So I Tried a Mambo Amp

**Philco** · 02-07-2013, 08:04 PM

Jorgemg, I was wondering what your opinion of the difference between a 2x12 single cab setup and having 2 separate 10's as you have.
Do you feel that you are missing anything from the 2x12 cab? Perhaps it's these smaller speakers that are giving the "even" sound......they tame the bottom end.

I've always shied away from anything smaller than a 12" but it sounds like the Mambo is just great with 2x10s.
What do you think?

**jorgemg1984** · 02-07-2013, 09:09 PM

Hi Phil. That's a very interesting question! I also love 12 speakers but they tend to be a little unbalanced... once you tame them they tend to be deeper and fuller than similar 10s. Untill the mambo I thought I would be always using 12s.

But this specific setup has the advantage of being stereo... and I have to tell you I am loving it. You can get a really big full sound on stage even considering how small the cabs are (Jon's design also helps a lot). I am not sure they are as full as my 2x12 (once tamed) but I never got such a good compromise between tone and portability (and I have a jazzmaster ultralight). The two 10s are very small and light and much easier to carry than the 2x12, I imagine myself playing big gis with them,

I am actually thinking about selling my 2x12 and getting a second 1x12 because I am loving a stereo setup (and because my 1x12 EV is the best cab I have heard and because I am thinking about starting a true stereo setup with the mambo and the henriksen with a barb eq). Or maybe just keeping the two mambo cabs and the EV cab.

About the bass I have to say that given the ported design and the speakers used they have a lot of bass but amp's eq can tame it pretty well. I don't notice less bass on Beta 10s than Beta 12s honestly.

**Philco** · 02-07-2013, 09:50 PM

Thanks for that jorgemg. Can you tell me the model number of the Beta 10" that Jon uses? I will try to source some locally.

**jorgemg1984** · 02-08-2013, 06:44 AM

Eminence Beta 10-A. I think it should be easy to source them... if you're in Europe Lean usually has the best prices.

**Philco** · 02-08-2013, 08:44 AM

Interesting that Eminence describes them as a Bass speaker.

BETA-10A American Standard Series
Recommended for professional audio, bass guitar, mid-bass or floor monitor applications in sealed enclosures.
Also works well as a mid-bass or woofer in vented enclosures.

What's going on with that?

**jorgemg1984** · 02-08-2013, 09:04 AM

Most jazz amps use this speakers henriksen, mambo, evans and even the polytone ones should be similar. Cab makers like RE and Redstone too... main reason is they can handle more than 200w and that's RARE on the guitar world. And they are cheap and reliable and can sound nice if the cab is properly designed and the amp's preamp can tame their bass.

Still I like an EV more but the EV 10 is long gone... if they ever release it again I am getting two for my mambo cabs. Until then I am enjoying the Betas actually. And you don't have alternatives...

**JPMike** · 02-08-2013, 07:51 PM

I have to say I love my mambo!! The only thing, I would change is to add a 12" speaker instead of a 10".

**JPMike** · 02-10-2013, 12:34 PM

Awesome tone and playing, Jorge.

Also, @Ben lovely tone and playing yourself too.

Here's a noob video by me with my Mambo Wedge 10 recorded with a Zoom Q3HD, don't be hard on me. :P

**shawntp** · 02-14-2013, 09:31 AM

For those in the US/Canada - the cost of ownership for me in the Mid-West is roughly $100 shipping and 4.5% import duties (in the US).

Thats probably at or below the VAT rate alone that our EU friends have had to pay to get goodies directly from the US.

**shawntp** · 02-14-2013, 09:48 AM

Great clips guys - iconic warmth but with clarity rather than overly dry or muddy voicing.

Are you guys playing laminate top or solid top guitars? I am curious how the amp performs or changes going from one to the other (I suppose much depends on the actual guitar).

I only have a laminate top 16" at the moment but will have a carved top 16" by summer.

**Philly112** · 03-04-2013, 08:00 AM

Ben

Did you get your Mambo 10 inch wedge? And how is it?
I have one on order but the delivery time is longer than the initial 3 weeks (more like 5 weeks).
I would agree that Jon Shaw is clued up and obviously a decent guy. Just waiting for the amp now...

Thanks
Phil

**marcwhy** · 03-04-2013, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by JPMike

I have to say I love my mambo!! The only thing, I would change is to add a 12" speaker instead of a 10".

How about using a 1x12 extension cab with it? Lots of sound, i'd bet ..

I wish there was one to demo in the States ..

**oldane** · 03-04-2013, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Philly112

Ben

Did you get your Mambo 10 inch wedge? And how is it?
I have one on order but the delivery time is longer than the initial 3 weeks (more like 5 weeks).
I would agree that Jon Shaw is clued up and obviously a decent guy. Just waiting for the amp now...

Thanks
Phil

I'm not Ben, but I'll chime in anyway. I think it's longer than 5 weeks at present. I ordered an amp head just before X-mas and payed a deposit. At that time, the expected delivery time was "a couple of weeks" but it's still backordered. I have been in email contact with Jon and it's my impression that he is overwhelmed and almost choked by all the orders the positive reviews on this forum (and other fora?) have generated. I know from first hand experience that a one-man, half-way-hobby business can run into production and logistic problems (sometimes also liquidity problems if physical raw materials are involved) if the order book all of a sudden significantly exceeds the capacity.

**jorgemg1984** · 03-04-2013, 09:53 AM

I use my head with my Dr Z 1x12 closed back with an EV and it sounds amazing! Don't worry, my head also took longer than expected, Jon wasn't expecting all this orders I suppose. But everyone will get their amps, don't worry

**Philly112** · 03-04-2013, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by oldane

I'm not Ben, but I'll chime in anyway. I think it's longer than 5 weeks at present. I ordered an amp head just before X-mas and payed a deposit. At that time, the expected delivery time was "a couple of weeks" but it's still backordered. I have been in email contact with Jon and it's my impression that he is overwhelmed and almost choked by all the orders the positive reviews on this forum (and other fora?) have generated. I know from first hand experience that a one-man, half-way-hobby business can run into production and logistic problems (sometimes also liquidity problems if physical raw materials are involved) if the order book all of a sudden significantly exceeds the capacity.

Thanks, that's where I am! I actually had a good chat with Jon where we talked about his business model and where it would lead. He wants to keep it 'in house' and 'low key'. I have quite a bit of manufacturing experience (not in this industry, but still relevant) , and I think that Jon will need to expand massively, or probably go under as he won't be able to fulfill his orders. It's a balancing act. And as he has my deposit I obviously have an interest!

Phil

**oldane** · 03-04-2013, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Philly112

Thanks, that's where I am! I actually had a good chat with Jon where we talked about his business model and where it would lead. He wants to keep it 'in house' and 'low key'. I have quite a bit of manufacturing experience (not in this industry, but still relevant) , and I think that Jon will need to expand massively, or probably go under as he won't be able to fulfill his orders. It's a balancing act. And as he has my deposit I obviously have an interest!

Phil

I don't know if Jon is about to go under, but he seemed to gasp for air in the mails he sent me. Maybe he should upgrade the snob appeal of his amps and brand to support a long waiting list like some of the best luthiers does.

We may have a parallel with Tom Painter, who has decided to take a break from guitar making. Maybe he too was overwhelmed and fatigued by the steady stream of orders - or maybe he just wanted to do something else which brings more bread than lutherie (he is an engineer of profession). Or maybe he wants to spend more time sailing - he also builds boats.

**Philly112** · 03-04-2013, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by oldane

I don't know if Jon is about to go under, but he seemed to gasp for air in the mails he sent me. Maybe he should upgrade the snob appeal of his amps and brand to support a long waiting list like some of the best luthiers does.

..

I have 100% confidence in Jon delivering my amp. I just don't have that much confidence in Mambo Amps being the same business in 3-5 years. I instinctively liked Jon. He's a nice intelligent passionate bloke. I will probably go and meet him and see his facility soon; it's not too far away from me.
But it's actually quite difficult to maintain a small bespoke business. It sounds easy, but you end up getting so stressed out with being unable to fulfill orders (and deal with terrible customers like me, and complaints, returns etc) that you pack it in.
Or sell out of course.
I honestly want Jon to succeed. Heck, he's a UK.... no, LOCAL... business. I think he will succeed. But maybe with him overseeing production at manufacturing facilities across the globe.
Having said all of that, I bought his amp without ever having heard or seen one. Just on recommendations.

Phil

**Franz 1997** · 03-04-2013, 04:25 PM

>>I actually had a good chat with Jon where we talked about his business model and where it would lead. He wants to keep it 'in house' and 'low key'. I have quite a bit of manufacturing experience (not in this industry, but still relevant) , and I think that Jon will need to expand massively, or probably go under as he won't be able to fulfill his orders. It's a balancing act.>>

I've had similar discussions with Jon- as you say, it's a balancing act. On the one hand, not expanding does run the risk of an order backlog generating dissatisfaction; on the other hand, as you'll know, small business is littered with examples of failure through falling into the trap of expanding too quickly and without sufficient working capital. Jon will also be aware of the danger of subcontracting and letting quality slip, so I'd guess he's already looking at outsourcing but being very careful about quality control.

I believe that this forum has been a ( possibly even ''the'') channel for promoting his amps, outside of a few star endorsers in the NW UK. My guess is that he's avoiding mainstream advertising and promotion until geared up for volume production.

I wouldn't be too worried about deposits; I have found Jon to be very honest indeed. I'm sure he will fulfil his orders; it just might take longer. His willingness to do modifications to the basic design is great for us, but must be inefficient for him, and I can't see that lasting.

Oldane , I also agree with you - he could easily raise his prices and his ''snob appeal'', as you put it.

I guess the only way of avoiding all these problems is to build an amp that nobody likes.......

Chris

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 03-04-2013, 08:13 PM

Anywho, there was a comment a while ago that Jon had something new in the pipeline for Mambo Amps. Does anyone know what's up? (This was after the head was released.)

**jorgemg1984** · 03-04-2013, 08:24 PM

Last time I talked with Jon he knew what new features he wanted but had no time to implement them. According to what has been written on the forum it might take a while

Chris (Franz1997) might have fresher news than I have.

**jonmambo** · 03-05-2013, 07:31 AM

Hi all,

apologies to those who are waiting longer than they (and I anticipated) for their amp to be delivered. You will definately get your amps...

please allow me to provide some background for the discussion,

I have 12 orders being built at present and in the last few weeks I have had to move over to small batch production rather than building one at a time.

My intention is that the waiting list will come down and that I will end up with some stock of the major components rather than having to build individualy to order . This will take time but there is a definate progression in view.

Also I have (yesterday as it happens) contracted out the metalwork to a local business (I have been drilling all the holes and cutting and folding all the metalwork myself until now) and am in the process of contracting out the front panel assembly to a local company who I have worked with for many years, so well trusted.

I am first and formost a designer and a musician, so that spending time soldering, drilling and sawing etc. is rather an underuse of my experience, although that is what I am having to do at the moment until I can smoothly transfer into a situation where I assemble and quality control the amps rather than build each one from scratch. I am aware that contracting out can bring a host of problems so I am doing this very gently, the fact that I have built so many amps myself will help with the transition.

I really appreciate all of your support. Please be assured I am not gasping for air or about to go under. If a I seem a bit breathless sometimes it is simply because I am running.

cheers
Jon

**Philly112** · 03-05-2013, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by jonmambo

Hi all,

apologies to those who are waiting longer than they (and I anticipated) for their amp to be delivered. You will definately get your amps...

please allow me to provide some background for the discussion,

I have 12 orders being built at present and in the last few weeks I have had to move over to small batch production rather than building one at a time.

My intention is that the waiting list will come down and that I will end up with some stock of the major components rather than having to build individualy to order . This will take time but there is a definate progression in view.

Also I have (yesterday as it happens) contracted out the metalwork to a local business (I have been drilling all the holes and cutting and folding all the metalwork myself until now) and am in the process of contracting out the front panel assembly to a local company who I have worked with for many years, so well trusted.

I am first and formost a designer and a musician, so that spending time soldering, drilling and sawing etc. is rather an underuse of my experience, although that is what I am having to do at the moment until I can smoothly transfer into a situation where I assemble and quality control the amps rather than build each one from scratch. I am aware that contracting out can bring a host of problems so I am doing this very gently, the fact that I have built so many amps myself will help with the transition.

I really appreciate all of your support. Please be assured I am not gasping for air or about to go under. If a I seem a bit breathless sometimes it is simply because I am running.

cheers
Jon

Thanks Jon. It's great that you are based in the North West of England and getting such a worldwide exposure. I hope that you don't read this of course, as you will be too busy building my amp!!!
Cheers - once I get it I'll give you a call and try and come and see you and slip a small 8 inch in my car while you're not looking. Sounds like a quote from a Carry On film.

Phil

**oldane** · 03-05-2013, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by jonmambo

Hi all,

apologies to those who are waiting longer than they (and I anticipated) for their amp to be delivered. You will definately get your amps...

please allow me to provide some background for the discussion,

I have 12 orders being built at present and in the last few weeks I have had to move over to small batch production rather than building one at a time.

My intention is that the waiting list will come down and that I will end up with some stock of the major components rather than having to build individualy to order . This will take time but there is a definate progression in view.

Also I have (yesterday as it happens) contracted out the metalwork to a local business (I have been drilling all the holes and cutting and folding all the metalwork myself until now) and am in the process of contracting out the front panel assembly to a local company who I have worked with for many years, so well trusted.

I am first and formost a designer and a musician, so that spending time soldering, drilling and sawing etc. is rather an underuse of my experience, although that is what I am having to do at the moment until I can smoothly transfer into a situation where I assemble and quality control the amps rather than build each one from scratch. I am aware that contracting out can bring a host of problems so I am doing this very gently, the fact that I have built so many amps myself will help with the transition.

I really appreciate all of your support. Please be assured I am not gasping for air or about to go under. If a I seem a bit breathless sometimes it is simply because I am running.

cheers
Jon

Yes, I could see here on this forum that several people wrote that they had ordered about the same time I put my order. I'm not worried about not getting my amp. And I hope you can keep up the spirits so you won't end like I did, when I had that kind of problems in my little part time one-man business. Outsourcing can relieve you of some of the manual work, but as you write, it will also create some problems - and in addition also some administrative work. For my part, I hate the boring task of bringing my account book up to date when the quarterly VAT payment is due. I enjoy a lot more to send the invoices to my customers. I wonder why .....

All the best
Leif

**benjazzman82** · 03-06-2013, 07:45 AM

Hi everyone.

As the origional thread poster, I should chime in.
I received the Mambo 8 wedge on trial. After trying it out in a few different settings I opted for Jon to make me a head as a friend owed me a favour and has built me a 2x10 cab...(see the other post related to that).

I have spoken to Jon on a few occasions and he does seem busy and I am pleased for him. About 1.5 weeks from taking delivery so I cant wait if its later then nevermind. I have other amps to gig with until then. The only problem os that they all sound "off" to me now. 2 of them end on ebay in a few hours....have a search for Ibanez WT80 if you are interested....UK. its only on £140 at the mo with 3 hrs left. Also a session rockette bass that sounds awsome with archtops is up for grabs £40 T the mo with a few hrs left.
Anyway, I can't wait to receive the head from Jon and then I feel my amplification issues will be over.

I hope Mambo amps are around for years to come and wish Jon all the best for the expansion plans.

Cheers

Ben

**rkwestcoast** · 03-06-2013, 04:36 PM

I ordered a mambo 10" wedge from Jon in late Jan & Jon has been great at keeping in touch & coming back to me quickly via email around a couple of queries & delivery times - so no complaints there.

In my case I've played through a fender twin silverface for the last 22 / 23 years & spent most of 2012 on a month by month basis trying to work out did I want to keep it or move onto something else. Before Xmas was pretty much sold on the ZT Club - but then started checking out the posts & threads here on the mambo and have decided that's the amp for me to go for!!!

If I wanted an amp yesterday would have gone for the ZT or a roland cube both in stock in music shops here in local music shops -as we say in the West "tá an Buddha `s ceann a thagann"