Fuchs Audio Technology Blackjack 21 1X8 Combo

This is an update to my earlier review. I'm now using Boss/Fender FDR-1 pedal with trem and reverb, adn a Barber LTD SR overdrive pedal in front of the amp. Am only deducting for lack of reverb, which FDR-1 pedal solves.

After more than a year comparing this amp to my Fender Princeton Reverb and my Fargen Blackbird (blackface based with reverb and trem also) I have learned that the Fuchs is more of a Marshall tone circuit, and better for rock n roll than for blues. It is spot on for i.e. Rollin Stones stuff at lower volumes, where the chords just chime. When playing the same stuff on a blackface, the same gain just isn't there, even with a pedal. I now know Fender for clean soul and blues, Fuchs for real rock. I'm playing through a Hamer Newport Pro Custom with Seth Lover pups, and Gibson ES with '57 classics, all PAF style pups. Once I understood this amp I was astounded!

Great, no issues.

Andy is always helpful. Taught me how to use a Y sound cable to use Fuchs speaker and external speaker cab at same time.

Amp has its own remarkable sound, which is enhanced with my pedals. Gain pedal not needed IMHO. 1X8 very lightweight at 23 lbs., grab and go, and 8" Jensen Mod speaker enhances amp. 8" speaker holds its own with smaller gigs, which is what I do. It's actually louder than my Fender Princeton Reverb with 10" Jensen C10Q, due to 21 watts. Jensen Neo holds it well, good bass, mids and treble, and OD pedal. For a grand it can't be beat for what it does.

2007. One channel, 6V6 power tubes, 4 knobs, low, mid, high and volume (gain). No headphone jack. 21 watts. Has speaker jacks on back and will drive amp speaker or external speaker. No headphone jack. Sufficient power for smaller clubs or practice. Light weight at 27 lbs. Jensen speaker. Simple operation. Likes Boss Blues driver. No reverb, which lightens weight. 27 lbs. Very few people mention weight in these reviews.

I have been playing Chicago/Memphis blues and Rhythm & Blues for 52 years. This amp combined with a semi hollow body guitar (I have Epiphone Sheraton II) has warm American blues tone to die for, if you like B.B. or Gatemouth or Buddy Whittington of John Mayall. Boss pedal causes earlier breakup at lower volumes, as it has substantial head room. Distortion is moderate without pedal, but Chicago blues players don't need too much distortion. Buddy plays a DR Z with a similar tube configuration without reverb. Amp also works well with my Heritage LP, but is much more fenderish, trebly and crisp, and is more articulate but with less "soul" as we say, better for British blues a la Eric. Few younger musicians play my style any more. I traded my Blues Jr. for this amp, as it had too much inherent distortion with difficulty getting any real clean. Blackjack is totally quiet. Jensen speaker good for my kind of blues. I have Mesa Boogie 1X10 extension cab which opens sound substantially, as all larger speakers always do for most amps. I also believe amp would work great with 6L6 tubes, with more power and less soul warmth but more warmth than EL's.

I would use without backup as I believe in Andy Fuchs. Worst case I'd plug in with rhythm player who has 2 channels and 50w that can never be turned up anyway.

Any Fuchs responds to email and phone calls immediately, and I expect he would repair in the event of trouble. I would send such a botique amp to him rather than use any local repair.

Playing since 1955. Nothing is perfect, but Blackjack is as close as its gets for my needs. My criteria were weight, simplicity of operation and soul sound. I compared Mesa Express 5:25 head at 25 lbs. (too complex, EL84 tubes too harsh, crisp), Rivera (same), Dr Z Z-28 (similar great sound, also no reverb, same 6V6 tubes, head also lightweight, but no 1x8 combo for lighter weight as they only offer 1X12 combo at 48 lbs., and even tho' head is 18 lbs. smallest cab is 30 lbs.), and subsequent research found that the Blackjack is the only amp that met all criteria. I can now grab and go with warmth, soul and simplicity. A reverb pedal weighs less than real reverb. I didn't get a chance to try an Allen in my weight class, and couldn't determine weights for Victoria or Valvetrain.