There are some relatively new amps on the market, called Blackheart Amps, and they are sure getting noticed. They look cool and they are inexpensive. That is good recipe.
The last ingredient is of course about the sound. How good do they sound? Well, I have not tried one myself yet, but I have heard some sound clips and I was not disappointed. However, you know how hard it is to judge an amp based on someone's mp3 files. You have to try an amp yourself, if you want to avoid surprises.
It also sounds very cool that these amps are designed by a Russian amp genius by the name Pyotr Belov, and he builds them in a garage. Information like that are also bound to make people interested!
Will this be the Epiphone Valve Jr killer? I guess we'll find out. The price point is similar. The Blackheart amps look way cooler though. They also have really cool names! How about Handsome Devil, Killer Ant, Little Giant?
The Handsome Devil is available as a head (BH15H, $299.99 street price) and as single 12-inch combo (BH15H-112, $399.99 street price). This is a 15-watt, Class A amplifier design.
The Killer Ant ($139.99 estimated street price) is a 1 watt tube amp, likely to be perfect for recording. It is a Class A, single-ended circuitry amp.
Probaly the most well known of the Blackheart amps is the Little Giant 5W, a single-ended, Class A amp powered by an EL84 and voiced through a 12AX7 preamp tube. The head version sells for around $150.
I am sure we'll see these amps more and more in music stores. They seem to me to be doing the right thing. Low-cost, awesome looks and good tone. Durability? Who knows, I guess time will tell.
I know for sure I wouldn't mind picking one of these up if it sounds really good. I mean they come in a price of a stomp box, for crying out loud! If they indeed sound as good as I hope, then getting one is a no-brainer.
By Robert Renman - www.dolphinstreet.com
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