What makes the Classic Series "classic"? It's uncomplicated. It's clean. It's just amplification and nothing else; no tremelo, vibrato, reverb (reverb option in the works) or gain switching. Like the classic '59 Fender Bassman or Marshall JTM 45 it offers two inputs, one for bright and one for "normal" guitar or bass (the new Series II Classic offers switchable bright/normal on each input). Like the classic '59 Bassman or JTM 45 it provides treble, middle, bass and presence controls for tone shaping. Unlike the '59 Bassman the output is switchable for 16/8/4 Ohm speaker loads. Unlike the classic '59 Bassman it has master volume control and you choose the power level and the sonic signature; blues, standard or "precision". And, you can choose a head or a combo. Let's take a look at the options.
20W Series
The 20W Series uses specially designed power and output transformers for a nominal output power of 20W. The ultimate power and sonic signature depends on the output transformer, rectifier, output tubes and output tube bias. With solid state rectification and fixed bias the output power at compression will be about 22W. With tube rectification the output will be about 20W. With cathode bias the power will be lower, nominally 15-16W with the tube rectifier. With EL84 tubes and the "standard" output transformer the "vibe" will be that of the Marshall 1958 or Vox AC15. With 6V6 output tubes and the standard output transformer the sound will be a bit more like a Fender Deluxe. With either EL84s or 6V6s (especially the 6V6) and our "blues" transformer the Classic 20 can be a great blues or classic rock amp. A Club has a sound all it's own. These comparisons are intended to give a general idea of the tonal differences based on the choice of tubes. We stock a few "precision" output transformers, but don't promote any standard product with this transformer.
Available as "standard"
Head with EL84 or 6V6 output tubes, fixed bias, solid state or tube rect, your choice of std or blues output transformer
Combo with EL84 or 6V6 output tubes, fixed bias, tube rect, your choice
of std or blues output transformer, and any commercially available 10, 12 or 15 inch speaker as well as customs from Weber or our custom Eminence 15.
As above, with 2x10 or 2x12 speakers. This can be excellent for the medium club environment, but we actually recommend a 1x10 or 1x12 combo with an extension cab (we recommend 1x15) for larger gigs. The 2 speaker combos really sound great, but they are not as flexible in terms of volume control.
Special while our supply of speakers lasts-Combo with EL84 output tubes, fixed bias, tube rect, std output transformer and 1x10 Eminence Alnico speaker.
30W Series
The 30W series has many options and possibilities. The same basic comments regarding tube rectification vs solid state and fixed vs cathode bias apply. With the 30W series the output tubes can be 4xEL84, 2x6L6/5881 or 2xEL34. With the 4xEL84 option we offer a hot cathode bias option very similar to the classic Vox AC30. This is often called class A bias. We stand by the comment that it's a hot cathode bias. We use a lower supply voltage for this option than our fixed bias amp. Either is bright yet muscular and punchy with the standard output transformer. 6L6/5881 amps have what I call the Fender "bite" where-as EL34s have the "glassy" yet muscular tone of a Marshall. This comment would apply to the standard output transformer. The blues transformer option shifts the timbre in a way that can only be described as "bluesy", no matter what the tube type. We favor the blues output with 5881 tubes. Each tube and transformer option will be uniquely "Club", but the tubes do have a sonic signature that many of you understand. We stock a few "precision" output transformers, but don't promote any "standard" models with this transformer.
Available as "standard"
30 head or combo with 2 x 5881 output tubes, 2 x EL34 output tubes or 4 x EL84 output tubes, fixed bias, tube rect, std or blues output transformer. The blues output with 5881 in 2x12 combo format is popular.
35W head or combo with 4 x EL84 output tubes, fixed bias, solid state rect, std output transformer. It rocks.
35W head or combo with 2 x EL34 output tubes, fixed bias, solid state rect, std output transformer in a 1x12, 1x15 or 2 x 12 combo format. You choose the speakers.
30W head or combo with 4 x EL84 output tubes, hot cathode bias, tube rect, standard transformer. The combo is available in 1x12 or 2 x 12 format. This amp is a bit like a Vox AC30, but different. The AC30 has no feedback which makes it sound very "bright" and bouncy. The Club Classic does have feedback, but it's very light. The sound is tighter than a Vox AC-30 but brighter than a Marshall.
Club 301-Coming soon, as above but switchable between 15W and 30W output power.
50W Series
Your power will depend on the choice of rectifier; closer to 50W with a tube rectifier and 6L6 output tubes, closer to 60W with solid state rectifier and EL34 output tubes. The 50W series is only offered standard with fixed bias. We can do cathode bias, but haven't seen much demand. We now stock both the standard and blues output transformers. The "precision" output is available as a special order, but the lead time is longer.
