Kendrick Trainwreck/Climax 210 Combo

2 channels - 1=clean fender blackface/tweed and reverb 2=Vox-Early Marshall type of vibe. Canary wood upgrade. 2 10" Fane speakers. This amp is extremely versatile with two separate channels that are able to accept a wide variety of tube types. This amp is excellent in both recording studio and live scenarios.

This amp sounds absolutely incredible. It takes all types of pedals with ease on either channel. It displays a level of punchiness not easily found in the world of classic and boutique amplifiers. It's dynamic capabilities are unparalleled. The sound is accurate and can come across as harsh if your playing is not up to snuff. Beware all posers - it's not the amp that sounds terrible, it's your playing. This is a feel player's dream amplifier. Each and every time that I have used this thing (studio and gigging) it has blown minds and become the subject of great envy. I cannot fathom how somebody could think that these amps are inferior. If you want crushing distortion, put a distortion pedal in front of it, dummy. I am able to achieve every imaginable tone with this amp from Ronnie Earl/SRV to AC/DC, Van Halen, and Beyond. If you don't like this amp, you're probably not a mature enough musician to appreciate it. There's no harm in being ignorant as long as you're not aggressive about it. Remaining uninformed for the sake of being argumentative is just plain stupid, I cannot rate this amp highly enough. I'll put my tone up against anyone's at any time. For the record, it sounds equally great with all types of guitars...you actually get to hear the character of the instrument you're playing. People are so used to a generic, effected (mostly bad) sound that it surprises them to hear what they and their instruments truly sound like. It's like hearing your own voice on a recording for the first time. You may not initially love it, but that's what everyone else hears, so you better learn to manipulate it from an outside, objective perspective. I own classic Marshalls, Fenders, Matchless, and other boutique varieties. These amp can hang with any of the greats. All of you haters out there are only exposing yourselves as the amateur players that you are. It is a poor craftsman who blames his tools. Enough negativity...I only wrote this review to give this amp the DOUBLE THUMBS UP that it deserves. If you're reading this, please believe that mine is an informed opinion based on objective scrutiny of the actual amplifier. I have no score to settle with Gerald Weber. He built this fine amplifier, and I have no reason to underappreciate his work even if Ken Fischer has a personal problem with him. Bottom Line - This amp ROCKS!!!

So far, I've not had any problems with this amp. In some of the early numbered amps, there was a problem regarding static charge build-up that resulted in some popping noises. Those initial design flaws were discovered and rectitfied by the crew in Pflugerville. I'm sure that plenty of local know-it-alls gave their opinions on why this was happening, but in my experience, local techs that badmouth other people's work generally don't know all that much about what they're doing themselves. I gig regularly without a back-up. No problems. Only ass-kicking tone for as long as I'm playing it.

I've dealt with Gerald and others on the phone - this is not the only product of theirs that I have purchased. He is always willing to give you personal time regarding any questions or problems that you may have. I don't know him personally, but he seems to be genuine in his efforts to help your amp be the best that it can be. Yes, he is a salesman, but guess what? He's in the business of selling/repairing amps. I can't fault him for being proud of his work. In the case of this amp, his efforts have been top notch.

I rate this as being one of my favorite amps. I am a professional musician who's been playing for around 16 years now. I am trained (music school) and I have been active as a live performer and studio musician for many years. I have not yet come accross any amp that leaves me feeling as though the Climax cannot compete for top honors. There are not many out there, but they are available at times. I believe that the more people actually hear them, over time we'll see a mellowing of the negativity. These amps are great and it's undeniable in their actual presence. For what it's worth, my friend bought the New Joysey amp kit and put it together (same schematics). It's quickly become his favorite amp. We've played gigs together that have blown every other amp off of the stage. It's just my opinion, but it is an informed one. Please believe the positive and don't get suckered into the negative reviews that were obviously penned by people lacking in maturity and creativity. Let them rid themselves of the Climax...then you might be able to get one for yourself.

I bought this amp used. It was made about 1997 or '98, I believe, based on information from Gerald Weber.

My version has the canarywood cab, in addition to the two 10" fanes. (I've owned other Climax amps with different cabs (pine) and speakers (12") . . . it makes a difference.

I use both single coil and humbuckers. Both work well, . . . it all depends on what you want to hear.

The sounds are first-class and versatile. Obviously, this kind of amp is made to rock . . . and rock hard. This does it.

But is can also sound sweet and can be used for a variety of music. It's actually quite impressive in this regard.

I've had no trouble with this amp in the 15 months I've owned it. I also have two other amps from Kendrick and they are rock-solid. I have enjoyed very supportive contact from Gerald. For these reasons I give this a perfect score.

Folks, you're not going to do better than this.

Ibid.

This is a world-class amp that has suffered from bad, and imho unjustified, word-of-mouth. I'm not going to get into all of that; but apparently there are those out there who want to disparage Gerald Weber.

All I can say, from my in-depth experience with this and two other Kendrick amps, is that you shouldn't believe everything you read. Try listening, instead. This amp will blow you away.

The features are just fine. The reverb is very sweet, very deep and master presence & high end cut allow me shape the edges of the tone to perfection. So far I love the "Texas Tea" knob. The dry side of the amp is perfect for using switchbox with a chorus to get the flexibility you need for different styles and still be able to go to the raw vintage tone. The only thing I'm going to do is change the speakers to something that can handle what this amp puts out.

I have not had it that long but I play a G & L guitar and this amp has a very pure Fender tone. The midrange is thick and the low end is suprisingly deep for a 2x10 setup. The highend bites more than anything I've played (I've played a host of Fender combos and for the past few years I've been playing a Musicman 2x12 combo).

I haven't had it very long but I can't see why an amp with this kind of simple and proven construction would give anyone who understands how a true tube amp works any kind of REAL problems.

I bought this amp used, but I called Kendrick to try and find out why this amp has received the bad press that it has and instead of trying to sell me one of their new amps they sat on the phone with me for quite a while, addressed all of my concerns and essentially helped a stranger sell an amp to another stranger.

I play in a real rock n roll band, every week, all year long, on a big outdoor stage, with a serious PA and we don't mic the guitar amps. We play'em the right way... LOUD! This amp has a beautiful tone and when you crank it is as mean and lively as anything. I wanted a real vintage amp and this is one. As for those of you who think it is a piece of crap, maybe you should check and see if your amp is on standby or try something other than the HONDO guitar you've got plugged into it or just go back to using your good ole Sears solid state amp.