It Was Inevitable - I Bought a Polytone

[raylinds]

About 15 years ago, during my first foray into playing jazz guitar, I had a Polytone Mini Brute II and loved it. Since I got back into playing jazz again I have been using a Fender Tone Master Pro modeler with their Twin Reverb model. I like the sound but couldn't stop thinking about the Polytone.

I came across one for $350 and had to buy it. I think it is a 90s model with the Sonic Circuit. It won't get here until next week, but I am anxious to compare it with the TMP tube amp and see if it is still as magical as I remember.

I figure if it is not, I can always sell it for what I paid.

[Boze]

Can't go wrong with a Mini Brute; congrats. I no longer own one but still have the seldom-seen Mega Brute.

What will you play through it?

[garybaldy]

Can't go wrong with a Mini Brute; congrats. I no longer own one but still have the seldom-seen Mega Brute.

What will you play through it?

Great amps. I've had a MBIII for about 30 years. I use a Teeny Brute these days for guitar and the MBIII for D Bass.
Sorry, this reply was meant to go to OP!

[raylinds]

Can't go wrong with a Mini Brute; congrats. I no longer own one but still have the seldom-seen Mega Brute.

What will you play through it?

An Epihone Broadway that I am in the process of highly modifying- Poor Man's L-5? (jazzguitar.be)

[deacon Mark]

I still have a baby Tarus that I use but not much. They were great amps in the day and I am glad you got what you wanted. However, I have gave up on polytones and the repair issues and problems. I had a minibute IV with a 15 inch years ago that was my best, but the reverb bit the dust. Someone repaired it but now days I would not know who could handle it.

I think I need a Henriksen blu 6 it is even smaller and more power. I hope the amp is not sent by carrier that could be a problem they are delicate. But the real thing is you have to show us the guitar with the mods and sitting next to this amp. That is the way this forum works, we like the whole package in pics. My guess is if you can't get a good jazz guitar sound out of the package, then you cannot blame the equipment, right?

[raylinds]

I still have a baby Tarus that I use but not much. They were great amps in the day and I am glad you got what you wanted. However, I have gave up on polytones and the repair issues and problems. I had a minibute IV with a 15 inch years ago that was my best, but the reverb bit the dust. Someone repaired it but now days I would not know who could handle it.

I think I need a Henriksen blu 6 it is even smaller and more power. I hope the amp is not sent by carrier that could be a problem they are delicate. But the real thing is you have to show us the guitar with the mods and sitting next to this amp. That is the way this forum works, we like the whole package in pics. My guess is if you can't get a good jazz guitar sound out of the package, then you cannot blame the equipment, right?

I will post pics. I think Henriksens are great amps, but I am not sure a Blu is $1k better, but I could be wrong. I would be hesitant to spend that kind of money for something without tubes. I have never heard anyone describe a Polytone as delicate- they were gigging workhorses for years. Mine survived a lot of abuse. Anyway, I bought from a dealer so if it arrives DOA I will have recourse.

I think in this review the Polytone stands up well to the Henriksen-

I have to admit if someone is willing to spend the money the Henriksen is amazing for the size

[raylinds]

The Mini Brute arrived today. I have to admit I was a bit nervous as to whether it would live up to my memory of how much I loved the sound. Well, it didn't disappoint! After spending a few minutes tweaking the tone, there was that warm. rich low mid sound that I remembered. I couldn't be more thrilled. It appears to be in excellent shape.

I do like to use some reverb, but never liked the reverb on the unit so I ordered a Surfybear spring reverb unit. It has an Accutronic spring reverb tank and sounds just like the old Fender spring reverbs.

[Boze]

An Epihone Broadway that I am in the process of highly modifying- Poor Man's L-5? (jazzguitar.be)

D'oh, I should have noticed the same OP. What a nice pairing and classy, low-risk gig rig; well done!

[lawson-stone]

Resistance is futile! You will be assimilated!

[raylinds]

I made it official and determined that the Polytone is my favorite amp for jazz. Prior to getting the MB II, I was using the Twin Reverb in my Fender Tonemaster Pro modeler, which I love for classic rock and blues. With the proper settings, it sounded great for jazz. When I got the Polytone I liked it better, but got to wondering if it was because I was listening to the Fender through headphones and maybe the speaker-in-the-room sound made the difference. To do a fair comparison, I hooked the Fender up to the FR-12 cabinet that goes with the TMP, but I still preferred the Polytone, but could see why some would prefer the brighter, more articulate sound of the tube Fender. But, for me, the Polytone rules.