Ruetz Amplification Custom J1 Preamp

This is a custom built (2004), foot-switchable two-channel preamp with five 12ax7 tubes, gain (pull) boost and mid (pull) boost on the "RJ" channel and foot-switchable bypass. Each channel has controls for gain, bass, mid, treble and volume. It has a channel switch and bypass switch on the front panel as well as a footswitch jack in the rear. I wasn't sure how best to rate this category. This is a somewhat basic model compared to other preamps on the market but these are the features I requested and they work perfectly, so I'll go ahead and rate it a 10. I believe that Philip Ruetz can install most any feature or option the customer wants as well as build it in a rack configuration or amp-top box, etc.

I asked Philip to design the "RJ" channel to give some rich Tweed tones and other sparkly, trebly Fender-like tones and it does exactly that. The RJ channel has a smooth clipping style and satisfies my needs for various Fender-like tones. I had already invested in a lot of Marshall-sounding gear and didn't want to buy yet another (Fender) amp. The J1 channel has a nice "razor sharp" clipping style and to my ears anyway, sounds closest to a Marshall Super Lead or Plexi amp, which is also what I wanted. The "J1" sound clips at www.ruetzamps.com are exactly what my J1 channel sounds like and the RJ40 clips sound like my "RJ" channel, etc. In a way, it's like having my favorite two or three amps in one unit. Also, I don't use a separate power amp for this preamp but rather in the effects loop of my combo tube amp (like a fancy distortion pedal) and the sound quality is excellent and it has excellent clarity and note definition, etc., and the unit has a switchable bypass feature so I can play through to my amp's clean channel. I'm constantly comparing this preamp to my other equipment and as much as I like my Mesa Formula preamp, the Mesa distortion sounds a teeny bit "brittle" compared to the Ruetz distortion. I like the Ruetz distortion tones the best of all my equipment.

Have used it almost daily for ten months and have had no problems at all. I believe that Philip gave a limited lifetime warranty on the labor and components.

I really enjoyed working with Philip on this preamp project. He responded to all of my questions quickly and he seems like a very pleasant, knowledgeable guy. He also asked me lots of questions about what I wanted the preamp to sound like and what equipment I would be using it with and even what cosmetic features I wanted, such as paint and knobs and graphics, etc.

I was very impressed with the sound quality and build quality and reasonable price of this preamp. I can get all of my favorite Fender-like tones on one channel and also get my favorite EVH-like tones on the other channel. I mainly play at home for my own enjoyment but while working with Philip on this custom preamp, he made me feel like a big-name guitarist designing his own big-name amplifier! I wish him a lot of luck and I hope many more will try his products!