Kustom Double Cross All-Tube Head

Designed by amp builder James Brown, the Double Cross is a 100-watt Head.

The Double Cross platform consists of three channels: Rhythm, Lead I and Lead II. Each Lead channel can be modified by users via four separate function switches which are located at the four endpoints of a “Cross” design on the control panel. These switches are not simply EQ parameters; instead, each blends additional 12AX7 tube stages, letting players actually alter the Gain/EQ/Attack structure of their preamps — modifications usually not offered to consumers unless they take their amplifier to a knowledgeable technician to be permanently “modded.”

“Having worked on high-gain amps for years, I always noticed how adding more gain usually causes so much compression that you lose all your dynamics and note definition, ” explains James Brown. “Although the Double Cross offers tremendous amount of gain and distortion, it adds the extra tubes in a new way that doesn’t change your dynamics or sacrifice the touch sensitivity, regardless of the amp’s settings.”


Special features include an all tube, footswitchable effects loop, a 6L6 / EL34 bias switch for changing output tube types, speaker-emulated direct out, an input jack labeled 'Tight’ that was designed to give the amp a defined attack response, and a 5-function footswitch (3 channels, Boost, Effects).

The Double Cross retails for $1999.99 and will start shipping in April of 2008.

For more information, visit their web site at www.kustom.com.