surfy « Thunderbolt »
Published on 05/23/13 at 01:2315 watt all-tube combo (very high volume!) With two separate channels
- Normal channel: gain
- Top boost channel: gain, bass treble
- Shared between the two channels: master, tremolo, reverb
Output for external HP series or cutting HP combo.
3 12AX7 pre-amp
2 EL84 power lamps
Celestion Greenback speaker 12''
Finally an amp of this range with a standby button that allows heat to better manage heating / stop lamps.
Made in china (for current models), very good build quality. Finish that is not too crazy, except maybe the handle.
Heavy (the weight of my 7 year old daughter, ie 22 kg) but for me it is not a bad thing because the size and thickness of the wood that it does not vibrate when you start mounting the volume. The back is almost closed, giving a better overall sound reproduction (particularly on low).
For me it lacks something essential: a switch shine.
To understand what it is, see the topic "bright cap" (very simple modification of the circuit I made) -2 points, but returned with the mod.
The two non-switchable channels are a bit old-school, but also the charm (-1 point)
The look can like it or not, I love it. It is unmistakable, and it is super nice.
UTILIZATION
A good sound out of this amp is a breeze.
Each knob is very "active" and alter the sound significantly, so many possible shades, even if it remains in its VOX.
I read the manual just to have the heating time of the lamps. To save you the reading is 2-3 minutes.
Well I put -1 for transportation because it is better a large chest.
SOUNDS
O my God.
Tried to shop with just a strat on the normal channel, to cry a specific bright rich sound,. A sound that says "typical British" but frankly the clean has nothing to envy to a Fender. Just a darker, but I was amazed hair, I fell in love and I'm left with.
At home: ouch. The overdrive pedals (Vox Big Ben yet) and distortion does not really go into the amp. Fortunately, there are changes bright cap (see the topic in the forum audiofanzine).
So I put 10 with the bright cap mod.
Once this mod done on the top boost channel and an on / off switch on the normal channel, it's deadly. It's just too hard to go to work and having to wait until the evening to replay it.
OVERALL OPINION
Used for a few days with a Fender American Special Strat HSS and some pedals, it is pure happiness.
This is a "real" amp with a great sound. I also have a Fender Super X2 field that sounds great, but that can not be pushed (thus limited rehearsal and concert) and is more neutral in sound.
What I like least is having to make a mod for circuit with THE sound. It is very simple and I think for the price it cost to add a switch to shine, they could have done.
I love everything: sound, look ...
I would do 100 times this choice at this price there's no better in my opinion (but try the Fender Blues Junior)
- Normal channel: gain
- Top boost channel: gain, bass treble
- Shared between the two channels: master, tremolo, reverb
Output for external HP series or cutting HP combo.
3 12AX7 pre-amp
2 EL84 power lamps
Celestion Greenback speaker 12''
Finally an amp of this range with a standby button that allows heat to better manage heating / stop lamps.
Made in china (for current models), very good build quality. Finish that is not too crazy, except maybe the handle.
Heavy (the weight of my 7 year old daughter, ie 22 kg) but for me it is not a bad thing because the size and thickness of the wood that it does not vibrate when you start mounting the volume. The back is almost closed, giving a better overall sound reproduction (particularly on low).
For me it lacks something essential: a switch shine.
To understand what it is, see the topic "bright cap" (very simple modification of the circuit I made) -2 points, but returned with the mod.
The two non-switchable channels are a bit old-school, but also the charm (-1 point)
The look can like it or not, I love it. It is unmistakable, and it is super nice.
UTILIZATION
A good sound out of this amp is a breeze.
Each knob is very "active" and alter the sound significantly, so many possible shades, even if it remains in its VOX.
I read the manual just to have the heating time of the lamps. To save you the reading is 2-3 minutes.
Well I put -1 for transportation because it is better a large chest.
SOUNDS
O my God.
Tried to shop with just a strat on the normal channel, to cry a specific bright rich sound,. A sound that says "typical British" but frankly the clean has nothing to envy to a Fender. Just a darker, but I was amazed hair, I fell in love and I'm left with.
At home: ouch. The overdrive pedals (Vox Big Ben yet) and distortion does not really go into the amp. Fortunately, there are changes bright cap (see the topic in the forum audiofanzine).
So I put 10 with the bright cap mod.
Once this mod done on the top boost channel and an on / off switch on the normal channel, it's deadly. It's just too hard to go to work and having to wait until the evening to replay it.
OVERALL OPINION
Used for a few days with a Fender American Special Strat HSS and some pedals, it is pure happiness.
This is a "real" amp with a great sound. I also have a Fender Super X2 field that sounds great, but that can not be pushed (thus limited rehearsal and concert) and is more neutral in sound.
What I like least is having to make a mod for circuit with THE sound. It is very simple and I think for the price it cost to add a switch to shine, they could have done.
I love everything: sound, look ...
I would do 100 times this choice at this price there's no better in my opinion (but try the Fender Blues Junior)