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Koch Studiotone
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Koch Studiotone

Tube Combo Guitar Amp from Koch belonging to the Studiotone series

Berzin Berzin
Published on 05/13/06 at 12:52
Value For Money : Excellent
The Koch Studiotone is an all-tube amp 20 watts Class A dveloppant. The prampli has two 12AX7 and 12AX7lm (low Microphonics). The power amp has two EL34. There are three channels: clear (volume), overdrive (volume and grain) and overdrive more (three position switch for the level of distortion). There is also a three-band equalizer common to all three channels. It also possde two switches to raise mdiums, rduire or increase the treble. Finally, one can potentiomtre rgler the rverb, a button for selecting the channel, and a standby switch on. The rear face is the most accounts. We meet an effects loop, headphone jack (with a switch to turn off the hp), three output hp (4, 8 and 16 ohms), two outputs, one with emulator hp and two switches (voicing) to configure the formulation. The first selects the microphone position (right or diagonally) which changes the treble, the other the number of hp (1 times 4 times 12 or 12) playing on the compression. Finally, we find the decision for the commander pdalier channel selection. The hp is a Jensen 60 VG12 Obviously conceding 60 watts. Trs weight is correct, just 15 kilos and finish outstanding. All that's missing a button to hide one of the lamps and switch to ten watts, (how the Boogie Lonestar special) but hey, we always want more ...

UTILIZATION

Operation is simple and intuitive enough not DPIT of many possibilities. However, to understand the use of rear facing outlets, read the manual which is pretty complte, but not in French. Too bad! To get a bad sound, you must get up early, even low volume. The potentiomtres are legible and progressive. on the other hand, when you go from light distortion to the sound with pedals means a crack in the hp. Think down the volume on the guitar. This may be my main regret. We can connect another amplifier to the output without formulation for a richer sound.

SOUNDS

The sound is the highlight of this amp. Clearly, we get a sound fabulous, probably the best I've heard. It looks like is between Fender and Vox. It's hot compress trs dense, while slamming just right. By adjusting the treble via small switches (voicing), we can get his brilliant trs trs jazzy or otherwise (I understand that Jimmy Bruno and Al di Meola use Koch). A rgal. In overdrive, as nivau gain is obtained is close to the channel sounds clear but lgrement boosts or trs bluesy crunch sounds with a beautiful sustain (it looks like the clear sound with a tube screamer ). Playing on the voicing, the sound is colored Manir trs effective. Finally, the overdrive provides more sound pretty close between crunch and ditto. If you put the gain level bottom, and go up the treble by voicing are produced sonoritsmtal 70-80 beginners. In the latter case, there is a little breath (more than my Fender Cyber ​​Deluxe). I use this amp with a Start Plus, a Variax, a Les Paul Standard and Roxanne. It is perfect for blues, jazz or rock. For the most violent music, there are probably better, but same happens when. Using the emulator hp output, I think that was a trslgre dgradation sound. But this is correct and trs for better with a microphone in front of the membrane will require investment.

OVERALL OPINION

I possde for two weeks. It is by far the best amp I had (Fender Cyber ​​Deluxe (slightly cold), Vox AC30 (too heavy, no distortion), Crate V1512 (few connections, a single channel), Marshall JCM900 (too JCM900 ). It is both portable, practical (a cable and presto! it is transplanted into the sound system), easy to use, versatile, as the sound ... I think the quality price ratio excellent, just under a thousand euros, I do not see what that can compete (That said, if Koch wants to sell three hundred euros, I have nothing against ...). To have such a beautiful sound and connections also complte, go home Mesa / Boogie, Diezel and Bogner, but the price is tripled or more.

Update. In concert, when playing in saturation, the sound is excellent with a guitar like strat because it gives the body. But with a guitar in his dj rich (like LP) must be more carefully rgler the amp because the sound gets a little too busy. The solution: rduire a little gain and the bass. It also requires that I test with hp and more ...