Product: Penn Instrument Company Pennalizer 50 310 Combo
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
10/19/2003
at
07:03pm
by
Jerry Gilbert
Email: j1993dg at yahoo<dot>com
Features
:
10
This amp was built in 1998 according to Billy Penn. I have owned it for five years. I play blues and this amp nails the tone. The EQ bypass gives me a "woman tone" that will not quit. I have played outside and in large venues with this baby and I always am asked, "What kind of amp is that?" It sounds that great! Features include two inputs (one lower gain for the small clubs), master volume, a beautiful reverb, and EQ bypass controlled by a footswitch. It has all the features I need including the mandatory feature of tone, tone, tone. The tone controls (treble and bass) actually work to allow a palette of sounds from whatever guitar you plug in.
Sound Quality
:
10
I use strats, a P-90 equipped SG Jr and an Epiphone Riviera with the amp. All instruments respond to every nuance of my playing in a musical and singing response. The noise level is very low. I play at the equivalent of "7" on the amp since I put the master full up. A good distortion is available if the preamp volume is up and the master is down with the EQ bypassed. I have never had to use any pedal with this amp, although I have been asked,"What kind of pedal are you using?" Definitely not a heavy metal machine for the settings I use. Excellent for blues and rock, though.
Reliability
:
10
I can always depend on it. It is hand-wired and built like a tank. I know for a fact that Billy Penn hits the chassis with a rubber hammer as a diagnostic. Just replace the tubes when you wear them out from playing this sound machine so often. Plus, Billy stands behind his products with a lifetime warranty. Not too many businesses do that anymore.
Customer Support
:
10
Billy is without a doubt the most supportive and informative person I have dealt with. He answers inquiries by e-mail or telephone immediately. He truly wants you to be happy with his products and customer service. The warranty is LIFETIME. Can't beat that.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for 40 years. I have owned Kendrick, Diaz, Blackface and Tweed Fenders, Ampeg, Gibson, Mesa and Marshall amps, plus the occasional Supro and Electrolab amp. The Penn is undoubtedly the best sounding amp I have every used, hands down. I would replace it in a heartbeat if anything ever happened to it. I wish I had another one, but that may be inthe future.
