Sewell Wampus Cat 50 Head

addition to earlier review that I forgot to mention. top mounted controls-2,4,8ohm outs

currently using a 4x12 tonemaster cab w/50watt naylors.I have also worked this head with 4x12 celestion vintage 30s and 2x12 celestion 80watters and heard Doug play it thru an older marshall 4x10 and by golly it sounds just tonealicious on all of these. At about 11 o'clock you get lush clean yumminess and from there the coolest grind and thump increases until its dimed and thats when ya really put the hurt on yer drummer, but boy is it FUN!

I won't claim to know it all but if you can't find your cup of tea with this or some other Sewell configuration yer just stupid of deaf.

created 2002-all tube-beautiful handwired ptp(we're talking CRAFTMANSHIP IMMACUALTE!)single channel(vol-bass-treble)w/full blow footswitching jack-cathode bias w/EL34's 3-12ax7's.Very straight forward solid and simple design.With a few pedals in front it can be as versitile as you want it to be-no complex bazillion channels and knobs bullshit.I have recording and live experience with Marshall,Fender,Egnater,Bogner,Boogie,Bruno etc. and while the Sewell has its obvious influences, it has it's own voice and Doug Sewell is the kind of mad scientist type that is always searching for the next evolutionary tonal soundscape for his amps.

I play s/s/h Anderson droptop,an old Yamaha SBG2000 w/seymore duncan humbux,and a Tele. I work in a variety of styles from a little counrty blue to raging hardpop/punk to wacky spaceloop jazz(my favorite).Straight in for some country zing or cranked for a well defined vintage Marshall thump this puppy can get the job done.As I mentioned before its also very pedal friendly and I use a bunch for my more twisted side.Volume,DOH!-there is no shortage of ear ringing when you push this 50watter and its pretty darn quiet even blasting and all very musical to me.This amp is all about tone and finding the sweet spots for your particular setup will vary, but its in there if you spend a little time with it.I have played the 30 watt wampus combo w/15" together with his 100watt version(which is a paint pealin' beast)and this Wampus 50.I can only agree with the other reviewer that that combination is pure tonal nirvana.

Sewell amps are built with a rare commodity these days-PRIDE and LOVE,although mine has'nt been on a lenghthy roadtest as of yet its been burning for weeks on end, 2-6 hours a day without any complaint and I've seen how Mr.Sewell puts them together(SOLID BABY).

Doug Sewell is just the most down to earth brilliant kind of person you could hope to deal with. He knows what he is doing and if you are as professional and reliable he will take care of you and go the extra mile. He builds these one at time all by himself so he knows what goes into each and everyone of his amps-bar-none here its all about quality.

I've been playing for 26 yrs and also still own a Fender Dual Pro and Egnater Tol 100 but they are pretty much gathering dust now I'm not a collector so if I'm not using it it usually goes(my only regeret so far was selling my Bruno)Stolen or lost? I would definitly beg my wife for the $$$ to replace it-I know your not suppose to gush 9's and 10's, but as I mentioned in the features I have compared this amp to many others and while it is similar to some of those listed it is no clone and stands on its own. It works for me and my style of playing so you'll have to be your own judge.Own one and you'll be a prince(ss) of tone, own 2 and you will rule the universe!!

Dead simple. Volume, treble and bass rotaries, the Sewell footswitch arrangement (which bypasses the volume control for flat out roar). This one has the Jazz switch and a fat switch and a pre-PI master volume which can be swiched out. Four cathode biased power tubes, which can be 6l6, EL34, KT66 or certain 6V6's. Single channel, but its all about simplicity. all I need and more.

I'm using a Tele, a P90 SG and humbucker guitars. This amp has a little less internal gain than its little brother, the 2 power tube Wampus Cat. In some respects, it makes it less versatile. Instead you get a really FAT ultra warm pure tube tone which sounds like a three way cross between a black face twin (the sheer size of the sound), a Deluxe ( the warmth and type of breakup) and a Tweed Fender (the thickness). the Tele just sounds huge, fat full and perfect. I've used the amp with a single EVM and a pair of Vintage 30's - it is SUPERB with either. As much volume as I can ever use too. One killer amp.

You should see the build quality on this. From the custom wound humungous trannies, to the neat point to point hand wiring, this will outlast me without a doubt.

Doug Sewell is the nicest and best guy in the business. Nothing is too much trouble. Actually 10+ here.

Been playing forever. Owned all manner of vintage gear over the years. I now use just the 2 Sewells that I own and am very happy with them, though i still own a nice Traynor Twin style amp too.
I hope that people out there can get to experience these amps, because to me they just laugh at Boogies and the like as a purchase.