52 Amplifiers—the summary

Another year and another 52 series completed. Who knew there’d be 52 different amplifier head manufacturers out there able to produce high quality amplifier heads (all tube) that would match my home playing/recording needs? I sure didn’t. Obviously I was hopeful—imagine how lame a 52 article series would be with ten articles in it—but I sure wasn’t confident initially.

Luckily the Interwebs and the many talented tube head amplifier manufacturers came to save the day. In the end I—no, we—end up with this list of 52 amplifier head options for people like me who are searching for their first low wattage and/or affordable all-tube amplifier head. Or all-valve if that’s the lingo your prefer. I go both ways (talking tubes/valves here).

So, onto the complete list. 52 Amplifiers—the summary

52 Amplifier Heads, week 52—EVH 5150 III 50-watt head

Today marks the end of this weekly series of dream amplifier heads. I’ve mentioned before that I wanted to end on a high and the EVH 5150 III 50-watt head is certainly going to do that. Is it bigger than any other amplifier I’ve written about in this series? Absolutely. Was it recommended to me several times during the year as I researched amplifier heads? Definitely. Does it allow me to make the sequence 52, 51, 50 (week # followed by amplifier name)? Damn straight it does. I’m clever like that. 52 Amplifier Heads, week 52—EVH 5150 III 50-watt head

52 Amplifier Heads, week 51—Rivera Pubster 25

This week’s amplifier head is a beauty. It’s 25 watts (so not the smallest amplifier I’ve looked at) and it is apparently perfect for practice, recording and gigging. This could be the right size (physically and volume related) and the right budget (coming in around $1000 USD). Maybe my first all tube amplifier head could be the only one I need! With the Rivera Pubster 25 it seems like a possibility.

Good thing my wife never reads this blog. Who’d seriously suggest stopping any kind of gear acquisition no matter how many pieces of gear you already had?! Not I. 52 Amplifier Heads, week 51—Rivera Pubster 25

52 Amplifier Heads, week 50—Bugera Amps G5 Infinium

Week 50 and that means this is the 50th amplifier manufacturer I have written about this year. Who knew there were 50 amplifier manufacturers out there? Initially I didn’t. Then I started this article series and before I knew it my mind was blown. I did wonder if the article series would fade and wane at the end like a cheap and nasty 10 watt solid state amplifier. The further I delved into my research however the more confident I was that this series would end on a high. The Bugera Amps G5 Infinium makes me feel like one cocky bastard. My confidence was justified.

With two amplifiers to go after this week’s article, it’s game on! Bugera Amps has laid down the challenge (they just don’t know they did that). 52 Amplifier Heads, week 50—Bugera Amps G5 Infinium

52 Amplifier Heads, week 49—Carl’s Custom Amps Lite 18 Watt Plexi

One of the things I’ve decided this year is that when I do work out what valve amp to buy next year, it need not be one of the most popular brands. It could be, but it doesn’t have to be. There are just so many options. For example, the Carl’s Custom Amps Lite 18 Watt Plexi is not only a custom built amplifier, it’s a custom built amplifier with options. And for what you’re selecting, I think they’re pretty damn affordable.

It’s on the list. 52 Amplifier Heads, week 49—Carl’s Custom Amps Lite 18 Watt Plexi

52 Amplifier Heads, week 48—Victory V30 The Countess

As this weekly series of amplifiers draws to an end I wanted to make sure the closing weeks were not dull. You don’t slow down towards the end of a race. Well , you might, but I try not to. You’ve got to be in it for the win (which I believe some people say as #ftw*). If you’re in this game looking for a win, you most likely need a Victory. The V30 The Countess seems like a decent enough kind of Victory to me.

* For me #ftw ends with the words The World. F stands for one of my all-time favourite words. 52 Amplifier Heads, week 48—Victory V30 The Countess

52 Amplifier Heads, week 46—Bogner Atma

I’m not sure if many people have noticed, but this weekly series has seen over 40 different amplifier manufacturers featured in my list as I try to determine what tube amplifier I will purchase as my first all-tube amplifier head. In fact, by the time this weekly series is over, I’ll have written about 52 different amplifier manufacturers. There will be no double-ups. So surely as we reach the end of the line the quality will diminish. Heck no! Quite the opposite in fact. The Bogner Atma is living proof.

Well it’s not really a living thing, but the word atma does mean soul. So it’s close enough for my liking. 52 Amplifier Heads, week 46—Bogner Atma

52 Amplifier Heads, week 45—Friedman Pink Taco

I’m a big fan of the Pink Taco.

That’s a tough sentence to follow really. But the Pink Taco by Friedman Amplification is indeed a mighty fine sounding amplifier. It’s a little more expensive than some of the other amplifiers I’ve looked at these past 10 months. It’s also louder than many of those amplifiers. It is still within reason though and the name … Well I am a big fan. 52 Amplifier Heads, week 45—Friedman Pink Taco

52 Amplifier Heads, week 44—3rd Power Dream Solo 2

As I continue on my weekly quest to find the perfect all-tube amplifier for a terrible guitarist such as myself, I do find myself asking “what exactly am I looking for?” When you break it down, most amplifiers are essentially a small cube that contains some tubes, wiring and a whole series of smarts to make all of the components generate that awesome tone we’re all searching for. Luckily, I realised today that another way to represent a cube was with the mathematical terminology of the third power. Why is that lucky you may wonder. Well that’s because I discovered 3rd Power amplifiers. They have a Dream Solo series that includes the Dream Solo 2.

I love it when I make a seemingly pointless ramble tie in to the amplifier I am writing about. 52 Amplifier Heads, week 44—3rd Power Dream Solo 2