TWS 2864-S - THERE'S A NEW CHIME KING IN TOWN

[@MrLuckybudha]

Unbelievable sound especially with your playing😊

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks a lot!

[@SisGuitarGAS]

Gosh that’s a beautiful tone Paul

[@NikolausBrocke]

This amp sounds phenomenal. I can't remember having heard a better eob/crunch sound than this. I am blown away.

[@bengibson3955]

Yep, sounds “absolutely fantastic” as you say. I’m massively appreciative of your work and even more appreciative of a good set of headphones. The tones you’re producing are magical.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers!

[@ewhip17]

Always hard to tell what an amp really sounds like via KZbin but I have to say this one does sound exceptional in my headphones. Plus, the older I get the more I’m finding that the fewer knobs and switches an amp has, the more I want it. Haha.

[@Atlantean-1980]

that sounds really awesome indeed, i keep seeing these TWS on the various guitar tubers channels, i see henning has one. i will pray that you guys capture it and upload it for the tonex database :) go on rats, you know you want to 😉

[@k.soenke9110]

Thanks for your intro and review, Paul. And congrats Mario! What a great sound with all, LP, Strat & Tele... 👍👍👍

[@tubeworkshop]

Thanks. Paul really lets the 2864-S shine!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a great day Paul my best friend ❤😊

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Never been such a time for great gear. That sounds amazing.

[@daviddixon7326]

Sounds like heaven, and looks like hell

[@Lil_Niglet_yy]

Agreed, that is one butt looking ahh amp🤢

[@KrisBarocsi]

Mario‘s amps are mind blowing. Same as your tone and playing, mate. It was good seeing you at Summit. Next round is on me, Paul! ☝️😂

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Kris, I’ll hold you to that beer!

[@StefanReiner-q3u]

YES!

[@MaxPowersTastyTones]

Sounds so good! 🎉

[@bradly373]

Sounds amazing

[@Adventuresingearland]

Sounds wonderful.

[@dirtboxsam5687]

Great tone🎸

[@Stratmangler1]

Beautiful.

[@JR-to8sn]

Sounds fantastic. It's an EF86 preamp that's why it's tight and gritty, when driven.

[@tubeworkshop]

Exactly. And actually NOS EF86 from Telefunken, Siemens or Valvo are used in the 2864-S. Still unbeaten...

[@JR-to8sn]

@@tubeworkshop Really? Valvo are great, I've never tried Siemens and don't care for telefunken. My favorite is Phillips Holland. Those with the grid structure sound the best to me and gives the most grit IMO.

[@tubeworkshop]

@@JR-to8sn Yap really. We have a larger stash of NOS EF86, so we use them in the 2864-S, as it is pretty hard to find a modern equivalent. I think Valvo and Phillips Holland are pretty much the same and came out of the same factory. My personal favourite are the Telefunken, and I guess Siemens are just re-labeled Telefunken's.

[@JR-to8sn]

​@@tubeworkshop​ The modern ones are trash. Valvo and Phillips Holland look the same but Valvo is German. Probably the same tooling. Telefunken are too bright for my taste, not that they don't sound good, they just don't have the bite of the other two. But I guess that's why they were used in microphones. It's great to see, those amps are fantastic sounding.

[@JR-to8sn]

​@@tubeworkshopyes still my favorite of all tubes. And IMO the one tube that gives you a change in sounds

[@antoonhermans8953]

Krenar Cilku has the 6 w amp from TWS , that one is more to my liking , but this amp sounds great too .

[@khargrarnrhan209]

Woow... Beautiful !!!

[@bububernd]

Sounds really good. 👌

[@stanesposito2664]

Sounds great!

[@landonbailey]

kick ass!

[@tubeworkshop]

We have a 2864-S here that has your name on it... 😉

[@glennmartin4232]

A lot of talk these days about moddelers but there are a lot of new quality amps being made.

[@tubeworkshop]

I love your statement!

[@miguelricardo1028]

What a great amp!😉

[@TheStudioRats]

It really is!

[@tubeworkshop]

Thanks guys, great to hear! But I have to say, Paul really makes it shine with his playing.

[@diddlers]

Thanks, Paul! Now I "need" another amp.

[@TheStudioRats]

You and me both!

[@tubeworkshop]

I can help with that... 🤣

[@johndeschain2156]

Lovely

[@BrandonWells]

but did you capture it

[@schlep4730]

mmmm..... glorious chime......

[@trebleboost7]

Beautiful! Wonder how this might compare with a Morgan AC20.

[@tubeworkshop]

That would be a really interesting comparison!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Some big frets on that strat, nice.

[@kevinreddoch5214]

Hoping for a Tonex pack of this one. 👍

[@tubeworkshop]

Well, let's see... 😉

[@wolvesandguitars]

I really like that amp. Did you extract its soul yet for Tonex/QC?????

[@chrislestermusic]

Not sure if you have ever played a Genz Benz Black Pearl 30. It has 4 EL84 tubes and can be knocked down to half power. It has that Vox and Matchless chime. Well worth a look.

[@TheStudioRats]

I’ll check it out

[@stephanschmitt816]

Sounds absolutely great. And obviously you know how to record guitars for sure! EDIT: What speakers do you use and do you use reverb / delay in front of the amp in the entire video or just from 4:00 on?

[@adamkrauss303]

Sounds great!! Maybe I missed it, but what speakers were you playing through?

[@richardburkow3792]

Sounds great - when can I buy Tonex captures for this? Can you include some captutes with GE Fx Germ. fuzz and the Riverside?

[@tubeworkshop]

Well, let's see... 😉

[@ricklonardo640]

Paul, will you be capturing and then selling this amp? If so I’m interested in purchasing the amp.

[@tperry5839]

Man WE NEED A TONEX AND NANO CORTEX preset CAPTURE PACK to buy of This amp ❤

[@dancrowell2933]

Sounds good. Are ToneX captures coming?

[@TheStudioRats]

I’d have to check with TWS amps

[@tubeworkshop]

Well, let's see... 😉

[@johnsmith-zf1fd]

Now do a video seeing how close you can get the katana to sound like it

[@tubeworkshop]

Haha, that would be kinda cool!

[@wolvesandguitars]

Oh and pickup height on strat?

[@PrantoKoX]

Insane tones, beautiful. And insane price, unrealistic.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheaper than a Matchless HC15

[@PrantoKoX]

​​@@TheStudioRatsIndeed it is. Also significantly cheaper than a used Dumble, or a spanking new Ferrari Purosangue, for that matter... but that's not my point. It's a newly built amp head with 5 tubes. A 14 watt head. And for that, just like the Matchless, it's overpriced MHO, although it sounds good.

[@tubeworkshop]

@@PrantoKoX Understand your point. A hand-built amp is expensive and the price doesn't reflect just the material costs, but the work and experience that went into into it. Just as if you order a Masterbuild Guitar from Fender Custom Shop. Nothing wrong with cheaper amps, that are manufactured within industrial setups. I wouldn't call a Boutique Amp "overpriced", as the price reflects the craftsmanship that went into it. But I would definitely call it a product, that is not "Mass-Compatible". So, at the end of the day: Go for what your valet allows you to buy. And you will have many options that suit your budget...

[@PrantoKoX]

@@tubeworkshop Nice of you to chime in to reply - that's worth something, too. 😉👍🏻

[@Utube-s8m]

I could swear you originally saw this at the guitar show. Paul, do you still have the black relic with pink under it and the hb in the bridge? Overall, the most important thing is that Digby likes it. J.🎸 I have the riverside too. I edited this and lost my heart.

[@adielelgi]

are you going to make a capture of it for tonex?

[@tubeworkshop]

Well, let's see... 😉

[@EricMakingWaves]

ToneX captures incoming?

[@TheStudioRats]

@@EricMakingWaves yes there are, next week.

[@Sagerydian]

Hey! What do you mean with "bedroom" level? Can I use it in an apartment you think?

[@TheStudioRats]

Yes absolutely, it sounds great quiet but I can get very loud

[@tubeworkshop]

I agree with Paul. The WonderVol Master Volume in the amp was especially designed for keeping the sound of the amp "alive" and "complete" even at very low volumes.

[@davidelvis3901]

Where’s my TONEX? We have a new amp to capture.

[@tubeworkshop]

Well, let's see... 😉

[@shaharbar]

Oooh, almost stole my company name, “Tube Works Amplifier Technologies”. Wait till you see my logo!

[@TheStudioRats]

What you building?

[@tubeworkshop]

Pooooh... that was "Close"... 😅🤣

[@shaharbar]

@@TheStudioRats nah, just delighting in my grade school level humor…

[@snowblind1581]

😂

[@stanesposito2664]

$3,000 amp AND the Holy Trail tube (EEP-1) is very expensive and "extremely" difficult to obtain. What happens when that quits working? This is one of the best amps I've heard in awhile, but at 68, I'm done buying amps.

[@tubeworkshop]

Aehm... the "Holy" EEP-1 would just be used in the original 2864. For a reason. That Tube is really hard to get and honestly it is a bitch. The Standard 2864-S is run with EF86, 12AX7, 6V6 and GZ34. Thanks that you like the sound of the amp... but why are you done with buying amps? It's never too late for great tone!

[@user-bh5yr7wc1v]

I like the sound, but it definitely differs from the original "chime" character of a Vox or a Matchless. Due to the 6V6s used, this amp is brighter and more Hi-Fi than the kings of chime. Still, the best chimey 6V6-based amp I've heard so far.... But, AFAIK at $3,000 I would rather think of buying a used Matchless HC30 than this.

[@tubeworkshop]

Well observed! VOX and Matchless are a bit more "gritty" due to the EL84's. I compared EL84''s against 6V6's in the 2864-S... and I simply liked the 6V6's more for the Tone I was after...

[@user-bh5yr7wc1v]

Gotcha.... Listen, why not make a pure EL84 beast with 4 power tubes as a separate model? I foresee a boost in sales ❤😅🎉❤

[@tubeworkshop]

@@user-bh5yr7wc1v Not a bad idea. Actually that can be done very easily...

[@lookmanostrings]

$2500. Ok stopping video, we're done here. LOL.

[@damonkatos4271]

How many $100 gigs to pay for it?

[@compucorder64]

It really sounds great. But, the name of amp makes it sound like some DiY kit. And maybe the appearance adds to that initial impression. Because it looks more like a plugin version of an imaginary amp, like you'd see in a Neural DSP plugin. But, if it sounds good, doesn't really matter. But they might sell more of these if they put more effort into other areas. Many great pieces of kit have an overall aesthetic. It shows the maker has considered every aspect carefully.

[@tubeworkshop]

Any suggestions for the cosmetics? And yes the name... it was a tribute to the original Philips amp that was the "Father". This Amp was called Philips 2864.

[@compucorder64]

​@@tubeworkshop Apologies, I feel I was overly harsh there than I intended. There's a large amount I do like about the aesthetics. I like the name of the company, Tube WorkShop. The matt silver panel against black chassis works well. I like the font chosen. I like those control knobs. And the labelling of the switches is well done too, better than most (e.g. recent Marshalls). You could consider going with that over the TSW acronym? Then not breaking the lines of the grille. And not adding additional unnecessary lines like along the input and EQ labels. Something about the interference of the lines, and the TWS and control panel lines, that's a bit jarring or overly busy for the eyes. Could keep the tribute to the 2864 model number somewhere, but maybe not as the prominent amp model description? You could give the great amp an appropriate human friendly textual name? Something that pays homage to that original Philips 2864 amp you mentioned that inspired it? It's hard to remember model numbers these days. There's just so many product models numbers. It's the same with guitars like some of Ibanez & Gretsch otherwise fantastic guitars. It's mostl minor things. Such as I'm not convinced of the need to capitalise the 'S' of WorkShop. And I'd prefer a yellow, amber or red power light. Blue is glaring in the dark and to me less appropriate for a vintage inspired boutique tube amp. The white knobs do look nice, but I suppose if you could get high-quality large ribbed black ones that harked back to the original Philips, that could be a nice touch?

[@tubeworkshop]

@@compucorder64 No worries. If I found your comment to be rude, I simply wouldn't have replied... 😉 Interesting, that you find the lines somehow "obtrusive". But good to get that feedback. Can you have a look on other amps of the TWS Pruduct Line, such as the Lulis Signature? Here, the lines are also used to group the control elements. Does that work better for you, or do you still find it obtrusive? And yes, I agree with you on the name... this was somehow a "juvenile sin", as the 2864-S was the first TWS amp. Later amps have names like "SingleSix" or "BassBoy". Perhaps we can fix that in a follow-up of the amp... By the way: The capital "S" in Tube WorkShop actually comes from having a direct link to the TWS-Shortcut. Probably not needed? Thanks for all of your thoughts. Always good to get feedback and ideas how to improve!

[@compucorder64]

​@@tubeworkshop I looked at the others. I actually think they are definitely better. I like the simpler bolder styling of the Lulis, and the combos look more classic too. Bassboy looks neat, and it's a greag name. Anyway in truth, I feel I was rude. Because I have huge respect for people who put their blood, sweat and tears into making actual instruments. Design is almost entirely subjective anyway. Interference lines will bother a few people, but not most others. Some people _hate_ bright blue lights, many won't even notice. But yeah, one thing I do think is name the amp. And I really do think using the name Tube Workshop is _much_ better than using the acronym TWS. I'm an engineer too (though software), and I know in business, technology and engineering we often use acronyms. But, I don't think it's good practive to use acronyms and model numbers for things of visual and sonic beauty intended for the musical public. They should have evocative names printed on them, in a nice font, like Telecaster, the spaghetti Stratocaster name, Les Paul, Princeton, Bassman etc... Even with classic amps we don't tend to use the model number, it's confusing, and use more general memorable terms like Plexi, Super Lead, not 1987. Bassboy or Lulis Signature, for example, has a much better ring than 2864.

[@tubeworkshop]

@@compucorder64 Thanks for your feedback. That's very precious info for me. You know... I as an Amp-Designer always try to figure out what could be "Best". But at the and of the day, the feedback of Real People and Customers is most important. And no, you weren't rude. Your feedback was direct, honest but constructive. I can deal with that... 😉

[@Tonetwisters]

That beautiful piece of electronic junk sounds WONDERFUL!!! But of course ... pricy. $3200 in dollars just for the head.

[@tubeworkshop]

Actually it's 2.555 USD at Thomann... Yes I know, still not cheap. 😉

[@Manley156]

Little too sharp and compressed for me

[@SeriousTipStudio]

$2,555 for a preamp, bass, treble, and master volume. Lol 😂😅 wow, thank you but no thanks. SMH

[@ryanevans8368]

What speakers are you using they make a huge difference in tone