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badface
Published on 10/11/08 at 17:13
Solid-state. 300W into 4 ohms, 225W (I think) into 8 ohms.
2 inputs, one volume control, low boost, high boost, EQ with bass and highs and two mid controls: To choose the frequency and boost or cut the chosen frequency. compressor (with on/off button)
One remote output (surely for a footswitch for the effects loop).
Preamp input and power amp output, which also work as an effects loop.
Two jack speaker outs. No XLR output.
It would've been nice to have a gain and a volume control, plus a DI, but since the EQ and boost are quite all right, I give it an 8.
USE
Very easy to dial in. It sounds fine with all controls flat. The boosts are fine, the EQ, too, especially the mid controls, you can shape sound with precision.
I give it 9 for the mids and boosts.
I must specify that I only have the amp head.
SOUND
I play pop-rock in a band and nu-metal in another one.
I have two old Ibanez Precision, one is passive, while the other one has EMG and an active EQ, tuned in drop C. I play mostly with a pick.
Together with the amp head, I use a 15" DAS subwoofer and a 4x10" Peavey TVX cab with tweeter.
This amp is well-balanced, it produces a round and warm sound. The boost adds more lows, while the pick adds more attack in the mids. The low C comes out really nice, it's a real treat, precise, not muddy at all.
In short, I get the sound I want, with presence in the mix, be it in the low, mid or high end.
No noise, the only thing you hear is the fan.
My review was motivated by others saying this amp doesn't have enough power nor a good sound. I can assure you I've played gigs without a PA and it doesn't lack punch. The guitar player in one of my bands has a fat all-tube stack: Peavey triple X with a huge Marshall cab; the drummer likes to hit hard, and I never have to go beyond 4-5 for rehearsals or gigs, under normal conditions.
I use quite a few effects: fulltone bassdrive, guyatone bass driver, disto trace elliot, fuzz-wah, bassballs, smallstone, multi-effets ART...I always get a good sound, especially with distorted sounds (distortions, overdrive, fuzz)
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for about 4 years.
What do I like best? It's a hard one, but I'd say the price.
What do I like least? Its look, the wooden box its former own made for it. The absence of a DI.
I've played quite a few combos in rehearsal rooms (trace elliot, ampeg, Peavey ... ). Recently, I took my 4x10" cab to test an Ashdown ABM 500 II evo and an old all-tube Trace Elliot amp head.
Verdict: The all-tube head is magical, it's on a higher level, but it makes a lot of noise!! To be honest, the Ashdown didn't impress me.
Trying out other gear, I have come to realize I have a very good amp and that I couldn't get anything better for at least 3 or 4 times the price I paid!!
I'll put it in a proper rack and add a DI to it.
2 inputs, one volume control, low boost, high boost, EQ with bass and highs and two mid controls: To choose the frequency and boost or cut the chosen frequency. compressor (with on/off button)
One remote output (surely for a footswitch for the effects loop).
Preamp input and power amp output, which also work as an effects loop.
Two jack speaker outs. No XLR output.
It would've been nice to have a gain and a volume control, plus a DI, but since the EQ and boost are quite all right, I give it an 8.
USE
Very easy to dial in. It sounds fine with all controls flat. The boosts are fine, the EQ, too, especially the mid controls, you can shape sound with precision.
I give it 9 for the mids and boosts.
I must specify that I only have the amp head.
SOUND
I play pop-rock in a band and nu-metal in another one.
I have two old Ibanez Precision, one is passive, while the other one has EMG and an active EQ, tuned in drop C. I play mostly with a pick.
Together with the amp head, I use a 15" DAS subwoofer and a 4x10" Peavey TVX cab with tweeter.
This amp is well-balanced, it produces a round and warm sound. The boost adds more lows, while the pick adds more attack in the mids. The low C comes out really nice, it's a real treat, precise, not muddy at all.
In short, I get the sound I want, with presence in the mix, be it in the low, mid or high end.
No noise, the only thing you hear is the fan.
My review was motivated by others saying this amp doesn't have enough power nor a good sound. I can assure you I've played gigs without a PA and it doesn't lack punch. The guitar player in one of my bands has a fat all-tube stack: Peavey triple X with a huge Marshall cab; the drummer likes to hit hard, and I never have to go beyond 4-5 for rehearsals or gigs, under normal conditions.
I use quite a few effects: fulltone bassdrive, guyatone bass driver, disto trace elliot, fuzz-wah, bassballs, smallstone, multi-effets ART...I always get a good sound, especially with distorted sounds (distortions, overdrive, fuzz)
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for about 4 years.
What do I like best? It's a hard one, but I'd say the price.
What do I like least? Its look, the wooden box its former own made for it. The absence of a DI.
I've played quite a few combos in rehearsal rooms (trace elliot, ampeg, Peavey ... ). Recently, I took my 4x10" cab to test an Ashdown ABM 500 II evo and an old all-tube Trace Elliot amp head.
Verdict: The all-tube head is magical, it's on a higher level, but it makes a lot of noise!! To be honest, the Ashdown didn't impress me.
Trying out other gear, I have come to realize I have a very good amp and that I couldn't get anything better for at least 3 or 4 times the price I paid!!
I'll put it in a proper rack and add a DI to it.