Product: Frenzel Hot Box AC15 Head
Price Paid: US $400
Submitted
02/18/2006
at
09:59am
by
manymanyhaha
Email: manymanyhaha<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:
10
Brand new Hot Box AC 15 made by Jim Frenzel. It's based on the AC 15 circuit using a Matchless Hot Box preamp. Has one regular input, one boost input, preamp volume knobs for each input, 3 band tone stack, a master volume, standy by switch, power switch, line out and speaker out.
This amp is part of a complicated 6 amp set up, all amps made(or are being made) by Jim Frenzel. I like to experiment with rhythmic textures and ambience. I play alone and as part of a 3 piece. My guitar is a custom made aluminum made by Chris Fouke at Industrial guitars, another highly recommended artisan.
Sound Quality
:
10
It's a very direct and lovely sounding amp. I've never played an AC-15 or an AC-30, but am certainly familar with what they sound like. I do have a Laney VC30 and compared to the VC30, it's not near as dark. It can have a very tight and punchy bass to it, to the point that when I got together with my three piece, I found myself playing basslines at times. The 3 band tone stack is very sculptive and makes the amp quite versatile. There's a beautiful glassy chime there. The boost channel can get anywhere from a boosted regular signal, to a wonderful and melty distortion when turned all the way up. Compared to other amps, it's not elusive. I'm never trying to dial something out of the sound, but rather I'm sculpting with it.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
I have no comments about the reliability as I have not had the amp long enough, but I'm not worried about it.
Customer Support
:
10
Jim is a super nice guy and a pleasure to deal with. I haven't discussed future repairs with him, but I have no doubt he'd work with me should I have a problem.
Overall Rating
:
10
To underestimate Frenzel amps based on looks would be a mistake. I love the look of these little amps. They are all very small and light. They have these science project looking chassis with grey cages on top, and if you didn't know better, you would think these are all the same amps. But they aren't. It's obvious Jim has studied the circuits of his favorite amps, understood how to modify them favorbly based on other designs, found the best prices on the quality parts that are needed, and put em together. It's very impressive. In the future, Jim is either going to have to raise his prices or hire some employees, it's the nature of market forces. One of my all time favorite finds.
