Product: TopHat T-35 Ambassador Head
Price Paid: trade
Submitted
11/24/2004
at
11:54pm
by
Anonymous
Features
:
10
Has all the features needed for great tone. Fat switch, bright switch, fantastic reverb and the ability to dial in tones as fat and warm or clean and shimmery as you want.
Sound Quality
:
10
A reviewer for the combo 35 Ambassador stated it did not work well with pedals. While class A amps can be particular with pedals--this one is not. I was concerned I may go through several overdrive pedals in order to find one that would work with the Ambassador as it took me a while to find the right pedal for my Dr. Z Maz 38 Senior. It worked great with every pedal I put in front of it. From SIB Varidrive, to Keeley BD2 to ToneBone Classic. No farting out,just kick ass rock and blues tones. The clean can get Blackface and has plenty of headroom. I am playing through a Tophat closed back 2x12 cab. It doesn't have quit the touch sensitivity as the Z nor that Marshally dirt the Z can get. However I prefer the clean headroom and the warm bluesy tones as well as the reverb over that of the Dr.Z. This amp has TONE, TONE, TONE.
Reliability
:
10
This amp is built how amps should be built. The build quality is impecable-- point to point with no boards, similar to Matchless and early Hiwatts. Tight tolex with no ill fitting areas in the piping. Class A 6v6 running a lowered plate voltages. This allows the use of new production tubes. I can spend money on good NOS pre amp tubes (get the benefits of quality tubes in the pre amp) and not worry about needing to buy a $100 rectifier and $150 NOS 6v6's. In many ways this amp puts the build quality of the Z to shame.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Brian seems helpful. I have not dealt with them on any service related issues. Lindy Fralin and Robert Keeley are the best customer support I have ever had so everyone else pales in comparison.
Overall Rating
:
10
This amp sounds great with my Strat and my humbucking equipped Hamer Artist. The clean is rich and warm. I have owned or played vintage Fender, Bad Cat, and Dr. Z. This amp gives you tone fundamentals that allow you to plug and play or run effects for dirt and swirl. There are so many great boutique amp makers,and unfortunatley I am not a millionaire so for me this amp fits my style and does what I need it to do.
