Boutique Fender style amps?
- Docks91
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Boutique Fender style amps?
Hi friends, I’m in the market for a Fender style amp and was wondering if anyone had a favorite boutique version. I hear Tone King recommendations a lot, but just curious if there are others.
- GreenKnee
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
The list is endless really.
Top dollar versions are Tone King and Two Rock from what I know. There are countless versions of Fender's classic amps out there though, is there a specific model you're looking for? People more learned than me here shall be able to point you in the right direction.
From my experience, Fender's current offerings sound great and are reliable.
Top dollar versions are Tone King and Two Rock from what I know. There are countless versions of Fender's classic amps out there though, is there a specific model you're looking for? People more learned than me here shall be able to point you in the right direction.
From my experience, Fender's current offerings sound great and are reliable.
- sal paradise
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?
- Surfysonic
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
Two that I've experienced and are Fender-like with their own interesting specs are Milkman - https://milkmansound.com/ and Allen Amplification - http://www.allenamps.com/index.html.
I had a Milkman Creamer (20 Watts) head and it was awesome. I commissioned a speaker cab from Tim @ Millkman to pair up with the head. Tim was awesome to work with. Unfortunately, I had to move it on to pay down the out of control gear debt at the time.
I had a used blonde Allen Encore head (40 Watts) that was a brown/blonde /black Fender eras hybrid amp. David was great to work with when I purchased a logo plate for my speaker that was paired up with this head. I only moved the Encore on due to getting into vintage Fender amps. I'd definitely be inclined to get another Allen amp. Allen amps are pretty great. Lot of different models with really interesting specs. Amp kits are also available. I heard David Allen recently retired but I believe Allen Amplification is still operational under new ownership (or something).
I had a Milkman Creamer (20 Watts) head and it was awesome. I commissioned a speaker cab from Tim @ Millkman to pair up with the head. Tim was awesome to work with. Unfortunately, I had to move it on to pay down the out of control gear debt at the time.
I had a used blonde Allen Encore head (40 Watts) that was a brown/blonde /black Fender eras hybrid amp. David was great to work with when I purchased a logo plate for my speaker that was paired up with this head. I only moved the Encore on due to getting into vintage Fender amps. I'd definitely be inclined to get another Allen amp. Allen amps are pretty great. Lot of different models with really interesting specs. Amp kits are also available. I heard David Allen recently retired but I believe Allen Amplification is still operational under new ownership (or something).
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...
- JSett
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
I concur. Tony has built me a couple of things (including the amp pictured) and he's quick, super neat and very reasonably priced. I've been rehearsing and gigging with that amp exclusively since it arrived. It's excellent.
Plus, he's a member here.
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- marqueemoon
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
They are more Gibson amp-derived, but I am a big Swart fan. My AST is my desert island amp. Great sounding reverb and tremolo, and sits in the perfect spot between a Princeton and a Deluxe headroom-wise.
Not cheap, but considering the quality you get they are a good value in my opinion. Certainly better than, say Benson.
Not cheap, but considering the quality you get they are a good value in my opinion. Certainly better than, say Benson.
- JSett
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
I wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 amThey are more Gibson amp-derived, but I am a big Swart fan. My AST is my desert island amp. Great sounding reverb and tremolo, and sits in the perfect spot between a Princeton and a Deluxe headroom-wise.
Not cheap, but considering the quality you get they are a good value in my opinion. Certainly better than, say Benson.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- marqueemoon
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
There is the STR Tremolo, but having owned both that and a 79 Vibro Champ they are pretty different animals. I prefer the Swart, but it has a ton more low end due to the beefy cabinet and 12”.JSett wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:04 amI wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 amThey are more Gibson amp-derived, but I am a big Swart fan. My AST is my desert island amp. Great sounding reverb and tremolo, and sits in the perfect spot between a Princeton and a Deluxe headroom-wise.
Not cheap, but considering the quality you get they are a good value in my opinion. Certainly better than, say Benson.
- Dr Tony Balls
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
You could add it...JSett wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:04 amI wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 amThey are more Gibson amp-derived, but I am a big Swart fan. My AST is my desert island amp. Great sounding reverb and tremolo, and sits in the perfect spot between a Princeton and a Deluxe headroom-wise.
Not cheap, but considering the quality you get they are a good value in my opinion. Certainly better than, say Benson.
Instagram: thetonyballs
- JSett
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
I have looked into it but it seems it might need a different transformer to cope with the extra load of the reverb AND the vibrato drivers... And upgrading the PT might change the sound.Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:59 pmYou could add it...JSett wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:04 amI wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 amThey are more Gibson amp-derived, but I am a big Swart fan. My AST is my desert island amp. Great sounding reverb and tremolo, and sits in the perfect spot between a Princeton and a Deluxe headroom-wise.
Not cheap, but considering the quality you get they are a good value in my opinion. Certainly better than, say Benson.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- Dr Tony Balls
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
Depends on the reverb circuit, I suppose. I like a little one tube version that's more subtle than standard Fender stuff, but much lighter on the resources. Its just one 12AX7 and i'd be *very* surprised if Fender's PT couldnt handle an extra one of those.JSett wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:17 pmI have looked into it but it seems it might need a different transformer to cope with the extra load of the reverb AND the vibrato drivers... And upgrading the PT might change the sound.
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- JSett
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
Would that be one pulled at the first preamp gain stage rather than the last?Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:25 pmDepends on the reverb circuit, I suppose. I like a little one tube version that's more subtle than standard Fender stuff, but much lighter on the resources. Its just one 12AX7 and i'd be *very* surprised if Fender's PT couldnt handle an extra one of those.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- Dr Tony Balls
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
You could put it after either...whichever sounds best. I'd be tempted to try after the second but who knows.JSett wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:30 pmWould that be one pulled at the first preamp gain stage rather than the last?Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:25 pmDepends on the reverb circuit, I suppose. I like a little one tube version that's more subtle than standard Fender stuff, but much lighter on the resources. Its just one 12AX7 and i'd be *very* surprised if Fender's PT couldnt handle an extra one of those.
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- OffYourFace
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
Headstrong, Victoria, milkman, so many.
- Docks91
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Re: Boutique Fender style amps?
Funny enough, I was debating between a Princeton and Deluxe Reverb and that’s what prompted my question on if there are boutique versions worth the price tag haha. Good shout on Swart, I had not heard of them but they sound great from the few demos I’ve watchedmarqueemoon wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 amThey are more Gibson amp-derived, but I am a big Swart fan. My AST is my desert island amp. Great sounding reverb and tremolo, and sits in the perfect spot between a Princeton and a Deluxe headroom-wise.
Not cheap, but considering the quality you get they are a good value in my opinion. Certainly better than, say Benson.