FireBelly Amplifier Company VB3510

The last produced model before his retail deals (Spring 2009). Has some of the same features like master vol,. ext. mid, mid/fat boost, Jenen P10 Alnicos... All bought as options.

I've looked for a well built blackfaced style amp for a while, but not finding anything reasonably priced till I stumbled upon Firebelly on the internet. The sound clips were exactly what I was looking for and specs and materials were spot on.

See the website for more details.

After about thirty hours, the Alnicos have broken in nicely. Please avoid reviewing any alnico amp before breaking in. They sound bigger than they are while being much more responsive.

Sound quality is perfectly in line with the best vintage fenders. I love the optional mid and mid/boost controls to take the tone to my personal tastes. It took me a while to dial in My sound. But taking time do so has paid off. I use the master regularly as well when I thought I wouldn't. I've never used a master control before and was skeptical, but it sounds nice backed off a tad. Give's a subtle compression that blossoms under a boost or in conjunction with distortion pedals. Speaking of, I felt the need to redo the settings on my whole pedal board over the three weeks of breaking in the amp only to settle on a very similar configuration I had with my old amp. Go figure.

I have begun to pick up other guitars I own, but have not played in a while. The amp really brings out the characteristics of each instrument. I you like your playing, great. If not, this amp will not hide anything.

It's brand new. Looks tight. What an I say? I've never used a back up amp.

It was a pleasure doing business with Steven Cohen. He took all my calls and helped me decide on speakers and other options. He is very passionate about his amps and it shows in the finished product.

I've been playing for 20 years and have honed my tone nicely over the last 10 on electric. I'm very glad to have found Firebelly amps when I did. It was a nice experience having an instrument custom made for me and end result is very pleasing. I'm excited to play it every day and that, to me, is the benchmark for rating any instrument.

Brand new, built for me in 09. Please check out the website for details.

I've opted for two Jensen P10q's. A very warm, detailed, and immediate sounding speaker.
A wide range of tones are possible. The tone knobs are substantial in altering the sound. I went with a MID knob as the original blackface did not include one. In addition, I also opted for the Mid/Fat boost as well. With the mids maxed and the bass and treble cut altogether, this is clearly my tone for sure. Very tweedish this way with the added clarity of a blackface.
I also went with the master knob. Never thought I'd use it, but a little touch gives the cleans some character.

The amp is plenty loud enough to keep up with a loud drummer and bass player if you don't mind a little crunch in your tone.

The amp is beautiful by the way. See the website for photos. Not sure if there is a bit of plastic anywhere on it. I so wish the pedals had lights on them. Not exactly standard, I know, but perhaps for the future? At least they have long cables- thanks steve.

I use it with a PRS Hollowbody Spruce. I've been able to get a the hollowness to come through as I haven't with my Deville 212, though it did have some dead speakers. A truly nice clean sound with lots of character and definition.

A full range of tones are possible. It pulls off a jangely 60's sound as a home base, though not really my cup of tea. As I've stated before, I shy away from the highs so I never use the bright switch or the treble knob. I never liked to play without reverb before, but open chords sound so nice it seems like there may be a place for the reverb switch.

The P10's give a very immediate response to my playing in that the notes seem to jump off the fret board. I've been able to play faster runs with more clarity. Once the speakers have broken in, the notes now jump but also swell off the instrument.

With the bridge pickup, a honkey tone is also possible with the tone rolled back on the guitar. Else, I can go from The Hombres to Dazed and Confused. With the middle pickup, that in phase sound is quite accentuated.

My effects also come alive so that it has been an ordeal to readjust my settings. (I may need to rethink my floor board to conform to this amp rather than this amp to the floor board.) All the effects but the chorus for some reason needed to be turned down as I'm able to get more breakup out of this amp. Also, with the mid/fat boost engaged, the levels of the effects pedals get screwy. Did I mention I love the Mid Fat Boost. Mine is not connected to the normal channel. No reverb and mids in the Normal equates with me not using this much.

The reverb is plentiful by the way. I who love a lush sound can't get past a quarter turn. I do wish it trailed off faster though. As for the vibroto/ tremelo; I love a new toy and this is fun.

Worth noting; Have not been able to coax feedback easily. The amp is more apt to breakup before howling. Even with a hollowbody (ish). Maybe good, maybe not?

Two words: Wholesome goodness

Seems built well. I wish I could say more.

I've never used or needed a backup on a gig.

I just spoke with Steven (yet again) and thanked him for a great instrument. I also had some supplemental questions which he was able to answer with great knowledge. He has a wealth of information, and has been a pleasure to do business with.

Sorry for not giving numerical ratings as I feel that sound is too subjective. With that said- This is a very authentic, detailed and expressive amp. Though I can sound like me through any amp, it's a treat to hear myself through this. If you don't like your playing, than sorry kids...

My ultimate test for an instrument is: Do I enjoy playing it/ Does it make me a better player. In this case, yes.

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