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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.

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.

https://ballseffects.com/amplifiers/

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).

sal paradise wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 5:34 am

https://ballseffects.com/amplifiers/

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.

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.

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 am

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.

I wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.

JSett wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:04 am

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 am

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.

I wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.

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 am

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 am

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.

I wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.

You could add it...

Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:59 pm

JSett wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:04 am

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 am

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.

I wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.

You could add it...

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.

JSett wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:17 pm

Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:59 pm

JSett wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:04 am

I wish, more than anything, that my VibroChamp had built-in reverb. It's perfect bar that one thing.

You could add it...

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.

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.

Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:25 pm

JSett wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:17 pm

Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:59 pm

You could add it...

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.

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.

Would that be one pulled at the first preamp gain stage rather than the last?

JSett wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:30 pm

Dr Tony Balls wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:25 pm

JSett wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 1:17 pm

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.

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.

Would that be one pulled at the first preamp gain stage rather than the last?

You could put it after either...whichever sounds best. I'd be tempted to try after the second but who knows.

Headstrong, Victoria, milkman, so many.

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:55 am

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.

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 watched