Budda Super Drive 18 Series II Head

It's a 2 channel EL84 powered head. Just the basics are on board: Master, Bass, Mid, Treble, then a Drive knob for the lead channel and a Rhythm knob for the clean channel. The Mid knob "pulls" for a hotter sound and the Rhythm knob "pulls" for brightness. Comes with a channel switching pedal. It's a big sized head that sits sturdy on the 2 X 12 open back Budda cabinet that rests under it. It's a killer looking package dressed in black with purple highlights. I think it's an '07 or '06 model.

I play many types of guitars including a 70's Tele, Strat, Les Paul, and a newer Reverend Slingshot with P-90's and a G&L Legacy. This amp fits the bill of what I was looking for very well. It's the first amp I've ever owned withour reverb, but I don't miss it. The 18 watts really let you crank both the clean and overdrive chanels to get incredible tone and all volume levels. As any tone-minded player knows, overdriven tones of low-wattage amps cranked generally blow away the tone of high-wattage amps choked down. Plenty of power to drive a 2 X 12 cab. The clean channel sparkles and has the ability to get quite nasty by rotating the Rhythm knob which is great for blues and chunky rhythm chords. The lead channel covers the entire spectrum from bluesy to heavy soaked overdrive. We're talking about crystal clear well-defined notes at any drive level, and never dull or muddy. Never underestimate the power of 18 watts... this thing has no problem being heard on a stage with a load drummer. At loud volumes it does tend to break up easily, especially with P-90's and humbuckers, thus, if you're looking for lots of clean headroom you won't find it with this amp. Very friendly to single coils. The ultra responsive EQ section is inviting to all guitar and pickup combinations I have thrown at it.

Arrived at my house vial UPS and immediately blew fuses. After a quick diagnosis with help of the very responsive guys at Budda, they sent me some replacement EL 84's and since the amp works great.

The way the Budda guys help fix the tube problem was just the way a consumer likes it - quick and painless.

I set out to buy an American low-wattage, 2 channel head / cabinet package that is somewhat "Marshall like", with unique tone, operational simplicity and not mass produced. I settled on Budda and I have no regrets - only satisfaction of making the right decision. This is quality built stuff sports fans, with amazing sound. The responsive controls and tonal diversity gets the best out of all types of guitar and pickup types. I was a little nervous about getting a 2 X 12 cab with it thinking the 18 watts wouldn't drive it effectively especially at low volumes, but it's proven to be a good match.