Siegmund Guitars Midnight Blues Breaker Octal Custom Head

Made in December of 03. This is a Parallel FX loop head model w/ no Reverb. The Presense knob is a 3 way rotary switch with different settings of additional treble via capacitor. The first setting is no added treble, etc. Single channel amp, with 3 gain stages. This model uses the Radio Spares updated JTM45 Deluxe transformer, which has TONS of great harmonic output. The first preamp tube is an Octal 6sl7 tube, others being 12ax7's. The power section allows for tube type swapping and includes a 3 way switch for safest opperation. His power section allows for biasing of unmatched powertubes. I currently run KT66 powertubes, and Chris's solidstate rectifier that plugs into the tube rectifier socket. The first preamp tube also has a bias control for running it at different levels of heat. The effects loop has a gain control as well as a preamp/fx loop mix control. Being that it's a single channel amp, there aren't any confusing channels to choose from etc. This amp also includes a Class A switch, and with this transformer, only runs with an out of 16ohms. Everything that is 'non standard' on this amp plays a huge role in the overall tone and possibility of tone.

I currently use my 1982 Ibanez MC-550 Musician guitar w/ 3 Harmonic Design z-90 pickups through this Siegmund. The z-90s have amazing cleans with great tight bass response. Any overdriven leads shine with these pickups, and in my opinion are a perfect harmonically rich match for the 6sl7 octal preamp tube, the KT66 poweramp tube, and the great Radio Spares style transformer from Mercury Magnetics. For cleans, nothing beats the octal preamp tubes. They have such a quick responce; the notes literally jump right off the strings. A very acoustic feel, but harmonic richness you'd expect from an electric. For overdriven tones at this power level with 3 gain stages, I wasn't so excited about the all octal preamp section. It works great with Siegmund's Midnight Special at 10 or 15 watts, but this 30w power section doesn't seem to handle all octals how I'd like them to sound. There was no way I could let go of the cleans of an octal preamp, though...So we decided to go with the first preamp tube octal, and the rest 9 pin 12ax7s. It was a PERFECT match! I still get that quick response of octal preamp, but very tight and directional overdriven leads. The plugin solidstate rectifier adds to the tight bass response. As for noise...There's never even the slightest QUESTION of noise with Siegmund amps...I previously had played through all Fender tube amps, and just expected some noise especially playing through single coil pickups. As soon as I stepped into Siegmund's shop, I realized there's no reason why I should stand for any of such noise with an amp. His amp is silent. We decided to go with a tube shield for my 6sl7 octal tube (they don't exist, and if they do, they are rare...he made one out of an old filter can). This is in case there is every any grounding issues, so any possible problem regarded that, which would be minimal and far less noisy than a fender amp anyhow, are now gone. This amp has the perfect blend of great cleans with tight overdrive. None of this 'loose crunch' stuff. With single note lines, it literally sounds like 3 guitars are playing at once. The harmonics are that rich and diverse. Individual notes can easily be heard and understood when playing chords. It's still a 'blues' amp mind you, so don't expect some sort of heavy metal leads.

100% reliable. I've been able to see Chris solve problems on the spot with any sort of guitar/amp/pedal situation. I'd gig with this without a backup anyday. No problems what so ever, and I don't expect any.

Even if you aren't a guitar player, everyone needs the chance to meet Chris Siegmund. He is the most intelligent, friendly, mad scientist of a guitar/amp tech/builder I've ever met, and will ever likely meet. His brilliance far exceeds his profession. He is always willing to work through any ideas. He's a one man show, yet seems to pump out answers and products with no problem

It seems odd posting '10' on ever level of rating, as if I'm diregarding the rating system, but I am being truely honest here. If I ever am looking for a different amp design, the only person I'd look to from now on is Chris Siegmund.