Whitney Amplification MV66-FX Head

The MV-66-FX is a Single channel Class A/B Master volume amplifier that is hand wired with a point to point power section and PTP turret board construction. The Front panel has master, presence, bass, mid, treble, & gain controls. Power, Standby & pilot light on the left. Hi / Lo input jacks on the right. The front panel is aesthetically appealing with a black face ? the control labels and Whitney emblem (that were professionally etched) are silver. Chrome switches and cream-colored chicken-head style controls. Overall, it?s a very clean, classic, and professional looking chassis that is rock solid. I have ordered a vintage JMP style cabinet (head) to house the chassis. This chassis will fit into most standard small box cabinets or can be fitted into a bluesbreaker style combo.

The rear panel is similar aesthetically and has the Effects FX loop send/return jacks, Bias test jacks, Bias control, impedance selector, Main & B+ fuses, and 120V power connection.

My amp, designed for KT66?s, arrived and set up set up for EL34 operation at my request (at no additional charge). Included were 3 12AX7?s (2 Soviet NOS and one GT phase inverter), a MesaBoogie rectifier tube, and perfectly matched set of NOS EL34?s. A new set of GT KT66?s was thrown in for convenience of my trying them out (nice). The amp operates at 50 watts with EL34 or KT66 tubes, and 60 watts with 6L6GC tubes.

As noted, this amp came with Bias test jacks. If you typically pay to have your tubes replaced & biased, this feature is a huge plus for three reasons. 1) Tubes can be changed or tube types swapped and SAFELY biased without risking injury to you or the amp. 2) The tonal possibilities and flexibility by being able to swap tube types is vast ? and is at your fingertips. This can be accurately (and easily) performed in a matter of minutes as a result. You will need to invest $18.00 for a simple voltmeter. 3) It will save you time and money!

Easily the best and most exciting sounding amp I?ve ever heard ? or owned. This unit is likely to give any player with expectations similar to mine a permanent grin. It is voiced for classic rock & blues sounds, and was designed around a Marshall Plexi era circuit. At higher gain settings, this thing can absolutely scream. Lower the gain and bump up the mids, and a true and thick/glassy JTM 45 tone can be achieved (only better). Lower the gain even more and warm jazz like or tight funk tones are there depending on how you dial in the EQ. With the Master Volume set between 2 & 3 o?clock, the amp will operate like a non-master volume. Regardless, this amp has got ?that? vintage vibe like no other I?ve played. (I?ve owned vintage Marshall and Park tops. Unfortunately, that was back when we wanted them to sound like something else). The sweet spot is endless ? no mater how I dial the controls, even to the most obscure settings, I cannot get this amp to sound bad. Yet, the subtly sweeping controls are very responsive to shaping the tone. I?m running mine through a 2x12 enclosure housing a Weber Silver Bell and a Weber Blue Dog ? both ceramics. I also tried running the amp through an 8ohm Bose PA cabinet and it still sounded great.

Initially, I installed and tried out the EL34?s in the power section, then followed up with the KT66 valves two weeks later - scouring optimal bias ranges with each set. Power tubes do make a difference and proper bias settings can be the make the difference between a lively or dead sounding tube amp. Humbukers or single coils, it really didn?t matter ? this amp has rocked my world. Since it arrived, I?ve found that I reach for a Strat most of the time. I can definitely understand why a lot of players dig the thump of KT66?s. I personally favor the EL34?s in this amp however. The 34?s seemed much more lively and responsive to articulate playing styles. They generate a more ballsy/vintage sound (IMO), and they seem to bring out the dynamic spectrum of the amp more (and this amp has a lot to offer!).

Those seeking the vintage layered-overtones of the Plexiglas panel era (my stab at describing vintage honk) often heard on Hendrix, Beck, and Eric Johnson recordings (to name a few), this amp will be worth your consideration. It definitely was for me. The MV66 is not a clone and does possess a unique richness of it?s own that I can only describe as ?sweet?. Mike skillfully combined his signature prowess with some of the sought after and evasive 68? plexi magic. All this and the flexibility of a great sounding master volume in a tight and nicely crafted chassis.

The amp is rock solid. I Internet searched a lot of the individual components used, out of curiosity ? such transformers etc. No corner cutting here ? these are all top quality parts. The amp was constructed using some of the same solder and wiring techniques that he uses to depth charge proof nuclear submarines (what he does in his spare time). Carbon Composition resistors were used to achieve tone while maintaining as quiet as possible noise floor. He was mindful to tone versus noise throughout his design and fabrication process. It?s apparent that this amp was constructed by a highly trained, competent, and experienced individual ? both technically and as a musician. Comes with a 1 year parts warranty ? and a lifetime labor warranty. I?m a skeptic by nature ? after doing my homework, I have complete confidence in my amp and in this builder.

After my initial inquiry on day one, I knew this was going to turn out to be something special. Here is a builder with remarkable skill and an ear for tone - who wants to provide his clients with a unique and quality amplifier that they'll be pleased with, for not much more than the mere cost of parts.

Discussing sound properties can be challenging. Though I did a rather poor job of conveying what I wanted (basically ?just give me everything?), Mike was able to depict what I nuances interested me and forwarded some sound clips. After hearing 2 or 3 different amps, I latched on to his plexi circuit design.

Before, and after I purchased my amp, he responded to emails (sometimes in the middle of the night), he educated me over the phone, and even walked me through taking voltage readings and biasing the amp (which was very simple thanks to the test jacks). If you purchase a Whitney, you will also get a personal and patient technician who is not only willing, but desires to be your technical resource.

I often view ?all 10? rated reviews as being somewhat uneducated or emotionally driven. However, I?ve been honest and it?s my opinion that these 10?s are deserved ? and is really the only reason I?m writing this review (and is the only one that I?ve been compelled to write). I?ve played guitar for 30 years and (about 6 of those professionally), and have owned stacks, racks, combos, and a ridiculous number of guitars. I have an appreciation for this amp that I?ve had for no other. Someone else is surly to feel different, and that?s fine. I believe if your expectations are reasonable, this amp is likely to exceed them.

Mike?s fabrication time is approximately 30 hours per amp. At current prices, he?s essentially building these for personal satisfaction, and that of his customers. Whitney amps seem to run between $500 and $1000 depending on model and can easily overshadow some of the $2K boutique amps in both tone and build quality. If you have a chance to purchase one of these ? I suggest doing it. Demand for Whitney?s will no doubt increase ? as will prices.