Top Hat
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I first met Brian, owner of Top Hat Amplifiers, in 1997 at a NAMM show in L.A. At a time when more and more small, boutique builders were just beginning to pop up, I instantly recognized something special about Brian's amplifiers.
Guitarist Audley Freed and I were walking around the show looking to check out anything new and exciting and were, for the most part, pretty bored and just killing time before a cocktails session with Chris Robinson.....essentially an unofficial interview for Audley to firm up his Black Crowes gig.....when suddenly we heard this amazingly full, complex, modified Marshall-esque tone coming from this small booth. The volume was very low yet the amp had the qualities of a cranked 50 watt head.
Upon closer investigation Audley and I discovered an amplifier called a Top Hat Emplexador 50.
Later that evening, over dinner, Audley and I discussed how much like a full-blown, cranked 60's era Marshall the Emplexador had both felt *and* sounded at low volumes.
We were both using Bogner XTC heads at that time and we agreed that the higher gain mode of the Emplexador also captured much of what we liked about the Bogner's second, or "Blue" channel.
We were both very impressed and I quickly decided to add Top Hat to Fat Sound's growing list of boutique amplifiers.
A long-term friendship with Brian was begun and Fat Sound has been a Top Hat dealer ever since.
I consider these to be among the very best of The Best in terms of construction, tone and feel and strongly encourage you to check 'em out!
Fat Sound Guitars™ offers a couple of versions of Top Hat Amplifiers only available through our shop and that we feel are the best Top Hat amps available.
"Super Fat" Deluxe 1x12" with EL34's |
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| MSRP: $1979.00 | FAT PRICE: $1979.00 | AVAILABILITY: In Stock |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: In stock in Brown and Cream. | ||
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 Video of the "Super Fat" Deluxe 1x12" with EL34's |
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Currently In stock in Saddle Brown and Cream. This is the "Super Fat" version of Top Hat's Super Deluxe! We have Top Hat modify the standard 6L6 model to be optimized, via minor circuit tweaks, for EL34's to create a revised version of one of our all time favorite Top Hat models. You *can* simply plug EL34's in to the standard version of this amp, but we have Brian tweak the amp's circuit specifically to run these tubes for optimal performance and safety. We also have Brian substitute the standard 12AY7, usually used in the V1 position, for a Tung-Sol 12AX7 for a bit more input gain and overall rock-n-roll ability. Finally we request a Celestion G12H30 versus the stock Celestion Vintage 30. Do these tweaks, done at our request, necessarily make the amp better? No, but they may make it more idealized for the sounds we like and tend to find to best suit our clientele. Both 6L6 and 6V6 tubes can still be utilized in a simple plug-and-play manner due to the amp's cathode biasing. Hopefully the clips posted above as well as the Greg V produced video presented by Fat Sound Guitars and Top Hat Amplifiers will give you a small glimpse in to the versatility of this amazing amplifier. The EL34's bring a girth and versatility to this amp that makes it World Class and a Fat Sound Fave. It works with every guitar we plug in to it, is extremely easy to dial up great tones and a blast to play. Features
Customer Comments"Stu, I got the amp today! It is great quality...the workmanship is superb! Tone out of the box is stellar Marshall done right. I hate to say it but it is what my **** and ********* [EDIT: other manufacturer's names removed out of courtesy] should have been. I can't wait to get into it and also to get the speaker broken in. This is going to be a great addition to my amp arsenal!" Thanks for everything........" Joe K. Customer Comment (loaded with 6V6 power tubes....a no cost option)"This amp is INCREDIBLE! I have never sat in the mix so well and had such an even tone from guitar to guitar, song to song. It took all my pedals better than my previous amp as well. I have been using an Fx Engineering MOAB and a SHO. The SHO alway seemed a bit too bright with my other amp. Really did some nice things with the Top Hat. Of course the Tim may replace both of them once that comes in later this summer. I guess my only complaint and it is more of a suggestion is that I wish the Bright and Loved it loved it....... Thanks a million Stu. I feel excited about playing again!' Best,"
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Club Royale 1x12" (Fat Sound Edition) |
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| MSRP: $1829.00 | FAT PRICE: $1829.00 | AVAILABILITY: On Order |
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This is the Fat Sound exclusive version of Top Hat's Club Royale! A Fat Sound Guitars' exclusive.
The current version of the Club Royale achieved Top Hat designer and owner Brian Gerhard's goal of making the model as Vox like as possible and it is a wonderful amp.
However, I felt the previous version of this model had the most perfect blend of AC15 and Low Watt Marshall that I have ever heard in a 112 combo and I admit to being disappointed to see this version of the Club Royale discontinued.
Brian and I had many talks about this and he agreed to build a hybrid of the newest version and the previous version for my shop as an exclusive model.
Our Club Royale "Special" uses the new choke from the current circuit, but has the specially designed transformer from the previous version that allows the amp to hit its sweet spot a bit earlier with a touch more compression while retaining excellent articulation.
I first started carrying Top Hat amps in 1997 and I have seen the Club Royale evolve a few times. This version is, in my opinion, the ultimate version of this model.
It creates 20 watts from a pair of EL84's, comes standard with a Celestion G12H30 and has an incredibly effective master volume control.
If you prefer a more Vox leaning to the overall tone a Celestion Blue option is available.
One of the best 112 combo amps on the market and this version is available exclusively through Fat Sound Guitars.
Features
Customer Comment"Hey Stu, Just got the amp yesterday. After playing with it for a day all I can say is wow. This amp surpassed my expectations. The sound is amazing exactly like you said. The amp looks great too. I can see Top Hat only uses high quality materials. It seems to be built like a tank which is great. Also the Brake-Lite is just what I needed. It takes the volume and just squashes it down while not affecting the tone. I can finally play late at night at home without anyone yelling at me to lower my amp, and still keep the Top Hat's amazing tone. You have helped me immensely and I would like to commend Billy M
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Supreme 16 Head (Previously Owned) |
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| MSRP: $N/A | FAT PRICE: $1549.00 | AVAILABILITY: On Hold |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: Free Shipping! | ||
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SN. 084 Condition: Mint Year of Production: 2009 Street Price New: $1999.00 Savings $550.00 From Top Hat's WebsiteThis is TopHat's endeavor to produce the most outstanding, classically based amp that will make records for the ages. We also wanted to provide this in an Aluminum chassis Head version, especially useful for those working in a studio environment. We found the Aluminum chassis brings a lot to the table, sonically. Much of this is very hard to put into words. Put simply, it is more alive or lively, presenting a more transparent sonic field.
There are two things that have come onto the market in the few years that allow higher levels of correct breathing tone to occur. One is the EZ81 rectifier tube. This is the original rectifier used by 18-watt Marshall's and the Vox AC15 amps; the two amps upon which oue Supreme 16 is base, This tube has been out of production for decades, yet very necessary to feed a 2-EL84 amp the right amount of current. The other item is the Celestion Blue Alnico. It is my personal contention, not verified officially by Celestion, that the Blue Alnico has been upgraded with the "glues, parts and pieces" used on the new Heritage Series speakers, also made with the "Blue", in England. This speaker has come along way from where it has been the last 10+ years. It now allows all the great things to happen, like the originals. THIS IS A GREAT BREAK THROUGH! When we went to the drawing board to design this amplifier, we started with what we believe is the best 2-EL84 platform of all time -- the early 60's AC15. This platform is different than an AC30 and can only be reasonably done with 2 power tubes. We also believe this platform to be superior to the 18-watt Marshall design, for a variety of reasons. We then chose to provide the EF-86 channel, with a fat/bright switch and single volume knob along with a second channel that has the full EQ, master volume, Club Royale preamp design, with its' fat-off-bright switch. To keep the head a portable size, we moved the cut knob to the back panel. This works on both channels, as it is in the power section of the amp. Part of the magic of this design, is the far less common use of a large choke. Simply put, this coil affects the way the amp compresses and breathes. It causes a feel unlike any other. It is very hands and ear friendly. It also matches up with the Aluminum chassis and new found papery clarity of the Blue Alnico. The Aluminum chassis has welded corners and been fully powder coated and silk-screened on the outside, utilizing no faceplates. The head and speaker cabinets are finger-joined 15mm Baltic Birch plywood, covered in two-tone vinyl with an Art Deco inlaid piping design surrounding the new style round, lit up logo. Specificatons
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