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mooseherman « Classic solid-state amp is very versatile »
Published on 01/09/11 at 13:07This is a pretty classic amplifier. It's been around since the mid-70s and has been a staple of the music industry ever since. It's a solid-state amp, and was one of the first solid-state amps to really make a name for itself. It's also notable for its chorus effect, which was unique in amplifiers at the time. It has 60 watts of power and 2 channels. There are controls for EQ in both channels, and the second channel has chorus, vibrato, and reverb and distortion controls. There are four 1/4" inputs (two for each channel, high and low) and there is also an effects loop in the back.
UTILIZATION
Getting a good sound out of this is great if you like your tones super clean. There are many people who really like that quality in an amplifier, and don't really want a lot of bluesy grit out of their amplifier. I personally tend to prefer a bluesier sound when playing with my band, but there are a few sessions I've played that I've used this instead, as it's ultra-smooth and great for jazz as well as lighter rock and stuff. Using the chorus and reverb (which is a nice spring reverb, by the way) is really easy as well as convenient, though you must use the second channel for these. I haven't read a manual but I don't really need it either.
SOUNDS
I've used this amp with my Strat, my Tele, and a Les Paul, and I like the Strat and Tele the best, mainly because they do clean tones much better, and that's where this amp shines. I can also plug in a lot of different pedals and get next to no noise from them, which is nice with a single-coil guitar like a Strat. Therefore the versatility of this amp is really extraordinary. I will say that I prefer the sound of tube amps in general, as they have a lot more character, but they are limited in their applications, making this a more practical amp for somebody looking to play a lot of different stuff. With the high and low channel inputs, this also can handle some crazy signals, so players with tons of effects would do well to try it out.
OVERALL OPINION
I like the practicality and certain effects on this amp the best. I don't like the super-polished wussy-sounding clean tone, but I'll admit that sometimes such a sound is necessary and even superior to that of a tube amp. Overall, while I have a few beefs with this thing, I'll admit it's pretty great. It's certainly the best solid-state amp I've played in quite some time. It's a little expensive but I've certainly seen worse amps for more money.
UTILIZATION
Getting a good sound out of this is great if you like your tones super clean. There are many people who really like that quality in an amplifier, and don't really want a lot of bluesy grit out of their amplifier. I personally tend to prefer a bluesier sound when playing with my band, but there are a few sessions I've played that I've used this instead, as it's ultra-smooth and great for jazz as well as lighter rock and stuff. Using the chorus and reverb (which is a nice spring reverb, by the way) is really easy as well as convenient, though you must use the second channel for these. I haven't read a manual but I don't really need it either.
SOUNDS
I've used this amp with my Strat, my Tele, and a Les Paul, and I like the Strat and Tele the best, mainly because they do clean tones much better, and that's where this amp shines. I can also plug in a lot of different pedals and get next to no noise from them, which is nice with a single-coil guitar like a Strat. Therefore the versatility of this amp is really extraordinary. I will say that I prefer the sound of tube amps in general, as they have a lot more character, but they are limited in their applications, making this a more practical amp for somebody looking to play a lot of different stuff. With the high and low channel inputs, this also can handle some crazy signals, so players with tons of effects would do well to try it out.
OVERALL OPINION
I like the practicality and certain effects on this amp the best. I don't like the super-polished wussy-sounding clean tone, but I'll admit that sometimes such a sound is necessary and even superior to that of a tube amp. Overall, while I have a few beefs with this thing, I'll admit it's pretty great. It's certainly the best solid-state amp I've played in quite some time. It's a little expensive but I've certainly seen worse amps for more money.