Tech 21 Trademark 120 212 Combo

This is a 2001 amp. This amp has just recently been made available to the public, so I went to my local guitar store to give it a spin. In my opinion this amp is very versatile, but I am sure that view will vary from person to person. The only effect it has is reverb, so if you are a big effects person it might not be versatile. I think the versatility comes in the form of three amp types. You have tweed, british, and california. These are obvious references to Fender, Marshall, and Mesa of course. Having these three amp types in one solid-state amp is a God-send alone, but the flexibility does not end there. There are three channels, and each channel has it's own treble, mid, bass, and drive controls. Also, within each channel you can choose any of the three amps. So, if you want to have tweed on channels one AND two, you can do it. Heck, you can put tweed on all three channels if that is your thing, etc. This of course opens up the possibilites of using this amp at a gig. The only thing I can think of that I wish it had was a few more effects. I like a little chorus and delay myself. I am sure that would affect the price and possibly the sound (in a bad way) of the amp. This amp is 120 watts and sounds like it. I have a 150 watt AVT combo, and this thing sounds way louder. The knobs are the "chickenhead" type. Basically they are like the 5150 knobs. It has an effects loop, and you can use it with headphones or recording direct. Amp is small in size and looks like it could easily fit in any backseat.

Before I begin, I used a Gibson SG Special with a Tony Iommi humbucker, a PRS Santana, and a homemade guitar with a Duncan Custom in it while trying out this amp. All sounded fantastic through it. The amp has a slight buzz, but it didn't seem bad at all to me. I was using a crappy cord and was plugged in at a Guitar Store. Everything is plugged into one wall. Everyone knows that the key to any non-tube amp is how good it can emulate, imitate, etc. a tube amp. I have that AVT 150, and for awhile it was being praised as the solid state having the closest sound of a tube amp.....well, the king has just been dethroned. Tech 21 is now in charge. This amp is not a tube amp, but man if you close your eyes, its there. I had a Line 6 Flextone, the Marshall AVT, and a Johnson JM60. Those are all amps trying to capture that tube sound. With those amps you got a good sound, but when you turned up the volume it sounded like a transister radio. The sound was being forced out. The Trademark 120 actually improves it's sound as it gets louder. I know you have heard that a million times before, but I swear this amp is just great at high volume. I like being able to play Jimi Hendrix followed up with a heavy sound ala' Metallica, etc. This amp can do it. The sound is really authentic and you can really FEEL the amp. It just sounds really good. The TWEED amp setting goes from really clean and beautiful to a great late-60's type fuzz when the gain is maxed. The BRITISH amp setting is great too. I think I liked this one almost better than the CALIFORNIA setting. The BRITISH amp sounds nice and solid when you hit those chords. It sounds full and is good with a touch of reverb. The CALIFORNIA amp setting is really nice also. Although I didn't play this clean, with the gain up it sounds great. Depending on pickups, I think a Dual Rectifier sound could be attained. Maybe with an EMG-81 or an Invader. I was almost there with a Tony Iommi pickup.

This is a big area for me. I have been screwed by digital amp companies that were putting out unreliable amps. I have only heard of a few rare instances where people have had problems with Tech 21 gear. I like that this is a solid state amp. I think the company would help in a bad situation.

I have only heard good things about these guys. I sent an email out and they have not replied yet, but that's ok. Their website is very informative yet simple. The audio samples of their products are fantastic!

I will be buying this amp soon. It is too good of a deal to pass up. It sounds really good and covers a ton of ground. It is your basic solid state powerhouse. After I buy it I will post an update of little extras I didn't have time to mess with.