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The
Imperial delivers the authentic sound of the 1950s and
1960s. It has the same raw, slightly unrefined tone and
spongy feel of a genuine 40-year old vintage amp. With
two preamp channels, reverb, and tremolo, the
lightweight (30lbs), low power (20W) Imperial is the
ideal small gigging amp |
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Features
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Rhythm Channel |
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The rhythm channel really delivers the classic
blackface sound, instantly reconizable to fans
of the Princeton or Deluxe Reverb, but with a more
organic feel, like a really good
vintage tweed deluxe. It gives you the shimmery
clean tones and gritty, ringing overdrive that
this style of amp is known for, but with an improved
ability to control the timbre and expression of the
notes with your fingering and pick attack. |
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Lead Channel |
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The unique
and effective Mid-Bite control makes the Lead Channel a
lot more versatile than you would expect from a channel
with only 3 controls. The Mid-Bite control is an
exclusive Tone King design feature which does a lot more
than simply adjust the midrange level - it completely
transforms the overdrive character.
With Mid-Bite fully off, the Lead Channel reacts
much like a tweed deluxe. When played clean, the woody
resonance of the cabinet, liveliness of the 5AR4 tube
rectifer, and the expressive dynamic response of the
cathode-biased output stage work together to give you
the raw midrange, silky top end, and loose feel of a
genuine well-worn tweed deluxe - perfect for honky tonk
or blues rhythm playing with a tele.
As you dig in harder, you'll feel the sweet, round top
end begin to develop a stinging bite. Crank it up into
the distortion zone, and the tone gets even fatter,
thicker, and looser. Think tweed deluxe meets vintage
Supro. Compression from the cathode-biased output stage
softens the pick attack as single notes and chords swell
and sustain in endlessly evolving shades of thick, meaty
grind.
As you turn up the Mid-Bite control, a midrange
peak appears while the bottom end is simultaneously
tightened up, which transforms the tone into more of an
English-style crunch. The amp develops a tighter feel as
single notes really start to sing, and chords become
chunky with rich midrange overtones, a lot like an early
Marshall. |
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Reverb |
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The Imperial's reverb circuit uses the same 12AT7 driver
tube, 12AX7 receiver tube, and long-format 2-spring pan
as those classic amps from the 1960s, to give you that
same authentic spring reverb sound.
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Tremolo |
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The
Imperial uses a vintage tremolo circuit which creates
the tremolo effect by modulating the bias current of the
output tubes. Compared to other methods (e.g. the
opto-coupler method used in the Fender "blackface" era
amps), this method creates the most gradual, smoothest,
and roundest tremolo effect.
The tremolo effect can be turned on and off via the
footswitch. |
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Specs
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Output Power |
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20W |
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Speaker |
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1x12" |
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Ouptut Tubes |
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2
x 6V6 |
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Preamp Tubes |
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4x12AX7, 1x12AT7 |
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Rectifier Tube |
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5AR4 |
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Preamp Channels |
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2
(Rhythm, Lead) |
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Rhythm Channel Controls |
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Volume, Treble, Bass |
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Lead Channel Controls |
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Volume, Tone, Mid-Bite |
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Reverb |
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Tube driven, full-size 2-spring pan |
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Tremolo |
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Bias modulation type |
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Footswitch |
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Included; controls both channnel switching and
tremolo |
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Cabinet |
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Dovetail jointed birch with solid pine baffle
board |
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Weight |
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30lbs |
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Dimensions |
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22"(w) x 10"(d) x 19"(t) |
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Options
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The Imperial is
available in either of the following color combinations.
Custom colors are not available.
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turquoise/white
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red/white
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