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yoTrakkz « trending sound »
Published on 12/11/11 at 22:22This is a solid tube amp that was originally designed back in the 1970s. It has two inputs (high gain and low gain) for a single clean channel. There are 50 watts of power. The amp features controls for volume, bass, mids, and treble, tremolo speed and depth, reverb, and master volume.
UTILIZATION
This amp is a basic plug and play kind of amp. There really isn't a whole lot of manipulation involved unless you want the tremolo or reverb, and even then the adjustments are minimal. I didn't use a manual and in no way did that hinder my performance with this amp.
SOUNDS
The sounds that emerge from this 1970s amp are actually far closer to early 60s sounding Rock and Roll. I immediately thought of the Hollies when I plugged it in with my Strat and Tele. I don't like it very much with a Les Paul, I think single-coils are really the way to go with this one. The tone is super warm normally, and can get a tone of great kick without distorting too much. Distortion is not the name of the game with this amp, at least not the way it comes originally. I've heard that opening it up and fiddling with the circuits, swapping tubes, etc. allows the distortion possibilities to come through, but I haven't had the nerve to try that, especially since I really like the amp the way it is. For anyone who'd never want anything more than natural overdrive, this is a real treat.
OVERALL OPINION
I'm beginning to think more and more that there are a lot more good tube amps out there than bad ones. The more I try, the more I like. This one isn't always too expensive used, I don't think they even make them anymore, unfortunately. This is definitely a sleeper hit, worth checking out for blues players.
UTILIZATION
This amp is a basic plug and play kind of amp. There really isn't a whole lot of manipulation involved unless you want the tremolo or reverb, and even then the adjustments are minimal. I didn't use a manual and in no way did that hinder my performance with this amp.
SOUNDS
The sounds that emerge from this 1970s amp are actually far closer to early 60s sounding Rock and Roll. I immediately thought of the Hollies when I plugged it in with my Strat and Tele. I don't like it very much with a Les Paul, I think single-coils are really the way to go with this one. The tone is super warm normally, and can get a tone of great kick without distorting too much. Distortion is not the name of the game with this amp, at least not the way it comes originally. I've heard that opening it up and fiddling with the circuits, swapping tubes, etc. allows the distortion possibilities to come through, but I haven't had the nerve to try that, especially since I really like the amp the way it is. For anyone who'd never want anything more than natural overdrive, this is a real treat.
OVERALL OPINION
I'm beginning to think more and more that there are a lot more good tube amps out there than bad ones. The more I try, the more I like. This one isn't always too expensive used, I don't think they even make them anymore, unfortunately. This is definitely a sleeper hit, worth checking out for blues players.