Budda Dual Stage 30

The Dual Stage 30 is one of Budda's more recent designs. It is a 30 watt tube amp hand built and hand wired in Class AB, with two A/B-able power sections. Some guys say Class A is the only way to go but, I find that as Class A amps get hot the low-end gets loose...not quite flubby but not exactly tight. The power sections are cleverly set up as channels 1&2. The power tubes are 2 Ruby 5881s and 4 Svetlana SY83s (aka EL-84s). The pre-amp tubes are 3 12ax7s, and the rectifier tube is a 5u4. Its just a tube party! The amp also has a high gain & normal input. The eq is shared by both channels, bass and treble. The high gain input has a cool "bite" control which adds a bit of top end sizzle. It actually sounds great with chordal playing too. The amp has an effects loop, a slave out w/level control and comes with a foot switch. I have the 410 version, which is just killer. The "EL-84" channel is equipped with a power attenuator for controlling the overall volume of that channel. There is no reverb tremelo or extra stuff, just pure amp. There is also a neat invention on the amp called, Cab-Master. This lets you switch speaker cabs if you want to. The amp comes with a foot switch and connection cords.

This is a "Master Volume" amp so getting it to break up means playing loud. The two power sections are awesome. Each has its own character and each is dripping with even order harmonics and sweet tone. When switching between the power sections the amp is dead quiet. Some master volume amps, "pop" when channel switching, like the Mesa Mavrick. The thing I really like about this amp is its low end tightness. Some high-end amps like Matchless and Groove Tube don't retain low-end tightness like the Dual Stage. I've read articles where the author says EL-84s get mushy and flubby if they are pushed too hard. Not the Dual Stage 30, it doesn't have a bad sound in it. The amp is only 30 watts, which may not seem like much, but it is really loud. Clean tones are sweet and articulate even at higher gain settings. I've used a variety of guitars with the amp...they all sound great. This amp really like pedals in front of the input. I use a SIB Varidrive and a mid 70's Dynacord tape echo and a Boss CE-2 analog chorus. I can't wait to record with this amp.

I have only had the amp for two months, which isn't long enough to sufficently road test it. I do wish the amp had rubber feet on the bottom of it instead of the metal ones...they don't like hard wood floors and don't absorb shock, just a minor complaint. I have another Budda amp that I've had for almost a year, no problems. Judging my overall Budda experience I'd give 'em a 10.

I had to deal with the company to buy the amps. There aren't many Budda dealers from what I understand. That is fine with me, I'd rather deal with them directly than some "too cool for you" chain music store guy. I was originally reluctant to buy an amp without hearing it, but Scot at Budda assured me that I'd like the amp...so I went for it and things couldn't be better. They built the best amps and that is ultimatly what matters.

If for some horrible reason my Dual Stage 30 was stolen, I would replace it asap. If it were washed-out to sea or lost in a mudslide, earthquake or avalanche, I'd dig it out get four more Mojo 10s and put 'em in...I'm sure the amp would survive. My overall rating is a 10. All the other gear I own works unbelieveably well with this amp. Everthing just sounds better than I imagined. I'm really glad a company has merged old and new design concepts together. This isn't a cheap amplifier but it is worth every penny. I sleep better knowing when I wake up I'll have great tone.