ADA A-10 Rocket

Single Channel. Pretty basis controls of Vol, Treble, Bass. But adds Bright switch. Thrust switch for extra girth and a Gain boost. They are all useful as they are subtle and not over-the-top. Straight signal path for clean tone, no EFX or loops to get in the way of the tone - Nice!
Also has an external speaker out for larger cabs. I tried it with my 2x12 Avatar cab and it definitely gives you a larger sound. But, the cab it's in is pretty large for a 1x12, so you get great bottom out of it now. Rated 8 for simplicity. I'd give it a 10 for ease of getting a great tone.

I heard one of these at a friends house and I had to get one immediately. These little amps just plain rock. No question. They do basically one type of tone, but it's magic. Vox magic. I've compared it to another friends AC30CCX and I thought this little amp nailed that tone, just a lot less loud. Very close, in fact, my buddy was amazed. Perfect for a small gig or recording. Not a lot of clean headroom, but it is still just loud enough for playing with a drummer.

Sounds good with Strats, but I really dug it with HB's and P-90's. Suprisingly not noisy at all - even dimed. This little amp is all about tone. Not features. Just crank it and run the volume from your guitar. It cleans up nicely by rolling back your volume.

The amp is tough. It's not that light about 45lbs. The cabinet is rock solid. I've taken it to gigs and jams and I haven't had one screw come loose or anything buzz or break. I can't say that for other expensive boutique amps I've owned. Nuff said!

Since I bought it, ADA has gone out of business. So, your on your own. But, as it's a very basic class-A circuit, pretty much any shop can probably repair it. For the cost these things sold for, can't complain.

If you are looking the illusive Voxish AC30, Brian May tone, here it is in a nice small, easy to carry amp. Don't expect it sound like a Marshall, Fender etc, it doesn't. Just that tasty Vox sound we all crave. Once I heard one, I had to go find one!

I have had this amp a few years. I think I got one of the last ones from the guy in North Carolina. I play mostly rock and blues, and this amp fulfills my need for a basic, great-sounding amp. I don't gig, so I don't need an amp with a lot of features. This amp has one channel with a minimum of controls. No loop, no reverb tank. I'll give it a 9 for features, because I wish it had a reverb tank. The one feature this amp does have is tone, and based on that alone, it really deserves a 10.

In short, the tone of this amp is incredible. Smooth and rich at lower volumes, it gets a bit nasty (in a good way) as you turn it up. All the way up, this amp can do some edgy rock/blues sounds, but it always retains the richness. The speaker is pretty good, but I'm thinking about experimenting with another. There is a lot of bottom end on this amp, but the highs are there as well. In short, nothing is missing in the tone department.

I have had it a few years with no problems. It's starting to break up a bit on the bottom end at very high volumes, accompanies by a little high-pitched feedback. May need a new tube, but overall, I'd say this is a solid little amp. I'm not a gig player, however, so you should be aware this thing stays in one spot in my office. And I don't play everyday.

ADA has long been a simulacrum of its former self. I doubt they can support this amp in any way. I haven't been in contact with the North Carolina connection, either.

If you can find one, buy it. It competes with much more expensive botique amps in the tone department, and simply obliterates anything in its price range.

This was bought as a floor demo. It is in mint condition, flawless. This is a modestly powered, class A tube amp set-up. Very simple: One 12AX7 in the preamp and one EL84 power tube. It has all the features previously mentioned below: gain, bright and power boost switches are the only real frills beyond volume, bass and treble control. It is a low wattage, recording/practice amp which places a high premium on tone rather than features. Wattage is between 10-15 watts, at best. When engaged, the bright switch seems to boost discernable volume noticably. Pretty simple set-up really. No reverb, no tremelo, no effects loop -- just TONE! The stock 12" speaker is nothing to shout about; it's competent enough, but I look to replace it down the road with a Greenback or Bulldog. I believe a speaker upgrade would make a substaintial improvement to an already fine product. I give it a 8 since it has no reverb or tremelo.

Previous posters have correctly described the tone this amp produces. Creamy, detailed cleans with subtle, nuanced intonations; complex and three dimensional is an apt description. The bright switch is lively, though not tinny; it affords an element of overt chimmyness to shine through. The gain and power boost effects are both somewhat modest. Neither effects are terribly over the top or tremendously demonstrative: Pedals do the job better (as good pedals usually do). At break-up levels (ie - volume full bore) the sound is still refined and complex. The break-up is controlled: The Rocket does not get very messy when cranked, but keeps its refinement. The break-up is generally fat, creamy and ballsy. I was unable to get this to break-up into a real growl, or to get it snarl without the aid of pedals. This is not a thrasher amp. It is way too dignified and refined. I swapped out the RCA 7025/12AX7 preamp tube (pretty darn good for a stock tube!) with a ECC83 Telefunken and as expected, that made the amp a little darker: the cleans even more detailed and complex with the sustain and break-up more feathery rich. I have not swapped out the EL84 power tube yet. I have a Seimens I want to try in it...The Rocket accepted my pedal set-up very well (Z Vex SHO into Fulltone Soulbender). Creamy distortion or slightly angry, gain soaked break-up is easily dialed in. All my guitars reacted well with the amp, especially my G&L Deluxe ASAT. It really likes the S.Duncan high output HB's. A very alive, soulful, tone rich amp that is extremely distinct sounding, not like a Fender or a Marshall at all. I am uncertain what to compare it too, since I've not heard an amp exactly like this before. It really isn't very Voxy either. Some contend it is Matchless sounding, but I wouldn't know about that. Again, I believe either a new Weber VST, or a Vox Bulldog, or a Celestion Greenback or a 60's Jensen speaker would really boost this already fine amp over the top. A great tone amp.

The ADA A-10 Rocket is built like a German Panzer tank. It weighs about 35-40 pounds. It looks like it is built to last. The tubes and fuse are not easy to replace as you have to remove the back panel. It's a simple set-up, but not the easiest to get at. (Somewhat annoying to me as I like to tinker with my gear.) If the tubes or fuse should blow at a performance, then you'd be in a pinch. (How often has your amp blown a tube or fuse when properly set-up?) However, since the amp is rather low wattage and is intended as a practice and/or recording amp, the Rocket's output level will not cut through a drum kit unless miked to a sound system or cab'd. I give it a 9 since the tubes are difficult to access.

ADA, formerly in the Bay Area (Oakland I think?) is no longer. Too bad, this is a fine product that deserved to have succeeded simply on its merits. But alas, economics are not always kindly toward niche plays... apparently, kits are still avaliable on the Net.

I really love this amp. It is a favorite right behind my vintaqed Fender SFDR. If lost or stolen, I would try to replace it, but they are not that easily found anymore. The ADA A-10 Rocket has a very cool, retro, almost artdeco look to it that distinguishes it from many of today's amps. Moreover, the fact that it produces such a rich array of very soulful tones is something you just don't hear very often for $300. Its tonal complexity makes it ideal for recording a wide variety of musical forms. I wouldn't approach the metal/thrash/hardcore genre with this amp, but blues, rock, reggae, surf, country and jazz styles are all easily realized through the Rocket. Had I bought this amp 10 years ago, I don't think my level of tonal sophistication would have allowed me to appreciate what this amp does. Very complex, nuanced, feathery tones that are rich in character and betray a player's lack or abundance of playing skills. This is one hell of an amp for the money and I can very highly recommend this amp fully to anyone who's seeking a tube based, low wattage practice or recording amp. The designers and makers of the ADA A-10 Rocket should take a bow. I'd give it an 11!

Instrument input, Treble, Bass, Volume, Bright Switch, Gain Boost Switch, Power Amp Thrust, On Off Switch and looks like a plug in on the back that says extention speaker 8 or 16 OHMS only. Not lots of fetures that take away from the tone. I rate features with a 6 not because it is lacking anything but it has what is necessary to operate.

I play a Peavey T-60 that sounds like a concert hall in this amp. I mean the tone is fabulous. I have a collection of tubes and ran several tubes in this amp and found the new sovtek 12AX7LPS and an old mallard EL-84 with a hallow that came out of an old organ changed the sound to something incredible to say the least. The original tubes seamed a little cleaner. I tried a JAN 12AX7WA Phillips ECG and it also sounded good. I preferred the 12AX7LPS for my taste due to the extra 3 dimensional sound. All of the tubes sounded good. LOOK OUT TOPHAT amps. I ran a little Crate 508 tube amp through it. The overdrive was so awesome it made me blush and smile. The amp is a beautiful thing that weighs about 40lbs. It is built really well.

Changing tubes is not a flash. You are required to remove 5 screws (due to the exact fit) pull the board out very carefully. You are looking at about 10 minuets the first time and less they?re after.

No problems so far but when I come across one It will be something like replacing tubes, changing out the fuse, checking wall sockets and contacts to the speaker. Other than that Ill call for help from an amp. Technician. No problems so far.

I bought this amp in kit form. No warranty. This is no problem any good technician can work on this amp.

I love this amp.

I am a jazz player. I switch my amps on and, once tuned correctly, I do not change anything.

I mostly use Gibson L5 or ES165 (Herb Ellis model of ES175 one Pickup), sometimes (live) an ES335. The A10 is the by far best sounding amp for conservative jazz playing. As I am playing clean or almost clean sounds, distortion doesn't concern me.

When I need more power, I use a Fender Twin Amp.

I have bought the amp 2 month ago.

no ada more, no support

Very happy. Best Amp for practicing, when playing together with a piano or another acoustic instrument.

Let's see, where should I begin. This amp was made by ADA right before they went out of business a few years back. Production by ADA has halted, but there are a few guys at Nothing Shocking in Salem, NC that took over production on a limited basis. At the time of this post, they still have a few left (better jump on them quick!). It's an all tube, single ended class A amplifier. No F/X loop, no switching, no reverb, no headphone jack, but the best tone of any amplifier in it's price range. It has few controls, including Bass, Treble, Volume, a bright switch, a gain boost, and a thrust switch, which is negative feedback. I play a wide variety of styles, including rock, blues, alterna-pop, and a few others. This amp is good in my opinion for all of these styles. It's not as versatile as other amps in the normal sense, but to me it offers all the versatility needed. I just wish it was a bit louder for playing shows, but for a practice amp and definately for a recording amp, it's the most amazing piece of machinery you can buy for the price. Period. This isn't a sales pitch, but go to www.clever.net/lifeingeneral/tubes to check them out. Also, it has very cool vintage looks.

I play a '97 American Standard Strat, and this amp suits my playing style (or styles, I should say) perfectly. I'm used to playing tranny amps, and I've been looking for "my" sound for a long time now to no avail. I've tried out a few small tube amps in the past (some quadruple the price of this one) and I never found one that had a sound that impressed me overall as much as this one did. The bizarre thing is, I bought it without playing it first. I saw it on the website, and something just clicked. I just knew it had my sound without even hearing it. I was absolutely right. I never had a doubt in my mind, but it was a good thing I stumbled on to it, or else I may have never found "that" sound. There are a lot of comparisons to Matchless, which are fair, but I personally like it better than a Matchless (not just because of the price). If you push it, it distorts very nicely, it gets a bluesy tone that sounds perfect through any pickup combination. I even tried to get a bad sound by turning the bass and treble knobs to every combo of positions possible, and there is no way to make this amp sound bad. At 1/3 volume and below, it gets the purist clean sound of any amp I've ever heard. Absolutely breathtaking.

I have to be honest, I haven't had it for long. So far no problems of course, but there's not a whole lot to go wrong with it. It's simple. It seems thus far to be an extremely reliable amplifier. But since I haven't had it too long, I'm not going to rate the reliability. But if it were louder, I would definately gig with it without worrys.

It hasn't required servicing yet, so I haven't dealt with the guys in that area yet. ADA is no longer in business, but the guys from Salem are definately a 10 in my book. They were very helpful, and they answered all my questions about the amp with a swift reply by E-mail. I'm very happy with the promptness and the their all-round friendliness.

I've been playing for about 8 years, and this is by far the best sounding amp I've ever owned. I'm satisfied with it in every way. I do wish it was a bit louder, but you couldn't really ask more of this little amp. It's just so good sounding and good looking. Think about it, it's been compared numerous times to Matchless amplifiers, which cost more than triple the price. Yet it's still a fair comparison. I love it. There's nothing to hate. If it were stolen or lost, I would cry for a long time, then save my pennies and buy another one even if it costs twice as much as this one. It's just that good. I wish I could give it a 15, because this one is off the scales.

The controls are pretty straight foward, as listed on the other reviews. The Gain Boost switch adds some girth to the bass and I like playing with this switch on most of the time. The Power Amp Thrust adds some treble and sizzle to the tone. It can be a little too much on the highs for my taste. Great looking amp. Don't miss reverb. I got it because it's simple.

My favorite guitar with this amp is a Tele with Rio Grande Muy Grande pick-ups in it. Cool jazz tones or warm to stinging Texas blues tones. One thing I did was replace the tubes in it. I like a Sovtek 12AX7WA the best so far. Some sound too brittle or harsh. The EL84 is a NOS no name that sounds very good. I also put in a Celestion Greenback to warm it up even more after the amp's designer (Kurt Emery, Emery Amps) recomended it. Sounds even better. More like a Matchless Lightning. I did lose some volume since the Celestion isn't as effecient as the Eminence. It now has more bass, a sweeter high-end, more complex tones and some speaker break-up when pushed. Gets some nice Deluxe style tones, too. The relatively low volume is the only down side. If it had more clean volume, I'd give it a 10.

Nothing Shocking said they could repair it if something did go wrong. But who knows.

Like I said, who knows. There's only 200 or fewer of these that were made. ADA then went belly-up. This is NOS class A cool.

I love th simplicity of this amp. I also have a Mesa Boogie MKIV and the A-10 is a nice retreat from the maze of knobs and switches on the Boogie. Great clean tone, really nice overdriven sounds and great boutique looks. I have 2 Teles, a Strat Plus, a Gretsch Black Sparkle Jet, a Jerry Jones Baritone, a Hagstrom 12 string and a Hamer Special FM. They all sound good, but the single coils sound great. Effect boxes also sound really nice thru it, which isn't always the case with some amps. It's also super quiet. I can't wait to put a mic in front of it.

This is a simple, all tube, one channel, vintage style amp. No switching, no F/X loop, no headphone or direct out. One input, 10 watts class A, one EL 84, one 12ax7,one 12" vintage speaker. The way amps used to be. It has volume, trble, bass controls and bright, gain boost, and power amp thrust switches. The thrust switch changes the characteristics of the power amp distortion. Cool. Gets singing overdrive at safe listening levels. Could play a small club with it.

I use a G&L Legacy, ash body, maple fretboard. I use a few effects, such as wah, chorus, and delay/reverb. I play mostly blues and R&B. This amp sounds very good for those styles. With the vol. turned 1/2 to 2/3 up it has a nice warm clean sound. When you push it past that, it starts to gradually overdrive and gets a sweet and smooth distortion without blowing out windows or eardrums. Using the gain boost and thrust switches change the characteristics of the overdrive, and bring it on sooner. Used to Play a Washburn 335 copy through it and it would overdrive easier- sooner.

Had it for 2 years of home use with no problems. Never had to change tubes yet, but when I do, it'll be cheap.

Company went out of busness so you're on your own.

Been playing 20 plus years, have owned many amps over the years. Started up again 2 years ago, and bought this as a simple, good sounding tube amp. Sounded better than the new Fender tube amps in the store, sweeter, warmer, more articulate. Not quite as versatile as other amps, but does its thing very well. Wish it had reverb, but the tone is so pure, sometimes I don't miss it.

I just purchased this amp yesterday and i felt so strongly about it that i felt moved to write on it. This is a 10-watt, single channel class A tube amp driven by a single (yes, i said single) EL-84 power tube and a single (yup) 12AX7 preamp tube. The layout is superbly simple. I opened up the back to see very well soldered points and very few components. There is no channel switching, but that isn't really this tone box's gig. Very gainy without being too loud or harsh. A very musical tone. It's not very versatile, but one should not buy this amp for it's versatility. That's why I only gave it an 8. It does one thing, but it does it really, really well.

I use it with an SRV strat with stock Texas Specials, a Jeff Beck strat with Fender gold lace-sensors, and a Les Paul Special with P-90's. Every combination of pickup works on this thing. I honestly don't think you can get a bad tone out of it. Try one and you'll know what i mean when I say it's a tone machine. I play blues and it's perfect for my style. I favor high gain tones like David Grissom and Canadian guitarist David Gogo, and this little beast does it. The sound is similar to a cranked Vox AC-30 without the 'sheen' of the Voxes. Very musical tone. The distortion is not brutal in the head-banger sense, but rather a very natural tube distortion. Most blues or classic rock style players should like it.

I haven't had time to use it on a gig, but I feel it would be most reliable. After a quick peek inside, the electronics mirror simplicity itself. The verdict: there's next to nothing to go wrong internally. It's so simple. The only thing to be prepared for is replacing the EL-84's and 12AX7's. It would probably be a good idea to have a few extras of each handy, just in case.

ADA is out of business, so contact with them is obviously a dead-end. I bought it from some guys at the Greater Southwest Guitar Show who have taken over production of them. They're from Salem, NC. I forget the name of the dealer, but contact me if you're interested and I'll make a point to point you in the right direction. If something DID go wrong with it, the electronics are so simple that any amp tech worth his salt could operate on it with no worries.

I have been playing for about twelve years and this is the best amp I have found for the money. I also own a 1970 Marshall Super Lead, a Matchless 2X12 cabinet and various small amps, and this one is a keeper for sure. I love how simple it is. I love that for the price, you're getting basically a boutique amp at a bargain basement price. I have wanted a Matchless Chieftan for some time but couldn't afford it (as most of us can't). This little amp solved that problem, and it's far more reliable. This amp sold itself. I turned it on and hit a chord, and the thing just sang. It's more of a voice than just a box with a speaker in it to run your guitar through. I can't complain at all about it in any way. If i could give it a 12 on this 10 pt. scale, I would.