Standel Studio 60

This 1972 Studio model is 60 loud and clean watts sports two channels, one for bass and one for guitar. There are two slide switches that control bright and mid boost along with treble and bass controls. It has Reverb and Tremolo built in. Under the grill sits (six) Heppner 10" speakers. That and the fact that it's a closed back design this baby dresses out at a hundred pounds (approx.)and has a very focused beam of sound. It even has a line out on the back panel.

Age not withstanding (34 yrs.) this amp sounds simply amazing, dynamic and huge! If you dime the Studio it doesn't strain, compress or choke. In fact, the louder you play it the better it sounds, as long as you aren't standing in front of it, that is. The reverb is dripping wet and luscious replete with that thwacka sound surf music and tube standalone units are famous for.The tremolo would make Ry Cooder smile for weeks. I must say I have never heard an amp that sounds like this one. It behaves like a well healed tube amp where when you dig into a note or chord you get that punchy compressed boost. I'm getting that swirling dimensional tone at even low volumes. I am planning on setting a Matchless tube pedal in front of it to get grit if and when needed. It is the quintessential surf, rockabilly, movie score amp! It even sounds terrific as a jazz amp.

I just had the power section rebuilt but honestly can't comment on this catagory. This amp isn't leaving the studio except for a rare occasion so that should help preserve this classic. Kind of a Sunday driver, ...if it's sunny. After 34 years some of the caps had dried out and were replaced. Other than that not even the pots are scratchy.

Danny MoKinney, the new owner of Standel Co. has responded with great interest and enthusiasm to several emails I sent him. Though this amp model hasn't been in the catalog for over thirty years I feel I'm very well represented here. I'm just delighted that this company has been resurrected and there are artists such as Deke Dickerson etc. who know just how important these rare classics are not only to the history of rock sound but the vitality of music in general.

I've been playing stringed instruments for over thiry years as a hobbiest and semi-pro and have owned and played many tube amps as well as worked in a boutique amp shop. I've had the pleasure of working on almost all brands made, (except some of the newer boutique amps such as Carr, Fuch, etc.), so I believe I'm a good judge of great tone and have to say this SS offering is right up there with the best of them. This Studio model is simply a fantastic amp. I rescued it from destruction as the owner had no idea what he had and was going to part it out for the speakers. I prevented a travesty and gained a unique monolith of history. Once I re-cover it this Standel will warrant a ten in this catagory without exception.