Archtop Players, What Amp Do You Use?

[Archtop Guy]

That L-5 Wes is sweet, man.

All, I envy all your Henricksens.

[JCave]

Originally Posted by msr13

I use a Henrikesen Jazzamp Head with a Raezer's Edge 12ER Cab. I was using an Acoustic Image (for sale), but picked up the Jazzamp and fell in love with it.

Found this video - Sounds great. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AeuCO78aZg





Jerry

[kmcmichael]

I have tried a few of the ones mentioned. I have an Alessandro Commins amp that I like a lot.

[choucas09]

The guitar's a stunner and so is the singer.

[Archtop Guy]

Just picked up a Polytone on the cheap and I gotta say it brings out a new voice.

I'm inclined to think that the best archtop tone is all about the EQ. Versatility is good, but specialized jazz amps (Henricksen, Polytone, etc.) just have the bands centered in the right spots.

[815C]

Originally Posted by Archtop Guy

Just picked up a Polytone on the cheap and I gotta say it brings out a new voice.

I'm inclined to think that the best archtop tone is all about the EQ. Versatility is good, but specialized jazz amps (Henricksen, Polytone, etc.) just have the bands centered in the right spots.

I'd love to find a Polytone - those are great amps!

[Archtop Guy]

Lucky me, I walked into my local store and they had a Mini-Brute II on consignment for $299. The guys in the store know exactly how cool it was, but they also knew how small the market is. I just reached for my wallet and stopped talking / playing. I really like it. My DRRI has many virtues, but it does tend towards the boomy on an archtop. The Polytone makes it sooo easy to dial in the classic jazz tones...

[Retroman1969]

A plain old Blues Jr. with the mid and treble most of the way down does the trick for me, and a 20watt Raven with 12" speaker sounds surprisingly good with my archtops.

I'd love to have a Henriksen or Evans, but I'm on a budget.

[iim7V7IM7]

Amps:

Acoustic Image
Evans
Henriksen
Jazzkat

Cabinets:

Raezer's Edge
Redstone

All are light and over good clean headroom. Some are warmer (Evans, Henriksen) and some are more neutral (AI).

[Long813]

Originally Posted by 815C

I'd love to find a Polytone - those are great amps!

One popped on CL around my area. Never heard of them before so I was intrigued by it. They are jazz oriented amps?

[Archtop Guy]

Originally Posted by Long813

One popped on CL around my area. Never heard of them before so I was intrigued by it. They are jazz oriented amps?

Yes, they were used by many jazz greats over the years, including Joe Pass and Jim Hall. The are not a "natural acoustic" style amp. Sensible people disagree over how they sound with a solid body.