Robin Amps D112-LT Retrolux 112 Combo

The Retrolux began its life in 1969 as a Fender Bassman Head. I had it for about 10 years and it never was reliable. I took it to Paul Rixon at Robin Amps in Jensen Beach, FL with the intent of having it "blackfaced" correctly. While in the shop, I tried Paul's personal 5E3 tweed Deluxe-style amp. It really sang, so I asked what it would take to turn the 50w Bassman into an 18w Deluxe.
I wanted an amp with tremolo, similar to my Deluxe Reverb, but with the unique tone shaping of the tweed-type interactive volume controls, and the cathode-biased sound and feel. I guess this may be considered a conversion/prototype, but the chassis, power tranny, power tubes and the knobs are all that was retained from the original amp. The Retrolux was otherwise built from the ground - up from Paul's drawing board, I consider it to be 100% an original Robin Amp. The design of this prototype is now available as the Retrolux model D112-LT (Deluxe, 1x12, 6L6's, tremolo)
I have several amps, so versatility is not as much a consideration as having a unique signature tone, and this one has it!

The primary tone palette is a somewhat different voice from the Fender-y tweeds; it spans the most authoritative voice of a tweed Deluxe to the chime of an original Vox AC30, but with spanky, projecting mid/upper mid that is unique to this amp. For club gigs, it has adequate volume and presence, but it can wail when it gets to its singing range.
The amp was completed May 2002 and has seen at least 40-50 hours of gig time

Paul uses the best audiophile-level components and does not compromise or skimp on any components. All CC resistors, all caps are appropriate to their respective task (oil/foil tone takes about 10-12 playing hours to break in, but once they hit their stride, they sing!!! The Weber speaker also hit its stride about the same time). I chose to retain my recently purchased Svetlana 6L6's after trying SovTek, EH, and several NOS power tubes. The minis are all current ElectroHarmonix. The Weber coppercap recto really does behave like a glass tube, but reportedly will last as long as a diode rectifier arrangement.The Retrolux was conceived as an 18watt 2x 6V6 amp and evolved into the 25 watt amp that it is today. I have played through and seen the innards of many amps including Bogner, Diaz, Holland, Kendrick, Rivera, Rodgers (conversions) and scores of Fenders, Voxes and Ampegs. The quality of layout, lead dress and components in my Robin Amps (I own 3 of them) are noticeably better than any of them. If you have ever seen a Dave Reeves-era Hiwatt, a Hoffman, and many of the upper end ($3000+) amps you know what I mean.

Robin Amps is a small custom shop in my neighborhood that builds tweed, blackface and plexi type amps that may be customized to the individual's personal taste. I have had all my service done there for the past year and have no reason to search for another amp tech.
If Paul built it, and it breaks, he'll fix it. Unless you do something weird to blow up your components (like stacking cabs for a 1 ohm load on an 8 ohm output, or playing a pre-amped active 5 string bass through the 4x10 tweed with all controls on 12) your amp is covered.

I play out 3-4 nights a week and use this amp extensively for 50's-60's R'n'R and R'n'B and as a screamer at local blues jams. Some quotes from listeners: "sounds like a Deluxe on steroids", "sounds more like a Vox than a Vox", and of course, "where can I get one of those?"
The Retrolux is the perfect A/B complement to my old Deluxe Reverb or my Robin Retroverb S-210.
I have several Fender amps and 3 Robin amps and all work to earn their keep.
Contact info: Robin Amps, Jensen Beach, FL. phone 772-225-1792