Blues Pearl Texas Tornado 210 Combo

This amp was from 2001, I believe. Got from Pickers Exchange in Chattanooga. Bit of a custom amp in that I asked them for a 2x10 version (they had a couple of 1x12's on the floor)and they got Blues Pearl (Robert Hudson) to build one. He must have had it in the works because I got it fast. Essentially, this is a BF Deluxe with a 3 band reverb unit. Single channel, with push-pull boost (never use) like some Fenders. Bass/mid/treb controls. Then 3 band reverb (depth/dwell/tone(?) I think.) Power and standby switches in the back, like Fender. 2 inputs, high and low. I think that's it. The size is about that of a Deluxe. The appearance is similar. Black tolex and Fender like blue grill cloth. Jenson Alnico RI speakers. Tubes are 6V6, 12ax7 preamp tubes (3 I believe), and a tube rectifier. (forgot which one) Said to be 20 watts. No addn'l tricks or gimmicks. No headphone jacks or effects loops. Pretty much a plug in and play amp for the long haul. All point to point/hand wired and quite a nice job at that. Yep, for the long haul. I use it mostly at church, with an orchestra believe it or not! Occasionally play out with this as a backup to my other amp (another Blues Pearl), and haven't had much problem with power, but will cut it up a bit.............this amp is not what you'd characterize as "stout" or insanely loud, it's quite sweet. For a amp of this type, does exactly what you'd (I) want, no more, no less.

Use mostly a Fender guitar of some sort.........right now a Nocaster Relic reissue (this is the best Fender I've ever played! And I've played a few in my time.) Also occasionally a 335. With the 335, you have the 'classic rock' tones with no problem as well as Jazz, though you'll need to keep the level down. This amp with humbuckers can od easily and really blossom..... With the Fenders, you get THE Fender tone...............won't bore you with adjectives you've heard before.
But this is what Fender is ALL about! Quite versatile as well; with a bit of knob twiddling I get a gorgeous Vox creamy clean that I love for adding a harp-like halo effect. Great for chords and jazzy fills. No noise that I detect. When this amp distorts, it's the creamy to violin like distortion that I like. Not a harsh sound.

But seriously, guys (and gals), the tone is in the mind and hands! Gimme Eric Clapton's or Kirk Hammett's set up and I'll still sound like me! And Eric or Kirk, for that matter, will still sound like themselves through Crates or Line 6's.

This amp has never been fixed, never needed. Been played several times a week for several hours at a clip, for about 2 years, and no problems. Just a simple well made amp. But I never gig without a backup, unless it's in the past when I simply couldn't afford another amp. It's better to gig with a guitar and 2 amps, than 2 guitars and an amp!

No support. Blues Pearl was Robert Hudson, arguably one of better, if not best, amp builders of our time. I may have one of his last amps he built, as far as I know (a custom made AC15 clone that I thought I'd never get........but I got it and will NEVER sell!...... unless we're talking high 4 figures) As per his wife, Robert has medical problems and is on medication; that's been about a year or so ago, and no one I know knows his whereabouts. Not even the guys who supplied him parts, cabinets, etc. Just vanished, as far as my detective work has shown. But this is all point to point stuff and impeccably made, so any solderjockey (or YOU!) should be able to fix.

Been playing about 33 years off and on. Main gear includes Nocaster Relic Tele, Stratocaster, 335, plus other assorted guitars that my wife say "have to go!" Other amps that I use are my Blues Pearl Brittone which is an AC15 clone (made custom for me); California Blonde for acoustic; and a Champ for practice. Other amps as well but these get the most work. Have owned many, many Fenders. This is simply the best 'Fender' I've ever owned, and it's not even a Fender. Considering the prices of Blackface deluxes, this amp is a steal. And no 'old amp' trouble. Never played a Victoria, but cannot believe it would do it any better. Hey, this is not rocket science!!!! Nothing else needs to go with this amp, IMO. Master volume? Please, just add a tube screamer if you must............ I would buy this amp again, and you should too! Bet you won't find many available!

I recently purchased this amp new from Mike Hatcher in Tennessee, who happens to be the guy that builds the cabinets for Blues Pearl amps. It is a 20-watt combo with 2 10" Jensen Reissue speakers. Point-to-point wiring and powered with 2 6V6 EH power tubes. The back features on/off and standby switches and has input jacks for an external speaker and for a reverb footswitch (not included). The front panel has one channel (high and low) inputs, Volume, Treble, Mid and Bass controls with white chicken-head knobs, as well as Dwell, Depth and Tone for the reverb. The jewel light is a very cool blue. The solid pine cabinet is covered with black tolex and the grill is a pretty sparkle silver. I give this amp a 10 for features because it doesn't give you a whole lot of stuff that you'll seldom use, at least in playing the blues, like a bright switch or tremolo. You can take heart that the hard-earned money spent on this amp all goes to those essential components that generate beautiful and wonderful tone.

I mostly play an '82 Strat (Dan Smith) with Van Zandt pickups, although my back-up axe is an '83 Tele, modified with a SD 59 humbucker in the neck and SD Hot Rails in the bridge positions. Doesn't matter what I play with this amp - the tone is beyond incredible! The Texas Tornado is fundamentally based on the vintage Fender Deluxe Reverb. For all you, DR lovers, once you play the Blues Pearl, there is no going back. The reverb can be set for just a slight echo all the way to Dick Dale surf's up. Lots of versatility here. The 2x10 speakewr configuration and the Mid control combine to give a very controllable fat tone with great bottom end. Set the Volume knob above 6 and this puppy begins to growl with a warm and organic distortion. Virtually no noise, just a very quiet hum when you're not playing. I am in a gigging blues band that throws in a little rock and a little country and the Texas Tornado responds to everything I play. I even stopped using my Klon Centaur overdrive pedal (which I used in my previous Fender Vibrolux Reverb) and now play directly into the amp - no pedals at all (which is a very freeing and new experience for me)>

I have only had the amp a short while, although it's already been through some marathon rehearsals and a couple of gigs. Seems very solid and reliable, but only time will tell. Best to take a "No Opinion" on this one, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't hold up.

My internet and telephone dealings with both Mike Hatcher and Robert HUdson at Blues Pearl have been great...very helpful, all my questions answered, great advice. Hopefully, I won't have to ever use the 5-year warranty.

I've been playing for a long time but seriously in a band environment for about the past 7 years. I've only had Fender amps before, but Fender could learn a bunch from Blues Pearl. It is exactly the amp I've been looking for, giving me high quality without the superfluous frills. Just me, my guitar and the Texas Tornado. Life is good!