Kustom KML- 80

This amp works fairly well for vocals during rehearsals, with some additional boost from a vocal processor. I don't use it for guitar, have only tried once, though I have to say I was pretty surprised by how well it responded. I don't use many of the features as almost all the sound moderation is done by my processor, but the reverb sounds pretty good and the drive is much better than I expected. The EQ on this thing is capital, though, you can really get things into a cutting zone with some minor knob manipulation there. The amp is also much louder than you would expect.

I use this primarily for vocals and it fills the bill rather nicely. It sounds big and the EQ range can be tweaked enough to make it both mesh with and retain clarity through the guitars, no easy task with my voice, I can assure you. The one time I played through it with guitar, I was most impressed, though it is no Fender and you should not believe otherwise. It sounds ok in terms of sound for an amp in general and good for a solid state amp.

Here is where we get into the mix a bit. I bought mine used, so it has scratchy pots, dropout zones in the knobs, all that lot. It also drops the sound out frequently, probably due to those issues. I need to have the tech go through it, but for now, the volume disappearing problem is easily solved by picking up the amp and dropping it about 3 inches or giving it a good kick, which seems to perk it right up everytime. I would submit this amp has been abused before, which accounts for many of these maladies...

Never dealt.

I got this at a hawk shop to run vocals through for rehearsal until we get around to getting into a PA. It works very well for that, though it is prone to feedback a bit more than I care for, but considering how high it is set, it is little wonder. If this amp was gone through by a tech, I've no doubt it would sound much better and now that I've gotten used to the quirks, I quite like this amp. I don't think it functions particularly well as a guitar amp, though it does do nicely in a pinch. I imagine it would also be right in line for a practice amp. I wish it had a bit more volume, but I am happy with my purchase for $65. It works like a champ most of the time, aside from the noted problems.

2 Channel 80 watt solid state head. Gain and volume on OD channel. Both channels share Low, Lo mid, Hi mid, Hi, and master volume. Had a reverb at one point. Simple effects loop on back. One 8ohm speaker out. The lo and hi mid controls give this amp some bonus points.

Plugged into a variety of cabs, i quikly realized how effective the EQ is at tone shaping. Boosting the upper mids makes any guitar cut thru. The low mids ad body and sustain. By experimenting with different setting on only the midrange knobs i found that i could get clean sounds that sounded vaguely like blackface fender amps, and tweeds. The treble control is piercing however, and must be kept low. This amp is definitely solid state, and it feels like it, but the sounds aren't too brittle, just lay off the treble. The overdrive channel creates a very smooth fuzzing effect, not too buzzy at medium settings. It isn't as responsive as i wanted, but not as bad as a valvestate or a crate or something. The EQ really effects the distortion and i suspect that this would make the amp good for layering.
The best way to use this amp is as a preamp to a tube amplifier though. If i use it anymore, it goes straight into the front of a 50 watt Marshal JMP. With the versitile EQ, i can get any tone i want.

I found this thing at my school and borrowed it. It had been in a cupboard for years with no cover for the exposed electronics. The signal comes in and out a lot, and i suspect that this is due to bad connections from the preampm circuit board to the power amp. It could also be the speaker jack, as all of the jacks are plastic and mounted the the PC board. Jacks like this almost always go bad.
As a preamp alone, no problems. The reverb was apparently removed at some point. I'd give it a 10 for JUST PREAMP use but...

Never dealt

Im using this thing with a telecaster. It goes into a 50 watt Marshall from the 70's. Mainly it comes into play as a tone morphing tool since Marshalls don't offer much variation in tone. Using it this way, i can get a very un-marshall-esque clean by cutting the mids and master and diming the marshall. I can also get all kinds of overdrive textures by activating the gain channel, or by hitting the front end of the marshall with the master volume control.

This is a mid-ninties 80 watt tube-simulating amp (solid state). It has an open back cabinet, 12" speaker (may be Eminence, I can't tell), 4-band EQ, gain and volume for the overdrive channel, spring reverb, and master volume. It has a switch for the overdrive, effects loop, and footpedal jack. The reverb sounded good before it went out, so now it's the only feature I don't use. It's an 80 watt amp, but it's a lot louder than that. I use this amp evrywhere, from practice to indoor/outdoor performances. Normally, I DI it using the effects out jack, but I have used the speaker out and connected the speaker to the DI out. Either way, it gives a great "mic'd amp" sound without the feedback hassles of an open mic. Kustom describes this amp as suitable for all electric guitars, as well as acoustics and keyboards. I've never used it with a keyboard.

I'm using a Jackson Randy Rhoads-style Mako with dual DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers; a Fender Stratocaster with a DiMarzio YJM in the neck, Standard single coil in the middle, and a DiMarzio HS-3 in the bridge; and an Applause AE-32 acoustic/electric with an under saddle pickup. The amps sounds best with the Mako playing blues-based rhythm and lead. With a chorus and a compressor/limiter, the Strat does O.K. for neoclassical work. It takes some patience to work out the controls settings for the acoustic/electric. It's nearly impossible to switch from electric to acoustic/electric during a live performance because of this. The distortion can take you all the way from mild blues to heavy metal. Probably a bit tame for grunge players without some assistance from a pedal. Again, the reverb sounded good before it went out.

I bought this amp new in the mid-ninties. About three months after I bought it, I loaned it to a friend. (I know, I know!) When I finally got it back (I had to go get it and make him give it back!), it was fading in and out and the reverb wouldn't work. Now that it's finally working again, I'm using it as my main amp. I still won't go without a backup until I'm sure everything's going to stay fixed. I can't really fault the amp for this, since I have no idea what happened to it.

The dealer I bought it from (an actual authorized Kustom dealer) told me, after they thoroughly examined the amp, that there was nothing wrong with it and that I had to get in touch with Kustom Trying to get in touch with Kustom is like trying to open a Marshall franchise. I made several long distance calls to Kustom, finally locating an authorized service center which is located about 2 hours from where I live. I kept putting it off while using my other gear, until a few months ago. A couple of thrips and $30.00 got it going again. In short, it's a five year old amp with four months of use. The reverb's still broke. I forgot to tell the technician about it.

I've been a musician for about 25 years and a guitarist for 16. This is one of the best sounding amps I've ever played through. One of the other reviews compared it to a Fender. I've played through a Fender tube 6 x 10" combo and the distortions are pretty comparable, but still only a tube amp is a tube amp. This one does come pretty close, though. If it were lost or stolen, I couldn't get another one because I don't think they make them, but I would if I could. The main thing I like about it is the big distortion and bass i get from it. The thing I like the least is that if you loan it out, be prepared to go get it by force.

It's a solid state amp with a 12in speaker. The speaker that came with mine is a Eminence. 80 watts of power and reverb. 4 band EQ.
Two channels that both use the same EQ. No chours... Paid $600 for it new.

I use a GTX 23 guitar and it sounds ok but the 4 band EQ has some probs. The amp gets good sounds on clean and crunch but not both with the same EQ settings, forcing you to make changes when switching channels. I have a Fab Tone in line to get the crunch I want with out the EQ hassel. The amp gets nice and loud with little speaker rattle.

I left this thing in the back of my truck one night and it rained on it. It still works the same and would take it to any gig. If your playing small clubs use a mic on it like a shure-57 into a mixer.

Never dealt with the company.

This amp is 5 times better than the Crate 60 watter I owned. This thing needed chours but nothing is perfect. Like my spelling...

This is a very rare amp, which is why there aren't any other reviews on it, the only people that own them are the ones that are pro's and don't need to shop around, they know what they need if they want a versatile amp, this KML 80 is an awesome amp.. It's loud, but too loud to get neighbors mad. It has overdrive which i swear is identical to a fender amp (which by far is the greatest!) It also has a 4-band eq, which can really change your sound.. which is nice, Because it gives you an opportunity to really dial in EXACTLY how you want your amp to sound. It has reverb, which is spring reverb. master volume, and and the overdive has a seperate volume too, so you can really dial in how you want it, and not have to buy that many pedals.
it has an effects loop which works very well, and it has a 12" speaker which has both sides of the eq spectrum, highs, lows, and everything in between. Has Great features and it has a metal grille to really protect your amp from damage. and it has one of those "furry" coverings, so it takes hits pretty well, and is comfortable on the butt, when you need it for a seat!

I am currently using slammer guitars, prs guitars, gibson guitars, and ibanez guitars. This amp makes all of these guitars sound great, surprisingly the slammer actually sounded good! I play a variety of music, from christian stuff, to blues rock, to metal, just to work on my speed. There's no noise that comes out of it at all, unless you hook it up on the same circuit as a computer, then it'll hum very little. YOu not supposed to do this anyways, but i had no choice! The only feedback is when its turned to a LOUD 8, with my high gain danelectro fab tone pedal on full distortion, and full treble, it'll feedback.. But trust me, as long as your not playing huge clubs, you should only have to put it on like 5 or 6. As i said earlier there is a great variety. The overdrive again if set low, has this warm tube-like distortion, which you can only hear on those lower notes... but if you put it midrange its the most versatile overdrive i've ever heard! It can go from a sweet ballad, to the blusiest riff ever, then if your into heavy metal stuff crank it up around 7, and your all set, unless you really want to take a trip and put it on 10!?! The only reason for a 9, is that there's no chorus, which i love, so, i got a pedal..

This amp has been kicked around, dropped, banged into, sat on, and has not broke down ever. NO matter WHAT i do to it, this amp does not want to break, crack, distort, blow up, or burn out, it's built like a tank, but doesn't weigh like one, at a mere 40 some odd pounds, its light and easy to transport. Never had to service it.. I replaced the metal grill though i had painted it, and didn't like it anymore, so i bought a new one!

This company is great to deal with, i called them up for a question on how to work the effects loop, and they explained it to me right away.. i was put on hold for like a minute then my question was answered! Not sure if they have a good warranty cause i never had to use it! They did say that if i ever needed anything, to call and they'd ship it to me right away.

I give this amp a 9, because it may not have the loudness that a 250 watt amp would have, but it serves me well! And because it doesn't come with enough effects.. Its just a straightforward, no questions asked amp! If it were ever lost or stolen, i'd first find out who did it, then get it back. If i couldn't find it, then i'd try to find one of these rare things somewheres and pay whatever i could for one.

This is a very rare amp, which is why there aren't any other reviews on it, the only people that own them are the ones that are pro's and don't need to shop around, they know what they need if they want a versatile amp, this KML 80 is an awesome amp.. It's loud, but too loud to get neighbors mad. It has overdrive which i swear is identical to a fender amp (which by far is the greatest!) It also has a 4-band eq, which can really change your sound.. which is nice, Because it gives you an opportunity to really dial in EXACTLY how you want your amp to sound. It has reverb, which is spring reverb. master volume, and and the overdive has a seperate volume too, so you can really dial in how you want it, and not have to buy that many pedals.
it has an effects loop which works very well, and it has a 12" speaker which has both sides of the eq spectrum, highs, lows, and everything in between. Has Great features and it has a metal grille to really protect your amp from damage. and it has one of those "furry" coverings, so it takes hits pretty well, and is comfortable on the butt, when you need it for a seat!

I am currently using slammer guitars, prs guitars, gibson guitars, and ibanez guitars. This amp makes all of these guitars sound great, surprisingly the slammer actually sounded good! I play a variety of music, from christian stuff, to blues rock, to metal, just to work on my speed. There's no noise that comes out of it at all, unless you hook it up on the same circuit as a computer, then it'll hum very little. YOu not supposed to do this anyways, but i had no choice! The only feedback is when its turned to a LOUD 8, with my high gain danelectro fab tone pedal on full distortion, and full treble, it'll feedback.. But trust me, as long as your not playing huge clubs, you should only have to put it on like 5 or 6. As i said earlier there is a great variety. The overdrive again if set low, has this warm tube-like distortion, which you can only hear on those lower notes... but if you put it midrange its the most versatile overdrive i've ever heard! It can go from a sweet ballad, to the blusiest riff ever, then if your into heavy metal stuff crank it up around 7, and your all set, unless you really want to take a trip and put it on 10!?! The only reason for a 9, is that there's no chorus, which i love, so, i got a pedal..

This amp has been kicked around, dropped, banged into, sat on, and has not broke down ever. NO matter WHAT i do to it, this amp does not want to break, crack, distort, blow up, or burn out, it's built like a tank, but doesn't weigh like one, at a mere 40 some odd pounds, its light and easy to transport. Never had to service it.. I replaced the metal grill though i had painted it, and didn't like it anymore, so i bought a new one!

This company is great to deal with, i called them up for a question on how to work the effects loop, and they explained it to me right away.. i was put on hold for like a minute then my question was answered! Not sure if they have a good warranty cause i never had to use it! They did say that if i ever needed anything, to call and they'd ship it to me right away.

I give this amp a 9, because it may not have the loudness that a 250 watt amp would have, but it serves me well! And because it doesn't come with enough effects.. Its just a straightforward, no questions asked amp! If it were ever lost or stolen, i'd first find out who did it, then get it back. If i couldn't find it, then i'd try to find one of these rare things somewheres and pay whatever i could for one.