Collins Amplification HT-18112

Made and purchased in November 2006 by Craig Collins. This is the 12 inch combo, dual 6v6 model 18 watt of the Harptone series. It also comes in 25, 30 and 40 watts with4 JJ-6V6, or 2 JJ-6L6 output tubes.
My model has NOS 12AY7 in slot one, JJ 12ax7 & 6V6's and an NOS Tungsol 5Y3. Craig also included a NOS 5751 if I wanted to swap the 17ax7, which I have not done.

The key to this amp, from a harp players viewpoint, is the phase inverter with adjustable feedback control that Craig has added to the circuit, which has just about eliminated any issues I may have previously had with feedback. Otherwise it seems to be based on the basic Fender Narrow Panel Deluxe tweed model of the 1950's. Two chanels (bright & normal), two inputs pr channel, tone control, on/off toggel and a standby switch where the polarity switch used to be on old models. Comes with a Weber 12 with a harp dustcap and is fixed bias, but you have options there as well. Tweed covered with a beautiful #2 shelac finish.

Simple and elegant, the way I wanted it. Not a whole lot of features, but the sound versatility that the limited controls provide make it a 10.

Wow. Best sounding harp amp I have played in 30 years of playing out professionally. I have had dozens of old Fenders and Gibsons over the years, as well as many other tube amps and boutique models.. My fave is a 1960 Gibson GA2. When I spoke to Craig about building this for me, I wanted an amp that sounded like the Gibson, but was more reliable than my 45+ year old baby and a little louder. I like the Collins better.

It has a huge sound for a 12 inch combo. Fat round but focused bottom end but plenty of mids and highs to cut through the mix. I used to use a reverb pedal or delay to give my sound some depth, but have found I don???t use them more than one or two songs a night with the Collins. .Rich, full of harmonics, great sag, it growls when you push it and best of all no worries about feedback. I've heard all of the makers of boutique harp amps clams about eliminating feedback, but have never found one that really worked. I usually use aan old (black plastic) Rocktron Micro Hush pedal (a harp players secret weapon for feedback control) in between the mic and the amp. My first gig out with the Collin's I set it up, but ended up not using it after the first song.

This amp is so "mucical" and responsive that it is difficult to describe what it has done for my playing. I'm able to play more subtle now and have it heard.

I have used this amp with an old Astatic Mic with a NOS 127 crystal element, a bullet mic with a Shure CM element and a Shure PE-54 dynamic (the "Butterfield" mic) which is my favorite. They all bring a different personality to the amp and all sound great with it. One of the first things I noticed when I received the amp is how quickly you can "dial in" your sound. The tome control, like most twwed circuits, is very responsive and actually seems to add a bit of distortion as you increase it, which is nice because it removes some of the high end brittleness you get with some amps when you increase the treble. You also have the ability to jump the input channels, which adds to the sonic versatility.

It is loud enough for just about any club situation and if it isn't, I'll mic it.

It is very well constructed using top notch components. I've only had it a month, but I have no worries. But would I go out without a back-up, most likely no. I always carry a back-up, they are tube amps after all. But I tend to think the back-up will stay in the car unless an extra guitar player shows up at the gig unannounced.

Craig Collins is great to deal with and he is timely and responsive. He told me this build would take 4 to 6 weeks and one day shy of 4 weeks he emailed me to say he was shipping the next day.

I took a leap of faith with this amp (and Craig) because there was very little available on the net and this site in particular. But his web site was so informative and he was so easy to deal with. I sure am glad I took the leap.

I have not had any reason to get it repaired at this point, but given dealings up to now with Craig, I am confident of his support.

I have been playing professionally for over 30 years. Other amps I have (which are now getting dusty) include various Gibson 12 inch combo amps made from 58 to 64, a Magnatone 415 Custom (4 eight inch speakers), a botique Holland Westside 35 (Bassman clone), a 1960 Epiphone Pacemaker and a Fender Blues Jr upgraded with Weber speaker and NOS tubes.

I use Shure PE54's and 545s about equally with my Astatic 127, depending on the band I'm playing with.I sometimes use EH Holy Grail reverb or Jacques Prisoner delay. (Great friggin delay with NOS BBD chip, by the way.)

If it got stolen (stay way, he has a gun) I would buy another in a New York minute. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of having Craig build me one with the 4 6V6's so that I will fear no guitar player!