Carr Bloke 1X12 Combo with Effects Loop

Description

There are a lot of good sounding boutique amps made these days, Carr is clearly among the best.  Most of them I’ve had focused on versatility, going from a Fendery clean to a Marshall Crunch, but the Bloke is an amp made to be overdriven and doesn’t try to fool anybody into thinking it can cut it as a jazz, country, or blues combo.  The Class AB2 two-channel design with separate Master Volume knobs for Lead and Normal has foot switchable Lead mode which increases sustain and odd order harmonic drive.  Many players won’t even need the Lead channel since you can get tons of gain from the Normal channel, enough for most 70’s/80’s rock tones.  This amp features the Bloke’s optional series effects loop, which is a little different in that it comes in a separate Loop Interface pedal that it has separate controls to match in/out levels to buffer the inputs and outputs and is powered by a 9V power supply (included).  It also includes a channel select footswitch, referred to as “High Gain” and “Higher Gain”.  Features include huge power supply filter capacitors for thick, strong low end; ;Normal and Lead modes with separate loudness controls – footswitchable; six tubes including 12AT7 direct driver preamp-to-power amp interface for complete preamp dominance over the power tubes (Class AB2) and EL34 power tubes (48 watts) or optional 6V6’s (23 watts); unique Bass control circuit delivers plenty of bass without getting flabby; optional effects loop; 100% point-to-point hand wired; Solid pine dovetailed cabinet with integral baffle and floating grill screen; measures around 24″X18″X9″; 48 lbs.   Controls include Drive, Loudness (Normal), Loudness (Lead), Treble, Middle, Bass; Switches: Normal Gain: Medium/High, Normal/Lead toggle; Footswitch: Normal/Lead.  Here’s a link to 9 YouTube videos beginning with Carr introducing it at the ’12 NAMM Show (link) or click here for Carr’s site with reviews to 5 publications, sound clips, and detailed info (link).  This amp looks very cool with neo-classic, mid-century styling that looks sort of like a 50’s hi-fi.  If you’re looking for an amp that can nail the classic rock tones – all the way to Metallica territory – I can’t imagine anything better.  It’s also loud enough to play virtually any venue, short of an arena show.   With the $400 effects loop this model sells new for $2850.  While that may be a bit pricey for many players, how about this mint one, rarely played and never used out of the home, for $1000 less.  $1850 take it.