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Sweet, Savory Sounds by: Lisa Sharken
Given the heavy recent buzz about Joe Kelemen's handmade
amplifiers, we thought we'd find out what it was all about by testing
the company's Reverb 45.
The amp is esssentially the same as their JoMama Blues
Special, but has a larger output transformer and reverb. The Reverb
45 is also capable of driving external speaker cabinets. Both are single-channel,
two-speaker combo amps that combine 10" and 12" speakers in an open-back
cabinet. By blending the speaker sizes, Kelemen intended to create a
cabinet that would combine the characteristics of British and American
combos (which also depends on the tube configuration). The speakers
are proprietary-design JoMama Tone Cone models. The cabinet is constructed
from solid pine covered in dark brown tolex, with black corners. There's
a thick black, leather-like handle on top, if you dare to carry the
amp - but the Reverb 45 is not exactly light-weight.
The amp has controls for volume, treble, middle, bass,
master, brillance, along with gain, mix, and tone controls for the reverb.
The chassis is made of stainless steel and all of the connections are
hand-wired.
I like the knobs; they're triangular stove-top-style
units that give the amp a cool, eye-catching look. The controls are
very sensitive - you can hear audible differences at every increment.
The Brilliance control adjusts the amount of power tube treble response,
like presence.
The Reverb 45 is outfitted with a six-spring Accutronics
reverb tank that provides deep, spacious, ambient effects. The reverb
is noticeably richer-sounding than the typical three-spring reverb available
on mass-production amps. The Gain control effects the input gain level
on the reverb tank, which is tube-powered. The Mix control adjusts the
blend of wet and dry sounds, while Tone places the reverb more up front
or in the background, for subtle effects. While it may not pose a problem
for most, a good option would be a footswitch for the reverb.
The power and standby switches are located on the back
panel, as are the in and out jacks for the reverb tank. Likewise, there
are two speaker input jacks and a four-position impedance selector switch
for 2, 4, 8, or 16-ohm settings. An additional feature is the external
bias adjustment, which makes it easier to try different tube combinations
(still, bias adjustments should be preformed by a qualified tech).
One of the features that makes the Reverb 45 most appealing
is the option to change the rectifier, and poweramp tubes in order to
get the amp to make the best sounds for your purposes. With each tube
configuration, the amp reacts differently and produces a new set of
tones of varying strength and magnitude. The amp I received was set
up with 5881 power tubes and a 5U4 rectifier, a configuration that generates
30 to 35 watts of power. It also included two 12AT7 preamp tubes and
2 7025/12AX7WB preamp tubes. Using a set of EL34s will yeild approximately
45 to 50 watts, for tonal characteristics like a Marshall. Using 6V6s
will yeild 15 watts, for a low-wattage tone like smaller Fender combos.
Rectifier tubes can be interchaged, too, selecting between 5U4, 5Y3,
5AR4 and solidstate rectifiers for varying responses.
Not all tubes can be used together. For instance, 5881s
or 6L6s can be used with 5U4, 5AR4 or solidstate rectifiers; EL34s can
be used with 5AR4 or solidstate rectifiers; and 6V6s can be used with
5U4 or 5Y3 rectifiers. Refer to the manual for correct setups and maximum
current ratings for biasing.
For even more versatility, Kelemen installed a pentode/triode
half-power switch, located inside the amp, near the power tubes. At
full power, the amp packs the most punch and delivers the cleanest and
richest sounds, with the widest range. At half-power, the amp isn't
quite as loud, and it clips earlier so you can drive it harder. Most
noticeable is the way the tone becomes darker-sounding.
I tested the Reverb 45 with my usual threesome; my trusty
'52 reissue Tele, '59 reissue Les Paul and original '65 Strat. At full
power, the Reverb 45 offers lustrous clean sounds with deep, gutsty
bottom-end and nice sustain. There were no surprises in how each guitar
would react, I just wanted to hear the amp with different instruments.
The variety of sounds attainable by the Reverb 45 are
great for playing blues, and players will enjoy the luscious reverb
effects. While not nearly as splashy as a typical Fender reverb, it
is rich-sounding and adds nice texture. Of course, the humbucking pickups
of the Les Paul drive the amp's input harder, so it was the top choice
for power and getting the fattest sounds. The neck pickup on the Les
Paul delivered super-creamy tones for Clapton or B.B. King riffing.
The single-coils in the Strat and Tele sounded great, too. Anyone who
enjoys surf music or Albert Collins-type Tele Blues will have no trouble
dialing in the perfect setting.
While the tone can be overdriven and does get dirty,
you won't get anything close to crunch. The amp's inherent characteristics
seem to be for cleaner and fuller sounds, and the amount of natural
gain is greatly affected by where the level of the Middle control is
set. As the level is increased, you'll get more gain and more grit.
If you want heavier dirt and more gain, just stick a Tube Screamer or
Boss Overdrive in front. For SRV-like tones, I recommend the Tube Screamer
mixed with the amp's natural tube growl. This amp was designed for shaping
cleaner and overdriven classic tones rather than chunking Pantera riffs.
However, with the right metal distortion stompbox, you could get some
really heavy sounds. It can work, but that's not really this amp's bag.
To the average guitar player, most "tech talk" can be
nearly incomprehensible and intimidating. Regardless, all they really
care to hear about is the bottom line - whether or not an amp sounds
good, how durable it is, and if it's reasonably priced. In this case,
both tech-heads and "regular guys" will appreciate what the Reverb 45
offers. Old-school amp aficionados will appreciate the components and
construction (like the 1/8" linen-grade phenolic boards with turret
lugs, and porcelain tube sockets).
With all the features, the amp offers a variety of ways
to alter its response and acheive a variety of fine sounds. Plus, there's
a luminous reverb effect. The Reverb 45 allows you to shape your tone
by selecting your preference of tubes, as well as the power level to
run the amp, and then sculpt the tone by using the amp's EQ. Mic'ing
both the speakers can produce a more interesting variety of sounds in
the studio or for live performance with two slightly different speaker
sounds. Plugging into an external cabinet, like a 4 x 12 (without the
amps's speakers), will deliver a more powerful punch. Kelemen offeres
a matching external cabinet loaded with the same 1 x 10" and 1 x 12"
configuration that can be used with the amp's built-in speakers.
VG
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