BEYOND THE STACKS BOY HOWDY'S GUIDE TO AMPLIFIERS

BEYOND THE STACKS BOY HOWDY'S GUIDE TO AMPLIFIERS

by Steve Sattler & Snookie Stoddard

GUITAR AMPLIFIER UPDATE All things considered, in 1983 the prospects of buying the guitar amplifier that really works for you and your particular situation are much better than they were five years ago. The reasons are simple: rapidly advancing technology and competitive economics have caused the leading manufacturers to deliver a product line that meets the needs of a wide range of consumers at a more cost-effective price than ever before. It would seem that word has finally gotten around that big size is not necessarily better. Mid-1983 finds nearly all of the major manufacturers scrambling to build and promote high quality, professional, small-to-mid-sized guitar amplifiers with lots of features never before offered.

VERY SMALL AMPS 1983 has found guitar amplifier manufacturers producing small output/big feature amps. For example, take note of the following:

TOM SCHOLZ ROCKMAN: One very unique product entering the market is a 15-oz. battery-powered lookalike of the Walkman stereo system—only this piece of machinery is called the Rockman, and allows the guitarist an amazing number of possible playing situations. You can play guitar direct through a PA, play it with record, tape or radio, or play with another musician with his Rockman. Included in the electronics are stereo chorus, stereo inputs and two headphone or direct line outputs. All this with volume control, headphones for you and an LED to watch. An amazing breakthrough in the compact “take it anywhere” style of living with your music.

FENDER has all sorts of mini-sized professional equipment to offer the choosy musician. Starting with the Sidekick Series. Sidekick 10 (10 watts) has a three-band EQ, hi-gain preamp with master volume, a builtin battery charger for portable playing, and an optional power cord that plugs into a 12-volt cigarette lighter, plus a headphone output for private listening.

This year has Fender also introducing two new super compacts called the Harvard Reverb II and the Yale Reverb. Both incorporate exterior style redesigns and performance features that have not previously been found in the company’s amplifiers. The Harvard Reverb II is a single channel, 20-watt unit with a single high efficiency 10” speaker. It includes Fender’s unique highgain circuitry with volume, gain and master volume controls. Decidedly portable at 24 pounds and 17” wide, it makes itself ideal for practicing with the added attractions of a headphone jack and speaker on/off switch. Slightly larger, the Yale Reverb amp offers a 50-watt output and 12” speakers. The front panel is identical to the Harvard Reverb II, but also includes new “active” bass, middle and treble controls. Rear panel preamp-out and power amp-in jack? make it possible for effects patching. Definite live performance capabilities packaged for the compact age.

YAMAHA enters the scene with the G5 guitar amplifier, a super compact weighing less than nine pounds. It has a 7-watt capability with a 6V2” speaker. It boasts builtin reverb, bass and treble, high and low inputs and volume and master volume. The headphone jack doubles as a preamp output. Very versatile as a practice amp or preamp.

Yamaha’s JK15 is a compact so small the company lays claim to being able to hide the entire amp behind an LP record cover. Its wide range of controls lets you produce the sound you want. In general, it’s a light amp that delivers a heavy sound.

Yamaha’s middle sister is the JK-25, a 20-watt with 10” speaker. It includes master volume control, pull-gain, bass, treble and reverb. One more in their small series is the JK30 (30 watts with 12” speaker), which is complete with volume, master volume, pullgain, three-band EQ with treble, mid-range and bass, reverb and a headphone jack to plug in anywhere.

CRATE gives us a choice this year with the CR10 (15 watts) and the CR112 (20 watts), 10and 12-inch speakers respectively. They offer channel switching, manual or optional footswitch, normal channel volume, bass, mid-range, bright switch and treble, overdrive gain and level with manual overdrive switch. The CR112 also includes an extension speaker/headphone/lineout selector switch.

The big surprise from MARSHALL, widely known for its production of huge “stacks,” is their micro-sized 12-watt combo amplifier, capable of maintaining the famed Marshall sound. The new amp comes with a 10” speaker and can utilize output devices capable of handling over 50 watts, making the 12-watt rating definitely conservative. With master volume, gain, bass, middle and treble and a direct line out, this amp should bring high marks from the music consumer, as it can offer the sustain and distortion very familiar to musicans the world over.

Also in the Marshall lineup are the transistorized twins of their 4000 series, the 30-watt 5210 and 5010. The 5210 features two channels; the rhythm channel has bass, treble, volume and an optional overdrive facility, and the boost channel, or lead, has overdrive and sustain, along with reverb and a master output control. The 5010 has the twin mixables and a full complement of tone controls.

This year HOLMES named their newest contribution the “Cottonpicker.” This particular amp includes their trademarked channel switching circuitry known as Dyna-Clip, making instantaneous channel switching possible. All this set in a 10-watt system. CARVIN Amplifier’s small size XB-112, a 30-watt guitar amplifier, delivers a peak output of 75 watts. This model features a three spring reverb system, graphic EQ, switchable overdrive tube circuitry and more, making it excellent for studio and stage alike.

This year from IBANEZ (read HOSHINO CORP.) are two very efficient, smaller sized amplifiers dubbed the GX-20 and GX-30. They have 20 and 30 watts respectively. The GX-20 features master volume, bass, mid-range and treble controls as well as three volume/gain controls, overdrive, normal and master volume. The GX-30 has all of the above, plus the extra capability of pulling on the overdrive control switch, which will put you into a high gain mode, or pulling on the master volume, which acts as a bright switch. The GX-30 also has a slightly larger (10”) speaker.

SMALL AMPLIFIERS

Guess what? Today you can buy for a few hundred dollars a product that for all intents and purposes performs like its more expensive counterparts. Gone are the days when small amplifiers usually meant small sound and small performance. Today’s small size amplifiers offer channel switching, sophisticated EQ, variable gain, distortion and more. This has been due in a large part to advances in electronic technology, design, and as we have seen, consumer demand. Truly, gone are the days when small amplifiers meant practice amps. In fact, the only visible limitation for these size amplifiers are their output levels—which, with today’s better PA systems, do not represent an insurmountable problem.

AMPEG’s recently released “V” series tube amplifiers gives us a small amplifier, the V3SC with a 40-watt output. Paying attention to details, this model features switchable EQ, mid-boost and selectable impedance. Also offered are switching of each channel and reverb, dual in-line, EQ shift, and a prepost volume control that is separate from the master volume.

CRATE (manufactured by the St. Louis Music Supply Company) introduces a semipro 60-watt RMS amp that is compact, with a full complement of electronics that include gain, active bass, mid-range and treble controls, bright switch, overdrive gain and level, master volume and reverb. There is a manual switch or optional foot switch to the overdrive channel, line-in/line-out effects loop, extension speaker jack and reverb jack.

CARVIN gives us the XT-112, a 60-watt 12” speaker amp with a three-spring Hammond Studio Reverb system, graphic equalizer, active tone controls, switchable overdrive tube circuitry and XLR output connector for recording. The XT-112 incorporates features like overdrive and advanced tone equalizer. The 12” speaker is fuse protected and can handle 145 watts of peak music power.

FENDER comes on with the new Studio and Stage amps. One with 50 watts and a single 12” speaker, the other identically sized but with power at 100 watts and available with two 12” speakers. In addition to tone controls, the Studio Lead and Stage Lead have separate volume, gain and master volume controls for the lead Channel preamp. Both have foot-switchable reverb active on both channels. Preamp-out and power-amp-in jacks are provided for effects patching, and front panel LED’s are present to indicate which channel is active.

HOLMES, with their Pro Compact series, presents us with two amps, both 60 watts RMS, one with two 10” speakers and the other with two 12” speakers. Standard items include two inputs “bright and flat,” footswitchable Hammond type reverb, DynaClip plus CMOS electronic Channel switching circuitry. FET input circuitry is used for a tube type sound and low noise. The controls include preamp 1, master I, preamp II, master II, treble select, treble, bass select, bass and reverb.

The MUSICMAN RD-50 allows the musician versatility with two separate preamp stages; the clean stage with volume, treble, bass control and a bright switch for treble boost; the tube limiter/distortion stage with volume, treble, bass and gain control. Either stage is selectable via the front panel switch or an optional foot switch. Each of the RD-50 amp series deliver 50 watts RMS to heavy duty 12” speakers. Included also is an extension speaker jack, to which an additional eight ohm load may be connected, as well as a low impedence unbalanced lineout jack.

RANDALL follows up its highly successful RG80-112SC amp with the RG-40-112C. This is a 40-watt RMS amplifier with extremely high gain circuitry and an FET preamp. The amp also features foot switchable gain boost of 15 dB and a master gain control for maximum tonal range. The amp has reverb and an extension speaker jack and comes equipped with a 12” speaker. This model is also available as a power head for use with Randall’s new R-212TC and R-212BC mini stack cabinets, employing two G12-65 speakers in each top and bottom cabinet.

ROLAND Cube Chorus amps come in 40-watt and 60-watt models. They have a special chorus/reverb output jack that works in tandem with two effects switches to route the internal chorus and reverb in different ways. Other features included are a two input (normal/overdrive) system fully adjustable to the instrument being played, separately controlled overdrive, volume and master volume controls, bass, middle and treble equalization controls, reverb and chorus. Like most Roland amplifiers, the back panel has output and remote switching jacks for increased live performance applications.

The Encore 65 from PEAVEY is their smallest to date. This 65-watt amp has their exclusive lead/gain-block with pre-pump and post-gain controls. The amp also includes a bright switch and a pull smooth switch. A three-band EQ, reverb, presence, automix, standby switch, ground lift switch and preamp in/out are all standard.

MARSHALL has three new combo amps with the Marshall vacuum tube design, all weighing in at 50 watts. The JCM 4210 has one speaker with a clean-bright channel and a normal overdriven channel for versatility. The lighter weight JCM 4010 has one 12” speaker with preamp volume, master volume, treble, middle, bass and presence. The JCM 4104 differs only in the fact that it comes equipped with two 12” speakers.

YAMAHA’s JX 55 is a 50-watt amp that comes with 12” speakers and has all the expected Yamaha range of volume and equalization controls plus gain, reverb, and an interesting pull-fat for a deeper sound. In addition Yamaha gives us the G50-112 II. It holds up to 50 watts of power with a 12” speaker and also gives us the pull-fat, pull-bright and reverb controls, along with the standard master volume and parametric EQ. Slighly larger in Yamaha JX series is the JX 65D, with 60 watts and 12” speakers making this amp powerful enough for most performance situations. Channel one is set up for a natural clean guitar sound using volume, bass and treble. Channel two will give volume, master volume, pull-gain, three band EQ and reverb controls. A builtin headphone jack rounds out its possibilities for live performance and backstage warmup.

MEDIUM SIZED AMPS

This year’s mid-sized amplifiers have more new and different features to choose from than any recent product lineup. Old standards like FENDER and PEAVEY are back with visibly expanded product lines, with the rest of the industry apparently following suit. As stated before, many of this year’s midsized amplifiers are offering features and performance heretofore reserved for larger/more expensive amps. This year you’ll find amplifiers with reduced weight, better speakers, compatability with studio and stage, advanced electronics and, in general, better design. You’ll find that many of the 80to 150-watt amps available today will be more than adequate to handle'all of your needs with room to spare.

PEAVEY gives us the Rockmaster, a 120-watt basic tube type amp. It’s only basic in that it gives everything you need and a little bit more. A single channel preamp has their new “pump” circuitry for distortion control, three band EQ, presence, high and low gain inputs, hum balance control, ground lift switch, standby switch, preand postgain, pull-thick and automix. If you need a few more frills, there is the Roadmaster from Peavey. This 160-watt tube amplifier features a lead channel with pre-gain, pump and post thick-gain, post-gain, three band EQ and pull-thick. Peavey’s “Pump” circuitry enables the guitarist to blend in the correct combination of over drive and sustain texture with a single knob. The normal channel has pre-gain, post-gain, three-band EQ (which is voiced differently from the lead channel) and pull thick. Also included is a ground lift switch, hum balance control, internal bias adjust, as well as master reverb and presence control. The Roadmaster features a special low, semi-parametric sweepable mid, and high passive equalization of the lead channels capabilities. This new circuit, by the way, was developed specifically for this new series of tube equipment.

MEDIUM SIZED AMPS

This year’s mid-sized amplifiers have more new and different features to choose from than any recent product lineup. Old standards ike FENDER and PEAVEY are back with visibly expanded product lines, with the rest of the industry apparently following suit. As stated before, many of this year’s midsized amplifiers are offering features and performance heretofore reserved for larger/more expensive amps. This year you’ll find amplifiers with reduced weight, better speakers, compatability with studio and stage, advanced electronics and, in general, better design. You’ll find that many of the 80to 150-watt amps available today will be more than adequate to handle all of your needs with room to spare.

PEAVEY gives us the Rockmaster, a 120-watt basic tube type amp. It’s only basic in that it gives everything you need and a little bit more. A single channel preamp has their new “pump” circuitry for distortion control, three band EQ, presence, high and low gain inputs, hum balance control, ground lift switch, standby switch, preand postgain, pull-thick and automix. If you need a few more frills there is an optional 160-watt model available. Here you will find lead channel with pre-gain, pumpand postthick-gain, post-gain, three band EQ and pull-thick. The normal channel has pre-gain, post-gain, three band EQ (which is voiced differently from the lead channel) and pullthick. The rest of the nuts and bolts includes a ground lift switch, hum balance control, internal bias adjust as well as master reverb and presence control.

The new FENDER Montreux has several new features: two independent preamps, a rhythm channel with tone controls, a separate lead with a new four band EQ, with separate presets thrown in for good measure. The Fender London Reverb has all the features of the Montreux but can be purchased with one 12” speaker, two 10” speakers, or as a separate head without speakers. The Fender Twin Reverb II comes equipped with 105 watts and two 12” speakers. This updated classic is definitely powerful enough to compete with amplifiers twice its size.

This year CRATE has for us the new CR100EV amp, which comes equipped with 90 watts and one 12” speaker. Featured are active bass, midrange and active treble, bright, reverb, and overdrive/master volume controls.

YAMAHA offers no less than five new midsized amps. Nearly all come equipped with electronics like parametric EQ, A/B channel selection, master volume and gain controls as well as an advanced design reverb system. Power outputs range from 50 to 100 watts and are available with a wide variety of speaker options.

MESA Engineering, who have trademarked by far the most memorable name for a medium-sized amp, introduces the S.O.B., or Son Of Boogie, which is a reissue of the famous Mark I Boogie design. The S.O.B. is a 50-watt amp with two cascaded input channels, and comes equipped with a 150-watt 12” speaker. The classic Boogie 3 volume control overdrive system has been refined to make S.O.B. capable of adjustment from your guitar, for solid rhythm and lead sustain alike. The unit offers a performance level especially suited to rock ’n’ roll.

POLYTONE this year introduces their new Mini-Studio amps for guitars. The S12L carries 110 watts with a 12” speaker, two channel with individual bass, mid, treble and volume, distortion, sustain, and master volume. Their SL5L is the same set up except for 15” speakers. 1983 also sees the birth of the Baby-Brute from Polytone, a compact 80-watt amplifier with many of the features above.

The MUSICIAN RD-100 series amplifier functions on two different power levels— Hi, for full power, and Lo, which pushes the tubes to the sound of an amplifier being overdriven without stressing the speakers, for full-power sound. This amplifier is extrerriely well-constructed, reliable and is generally an ideal choice for rigorous performance situations.

The TUSC DF-100 amplifier, new this year, offers 100 watts of power, programmable distortion and parametric EQ, nine position overdrive, EQ cut and boost and more. This amplifier features English built FANE speakers.

DEAN MARKLEY recently introduced their new Signature Series line of guitar amplifiers. This amplifier lineup brings to the consumer the combined experience of both JMF Electronics and Dean Markley, the latter known principally for their high quality line of musical instruments, strings and drumsticks. The new amplifier line features solid state/tube design and is available in a variety of configurations. The hybrid amps have been designed with channel switching capabilities that bring a flexible overdrive as close to an all-tube sound as possible. Available as 60to 100-watt rack mountable power heads with four 10” and four 12” speaker configurations. The new Signature Series from Dean Markley makes an exciting addition to this year’s amplifier lineup.

SUNN’s Stagemaster is a switchable dual channel guitar amplifier available as a stand alone amp top or with two 12” speakers. Fully equipped to produce a wide variety of sounds, the Stagemaster features three-band passive EQ, three function parametric EQ, adjustable power limiting and reverb with level control. Remote channel switching is accomplished by a footswitch with lighted function indicators.

The SUNN Coliseum-300 gives you 300 watts of strong, punchy sound from its two 15” speakers. Features include adjustable electronic crossover, effects patch loop, brite and normal inputs, a compressor with adjustable threshold and seven band active equalization. Removable casters, metal corners and road handles are included for solid, reliable road use.

LARGE AMPLIFIERS

If after all this you still must have your stack of speaker cabinets, umpteen-watt head, etc., you won’t be disappointed. Several manufacturers are still turning out stadium-sized amplifier configurations that are best suited for one purpose, playing loud. On the other hand, and at the risk of sounding redundant, you should have a pretty good reason other than ego before you spend upwards of $T,500 for a stack/speaker combination that is basically restrictive in both size and application.

AMPEG V7HD amp system comes with a high output head and two cabinets, With four 12” speakers apiece. This amp has considerable features not usually found in a stack configuration. Wide tonal variations are possible, and in general the amp is well suited for coliseum-sized performance situations.

CARVIN’s Pro Lead Series features a stack type amplifier, available with a wide variety of options. Power outputs range from 150 to 300 watts. Exceptionally loud, this system is available with either MAGNALAB or CELESTION loaded speaker cabinets.

This year’s FENDER Showman returns as one of their most powerful amplifier in years. The completely redesigned amp incorporates a plethora of new features all contained in a 200-watt chassis. It comes equipped with graphic type EQ, channelswitching and a separate high-gain lead channel. An optional four button digital foot switch controlling channel selection, reverb, graphic EQ and external effects is available.

The MESA Boogie Mark II-C is most likely the final revision of their Mark II series. The Mark II-C is outwardly identical to its predecessor, however internal features have been added, too many to list here. Simply stated, the Mark II-C is easily one of the most effective guitar amplifiers ever built.

MARSHALL’S JCM-800 Signature lead series amplifier is available in both standard format or optional master volume models. The amps use a two channel design with channel-switching capabilities. An effects send and return loop is provided for both channels. Also being introduced will be two new Marshall 2 x 12” speaker cabinets. RACK MOUNTED AMPLIFIERS

This year FENDER and YAMAHA have both introduced rack mountable, state-ofthe-art guitar amplifiers. The Fender RPG-1 represents a breakthrough that truly brings Fender into the ’80s. This amp is a basic 100-watt all-tube power amp, built to full professional specifications offering all of the features common to Fender’s top of the line amplifiers. It also includes an effects send and return loop and effects loop sign switch. The YAMAHA PG-1 is perhaps the most sophisticated guitar amp ever offered to the general public. Features include full parametric EQ, extremely flexible gain and tone controls, channel-switching and more.

This year’s marketplace is so diverse, chances are there will be two or three amplifiers that meet your personal requirements. To get the most from your money, it’s very important to know the advantages and limitations of your prospective amplifier. Don’t be afraid to go beyond the typical salesroom demonstration of “try and buy.” Be sure to bring in all of your guitars, effects, etc., and make sure, the amplifier you select is really the one you need. Good luck-and BOY HOWDY!