Frenzel HB-WC30 Head

Made in 2007

Had hope it would be the end-all of my amp search... sadly it was not.

Has a lot of neat features on paper, but you better try one before buying.

I really wanted to like this amp, but I found myself fighting with it every time I turned it on.

The tone was good, however it had an unacceptable amount of noise when the Presence/Edge know was pulled out.

The clean channels were very quite unless you cranked the master volume and the gain at least 1/2 way.

The boost were insanely loud. I couldn't turn it up above 1 or 2 without destroying my ears.

This amp takes a lot of time to get dialed in. I also found that the Clean and Boost channels are linked... so if you turn the gain up on the clean channel that also affects the gain on the boost channel... very frustrating and really defeats the whole purpose of a multi-channel amp.

Had problems with lots of circuit noise and new tubes dying right off the bat. Electro-Harmonix tubes... do some research on the gearpage.net about the reliability of them. They happen to be some of the cheapest, most unreliable tubes you can buy.

Initially (before the purchase) very good. After the purchase support was pretty mediocre.

I bought this for a studio amp that could do the Vox / BadCat thing, but was really disappointed and ended up selling the amp at a huge loss. FYI... Frenzel's don't hold their value well at all.

Everyone else has listed the features. I got mine used and it has a Black Tolex cab and a plexiglass front. It has every feature you could really want except for an included A/B/Y or reverb, but that is now an option.

2 Channels

I play at home and in church currently.

I own about 10 electrics. 3 Gibsons, a Peavey USA, a Warmoth Custom, a handbuilt custom, a schecter, and an Ibanez.

I play mostly rock of all stripes. Started out with Punk and Hardcore in the 90's, thrash as well, and mostly classic rock these days.

Absolutely perfect for me in that all settings sound good. For high gain I use a zendrive 2 into the boost channel. Not what either are intended for? Who cares? It sounds amazing.

The amp will handle anything shy of the hardest metal on its own IMO. The amp is very quiet in terms of background noise. The clean channel is amazingly rich, especially with the NFB loop defeated.

The weird part about this amp is that there is no sweet spot. Everywhere on every dial is a sweet spot. It just depends on if the settings match the sound you want at the moment.

The clean channel distorts at a fairly high volume level which is ideal.

Just for reference I use a Celestion Alnico Gold loaded Avatar 1x12.

I depend on it hands down. I have only had it a few months now, so I will forgo that.

I have emailed Jim a few times and he is awesome to deal with.

I sold My Traynor YCV50 Blue, My Peavey Rockmaster, and in my quest, I have played practically every production amp you can imagine, Marshall, Mesa, fender, etc. I was saving for this sucker new, and somebody put it on ebay for $550. there loss, my gain.

This unit was built in August, 2007. It is extremely versatile, and that was an important feature for me. I don't have the space in my home studio for more than a couple of amps. This one can apparently do anything I need it to do, so I am very satisfied with the flexibility and versatility of the WC30. It is nominally a 30 watt amp, but it is certainly one of the loudest amps in its class that I have ever experienced. On the few occasions when I really turned it up, I was stunned by the volume and quality of the output. I generally keep the volume on the lower side, especially when recording, but this unit can go up against larger amps if need be. I'm more concerned with tonal quality than sheer volume, and this amp has proved to be a very good purchase as far as I'm concerned.

It sounds very musical, very rich and highly detailed. There is very little discernable noise in the electronics--it is without question the quietest amp I have ever owned. I am currently running it through a single 12" Weber Blue Dog in one of Mr. Weber's cabinets. The two input channels provide distinctly different "flavors," which are generally considered to be Fender and Marshall style tones, but I think this is oversimplified. The amp has it's own characteristics and qualities, and is capable of a lot of nuance. I value a rich, deep "clean" sound as much as crunch, and this amp can pretty much do it all. I'm using a newer Gibson SG, a 1995 Fender American Strat, and a 1979 Gibson ES-347, and I think they all sound great through the Wild Cat. There are enough handles on tone--master, gain, bass, mid and treble, as well as a "presence" control with boost-- to dial in a wide range of responses from the system.

I have had it only a few months, so I have no real data on reliability, but it works flawlessly so far. I broke it in gradually, though there is some debate about whether that is really necessary. Worked fine from the moment I took it out of the box, and judging from the way it is built, I expect it to perform well for many years. It is relatively simple and solid in its design and construction, and I expect that to be a plus in terms of reliability and service life.

Mr. Frenzel was prompt in his responses, detailed in his answers, and seemed clearly willing to help whereever he could. The amp was built to order with a minor mod that Jim was kind enough to "throw in." I waited some time for the amp to be built and shipped, but that's part of the trade-off when buying a product that is hand-crafted as opposed to mass-produced. I have no complaint whatsoever about the transaction, and would gladly do repeat business with Frenzel.

I have been playing for more than 30 years, and have purchased a number of amps from companies such as Fender, Sunn, Peavey, Kustom, and Vox. This is clearly one of the best purchases I've made to date. I would be interested in playing with other models in the Frenzel line down the road to see how they differ, but this one seems to be the best choice overall for my needs.

Same as the reviews posted- I'm Lazy so I won't type what tubes and everything since you can view these details on their site, ebay, of the other players.

Brand new-

am-mazing- plugged in the tubes- and off we go- Sick sick sick- I'd been kicking myself in the head for buying something sight unheard- went to Westwood music and jammed on everything from the Carr amps which are great to the THD's I'd also spied.

I was pleasantly blown away when I fired this WC 30 up and plugged in- sustain and tone- all there is to it. Two Clean channels well voiced- different yet so many slight variations of tone-
The Boost Channels are pretty rad- I thought it would be a classic sounding beast but it has some nice room for modern rock as well. I'd use a nice pedal for truly modern sound though- This amp is built for tone. Tone and then some more tone.

Bell like clarity with the clean channels and a fun- even at quiet volume distortion. By fun I mean a lot of room for the player to dig into the guitar and pull out some soul vibrations.

I'm now curious what else I should grab from the Frenzel labs.....

new - I'm sure Jim would help out in anyway-

Solid- I Got the metal cover so that I don't wreck it on my own... just gotta keep the drinks away..

Jim will speak plainly and truthfully about his products.. I'm thankful for his help in directing my towards this amp head.

Please read this carefully - This kicks the crap out of Mesa- I've owned a few and they all disappointed me live and in the studio- Had the Road King and that was a waste of time and money- Sold it and bought a bunch of cool stuff like a Gibson SG and this amp.

It certainly has its own unique voice and character-

Looking forward to recording with this badass amp soon-
Sounds amazing at bedroom levels.. Haven't stopped playing except to go and work

Received amp head in March 2007. Killer. The best. Get this one. 30 watts of sheer tone. Two channels that can do any style of music. I hooked up an ABY footswitch to it to go between channels or to use both. It screams in any language. I will be dumping some of my other amps because this is the one. It also works perfectly with my powered reverb unit (and other effects) in the effects loop circuit. This is the model with the two EL34's in it. Can't say enough about his amp. You have to get one and try it yourself.

Beautiful natural distortion when I push it to the limit. Clean as clean can be when I want it. Extreme range.

I only had it a few weeks, so time will tell about dependability. But it is made so well that I doubt there will be any problems.

Good communication. I had questions and they were answered. No stalling, waiting or BS.

I have been playing since 1968. I would absolutely by another Frenzel amp. There is no question. Maybe a tube spring reverb in a future model would be nice.

This amp was just made...Feb. 2007. It is all tube. Point to point wired. 2 channels through 4 separate input jacks. It does have an effects loop. 30 class A watts of power.
This amp can cover allot of tones in "its style". Clean and pristine clean to wild, hard edged, in your face I'm gonna getchya sucka, kind of tones.....if that makes any sense to you....If you played it you would.
Here is a link if your really interested in all its features
http://www.frenzeltubeamps.com/id38.html
I also paid for an optional Tolex cabinet.

This amp can make allot of its own kind of tones. From pristine clean to in your face, I'm gonna getchya sucka kind of monster rock tones.....It really grows on you. I kind of wanted not to like it....it wasn't "sweet" sounding like some of my other amps, yet it wasn't a metal amp, but there is just something about it that can get you mesmerized just sittin' around playin' through the thing. You pick your guitar, turn on the amp after lunch, next thing you know it's dinner time.
For me it works real good for raunchier tones whether it be jazz, blues, rock and probably even metal depending on what your looking for.
It does cleans very well, I just don't use this amp for "clean" tones much.

It's a Frenzel. Means it's built to last. Crafted by hand, point to point wired with quality components through out. Period.

The best in the buisness....bar none!

It's a 12! I sold my VHTs and Bogners. It's Frenzel's for me. I have bought four and I am buying at least one more in the next few days. Frenzel's blow away Bogner's, VHT's, Mesa Boogies, Marshall's and nearly every other amplifier manufactuer with the exception of a few of the "boutique" builders who'll charge you many times more for, if your very lucky, an amp that'll sound as good as a Frenzel.

The Hot Box, Wild Cat 30 is a very loud 30 watt amp. It is class A with dual rectifiers. The amp has hi and low inputs on two individual channels giving it a total of 4 inputs. Each channel has Preamp Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Master controls. A push/pull knob controls presence and "edge" on both channels. There is also a single knob for off, standby, and on. The rear of the amp has a series effects loop with a drive control and there are two speaker outputs with a selector knob for 16, 8 and 4 ohms

This amp is versatile enough to use alone for any style with maybe the exception of metal. The volume of this amp is amazing. I thought my 60 watt Mesa Boogie was loud but this 30 watt amp will easily compete with it or any other 60 watt amp.

My main guitars are Stratocaster and Telecaster. The Stratocaster has three active EMG SA's with a midrange boost. The Telecaster has two EMG SA's, one EMG 81, midrange boost, and presence control. I use a Celestion, Vintage 30 speaker with the amp.

I use this amp on a lot of studio work, playing many styles of music. I also play in two live bands: one plays all original music,??? Adult Contemporary Rock" and the other is a Classic Rock cover band playing some country as well.

Depending on the pre/master setting on the "F" inputs, one can go from bell-like clarity to a thick crunch overdrive with tons of attack and sustain. With the preamp volume set to less than half and the master set to desired volume, the tone, with my guitars, is clear as a bell. This setting is great for the clean country to funk, or any music that requires that punch attack, clean sound obtainable with a bridge pickup. Switch to a neck pickup, lighten up on your pick attack, and you have the milky smooth, clean jazz tone for a whole different sound. With the preamp knob set to 3/4 and the master set to desired volume, a warm, thick but very punchy distortion, with lots of sustain, pours out of this amp; this tone is perfect for any music with the exception of metal and at the risk of sounding snide, who cares. The variety of sounds from the F input alone is worth the price.

I am literally blown away by the "M" inputs. I can't believe the volume, sustain, and raw power of this channel. With the pre and master set to 1/3 or less of the knobs travel, the amp starts breathing fire. Most amps loose attack when the preamp volume is increased to higher distortion levels but this amp has the attack of a sledge hammer at all levels with amazing tone and sustain. I can't really compare the sound to any one amp because it has the sustain of a cranked up boogie, the brown tone distortion that everybody loves from a souped up Marshall or Bogner, but with the attack of a hot Matchless, Twin, or Vox. The tone and attack seems to get better when the pre or master level is increased; attack is usually inversely linked to distortion.

I received this amp in late November 2006 but based on the quality of the amp and my first impressions in dealing with Jim Frenzel, I'm expecting nothing but the best.

As mentioned in the reliability section, my relationship with Frenzel Tube Amps is still very new but if first impressions are anything, I expect no problems.

Bang for Buck, "bang" meaning high quality of workmanship, exceptional rich tone, and approachable company with a human interface, this has to be one of the best deals around. Being a musician, I feel lucky to have found this company.

I've been playing guitar since 1963 and still have my first amp: a Twin Reverb. It still has the original tubes and it still works, a little micro phonic, but it works. I've been collecting musical equipment all these years. I know a quality product when I hear or see it; this amp is in the top of my favorite amps now and I've got a feeling it will stay there.