All user reviews for the Kustom Tube 12

Musician's Friend, ~ $90

I was looking for an inexpensive, small CLEAN amp suitable for practice and living room jams - and it delivered!

Construction is very solid - they made this amp inexpensive by making it simple, not cheap.

Lack of output connection is probably its biggest fault - you would have to mic it for recording or gigging. (it clearly wasn't intend for that, but the tone is that good!)

Unit pops when turned on. this sounds minor, but after the 100th time...

The tube pre-amp was way too brown as delivered (I'm more interested in light shades of distortion)

I swapped out the original 12AX7 with a "FENDER" 12AT7EH (labeled "Electro-Harmonix" "made in Russia")for 40% gain reduction (per www.thetubestore.com - they have great info on this stuff). That helped alot, but I think I need more sophisticated pre-amp circuitry to get the distortion tones I like (I'll undoubtedly go digital w next amp)



see above.

OUtstanding bang for the buck.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Got this little amp on EBay, because I wanted a lower-powered tube combo and the price was only $86.

This little amp has a warm, warm sound that works well to warm up the tone of my stratocasters, especially when using a Digitech RP100 or Digitech Genesis 3 modeling amplifiers. This amp has blown away people with its tone.

It's only 12 watts and has a solid state power amp section,so there isn't a lot of headroom...but it's $85.

It's made relatively well for a cheap amp. The preamp tube is shielded well, there are protective corners and the knobs are metal and solid-feeling. The speaker is mounted OK, I needed to add some glue to the baffle.

Great buy for the money. I bought a second one and run them in stereo.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this amplifier for my first guitar. Paid 120 bucks for it, although I must admit that it was after a slight discount. The amp was aquired In Musica Arte, Las Palmas, Canaries, Spain.

This amp is just perfect for what I need. It's Sturdy and tough. It doesn't take up much of a space and the tube amplification provides a massive sound with any guitar; acoustic or electric. It has some handy controls that will alter the output but nathing compared to its gain, which provided me with sounds I hadn't idea that could be generated.

It's obviously not an amp to take on a world-wide tour. If you are looking for something to take onto concerts go for something bigger. However, for home us it is simply perfect.

It is well built, and I have had it already for a long time. Not one single problem, and the surface remains unscathed.

A very tough amplifier, ideal for beginners with some acquisitive power and for anyone who wants a good powerful amp that isn't power consuming.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Tube amp.
12 watts (lamp but with an amp and especially this one you can see 40 to 30 WTTS in the whiskers of a classic amp).
No chi chi is nothing more than simple.
No effects, just great sound and easy to adjust.
The loudspeaker is a CELESTION - 8 inches (Not bad!)
I put 9 because there is no reverb (but it's really to quibble).

UTILIZATION

Nothing more simple config and especially not making adjustments to head over end. The sound (and what sound) happens after a few seconds and after heating .... Fasten your seat belts amateur blues, crunch, and rock, it's a british Rican with more thirsty. Purity of its clean, I stirred up all the curious store guitar cabinets Norman looked to see where it came from her and oh surprise pti This machine was spitting his rage??
Manual Rican, but nothing complicated.

SOUNDS

Great for a 12 watts (lamp), do not want to do with BERCY, but for those looking for a small amp for home (about preventing even the neighbors) and have a sound to the old to the good old blues / jazz and rock for years 70/80, wrapped it purchased.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it there just 5-6 months for the modest sum of € 127, I do not know anything about the brand or its origins US bleuffé and he and I highly recommend to all. If you are looking for a clean sound very clean and you do not play any of the disto bersingue, and have never heard or played with his lamp, amp is for you.

Good. I was looking for an amp to go on vacation with my telecaster. Here I come with this speech with one of my suppliers of gear. We went around and said, "So try it," I laugh and open to all experience, I test .... I still baba. A little trick that sounds for just over € 100, unbelievable. Buy. I play and then I finally noticed that the sound comes out of this little machine is great. A little gain and it's big game round, hot in fact that's fine. I will use it to record that with my connections and a variety of preamps in Vox, Marshall etc ... I can almost sound better with this stuff ... I advise and reverb is not necessary, actually.

UTILIZATION

Config simple and effective. The sound is good almost all the time, I have no manual.

SOUNDS

Takes it fits in search of beautiful and round sound makes so many styles. I play without effects.

OVERALL OPINION

4 months (in intermittent). Dimensions / perfor / unbeatable price!! I will redeem it.

Amp preamp lamp, a single, maintains economic level! . is a 12 Watts in Ralite rendering to its max capacity is around 30 Watts.
HP Celestion
Input Jack, Outpout Headphone, Line Out and one for another slap.
2-band EQ Low and High, just disabling because you can not dig the sound without the mediums.
Gain integration is really a little overdrive. Obviously the volume knobs and a rather nice feature, the "Shift" has a function "prsence" in short we feel that the sound is less direct draft.
In short anything that will take the head in rglages often endless!
Cons: No socket for a footswitch for possibly distortion (when you have nothing else!) And REVERB not either, but hey, there are pedals qd or pdalier all the quickly becomes anecdotal!.

UTILIZATION

Using very easy: you push the volume to 3 / 4 with pdalier level is lowered, and we obtain the true capacity of the amp! the intrt with this little Kustom dvoile is that a good sound even low volume! In fact there are not even need the manual!

SOUNDS

Then it all comes out like a conventional lamp, no real personality for this MODEL, but plutt insurance to have a quality product. Honestly, I myself am rev limit I did a test with EMG 81 thus provides a distortion this amp max was a grain trs sharp and clear. Clean it in idem: DEFINITIONS good sound. But here: I get a good rev range in its stack, tweed, Hot Rod, High Gain, Black Face ... really it's all good, which is quite rare in "small amp" ...

OVERALL OPINION

Ironically I do not advise beginners, which I rather prconise purchasing VOX AD15 or small amps from Alesis, they are ok but they possdent of transistors modlisations! What is sorely lacking on the Kustom Tube 12. Dj must invest in a multi-effects and microphones to correct a esprer rsultat correct. This amp is geared towards the work of his instrument in a closed small enough, style room, studio apartment '... it can also serve as the collaboration models ... if you register (it's really, really handy when in May this line out!!). In short an amp or so of work for small jams between friends! 130 Euros for this amp is indestructible! it is a good place to cots (small MODELS well sr) AD15/30 Vox, Marshall MG 15 / 30 CDR, Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15/30. Note that far beyond the Marshall prcdemment deficits MODELS! By Definition: a good deal for guitarists at least through nivo possdant dj gear (ToneLab style, ... Micro tubeman EMG Seymour Di Marzio ...)! However, admittedly, far from the quality machines War Vox AC 30, Mesa Boogie, Ashdown, Ampeg, Marshall JCM ... May the good report qualitprix is ​​unbeatable! Bravo!

Kustom Tube 12
preamp has 12ax7b lamp (made in china)
12 watts (they are all the!)
headphone, and line hp
single channel with gain switch and a switch to dig the mids

UTILIZATION

There's no simpler, very intuitive in search of his
no need for manual

SOUNDS

I play mostly blues and reggae sound is so clear I'm interested
and it is good, especially for an amp of this price
I have an ibanez sz320 (HH) and very well respected amp sonotité nature of the instrument, it's pretty short and transparent dynamic enough to experience the subtleties in the game
equalizer is effective and mid switch significantly changes the sound, so playing on the pickups and knobs found rather nice warm sound muffled even with my guitar. I use my little korg AX3G to have some effects, especially the reverb that is lacking but it is not very disabled
however sound like too much saturated grain, too vintage for my taste, the crunch between the two is quite usable

OVERALL OPINION

Two weeks of use, perfect for carrying around (small and light)
excellent value for money
I changed the original lamp with a 12AX7 ECC83 dd that gives a little more gain, I can still try other but the difference is subtle, not major changes but a little more body
I still think I make a cabinet with a 10 hp, like celestion tube 10 or a jensen mod story really see what he is capable of fully pushed into a corner

Amp-hybrid preamp with a lamp and transistor amplification
12W-Ca fate ... But apart ', it's not bad! With HP Celestion 8 inches, at this price ...
Guitar-Input, Headphone, Output recording (the good of the amp) and an output for additional speaker.
No-effects, it's simple ... 4 knobs, three buttons at all!
-It lacks a little footswitch..9/10.

CAUTION: it appears that the new series does not have the line out for recording. Check the back where the two made like this (circled in red, the output for an extension cabinet, next to the line out to mixer)

http://exhauster.free.fr/guitariste/tube12.jpg

UTILIZATION

-As mentioned above, super simple, super efficient ...
-The clean sound is superb, the sound is warm overdrive, but I do not use my disto.A high volume, the HP's hard, I will make an extension cabinet, it is useless HP to push the limite.En apart ', the sound is faster too strong for the neighbors
-The manual? 2 .. So many pages to read, there's even ideas of settings to go even faster.
I do not put 10 because there are better .. But not in this price range.

SOUNDS

-Everything is playable with ... Jazz, Blues, Rock ... To play Metal or Hard Rock, as buying a distortion, this lack of success for ...
-A copy of Les Paul, a Start copy, no need for guitar € 1000 for the ring ... a distortion, a fuzz (at best, a multi-effect) and go.
In micro-double, a fat, warm in microwave simple, a more incisif.La mid shift button allows you to dig a little midrange to sound a bit MESA. When not engaged, it sounds more Marshall .. (Be careful though, this is not the quality of a mpli 10fois more expensive ... Let's stay realistic, but "in the spirit of ..")
I prefer the clean sound, with the mid shift off .. matter of taste, you can do everything avec.10/10!

EDIT: I have since bought a very good guitar (Ibanez Sabre 1996, rising by Seymour Duncan, he is transfigured, I receive the grain even better, finally, a quality guitar brings a big plus to the sound, but again more output level in HP gives problems, consider making a firm more to play loud)

OVERALL OPINION

-After a year of use, Zero deception ...
"It is solid, the sound is beautiful, and what price / quality ratio, it is always a pleasure to the budget of a student.
-I tried it by chance it was love at first sight, the models that I tried to post did not convince me.
-The price / quality ratio is excellent with the € 139 .. .. It HPcelestion gift!
Yes, two and a half years, for this budget, the choice will be the same.

EDIT: Well, the HP 8 inches is a fair bit when you push the volume, I tested it in a 12pouces Marshall 1 * and 4 * 12pouces Laney .. Yum!
2 years and a half later, the reliability is still there ...

Amp "designed in United States" made in China 12Watts
HP celestion 8 "
Prampli: a lamp 12 AX 7
Amplifier: Transistor
No reverb
effective power (manufacturer): 25 Watts
input-output headphone and derrire: output + speaker line output
Warning: two sries!
I possde THE FIRST edition: HP celestion and output line. SERIES rcente lower level HP and not the line out!


During the test store, the salesman advised me to "try you'll see, I have a friend who would use it to connect a harmonica ...) in short the sort of thing that makes us doubt what! Test duration: 2 minutes, wrap it pes!
Excellent little amp for:
House-concert recording taken by sono see Caf'Conc '(all of the same limit, see drummer ...)
I have prciser I play a duet with a bassist + machines.Donc adjustable volume, so this amp is sufficient because it works almost the bottom.
to play in a group with drummer hitter, was going to do it without going through PA.
I have not tried it on a cabinet with 12 'but should be interresting. If someone tried I have an opinion ...

UTILIZATION

Gain-High-Low-Master
2 + switch: one on and gain a mid shift (hollow sound mdium)

SOUNDS

Sound:

Excellent (given the price, others blush!)
Clear: clear trs (!) Hot, round or more sour (like Marshall) by mid shift triggered or not.
Satur's lightweight disto a good crunch Blues (not mtal)
Surprising given the size of the HP 8 '

OVERALL OPINION

2 years of use: RPET-recordings and concerts

During the test store, the salesman advised me to "try you'll see, I have a friend who would use it to connect a harmonica ...) in short the sort of thing that makes us doubt what! Test duration: 2 minutes, wrap it pes!
Excellent little amp for:
House-concert recording taken by sono see Caf'Conc '(all of the same limit, see drummer ...)
I have prciser I play a duet with a bassist + machines.Donc adjustable volume, so this amp is sufficient because it works almost the bottom.
to play in a group with drummer hitter, was going to do it without going through PA.
I have not tried it on a cabinet with 12 'but should be interresting. If someone tried I have an opinion ...

I often use an old Fender Blues Junior (in Stereo) and 2 is compltent got my super! (Style: alternative rock, grunge etc ... must find a name!)
IDAL for: blues, pop, rock and dirty with distortion (Big Muff!)
Tip: Add a Holy Grail Reverb Electro Harmonix! or tremolo (marshall vibratrem ...)

In short, we are in the subjective of course, but for 120 new, go for it!

The series Warning! Verify: HP celestion output + = line bingo (70 may be secondhand!)

Have the current version 2008 that has a look dlicieux, and always the 12AX7 tube and 8 inch celestion hp. Amp trs compact, complete for line out, speaker out and headphones.
No effects loop, no big deal saw the line out.
Active equalization, so effective, two bands and volume. Switch shape for rendering frquences diffrent trs, always helpful.
C0t disto it engages with the switch and it RULES boost the rate with the drive. In gnral is not too clean balance with the volume but good.
Trs well built, even no need to disassemble for changing the tube.

UTILIZATION

The tube remains in the Submitted signal, so its clear to IDAL Global Warming a multi-effects for example.
Beware, there is a permanent background noise, the non-filtered aware that supplies 6.3 volts the tube filaments. No day but Gnant sional hello nerves.
I changed the tube to a mesa boogie and the sound is much diffrent, the original tube is trs raplapla all gray.
The line out can be very useful to put effects (effects-line-active columns pc logitech x140 poses on the amp), and only trs little noise it.

SOUNDS

Warm and round, not much treble, no problemo nice sound. Many serious disposition, trs useful given the small hp. This is also HP celestion trs fair, I replaced by a Vox DA15 lying by the amp and trs has become much better, more alive.
The saturation of kustom I do not like at all, like the fender twin cam yuck. No DEFINITIONS, drooling like a great-great grandfather, the shape helps to clean but good step for me.

On an external box that will make you fall kustom mini c. .. , Warm and dynamic, trs pretty. And not too strong, but already well beyond the life of collectivism. I found my set-up as follows: Kustom on small (ex-roland cube 60) Box 112 (eminence gb12)-artec analog delay is dl-boss GP20 crunch and lead. It is simply not credible given the modesty of all, the sound is excellent. And I have to compare the pretty mess, but hey it's all about chemistry components of the final and good luck eh.

OVERALL OPINION

The price Sidre me completely, the sound too. Engin useful as warm and clear sound tough in the bass, with a simple korg AX3G front is pretty amazing to have fun and work. All for 130 euros which, unthinkable not long ago.
In short I can only recommend the contraption.
One more word on the line out, it is not cut when a branch is therefore Earphone amplifier can be used in simple prampli tube and the background noise is then virtually absent. I have good rsultats with a delay and logitech x140 behringer DD100, trs cool the stro you do dcolle more ...
So what you just table? -M 'slap in the kustom lche not me!

Tube 12 ... dj name is a bit odd:
- Prampli is only the lamp (in the singular, only one such double triode 12AX7)
- Output the Tagus LM 1875, as used here, is given by the manufacturer (National Semiconductor) for 17 watts RMS minimum.
Mystras marketing technique .... and "hybrid" unusual in these times of modlisation.
Extremely compact, sleek look and discrtement rtro, good finish (mtalliques logo buttons, front anodized aluminum etc. ..), the best Submitted "for real" that photo.
For the rest useless advice rpter previous ones, it was better than the bare minimum. It lacks a rudimentary effects loop (in - out) to make it perfect. No rverbe (springs, to keep in mind!) Intgre, but is understandable given the size and price.

UTILIZATION

A power-it's a big "plop", you should let it heat up a 'before playing, and he snores a little while to let us know that there is the lamp in a while ... this is normal.
It yammer a manual (US only) which provides basic SETTING THE (jazz, country, bluesy crunch and distortion rock), given the "complexitquot; of the machine useless to put more : one starts from a and we adjust the taste. The rglages are effective, useful, and eventually sufficient.
Mention specially for the "tone shift" well thought out and RALIS.
Small "BMOL" for the volume (at least on mine) a bit "all or nothing", but it's not too Gnant when we know ...
It does not sound to a stadium but it's quite the racket to its small size. For a concert at the corner bistro or other small room has to be playable, and the line-out allows to plug into any sound system and use it as a return.

SOUNDS

By "clean" is excellent, the choice plutt jazz plutt country with the "tone shift".
The channel "hi gain" sounds a bit too "basic distortion pedals of" when you push the gain. But with little gain you get a good sound trs blues, and close to the minimum clear sound pchu more than one channel and just as good.
Sounds pretty typical "vintage" but not caricatures, they did not try to imitate clbres amplifiers and finally the better!
"Takes" good effects that it brings a warmth and a thunderous prsence a little thing like a. A Difference of the many small amps it s'gosille not in the acute, grave goods are Submitted and Defines.
What can be done with: everything except the "metal" and related genera, or else with external distortion. No essay is not my thing ...

The original HP "sounds" good but loses some pedals if you play the box, the user manual also recommends using an external speaker when used intensively. As in the opinion he eventually Previous give way to another HP 8 "beefier (the Celestion does not support more than 15 W), by a Jensen JCH 8 / 35: it is" same and better. "
The original lamp (chinoiserie anonymous) n'tait not great, but should dpendre cases (mainly manufacturing SERIES): Replaced by JJ ECC83, trs much better.

OVERALL OPINION

It's not upscale well-sr, but it is well Designed RALIS.
It's not as prestigious (not as heavy) that "all lamps", but it is at the trs prs amps comparable lamps, for much cheaper.
It's more the amp's "purist fauchquot, that the" little young beginners who "should be a good guitar and a few (good) effect pedals for apprcier at best see one of the previous ones opinion on the issue. Plbiscit also on other test sites and welfare of DIY. The amendments will change the lamp or HP more radical things in the sch ma, or transplantation of the electronic cabinet in a 1x12.
Report profile - performances I see no equivalent ...
Report quality - price: thundering, we arrive to find it new for less than 100! Even if it may be some small default again (sometimes average lamp, HP just a little) the basis is good for a ridiculous price.
Curiosities bought by (and match), try it, is believing!

all is said
9 / 10 because no reverb

UTILIZATION

there's no easier, we can carry around everywhere
9 / 10

SOUNDS

only the "channel" clear interest
button gain has no interest to me, the grain is ugly I think

but the sounds are sublime, with a lamp in JJ preamp and I changed the celestion super 8 for a jensen C8R with my Stratocaster deluxe player I could play for hours without getting bored so clean is good

and having already tested on a 2X12 cabinet with one say "for it gives 12 watts!"

9 / 10

OVERALL OPINION

10/10
I think I'll never part
moreover the output line is great for sending a sound card

Hybrid lamp pramplification rare to find our era amp as small hybrid power.
12watt 30watts which dcoiffera of transistor.
Having test with a dude, that's what I needed. I was lucky to finally find this little gem of opportunity in finding the old version (with design visible on the photo with the black canvas) which is the version that identifies tural qualities of this amps ... I finally found not hesitating to take a little knowing the beast and its rarity I found him jumping at the chance.
We recognize the connections with the 2 rear (Line Out, External Speaker).

The new models are out APRS not among those 2 and above are not the same sound qualities. In addition, the Line Out is a ral asset.
I put 9 / 10 (go to 9.5) because perfection does not exist and even when I put a switch on the rserve "gain on" (I mention below) that has not really an extraordinary quality (no footswitch between either), but can troubleshoot for fun, even when it's a little more, but my taste gadget a little more even when .
Between a headphone that can s'avrer rglage practice although its volume can play very low volume, but it is the quality of the headphone that I think will make the difference but I'm not sure I found there even when the true quality sound that the amp dlivre.

UTILIZATION

Very simple setup, personally I play mostly on the clean channel. The clean sound is great for a small amp to also, I guess the lamp pramplification will have something to do, both in his in his power.
REL is a pleasure to play it and yet I have in me an all-tube Laney 15watts and I also play on a Fender performer 1000 in RPTE.

Manual I did not have, not need!

For me the hybrid is the best compromise for its clear, between the very light that brings warm color but with some sound distortion ds that increases the volume (and this is not the same price ) and the transistor which maintains the same high volume clean, but its has a `relatively cold.

This amp has a little lamp and a color guard did its very clear even large volumes, and further agrees very well the pedals.

Most are the little button to "gain on" who can bring a kind of bluesy overdrive to a cot in rgl 1 / 4 or more rock rgl in 3 / 4 and the button "Shift" that will pass in a sonority of another color (more acute), the gain is useful with the 3 / 4.
Honntement remains for me to troubleshoot history gadget to play with either but nothing a few analog pedals.

The output line out is a pleasure for ral transplants on a sound system and use the amp as when RPTES return.


SOUNDS

It is ideally suited my style of music, for jazz is very clean, very good for blues too, should also rock but I think one or two pedals are ncessaires if not using the switches "gain on" and "Shift" ... if you want normal s'carter sound clean.
A good bass that can adjust its got little recess, but at least they are small and the HP, it is enjoyable and brings a certain "warmth".

OVERALL OPINION

It's been a month I used a small amp and the flat is a real pleasure to play on. I also use it for small RPTES subcultured on a sound system but even without the sound if it is to play with a drummer who is not lumberjack, he has enough potatoes to send what it must not connect the LINE OUT: Pramper lamp even when there are plays rle in the power of this little box.
I is not testing new models of Kustom, in any case that the (old version with line out and HP ext. the rear) is a little gem.
Another advantage, which is top weight for the trips, I think just 5kg.

I pay 90 secondhand, I know that may seem expensive is knowing he can be the era of nine in 80 but that's all, good things take to value over time. And as Kustom has stopped production on this product, we found only opportunity, at least for the right version.

So if I had the choice again I will no PB, leaves the same CHRE pay more now that I know his qualities.