For 25 years, Dave Friedman has been creating amplifiers that helped him (eh-hem) gain amp-guru status. His limited-run Jake E. Lee signature JEL-100 met with enough demand that he’s now offering a 20-watt version. A two-channel/EL-84 head, the JEL-20 is covered in fire-red tolex with contrasting white piping that immediately catches the eye, especially when…

Read more >>

With the growing popularity of small-footprint effects, Coppersound’s Kingpin Germanium Clipper and Iris Optical Compressor nicely fit the bill – and pedalboard. Though nearly identical (Volume, on/off switch and three-way mini toggle) except for graphics, they are very different. The Kingpin, designed around a Germanium diode and driven by two FET stages, offers three levels…

Read more >>

At the forefront of high-end boutique design, the Carmen Ghia was Dr. Z’s first commercially available amplifier when launched in 1988, and has never been absent from the company’s lineup. So it’s fitting that the good Dr. (a.k.a. Mike Zaite) is celebrating it with a 35th Anniversary version. A hand-wired, single-channel 1×10 combo with a…

Read more >>

Chorus pedals have been around for decades and for many players are an integral part of their tone. But not all are created equally. Some tone purists swear by the sound of old analog designs developed back in the day; Trevor Mayfly, founder of Mayfly Audio, is one of them. The Mayfly Goddess is an…

Read more >>

Imagine a world where all of your pedals work together so seamlessly that you can quickly and easily experiment with new combinations with the swipe of a finger – and without a big, heavy pedalboard to lug around. Chaos Audio’s Stratus pedal offers just that. A multi-effect platform that can serve as a virtual pedalboard…

Read more >>

Paying homage to low-powered tube amps from yesteryear, the Supro Amulet was designed to re-create classic Supro sounds with a few added features. The Amulet is a 15-watt/Class A 1×10 with tube-driven reverb, tremolo and three-position attenuator for 15-, 5-, or 1-watt operation. Bass, Treble and Mids round out the EQ section, and there’s a…

Read more >>

When Bad Cat Amplifiers trimmed its line to just four models with modern circuits, some wondered if they’d capture the magic of the hand-wired wonders that built the company’s reputation. Their new flaghip is the Black Cat, a 20-watt/two-channel 1×12 combo with a pair of EL84s and a custom 12″ Celestion Vintage 30. While its…

Read more >>

In the mid ’80s, Swiss multi-instrumentalist Stephan Schertler decided to follow his passion for electronics and created the Schertler brand of pro audio products. Realizing the demand for small but professional studio/practice amps, Schertler’s high end acoustic guitar amp designs were quickly praised by players around the globe. The Giulia X Acoustic combo may be…

Read more >>

If you’ve driven a classic muscle car like the Camaro Z28, you know that when you step on the gas, you’re in for a thrill. In the same spirit, the Dr Z Z-28 Mk II is an updated version of the renowned amp maker’s original Z-28 design, with more “horsepower” and a fine-tuning to give…

Read more >>

Classic Fender tweed amps are known for fat, warm clean tones, but even more for their raunch when cranked. Mesa Boogie’s California Tweed amps are firmly rooted in those ’50s circuits, and the 6V6 2:20 1×10 Combo is a take on those classic designs with modern features in a compact package. With its cream tolex,…

Read more >>