Boutique amplifier company Jackson Ampworks has just released their version of the venerable 100 watt Plexi which they call the El Guapo: The El Guapo (it uses EL-34 tubes) is a collaboration between Jackson Ampworks and one of the greatest blues guitarists of our time: Josh Smith. Josh approached us a few months ago asking if we had any interest in making a 100W Super Bass … [Read more...]
The Edge Deluxe
In another collaboration with U2 guitarist The Edge, Fender is introducing the Edge Deluxe: Tweaked to the discerning tastes of U2’s renowned guitarist, The Edge Deluxe is the perfect complement to his signature sound. A stalwart Fender amp user for decades, this signature model is an updated take on the classic ’57 tweed Deluxe used to craft his sonic identity on stages and … [Read more...]
Marshall 2525 Mini Jubilee Amps
Photo credit Rejoice! Marshall has taken the much-loved blueprint of the Silver Jubilee amps and has shrunk it down to a 20 watt package (switchable down to 5 watts). Many lower watt British-style amps compromise the tone by using EL84 tubes, which I'm not a fan of. The Mini Jubilee, on the other hand and if the rumors are true, uses EL34 tubes, which are more commonly … [Read more...]
Friedman Dirty Shirley Mini
Friedman Amplification is one of the top Marshall-style boutique amp builders currently out there. One of their most popular models is the Dirty Shirley, which is a 40-watt amp geared towards vintage, classic rock tones. I played a Dirty Shirley this past weekend, and it's definitely in my wheelhouse of tones. It really sounded great. However, 40 watts is often more than … [Read more...]
Carr Lincoln
Carr Amplifiers is a high-end amp manufacturer based in North Carolina. I've had the pleasure of playing through several Carr amps at a local dealer here in Nashville, and each model has sounded very good, if not exactly what I was looking for at the time. That may change with the new model they're introducing this winter called the Lincoln: The Lincoln concept started with … [Read more...]