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heads on fire « This is the metal amp here, folks. »
Published on 11/01/11 at 18:28Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34) • Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
2 Channels
Each Channel features: Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Channel Assignable Dual Rectification with Recto Tracking™ (Diode or Tube Tracking – Patents 5,168,438 & 7,193,458)
FX Loop with Send Level Control
Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Footswitchable Solo Level Control (Patent 6,724,897 - over all channels when activated)
Bold/Spongy “Variac” Switch (Patent 5,091,700)
True “Hard” Bypass Switch that removes FX Loop, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
Tuner Output w/Footswitchable Mute
Slave Out w/Level Control
Slip Cover
Head (Width 25 1/2”)
UTILIZATION
The amp takes awhile for tweaking to get the right tone, but after that, watch out. It's somewhat deep, with the Bold/Spongy switch, Diode or Tube Tracking, so it takes a bit of playing the amp in many situations to really hone in on the sound that you want to get out of it. Effects loop is a great feature, always, and this one sounds good.
SOUNDS
This is a fantastic sounding amp. It gets bonecrushingly loud, with gobs of liquid sustain and razor-sharp jagged metal shard-rhythm tones. The clean is pretty nice if running a verb or delay in the effects loop. This gets uber tight, and very quiet - any stop-start or palm mute techniques are heavily accentuated with this amplifier. Nearly every great rock and metal band or guitarist has used this amp over the past 20 years, and with good reason - it rules.
OVERALL OPINION
I'm giving it a 9 overall. It would benefit from an onboard reverb, just to give a bit of depth. The price is a bit expensive, but for being a nice handmade American tube amplifier with a lot of features, it's priced just right. This amp will go from Who and Hendrix to Morbid Angel and Bloodbath, so it can nail nearly any type of distorted tone. Allan Holdsworth even said this is one of his favorite amps ever! That should give a good idea of how versatile the amplifier is. This amp rules, and I wish I had two.
2 Channels
Each Channel features: Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Channel Assignable Dual Rectification with Recto Tracking™ (Diode or Tube Tracking – Patents 5,168,438 & 7,193,458)
FX Loop with Send Level Control
Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Footswitchable Solo Level Control (Patent 6,724,897 - over all channels when activated)
Bold/Spongy “Variac” Switch (Patent 5,091,700)
True “Hard” Bypass Switch that removes FX Loop, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
Tuner Output w/Footswitchable Mute
Slave Out w/Level Control
Slip Cover
Head (Width 25 1/2”)
UTILIZATION
The amp takes awhile for tweaking to get the right tone, but after that, watch out. It's somewhat deep, with the Bold/Spongy switch, Diode or Tube Tracking, so it takes a bit of playing the amp in many situations to really hone in on the sound that you want to get out of it. Effects loop is a great feature, always, and this one sounds good.
SOUNDS
This is a fantastic sounding amp. It gets bonecrushingly loud, with gobs of liquid sustain and razor-sharp jagged metal shard-rhythm tones. The clean is pretty nice if running a verb or delay in the effects loop. This gets uber tight, and very quiet - any stop-start or palm mute techniques are heavily accentuated with this amplifier. Nearly every great rock and metal band or guitarist has used this amp over the past 20 years, and with good reason - it rules.
OVERALL OPINION
I'm giving it a 9 overall. It would benefit from an onboard reverb, just to give a bit of depth. The price is a bit expensive, but for being a nice handmade American tube amplifier with a lot of features, it's priced just right. This amp will go from Who and Hendrix to Morbid Angel and Bloodbath, so it can nail nearly any type of distorted tone. Allan Holdsworth even said this is one of his favorite amps ever! That should give a good idea of how versatile the amplifier is. This amp rules, and I wish I had two.