Product: Frenzel BUD 50
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
03/14/2007
at
02:55pm
by
Fxrcurt
Features
:
10
BUD "Blackface"/"UltraDistortion"
3 channel all tube 50 watt head. Channel 1 is basically a blackface Fender twin sound with volume, bass middle and treble. Channel 2 is actually 2 channels in one in that there are 2 volumes and 2
gain controls that are independent. They share the bass, middle, treble. You can set one for say clean or crunch or high gain and then via foot switch select the other that can also be set say high
gain, crunch or clean. The footswitch will take you to any of the three channels. However you want to set them up. Channel 2 goes from clean to high gain in more of a Marshall JCM 800 flavor. The
back has an Ohm selector 4,8,16. Footswitch input. There are 2 speaker outputs and an effects loop with level/Wet/Dry control. This is a really cool feature. If you run out the effects send without returning to the return input, the level control will adjust how much signal goes to your speakers or your effects. This way you can tap off your preamp to external effects and into a separate say
stereo poweramp and to another set(s) of speakers and have a setup like the pro's. Just like Eddie!
Nice Tolex cab and plexi glass front so you can see the power tubes glow.
Sound Quality
:
10
Channel one is Fender Blackface (twin) It's one of the most (if not the most) famous Fender sounds. It's pretty strong and has plenty of headroom. A little late to break up with 6L6's but when it does
about midway it sounds absolutely fabulous! It really puts out a professional tube tone. Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Your pickups and speakers will change it's characteristics but you could not ask for
a better sounding clean channel. Takes pedals very well too although you won't need a distortion pedal once you find channel 2. Channel 2 is just like described by it's maker "super HOT-RODDED JCM800" I'm probably not going to do it justice trying to describing this channel because it has a wide spectrum of possibilities. With the GAIN WAY DOWN and the VOLUME WAY UP and my Les Paul WAY DOWN this channel cleans up to almost very clean. Crank up the Les Paul and it's all the classic Marshall rock solid AC/DC muscle. Not to distorted yet but you will recognize the sound like you've heard a million times. That big, bold, organic sound that ONLY Marshalls can do. Now bring on the gain and you better be ready because you may find that your not worthy to play this amp. It is truly a gorgeous beast! (Hey good name for a band " Gorgeous Beast") Anyway you can
span from sweet old Marshall ZZ Top to early Scorpions to Metallica to GodSmak......... a little Marshall, a little Soldano, a little Mesa. All tube and just BALLS! BALLS! BALLS! This ain't no country channel. I'm pushing this through a 4x12 with greenbacks and vintage 30's and it's just unbelievable. I know these celestions are holding this amp back. Studio quality and super quiet.
Reliability
:
10
My finger tips are black and sore. My ears are ringing and nothing has broke yet. Everything functions correctly. No weird sounds other than my playing. I think it's gonna be just fine.
Customer Support
:
10
Great people. I bought a Frenzel 5E3 Deluxe Plus(beautiful tone machine) from Jim a while back and he was just excellent. He must have brought Trevor up right because he too has been really good to me exchanging emails. I'm sure I'm driving them crazy but it's their fault because I'm crazy about these amps. You know small family owned businesses depend on other businesses to create their products. Sometimes there are delays up stream that are nobody's fault but you know shit happens. You may have to put on your "patience" hat a time or two as these amps really are
custom hand built but the lead time is way worth it. If you can't wait the 4 to 8 weeks required, you will be the real looser, seriously!
Overall Rating
:
10
I've played (hacked) at rock guitar for many years. Guitar TONE is what turns people on. You can play 2 notes on a great amp and everyone will enjoy it. Shread your A$$ off on a crappy tone and nobody wants to hear it. I play a Les Paul standard with 57's, Strat and Ibanez RG. I like clean and heavy distortion. I'm glad I stumbled across these amps. Best thing I've treated myself to in a long time.
Remember this BUD 50 is designed by Trevor Frenzel (maybe Jim to??) who is a professional recording musician and amp builder. You can go to myspace.com (search Trevor Frenzel or Frenzelelectronics) on the web and hear this amp, and go to CD Baby and listen to some of his songs just to get an idea of where it's coming from.
I did my research.
Features: Has all you need to sound good. Sound Quality: Actually better than anything you could get retail (It's like Harleys...you can buy one stock and it's ok, or you can have a custom like the pro's and really shine) Reliability and Customer service: WAY better than retail. Price: WAY better than retail.
