Robert
October 24th, 2009, 09:03 AM
Here is my first demo of the Mack GEM. I am excited about this little amp - it looks so cool and has lots of BIG tones in it.
Pricing info and more details at - http://www.mackamps.com/gem-head-combo/
The video below depicts me playing it for the first time. I fiddled with the knobs on the amp quite a bit, to see what different sounds I could come up with.
My initial thoughts are that is that 4 watt / 0.4 watt switch is awesome. I can really loud tones on the 4 watt setting, with the gain selector activated. With that selector of and the amp in 0.4 watt mode, it is low volume but still good tone.
The gain selector switch make the tone dirtier and louder, and it is cool for getting amp distortion at whisper volume. Never had that opportunity in a tube amp before!
The amp is Class A design with one EL84 power tube. The type of gain you get with this type of design is a gritty, growly type - not thick like a Marshall or similar. The video gives you an idea.
I used the Mack 1x10 cabinet here, which has an Eminence Ragin' Cajun in it. It seems like a good little cab. I have never played a 1x10 cabinet before. I later tried the amp through my 2x12, and of course, the sound was much bigger, and that's to expected.
I find I can get tones similar to my Heatseeker, but at lower volume. That's my favourite sound I think. That glassy, dynamic, half clean/half dirty tone with sustain and a responsive attack to one's playing.
Playing this amp is fun! It's dynamic and touch sensitive, even at low volume. It responds well to rolling off the guitars volume knob a bit for a more mellow sound. I can get good blues tone easily, and country twangy tones can be had with no problems either.
Enough talk, have a listen to me play the amp for the first time and see what you think.
gvNzNFd72sQ
Pricing info and more details at - http://www.mackamps.com/gem-head-combo/
The video below depicts me playing it for the first time. I fiddled with the knobs on the amp quite a bit, to see what different sounds I could come up with.
My initial thoughts are that is that 4 watt / 0.4 watt switch is awesome. I can really loud tones on the 4 watt setting, with the gain selector activated. With that selector of and the amp in 0.4 watt mode, it is low volume but still good tone.
The gain selector switch make the tone dirtier and louder, and it is cool for getting amp distortion at whisper volume. Never had that opportunity in a tube amp before!
The amp is Class A design with one EL84 power tube. The type of gain you get with this type of design is a gritty, growly type - not thick like a Marshall or similar. The video gives you an idea.
I used the Mack 1x10 cabinet here, which has an Eminence Ragin' Cajun in it. It seems like a good little cab. I have never played a 1x10 cabinet before. I later tried the amp through my 2x12, and of course, the sound was much bigger, and that's to expected.
I find I can get tones similar to my Heatseeker, but at lower volume. That's my favourite sound I think. That glassy, dynamic, half clean/half dirty tone with sustain and a responsive attack to one's playing.
Playing this amp is fun! It's dynamic and touch sensitive, even at low volume. It responds well to rolling off the guitars volume knob a bit for a more mellow sound. I can get good blues tone easily, and country twangy tones can be had with no problems either.
Enough talk, have a listen to me play the amp for the first time and see what you think.
gvNzNFd72sQ