Albion TCT35H Guitar Amplifier Head (35 Watts)

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Aside from a sleek appeal, this guitar amp head form Albion offers plenty of gain for any music style.

Get classic British sound built in the Albion factory. The amplifier has 2 separate switchable channels, both featuring the same controls per channel. Channel A features the EQ circuit before the gain stages, while Channel B features the EQ after the gain stages. Both channels feature the capability of running (depending on control settings) from "clean" through "crunch" to "high gain lead." But due to the different "voicing" provided by the EQ position (and other voicing elements), both channels have an entirely different spectral response and player's "feel."

The TCT range of valve amps sound as good as they look. Albion uses Birch Ply for all their cabinet work utilizing interlocking panels and resonance controlling reinforcing struts. Proprietary vinyl covering and custom cabinet hardware is used throughout the range. The final touch is a piano-finish stained walnut baffle-plate, giving a lustrous dark plum-coloured contrast to all the TCT range. The amplifiers feature a seam-welded steel chassis to securely hold the heavy duty transformers, well supported FR4 printed circuit boards (many being double-sided PTH types) and chassis mounted valve bases. Albion designs and builds their own transformers and loudspeakers. All PCBs, wire, plastic and die-cast parts, and speaker cones are custom-designed and built in-house.

The TCT amps are all twin-channel switching amplifiers, with the TCT50 and TCT100 also having foot-switchable MIX circuitry that combines both channels to give read more a third sonic option. Although each channel has differing voicing structures (Channel A has the EQ pre-gain, Channel B is post-gain) they both go from "clean to scream" for ultimate functionality and wide tonal response. Switchable tonal options on each preamp also extend the possibilities on the TCT50 and TCT100. All the TCT amps also feature wide ranging power amp controls widening the tonal response even more -- switchable feedback loops, Edge (presence) and Depth controls, output Phase and 33% power switching. Natural-sounding digital Reverb and a series FX loop round off the amp functions.

The supplied footswitches also have a very useful feature: the cable connection can be easily user-changed from left to right to more adequately suit your stage rig preference. It's simple but so effective!

Features:

- 35-watt vacuum tube 2-channel head with two 6L6 and four 12AX7 tubes
- Unique input stage combines the preamp tube with an FET circuit to give lower noise, higher gain, better tonality, and lower microphonics
- Black vinyl with grey grille cloth and a gloss black trim board with gold Albion logo
- Channel A is pre-EQ and channel B is post-EQ for more tonal options
- Power amp Variable Edge control is like a presence control, but can boost or reduce high frequencies for a sweeter tone
- Separate three-band wide-range passive EQ, gain, and drive knobs for Channel A and B
- Two 1/4" speaker output jacks with 8 or 16 ohm options on the rear
- Includes footswitch for A/B channel and Effects switching
- Effects loop and adjustable solid-state digital reverb
- The power amp section can be switched between two feedback loops: open for raw vintage sound, or closed loop for a more modern, tighter sound
- The output section can also be run at 33% (approx 12 watts) of its total output power
- Top-mounted carrying handle
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- Power: 35 watts
- Valves:
- 4 x 12AX7
- 2 x 6L6 valves
- Weight: 33 lbs.
- Size: 22" x 9" x 9"

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (4 ratings)
Submitted October 7, 2011 by a customer from sbcglobal.net

"Lot's of cool features and tones in an affordable quality all-tube amp head."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I give it a "10" for what it gives up for the $549 spent.My Albion TCT-35H fits right in with my mid '80s Mesa/Boogie MKIIC+,90's Bedrock 651,'80s Dean Marklet CD-30 and my other fine tube amps.My only minor complaint is the head is somewhat heavy [those beefy transformers] and is somewhat out of balance at the strap.But it's really only a minor quibble.

Sound
My Albion TCT-35H is one of the most versatle amps that I have ever owned.The flexibility of the separate EQ sections,the edge control and negative feedback on/off is excellent.Channel A is,more or less,the clean section.Though it can get some very good crunch and classic vintage type overdrive tones,the channel works best for cleaner sounds. Channel B differs in that the EQ is after the preamp gain stages,which offers superb flexibility in dialing in both excellent American and British flavored grind and sustain,with all kinds of sweet in between tones.There is plenty of gain for just about any style,though an EQ in the fx loop would most likely be needed to get the most happening modern metal voicings.The amp stays the tightest with the negative feedback loop "on".With it "off",the sound and feel is looser and a bit more organic.The fx loop works very well with my various delays,while the reverb can get quite deep and mixes well with both the amp's clean and overdriven textures.The 33% power switch really does drop the volume down,making for excellent bedroom tones.Lastly,the 35 watt read more rms TCT-35 can get some serious volume,especially when I run it through my Celestion G12K-100 loaded Lopo Large 1-12 cab.

Features
The supplied metal 2-button footswtch is sturdy and changes the channels and the reverb on/off.The fx loop can be completely bypassed and has a switch for line/instrument levels.There are two speaker outs with a switch for 8 or 16 ohm operation.Besides the separate 3-band EQ sections,there are global edge/reverb/master volume controls.The edge control really helps shape the amp's upper mids and highs.I find it to be much like a somewhat more complex presence control.The jacks,knobs and overall feel of the amp are all of high quality.Btw,the tubes consist of a pair of 6L6's,a 12AX7 phase inverter and a trio of 12AX7's in the preamp section.

Ease of Use
The amp's control are easy to use and quite intuitive.Part of the fun is just turning the various knobs and messing with the switches.I'm guessing that almost any guitarist could find more than a few very good to great tones to work with in just about any musical style.

Quality
Like I stated earlier,the knobs,switches,jacks and vinyl covering all feel and look top notch.The amp was designed and built under the close supervision of former Marshall and Vox mastermind Steve Grindwold.In fact,he lives right next to the 2000 employee factory.Btw,the factory warranty is 3 years.

Value
Considering the many features and superb clean/crunch/overdrive tube driven tones that one gets for only $549,I would say that it's an outstanding value.

Manufacturer Support
I've writen Albion twice and received prompt and informative replys each time.

The Wow Factor
I give it a 9 only because the overall look of the amp head,while classy,is a bit at odds with it's many great tones.To me,the looks of the TCT-35H say more "vintage clean/medium gain",while in reality it's tones say "versatile cleans to high gain rock/metal".But that's just me.

Musical Background:
Semi-pro and songwriter.

Musical Style:
Rock,blues and pop.
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