Just bought a new toy, and aside from some "technical difficulties" I really, really like it. The first one blew up during practice, which is absolutely no good. I called Genz Benz and discussed the manner in which I was using the Black Pearl before it's demise (running HOT at the 8 watt pentode setting) and they assured me that this was abnormal. I returned the broken one and was shipped a new combo post haste and was FLOORED at practice tonight with the total ease in which I attained great modern "Vox-ish" tones and beyond. Beautiful cleans, nice reverb (that sounds like shit at low volumes but REALLY opens up when cranked) and a total love affair with my pedals (Mad Prof delay, Jetter Gain Stage Blue was AMAZING through it, and I really got some cool tones out of my new Arteffect Zenith pedal). I was looking for something more portable than my Bogner half stack, and also something with a different flavor to it for under $1500 only to run into this beasty. Not the best amp in the word by any means, but really flexible and useful sounds across the board. My only major beef (aside from the first one blowing up on me) is that some of the jacks on the amp are plastic. PLASTIC!? Toys are made out of plastic! Musictoyz should have switchcraft jacks. It was explained to me that the plastic jacks are necessary to make international standards for importing into some countries, but really, why compromise an otherwise AMAZING product with shit parts to make Europeans happy? Aside from that, this is a winner. Ever guitar (EJ Strat, GE Smith Tele, Gibson SG, Frankenstein Warmoth) sounds GREAT through this little monster. Just thought I'd share with 'yall.

Wow, I don't know why I checked this forum. But, there you go, a new amp owner!

We had those BPs at the Music Store I was teaching out of. They really do sound great. And I liked the "Voicing" (I think?) knob. Although I preferred the Normal setting for it's main tones, I thought that most of the other voicing options were really good and useful. And the "Dark" setting sounded really THICK and RICH with Slide Guitar.

One day, the amp's designer was hanging out at our shop. It was pretty cool, to hear him describe his concepts for the amp.

Anyway, congratulations on the new amp. It'll be interesting to see what new Tones you're gonna find in there.

quote:

Originally posted by Bigtophalloween:
It was explained to me that the plastic jacks are necessary to make international standards for importing into some countries, but really, why compromise an otherwise AMAZING product with shit parts to make Europeans happy?

Ams have metal jacks here too, let's blame ehm, asians? muslims? africans? :P I can't imagine really that metal jacks would be illegal somewhere..

My understanding is that it's due to basic electrical codes being changed, and something about not allowing lead into certain countries. Sorry if I offended you, NJlo. I have no issues with other countries. Hell, if things keep going the way they're going in America, I may BE a European before too long. I'm just frustrated by yet another regional code affecting product development/useage.

Well, after all that I decided to return the amp. I really liked it, but after two weeks it developed a pretty pronounced tube rattle and I decided I wasn't going to chance it. The first one blew up and now the tube rattle. Combined with my other dislikes I decided it wasn't worth it, but man, what a cool little amp. I'll just have to be happy with my Bogner for now. Next stop: ES 339ville!