*Note: production of this amp ended in Dec. 2017.

DB4

“Best sound ever…Seriously!” – Brad Paisley

Specifications

Power Output18/38 Watts (standard with Half/Full power switch)
Output Tubes4 – EL84 (Cathode Biased)
Preamp Tubes1 – 5879, 1 – 12AX7
Rectifier1 – 5AR4
ControlsVolume, Rotatory Tone Switch, Cut
Other4, 8, 16 Ohm
18/38 Half/Full power switch
(Models without Half/Full power switch are available as special order. Mention this to your dealer when ordering your amp).
Removable casters (2×12 combo only)
ConfigurationsHead
1×12 “Ultra-Lite” Combo (loaded with Celestion Gold)
2×12 “Bluesbreaker” Combo (loaded with two Celestion Blue speakers)
ColorsHead: Black, Blonde, Red
1×12 “Ultra-Lite” Combo: Black, Blonde, Red
2×12 “Bluesbreaker” Combo: Black, Red, Navy Blue
Dimensions & WeightHead: 19” W, 9 3/4” H, 9 1/2” D; 26 lbs.
1×12 “Ultra-Lite” Combo: 22 1/2” W, 20 1/8” H, 10” D; 45 lbs.
2×12 “Bluesbreaker” Combo: 32 1/4″ W, 23 1/8″ H, 10 1/2″ D; 68 lbs.
Owners ManualDownload

General Information

The DB4 is the fourth collaboration between Dr. Z and Brad Paisley (hence the name DB4: Doc & Brad’s fourth amp design). Brad asked for a rich and warm sounding British-voiced amp. I started with a clean sheet of paper.

The input of the amp uses a 5879 U.S. made pentode preamp tube. This was the tube selected by Les Paul to be used in his Gibson GA-40 Les Paul amp. The full-bodied silky tones of the 5879 are then driven into a rotatory frequency filter. This control selects between jangly brilliance to deep and full resonant tones and everything in between. To help fine adjust the hue of delivered frequency to the four EL84 output tubes is a cut control. Think of this as a tone control for your output tubes.

This original amp design has its own voice, one that doesn’t sound like any EL84 amp you have ever heard. It will be offered as a head, 1×12 “Ultra-Lite” combo loaded with a Celestion Alnico Gold, and 2×12 “Bluesbreaker” combo loaded with two Celestion Alnico Blue speakers.

Magazine Reviews

gp_editors_pick

The DB4 has received Guitar Player Magazine’s “Editor’s Pick” award.

Guitar Player Hall Of Fame 2016

For the second consecutive year, Dr. Z received Guitar Player’s “Hall Of Fame” award, this time for the DB4.

Testimonials

“Hi Mike,

I got to plug in and enjoy my DB4 [2×12 Bluesbreaker combo] today. Oh Man! What a cool amp!!! So glad I got to hear it in person with Brad. Just a really great rockin’ tone. So far, I’m just straight in with a tele and the rotary switch all the way bass and the cut knob all the way treble. No fuss; No muss. Just great tone. You and Brad should be very proud of this one.”
  • John Fogerty
Disclaimer: while the information contained on this page is correct at the time of publication, due to our policy of constant improvement and development, Dr. Z Amplification reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice.
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