This latest Sweet build was custom order for Chicago Blues Harpist, Big Bill Hickey. It features an oversized Mercury Magnetics output transformer, pair of 6L6GC power tubes, custom control panel without a “normal” channel or vibrato ckt. and an added anti-feedback control to help control mic squeels. The custom baffle holds a 12″ Eminence Cannabis Rex and a 10″ Jensen Falcon speaker. Both have hemp cones for a warmer harp friendly tone.
The newest Sweet amp is completed! This PreBS 15+ is based on the legendary blackfaced Fender Princeton Reverb but has been given the Sweet treatment. It features a 12″ Eminence Legend 1218 speaker, oversized Mercury Magnetics Trannys and can run on either 6V6 or 6L6 power tubes. Unlike a stock Princeton Reverb, this little combo has a nice amount of headroom, 25W when run with 6L6s and can easily keep up with a drummer for live gigging. A push-pull bright switch on the volume and push-pull mid boost on the bass pot give this extra flexibility and tonal range. A familiar voice for gigging AND recording.
This 12W tweed era combo is based on the Deluxe. With a pair of 6V6 power tubes, a 12″ speaker and a touch sensitive cathode biased class “A” design, this is another very popular recording amp. Having good clean tones as well as varying degrees of breakup depending on the volume control setting, this amp just oozes vintage tube compression. Used extensively live and in the studio by Neil Young as well as by Joe Walsh, Billy Gibbons and Jimmy Page to name a few.
This will be my next build. Pics coming soon!
This 5W combo with a single 8″ speaker is based on the tweed Champ, a ’50s era Fender entry level practice amp. It features a single 12ax7, a single 6V6 and a 5Y3 rectifier tube and is a cathode biased class “A” ckt. The only control is a volume pot/power switch. One of the most popular amps ever used for recording, it has a suprisingly good clean tone at lower volumes and will produce varying degrees of distortion, breakup, sustain and fun when cranked. Most famously used on the Eric Clapton classic, Layla as well as by Joe Walsh, Joe Perry and Billy Gibons.
This 45W 4×10″ combo is based on the famous 1959 Bassman. Originally designed for the then new invention, the Fender Precision Bass, it quickly became the amp of choice for countless electric guitar players. This design was also the basis for the Marshall stack sound of the 60′s. A few famous bassman users are Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and Kim Wilson. With a pair of 6L6 or 5881 output tubes and a very simple and pure signal path, this tweed era combo is still a standard for countless guitar and harmonica players. More than enough power for any gigging situation. Can be voiced specifially for warm overdriven harp tones or for dead serious rock and blues guitar.
This 40W combo is based on the popular blackface Super Reverb. Loud and clean with nice crunch and sustain when cranked, it is the workhorse of club and concert stages. The one pictured features a custom baffle with 2×12″ speakers and switchable fixed/cathode bias. Also available as a head only unit.
This amp is available for sale. It now has a pair of Weber 12F150′s with beam blockers. Loud and clear is the idea of ths one!
This 20W combo is based on the popular Deluxe Reverb and is one of the best gigging amps for all but the loudest bands. Two 6V6s and a 12″ speaker produce just the right amount of volume and smooth power tube breakup for most club situations. The + model features a bigger output transformer, a pair of 6L6 power tubes and a bias switch. Output is approx 35W with the 6L6s. The one pictured features one 12″ and one 10″ speaker which produce a nice combination of volume, sutain, breakup and chime. This one was built for Chicago blues guitarist Dan Carelli of Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues.
This 15W combo with one 10″ speaker is based on the blackface Princeton Reverb. A pair of 6V6 output tubes produce nice clean tones at lower volumes and breaks up and growls nicely when turned up. Features a full size spring reverb tank like the larger combos and deep bias modulated vibrato for a lush 3D like effect. The one pictured features a 12″ speaker for more volume and fullness. Can be upgraded to a + model with a bigger output transformer and pair of 6L6GC power tubes producing about 22W of portable power and tone.
This “one off” 40W 4×10″ combo is based on the famous blackface Super Reverb. It features Eminence Ram Rod speakers to compiment the woody tones of it’s owner’s Gibson ES 335. This was made for my friend Eddy “the Chief” Clearwater.
