The Peter Parcek Band
The concept of the amp was to offer all of the original grind, tone and breakup of the original Tweed Tone 18 but include several tonal options along with the ability to clean the amp up and get some usable headroom out of it as well. The final design is an extremely toneful package that must rank among the most versatile in its class.
Peter contacted me wanting a low powered Tweed Tone style amp. After listening to his original music, tone and playing style I was completely blown away. I can understand why Buddy Guy once told him "You're as bad as Eric Clapton, and I know Eric Clapton". I knew that I had to build him something a little less ordinary and as unique as his playing style. "Rollin' with Zah", and "Busted"(which you can listen to at the Myspace link above)rank among the most original and refreshing guitar playing technique and tone that I have heard in many years.
Amp Details
At the heart of the amp is my Tweed Tone 18 circuit which is identical to the 50 year old circuit that all players have come to love since it's release in 1959.
Four not so obvious circuit modification switches are included on the original chrome with white text styled panel. With all switches to the rear and down you have a stock Tweed Tone 18 circuit. When each switch is flipped forward or pulled up you get dirty to clean tonal options on both the normal and bright channels or both channels at the same time. Other Modifications from the original circuit completely eliminates flabby low end bass response with high gain pickups and allows the use of Humbuckers without having to turn the bass down as you would normally do with the traditional circuit components. There are also slight tonal differences between the normal and bright channel that the original never had which allow you to have options between them other than just the brightness difference.
Switch function and placement is shown below.
1. This switch allows two cathode bias settings for the power tubes. Position one is the normal Tweed Tone 18 output bias setting. Position two is a colder bias setting which allows a 9 watt output from the power tubes.
2. Traditional power switch is now a 3 position "Standby - Off - On" switch which allows the use of the ground switch position for something other than a standby switch. The ground switch is no longer needed due to the use of a 3 prong grounded power cord.
3. The Bright volume "Pull Clean" function activates a global Negative Feedback Loop which gives much later breakup and higher clean volume for more usable headroom than the original circuit. It activates the NFB loop on BOTH channels, although the pull to activate switch is on the Bright Volume knob. This function is only engaged when in the low gain preamp mode.
4. This switch internally jumpers the inputs allowing both the Normal and Bright Channels / Volumes to be active at the same time.
No more cable and manual jumping necessary as with the standard four input chassis.
5. Although the amp ships with a 12AX7 in slot 1, by flipping this switch you can lower the gain of the preamp section to emulate exactly the gain of a 12AY7 in the first slot would be. No need to keep switching tubes back and forth for different preamp gain setting.
Peter did some studio samples of the amp which were Engineered by Jesse Beaverson and Paul Girolamo, and Produced By Paul Girolamo
Keep in mind while listening to these clips, especially the cranked amp and boosted ones, that it's all being played and recorded through a standard, flat cone,
20 watt Weber 12A125 speaker, that is being hit with a VERY HOT signal. Those of you who have ever tried this with a stock 5E3 and
similar speaker will understand right away how special this amp is.
These are an Anderson Hollow "T", reverb added, and the last three are boosted with an Xotic BB Preamp Pedal
Clean Neck/// Clean Middle/// Clean Bridge
Cranked Neck/// Cranked Middle/// Cranked Bridge
Boosted Neck/// Boosted Middle/// Boosted Bridge
These are a 50th anniversary Strat, bridge pickup, with reverb added
Cranked Bridge/// Cranked Bridge 2
These are a 50th anniversary Strat, neck and bridge pickups, with reverb added, and a MI Audio Blues Pro Pedal
Boosted Bridge/// Boosted Neck
This is a 50th anniversary Strat, bridge pickup, with reverb added, and an Xotic BB Preamp Pedal
Boosted Bridge
Power Output: 18 or 9 watts
Chassis: Chrome CRS traditional tweed style
Speaker: Weber 20 watt 12A125S Circuit Board - Handwired G10-XX epoxy resin board, tinned brass eyelets
Capacitors: Sprague, IC, Mallory, CDE , and USA made STK coupling caps,
Resistors: Carbon comp, metal film and metal oxide throughout
Sockets: Belkin Micalex sockets and retainers
Potentiometers: Alpha
Switches: Carling
Jacks: Switchcraft
Output Tubes: 2 - JJ 6V6GT
Preamp Tubes: 2 - JJ ECC83/12AX7
Rectifier: 5Y3 or 5V4
Transformers: USA custom wound
Controls: Normal Volume, Bright Volume, Tone, Preamp Low/High Gain Switch, Normal & Bright Channel Tie Switch,
Pull Clean Negative Feedback Control, Power Tube Bias 9 - 18 Watt Selector Switch
Cabinets: Finger Jointed Pine
Cabinet Coverings: All available Tweed and Tolex options are listed here
Grill Cloth: All available Grill Cloth options are listed here
Peter Parcek Signature Tweed Tone Head - $1145
Peter Parcek Signature Tweed Tone Combo - 18112, 18210, 18212, 18115, 18310 - $1275, $1300, $1350, $1350, $1400
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