Allen V-18 112 Combo

This is of couse an early 2004 V-18 kit, there were a few changes from the first prototype, as Allen explained. This amp excells at Blues, Blues Rock, Funk and Alternative styles, I'm sure it could cover a lot more including Country, Pop, etc. maybe even Metal with a pedal? One channel, non master volume, pretty straight forward. Mainly a home player now but it could be gigged with, 18 watts with 6V6's and 25 w with 6L6's. Design is based off of the Fender Princeton Reverb, with an added middle/raw knob, Hi/Low switch, and standby switch. See Allenamps.com for more info. The V-18 it is the Sweet Spot in kit form. Overall it has the features I needed and covers the style of music I play so I give it a ten.

I'm mainly a Strat player but I've used strats, and humbucker (LP copies) with this amp and they all sound completely different. I actually prefer the humbucker tone, with a OD pedal, violin tone for days. I play mainly blues and alternative, some R&B or Funk. Very quiet amp, as quiet as any I've played including my previous Victoriette. You can read just about any review on Allen and I'll agree with any glowing review, the amp is very, organic, sensitive to pick dynamic, has a bloom for days and sounds completely different with various effects or guitars. It's a bit of a clean slate, and can be shaped very easily. There is no distortion unless you use a pedal, more OD. Clean is better than any Fender or Fender copy I've played and the OD is exactly what I was after, a throaty violin tone.

I had this amp put together by a amp cabinet maker/ amp builder/ tone guru by the name of Eric Rubinas. It took awhile to get this amp put together since he built a custom cabinet for it. He also put a metal shield above the chassis, to further block noise and interferance. I can imagine this amp will last another 50 years with necessary care and maintenance on tubes and pots.

Allen was and is always a great guy to deal with. This amp came with no tech support but Allen is helpful in suggesting products and is just an all around cool guy. My deepest appreciation goes to Eric Rubinas for taking on the project and delivering an amp that is as beautiful to look at as it is to play. He was always patient in my inquiries and went above and beyond anyone I've ever dealt with in any capacity. I wouldn't hessitate recommending either gentlemen for business.

I've been playing off and on since the mid 80's. I've owned numerous Fender amps: champs, vibrochamps, superchamps, princetons, p. reverbs, deluxes, Hot rod Deville. Victoria Victoriette. Mesa DC-5, subway rocket. Marshall JCM 800 and JCM 900's. Others I'm sure? If I had to buy another amp (and I'm always buying amps) I'd doubt I would be able to get an amp like this, it has an Allen head, Weber blue dog voice and Eric R's master cabinet. I compared this to Fender products and the main reason I've given this amp such glowing reviews is because it puts a smile on my face when I play it and I don't plan on selling it, and I haven't felt that way with another amp. It's a bit expensive but should be hassle free, unlike old Silverface and Blackface Fenders. I wish it had two channels and a master volume but a lot of stuff may suck the tone out of your amp. I enjoy trolling on the forum and wouldn't mind sharing pics or personal opinions on gear if anyone wants to email me. I must say if you are after a Fender clone with something extra, get an Allen.