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Published on 03/27/13 at 08:39It has 3 channels:
- Clean channel: volume, gain, 3-band EQ and a bright switch;
- Channel crunch / lead: volume + gain + bright switch (one per channel), 3-band eq shared between the two channels, the small weak point according to the general opinion. It is true that we would have appreciated a separate eq for both channels overdrive, but as we will see later, it is not detrimental to the spirit of the preamp, very vintage rock, and overall sound quality.
Side connections no surprise, they put reverbs, delays and other modulation effects in the loop and it's all good.
The output is line level (ie preamp).
Note that even if the pedal is pretty well finished and looks solid, block specific power 12v / 1000mA is VERY poor. Mine was defective Thomann me returned an almost equally noisy. I replaced (temporarily) by a universal power supply that can be found in specialty stores and spare electro-fi no problem with noise.
UTILIZATION
Documentation rather sketchy ... But good for this kind of device it is not a selection criterion, there's just turn the knobs and work his ears! You just need to be aware that 300 volts circulate inside and obviously it's better not take it apart and put his fingers while plugged! I wanted more information from the manufacturer about changing lamps by 12AX7, fortunately a tutorial on AF explains it very well!
SOUNDS
The clean is very well balanced, hot and spicy at the same time very dynamic. The gain setting can raise the lower mids, until a slight crunch. This position agrees very well all kinds of pedals, distortion, overdrive, fuzz, wah, etc ...
The crunch is very versatile, it can be subtle on a big attack, or more savage! This is my favorite position for all that is rock / blues.
The lead on the version I have (SS11A) corresponds to crunch more hairy and more compressed. It is not very high gain stays clean even at the bottom. For the dirty, put a fuzz or overdrive crunch position.
EQ settings and brightness are effective, but we must admit that its central position is already perfectly balanced. Given the spirit of the toy, it is even fashionable to push the mids a bit!
Two words on the position of cab simulation: it is not that it is bad, it is just not up to the quality of SS11. It should be taken as a stupid filter that will cut some frequencies to like, but honestly it is not worth other simulations. For home studio use, an LMO CN1 (not tried) or a plugin such as Torpedo PI-free may be a good alternative. For richer, a Torpedo CAB ... For my part, I now use a Micro Cab ADA, it is very effective, I can scope out the rock candy (well even grandpa now!) And venture towards the stoner.
Change lamps for Tung Sol is even more dynamic and original gloss, a little too! If you use the integrated simulation cab it will be fine, otherwise lamps with less gain will be more appropriate.
OVERALL OPINION
Lovers of his late 60's to early 80's, this is your toy to take you to Angus, Frank, Tommi or Jimmy quietly with headphones at home without waking your sweetheart and your offspring! The SS11? The good old lamps and domestic peace in one!
Aside from concerns at the power supply and simulation simulation cab (!), This is a great amp for home studio with a clean almost perfect in all situations and crunches that feel the glorious years rock.
- Clean channel: volume, gain, 3-band EQ and a bright switch;
- Channel crunch / lead: volume + gain + bright switch (one per channel), 3-band eq shared between the two channels, the small weak point according to the general opinion. It is true that we would have appreciated a separate eq for both channels overdrive, but as we will see later, it is not detrimental to the spirit of the preamp, very vintage rock, and overall sound quality.
Side connections no surprise, they put reverbs, delays and other modulation effects in the loop and it's all good.
The output is line level (ie preamp).
Note that even if the pedal is pretty well finished and looks solid, block specific power 12v / 1000mA is VERY poor. Mine was defective Thomann me returned an almost equally noisy. I replaced (temporarily) by a universal power supply that can be found in specialty stores and spare electro-fi no problem with noise.
UTILIZATION
Documentation rather sketchy ... But good for this kind of device it is not a selection criterion, there's just turn the knobs and work his ears! You just need to be aware that 300 volts circulate inside and obviously it's better not take it apart and put his fingers while plugged! I wanted more information from the manufacturer about changing lamps by 12AX7, fortunately a tutorial on AF explains it very well!
SOUNDS
The clean is very well balanced, hot and spicy at the same time very dynamic. The gain setting can raise the lower mids, until a slight crunch. This position agrees very well all kinds of pedals, distortion, overdrive, fuzz, wah, etc ...
The crunch is very versatile, it can be subtle on a big attack, or more savage! This is my favorite position for all that is rock / blues.
The lead on the version I have (SS11A) corresponds to crunch more hairy and more compressed. It is not very high gain stays clean even at the bottom. For the dirty, put a fuzz or overdrive crunch position.
EQ settings and brightness are effective, but we must admit that its central position is already perfectly balanced. Given the spirit of the toy, it is even fashionable to push the mids a bit!
Two words on the position of cab simulation: it is not that it is bad, it is just not up to the quality of SS11. It should be taken as a stupid filter that will cut some frequencies to like, but honestly it is not worth other simulations. For home studio use, an LMO CN1 (not tried) or a plugin such as Torpedo PI-free may be a good alternative. For richer, a Torpedo CAB ... For my part, I now use a Micro Cab ADA, it is very effective, I can scope out the rock candy (well even grandpa now!) And venture towards the stoner.
Change lamps for Tung Sol is even more dynamic and original gloss, a little too! If you use the integrated simulation cab it will be fine, otherwise lamps with less gain will be more appropriate.
OVERALL OPINION
Lovers of his late 60's to early 80's, this is your toy to take you to Angus, Frank, Tommi or Jimmy quietly with headphones at home without waking your sweetheart and your offspring! The SS11? The good old lamps and domestic peace in one!
Aside from concerns at the power supply and simulation simulation cab (!), This is a great amp for home studio with a clean almost perfect in all situations and crunches that feel the glorious years rock.