Aiken Amplification Intruder 112 Combo

Here we have an amp that was clearly built by a player. The features s/a bright/dark knobs, plexi/ali switch, f/x loop, and master volume type set up are all very usable and effective. It is a one channel unit and can get as clean or dirty as you wish...at nearly any volume, even low. 18 watts, seems like more. Build qualty is remarkable, rivals the very best, exceeds most.

Think of the best Marshall you've ever heard (of similar stature). Remove any quirks, noises, muddiness, etc. Now you're in Aiken territory. Thick, dry plexi sounds with great clarity throughout the range. Want more shimmer? Dial it in. Fatter? turn another knob. Overdrive galore or squeaky clean, both at nearly any volume. Tayloring your tone is truly a wonderful experience, and few amps provide this so effectively and concisely, while still retaining true tonal character. The amp is virtually noiseless at rest, even at 10. The quality of the componentry is obvious. An added bonus is that this is as well suited to strats as to Les Pauls. Most amps prefer one or another, and strats are especially picky about who they like. Great for everything up metal. Blues, country, even jazz, are a cinch.

After playing 'boutique' equipment for years, one develops an accurate sense of build quality and reliability. Eventhough I've only had this a short while, I'd bet its reliability is tip-top, and when reading information on the very informative Aiken web site, it's obvious that this guy backs his products with pride.

Havn't needed, but kudos for that web site. A 10 anyway...can't imagine that his attitude is inconsistent with such thouroghness in all other aspects.

I've been playing long enough to now be able to afford a collection of really stellar stuff, and have quite a bit. Gibson and Fender Customs, Andersons, PRS, Tyler, Carr, Vox...own em all, and have gone through countless others. Compared the Aiken to a new hand wired 'custom shop' Marshall...kicked its ass big time. Way out Marshalled the real thing. Compared to a Bogner Metropolis...this was a lot closer. The Bogey is very sweet, but a little wierder in its adjustments ('schizo' knob), and actually cost a few hundred more. I would have paid more for the Aiken...nuff said. Mr. Aiken has been on a bit of a hiatus as of late (moved shop), and product is very hard to find right now, but pegs June as the start date to resume production. Get one if you can find it, or get on a list. It's well worth it.

BRAND NEW AMP.THERE'S PLENTY OF INFO ON THE AIKEN WEBSITE.IF ONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PLEXIS,HE/SHE WON'T NEED MUCH TIME TO FIGURE THINGS OUT.THE AMP COVERS A WIDE TERRITORY OF MUSICAL STYLES WITH EASE.IT IS COMPARABLE TO THE INVADER WITHOUT THE ATTENUATOR AND REVERB BUT WITH A COOL MASTER VOLUME AND EFFECTS LOOP.

I AM USING MY TRUSTY DON GROSH SET NECK W/H FRALIN PU'S MOST OF THE TIME,BUT I'VE TRIED A LP JUNIOR AND A STRAT THROUGH IT AS WELL.IT CAN GO FROM CLEAN TO MEAN EASILY BUT I THINK IT'S MORE SUITED FOR EARLY HARD ROCK.I HAVE A FEW NICE AMPS TO COMPARE IT WITH AND IT'S ON A PAR WITH THEM ALL,QUALITYWISE.ITS CLEAN TONE IS NOT AS CHIMEY AS A MATCHLESS CHIEFTAIN OR DC30 BUT IT'S NOT STERILE AS A VINTAGE MARSHALL.WITH THE CORRECT SETTINGS YOU CAN EVEN PLAY JAZZ IF YOU LIKE!BUT THE AMP REALLY SHINES AT DRIVE SOUNDS.IT HAS MUCH MORE GAIN THAN A PLEXI BUT VERY ORGANIC UNLIKE AN 800 SERIES.I USED TO OWN A TOP HAT EMPLEXADOR WHICH SUPPOSEDLY COVERS THAT AREA,BUT THE AIKEN IS SO MUCH BETTER SOUNDING!AND NOW THE AMP'S SECRET WEAPON:THE MASTER VOLUME.WHEN I ORDERED THE AMP I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE JUST ANOTHER FEATURE.AFTER ALL,THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPANIES THAT ADVERTISE THEIR MASTER DESIGNS AS TONE PRESERVING AND AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO REAL OUTPUT TUBE DRIVE.ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING VERY DISSAPOINTED WITH A BAD CAT - HOT CAT 30,BOTH IN THE TONE AND MASTER DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO THE TOP HAT,I WASN'T EXPECTING MUCH.TO MY AMAZEMENT THE AIKEN MASTER IS THE BEST SUCH DESIGN .IT REALLY WORKS .YOU CAN PLAY AT REALLY LOW VOLUME AND THE SOUND IS VERY NATURAL AND UNFORCED,HAVING THE KIND OF UNOBSTRUCTED QUALITY YOU ONLY GET WHEN YOU PLAY THE WHOLE AMP,NOT JUST THE PREAMP.ANOTHER AMAZING THING IS THAT WHILE THIS AMP IS NOT HIGH GAIN(MEANING MULTIPLE GAIN STAGES)IT HAS MORE GAIN PER SE THAN EITHER MY 3 GAIN STAGES TOP HAT OR THE 4 GAIN STAGES BAD CAT.THE LOOP WORKED WELL WITH A TUBE REVERB I'VE TRIED,MASKING SOMEOF THE DRIVE'S EDGE AND ADDING NICELY TO SOLOS.HOWEVER,I DIDN'T TRY IT WITH A DIGITAL EFFECTOR.THERE IS ONLY ONE DOWN SIDE:THE INTERNAL SPEAKER.FIRSTLY IT'S A 25W SPEAKER FOR A 30W AMP WHICH MEANS IT WILL MOST CERTAINLY BLOW.THEN IT'S THE SOUND QUALITY:VERY HARSH.I'VE TRIED A BUNCH OF OLD CELESTIONS AND THERE WAS NO COMPARISON.THEY WERE ALL SMOOTHER AND MORE REAL SUNDING.INTERESTINGLY ALL OF THEM SOUNDED GOOD:GREENBACK,G12H,V30 AND THE ONE I SETTLED FOR,THE LEAD 80.I KNOW THAT CELESTIONS ARE MADE IN CHINA THESE DAYS AND ARE MORE GENERIC,BUT I THINK AIKEN COULD DO BETTER IN THE SPEAKER DEPARTMENT.I WAS ABLE TO DETECT THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF THE SPEAKER RIGHT AWAY BUT AN INEXPERIENCED PLAYER MIGHT NOT AND BLAME AN OTHERWISE INCREDIBLE AMP FOR THE LESSER TONE.

IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL,BUT THE CONSTRUCTION RATES AN A PLUS SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY PROBLEMS.

I HAVEN'T DEALT W/H THE COMPANY,BUT MIDTOWN MUSIC(BRANDON)WHERE I GOT THE AMP FROM DESERVE A RECOMENDATION FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM AND SERVICE.

I AM A SEASONED PLAYER AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT WHEN MANUFACTURERS GET IT RIGHT.THIS IS SUCH A CASE.APART FROM THE SPEAKER ISSUE ,THIS AMP IS SUPERB.I'M SAYING THIS OWING A CARR/HAMMERHEAD,GERMINO/MASONETTE 25 AND MOJAVE/COYOTE.ALL OF THEM FINE AMPS THAT FALL INTO THE SAME BALL PARK AS THE AIKEN.STILL,THE AIKEN HOLDS ITS OWN WHEN IT COMES TO HARD ROCK DRIVE SOUNDS AND EXCELLENT MASTER.AIKEN AMPLIFICATION IS GOING TO HAVE A GREAT FUTURE!I ONLY WISH THEY ARE THINKING OF RELEASING A TUBE HIGH GAIN PEDAL.I,FOR ONE,WILL BE THRILLED.