Fab Amp Studio Fox ACDC5/2 Head

10 for features. Rob builds the amp to your specs, and will work in any feature you want. He was extremely helpful and informative throughout picking the features of my amp, and always told me the pros and cons of the decisions.

My Fox Studio has the classic Fender Champ tube layout, with an added tube-driven FX Loop. Also, we included a pentode/triode switch. This feature allows the power tube (JJ 6V6) to run in two different modes. In triode you can push the tube to its max at bedroom levels. In pentode mode, you get a nice loud 5-watts similar to the output of a Champ or similar amp (surprisingly loud for 5 watts). 2 speaker outs, in varying ohms, and a recording out jack that actually derives its signal from the power tube output. While I usually like to mic my speaker cab to record, this is still a great feature for recording on the fly, and it sounds great! It's also great for when I need to record silently (I live in an apartment).

I use an American Strat most of the time, but also an SG with Duncan humbuckers occasionally. The amp sounds incredible. I play it through a 1x12 Bogner Cube - a nicely designed ported cab. Best bang for the buck as far as 1x12 cabs go IMO. I have had it loaded with a Greenback (awesome vintage growl) and a Vintage 30 (which I prefer for the Fox due to its clarity).

The pentode/triode switch makes the amp very versatile in my bedroom-studio! I can dime all the knobs in triode mode and get INCREDIBLE recording tones without the cops knocking on the door! In pentode mode, I get awesome 6V6 crunch, very warm and VERY tube-like. Nice and glassy tones. I love the sounds I am getting.

Pedals work nicely in front of the amp. Boosts push it hard and get nicely saturated harmonic tones, but my favorite is playing it with a Fulltone OCD in front, and nothing else. What incredible responsive tone! I did not like my OCD much until I got the Fox. It was always a little thin and too trebly. Well, this is proof that the end result really does come from the amp! Through the Fox, my OCD sounds very warm with just the perfect amount of dirt and responsiveness. Very pick-attack sensitive as well.

The amp is quiet. Rob includes some kind of built in noisegate knob (if you prefer to use it) - but I always leave it off as I don't need it much anyway. I've never had problems with noise.

Ironically - I don't use the FX loop much for FX, but I do use it to boost the amp! By placing a simple 6" patch cable from the IN to the OUT of the FX loop, you can get a very nice boost that really makes you wonder how such big sounds are coming out of such a small amp! Rob gave me this tip.

So far the amp has been reliable, and I have had it for 3 or 4 months.

While Rob does use top-notch parts, one concern I do have are the jacks Rob used. They seem to be cheap plastic jacks and just don't feel great. However, I voiced my concern and Rob has since switched brands of jacks. He is now using SwitchCraft (or better).

Knobs feel nice. They all turn smoothly and feel consistent with one another. They have that nice smooth feeling, kind of like an EHX effects pedal.

Insides look immaculate. Point-to-point wiring is very nice and clean.

The actual tweed shell of my Fox head was a little dissappointing. It seemed slightly sloppy. However, i did pick these materials out myself, and was shown pictures via email before choosing them, so I cannot totally pin this one on Rob himself. The actual plywood used was sturdy and built well.

The handle and metal corners used were great quality, but not the nicest looking ones I have ever seen. I replaced my handle with a nicer looking brown leather one instead.

Also - a lot of pictures on Rob's website show some pretty old amps. He now has some very nice black or tan shiny silkscreened Plexi faceplates - no more of the ugly gold metal. Thankfully, my Fox was ordered just after he started using this "new look"!

I am not trying to "nit-pick" here, but I know that Rob appreciates honest input and is always looking to improve the quality of his amps.

It doesn't get any better. Rob himself guides you through the entire process and is extremely helpful! I emailed him nearly everyday for weeks while my amp was being designed and built, and he always responded within hours.

Also, he regularly sent me pictures of my amp while it was being built to keep me informed and excited about it.

When it was finished, Rob himself gigged my Fox out for a couple of shows, playing it through a 2x12 cab. This was reassuring to me, and allowed him to make a couple last minute tweaks and try different tubes to improve the tone before shipping it out.

Since I received my amp, Rob and I have still been in contact talking about what speakers sound better than others with it, etc.

Lost or stolen, I would be proud to work with Rob again on designing another amp. If I would change anything, I would probably simplify the features since I don't use a few of them very often.

The bottom line is that for $500 shipped, you cannot find a better deal than this. I have played through Gibson Les Paul GA-5's, vintage Fender Champs, Dr. Z's Mini-Z - and while these are all incredible recording amps, none of them compare to the features of the Fox and they all cost more! Mic'd, this amp is definitely giggable. It pushes my 1x12 Bogner Cube surprisingly hard - with surprising warmth, bass response, and bell-like highs! It just sounds great. Maybe its partly due to the ability to try varying speaker cabs with it - but the pentode/triode switch indespensible and definitely contributes as well, allowing me to take full advantage of the JJ 6V6. Rob tried many different tube brands, and ended up giving me a JJ 6V6, a couple EHX 12AX7's, and some small Mullard as well. I really appreciate the effort he put into this amp.