In a message to Al Thompson  Jeff Vineburg wrote:
JV>  AT>To give an idea of what my "ideal" was, the favorite amp
JV>    >setup I owned was two West Grande heads through two
JV>    >Acoustic 4x12" cabinets.  Not very conventional, but
JV>    >that's what I liked.
JV>
JV>  Never heard of WG... what were they about?
West made a small variety of tube amps, in both 2x12 combo styles and as 
heads and cabinets. I had a few of the combos and heads at various times, but 
never had any of their cabinets.  The cabinets were pretty straightforward 
2x12 or 4x12 sealed guitar cabinets, and I think they had a 2x15 bass 
cabinet, but I'm not sure.
The Grande was a 100W amp, the Avalon was 50W, and the Fillmore was larger, 
but I have forgotten the specs.
Their electronics and cabinetry were solid and well-built, and they had a 
really incredible sound.  I don't know why they went out of business, unless 
it was simply because they were building large, bare-bones, high power tube 
amps, when the market was moving toward smaller (in size and power) amps with 
"features."  I sold my last West in the late seventies, and I haven't seen 
another one since.  I'll grab it in a second if I ever see one in good shape. 
 I never cared much for "features" in an amp.  I only really care about how 
it sounds and if it will go as loud as I need (like).  In my opinion, 
"features" only make an amp needlessly complex (both to operate and fix) and 
overly expensive.
In my past life, a '64 Bassman head with a 2x12 or 4x12 cabinet is what I 
considerd a nearly ideal guitar amp.  When I was playing in bands, though, 
they didn't have enough of the almighty wattage - hence the West heads.
Now, on the other hand, I have a 74 Silverface Champ that sounds just fine to 
me, along with my effects (a Big Muff, a Small Stone, and an MXR Dynacomp, 
all from the 70's).  I'd been looking for an amp I liked, and I recently 
found this one for $120.  If you would have told me twenty years ago that I 
would have only a 6W amp and love it, I would have laughed.  
 
--- GEcho 1.00
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