Kustom Contender 18W Combo's

[DetroitBlues]

This must of been one of the worst amps Kustom has ever made.  It looks like every Guitar Center in the U.S. has them on clearence for $99.  They say they are tube amps, but they are really hybrids.  Only the preamp is a tube amp... Anyone have one or explain why the sudden flood of new ones on G.C. used gear section?

[zagatron1]

I've heard about them, but never actually heard or tried one.

[robert]

I am not familiar with Kustom, but I hear they have some good stuff.

[DetroitBlues]

The only other place I've seen those amps is my local music store that leases a Viola to my daughter....

[pictoratus]

I just got one of these yesterday. I had been seeing them on the GC used gear website for $79 but haven't found a lot of info on them around the web. The little bit I've found has been good but just not many sources for how they sound, how well built they are, etc.

Anyway, the GC in Detroit had one listed for $49 so I called them up and got the story. Most of these aren't used as in pre-owned but were demos, floor models, etc. The one they had in Detroit looked and worked fine according to the guy I talked to so I ordered it and got it in. He was right. It looks brand new. I can't find a scuff or any sign of wear on it at all and, although I haven't played it much yet, I'm pretty impressed with the sound.

It's got some kind of Chinese tube (12ax7) in the preamp and a SS power section but it has a pretty smooth overdrive sound with the Vol turned up and the Master turned down to bedroom levels.

Definitely worth $49.

[DetroitBlues]

$49 for an amp is good no matter what.  If you get a chance to record with it, please share.

[pictoratus]

Recorded a couple of samples. The sound quality is not that great since I'm using a crappy mic. Since this amp doesn't have a line out I mic'ed it for recording. It does have a headphone out so I guess I could try to use that ..

Anyway, the first one is with my Squier Strat SE with the volume up fairly high and the Master down low. It gives an overdriven, almost distorted sound with this setting.

The second sample is with my Squier '51 using the humbucker and with a little cleaner settings although it still breaks up some with the higher output of the humbucker.

Excuse the sloppy playing


Strat SE

http://pictoratus.com/mp3/KustomSample.mp3



'51

http://pictoratus.com/mp3/KustomSample2.mp3

[reb]

ahem....i hear far worse on youtube whenever i go there.

aint nuthin wrong with that amp, the player, instruments or the mic, imo. in fact, re: the first sample...i would happily send that first clip to our 24 hour weather channel (i'll probably never have time to fool with them to get the addy, nor would they consider any 'outsiders' music, but...) they play the most gawdawful mind jangling, brain warping music as backing for the 24 hour weather map! i frequently mute them to see what the radar is doing. they must have their freakin' nephew in auntie's basement doing those tracks....and nephew is a garage band nut doing meth or something.

i'd say you got a heck of a bargain.

[pictoratus]

Thanks, reb

[kurtdaniel]

Not a modeling amp.  If you have a guitar how to know how to trade off gain and master volume, you can get it to sound amazing.