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Chapter 1 Amps and pedals 16
Metal Stacks
The Metal Stack models are inspired by the powerful, high gain amplier heads favored by
modern hard rock and metal musicians. All are paired with 4 x 12" cabinets. Their signature tones
range from heavy distortion to extremely heavy distortion. These models are ideal if you want
powerful lows, harsh highs, and long sustain in your guitar tones.
Model Description
Modern American Stack A powerful high-gain amp that is ideal for heavy rock
and metal. Use the Mids knob to set the right amount
of scoop or boost.
High Octane Stack Although a powerful, high-gain amp, this model oers
a smooth transition between gain settings and natural
compression. It is a good choice for fast soloing and
for two- or three-note chords.
Turbo Stack An aggressive-sounding amp with spiky highs and
noisy harmonics, especially at high gain settings. Use
the Turbo Stack when you need a guitar tone that
cuts through a mix.
Tip: Combining the Turbo Stack with distortion and fuzz pedals can diminish the amp’s edgy
tone. A dry sound is often the best choice for high-impact ris.
Additional Combos
The combos and utility models in this category are versatile amps that you can use for a wide
variety of musical styles.
Model Description
Studio Combo
A 1 x 12" combo based on boutique combos of the
1980s and 1990s. These models use multiple gain
stages to generate smooth, sustain-heavy distortion
and bold, bright, clean sounds. Can deliver a heavier
sound when paired with a 4 x 12" cabinet.
Boutique Retro Combo A 2 x 12" combo inspired by expensive modern amps
that combine the sounds of several 1960s combos. It
excels at clean and crunch tones, making it a good
choice when you want an old-fashioned avor but
with the crisp highs and dened lows of a modern
amplier. This model has very sensitive tone controls
that can deliver countless guitar tones.
Pawnshop Combo
A 1 x 8" combo based on the inexpensive amps sold
in American department stores in the 1960s. Despite
their limited features and budget workmanship, these
amps are the secret behind the sound of many rock,
blues, and punk players. The clean sounds are warm,
and distorted sounds are thick, despite the small
speaker.
Transparent Preamp A preamp stage with no coloration. Note that
Transparent Preamp is activated in the Amp pop-up
menu, not in the Model pop-up menu.
Tip: Combine the Pawnshop Combo amp with Pedalboard’s Hi Drive or Candy Fuzz stompboxes
to emulate hard rock tones of the late 1960s. See Pedalboard distortion pedals on page 45.