B-52 Pro Audio AT-100 Tri-mode Rectifier Head

What a great head this is! I have been looking at amps for months and months now getting all of the in's and out on each one, figuring out where the best bang for the buck is. The B-52 AT-100 was the final resolution in my search.

I have tried everything from Mesa triple rec's to Peavey Valkings, XXX's and even the JSX, but the B-52 won out due to the bang for the buck.

The AT-100 is a tri mode rectifier amp. For those that aren't framiliar with the concept, it means that it is an all tube signal path that (at the turn of a knob on the back) can be switched to operate on solid state, tube, or a combo of the two. It has 3 channels (Clean,Gain 1 & Gain 2) a contour and Depth control knob, Reverb and a 4 button selector switch.

The amp sounds GREAT. I play a lot of high gain music and this is a terrific choice if you are looking for some serious crunch. The recitifer tubes really make this amp scream. Just dont do what I did. I finally got the chance to really crank it up and was terribly disappointed in the sound. I fiddled and twiddled with it and though I had made a mistake in buying it.

I went around the back of the amp to switch to the A/B setting and realized that I hadnt changed the Ohms to meet my cabinets specs. I switched it into the right position and the amp just came to life. The sound was brutally crisp and punchy. I adjusted some setting and am THRILLED with the sound I get from it now. It was exactly what I had in mind as what an amp should sound like.

Now there are a few things I'm not thrilled with. The Revers isn't all that great, and it actually didn't work when I got it home from the store. I don't use reverb much so that really didn't bother me too much, but apparently it bothered me enough that I took the reverb tank out and reeated all the cables. It turns out the cables were a little loose on the tank (Maybe from transport, who knows.) and once that was done everything worked and I put it back together. Havent had an issue since.

The reverb is OK, but it's seems like it's... underpowered. As I said I dont use reverb much, so it really doesn't bother me. I think it was the fact it was a brand new amp and whether I use a feature or not, I want it to work!

As I said, it's got a GREAT tone and sound. My friend convinced me to go tube and I will never look back. The sound is so clear and (I hate to coin the phrase but I will) Organic sounding It is amazing. I tried out a Rivera knucklehead out once, and LOVED that it rang so clearly. even when distorted full chords were strummed I could hear each individual string ringing. I wanted that clarity and can't believe how much of that I get from the AT-100.

I try not to give all 10's on these things, but I can't help it. In my opinion the AT-100 can hold up with any amp out there. If you really want to go for the gusto contact Bob at Eurotubes and get a B-52 high gain kit. Those that get them LOVE them!

Other that the (easily fixed) reverb issue I have had only one problem. I heard about how these amps get hot as hell and there is a LOT of truth to that. After stretching it's legs, the front plate was HOT> I mean I bt I could have melred butter on it, Seriously. If you have a AT-100 with a serial number starting BELOW 1200, get in touch with B-52 or an autorized service center. There is a fan kit you can get for FREE. It should resolve the over heating issue. I'm also working on building a better back cover for mine that will allow more ventilation. I have had mine for about a month now, and have no major issues with the amp whatsoever.

Not impressed. I sent an e-mail about 2 weeks ago and never heard back. I get the feeling their E-mail inbox is a special place where no one goes. I'm going to call them about the fan kit today.

Weighing good -vs- bad, this is an outstanding value. The amp looks and sounds amazing. I have heard people complaining about the weight of the amp and I have to ask... Have any of you carried tube amps before? They are ALL heavy. I think what makes the AT seem so hard to move around is that the transformer really sets the balance off. Additionally the amp seems a little bulkier in size than other heads. I'd bet if you weighed it against other heads it weighs about the same.

If you are thinking about getting this amp. STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. GO DO IT. It is an AWESOME piece of hardwareGet to the store nearest to you and try it out. You wont be disappointed

Congrats and thanks to B-52 for coming up with such a (relatively speaking) affordable amplifier. Despite my very few well known issues I have encountered, the AT-100 is an outstanding amp!

I play hard rock, and have never owned an amp that suits this genre as well as this amp. Some people complain about not having separate EQ's for each gain channel, but personally I like the simplicity of setting one EQ on this amp and having basically infinitely variable gain settings via the contour controls. The triple rectifier knob is cool, but I honestly have no use for the solid state setting, as I hate the tone in that mode. Although, metal heads using EMG's probably have a use for it. In my opinion, the AT-100 sounds nearly as good as a Mesa Triple Rec at a WAY lower price, and is FAR easier to set and find a great sound. Often Mesa owners need a long time with their amps to dial in their sound...not with the B-52.

The clean channel is very good, although not as good as my Fender Deville's clean (what amp's clean is though?). I find the gain channels are somewhat Boogieesque, but definitely have a sound all their own. I use a Yamaha AES620 which costs $499.00, and has a bonafide Seymour Duncan in the bridge position. Honestly, between the guitar and amp I've spent a total of $1600.00, much less than a Mesa head alone, and gig regularly with this combo. If you were to see my band and close your eyes, you would never guess this fact. I am not bragging, but my sound will match any amp/guitar at any price. I truly love the sound of this amp and would be lost without it, and will buy more in the future. My singer/ guitarist also uses a B-52 AT-100 half stack and our band sounds huge because of it.

This section is my only issue, and also my chance to help other owners of this amp. I use to run this amp in Tube A mode (the hottest mode...literally) with the gain at 8 and it used to get seriously hot to the point where my knobs and switches were too hot to hold. After burning it out and losing all function, I had it repaired at GC under warranty. While there, an employee who also owned the amp looked at my settings and told me that running in Tube A at such high gain settings caused the rectifier tube to run too hot and to burn out the amp. Lo and behold he was right. I now run the amp in TubeA/B with my gain at 5.5, and the amp not only runs MUCH cooler, but has no background noise and still rocks ass. Setting lower gain cleans up your sound, as well as saves tube life and seriously reduces internal heat...FYI

My experience with support has been good, as my repair was done relatively quickly and so far correctly. I had an opportunity to speak to Brian, their chief amp designer. I was looking to find out if B-52 was coming out with any new amps. He proceeded to tell me about the now new LS-100 solid state amp that he said will change the perception of solid state amps, and about a still unreleased AT-Elite amp that will have four channels, each of which can be run in 20, 50, or 100 watts, and will compete directly with the Mesa Roadking. It will cost about $1200.00. B-52 fans keep your eyes peeled!

I have been playing for 18 years, and consider myself very keen on quality guitar tones. Like I said, if this amp were lost or stolen I'd be heartbroken and would definitely buy it again. The fact that you can buy an AT-100 half stack at Guitar Center for $999.00 every day is awesome for players who can't afford Marshalls or Mesa's. Trust me, this amp rocks hard and will not disappoint you if you like high gain amps. If you don't believe me, just as Mike Stone of Queensryche, who recently went on your with a completely stock amp just like mine and rocked fans at 100 Queensryche shows. This amp is rapidly gaining acceptance in the industry not on price, but on absolutely ass kicking sound.

This is a follow up for a a review I did on 10/10/2006.(figured I may as well since everyeone else seems to be)

I've used this amp for over a year and a half now in small NYC clubs to large venues as well as weekly practices. Its really the only amp I have to work with so it's taken a beating. It's pretty powerful. In all this time I've never had to crank it full on to be heard and am often the loudest person on stage.

Of the features it has that I don't use are the bright switch on the clean channel and now the reverb since it's completely gone out. Reverb isn't a big deal since I have an effects rack with verb but I'm going to replace all the preamp tubes at some point anyway.

Still wish it had two independant OD channels. I find myself having to write music based around the amp's ability which is bothersome and I'm not really into stomp boxes so this is definately a shortcoming of this amp in my opinion.

Lots of people have been comparing this amp to Marshall and Mesa but I really don't see the point. I don't think it sounds like either one. I think its got tone unto itself and its just a good amp plain and simple. If you want Mesa tone get a Mesa. If you want a great sounding, affordable tube amp, get this one. I personally like the clean sounds on the Mesa Dual and Triple Rectos better than this one(haven't gotten the chance to try out a road king yet). Mesa just has a really sparkling, powerful quality to its clean tone that the B52 doesn't quite have. It's still awesome clean with massive volume though.
I've discovered that the gain 1 is has a bit more definition than gain 2 with the contour on or off. Switching between them with equal gain and volum settings, I've found that gain 1 is a bit louder as well(maybe just more presence). I came the conclusion that gain 1 is best for leads and fast, tight rythms with the contour switched on and gain 2 seems to be better for warm overdrive tones with the contour off.
It's also a good idea to not go crazy with the low res knob, especially if your bass player is a loud fucker. I keep mine set at about 11 o'clock. I run through a BBE sonic maximizer into the front of the amp which adds a good amount of definition as well.
As far as speakers are concerned, I've used this amp through many different cabs(I own the B52 LG 4x12 slanted cab which at 400 watts is good on power but definately not spactacular). So far this head has sounded best through Mesa recto 4x12's and a Vader 4x12(full stack actually >=)..So I'm thinking that like most heads the better quality the speakers the better you'll sound...duh. Celestions and Eminence Legends seems to be at the top of their game right now. I understand B52 has an ST series 4x12 with Vintage 30's which I will most likely consider getting.
Over all I'd say this is one of the best sounding amps you can get for under $1000.

Like I've said I've had this for about a year and a half now and it's still working pretty well. I will admit it is a very delicate piece of equipment. I suppose all tube amps are but lately I've felt like this thing isn't that well made. Just a feeling. My band mate has a Framus Cobra and that thing, on top of sounding great, is way lighter that the At100 and just seems a lot more durable. You get what you pay for I guess...and its not as if the thing has broken down on me.

I've been playing for almost 13 years and while I haven't owned many amps I know when I've got something good. I've gotten lots of compliments on my sound and I'd definately like to keep this thing running well forever. If it was lost I'd probably try out the cheaper ST versions of this thing(they have less features but I hear they still sound good). I really like this amp but I would advise that if you are looking for a particular sound like Mesa or Marshall, don't try to cut corners by getting this thing. However if you are looking for a versatile tube amp with a decent price this is the one.

Read my comments below about the reliability of this amp, it is no worse than any of the other mass-produced PCB stuff on the market these days (MARSHALL I'm talking to you).

I have been playing in cover bands in the DFW area for 15 years now, I play blues, classic rock, and hard rock.

This is the most versatile amp I have ever owned, period. Spend a couple hundred bucks for NOS or used US made tubes all around and put some Vintage 30 speakers with it and I promise you it will hang with any Marshall or Mesa out there tone-wise. And on top of that the clean channel is much nicer than Marshall/Mesa IMO.

The amp has exactly the features that I was looking for.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about this amp. I think it is the best value out there.

Here is where the versatility shows.
1: The clean channel is awesome, stays clean at incredible volumes. It doesn't have quite the character of my 1972 Twin Reverb but it comes VERY close.
2: The 2 gain channels are superb, and the mid-contour control is sheer genuis. You have 4 different distortion sounds available at the flick of a switch (unfortuntely only 2 via the footswitch, the contour switch is in the head, but hey). I was able to get a very nice Marshall-esqe crunch on gain channel 1 and then the Mesa 'no-mids' sound on channel 2 quite easily.

The only sound I was unable to approximate satisfactorily was the tube-screamer-driven SRVish partially distorted sound. But hey, I have a tube screamer for that ;)

I didn't find it to be noisier than anything else, I'm using it mostly with single coils (strat).

Ok I feel very strongly about this. While Mesa amps may well be more reliable they are also twice the cost. HOWEVER, the Marshall channel switching amps such as the JCM 2000 TSL100 etc. are AT LEAST as poorly constucted as these, and they are still twice the cost. PCB construction with spade connectors, and the Marshalls for instance are not even 100% tube path, there are transistors for the effects loop and I think even the reverb. Right now I am trying to fix a TSL100 with a light-duty bridge rectifier in the preamp that has gone out. Also the footswitch jack on the TSL100 is not anchored to anything so the PCB board bends and eventually the contacts stop working. If you don't believe me read the reviews!! So is it reliable? Not necessarily the best but certainly better than a Marshall TSL100 IMO

Some of the jacks were a little loose etc (I got the amp used), but it was absolutely trivial to tighten everything up to where I have full configence in it.

I don't bother dealing with customer support, although B-52 seems to be hit or miss from others' experiences. At least they're still in business and in the US so you should be able to get help if you need it.

I do my own work on amps, and I can honestly say that this amp is at least as repairable if not more so than any of the other PCB tube amps out there.

I have semi-retired my '72 Twin Reverb from club use now that I have this. It is a great value, a very versatile amp, and very affordable. It doesn't say Marshall on it but quite honestly Marshall hasn't made a good affordable amp for a LONG time now. Sure you can get a handwired replica of the old Marshalls but you'd better rob a bank first. The new PCB Marshalls are just overpriced CRAP. At least this amp doesn't pretend to be a rock-and-roll founder, it just gives you great sounds at a great price. How does it compare to a Mesa? I played a Mark III for a couple months and it was nice but they're just too expensive for me, even used. I think this amp sounds just as good, is more versatile, but maybe less reliable. As for the single/dual/triple rectifier Mesas, I just don't think the sounds justify the price tag. I haven't played any version of the rectifier amps live, so maybe that would change my opinion although I doubt it. At the clubs I play at I have to be able to get a great sound at a low volume and I don't think the Mesas are capable of that.

Now I'm going to buy a $200 road case for it because I plan for it to be my main amp for a long time to come.

Features are great while they work

I really like how far you can push the tubes before they break up. The ones that come in it will work for a long time, but don't work well for very long, with my experience anyway. The inharmonic distortion is pretty limited on tube (class) a, which is a good thing, and the harmonic distortion is fairly prominent and well done. The best clean tones I've ever gotten, and I've gotten a lot.

I took it on tour once, and it lasted, but this head was not made for tough travel. If you sit around at home, don't gig, and don't need a reliable amp, go for it! if you need any of these STEER CLEAR! My head had the circuit board just go out, and I'm in the middle of trying to fix it. This is Chinese made, no matter what the reviews, warranty, or anything else says. It seems to me like someone said to this company "You know those tripple recs that are so popular but expensive? well I can build you a cheap replica for under a grand! what do you say?" Of course they took it, it sells like hot cakes, but it is NO TRIPPLE RECTIFIER OR ANY MESA OR MARSHALL FOR THAT MATTER.

Don't buy it. It sounds great, but only for a short while. A little road and this thing is toast!!!

This is just a follow-up review after owning this amp for almost 1 1/2 years. I have always liked the sound of this amp although some days I seemed to like the sound more than others. About 3 months ago, I decided to upgrade the preamp tubes to JJ's. I put two high gain ECC83S tubes in V1 and V2, two normal ECC83S tubes in V3 and V4. And I put a balanced ECC83S in V5. I was expecting the amp to sound better, but I wasn't expecting it to improve as much as it did. The amp went from a great amp, to the best sounding amp I've ever owned...and I've owned some nice amps. This amp is definitely a keeper. I can't wait to see what effect changing the power tubes will have.

Follow up on my 4/17/05 review. I've had this amp over 2 years now.

Features are perfect. You have at your disposal all the controls you need to get great cleans and great overdriven tones, and you don't need an engineering degree to figure it all out.

Great, practical and user friendly design.

I'm one who pays meticulous detailed attention to the power and pre-amp tubes in search of the perfect combination. To get those perfect tones, I replaced the SOVTEK power tubes with SED 6L6GCs and re-biased. In the ever important V1 slot, I replaced the stock Shuguang 12AX7 with a JAN Philips 12AX7. The Shuguang can be a bit brittle when pushed hard. The JAN Philips stays smoother and really shines as the primary tone generator. I also replaced the Shuguang rectifier tube with a JJ GZ34 and the Shuguang 12AT7 in the reverb with a JAN Philips 12AT7.

I own something like 11 amps and have heard just about everything out there in the mainstream. The analysis is real simple: I've not heard an amp that I like better.

I use all sorts of guitars through this amp: Gibson SGs, Parker Nite Fly, various semi-hollow bodies. A little EQ adjusting is needed here and there, but I've always been able to dial in perfect settings for each guitar.

It has gotten fairly light use. The amp gets used for home practice and for the once a week jam. I'm not quitting my day job. No delusions of departing from reality and going on world tour.

This amp has performed flawlessly. I always have a small fan recirculating around the back of the amp to dissipate the heat build up. That should help maintain the life of my tubes and components. Understanding that I've treated it well, but there have been no reliabilty issues at all.

I've only contacted them once. They've been helpful in trying to get me the information I sought, but I've not needed to explore any warranty issues.

This has become my favorite amplifier. It does great cleans and great overdrive. It takes well to whatever guitar I plug into it. Well worth the $699 I paid for it. The only amps I have every heard that were in the ball park tone wise cost five times as much. If stolen, I would replace with the exact same amp faster than you can say Carl Lewis. I looked at other comparable heads from Peavey, Crate, H & K, Marshall, Mesa and others. I'm glad I bought this one.

Made 2005 (I believe), I've had mine about a year. ALL tube. I play it mostly at church, but let me stress I like a lot of heavy music, this isn't just Billy Graham's amp, it's very versatile. The controls are great, very simple but allow you to do anything you want. 2 channels if you want to get technical on me, but the difference between the drive channels is night and day, it's 3 really. Some people complain about the drive and overdrive not being on separate channels, but after taking some time to get used to the footswitch, it's a great system. The contour is sweet too, you can use it to shape about any tone you want, or just leave it off if you want a real rowdy sound. The low frequency booster will rattle your teeth out (in a good way). One of the best features of this amp is the clean channel with the bright switch. With the bright switch on, your sound will sparkle like like a clean fender, it's like your sound shimmers. The other features are the tri rectifier, effects loop jacks, line out, and impedance selector which works great with the matching cab.

The only complaints I have are 1. that the effects system kinda sucks. You can adjust the output and input for your lines to and from your pedals, but it still sounds really hollow and quiet. But with all tube distortion, you won't need a distortion pedal anyways, just run your few pedals right through your guitar line and skip the effects loop altogether. 2. It's really heavy, and needs side handles.

First off, the sound quality is almost unmatched, tone and variety like no other, and my personal favorite is when you have it cranked on high gain, it keeps its clarity and won't turn to mud like a lot of amps. I play mostly hard rock/alternative, blues, and whatever music we play at church, with a standard strat, Yamaha with a LP setup, and a Fender acoustic with a Martin Thinline pickup in it, and everything sounds incredible. I played a Marshall TSL the day I bought this, and I will admit the one sound it doesn't quite peg is that classic Marshall crunch, so if you want that sound this head probably isn't for you. That being said, it still has its own awesome sound in that area, the clean channel spanks any Marshall, and the high gain will run with a Mesa any day. The clean channel won't break up at all, which is great, and the distortion can be light and bluesy or absolutely brutal.

I depend totally on this amp. If it breaks, I'm screwed. That being said, I still feel fine without a backup. This thing is a tank and I've never had a problem with its function, except there is a slight short in the footswitch reverb line. But hey, that's outside the head, and that's what the extended warranty plan is for, right?

I've never needed this amp fixed, but the best customer service is never needing the product fixed, right? Also, I know there's an authorized service center about 6 miles from where I live, so I can easily get new tubes, and I have a 4 year warranty plan... so good job so far B52.

I've been playing guitar for about 6 years now, other music for 10, and I had a great music education... I'm not the absolute best, but not just a punk kid that wants to be a rock star either. Like I said, I play a Fender strat, LP style Yamaha, and Fender acoustic, Boss tuners, blahblahblah. I chose this amp over a Marshall, Mesa, and Fender Hot Rod Deville because it has much more sound versatility and ease of use, especially for the price. If it were stolen I would buy a new one immediately, and it won't get lost... it's too heavy to forget the last place I put it down. Overall it rocks. Its a blast to use, and I'd recommend you check one out even if you have the money for a marshall or mesa!

not sure what year
covers many styles of music but i primarily(bad spelling) play metal
2ch with twin lead channels effect loop reverb line out assignable contour low end resonance control
wish it had independant eqs for the lead channels
its my main amp so it goes where i go, plenty of power
completely tube

hands down best sounding, best features and best all around amp ive ever had in my 9 years of playing.
plenty of headroom on the clean channel, stays clean even at high vol..
distortion is better than most but is over the top if you upgrade the chinese crap tubes it comes with in the pre amp.
i use it with emgs and the stock pickups in my michael kelley.
my jacksons w/emgs scream in this amp, frickin awesome.
feedback problems though(typical tube amp) makes rehersals a bit of a pain, i cant get more than a few feet from it but i have to have it up quite a bit to get over the drummer, so with out a noise get it sqeals like crazy during pauses.

ive had it for a few months now and it hasnt failed yet, but i dont think it will, it seems to be very well made and its american.
as far as gigging without backup, ill give everyone here a piece of advice, NEVER GO TO A GIG WITH A TUBE AMP AND NOT BRING BACKUP.
i give it an 8 due only to the fact that i havent had it that long.

havent had to deal with them and i wont, i have people to work on it if it needs that i know will do a good job and for them i give a ten.

ive been playing for 9 years and like i stated earlier, its the best ive ever owned.
the other gear i own is as follows, oh yeah pack a lunch:
1 michael kelley patriot phoenix
1 jackson dkmgtff
1 jackson dinky js30
1 dixon acoustic
1 cort curbow retro bass
1 b52 at100
1 digitech twin tube rack mount preamp
1 crown d150a poweramp
1 marshall mg412
1 custom made(sort of) 4x8 celestion cab
2 2x10 custom made cabs w/eminece drivers
1 morley bad horsie2
1 morley pro series vol.
1 fender chromatic tuner
1 digitech deathmetal dist. pedal
1 digitech rp200a
1 off brand 5 piece drum kit
various recording equipment

if it were stolen i would buy it again after i got out of jail for attempted murder.
i love how it sounds and performs how ever i hate that i need a forklift to pick it up(50 fucking pounds, jesus christ)

the only other amp i really put it head to head with was a mesa triple rec., i chose the b52 for better price and feature and what i believe to be the same quality.
oh and by the way it looks killer with the back plate on the front.

I am doing a follow up review after owning this amp for more than a Year, and a half!

All I can say is WOW!! WOW!! Still, after a year, and a half of solid playing,and daily usage.I am in LOVE with my B-52 TriMode AT 100 watt Rectifier AMP!!! I had changed the power/preamp tubes, and altered the front panel(I had switched the back panel vent cover to the front, and vice-versa). She is still a magnificent sounding amp. I had paid under $500.00 for this back in early 2005, and it was the best money I have ever spent in my 25 plus years of playing Guitar!! For some people here who say that the pre-amps in the two crunch channels are the same..I say what??? Maybe they share the same EQ, but the sound is as different as Monday, and Friday. I still use my #1 crunch channel for power chords, and Blues solos, etc.., and then # 2 for over the top Gain. really its that noticable. The #1 Crunch channel is more clear/transparant then #2(even if your gains are set equal to one another) You do not have to run the Gain anywhere past 6 to get a great Pantera, Metallica, Megadeth type tone!!I hear some people are running their gain a 10..what??? No wonder it sounds BUZZY,try turning the gain down, and learn how to use fuckin vibrato.The Clean channel still sparkles, and shimmers like a Fender, and with a low gain booster pedal(clark gainster, or similar) opens up a whole new realm of tonal variety. This Amp is very friendly with , and adapts well with pedals..ie;, OverDrive for the clean channel, delays, chorus, etc. for the OD channels. I do find my self looking at amps on E-Bay, and NY Craigslist sometimes to see whats out there ocassionally. When I see...say for instance an ENGL Powerball for $1,400.00 , and then come here to read Harmony Centrals reviews on it. People are not all that happy with these $2,000.00 amps .After finding out that no amp is perfect, even Bogner, Soldano, Boogies, H & K, Carvin ,Marshalls etc..I make a bee line here to the RE-READ the B-52 Tri-100 reviews, and I instantly come back to earth. Thats the reason why I bought this AMP. 'Versatility', and 'TONE' 'Sustain' inspiration. Yes..Its that GOOD. You just have to know how to set up your EQs for your tones.My reverb works fine manually, it cannot be switched from the pedal. Must be something that can be repaired/soldered. There is no sign of it weakening either.I am seriously thinking about getting another one while they're still amking them. Who knows if they'll be around awhile.So yeah...after a Year , and a half of always bringing home the Bacon, this Amp still does it for me. Whether its playing Marshall Tucker, Lynryd Skynryd, Outlaws, Bad Co. Clapton, Gary Moore, CDB, Foghat, Boston, SRV, Metallica, OZZY (Randy Rhoads) , Sabbath, Led ZEP, and on, and on..she is the most versatile, Awesome sounding, and feeling amp that I have ever owned, and played since the early 80s.Read my review from when I first bought it back in early 2005.

Still going strong. Just some tube replacement, and cleaning regularly. I had bought a Radio Shack fan,($5.00) and clipped it on to the back vent panel. It is now forcing air onto the Tubes, and it runs a lot cooler. Its always a good idea to have some air flow inside the amp. You can have it sucking warm air out, or reverse the flow.Pedal still works fine with no mechanical failures, or breakdowns.

Never had to contact them

Again, after a Year, and a half I am completely satisfied with this amp,I now take it for granted that this is how a good tube amp should sound. I had many, many tube amps 5150s, Mesa Rectifiers , tri-axis, Soldanos,Engl Thunder 50, H &K Tri amp MK I, Marshalls,too many to list. Almost all of them. Sure ALL of these Amps are very good , and a Brutal Force to be reckoned with, but they lacked versatility! Key word here folks 'VERSATILITY'. Although my Mesa triple rectifier will knock an apartment wall down , and has the most BRUTAL didstortion known to Man, it could not clean up, and do sweet Home Alabama.My Marshall JCM 2000 had a fairly nice Led Zep/Randy Rhoads tone to it, but the distortion was thin, and weak. Read my review from early 2005. It explains why I think this Amp has it!!! Has it ALL!!!Its in the feel.