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Mattfig « Mean amp »
Published on 06/13/12 at 05:36This is an all tube monster...Don't let the name fool ya, this thing is no practice amp or solid state in any way...It has 5 12AX7 preamp tubes and 4 power tubes...It comes with 6L6s but I switched mine to EL34s and love it!
There is a series loop, reverb, footswitch, and 1/4 inputs outputs...There is an out for DI use too!
There is 100 watts of pure tube mayhem and plenty of gain to make even the heaviest player more than happy...
There is a presence knob that is quite useful in getting the high end just right...
This amp is as much Ampeg as Crate....
UTILIZATION
The cleans on channel one are really good...Very nice clarity and fullness...Sounds like a Fender clean that can handle twangy or jazzy...It doesn't break up much so you can really push it...
The gain channel is pretty crazy...It can get a really nice crunch - with the EL34s in mine it has a nice Marshall flavor...It can also get really heavy and gainy...Be careful as it turns to fizz if you use too much...
The manual is quite clear and sufficient for basic use...
The bias adjustment is on the bottom of the chassis and takes some work to get to...That's one of the few drawbacks...
SOUNDS
This amp likes humbuckers as it is a mean machine...However, singles sound terrific through the clean channel and even better on the gain channel with the gain way back...Very bluesy and articulate when used in that way...
I like both channels very much...The gainy channel has more gain on tap than most amps and can get squealy and fizzy if overused...Some amps sound great with the gain knob wide-open - this isn't one of those...
The manual comes with some great settings for all sorts of styles...
The EQ onboard is simple yet effective...
This amp sounds different with 6L6s than with EL34s...The 34s give a British warmth to the tone while the 6L6GCs I used made it more recto and buzzy in tone...
OVERALL OPINION
I like the price and value of this amp...Mine has been modified by Voodoo Amps in Ohio...They have a special mod for this thing and it's worth every penny...It makes it tighter and more clear...
You won't find an all tube beast like this for much less than what these bad boys sell for used...I'm not sure why they didn't catch on - probably because of the big CRATE on the front...It almost made me turn away but I'm glad I didn't..
There is a series loop, reverb, footswitch, and 1/4 inputs outputs...There is an out for DI use too!
There is 100 watts of pure tube mayhem and plenty of gain to make even the heaviest player more than happy...
There is a presence knob that is quite useful in getting the high end just right...
This amp is as much Ampeg as Crate....
UTILIZATION
The cleans on channel one are really good...Very nice clarity and fullness...Sounds like a Fender clean that can handle twangy or jazzy...It doesn't break up much so you can really push it...
The gain channel is pretty crazy...It can get a really nice crunch - with the EL34s in mine it has a nice Marshall flavor...It can also get really heavy and gainy...Be careful as it turns to fizz if you use too much...
The manual is quite clear and sufficient for basic use...
The bias adjustment is on the bottom of the chassis and takes some work to get to...That's one of the few drawbacks...
SOUNDS
This amp likes humbuckers as it is a mean machine...However, singles sound terrific through the clean channel and even better on the gain channel with the gain way back...Very bluesy and articulate when used in that way...
I like both channels very much...The gainy channel has more gain on tap than most amps and can get squealy and fizzy if overused...Some amps sound great with the gain knob wide-open - this isn't one of those...
The manual comes with some great settings for all sorts of styles...
The EQ onboard is simple yet effective...
This amp sounds different with 6L6s than with EL34s...The 34s give a British warmth to the tone while the 6L6GCs I used made it more recto and buzzy in tone...
OVERALL OPINION
I like the price and value of this amp...Mine has been modified by Voodoo Amps in Ohio...They have a special mod for this thing and it's worth every penny...It makes it tighter and more clear...
You won't find an all tube beast like this for much less than what these bad boys sell for used...I'm not sure why they didn't catch on - probably because of the big CRATE on the front...It almost made me turn away but I'm glad I didn't..