Product: Collins Amplification Harptone 30
Price Paid: USD 1025
Submitted
12/02/2007
at
12:11pm
by
Mike Smith
Features
:
10
Custom Made 30 Watt Harp Amp.
Two channel inputs (bright, normal), two volume controls, tone, on/off, standby, feedback attenuator control. Tubes -four NOS 6V6 RCA grey plates power tubes, 2 Sylvania 12AX7, 5AR4 rectifier. 2 12 inch Weber Speakers (12F125 & 12A125-O) with harp dust caps. Basically a Low Power Tweed Narrow Panel Tweed Cabinet. Custom made by Craig Collins in 2006.
My second Collins. Other is 18112 Harptone, which covers most of my gigging. This one ordered to deal with about 30% of my gigs where I require a high stage volume. In short, a guitar player killer. And thats exactly what this amp is. LOUD, great tone and I fear no six stringer.
Simple straight forward,responsive controls you. It's simplicity rates it a 10.
Sound Quality
:
10
Focused, round bottom, smooth harmonic highs. Starts to beak up a 2. I've never had it over 4 and don't ever expect to. It's that loud.
I use various Astatic 127 ceramic bullet mics and sometimes a Shure PE54 (Buterfield mic). I use this amp mainly in a loud, modern electric blues band I'm in. It's also great for outdoor gigs and large venues.
It sounds exactly the way I asked Craig to make it sound.
Reliability
:
10
Built like a tank. It travels without back up. I've never had issues with either of my Collins amps.
Customer Support
:
10
In short, Craig is one of the best boutique builders out there. He listens, is responsive, a craftsman and smart.
Answers all my questions before, during and after a build. I needed a new handle to replace a defect and it was here in 2 days.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
I own a lot of amps, some boutique, most vintage. I basically use just my two Collins amps now.
I looked a long time at custom builders before I had Craig build my first 12 inch 18 watt tweed combo. That experience and amp easily convinced me to have Craig build this amp.
fantastic quality, craftsmanship and value.
