Reeves seeem to be making quite a name for themselves engineering a range of class A valve amplification modelled on the classic Dave Reeves designed Hiwatt amps of the seventies. Following on from our reviews of the low wattage Vox AC4TVH and Night Train NT15H heads, the Reeves Custom 10HG may have something to offer for those guitarists looking for a little more gain.
The Custom 10HG is a 10 watt class A valve head featuring a Master Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble and Gain controls. One El-34 power tube, one 12AY7 and one 12AX7 preamp tube. What arguably sets Reeves Custom amplifiers apart from the competition is their attention to detail and passion for quality. The Custom 10 HG is meticulously hand-wired with its components carefully mounted on a turret board. It also features USA made Heyboer transformers, sitting on top of an aluminum chassis.
Check out the video demo at the bottom of this page for some of the amazing classic rock tones that are available through this head. It nails Cream-era Clapton tones and sounds much like a 1970′s Hiwatt with a big full rock sound that can also deliver those warm chiming clean tones associated with the 70′s era.
This amp is going to get a lot of guitarists excited but the price may put many off with the amp retailing at $999 USD / approx £675 GBP. There seems to be stiff competition in this particular area of the valve amp market and both the Marshall Haze and Vox Night Train should be considered if your looking for a high quality practice rig.
Specification
- Single Ended Class A design
- Single EL-34 power tube
- One 12AY7 and one 12AX7 preamp tubes
- Turret board construction
- Heavy duty Cliff input and speaker jacks
- Master, Bass, Mid, Treble, Gain controls
- 4, 8, 16 ohm speaker jacks
- Laser etched face and back plates
- 120v or 240v operation with detachable power cord
The amp also features ‘power scaling’ which allows you to drive the amplifier into that “sweet spot” at far lower volumes.
“Unlike power attenuators that are placed between the amplifier and the speakers – causing the amplifier to “cook itself” and seriously shorten tube life. Power Scaling allows the power output stage to be variable from full volume all the way down to bedroom levels while still achieving power tube “break up”. Other advantages of Power Scaling are longer tube life at any setting less than maximum.”
Reeves Amplifiers
Prices: $999 USD / approx £675 GBP.
At time of publishing this review, all of Reeves amplifiers are only available direct through the Reeves website. They are however offering free delivery (although I’m presuming this is to mainland USA only).
