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PG's Shawn Hammond is On Location in Nashville, TN, for the 2012 Summer NAMM Show where he visits the Alairex booth. In this segment, we get to see and hear the Select-o-drive

For more Summer NAMM 2012 video demos or to watch one of Premier Guitar's 1700 other clips online, be sure to visit http://www.premierguitar.com/video



Comments

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Alex Aguilar
on 07/18/2012 		Thanks to all for taking the time to view/listen to the Alairex Select-o-drive.

I would first like to comment about the price point. The price given at the NAMM show was MSRP; street price will be somewhat less than this.

The design objective in creating this amplifier was do make the best possible amp on the planet...period. The decision to use a HYBRID topology was that this combination would produce the best, most consistent, reliable and musical guitar amplifier to date. Considering that the pairs of MOSFET output devices are hand selected and expensive in conjunction with the complex support ciccuitry, the actual cost of making this amp is virtually the same as an all tube unit.

My reputation is built on using the best technology available, regardless of cost, for the application at hand. The Select-0-drive is an example of that principle.

Given the long term reliability and eventual savings in terms of not having to retube/rebias the output section of the amp many times within the product's life, this topology is actually a great bang per buck.
The additonal advangtage of increased road worthiness, less generated heat, and amp to amp consistency, makes the Select -o-drive an excellent musical tool and investment.

The unique, proprietary soft clip circuit incorporates featues that make this amp's performance exceed ANY power tube design. This is the reason I chose to use the HYBRID concept. I am confident that this amp will set a new standard n guitar amplification.

Given the flexibility, tonal variation, reliability, harmonic richness and complexity and quality of components used, the Select-O -drive is a GREAT amp at any price.

Again, thanks for taking the time to watch/listen. Go to www.alairex.com for product updates.

thanks!!

Best,

Alex Aguilar
President and Senior Engineer
Alairex LLC
John D.
on 07/16/2012 		Have to agree w/previous posts, way too much $$$ for this amp! With all the competition out there, there gonna have hard time convincing anyone that it's worth more than a well know tube amp model w/ similar features, such as a Mesa Mk V or Marshall.
Rod
on 07/16/2012 		If they can price it in the $800 price range it would sell...2-3K?... no chance
JD
on 07/14/2012 		$3395 was 'list', not 'retail'; which means anywhere between 2100 - 2500 at your dealer. Don't see the point in a solid state power section, though. This isn't Line 6...although your cleans sounded pretty good on the first channel. I agree with y'all though---I WOULD BUY A MARK V with that dough before I'de even consider anything solid state.
FredF
on 07/13/2012 		Think he said "list Price" was 3395, not street price. That typically means dealer price is ~1700 and retail around 2300. That puts it in the same ball park as other successful boutique amps. It's gotta be tough competing in todays market with so many 'great' amps to pick from. That's good for us but real hard for a new amp company.
joseph
on 07/13/2012 		$3300+? He didn't even look as if *he* was convinced he should say the price when asked. I was interested up until that point. If he'd said an MSRP around $1100-$1500, I might....might....be gassing. $3395? Insulting.
Ed Jones
on 07/13/2012 		$3300.00???? Say what??? Out of the range of most normal guitarists.... Nice sounding AMP though and the old guy can shred....
Rick/Hayward ,Ca.
on 07/13/2012 		Thats right,$2,000.oo buys a good gem these day..when spending 2k you get what the PRO`s play...to be honest Im running a 20yr old,constantly modded X1OOB Frankenstein and happy as a ham rooting in his own,well you get picture...
RC
on 07/13/2012 		Your right, I thinking around the $2000.00 range or below a bit. You can buy a Messa Boogie Mark V for two grand. And it is all tube in the pre-amp and power ampp section.
Rick?Hayward ,Ca.
on 07/13/2012 		Agreed,the price is a shocker..and 4a hybird :) uh,I think I`ll buy a 65 for that price,100% real amp...I like the ol man tho,he gotta alot of pride...man!made that tele scream! $1,000.oo gets me the H&K 36,all tube...I`ll go with that instead...



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