Garnet Deputy II

Garnet's copy of a 70's marshall, 5 inputs (standard 4 fromo ther marshall style,a nd one that splits to both channels... NO PATCHING!!!!) single channel two seperate volumes, one for each "channel" i guess (so really 2 channel) channel 1 was bassy channel 2 was a little bright for my tastes... 4 el34's and a few 12 ax7's no trem or reverb. not a lot of features but some nice tones...

Here is where this amp SHOULD have shined... Admittedly, it did have some nice tones, but the ambient hiss in the background killed the experience for me... I have played other garnet amps, it isn;t a design flaw... probably some leaky filter caps.again, it had some really nice sounds,a nd got that old marshall vibe right cold, but i couldn't really warm up to it. they wanted 450 for it, maybe if i got it and shipped it to someone to clean it up it would be worth it, but as it sits, I wouldn't pay that much knowing that i'll have to do workon it. I could get a traynor mark II head cheaper. (though admittedly they AREN'T the same, the traynors sound nice too.

I was told it was a loud head and i beleive it... i didn't turn it up too loud when i tested it because of the aforementioned noise... but withthe PRS and marshall cab i was using, it had a sweet sound... almost good enough to make me buy it... almost, but between my other amps (marshall JCM 2000 DSL, traynor guitar mate and Garnet REvolution I) i couldn't really say it owuld be a good investment to add it to my collection (well, my girlfriend would kill me if i had ANOTHER amp!) the 6 rating is for the amp i tried, without the hiss it would be an 8 or 9

My revolution is rock solid, i have tried others that were not.. as far as i know they are good amps, but like any peice of vintage (or just older) gear, it depends how it was played. My amps are all in great shape and clean and well maintained, they also rarely leave my basement music room.. though some amps (especially older all tube models) have seen a rough life of touring in bands traded in, bouhgt by another band and touring again until they are so beat and abused that they can barely stay together... Check the little things, like tolex, grill cloth,nameplates (missing nameplates are a good indicator, if the plate is THERE and in good shape, chances are the amp hasn't seen too much wear and tear. if it is broken, or gone, chances are the amp has been tossed in a van at LEAST once...

as you will read about all garnet's the masn is still around and i have been told he does the work, but i doubt he'll do it 25 years after the fact for free!!!

as withm y review of the Revolution II i didn't buy it. IT is a great little amp and as of late i have had a thing for Garnet amplifiers, but i can't really justify buying ANOTHER amp.

I am a purist for tube tone (thoguh i do like my marshall DSL) I think that the older point to point wired amps are some of the best out there as far as a nice round expressive tone... unfortunately, the prime examples (Marshall, Fender, Gibson, Vox and the like) are so darn overinflated price wise, someone who plays as a hobby can't justify it... the boutique amps are nice, but again, the cost is too high... i love matchless, and i love Dr.Z amps, but for someone who jams in his basement, 1200 canadian for the charmen Gia (i vol i tone) head is too much sacrifice. Older Canadian and overseas made amps are showing to be a good value, if you shop carefully. (traynors and Garnets from canada... a buddy ofmine has an Elk, which is a copy of a fender vibroverb head.... nice...a nd inexpensive!) goodl uck finding one of these!!!

Anyways, enough prattlingon. I like the Garnet Deputy II, if it didn't hiss Iw ould buy it. as it sits thoguh, paying for the amp and a filter cap change before i get it home is too costly. if you are looking for a amarshallc opy with some balls that won'tkill your bank book look for them, you'll probably like it (if iti sn't Fubar'd)