Hamstead Amps

Toon

I bought a 20+RT Mark 2 combo this week from GAK. No issues so far (other than the fact that I can't stop playing the damn thing - missus not happy).
It's everything the reviews and accolades promise - stunningly quiet and just brilliant with pedals. I use ThorpyFx pedals and it's a match made in heaven. Highly recommended.

garfy

Cheers @Toon. Glad your loving it. Looking to try one this week coming myself (if I can shake this man flu!)
fully agree @hotpickups the forty is meant to be a whole new monster. 

monkey42

@Toon ;

is this made to order or do GAK have models to demo/buy?

FreddieVanHalen

@garfy mind if I ask which HiTone you have?

I was looking at them a while back but never got around to picking one up...

Toon

GAK have a head and cab on demo in the store (at least they did on Wednesday) but the one I bought had been on order for about 6 weeks I think. So I don't think they have a combo in the store but the head is exactly the same amp so you could demo that and get a good idea of the sound. The cab is a 212 with 2 Celestion Creambacks G12M-65 (the same speaker as is in the 112 combo). Give 'em a call. Ask for Sean - he knows his stuff. They only have 4 dealers - Huntingdon, Leeds, Edinburgh and Brighton. (Oh - and I think you can arrange an appointment direct with Hamstead to go to their factory/shop and demo there) GAK have only been a dealer for a couple of months I think and they said they sell every one they can get. I was lucky as they had the combo coming in a few days after I called but, if not, I think they quoted 4-6 weeks lead time. Good luck but beware............if you demo it you'll want to buy it!

garfy

@FreddieVanHalen ;;;I've got the DG30/15 2x12...it's an incredible piece of workmanship, built like a tank and the ideal pedal platform IMHO  
if your based in the USA you'll save a fortune on shipping & import duty (£800)

FreddieVanHalen

garfy said:

@FreddieVanHalen ;;;I've got the DG30/15 2x12...it's an incredible piece of workmanship, built like a tank and the ideal pedal platform IMHO  
if your based in the USA you'll save a fortune on shipping & import duty (£800)

Based in London, so yeah it was the shipping and duty that was putting me off.

The reason I was thinking of a "clone" is that I've got an original DR103 which I love for both cleans and power tube overdrive (with attenuator).

I'm scared of killing that if I run it so hard all the time though, hence if I got a newer amp with parts that are still in production it would at least be repairable in the event of failure.

I'd probably be looking for a head rather than combo though - did you order direct from HiTone?

garfy

Yes direct,  Clayton is fantastic to deal with. It's the loudest 30w I've ever heard! Sounds just as classic in the 15w mode as well. The duties & current exchange rate make it a large investment.