Kay Sound Fashion 30 Watt

Solid State amp made in the early eighties in the old GDR (East Germany). I've owned it from new in 1983.

Very simple controls:- high/low inputs, gain, volume, treble, bass. Lacks many of the features modern amps have, but the only thing I'd have liked is reverb.

Used at home these days but has been gigged. Gives an honest 30 Watts. Plenty for typical size function rooms. Heavy, well put together piece of kit.

I haven't given it a mark; apart from no reverb it had everything you expected at the time and was terrific value for money.

Typical early eighties transistor amp. Very clean and neutral sound. Give or take a bit of hiss, what goes in is what comes out, only louder. The tone controls allow some modification of the basic sound, but for any real variety you need effects pedals. I play in a wide variety of styles so it suits me.

Again, no mark. If you believe a clean amp is a good starting point, you'll love it. Not the amp for those who like lots of on-board options.

Superb. The only problem I've ever had was with corrosion on the internal fuse holders after over 20 years - easily put right with some emery paper. I have gigged it without back-up in the past. Would I now? I've no reason to suspect problems, but it is nearly 25 years old.

Marks? would have been a ten but for the fuse holders.

Never needed any.

I'd have another. It does what I want, reliably.

They must have made loads as they crop up regularly at around ??15 so it's still terrific value for money. Sound City sold the same amp with some cosmetic differences but they seem to fetch more. Probably the name.

There was also a 50 Watt model which looked the same but was larger (the 30 watt model is approx 20"/60cm tall). I've not seen one since 1983. Some people who should know better try to pass the 30 Watt model off as the larger version to bump the price up.