Hey just tried out a PRS Archon 25. It was a 25 watt combo with 5881 tubes. It's cleans range from very tight and articulate like a el84 type tube sound but punchier with more bottom end. I put the Depth knob on full and cranked up the cleans with the bright switch on. The amp is very dynamic and responsive. I had the presence all the way down and the treble and bass at 5 with the mid at 3. It really has a nice dynamic clean tone. I turned the bright switch off and got a fat bassman type jazz tone. The amps cleans are very versatile on ether setting and punchy which is in line with this 5881 tube.
Switching the amp over to distortion I cranked up the presence to 5 and the gain mostly up which is the volume and used the master volume for that channel to control the over all sound level. With the bright switch engaged it had nice crunchy tones. Not Soldano blistering distortion but good usable distortion. The Celestion speaker really shines in this amp. Switching the bright switch off it has a darker fat tone better suited to single coils. It also sounds good for taking a solo with the neck pickup as the tone gets fatter and darker. If I was looking for a all purpose grab and go amp that won't break your back in this wattage rang and won't destroy your savings account I would seriously consider this amp. It's a good all around amp that's versatile enough to take to a miked gig. For practice with a band it's 25 watts is enough to be heard over the average drummer if elevated off the floor. Small to medium clubs this amp should do fine especially if miked. It is only a single speaker so playing out you may want to get an extension cab.
guitars used were
American Standard strat -alder - with 3 single coils
American Standard strat -ash- 2 single coils and a humbucker.
Switching the amp over to distortion I cranked up the presence to 5 and the gain mostly up which is the volume and used the master volume for that channel to control the over all sound level. With the bright switch engaged it had nice crunchy tones. Not Soldano blistering distortion but good usable distortion. The Celestion speaker really shines in this amp. Switching the bright switch off it has a darker fat tone better suited to single coils. It also sounds good for taking a solo with the neck pickup as the tone gets fatter and darker. If I was looking for a all purpose grab and go amp that won't break your back in this wattage rang and won't destroy your savings account I would seriously consider this amp. It's a good all around amp that's versatile enough to take to a miked gig. For practice with a band it's 25 watts is enough to be heard over the average drummer if elevated off the floor. Small to medium clubs this amp should do fine especially if miked. It is only a single speaker so playing out you may want to get an extension cab.
guitars used were
American Standard strat -alder - with 3 single coils
American Standard strat -ash- 2 single coils and a humbucker.
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