Les Paul related, Original Dallas Rangemaster

[bern1]

on the bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270510489387

I don't personally subscribe to the idea that Clapton used one with his Les Paul but some people do and here is one. It seems to be real but I am absolutely no expert.

Isn't somebody making these?

 

[Seoighs]

I dunno specifics either, but judging from the bid activity ($1,300 with nearly a week to go...for an effects box!), a lotta folks must consider it a treasure!

 

[Don]

That's a museum piece! I'll take the pics for my collection, thank you!

Isn't somebody making these?

Everyone's making these! Hell, I made one last year following the instructions and schematic on Geofex with less than $50 worth of parts (including a really nice transistor). It sounds great

 

[Brown Recluse]

I believe this is the 4th time he has listed it. It got to over 2K the first time around and didn't make the reserve price. The following 2 times it has been listed with a 10K opening bid amount without a reserve. Now it has been listed without a posted reseve. I'll be amazed if he doesn't pull the auction prior to the scheduled end in order to avoid selling it for less than what he really wants.

 

[A. Warren]

10k for a treble booster?

 

[585960]

I've debated with so many about the use of Beano with a Rangemaster. I still say, nah..................

 

[Ad_02Std]

I spotted this tweet from Joe Bonamassa the other day (yeah, I know Twitter is lame, but I have to use it for my business):

Spent my life trying to figure out how to get the "Bluesbreaker" tone. Today I came one little english grey box closer...so stoked!!

He believes it.

 

[fentonjames]

why not find YOUR tone instead?

 

[gutpile]

I just picked up an Analogman Beano Boost... I have NEVER used pedals but I am being convinced that this one could be a useful tool! Sounds killer with my Metro JTM45/100 and Metro Bluesbreaker Combo!! I haven't tried it with any of my EL34 amps but it is a great boost for KT66's!

 

[bizzwriter]

I just picked up an Analogman Beano Boost... I have NEVER used pedals but I am being convinced that this one could be a useful tool! Sounds killer with my Metro JTM45/100 and Metro Bluesbreaker Combo!! I haven't tried it with any of my EL34 amps but it is a great boost for KT66's!

Beano Boost LOVES EL84s too, as in my Matchless Lightning 15!

 

[bigtomrodney]

I've debated with so many about the use of Beano with a Rangemaster. I still say, nah..................

I have to say I've never been convinced either. I've used clones and I have a Rangemaster mode in my TriBoost and I just don't think that's how he did it. Having said that there are two things to consider; the first is that the Rangemaster behaves differently as the amp is really cranked. It stops acting so much like a treble boost and just like a full on boost to the amp. The second is that it was common to mod it so that it was more of a mod-boost. One cap changed and it's more actractive at moderate drive levela. Now if Clapton had this done as Iommi later did I'd be slightly more inclined to believe the myth. I know my MkII Super Lead screams hacksaws and cardboard with the midboost running.

 

[59Vampire]

Originally I thought those would be shill bids but there is no reserve. However, it may be pulled and stated as no longer for sale, the ebay way of getting around fees etc. That thing is not worth that money no way no how.

There are MANY exact reproductions in pedal form. the guy is high or is looking to make a killing off line with someone who will be stupid enough to make an offer.

There are PLENTY of people who can afford that price but its just out of want or for "historical purposes".

These are just my opinions. Two years ago he may have had a better time getting high dollars. I stupidly turned down 2K for a decent condition green guard for a 62 strat I had. I tried selling it recently couldnt even get a nibble at 1300

 

[BobV]

The box was apparently magical for it's time. Without identifying it, Jimmy Page points to one in "It Might Get Loud" and says that it was amazing - at the time. Something that could kick the front end of the amp. We've come a long way and can do better than the lo-fi sound those things put out, but at the same time there's some charm to the original germanium transistors in the Tonebender. My preference is modern options, controls, and versatility like in the Buildyourownclone "Triboost" mentioned above. I won't say it's "rangemaster" mode is just like the real thing because I've never compared them since a dead on copy is not what I'm looking for.

 

[mingus]

10k for a treble booster?

I agree that that price seems to be nuts. But you never know if there might be someone out there with the money who has to have one. Imagine if you had the money and had found a nice burst and perhaps an original Bluesbreaker. At that point, what's an additional $10K for the real deal effects box? I know the guy selling this and he does have an awesome collection of vintage pedals and effects. I have no doubt that it's real and the fact that it still has the original box and papers is absolutely amazing. This is a very rare effect (find another one in any condition!). He offered me this Rangemaster for $5,000 last summer (I didn't feel the "need" for it), so that's probably closer to the real figure he has in mind.

There are MANY exact reproductions in pedal form. the guy is high or is looking to make a killing off line with someone who will be stupid enough to make an offer.

There are PLENTY of people who can afford that price but its just out of want or for "historical purposes".

First, there is no such thing as an "exact reproduction". Every original Dallas Rangemaster sounds a bit different due to the drift tolerances of the individual components. It is a simple circuit, but they do not all sound the same. Having an original is what most people prefer to have, but then the matter of price comes into the equation. Some are willing to pay the price, others are not (I'm not either!). I don't think the seller is high or looking to make a killing. I'm certain that he paid "all the money" for this when he acquired it.

What's it really worth in today's market? I don't know, but if the auction goes through to the end, we'll find out!

The box was apparently magical for it's time. Without identifying it, Jimmy Page points to one in "It Might Get Loud" and says that it was amazing - at the time. Something that could kick the front end of the amp. We've come a long way and can do better than the lo-fi sound those things put out, but at the same time there's some charm to the original germanium transistors in the Tonebender. My preference is modern options, controls, and versatility like in the Buildyourownclone "Triboost" mentioned above. I won't say it's "rangemaster" mode is just like the real thing because I've never compared them since a dead on copy is not what I'm looking for.

Sometimes, that low-fi sound is the shit! Just ask any audio engineer about the mic preamps in vintage desks from Soundcraft or Neve or many others. Or ask about vintage studio compressors or the lovely sounds generated when recording to real tape (as in saturation). These sounds are very organic and pleasing to the ear, yet they can't be duplicated with "modern" equipment.

 

[soulbrojcs]

Just had to throw my opinion in on this one... i just got in from my usual Sunday evening gig. tonight, i took my 2000 R9, my Matchless Jimmy Scott Model (with EL84's, 2x12's, & reverb), and my Analog Man Beano Boost. the tone was great! somehow, i was able to get the EXACT (and i do mean EXACT) Clapton Beano tone!!! needless to say, this was VERY inspiring, and it prompted me to play my ass off!!! ;-) i own quite a few high end effects pedals, several being GREAT sounding overdrive and distortion pedals. but i would like to be counted as one who says that, while all of these pedals do what they're supposed to, and sound awesome, i don't think they even come close (to my ears) to the sound of my axe, into my Beano, straight into the amp, hillbilly channel switching, and going for it! but i also think it depends on what type of sound you're looking for. i grew up with the rock bands/players from the late 60's/70's on the radio, and then traced all of that back to the electric blues players that inspired them. also, those were the days of non master volume tube amps... just turn it up between 7 and 10 and go! so, that's the sound i look for in modern equipment, and i seem to have found that sound with these simple tools. after over 30 years of playing for a living, this is what keeps me looking forward to the next gig... and i really can't wait!!!