The Valve 2|50-2

It is an all-tube amp (three 12AX7 and two EL34) of 45Watt we can pass 30watts (triode mode, with more overtones in this case).
- 2 channels each with its own EQ (very effective).
- Reverb
- Effects loop (serial or parallel)
- Socket for footswitch
- Impedance selector (8/16 ohm on mine)
- Presence control and bass boost back
- 2 Celestion V30

UTILIZATION

It is quite simple to find the sound you desire, and you can also change things much fiddling knobs presence and depht on the rear panel.
Selector "half power" is great for smaller rooms.

SOUNDS

I play hard rock verging on metal "nice", and this amp is perfect for this style, but it is extremely versatile (check out the official videos on Youtube if you are unsure).

As I need three channels, I boost the lead channel with my Nova System in the loop for solos; I sometimes put a pedal upstream N Audio Firesound V3, and it works perfectly.
Clear-typed his Fender-is very clear, I do not cruncher in "full power" mode, I become dull I do not even know if it's possible-!
The lead channel can provide a great crunch, and go to more hard sounds (it is very typical Marshall supercharged). I do not play thrash or death, but I think that to achieve this type of sound, it would add something (that said, this amp accepts pedals very well).
Reverb is my sense whatsoever, and I do not use it (anyway, I'm not a fan of reverb); I prefer to use sparingly, that the Nova system.
My guitars are Jackson Soloist or DK2.

OVERALL OPINION

For over a year that I use, and I only have 2 complaints to him:
- Weight (suddenly, I turned this combo in mind, I connect with an Electro Voice Thiele, and everything rolls)
- It only has two channels; with three channels, it would be perfect (but probably more expensive ...)

I used it in clubs, on the biggest stages, and even outdoors, no problem; I also have a head NOS CA100 and Steve Morse head, and this little 2/50 did not blush in front of them: these three amps are my favorites, and I've tried and owned a good package.
I do not regret that choice, and if I would do it again (for the record: I had gone to pay me a Mesa Mark V, but by the way, I tested a 2/50, and although I did not buy the Mark V which is of course a great amp, but the price and far too higher than the 2/50 for the utility I)
On occasion, it is found at very, very reasonable prices, so do not deprive

All-tube amp: handcrafted in Italy in Bologna if you want to know ... It has a retro look very well done: class, retro and simple. It weighs 35 kg on the scale, it's true good, must wear it, it's not anything ... But in fact it is because the transformers are hefty, it is not stolen on quality. There are two HP celestion vintage 30. The puisance: 50 watts (two HP, it sends almost more than the Fender Pro-Sonic combo that makes 60) or 25 watts of choice (there is a switch on the back). Front:
Clear Channel: acute and mid bass, more volume adjustment
Distortion channel: volume, gain, bass mid and sharp. More reverb. More switch for channel and various diodes.
Rear panel: on / off and standby, the switch selection Half power, effects loop with a switch to switch the loop in series or in parallel, a control action at high frequencies and the serious, and the selector impedance for the release of HP, hp output and connecting the footswitch, which allows channel switching and reverb.
No output to connect directly to the table but hey saw the sound coming out of HP, other than by transplanting a microphone would be really stupid ...

UTILIZATION

Branch and it was direct not one but two sounds fabulous ... (See below)
The pots are acting very quickly on the sound. It's the old amp with monstrous sound quality. We can play the Rory Gallagher by modulating the distortion of the knob scratch: no loss or fever, or severe as in my previous amp (yet good). The manual is clear, anyway, a guitarist on something like that needs no manual, it is at once the setting between volume and gain on the saturated channel sounding.

SOUNDS

There is really a vamp. I plug it with a Start time machine 60 'or a Telecaster Thinline 69 tape and it really:
Clear channel, let's be clear Well here are my previous amps: 65 Deluxe Reverb (reissue), rivera chubster 40, Fender pro reverb, fender super-sonic, and although it's pro reverb in its fullest, as round and over sustain. the bass is well marked, well-rounded and the highs are precise, beautiful and well balanced with the serious arpport. The setting and presence of the low back of the amp are effective and magnify the sound. The accuracy of the above marks is striking that with a pick (style little wind) in arpeggio or rhythm is giant. We really clear sounds beautiful. The crunch channel high enough, but again can be adjusted. If you want to do before cruncher, switch to half power (I said keeping the same sound, not nearly the same sound, the same sound) and before cruncher ... The crunch on this amp is stunning, beautiful, precise and long. In general, the notes last a long time on this amp. The sound that comes closest to this amp is the reverb pro (from my ex amps). And not for the better ...
The boosted channel: while there is great art. A kind of Marshall / Mesa Boogie grain specific heat, sustain (I just invented the word!). It can range from a creamy crunch to a big warm saturation. I do not know too much trash, but I do not think it is enough to our friends trasheux ... Anyway, to try, it's still heavy at the end. Personally, I can play it from the bluesy rhythms light up the smoke on the water, or voodoo chile slight return stride: it holds up. for solos, is the lead sound is dazzling; long, detailed and warm grain, that's happiness!
Updated 04/13/2007
Now I play with a Les Paul Studio Gem (with 2 P90) and it frankly just amazing!

OVERALL OPINION

I recently but for what I play, that is, from the style or summertime blues blue jeans, to the much heavier, I want a versatile amp but powerful in all registers and up Now they all sinned in one of two aspects (light or full). Also I had another requirement that this amp allows me but not the others have the same sound when playing in a bar in a gym or outdoors. Here, with the half power / harmonics (which can play on the pentode or triode mode of connection of power tubes), I am no longer the nightmare of Sound: and all with the same sound ... I have since tried two years or possessed: Rivera, Soldano, Fender, Marshall, Orange, Vox, Laney, Engl, Georges Denis, and none really helped me to have everything this one can. After, of course it's a matter of ear and style. Someone who plays the heavy as will not have the same requirement that I, who needs her to BB King at times, to the page or the other ... gallagher But if tomorrow it is stolen, I bought one. We listen more than talk about writing, but be careful, after one listen you are stuck ... For info, I tried it with half a body style ES335 'good quality) and the Elysian avit dimension, or ... The Incredible Jazz Alvin Lee donf ...
Value for money: 10 2200 despite nine. But I got it secondhand ...

All Tube Amplifier 50/25 watt
2 channels: clear and crunch
Front:
on each channel the classic settings bass, mid, treble and volume
A gain setting on channel crunch
An adjustable reverb

Last amp:
A presence knob and a "harmonics" to set the power low (very effective)
An effects loop with volume that goes with
the switch from 25 to 50 watts

Everything is very simple and that's good
Just regret that the knobs "presence" and "harmonics" are not in front because they can radically change the overall sound of the amp and are useful (ie 8 / 10 because I'm serious) ...

UTILIZATION

Simpler you die
The knobs are quite reactive and can easily sculpt the sound
Whatever the setting, the sound is excellent
This is an amp "boutique" incredibly rich, but it takes time to learn how to draw the quintessence.

SOUNDS

Bon ben voila, you can imagine that if it costs that price is for a reason.
It's very simple: the sound is sublime.

At 50 watts the sound is very bright, very typical Fender (top of range): all knobs at 12 o'clock, the presence of a background, it was a twin to the crystal-clear that only real fans know Fender. The spring reverb is beautiful, and with it, it one of the best clean sounds ever (personal opinion, of course, but still), is light years ahead of all the marshall, mesa Triax, vox, fender twin amp that I 've owned (yes!)

When it switches to channel crunch (I prefer that rather than crunch distortion), one gets a second slap. Damn it's as good as the clean channel! All 12 including a gain, consider a twin cranked with OD808 connected to ... bin and it's even better. A crunch friendly, very precise control as one would imagine in his dreams.

Needless to say, these two channels are extremely sensitive to the guitar used, the dynamics of the game, the volume of the guitar and like any good amp should.
The thing that makes the difference is that even at low volume, it has an excellent record of the dynamic, imagine a high volume (I have not tried because I like my neighbors and a lamp 50Watts frankly ... it's hard)

In 25WATT, we leave the universe Fender, the sound becomes darker and can then push the volume of both channels. It's time to get a humbucker guitars (PRS, ES335) that will be able to speak very soft and what to aggression. This gives incredible jazz sounds but also crunch of extraordinary warmth. I have not finished discovering the potential of the beast but you can easily play on the field of old mesa boogie (santana ,...) Do not hesitate to use the guitar volume and the tone knob: you can do anything and the sound is always excellent, regardless of the setting.

Needless to say, the spirit of this amp is oriented metal and saturated fat (albeit with a disto before ...).

OVERALL OPINION

I found this amp by chance,: I had decided to buy a mesa boogie express 50 to replace my excellent TriAxis too complicated. I spent the morning scouring the shops of the Rue de Douais looking for a simple combo, I got into a little shop by accident (Guitar Stock I think). A guy was playing it and I took the slap of my life.
I would do the same choice? At that price, no doubt!