@alanphillips4851​@alanphillips4851 Hey Alan I got Rick of Aviator Audio seattle to fix my amp, he nots exactly sure what he did to fix but its 100% now,lol...

[@mortenroedfrederiksen3393]

Sounds awesome. Did you ever try a Fender Super Sonic amp? Similar saturated lead tones and also oldish fender tones. I think you’d like it.

[@electricj5]

Yes, easily better than any Boogie, not hard to beat the overly harsh high end and weird midrange honk of Boogies.

[@davidgow2505]

How much “tone” is in the amp and how much in your fingers dude? 😂

[@stormyandcold]

NAM it please bro 😀

[@marvinmartin3438]

Dude, I need this amp! Is it true bypass? Does it have a sweet spot? Is it transgender friendly? Would Dylan Mulvaney approve? Covid compatible? Can it get Eddy's "Smells like teen spirit" tone? Asking for a friend

[@jasoncheshire6153]

It’s not transgender friendly. I read one of the capacitors identified as nonbinary and it causes a lot of problems with the reverse feedback loop.

[@ksharpe10]

Hope he feeds a DUDE pedal into it and cuts loose!!!!