Clark Amplification Beaufort 2x10 Combo

The Clark Beaufort 2X10 I bought in new in 1999 is based on the late 50's Fender tweed Deluxe. Some differences are obvious, like 2-10" speakers instead if 1-12". Other differences are not visable but are most audible. The model I chose has a beefier Output Transformer which allows the use of 6L6 class power tubes and a 5AR4 rectifier tube. Being cathode biased, no re-biasing is necessary when changing tubes. This is a great feature making the amp useful in different playing situations.
This amp is loud enough to to play small to medium clubs unmiked if it is raised off the floor and given a clear projection to the audience. The two channel interactive volume controls and straight and padded inputs provide multiple input options. A single tone control allows simple but effective EQing.
This is a great tweed style, easily portable tone machine. It is not a channel switching, effects loop laden, multi-parameter amplifier. However, there is a great degree of tone shaping using multiple inputs, differeft pre-amp, power amp and rectifier tubes.

Absolutely stunning tweed tone. Depending on which tubes are used, the amp will break up very early or much later on the volume scale. I play blues, jump, and swing without effects added. When I need to play rock I add some pedals to the front end. I like this amp best tubed to run as clean as possible and add distortion via pedals when needed.
Guitars used include Strats, Tele's, Gibson 355 and Gibson 330
Effects include Klon Centaur, Proco Rat, Boss CE-2, Teese Wah, and Carl Martin Compressor. NOTE: All effects are kept in a bypass loop to maintain the great tone of this amp!

No problems, needs no service. I would replace this if lost or stolen without hesitation.

Bob at The Perfect Note is the most helpful and informed individual I have bought equipment from in over 25 years of playing. He askes very specific questions to help fit the gear to your needs.
Three year warranty, if I needed service I would ship it back to Clark.

Simply put, after playing for 25 years, this is my first choice to take to a gig. I also own another high-end, high-power amp but I'll probably sell it and purchase another Beaufort!

Thanks for reading,

Doug Brown

Features This amp is essentially a tweed deluxe in a 2X10" format. 2 Bright and 2 Normal inputs, on/off, standby, two volumes, one tone. It has an onboard three-knob tube reverb that sounds very nice. It also has the upgraded transformer option, which allows the use of 6L6 tubes; I really like this option as 6L6's give a noticeable increase in clean volume. Came with all NOS tubes except for the reverb unit, which has one NOS and one Sovtek. Two Weber P10R's.
Construction This amp is really small and lightweight, right around 36 lbs. The cabinet is the best I've seen, much nicer than the Victoria's and the Kendrick's that I've also owned, and the lacquer finish is meticulously applied. All the wiring looks very clean and is routed very neatly, the reverb unit and springs fit perfectly in the cabinet, a very efficient use of space. I found the construction to be of a higher quality than the other tweed builders. The new logo looks much better than the old one, see the Clark web site (under the Beaufort 2X10 picture) to see the new logo.
Sound The guitars used with this amp are a Grosh Retro Classic (Alder/Rosewood) and a PRS McCarty Rosewood. First, the Grosh: This is my favorite guitar for use with this amp, Beautiful, full clean tones, very close my Vicky Bassman repro, if you love tweed clean tone, this amp has it. I bought the Clark to replace the Bassman as I wanted something with a great clean sound but didn't need the volume and also wanted something that was going to break up at reasonable volumes. Here is where the reverb is a nice addition, it's a very warm sounding unit and you can get a deep and dark sound or a more subtle sound. Probably the best sounds in the amp are when you have the unused channel volume maxed and the channel in use volume at about 11, or just when the amp is breaking up depending on your pick attack. The dynamics here are astonishing, a clear, clean sound when lightly picking which starts to growl and get fatter as you dig in. When turned all the way this amp distorts pretty heavily but retains some low end clarity, perhaps this is due to the 2X10 configuration as I've heard this circuit gets really flabby at high settings. The way this amp can fatten up a neck single coil while retaining clarity and all at reasonable volumes is incredible. The PRS is a very different animal with this amp, the clean sounds are beautiful and almost bell-like, but the medium grind settings get slightly flabby when using the neck pickup. Still very good, but this amp just seems to work better with fender style guitars. Then I plugged the McCarty into a Klon and those thick blues tones started to emerge. The Beaufort/McCarty combo just sounds fantastic with the Klon, which I had stopped using with the Grosh because it simply was no longer necessary, the Grosh and the Beaufort need nothing extra for great clean and distorted tones.
Customer support: Michael and Bob treated me exceptionally well. When the wait time was extended on my amp Michael sent me out a loaner for an important gig! All my calls/eamails were responded to within one day, frequently the same day. Couldn't ask for more.