Sommatone Roaring 20 Head

This is the same amp reviewed by previous reviewer, the Roaring 20 prototype. I can't understand why anyone would sell this amp. It is the best amp that I own. It has two channels that are internally jumped, as well as a footswitchable volume boost. It runs on two EL84s and is in the 18-22 watt range in terms of output power. Plenty loud for gigging medium sized venues and not overpowering at home. Extremely light.

The main difference between the prototype and the current production Roaring 20 is the power and output transformers. Jim used smaller transformers (I believe from an old accordian amplifier) for the prototype. As a result, the current production Roaring 20 has a fuller, bigger sound, making a stellar amp even better. The amp can cover a wide range of style, with the exception of modern metal (I have yet to hear an amp that covers modern metal to do much else with any level of competence). Its nice have the two differently voiced channels to play around with and the tone controls are very responsive, and the master volume is excellent, allowing you to get some very nice overdrive at moderate volumes. (Note: the original master volume in the prototype, when the prior reviewer owned it, has since been rewired to match the master volume in the current production Roaring 20). The secret, however, to this amp is the presence control. The presence control, which acts as a treble cut, allows an incredible amount of flexibility. Essentially, by adjusting presence you can maintain your desired tone at different levels, with different guitars, through different cabs. It reminds me of the Vox cut control.

People have compared this amp to many others, but I personally think it has its own thing going on. Also, because of the tone controls and presence control, you can get a lot of different tones out of it so its tough to compare. However, the characteristic of the gain is very similar to my '59 Tweed Fender Vibrolus, but a little smoother and more aggressive.

I own blackface, blonde and tweed fenders, an early 70s Hiwatt DR-103, an Orange OD-120, you name it. This is my favorite of the bunch.

Extremely reliable.

Excellent service.

Its my favorite amp.

This is actually the Prototype for the Sommatone Roaring 20 (he's also in the midst of making a Roaring 40 - check out www.sommatone.com)
I imagine it was made 2004 or so not sure.
First of all it's pretty Blond Tolex, Wooden front panel.
Runs on 2 EL 84's and 3 12AX7s
Has Volume / Bright Volume / Master Volume
Treble / Mid / Bass / Presence
Power / Standby / Boost - footswitchable came with Footswitch.
Amp has 1 input, but it is a jumpered Channel Design.
No effects loop or line out
Generous 20 Watt amp maybe around 15 Watt but it roars!
Versatility comes from the Two Volume controls and pick attack (see sound)
Besides that hand build by Jimmy Somma, excellent stuff.

Volume and Bright Volume are for a jumpered channel and favoring one vs. the other gets you more Tweed like or more Marshall/Vox like.
Personally I don't think this is the kind of amp you want for superb Tweed but it does a nice tweed. It does an excellent Marshall/Vox though.
Also it has great clean sound with plenty of headroom if you want it. It's a "bright" clean not quite tweed to my ears.

All the controls do just that, they control and do a great job.

The boost is not one that gets you from clean to rock or rock to metal. It is a very subtle boost, slight jump in volume, makes the whole sound fuller, I can hear the mids and highs much more pronounced in boost and the overall sound is a lot richer.

What does get you from clean to rock to metal is pick attack.
This amp truly stands out in this area, great pick attack sensitivity, almost unreal! I can very easily strum and stay clean and then dig in and whammo rocking out. Turn things up a notch on the volumes (keeping master down cuz of wife and kids )
And you get great rock into well .. metal like sounds (not quite what I usually play but it is fun to push an amp in all areas)

The master volume control works very well, it actually doesn't influence head room as much as I would've expected, a very nice and well working master volume not sure what the principle is behind this. Again headroom a plenty, also has good settings for clean with being able to dig in your pick and not overdrive the amp.

This amp is also incredibly quiet, any hum that I heard was from my single coils and that was minimal. I was using my Mayes C with Lollar pick ups. Still have to throw my Nunis Standard with SD Antiquity Hums at it.

Just got it, can't tell, but Jimmy lives nearby in Joisey so I don't expect any issues or problems.

It was nice talking to Jimmy and learning more about the amp.
I trust I can go to him with any questions and issues in regards to the amp any time.

This amp is great. It is light. It is versatile, it covers many sounds and it looks great. All in all it fits great within my collection of tone since I already have an incredible Tweed amp (Louis KR-12)
This amp is awesome, I hope .. it will never get stolen or smashed etc. ... cuz I'd be at a loss with no money!