New owner of 20th Ann Shiva !!!

[gforce_15]

Had my cousin pick up a near new 20th Shiva last Saturday, since he lived in the city where the amp was advertised. He won't be visiting my home area until mid October at the soonest. The anticipation is killing me!! It is the black head with the swirls in the tolex, non reverb model.

I've never played a 20th Shiva before, but have played a 2x12 el34 shiva for a couple gigs and loved it. Anxious to hear the clean channel under boost, and the different options in the dirty channel on the 20th. Hopefully i wil love it as much as many others claim. I've been gigging a H&K Triamp mk1 for the past 5 years and am starting to run into reliability issues the past two years...hoping this shiva wil provide many years of eargasms troublefree! I will be running it through my 4x12 h&k cab loaded with greenbacks until i can find me a Bogner cab for the right price!

I also have a custom ata flight case getting built for the head as we speak.. i will share my thoughts when i finally get it!!!!

 

[RSRD]

congrats! one of my favorite amps EVA'

 

[Ventura]

Inquiring minds definitely want to know your thoughts on this.

Congrats. It's still on my radar, the 20thA model Shiva, I know everyone keeps going on about the KT88s versus the EL34s, but seriously, 88s can be dandy in the right circuit and with the right SPL. Real dandy.

Mega congrats! I'd be pumped

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I've played both side by side and own a 20th (considering selling it to get a Rhodes) but nevertheless...the EL34 was easier to dial up from the start and has the EL34 snarl. However once you learn a little bit on the 20th tone controls (mode & shift) and how they react it's definitely meaner than the EL34 version. The clean channels on both are great, reverb is great too. The excursion knob add that deeper low end too.

 

[Ventura]

So you ended up getting the KT88 loaded 20th?

 

[rlord1974]

So you ended up getting the KT88 loaded 20th?

I did, and I love it.

Les Paul --> 20th Shiva w/KT88s --> Cab loaded with Creambacks = NIRVANA

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

Loading my Mills with V30 and Creambacks this weekend, will hope it sounds good with Shiva.

 

[Ventura]

So you ended up getting the KT88 loaded 20th?

I did, and I love it.

Les Paul --> 20th Shiva w/KT88s --> Cab loaded with Creambacks = NIRVANA

2 x 75s? 2 x 65s? Or one of each? (assuming this is a 2x12 we're talking about...)

Peace,
Mo

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I loaded my Mills Afterburner with V30 and Creamback 65...sounds great with Shiva 20th

 

[rlord1974]

So you ended up getting the KT88 loaded 20th?

I did, and I love it.

Les Paul --> 20th Shiva w/KT88s --> Cab loaded with Creambacks = NIRVANA

2 x 75s? 2 x 65s? Or one of each? (assuming this is a 2x12 we're talking about...)

Peace,
Mo

Mo:

Two x G12M-65's in a Petersen 2x12" cab. Amazing tone. I can see how with a darker amp, the G12H-75 could be a good choice or option to mix with the M version. The M's sound amazing with the Shiva and a Lester though. Thick as MUD.

 

[Ventura]

Mo:

Two x G12M-65's in a Petersen 2x12" cab. Amazing tone. I can see how with a darker amp, the G12H-75 could be a good choice or option to mix with the M version. The M's sound amazing with the Shiva and a Lester though. Thick as MUD.

Thanks for the clarification.

I'm going deep, men

 

[gforce_15]

So you ended up getting the KT88 loaded 20th?

Yes, kt88's. Won't be getting it until Nov 9 weekend...going sick in anticipation! Main guitars i run are 07 les paul classic, 94 American strat, and 99 Peavey Wolfgang. My one band plays a mix of country and classic rock, and other band plays more classic rock and 80s hair band stuff...hope this amp with a few pedals will do the trick!!!

 

[Ventura]

So you ended up getting the KT88 loaded 20th?

Yes, kt88's. Won't be getting it until Nov 9 weekend...going sick in anticipation! Main guitars i run are 07 les paul classic, 94 American strat, and 99 Peavey Wolfgang. My one band plays a mix of country and classic rock, and other band plays more classic rock and 80s hair band stuff...hope this amp with a few pedals will do the trick!!!

Please keep us posted man, I'm on the line for some new amps incoming - this being one of 'em.

Peace,
Mo

 

[richedie]

I ordered my 20th Shiva with EL34s since I plan to play more with a band, I find nothing cuts like EL34s in a band. My favorite speakers with the Shiva are V30s and Lynchbacks. This is my favorite amp of all time. Nothing I would change. Some may think it is too warm and thick, but it is perfect!

 

[rlord1974]

I find nothing cuts like EL34s in a band.

I know it's just your opinion Rich, but about 75% of guitar players would disagree with this comment!

 

[richedie]

I find nothing cuts like EL34s in a band.

I know it's just your opinion Rich, but about 75% of guitar players would disagree with this comment!

Pretty much all the guitarists I know in Philly, including the older fellas have all gone back to EL34s and EL84s for that reason. For some reason, 6L6 amps seems to get lost in a two guitar band. A well known local guitarist stopped using his SLO for that reason. This is my personal opinion and that of lots of other local guitarists.

However therr are some amazing amps that run other tubes than 34s and sound killer. So who knows.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

The 20th should cut even with KT88 as the amp has a fairly simple eq. Bumping up any or all presence, treble and mid knobs gives the Shiva a wicked grind with mid snarl. I played an EL34 regular Shiva and loved it until I took the time to tweak the Shiva 20th. I've never played a Shiva 20th with EL34 but maybe it's more snarly

The built in boost function on the Shiva's gives it a more in your face sound - I think it's all in how you eq the amp and which cab you're using...my .02

 

[Ventura]

I'm stoked.

 

[just42dave]

Ive had both kept the kt88

 

[Ventura]

Ive had both kept the kt88

Boom. Just like that