This amp is designed to please the more demanding guitarist who loves the no nonsense “all about tone” approach to guitar amplification. The design is based on a single-Ended all-tube low-powered amplifier operating at 100% Class-A. Using as less components as possible, Dolf Koch has created a pure tube-tone monster which sounds very dynamic and are very responsive to your playing and the type of guitar you use.
The Classic SE 12W version is shipped with two different tube types. Each tube type has its own distinctive sound character. The CSE6 is shipped with the EL34 installed but it is fairly easy to exchange this tube for the 5881 tube which is supplied with the amplifier.
With the 5881 tube the amp will deliver (tube) tone as it was meant to be. Ranging from warm, almost "piano-like" lows up to crystal clean highs the sound will astound you. Turning up the volume will give you a fat but articulate overdrive.
With the EL34 tube you will get a firm but controlled low end with smooth mids and a silky top end. Turning up the gain will give you a singing sustain with a modest compression.
The built-in auto-bias circuit enables you to exchange various tube types without the need to rebias the amp. With the Classic-SE you can keep on creating new sounds very fast utilizing the single Tone control in combination with the three voicing switches (Mid-boost, Basscut and Gain-boost) and with the Gain and Volume control. The Mid-boost will give you extra definition and the Bass-cut will keep the low-end tight at higher distortion levels. By turning up the Gain and adding Gain-boost you can create a more saturated sound which will get richer the more you turn up the Volume control. As most guitarists love to record their own inspiring tonal paintings we have added a recording output with built-in speaker simulation for the best results. The speaker on/off switch with speaker load enables you to turn off the speaker for silent recording. For even more flexibility there is a line input for connecting an external preamp such as the Koch Pedaltone. Last but definitely not least you can use both models in two power modes. The Standby switch has three positions: Standby, Full-power and Low-power. In the Lowpower mode the amp delivers only 1/3 of its nominal output power (Full-power mode), enabling you to create full power amp distortion at a lower volume level. Playing the first notes on either of these amps will dazzle you’re creative brain and forge you to continue playing whether you are at home, in the studio or on stage.
