Both these amps are pretty new. I believe the original was released just last year. There are several long threads on it here, and people were very happy with the #2 middle ("crunch") tone channel, and thought the #1 clean channel was pretty decent. The #3 hi-gain channel ("lead") is supposedly blistering, and probably not something I would make much use of (but I've never owned an amp with one, so who knows).
Most of the complaints I read were that the #1 and #2 channel shared *all* controls: Volume, Gain as well as Treble, Middle and Bass. That resulted in volume jumps when going from 1 to 2, which many people found irritating. I know with my pedal set up my OD is set up mostly to complexify the clean channel, with very minimal volume boost. I like being able to slide between the two tones at the same volume. Apparently, so do a few others because this was the one fairly common complaint I saw about the amp.
Tech Specs for the original, per the website are:
Pre Amp Tubes: 7 JJ ECC83 (12AX7)
Power Tubes: 2 JJ 6L6
The original came in both white, as well as a the more traditional black.
Now enters the updated version. It's $200 more list, or about $100 more at retail and boasts two main changes. One is that separate volume and gain knobs have been provided for channels 1 & 2. (The still share the tone controls.) The other is a little more surprising, the output section tubes have been changed to EL-34's - which have also donated their name to the new model name.
Again, per the website:
Pre Amp Tubes: 7 x JJ ECC83S (12AX7)
Power Tubes: 2 x JJ EL34 Matched
The color has also been changed a black & gold combination:
SO: Has anyone had a chance to check one of these out yet? The provision of separate volume and gain seems like a solid upgrade, but the change in output tubes will have some effect on the tone, which was the main selling point of the original version. Graphics are a personal matter, but the black & gold is my least favorite of the three - but wouldn't slow me down from getting one if the sound is there.
At about $1000. new out the door they seem like a pretty good deal for a nice sized amp.
Anyway play one yet?
Most of the complaints I read were that the #1 and #2 channel shared *all* controls: Volume, Gain as well as Treble, Middle and Bass. That resulted in volume jumps when going from 1 to 2, which many people found irritating. I know with my pedal set up my OD is set up mostly to complexify the clean channel, with very minimal volume boost. I like being able to slide between the two tones at the same volume. Apparently, so do a few others because this was the one fairly common complaint I saw about the amp.
Tech Specs for the original, per the website are:
Pre Amp Tubes: 7 JJ ECC83 (12AX7)
Power Tubes: 2 JJ 6L6
The original came in both white, as well as a the more traditional black.
Now enters the updated version. It's $200 more list, or about $100 more at retail and boasts two main changes. One is that separate volume and gain knobs have been provided for channels 1 & 2. (The still share the tone controls.) The other is a little more surprising, the output section tubes have been changed to EL-34's - which have also donated their name to the new model name.
Again, per the website:
Pre Amp Tubes: 7 x JJ ECC83S (12AX7)
Power Tubes: 2 x JJ EL34 Matched
The color has also been changed a black & gold combination:
SO: Has anyone had a chance to check one of these out yet? The provision of separate volume and gain seems like a solid upgrade, but the change in output tubes will have some effect on the tone, which was the main selling point of the original version. Graphics are a personal matter, but the black & gold is my least favorite of the three - but wouldn't slow me down from getting one if the sound is there.
At about $1000. new out the door they seem like a pretty good deal for a nice sized amp.
Anyway play one yet?
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