Suhr PT100 vs CAA PT100 and OD100SE+

[lester]

I've owned a OD100SE and a CAE3+SE (also a very early regular 3+ preamp). The third channel on the 3+SE and the second channel on the OD100SE (which was based on the third channel of the 3+SE) was never anything other than a lead channel in my book, it was too compressed, soft in the low end and lacked string definitions for rhythms. I always used channel 2 of the preamp and the clean channel of the head with a pedal for rhythms.

Yeah, mine started out as an SE/SH and John addressed those concerns with the updates. Not really compressed at all and string definition is great. Shit, the built in boost on the second channel gets pretty damn close feel wise to my Cornford MK50 II.

 

[psychodave]

I’ve played the PT100 a few times and it has cool tone, but feels terrible. Some of the worst touch sensitivity.

It didnt react to your picking intensity ?

Huh? I said touch sensitivity...it’s a common term highlighting that an amp is hard to play and unforgiving.

 

[LP Freak]

I’ve played the PT100 a few times and it has cool tone, but feels terrible. Some of the worst touch sensitivity.

It didnt react to your picking intensity ?

Huh? I said touch sensitivity...it’s a common term highlighting that an amp is hard to play and unforgiving.

I’ve always known touch sensitivity as the amp reacting to how hard you play so play soft and it cleans up. Play hard and you get more gain.

 

[psychodave]

I’ve played the PT100 a few times and it has cool tone, but feels terrible. Some of the worst touch sensitivity.

It didnt react to your picking intensity ?

Huh? I said touch sensitivity...it’s a common term highlighting that an amp is hard to play and unforgiving.

I’ve always known touch sensitivity as the amp reacting to how hard you play so play soft and it cleans up. Play hard and you get more gain.

I’ve always thought of it as how hard the amp is to play. Kinda like the Mark 2C+ Being know as having that great liquid feel where notes fly out of the amp with ease, whether the note is picked or not. It has great touch sensitivity and feels good (both hands, not just picking hand). With that said, when playing the PT100, to me, it had poor touch sensitivity and was hard to play...like I was fighting the amp the entire time. It didn’t sound bad though.

 

[technomancer]

Both the PT100s have a lot of gain, especially with the built in boost engaged. The CAA has a more modern edge to it though either would be more then adequate for 80s rock / metal tones. The Suhr has a bit more of a rounder more vintage vibe but still has plenty of gain. Both sounded fine at low volumes.

Would channel 3 of the Suhr version with an overdrive in front get close to the CAA version?

Maybe, never tried it. The two amps just have a bit of a different feel / flavor.

 

[jape23]

I’ve played the PT100 a few times and it has cool tone, but feels terrible. Some of the worst touch sensitivity.

It didnt react to your picking intensity ?

Huh? I said touch sensitivity...it’s a common term highlighting that an amp is hard to play and unforgiving.

I’ve always known touch sensitivity as the amp reacting to how hard you play so play soft and it cleans up. Play hard and you get more gain.

Yes, LP Freak, definitely that, and also how well an amp cleans up when you roll down the guitar's volume knob. The terms "dynamic" and "touch sensitivity" tend to be used interchangeably when people discuss amps. And from that perspective, I would say that the PT100se is plenty dynamic and touch responsive.

 

[firegate]

I’ve always thought of it as how hard the amp is to play. Kinda like the Mark 2C+ Being know as having that great liquid feel where notes fly out of the amp with ease, whether the note is picked or not. It has great touch sensitivity and feels good (both hands, not just picking hand). With that said, when playing the PT100, to me, it had poor touch sensitivity and was hard to play...like I was fighting the amp the entire time. It didn’t sound bad though.

This is actually an adjustable setting on all of the CAA amps including the PT100. There's a negative feedback control on the rear panel, which essentially adjusts the sensitivity and sag of the amp - the lower you go, the more touch sensitive the amp becomes.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Would channel 3 of the Suhr version with an overdrive in front get close to the CAA version?

Nope. Voicings are still quite different.

 

[psychodave]

I’ve always thought of it as how hard the amp is to play. Kinda like the Mark 2C+ Being know as having that great liquid feel where notes fly out of the amp with ease, whether the note is picked or not. It has great touch sensitivity and feels good (both hands, not just picking hand). With that said, when playing the PT100, to me, it had poor touch sensitivity and was hard to play...like I was fighting the amp the entire time. It didn’t sound bad though.

This is actually an adjustable setting on all of the CAA amps including the PT100. There's a negative feedback control on the rear panel, which essentially adjusts the sensitivity and sag of the amp - the lower you go, the more touch sensitive the amp becomes.

I tried that...in fact, I was with an actual Suhr employee when demoing the amp. Sounded good though.

 

[hopkinWFG]

Thanks guys !

 

[Deleted member 26179]

I use the term "touch sensitivity" to describe how the amp responds to pick attack. An amp sounds cleaner when you pick lighter and gets dirtier when you pick heavier. These amps aren't as fluid and are often considered hard to play. I think I use the term the exact opposite of psychodave?

Either way, the Suhr PT100 (not the CAA version) reacts as described above. The level of distortion changes depending on your pick attack. I happened to be a person that likes that.

 

[rickenbacker198]

I’m gonna jump on this one ,
I agree with Sgtthump.

I have the newest version PT100
In what I consider as “touch sensitivity” , this amp is completely amazing.
It responds very well to picking dynamics, when you strike a note hard, it jumps out.
With higher gain the amp response is fluid, more so than most.
I find it very easy and fun to play.

 

[LP Freak]

I use the term "touch sensitivity" to describe how the amp responds to pick attack. An amp sounds cleaner when you pick lighter and gets dirtier when you pick heavier. These amps aren't as fluid and are often considered hard to play. I think I use the term the exact opposite of psychodave?

Either way, the Suhr PT100 (not the CAA version) reacts as described above. The level of distortion changes depending on your pick attack. I happened to be a person that likes that.

Never mind what Dave says, you’re correct in you’re description.

 

[mooncobra]

I’ve played the PT100 a few times and it has cool tone, but feels terrible. Some of the worst touch sensitivity.

It didnt react to your picking intensity ?

Huh? I said touch sensitivity...it’s a common term highlighting that an amp is hard to play and unforgiving.

this is what I think as well, how touch sensitive the amp is, is it hard to sound a note, or does the amp play effortlessly

 

[Meeotch]

Bumping this thread in search of a little more info on the Suhr PT100. The CAA website no longer has the PT100 listed, so I'm wondering if the Suhr PT100 has completely taken over that title now? Also, can anyone educate me on the history of the PT100, specifically the different revisions? I've recently become interested in this amp for metal applications, and the comments above seem pretty mixed. Cheers!

 

[metalmaniac93]

Bumping this thread in search of a little more info on the Suhr PT100. The CAA website no longer has the PT100 listed, so I'm wondering if the Suhr PT100 has completely taken over that title now? Also, can anyone educate me on the history of the PT100, specifically the different revisions? I've recently become interested in this amp for metal applications, and the comments above seem pretty mixed. Cheers!

Bump

 

[hopkinWFG]

Bump

i think i heard the CAA PT100 sound more raw.... than the current... depends on what you like... few sample clips can be found PT100 VS Suhr PT100.... yeah the CAA brand no longer produce such amp if not wrong its design by John suhr back then...

 

[metalmaniac93]

i think i heard the CAA PT100 sound more raw.... than the current... depends on what you like... few sample clips can be found PT100 VS Suhr PT100.... yeah the CAA brand no longer produce such amp if not wrong its design by John suhr back then...

Thanks. On the fence about picking up the recent one.