Allen 5F40 (kit)

I built the amp about three months ago and have been gigging with it every week since. It's pretty basic, with volume, treble and bass controls, power switch and standby switch, as well as a "mystery" slide switch that can be wired as a bright switch For a passive control it really kicks up the signal. I play mostly blues and rock, and this amp has all I want for features.

The amp is a tone machine. As for variety, it sounds great, better, and more better. There are two inputs going into one channel, but I would never plug more than one signal into any amp except a PA head. I use a '72 Strat with stock single coil pickups and an old SG (don't know the year) with humbuckers. Both sound great. As for noise, it's pretty quiet, even under the neon beer light where I set up at my weekly gig.

I think the reliability is determined by how much care is taken in assembling the amp, since it's a kit. I took my time and it has paid off. I built my own cabinet with a singe 12" Celestion, and the amp is built like a tank. No problems so far, and I don't really expect any.

Dave Allen has been a great help. He took the time to answer any questions I had during the building process and certainly knows his tube amps. Class act.

Been playing about 35 years. My other amps are a 64 Blackface Princeton, a Marshall valvestate combo, and a '59 Ampeg jet. If it were stolen I would try to kill whoever took it. The only thing it could use is a master volume, but I don't miss it enough to worry about it.

The amp was recently assembled and was a pleasure to build. It is
what I've been looking for,a solid basic little tone machine! I play
mainly blues and like the sound of guitar and amp. There is one channel with two inputs,volume,treble and bass controls, on/off and
stand-by switches. There is also a slide switch with the option of brightness or mid boost,depending upon circuit. For my purposes,I need no other features. This amp will go to jams and gigs with me
and has more than enough power for anything I do. I'm giving a 10 here, not for a multitude of features, but for the many wonderful tones that are at your finger tips!

The amp is very touch sensitive and responds well to pick attack and technique. It doesn't have reverb or any modulation effects,it's just a great amp in a small package. It can be clean up to a point,then it breaks up nicely and can even get very aggressive if you need that. I am amazed at how responsive it is to the controls
and anything coming into it! I choose the mid boost feature, which gives a fat middle to a blues solo or fatten up any lead. Noise is
not at issue, there is normal tube gain sound at higher vomume.

I was an electronics tech in the 60's when most things were tube powered. This amp is very well designed, and for as basic as it really is,there are some great features. These kits can be 5 watt single ended up to 40 watt push-pull. There is a hinged panel which allows easy access to tube bases for inspection and assembly. It is
housed in a beautiful chrome plated steel chassis with white silk screened printing. Some of the reliability comes from the basic design. The parts are top quality,the design perfect! I foresee
no problems.

David Allen is a pleasure to deal with. I spoke with him a few years ago,when buying my Allen Accomplice 40 watt kit and again recently
about the 5F40. He is extremely helpful and supportive in answering
questions.

I've been playing since 1957. I have the Allen Accomplice amp,a Fender 64 Bandmaster,67 Bassman,68 Princeton Reverb and 72 Pro Reverb.
I'm now using mainly Strats and Teles. If stolen, I'd track it down
or resort to buying another. I compared this kit to the Weber of
similar output and choose this for it's design,options and chassis.
I already have amps with reverb and tremolo,anything else,I could just put before the amp, but I really like the sound of this amp just the way it is! If you have basic electronics skills,soldering,point to point wiring and can use basic hand tools, some great tone can be
had in these kits. Thanks David!