cripeowner wrote:Maestro Reverb amp!
+1 on the Maestro. I had a Trio years ago and hated using digital reverb, I like springs. Also had an SMS and again digital reverb just doesn't work for me ( my preference some guys make great use of it I could never dial any in ). I have a Shakedown and it's great in its own way different from the Maestro, but I waited 2+ years. Anyway that's my history if it helps
I've been playing a Shakedown for a year plus, and I love it. I also recently acquired an SMS and an MC50, which I pair together. I've been having a ball comparing both rigs. Also having fun playing the Shakedown on its own (with Twin Power Tubes) and then seeing how it compares in tone to how it sounds with the Mac (honestly I haven't yet concluded which I like better -- Shakedown sounds great on its own AND with a Mac). But I kind of come out the same way, in that, it's really tough to beat the spring reverb on the Twin (at least to my ears). But I don't know if that's just because the SMS is still new to me. I do really dig the SMS. The reverb is the one thing I'm still trying to get used to . . . . And, of course, I've heard so many make the SMS sing (most recently, Jeff Mattson).
Paul -- can you elaborate a little on the different qualities between the Shakedown and the Maestro? All the clips I've heard of the Maestro are jaw droppingly good (especially the ones you posted some months back). Tone was dead-on. But I also watched some of the clips of you with the Shakedown from a couple years ago, and those were also excellent. Maybe it has something to do with the your playing???? The last thing my marriage needs is for me to purchase a third Jerry rig! But, I would be really interested in hearing you elaborate a bit on the tonal differences between the Maestro and Shakedown . . . .