Includes footswitch and Stereo cable for footswitch.
The Ultimate AST 6V6/6L6
Designed in conjunction with guitarist Greg V, this is the no holds barred answer to the professional musician's need for an AST built for the road but without any loss in Swart style and élan. Introducing the AST PRO, which offers everything the AST is famous for, plus the following mods:
• Deeper Cab w/Recessed Chassis for Protection
• Chassis Elevated to accommodate Larger Speaker
• Rear Panel w/Switchable External Out/In & Enlarged Port
• NEW! Rear Panel now includes Night Light Input!
• Dark Lacquer w/Dual Piping & contrasting Light Grill
• Extra Large Rubber Feet for Vibration/Protection
• 15 1/2" W x 10 1/8" D X 18 7/8" H ~ Weight @ 31lbs
So what does this all mean?
Well, sound-wise, if you're looking for that stock AST take, consider this speaker choice. Tone Freaks really love the Celestion Creamback 75. The AST PRO sounds a tad "bigger" than the AST. The cab is 3/4 an inch deeper to allow the recessed chassis for additional knob/switch protection. This might add just a bit more heft to the bottom as well. The enlarged port in the PRO panel, now standard on all AST, gives a slightly more open sound. And the new switchable external output makes it easier to drive another cab, bypassing the internal speaker (8ohm output).
Michael Swart comments on his latest amplifier:
The idea of the Atomic Space Tone hit me when I was working on a vintage Gibson Scout guitar amp. It had Reverb, Tremolo, and 15 watts of pure rocking vintage tone power but only three preamp tubes and two EL-84 output tubes. I thought to my self - I have never seen an amp that could do so much with so little and sound surprisingly good. But I knew it could be even better. I knew something could be built revolving around my favorite little tone generator, the 6V6. I sent a note of thanks to my cohort for the inspiration for one of the best amplifiers I have ever built and the only thing I have found to equal the soul and amazing tone of the ST-6V6se but with MORE power.
I call it the ATOMIC SPACE TONE. And damn if it's not a winner - this beast sounds amazing.
This amp brings more tube soul than I thought possible, even compared to some of my favorite vintage amps. We are talking ALL TUBE circuitry, even the Tremolo and Reverb, all leading into the excellent 12" Creamback speaker.
The AC is cleaned and rectified by the reliable JJ 5AR4, this a very robust tube providing excellent sonics due to the total lack of solid-state circuits in the rectification stage (SS rectification leads to a more hard/harsh tone and slams the tubes on power-up causing excess tube wear). A heavy duty, JJ 500V Surface mount capacitor is the mains filtering device.
Powered by Twin EH 6v6's putting out 18-22 cathode biased Watts; the twin 6V6s seem to really put out an amazing mixture of soul~tone. We love this combo! (You can also sub 6L6s for a bit more headroom due to the extra beefy Heyboer Power Transformer,
A 12AX7 does duty as the driver and bias regulated Tremolo. Ever heard tube tremolo? You will now. Simply put, if you're a tremolo fan, you won't go back.
Reverb is all tube. Tube Reverb is the only way to go and our implementation leaves the competition sounding two-dimensional.
The first preamp tube is another dedicated rocking 12AX7 to drive this beast to Mount St. Helens and back. Our whole driver/preamp circuit has been optimized from months of testing. The AST sings like no other.
Custom built, Heavy Duty, power and output transformers - HeyBoer USA - The New Leader
Carbon Comp Resistors for the BEST tone. Period.
Mallory, Sprague and JJ Caps - only the best, all considered for their appropriate roles
Finest silver tinned cloth & Teflon covered wire
Hand Wired, point to point
Standby Switch - warm up | extends tube life High and low inputs for high and low output pickups
Dedicated 2-button foot switch for reverb & tremolo
And a hand-made, finger jointed pine cabinet covered with dark tweed for the Pro model. This cabinet is part of the magic of the Atomic Space Tone - We tested many different cabinet configurations and wood choices until we found the magic of the AST combo.
