NAD AMT SS-11a

John_A · May 2015

Well my search for a compact, light weight, amp as a lazy alternative to my 'regular' set-up is over, an AMT SS-11A pre-amp, in to a EHX Magnum 44 and a 1x12 cab. Two gigs at the weekend and I'm totally blown away!

The fact it has a couple off 12AX7s in there probably accounts for the fact it sounds and feels like a valve amp, and a very good one at that. All channels are quite Marshally voiced, but still have their own identity which I like, it's not trying to sound like anything else.

Three channels, the clean just starts to break up with humbuckers at max gain, and the other two have progressively more gain on tap, my lead sound only has the gain at around 50% which is more than enough for me and is at hot rodded JCM800 levels, plenty more on tap if you are in to that sort of thing.

On the lookout for a power amp the fills me with more confidence than the EHX, but to be fair it has never let me down (tempts fate), but by board now consists of the AMT, a delay pedal and a tuner and I'm delighted with it

Will bring it along to the Midlands amp day if anyone wants a play

Fuzzdog · May 2015

I had one of those for a while, really good little bit of kit once it was dialled in and sounded pretty decent direct as well - had to do some sessions up in London at the time, and it was awesome just to carry my entire rig in the pocket of a gig bag on the tube rather than faff about driving through the city.

Still don't really know why I sold it, actually - one of those bits of gear I wish I'd kept.

John_A · May 2015

Just had a message of Denis who runs the AMT operation in the UK, as a thanks for my review he is offering 10 % off for fretboard members, I'll add the discount code to my sig if there are no objections?

guitarfishbay · May 2015

Thanks for the review John. Would you describe the higher gain sounds as tight? I've had my eye on a P2 for a while but its place on the GAS list hasn't lined up with the surplus funding just yet. But at some stage I'd like a preamp pedal to make my pedalboard a compact backup rig to my Axe FX.

John_A · May 2015

Yes, it's 'tight', the bottom end is very focused, unlike the Flyrig I was using previously, which being Plexi based gets mushy quickly.

Haven't tried a P2. The SS11 does come in 2 styles the A which I have, and the B which is apparently voiced for heavier stuff.

guitarfishbay · May 2015

Thanks. I'll have a look at some demos then, sounds good on paper.

digitalscream · May 2015

For what it's worth, the Marshall EL84 20/20 power amp works fantastically with the AMT pedals.

guitarfishbay · May 2015

There's a 50/50 s/h in Andertons at the minute for £299, seems like a good price? I'm not going to buy it but it could work for someone else. http://www.andertons.co.uk/preamps-and-channel-strips/pid40120/cid733/second-hand-marshall-el34-5050-rack-amplifier.asp

Hertz32 · May 2015

I'm waiting on my Stonehead from Thomann atm, Glad to hear all of AMT's kit is consistently good!

John_A · May 2015

^^. That 5050 would no doubt sound great, but negates the size and weight benefits of the preamp

. Bet it weighs a ton

^ sure you'll love the Stonehead, be sure to share your views

John_P · May 2015

I used to gig a 50/50 and they aren't light. Not insanely heavy but compared to what you're using. I've been tempted by the as pedal a couple of times - the sound great but I wish they had 3 footswitches, that would make it easier to use live imo. I have the same thoughts about my Kingsley jouster that has similar switching (with bypass instead clean)

John_A · May 2015

@john_p original user name

. I thought the 2 buttons might be an issue, but found it took 2 minutes to adapt and it's really intuitive

John_P · June 2015

Hi @John_A just curious if you're still enjoying the ss11?

It just occured to me last night that instead of the flyrig I was looking I could get one of the amt preamps and add a tap tempo delay with mod - like an el capistan and have a similar practical little board.

Did you condisder the bulava or ss20 models? They all sound good from the clips I've heard but it would be good to know you've found it in practise?

John_A · June 2015

@john_p yes, still,loving it, the Flyrig I had previously sounded great, but I was still using a drive crunch box for my lead sound, this gives me three really useable channels, and sounds a touch more modern than the Flyrig, I'm now down to the SS, a DM-2 delay, and a tuner, but maybe a tap tempo delay would be a good thing.

I got the SS-11a because it has 2 valves there the Others have only one, probably irrational, but I'm more than happy. Would have likes a touch more gain on the clean channel, but other than that it's perfect, more than enough gain on tap for me on the other 2 channels for the Foo Fighters style rock I play, and enough for metal too, but I suppose if metal was your thing the 'B' model or the SS20 might be better

The 2 switch arrangement is great, really easy to use.

Tried it with a few power amps, and possibly supprisingly the EHX Magnum sounds best IMO.

Are you planning gigging with it, recording or both?

John_P · June 2015

Thanks John,

I've got a ton of dep gigs (including a few functions and weddings) this summer and I'm really conscious that both of my gigs boards don't currently have a back up - I could quickly rewire things in an emergency but I'd feel a lot happier grabbing a ready made tiny giggable board so I'm looking for tiny but still pratical and sounds great.

I thought a flyrig or a few mini pedals would be a cool option but having looked at the amt preamps I'm now leaning that way - 3 channel preamp, a nice delay that can do modulation like the strymon and a polytune mini would take very little space. Plus one of the bands I'm doing some gigs with have brass so I know stage space will be very tight.

I'm torn between the ss11b and bulava - I think the ss11b might suit me better than the a but debating if it's worth the extra over the bulava - for £130 or so it looks like a bargain even if my heart is saying spend the extra for the valves. I'd be running it into a fender twin or bogner mojado so there's plenty of valves there.

Thanks for the extra info - I need to check out more clips

John_A · June 2015

Wish I still had my Mojado, I bet it would have been great in to that! If it's just a backup go for the cheap one, or even the Flyrig, so you don't need another delay

John_P · June 2015

Quick, possibly daft question - do they come with the power supply, I don't think I have any int he drawer that would be the right fit.

John_A · June 2015

Yes they come with a UK power supply, btw did you notice the 10% off in my sig below?

John_P · June 2015

Perfect! Thanks I did and that discount will come in very handy

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

NAD AMT SS-11a

Comments