Nashville, TN (January 3, 2011) -- 3rd Power Amplification, makers of the well-received American Dream amp (
reviewed Nov. 2010), has announced it will bring another “Dream” model to market at the upcoming NAMM Show in Anaheim. The new British Dream is a 1x12 combo hand-wired valve amplifier that delivers iconic guitar tones inspired by two British classics, the 1959 AC30 and the 1968 Marshall Plexi. The new British Dream uses the same tubes found in the originals, but combines them with designer Jamie Scott’s innovative circuit design and cabinet structure to create a thoroughly modern combo amp that provides classic tube tone without compromise. 3rd Power will debut the British Dream at the 2011 NAMM Show, Booth 2984 in Hall D.
The British Dream is a hand-wired two channel tube combo guitar amp featuring an Invasion Channel and a Plexi Channel, with a special design 12-inch speaker housed within 3rd Power’s unique triangular inner chamber, with a triangular Switchback port on the back panel, giving the user a choice of open- or closed-back operation. The power section features the same tube types used in the original amps, with EL34 power tubes, known for their rich harmonics and forward mid-range sound, switchable between 45 and 20 watts operation.
The ’59 AC Channel uses an original EF86 pentode and features Tone and Top Cut controls. The ’68 Plexi Channel has classic Bass, Middle and Treble controls, and is powered by two 12AX7 triodes. A third 12AX7 tube is included in the amp’s the phase inverter circuit. A global Presence knob rounds out the tone controls. 3rd Power also offers the Celestion Alnico Gold speaker as an optional upgrade, and will also offer the British Dream in as a standalone head amp.
“The British Dream offers the iconic tones of two classic tube amps,” explains 3rd Power founder and amp designer Jamie Scott. “The 1959 AC30 is the rarest of Vox amps, while the Marshall Plexi is the amp made famous by artists like Pete Townshend and Jimi Hendrix. Since they both use the same output tubes, we were able to create a design the recreates both iconic tone palettes in a single amp while putting the 3rd Power spin on it with enhanced touch-sensitivity and harmonic structure. Like the American Dream we introduced this summer, we expect the British Dream to find a home both with musicians on tour and engineer/producers in the studio.”
In his approach, Scott uses modern circuitry design to ensure reliable, trouble-free operation, such as eliminating the microphonic qualities of the EF86 tube through judicious placement on the circuit board and isolating the speaker by housing it within a triangular internal chamber. This radical approach has the added advantage of eliminating the standing waves that are inherent byproducts of traditional rectangular cabinet designs, allowing the true tonality of the amplifier to come through loud and clear.
The British Dream combo guitar amp is made in the USA and carries an introductory street price of $2699.
Switchback 312
Also at the 2011 NAMM Show, 3rd Power is introducing the Switchback 312 cabinet. Though rectangular in shape, the Switchback 312 utilizes an internal triangular chamber to house three special design 12-inch speakers, attaining the same output volume as typical 4x12 designs in a cabinet that’s 20 percent more compact.
The Switchback 312 also employs 3rd Power’s signature Switchback porting system on the back of the cabinet. A triangular port behind the speaker cluster gives the user a choice closed- or open-back sound, effectively doubling the tonal possibilities of whichever amplifier the cabinet is paired with.
“The key to eliminating standing waves in cabinet design is to avoid parallel surfaces,” notes 3rd Power founder and designer Jamie Scott. “We’ve had great success with our HLH 312 cabinet being used on major tours by players like Simon Townshend, Steve Miller and others. The Switchback 312 takes that same triangular form factor and houses it in a rectangular outer cabinet for ease of use. It gives you every bit of volume that a 412 typically provides, but with amazing clarity and tone.”
3rd Power has priced the new Switchback 312 at $1099 in its standard configuration, which includes premium special design 12” loudspeakers. Optional upgrades are also available.
For more information:
3rd Power Amplification
Source: Press Release