Fender Jazz King Guitar Combo Amplifier (140 Watts, 1x15 in.)

Feature:
I would keep all the features and the only thing I would add is the capability of adding some vibrato.

Quality:
I've owned 10 different brands, but I keep coming back to Fender. The quality is sometimes matched, but not exceeded.

Value:
Based on other good jazz amps, I would have expected to pay twice this amount. In fact all my other jazz amps cost more than twice, even triple what this one did.

Desirability:
I love the classic look. I won't stand out; but it will be noticed.

Sound:
I do not have the ampgeek vocabulary to say WHY I so love it, but I can say that I do. If I hadn't already promised to take the wife to dinner [something I try to do on days that a little white delivery truck is expected], I could listen to this amp into the night. : So far, I have only plugged my G&L Legacy 2HB, ASAT, and Fender Strat into it; but I gotta say that is THE BEST it has ever sounded. I can't wait to plug in the archtops. Right out of the box, all of the knobs on the amp were set on about the middle [straight up] except for the Master Volume and the Reverb - each of which were on about 2. Ohhhh, how sweet right there - outdoors on my front porch!! This thing has 2 mid controls, so I turned the one on the right almost all the way -- even schweeter! I have alternated with different EQ and reverb positions, but I'm not finding anything I like better than the one with the button out for Normal and the second Mid switch cranked. It has what I have learned is a "tight bottom" and a "very smooth high end". With the Gain cranked, it really goes up in volume but still has very little grit - which is exactly what I like. This amp can be made every bit as warm as any tube amp. And with 140W of power and a 15" Eminence speaker, it lets you play loud and keep the tone clean. The preamp is voiced for jazz and and still lets me shape and tailor it for clean tones. It is equipped with a switchable limiter to prevent distortion when I play hard [which I don't normally do anyway]. The surprise is how much reverb it can produce - it ranges from zilch to one that sounds like underwater. That's one knob I'll keep low, but enjoy. It really has a classic Fender warmth and sparkle that is what I was searching for. I'm still in the "honeymoon" phase, but so far, it has all the signs of being a keeper.

Ease of Use:
Very straightforward. The tone can be shaped quite a bit.

Support:
n.a.

Overall:
This has been a long quest. I am delighted to find this amp and consider it a keeper. I plan to cover my blues and rock with my Fuchs tube amp and my jazz, country, and some blues with this one.

Feature:
I couldn't care about all of the other features - the parametric mid is THE feature on this amp for versatile tone.

Quality:
I suppose its made well at this price point. Because it is SS and heat is much less (and no tube noise), I suspect it will be tough. How can you mess up a SS circuit?

Value:
It is a great value.

Desirability:
Huh?

Sound:
This has the round Fender tone. They suggest leaving everything at 12 o'clock for a good tone. But I like to boost the low mids a touch and back off the treble for the richest warmth out of this puppy. Confirmed - its great for jazz. But more of a classic jazz tone than a modern one (ala Evans, Acoustic). I think it has a bit if a softer attack than these other amps. Now here is the kicker - as a cover/pop type of amp with pedals - amazing!! Don't be deterred by lack of tubes coming from someone who's been through the tube mill ad nauseum. This has an amazingly rich, punchy sound and loves pedals. Plus - you'll have clean headroom for miles. Tell me again - why do you need to buy the '65 Twin Reissue? Who needs the heat and weight of that albatross.

Ease of Use:
Easy

Support:
Good through the dealer.

Overall:
OK, It has a killer clean sound, loves pedals, and does jazz very well. Overall, its quite a versatile amp.