Collins Amplification Tweed Tone 25CB112

Amp was completed on June 19,2008- my birthday. It was probably a coincidence since I ordered approximately two months before my birthday. The only delay was due to Craig waiting on the Heyboer transformer to be sent to him...was not a problem at all, even though I was anxious.
The only reason this category is not a 10 is because there are not a bunch of modern features like channel switching, effects loop,etc...but any self-respecting tweed amp player does not DESIRE those things in a tweed.
The features that deserve a 10---and I am giving these a 10---are these;
The build quality, artistry, attention to detail, superior components,
the fact that you get to choose everything...knobs (cream), tweed lacquer tint level, speaker (Jensen P-12N), LOGO (OVAL--on the rear panel only), carrying handle,faceplate (gold),etc...
These are the features that I would have paid extra....a real custom amp---without the price of a Victoria/Clark,etc...
Would you rather pay double for a Victoria or Fender Custom Shop and get 12 watts...or pay half for a Collins TT...AND get 25 watts of sweet tweed mojo? Please visit the Collins site and research all the components he uses to custom build your amp...compare it to the other pricey tweed builders and you will end up ordering from Collins.
I am in no way affiliated with Collins Amplification.

I am playing through a G & L Legacy, alder,maple neck with Detemple Sweetspot pickups. The Sweetspots are probably the cleanest, vintagey pickups I have ever used...but hands down the truest of all I have played...I have been playing them for about four to five years now---before that ---I was swapping pickups left and right to find the true sound/tone of the guitar. I mention the pickups to give you an idea of what I am judging the Amp on. I am looking for the true tone of the guitar through one of Leo Fender's tweed circuits because I firmly believe he got it right and like Leo....I truly believe that the GUITAR and AMP---are ONE INSTRUMENT!
Well at first I felt the amp was a bit...brittle...too clean...but I knew that I had to be patient and let the new Jensen P12n break-in...don't get me wrong the clean sound was pure and beautiful---but I was waiting for ...the cream...the fat...the tweed fat break-up that a good tweed amp can deliver---when it's got it.
I played it a lot...at home-low volume...at rehearsals-loud volume...always sounded good...but I kept waiting...then ...
One evening...maybe 5 weeks after first plugging in...I was sitting at home...alone...playing...not thinking...not scheming,planning,not looking forward----not looking back,...just playing...
and there it was....creamy, full-fat smooth break-up....with brilliance....sparkly....just as if Leo Fender had winked at me and caught me by surprise...it was there....the tweed tone that first got me addicted to playing...
One note...on my guitar, with my pickups...the tone finally arrived and surprisingly...I was NOT plugged into the BRIGHT #1 channel...I was plugged into Normal #1...for my guitar...this is where the magic is...I have also found a nice tone by jumping the channels with a patch cord---but Normal #1 is where I will be found.

With the components Craig is using...I will probably only carry spare tubes...I think it will outlast me, and as long as I own it---it will be fully covered by Collins Amps.

I think I have emailed Craig way too much and asked some of the same questions---but he is very courteous and patient and will steer you right. When I told him I did not prefer to have a Collins logo in front...he did not skip a beat and agreed to place the LOGO on the rear panel (I just thought it would look cooler). Even after I received the amp, Craig continued to offer the same service,respect,patience and hepfulness as before. I actually (though--for selfish reasons---quite reluctantly) suggested to Craig that he should seriously consider placing an ad in Vintage Guitar magazine because he is building masterpieces for the best price in the USA.
(I am trying to hurry and place my next order---probably a dream BLACKFACE---before word gets out)

I have been playing forever...someday I might be good. If it were stolen or lost...I'd probably order another as soon as possible---actually I am ordering another. I love the look,the tone..the fact that my name is on the build sticker inside the amp...the lacquered tweed looks fantastic...actually looks stylish in the middle of my living room...wife even thinks it goes with the vibe of the room.
I would be happy to answer any questions so I am including my email addy...and if you would like to hear a sample...you can go to our myspace/brianandthemystics....to hear it on some tunes.
I really appreciate (especially nowadays) when someone actually takes pride and builds a masterpiece and charges working man's prices---just like my hero did---Leo Fender.
Craig...I hope you don't get too successful too fast....at least not until I can buy a couple `more.

I gave it a 9 for versatility because it's a versatile as any tweed amp can be, meaning it does what it does extremely well and I don't want it to be versatile! I've been playing a Vicky deluxe for the past 4 years as my main amp and have been looking for something with more power that breaks up as nicely as it did but would cut through the mix better and I have to say I've finally found it. Not only does it breakup early like the deluxe but it has so much "oomph" and presence that the deluxe lacked. I was sceptical about staying with cathode biasing at that power level but the amp is prefect for what I need. I find fixed biased tweed amps to be way to clean and loud for a good blues tone at less than arena volume. Loving this amp!

I'd have to sum the sound catagory up by saying "Top Notch Tweed Tone". The only option I paid extra for was the Weber 12A150. It responds so well to attack and my personal style that I may have to learn to play all over again. No muddy bass here as the smaller tweeds are known for, just clean tight bottom all the way up the volume knob. Sounds like a tweed made in heaven.

Doubt this will ever be an issue, made like a tank from the best available parts. If it does break it's warrantied for as long as I own it minus tubes and thats a 10 in my book. Try getting that deal anywhere else.

I brow beat Craig to death before I bought this amp and he steered me to it over and over when I told him I wanted early breakup with more volume while maintaing great tone. I doubted him a few times but followed his lead and he's 100% spot on with his recommendations. I've never talked to anyone so willing to build what I wanted instead of trying to sell me on something I don't need like most do. He'll build my next amp for sure.

Try to find an amp of this caliber ANYWHERE for what Craig charges and you'll find yourself calling him. I have no idea how long he can afford to build these for as little as he charges but if you're smart you'll jump on the ship before it sails. Killer value in a hand built tweed style amp, probably the best value available anywhere in new tweed amps period.