CMW Amps FAT 15 Head

This amp head is a one off made by a Dutch amp builder. I ran into this builder in March 2004 at the Dutch Vintage Guitar Show in Veenendaal. The amp immedeately had my attention because of it's small size. I asked him what it exactly was and he told me that it was a 15 WATT Class A amp with only one channel. It is based on the VOX AC-15 (post `60) and a MATCHLESS DC30 (right channel)and tweaked to his taste from there on. It has only one volume, one tone, one master and a on/off switch to operate it. It is completely hand wired, one EF86 tube, two EL84/6BQ5 tubes and one EZ81 rectifier tube. There is also added a very rare 60ties Dutch build UNITRAN output transformer. For this reason it is a one off build amp! He told me he could never build me a second one with the same sound.

I use this amp at this moment with a Celestion Vintage 30 speaker and I'm on the lookout for a Blue Alnico. My main guitar is a sunburst Fender Stratocaster '84 with a maple neck. My effect chain is limited to a Keeley JAVABOOST, a ROGER MAYER VOODOO-VIBE and a MAESTRO ECHOPLEX EP-4. I play mainly 60-and 70ties (blues)rock in the style of Rory Gallagher, Tommy Bolin, Jimmy Page and Ritchi Blackmore. I'm not a copycat player but my sound gets me in the neighbourhood of these gentleman. Everybody should have his own sound in my opinion.

But first the sound of the FAT 15 without my effects. In just one word: AMAZING. It is so transparant and crystal clear that you actually feel your guitar coming to life in your hands. My Strat finally showed me what she's capable off. The volume pot turned to the right adds distortion in a smooth way. It really warms up the sound, still very transparant. Hit the strings hard, it rocks away, hit the strings soft it's crystal clear again. Very dynamic indeed. The tone pot is very subtle, too subtle to my ears, but the amp builder will adjust this for me in the near future by changing the tone pot. The master is used for the overall volume. Let me tell you this: it blows off the roof of my house if you step on it!! The FAT 15 also respons very well by turning back the volume pot of my Strat. Great!!

When I activate my JAVABOOST, things are getting really serious. Now I need to tame my Strat, must turn my volume pot down. This is fun, it gives me enough different sounds. The most surprisingly was the VOODOO-VIBE used as the only effect. You actually still hear the basic sound of the FAT 15 coming through the effect. Great!! The ECHOPLEX I mainly use for Tommy Bolin type of sounds (JAVABOOST switched on full boost). Check him out! You can't get those effects in his playing without using an Echoplex. My wife hates me playing this effect when she's home. It is really from out of space.

There is not much to say about reliability because I just have the FAT 15 for a couple of months. But the chassis is build like a tank and I played it quiet a lot. Never let me down. Therefore no opinion.

When I bought this amp I picked it up at the builder's house. He has a workshop in the back of his house. I chatted with him for 2 hours about amp tech stuff. Since then I emailed him a couple of times with tech questions and remarks. He responded directly, even told me that he would take a couple of days off, but still could be called on his cell phone in case of problems with the amp!!! I know that he has started his own business just a while ago. He has finished two new amps (tweed de luxe and champ kind of amps). Check him out when you visit the next DUTCH VINTAGE GUITAR SHOW!! Or better contact him by email. He is a very fine amp doctor too.

Warranty on the FAT 15: 6 months on the tubes and 5 years overall.

I also have a MARSHALL DSL 40 combo. I use this amp as a back up now and also because it has the Vintage 30 installed. Recommend the speaker change highly in this amp. Currently I also have an Ibanez 'lawsuit' Les Paul 1977 (violin/tobacco) burst with Harry HAUSSEL P-90 pickups installed. Also highly recommended.

If FAT 15 were stolen I have a problem. As I said, it can not be replaced.
Feel very lucky that I ran into Chris on that guitar show. Hope he makes it in the business. He deserves it.