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Tip: While these amps tend toward a clean and tight sound, you can use a Pedalboard
distortion stompbox to attain hard-edged crunch sounds with a biting treble and extended
low-end definition. See Distortion Pedals and Pedalboard.
British Stacks
The British Stack models are based on the 50- and 100-watt amplifier heads that have
largely defined the sound of heavy rock, especially when paired with their signature
4 x 12" cabinets. At medium gain settings, these amps are great for chunky chords and
riffs. Raising the gain yields lyrical solo tones and powerful rhythm guitar parts. Complex
peaks and dips across the tonal spectrum keep the tones clear and appealing, even when
heavy distortion is used.
DescriptionModel
Captures the sound of a late 1960s 50-watt amp famed for its
powerful, smooth distortion. Notes retain clarity, even at maximum
gain. After four decades this remains a definitive rock tone.
Vintage British Stack
1980s and 1990s descendants of the Vintage British amplifier head,
which were optimized for hard rock and metal styles of the time.
The tones are deeper on the bottom, brighter on top, and more
“scooped” in the middle than the Vintage British amp.
Modern British Stack
Unique tones can be coaxed from a British head by running it at
lower voltages than its designers intended. The resulting “brown”
sound—often more distorted and loose than the standard
tone—can add interesting thickness to a guitar sound.
Brown Stack
This 2 x 12" combo has a loud, aggressive tone that is cleaner than
the British heads, yet delivers fat distortion tones at high-gain
settings.
British Blues Combo
Tip: You’ll rarely go wrong combining a British head, a 4 x 12" cabinet, and a great riff at
high levels. But don’t hesitate to break that mold. These heads can sound stunning
through small cabinets, or at clean, low-gain settings. If the British Blues Combo is too
clean for your needs, combine it with Pedalboard’s Hi Drive stompbox for an aggressive
blues tone, or the Candy Fuzz stompbox for an explosive rock tone. See Distortion Pedals
and Pedalboard.
British Combos
The British Combos capture the brash, treble-rich sound that will forever be associated
with 1960s British rock and pop. The sonic signature of these amps is characterized by
their high-end response, yet they are rarely harsh-sounding due to a sweet distortion
and smooth natural compression.
DescriptionModel
A 2 x 12" combo based on the early 1960s amps that powered the
British Invasion. Perfect for chiming chords and stabbing solos.
British Combo
17Chapter 1 Amps and Pedals