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Features: N/A
Features on this amp are minimal, but since it has standby, bias
adjustment (albeit you have to pull the chassis out to access it),
and tube rectifier, I don't feel anything else is needed. Front
panel has input(1), volume, treble and bass, on/off, standby and
GREEN(!) light. Back panel features three speaker outs (4, 8 and
16 ohm) and a fuse. That's it. The head itself is very small (probably
as small as Carmen Ghia). It's covered in black tolex and has beautifull
hardwood front panel. Tube compliment: preamp EF86 (Tesla), phaseinverter
12ax7a, 2 EL34's (Tesla E34LS) and GZ34 rectifier. As the name says
it's rated at 45w.
Sound Quality: 10
The sound of this amp is truly unique! I'm using single-coil equipped
Strats and Groshes (one of them with P-90's. Level of noise is adequate
(i.e. it's very low for single-coils). On a lower volume settings
(as a good amp should it sounds pretty good with amp volume high
and guitar volume rolled off)the sound is clear and punchy with
bite and attack. However it's nothing like the ubiquitous 'Fender
clean'. This is probably due to the unusual tube configuration.
EF86 in preamp makes timbre real thick and warm. If I had to compare
it anybodies tone then (in terms of timbre, not the attack) that
would be the one of Peter Green (although KT45 seems to have somewhat
sharper attack. The more you turn it up the better it sounds (no
master volume). After approx 1'oclock it starts to saturate in its
very own way. Bass stays well defined and big, the highs become
complex but not shrill. The distortion is there but it's rather
subtle. It sounds more like harmonic enhancement to the clean tone.
So what does the tone stack do? According to Doctor, when both,
treble and bass are full clockwise, it's virtually bypassed. Turning
any of those knobs down reduces their respective frequences and
gain. Turning both of them down yields very interesting (even more
unusual) tone which sonds great with mixed PU settings. Turning
them slightly down may help a sound of shrill or extremely boomy
instrument, but I have not encountered a situation like this yet.
To my ears it sounds the best with both tones maxed (and in rare
cases with both of them totally rolled off).
Reliability: N/A
I had it for about 2 month so far. Played at least 3 times a week.
So far so good. I had the Doctor's Prescription for about a year
with no problems (the noise described in my prior Prescription review
was finally healed by retubing...).
Customer Support: 10
Dr. Z's support is outstanding. Hard to imagine better.
Overall Rating: 10
This is a great piece of gear. Hand-wired, great-sounding head for
a fraction of what some other 'boutiques' cost. It might be a 'one
trick pony' but there is no other amp that I know which could even
attempt this trick (although I don't know what the new Route 66
is like). How does it compare to my Prescription? I don't compare
them - they are TOTALLY different animals. I could say that Prescription
sounds better in heavier music styles and KT45 excels in more 'accoustic'
music (think R&B or certain types of blues). But it would not
be precise - they just sound different. In addition I have to say
that Prescription does NOT like most of the pedals in front of it
(except for Wah's), but KT45 seems to be more tolerant to stompboxes.
Features: 10
Awesome. I hate amps with 4000 knobs. Just plug in, adjust the treble
and bass, crank it up and go. It let's the nuances of each guitar
come through.
Sound Quality: 10
Wow! It sounds very open and clear. Lots of sweet, tight low end
and lots of amazing airy highs. This amps sound totaly "3d".
Sounds different with every guitar. Very dynamic! Awesome. Up there
with the best vintage amps I have heard. A keeper. What a great
head!
Reliability: 10
So far so good. Very quiet (no hiss).
Customer Support: 10
Z seems very cool. Prompt reply to all emails. Made my amp fast
too.
Overall Rating: N/A
I waited 2 months before doing this review so the "new"
would wear off...I thought I would be a good idea to wait for the
"honeymoon phase" to wear off but I love it even more
now!
Features: N/A
This is an update to a review I posted some time ago. This amp is
absolutely wonderful for recording, but where it really shines is
in its live applications. Tube rectifier, combo format w/ greenbacks.
Sound Quality: 10
In a word, this amp is smokin'! I use an LP and a 335 primarily.
It cleans up very well when the guitars volume is down. The tone
absolutely shines thru any other tone I've played with. Mesa, old
Fenders...puts them all down. Add a slide and you will need a fire-extinguisher.
Having played thru Mesa, Fender, Marshall, and other various amps
in the past, I must say that this is my favorite, and I would never
get rid of it! Being a rock and texas-country guitar player, I have
found the last amp I will ever want/need.
Reliability: 10
I have used it without backup since March, no problems! The amp
is almost 2 years old.
Customer Support: 10
Mike is a very nice man, I trust him implicitly to take care of
any unforseen problem that may arise due to the manufactering of
the amplifier. My abuse is my problem, not his. He called me once
to ask how I liked the amplifier, and this was not long after receiving
it; my reaction then was of course, that I loved it, but now, I
can't do without it. Kudos Z! Hope you continue to love what you
do!
Overall Rating: 10
I am an intermediate level professional. I must say that my confidence
as a player would be nill without this amp. It is inspiring and
brings me to new heights with each passing gig. Although I may not
need another, I plan on having as many as I can get. For a product
hand-made in the USA, you can't beat this with a stick!
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KT-45
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