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- Re-release of the older videos: How to Play The Jack by AC/DC
- Re-release of the older videos: How to Play Jailbreak by AC/DC
- Re-release of the older videos: How to play Hell’s Bells by AC/DC
- How it all started: The history of the SVDS
- Re-release of the older videos: How to Play C.O.D. by AC/DC – Guitar lession
- Re-release of the older videos: AC/DC’s Highway to Hell – Guitar lession
- Re-release of the older videos: AC/DC’s High Voltage – Guitar lession
- Re-release of the older videos: Gone shootin’ – Guitar lession
- Re-release of the older videos: You shook me all night long
- Re-release of the older videos: Riff Raff
- Re-release of the older videos: If you want blood (you’ve got it)
- Re-release of the older videos: Back in Black full live version
- Science Proof That Adults Can Too Learn At Any Age To Play Guitar (and many more things)…?
- Update on the SVDS Replica: Production started!
- Happy Birthday, Fil!
The Schaffer-Vega Diversity Replica (Updated)
Hi my rockin' friend.
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Cheers, SD
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The “Raiders” strike again! SVDS tone on a Mini Marshall MS-2
about 2 months ago - 28 comments
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More news from the “Raiders”: The Schaffer-Vega Diversity and Guitar Rig!
about 2 months ago - 29 comments
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The “Raiders Of The Lost Sound” And A Cheap Marshall: Your Schaffer-Vega Diversity On A Budget Amp.
about 2 months ago - 117 comments
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Franz, Fil & The Schaffer-Vega Diversity News
about 2 months ago - 109 comments
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Introducing the “Wizard Vintage Classic 100W” with AC/DC’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” Cover
about 3 months ago - 132 comments
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Introducing the “Wizard Modern Classic 100W” with Black Robot’s “Cocaine” Cover
about 3 months ago - 70 comments
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Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the (New!) Years” Featuring Mr. Elliott Randall (SoloDallas cover, SVDS)
about 4 months ago - 20 comments
It was one quick email exchange with Mr. Ken Schaffer (his personal site here) that suggested me (well, he did) a possible title to end this year and bring on the next one. Given my recent meeting with Mr. Elliott Randall (and my past as a listener to Steely Dan since I was oh 17 Read more >
SoloDallas at the Air Studios: The London Blog post – Updating
about 5 months ago - 127 comments
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AC/DC’s “Riff Raff”, Studio Version, Schaffer-Vega Diversity Series
about 7 months ago - 79 comments
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AC/DC’s “Gone Shooting” (Studio Version, Schaffer-Vega Diversity System)
about 7 months ago - 66 comments
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about 5 months ago
Hey Fil, tongiht I went to see livewire the ac/dc tribute band, they came to the town whee I live. It was awsome on of the guys loaded the cannons up with too much powder and it blew the roof of the building out haha! I thought my right ear drum had exploded!
The main reason I have decided to share this with you is that, Malcolm Youngs actual (real) guitar tech was himself at the show as he also helps the tribute band, I couldnt belive it in my local town what was he doing there? I got talking to him he telling me about how the 2 year tour was a long one and telling me about their on stage set up, the only thing I thought may have been slightly inaccurate was he said that angus had done some albums on a JCM 800, and that the best ay to get angus’s sound was on a JCM 800, obviously from what you have discovered that isnt quite true, but never the less he was a genuinly nice man. Kinda strange talking to someone whos got Angus and Malcolm youngs numbers in his phone contact list haha!
about 5 months ago
In fact, there are minor diferences between a JMP and a JCM 800. They are basically the same circuit.
about 5 months ago
Only the first JCM800′s with the vertical inputs. The horizontal input JCM’s are completely different. Only late JMP’s and early JCM’s are quite the same.
But those are very bright sounding, and need G12-65′s to sound ‘fuller’, compared to greenbacks. They have very few bottom end.
about 5 months ago
+1
about 5 months ago
do cabs really affect your tone ? I have a standard A cab with a marshall 2204 head what would be the best cab and how much would it cost ?
about 5 months ago
score a old 1960B cab from the jcm800 era, around 1980-1982 with G12-65′s in it. They make certainly 50% of your tone.
about 5 months ago
+1.
about 5 months ago
Dont get me wrong though, the JCM800 is a great sounding amp, the band used them last night and it sounded awsome none the less
about 5 months ago
I found out the guitar tech I was talking to who is malcolm youngs guitar tech, his name is geoff. After doing some research I found his full name to be geoff banks,and I think he may hve been mentioned on here before after he did an interveiw talking about angus and malcolms on stage setup
about 5 months ago
Hey Dries, if you’re into this. Got a JMP 2104 combo with original Greenbacks. Great tone of course, but very, very bright. Speaker change suggestions? Maybe change of the Greenbacks for a G12-65? Please advise. Cheers Jonas
about 5 months ago
The 2104 or 2204 circuit is indeed very bright sounding. Many people turn the mids up, and set the treble around 3-4. You can remove the ‘bright-cap’, its a simple removal of a capitor over the input resistor. You can still restore this to original easily. Search google for it. But a open back does still have less bass than a closed back 2×12 or 4×12.
But if you can score a set of (old, no heritage) 15ohm G12-65′s, go for it !
about 5 months ago
One more question: I have not really “cranked” that amp yet. Some say that the treble issue is less of a problem as you turn the volume up. Is that really true? Thanks for the speaker advice and other mod, will check into that. Cheers – Jonas
about 5 months ago
Could be. with the std. master volume, just below 2 is still loud. But the amp comes alive around 2.5-3, what is LOUD
about 5 months ago
My experience with the 2204 is that I dont have to crank up the amp.. Master volume on 4 is the sweet spot..
At that point i have to mention that an attenuator (a good one) is necessary. Without one I usually play at volume on 2 and still be happy..
If you check Fil’s riff raff settings you will find that even with volume on 2 you can have a very good sound..
About speakers, my vote always went to the G12 65′s. It is a nice overall speaker..
about 5 months ago
“We haven’t made a decision about this yet; we may try to find another compressor with the same exact 2:1 curve, same “sound” but modern conception which definitely kills the hiss. Most likely attempts will be made shortly.”
Fil, that’s really a great idea – I think that even Mr. Schaffer would use one to stay at the cutting edge of technology.
You can give it a good try at least. Looking forward to your findings!
about 5 months ago
I can’t recognize the person on the left picture of Mr Schaffer (but I like them^^)
about 5 months ago
HEY!!!!!!!!! In your “Gear Family” photo is that a tuner like the one Angus is using in the LTBR movie sitting on the WiZaRdS??????
about 5 months ago
Ah, finally someone noticed it
Yes, its exactly this tuner 
about 5 months ago
Fil, do you like the wizards better than some of your marshalls or the other way around
about 5 months ago
Impossible to answer. I think they are all different. At this level of “sound” (i.e., vintage Marshalls and some boutique new ones) sound is so good that it just depends on personal taste and application!
about 5 months ago
Holy Crap Work Sucks!!!! Promotion at work has me away from here waaaaaayyyy too much. Not to mention I’m 10,000 time zones away from the coolest happenings in the world!!!!!
I’m 2 days late on the Freakin’ sound samples!!!!!???????
This sound was thought to be UN-Replicateable (if that’s a word??) BUT…… You’ve done it!!!!
I really think the main difference listening here is the volume level of the two samples. (in the solos only anyway)
Here’s to you Fil!!!!
I love the Idea’s floating about the original manuals being included & I’m sure the packaging will be superb as well.
Fil, I will e-mail you a ? that I’m not sure would be totally appropriate here. (NOTHING WEIRD) Please read…
Thanx
about 5 months ago
Jon! Nice to read something from you again
about 5 months ago
Hey Franz, Thanx!!!!
It’s nice to be able to actually have time to see what’s up again. Time only comes in small lumps for now…. I hope to be more active here again.
about 5 months ago
Yes, please, Jon!
about 5 months ago
The shop photo is indeed amazing!
about 5 months ago
It is. I am find myself looking at it again and again.
about 5 months ago
i LOVE this!!! all the photos of the ephemera, the shop, all of it is so wonderful, Thanks for sharing it!
best.
penny arcade
about 5 months ago
Thank YOU Ms. Arcade! Terrific to have you here
about 5 months ago
I’m drooling all over my laptop after seeing that gear picture. Oh my god
about 5 months ago
My plan is to get this replica and make it my guitar boost for everything I play. So on my albums, when that time comes, you will be Thanked Fil and Franz.
about 5 months ago
nice, very nice indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!
about 5 months ago
Wow Mr Schaffer i salute with respect!!!!!
Awsome pictures indeed
about 5 months ago
Cool photos Mr. Schaffer, nice to see you!
about 5 months ago
Allright, so Van Halen also did use one
That means it could be the final part for those who are trying to replicate his sound
I’ve seen some dedicated people struggeling with mimic his tone he used with his 1968 Super Lead with the variac and all that, the replica might just be what is exactly needed to make the circle complete for those guys
about 5 months ago
well, VH used a whole lot of stuff at different times for his brown tone. I am not particularly into it, never liked it too much nor him lol If I am obsessed by AC/DC tone, VH fans are in a religious state when it comes down to brown sound. Thing is that it really varies with him, he used a lot of stuff and always tried to keep it secret. Not a fan of all this.
about 5 months ago
Well it’s good to hear you are able to mimic not only acdc tones, i’am sure it could be interresting to VH tone ”nuts” Lol
Did the list on the picture include everyone who used the Schaffer Vega? Or did more artists?
Very Curius if Motörhead used one since it’s my favourite Rock’n'roll band next to ACDC tonewise, is it possible Motörhead used a Vega?
about 5 months ago
More artists, dont have a complete list yet
about 5 months ago
I for one LOVE the brown sound Eddie had, lol
but Van Halen are also my 3rd favorite band,soooo yeah
(Behind AC/DC which is number 1 of course haha)
about 5 months ago
Just an advice i read somewhere on the net about putting a guitar close to speaker cabinets, they say it can s**w up the pickups or something like the magnets in the pickups if close to the speaker cabinets, at least if they’re active, i dunno how true it is and i cannot confirm it to be false or true but i’d stay away from putting guitars in front of speaker cabinets just in case
about 5 months ago
Now i listened to it.
I must say, that there is indeed a very little difference. That unit in the right speaker is definitely louder, has more gain while the other is cleaner. Some say, the replica is louder, maybe it depents on my speakers, that the replica is on the right and the Schaffer on the left ?? I don`t know.
The sound or the soundcolour is absolutely the same, 100% here !!! It just needs a little adjustment and these soundfiles are 100% identical. I think, it is even now, worth to buy one, if the price is correct !
So, the right amp, the right guitar, the right box with the right speakers and the right style of playing togheter with the replica will make the sound for everyone here ?
I think one important part is missing.
The right microfone, but that`s a different theme….
I must say Thank You for the recreation of the famous Schaffer Vega !!!!!
It sounds awesome !!
about 5 months ago
A new era is comming..
Now a A/B test video will be very entertaining .
about 5 months ago
Well,
in my dreams it would be coming.
But we all know how things go in reality: differently lol
This Replica – appropriately named and hopefully, marketed and priced (with the support of Mr. Ken Schaffer himself, if he will decide so) will remain much likely a niche, “boutique” thing. I still love to “life” the idea of it and how it was found, developed etc. It makes for a terrific story and I think the story itself “may” get some recognition even in the international press (I think it will). But sales wise, it won’t change our lives lol.
It’s solodallas.com that I plan on making my business life more and more into. With hopes. Fil
about 5 months ago
PS oh yeah, I will make enough videos of this to be boring.
about 5 months ago
No way you could make too many videos,
LET alone bored us.
We are all ears mr. oliver,er um should I say Professor Tone?
haha
about 5 months ago
sign me up for one!
about 5 months ago
Hang on, no preorder list yet
Will make proper announcement soon 
about 5 months ago
Very soon hopefully, I can’t wait for it
Sounds amazing, you did great job there guys
about 5 months ago
They both sound really great although to my ears there not 100% identical…very close but the original seems louder and a little more clean in the recording anyways. But can’t wait to be on list to get one!!!!!!
about 5 months ago
It could be that the output knob of the Replica had to be gently twisted a little counter-clock-wise, to take some boost out (because of the wearing of the original components in the original SVDS versus the newer, more effective ones). But I would say that we’re definitely in the right “ballpark”, and that the “sound of the original” is definitely obtainable just with a combination of input knob/output knob/ amplifier settings/ guitar settings. One just messes around with these a tad and you’re there 100%. Promise
about 5 months ago
I created an mp3 in Audacity that flips back and forth from each channel (but mixed to stereo so you hear it in both headphones) and it is very close. I think what you’ve mentioned is in fact true Fil, the Replica had a slightly higher output than the SVDS… very very close. Exciting times around here
about 5 months ago
Yes, thats true. The ears can be fooled a bit just by the loudness. Different loudness levels seem to sound different, often louder sounds “better”.
about 5 months ago
I wants that mp3, please?
about 5 months ago
Sent now
about 5 months ago
Testing iphone
about 5 months ago
Genius!!
Get this man a medal, and a record deal
haha Great job by all here Fil.
about 5 months ago
Cody!
about 5 months ago
The tone of the gods in a box. Amazing. I want one!
about 5 months ago
Nice pay off