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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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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