Product: Selmer Truvoice Constellation 20
Price Paid: 350 (#(British Pounds)) used
Submitted
10/22/2000
at
07:56am
by
Anonymous
Features
:
5
This amp wsa made in either 1964 or 1965. It has 2 channels and 4 inputs (1 high and 1 low for each channel). The only feature other than volume are treble and bass controls. This amp does not have all the bells and whistles of some modern amps but it does have a tremelo. It is all valve with 2 EL 84 valves. It is only 20 watts but is loud enoguh against a rythmn section and for any gig with a PA.
Sound Quality
:
9
With this amp I am using a '72 Fender Telecaster Custom and a reissue Strat. If you have heard or own a Vox AC30 you will know what this sounds like. Once you crank this amp over 5 you get a wonderful overdrive (I don't mean 80's rawk sounds). A true vintage tone (try House of the rising sun by the Animals - this song was recorded using a Selmer). You can get sounds ranging from the Beatles to the Rolling stones to the Foo Fighters. It is at its best when there are no pedals between you and the amp. However when playing live this can hardly ever be the case. The amp still sounds great when pedals are put through it though (depending on the pedals). I used to think this amp was noisy but after hearing some other amps I have decided it is relatively quiet. The reason why this amp does not get a 10 in this field is that the clean sound (although very good) does not last very long as you crank up the amp. This amp is ideal if you use overdrive all the time. However when practising in your bedroom you can easily get good clean sounds.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
Well it is very very old and you never know what might happen. I have used it for a couple of gigs but nothing too demanding. I'll just wait and see.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Well Selmer make brass instruments nowadays.
Overall Rating
:
9
Well if you see one of these amps in a shop the least you can do is have a go. Maybe you will be won over. If you love vintage tones of the 60's you should consider one of these, or at least another selmer such as the zodiac or the thunderbird. Thats if you can find one. These are very rare but have recently started to gain popularity so you may see prices start to rise quite sharply. They also look cool because of the fake crocodile exterior as most of the Selmer's during the same period had. The only problem some people may have with this amp is that it is only 20 watts but I don't care.
