Clara Amps Tweed Class A

I commissioned this handwired tube amp 6 months ago with Keith, founder of Clara Amps. He built it in a matter of weeks but I did not want to review it until a long honeymoon period was over. The amp came about after much discussion with him about the pros/cons of tweed vs blackface, 6V's and 6L's vs EL84's and EL34's, Class A, fixed or cathode bias, and a bunch of other things that only amp gurus talk about but is over my head. Keith took time to talk to me about what I play (roots, swampy blues, light rock, pop, country) and where I play (mostly at home) and incorporated my desire for a classic look and classic tones to this amp. Keith even came over to jam with me a bit just to see my style and to make sure that any amp he built for me would truly suit me.

We ended up deciding on a modified tweed champ circuit, made it Class A (somehow), used a tweed bandmaster sized cabinet, and added 3 ten inch speakers (2 Weber and 1 Jensen P10R's). It has two inputs into a single channel, an on/off and standby switch, an orange jewel on-light,and white tone and volume chickenhead knobs controlling 12-15 watts from 1 preamp tube and two 6V6, 6L6, or KT66 power tubes. No other features and none wanted. It's a simple amp and I would not rate it for features.

Overall, the package looks like a classic old tweed amp, from the honey-brown lacquer on the tweed to the chrome faceplace, to the oxblood cloth grill, and heavy duty leather grip. It exudes vintage. It's good looking amp, which is important to me because I look at it more than I play it, unfortunately. But Keith has a bit of ground to cover in the attention to fit and finish detail. He's getting better with each amp he builds from what I have seen.

It covers everything that I play from blues to rock to country and back. A versatile amp for the home player and house jams.
One of the key features of this amp is that it is very responsive to tube upgrades. I ran different NOS tubes thru it and while with many other amps I am left saying..."well, the difference is subtle" ...this Clara Amp left me amazed at how well that even I could hear the differences. I ended up replacing the NOS tubes it came with with a selection of my own.

The projection of clean notes and chords from the 3x10 spkrs is heavenly. I listened to a Tweed deluxe in 2x10 that Keith had built, then to a friend's Victoria 1x12 Deluxe, and finally to a friend's Victoria 3x10 Bandmaster, and happily decided to go with the 3x10 for this one.

Amp has very nice cleans, very articulate and soulful, especially with a telecaster or stratocaster... and yet dial the amp volume up a bit and it breaks up nicely for some dirt at moderate volumes. I use a ptp Red Snapper pedal to kick it a bit for some even fatter cleans. Tried a 335 and a les paul thru it and was pleased with the clarity of the chords. I have never owned a Fender tweed amp so I can't compare it directly....but I have played some Victorias. This Clara Amp has greater clarity and nicer projection than a Vic Deluxe with a 1x12 Celestion Blue. It has a bigger (less boxy) sound as well. Compared to the Vic Bandmaster 3x10, IMO it lacks girth and weight in the notes due to the power difference (12 watts vs 35 watts).

I am not really a distortion/gain player so I can't really fairly evaluate that sound but it does sound good to me! Guys (with chops)who play that way, have played this amp and liked it.

It does have a hum at idle, with single coil guitars.

I don't gig, but I believe it would hold up well. It's well constructed, has quality components, the circuit is simple, and it is beautifully hand-wired by Keith. Any issues would be easily and quickly taken care of. In the time that I have had it, there has been no problems.

A new one-man operation always aims to please. Enuff said.

I have played for 10 years, the last 3 or 4 more seriously...but I am not a gigging musician. I would consider myself a serious hobbyist.

I own or have owned Fender Blackfaces, drip-edge Silverfaces, Fender Rivera-era amps, DrZ Maz 18 Jr, Tone King Comet 40a, and Marshall 1974x amps. I have tried many amps in the local music stores, point being...I know what I liek. Critics (my guitar buddies) say that I know good tone. I still lust for Kingsley, Clark, and Hiwatt ptp amps still. Someday...!

If it were stolen, I'd scour the city's slum spots until I found the cretin and then do the usual %#@&*())!!! stuff but times 2, that everyone else would in the same situation. I love this part of the review!