Did you know that a positron is also called an antielectron? Did you also know that when a low-energy positron smashes into a low-energy electron that annihilation occurs? Awesome right? That’s the kind of brutality that appeals to a true metal-head like me. Also positron is just a cool sounding word. Cool … Sounding … Surely that translates into an awesome amplifier if you’re the Diamond Amplifications Positron 18 watt head. Let’s hope so, because I want one.
The Positron is a single channel, class A amplifier that appears to be small on features, but big on sound. If you need an example of big sound through a Diamond amplifier, check out the current release by Godsmack (1000hp). You can see (if you look closely) some Diamond Amplification going on in the background there. That works for me.
But, what in particular do you get in the Positron? Well, you get:
- 18 watts
- Single channel
- 2 x EL84 Power tubes
- 2 x 12AX7A-C preamp tubes
- Power/Standby switches
- Volume and Tone controls
- 1 x 16 ohm speaker output
- 2 x 8 ohm speaker outputs
That’s it. There’s no mids. There’s no FX loop. There’s no fancy special features. This amplifier is all about the tone. And from what I’ve seen online, that’s pretty good. Premier Guitar did a rundown when the amplifier was released at the Summer NAMM of 2010. If you understand Italian—I don’t—then you may enjoy this video review of the Positron. As I mentioned, I don’t understand Italian, but I am fluent in Tone. That tone I liked.
One thing I’d like to mention is that since the Premier Guitar video things seem to have changed. for instance I have seen the Positron online for sale at $500. That’s a huge reduction on the cost mentioned back in 2010. I’ve seen the future and I like it!
I wonder if next year’s future will have a Positron in it for me? Just think of the possible annihilation!
Disclaimer: I’ve not played through this head. I have not experienced the sound or tone of this head other than through video. That doesn’t matter. It looks awesome, it’s obviously played by winners and I want one.
One thought on “52 Amplifier Heads, week 34—Diamond Amplification Positron”