Alron Fatboy 60 112 Combo

Its not often that you see Alron amps, I think they're made in Nelson NZ. This one is a 60W solid state combo with 1x12 speaker, reverb and 2 footswitchable channels, plus bright switch which I always leave on. (NB, I switch channels by jamming one end of a cable in the f/s jack!) Both channels use the same EQ - not good as changing channels requires much tweaking. The centre EQ channel is tunable. Hi and lo inputs. Have used this amp for many gigs, its easily loud enough for pubs (master on about 3 or 4), have also used outdoors without a problem. This amp is well loud for a 60 watter. I used this in a jazz band, where it was ok but not bassy/creamy enough, and also in a pop/rock band.

I use a Japanese Squire, plus an Alvarez acoustic with a mic, and have previously used a Hohner SE-35 (big fat jazz sounds). The clean channel wont distort, the drive channel can get an ok rhythm sound, but the other guitarist in our band uses a Marshall JCM 900 which is way more crunchy, making me sound lightweight! Good lead sounds to be had by putting distortion pedals before the amp. Without pedals there is very little noise, but with theres plenty. Seems to work quite well with my Crybaby Wah also. I find this amp very responsive to guitar volume, basically I use the drive channel and use the vol pot on the guitar to dial in different sounds. Good response to the different pickup sounds on the Squire. The centre EQ channel can be moved around - doing so finds a 'notch' where distorted sounds are nice and smooth, elsewhere big and dirty (not in a good way). Finding the notch can be tricky. Getting the most distorted tone isn't a matter of turning a knob up to 10, all knobs are unusually labelled and certain combos give better distorted sounds than others - you just need to work with it. Overall not enough bass to compete with a larger tube amp, but very responsive to guitar volume and playing style.

No problems at all after 4 years, have used in many gigs (pubs, some outdoors) without backup. Have had it repaired once for a blown part (?) but it was cheap and back on its feet in no time. Good solid construction.

Never dealt with them, as I bought it second hand.

Ive been playing for about 7 yrs, have recently bought a Laney TF 200 to replace this, but will keep it for emergencies. If I lost it I wouldnt replace. I loved the responsiveness to my playing style and guitar sound, but hated the lack of any serious bass and the trouble I had switching between the channels (especially live). For the price, its hard to think of a similar size amp, it doesnt match my new Laney but hew that cost me twice as much. It could be greatly improved by adding separate EQs for drive/clean, and if it could go further into distortion territory.