Collins Amplification Custom Kensington 45 Head

Built in 2008 the Collins Kensingto is based around a JTM45. As far as I'm concerned this is the perfect amp for my use. I use this for Blues and Blues/Rock and a little Classic Rock. With 35 all tube watts (KT66s),this amp has everything I need and everything I want in an amp. It is basic with Presence, Bass, Mid, Treble tone controls and two "Channels" It is not a channel switcher. There are Hi & Lo gain inputs for each "channel", with a volume control for each. It is conceivable to use an A/B or A/B/Y box to swith between the two. I don't. It is powered just right to sound big an ballsy without being overly loud. No other crap in the signal path, i.e. NMV, NO effects loop, NO reverb. Gets a "10" because to me it is not lacking anything...

I use a "strat" style guitar (Grosh) with Fralin Blue Specials". Even with SC pups, it is very quiet. Dead quiet in the 2 & 4 positions and relatively quiet in the 1 / 3 / 5 positions. Quieter than any of the many amps I own or have owned. And that's with the bright channel on about "8" (scale of 10). After 8 it doesn't get much if any louder, just overdrives more. At that setting it breaks up nicely for a singing lead tone (any pickup selection) and cleans up just by backing off the guitar volume or varying pick attack. Truly an extremely sensitive amp.

I have gigged for years with tube amps and never had a problem. I used to carry a spare amp but never ever needed it. Just something extra to schlep around. Seeing how this amp is built with top shelf components and obvious true craftsmanship, I am not at all concerned. I suspect my car is less dependable.

Never had to use follow up customer support. But based on Craig's attention to detail during the build process, I am confident CS would be excellent. All e-mails and correspondence wer answered promptly and with complete answers to any and all questions. Based on my experience I have to give this one a "10".

I have been playing professionally or at least semi-pro for 40+ years. I have lots of other gear. Amps I've owned but no more include. Vox AC30, Sunn Sceptre, Fender , '59 Bassman, SR, TR, Hot Rod Deluxe, several Peaveys, Top Hats and more. Currently own in addition to my Collins, Fargen Mighty Plex, Epiphone Valve Jr, Fender SRRI and a couple of 212 cabs. If this amp were lost, stolen or destroyed I would replace it with one exactly like it in a heartbeat. I'd have to say it is the sweetest amp I've ever owned.

The amp is Craigs Kensington design which shares most circuitry with the 1962 JTM45 with the exception of an added effects loop and post phase inverter master volume which I requested when ordering. Those are two features that after using for a few months on this amp I've decided that I've really been missing out on. I play with a band that gigs over 260 days a year and this thing is absolutely capable of nailing every tone I need from clean to dirty.

On a 1 to 10 scale the sound of this amp is a 15! Think 1959 Bassman with an edge and attitude and you get the basic tone, then crank it and used the PPIMV and it will take you head off should you choose to. Blues, country, rock, jazz and beyond, this amp has a tone for it all.

Craig was on the phone with me alot as I picked his brain about every detail. Always giving me the facts and letting me choose, never twisting my arm or trying to sell me a bill of goods like most manufacturers. I know if it ever breaks he'll take care of me. But whats to break? The circuit board is a work of art!

Again, absolute top notch service and guidance during the build. I have no idea who the guy below is but I got the story from Craig, very interesting story I might add. It starts with UPS dropping the amp and ends with the guy not sending the amp back after repeated attempts to get it repaired. When you buy an amp you buy a Tech! Use the guy that built it! I plan to.

A+, perfect, flawless, minimal controls to do exactly what I want them to. Thats his specialty after all. I've Owned about 30 amps in the last 20 years, even an original JTM which this is based on. It never sounded this good and never made me want to play as much as this amp does. In fact I'd say my playing has improved greatly since the purchase of this amp. I've never sounded so good.

I bought the first one built(the hardwood cab one on his site) and it's a beauty! All of the features that you would expect in a JTM 45 type of amp, Normal, Bright Vol, Trebel, Middle, Bass & Presence. Everything I need and nothing I don't! I wasn't about to pay near twice the asking price of this amp for a JTM45 from Marshall and end up with shoddy components hanging off of a printed circuit board........why would anyone? I guess most people have more money to throw away than I do. An 8 for no reason, if you want a true JTM45, this is what you get in features!

I play it through a 2x12 Jenkins cab with Weber Ceramic SilverBell, Hands down only one word to sum it up..............AMAZING! I told him the sound I wanted with the types of guitars I play and he delivered in spades! My new go to guy for amps bar none. With single coils, humbuckers, blues, country, slide or hard rock.......one amp CAN do it all. Takes pedals extremely well, everything I throw at it sounds better than anything I have plugged in to before(even the cheap pedals!)

With Custom wound trannies, ceramic sockets, handwired with vintage cloth wire, custom epoxy eyelet board, high friction sealed pots, carling, switchcraft components etc, this thing will outlive me!

Craig is a true gentleman(I have no idea what planet the other reviewer of this amp is from). He bent over backwards to explain all aspects of the amp and which choices would work better for me the player(and I'm an electronics idiot). I know if I had any problems with this amp(certainly not expecting any)he would refund me for shipping it back and return it quickly.

Been playing 27 years, fronted 6 Bands, currently with the Silverado's, a country, blues band in upstate NY. I hate nothing about this amp, light on weight, heavy on Tone! I chose this amp based on word of mouth and cost alone, one decision I'm glad I made. The big name manufacturers of mass produced crap can keep building it, compared to this amp, I would say it's the best $1000.00 I've ever saved myself! I do wish it had a beer holder, I leaving circles on my hardwood! Call Craig and don't look back, spend the extra $1000 on a new guitar!