Fargen Jazz Custom SE Amp

**snoskier63** · 10-21-2014, 08:10 PM

This is a new hybrid amp that I just discovered recently. The sound lips on youtube sound great, but sometimes that can be deceiving. Any experience out here with this amp? It is 50W, but with a tube preamp and solid state power amp I'm not sure how loud that will be. The specs are as follows:

Power: 50W (hybrid)
Tubes: two 12AX7 (preamp)
Single channel
Speakers: 2x8”
Controls: Volume, bright switch, treble, mid, bass
Output: 4O and 8O
Dimensions: 20” x 17” x 10”
Weight: 28 lbs.

(1:14 - 1:29 is the jazz amp sound, with a description before that.)

**marcwhy** · 10-21-2014, 09:59 PM

I played that one at Winter NAMM -- very nice amp, and nice sound! Of course, the big room was super noisy, but I had the amp barely turned up, and it was plenty loud. Ben knows his stuff, that's for sure.

**dmorash** · 10-22-2014, 07:49 AM

Sounds really good to me. I don't understand the omission of reverb though.

**DRS** · 10-22-2014, 11:49 AM

How much $$$?

**snoskier63** · 10-22-2014, 01:30 PM

I think it's around $1400, so it's not cheap.

**monkmiles** · 10-22-2014, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by DRS

How much $$$?

$1599 US

Fargen Amps Jazz Custom SE Guitar Combo Amplifier | Musician's Friend

Maybe a coupon code can be applied to bring it down 15% though.

**snoskier63** · 10-22-2014, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by hallpass

$1599 US

Fargen Amps Jazz Custom SE Guitar Combo Amplifier | Musician's Friend

Maybe a coupon code can be applied to bring it down 15% though.

Just came out to correct that, but you beat me to it. At $1600 there are other much less expensive options I would choose. At $1000 - $1100 I might be more interested. Fargen is competing with Henriksen, Quilter and Mambo, and while they are all fully solid state they are all very good and much less expensive.

**DRS** · 10-22-2014, 01:59 PM

Seems pretty dear for a SS amp with a few 12AX7 tubes for warmth. I think I'd go quilter for much less.

**monkmiles** · 10-22-2014, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

Just came out to correct that, but you beat me to it. At $1600 there are other much less expensive options I would choose. At $1000 - $1100 I might be more interested. Fargen is competing with Henriksen, Quilter and Mambo, and while they are all fully solid state they are all very good and much less expensive.

As much as I'd like to try one, I'd probably instead go for a Quilter given the price. Or something like the Kingsley Squire into a small power amp.

**Hammertone** · 10-22-2014, 02:34 PM

The Koch Jupiter is also a 50 watt tube/SS hybrid, available as a head, 1x12 combo and 2x12 combo.

**konstantine** · 10-22-2014, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

The Koch Jupiter is also a 50 watt tube/SS hybrid, available as a head, 1x12 combo and 2x12 combo.

but still the 1X12 combo is about 20kg, not the lightest, I guess a Mambo at 8kg + a kingsley squire or similar rig is the way to go for sound/weight/price.

**snoskier63** · 10-22-2014, 03:07 PM

The problem with the Koch Jupiter is that the 2x12 is 31kg/68lbs, but the Fargen amp is 25-28 lbs. The Carvin Nomad is full tube and sounds great as well, and while only 40 lbs that is still much more than the Fargen.

**konstantine** · 10-22-2014, 03:10 PM

at 40lbs/18kg and 50 watts full tube, the Rivera Jazz Suprema is an amazing combo, still is too much if you travel with public transport like me.

**D.G.** · 10-22-2014, 07:58 PM

The Fargen's and Fuchs' are worth the money. BUT, can an old Volkswagen bug get you to the gig as well as a Ferrari? Sure, you but you won't enjoy the ride as much

**feet** · 10-22-2014, 08:50 PM

i'd feel like a real icehole paying $1600 for that fargen bastage amp

**docbop** · 10-22-2014, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by D.G.

The Fargen's and Fuchs' are worth the money. BUT, can an old Volkswagen bug get you to the gig as well as a Ferrari? Sure, you but you won't enjoy the ride as much

I loved my old VW bus got me everywhere (slowly) and fun to drive.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-22-2014, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by feet

i'd feel like a real icehole paying $1600 for that fargen bastage amp

Johnny Dangerously?

**snoskier63** · 10-22-2014, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Johnny Dangerously?

My mother let me pay $1600 for an amp once. Once!

**twizzlealive** · 03-22-2016, 04:52 AM

I just bought one of these here in Sydney. I had ordered on-line a Rivera Suprema 112, and when it arrived and I plugged my Wes Montgomery L5 into it, I just could not control the feedback. Took it all the way back to Newcastle to Jack's Music where I bought it and tried many amps for a dedicated Jazz sound.

I have owned two Henriksens in the past, and a DV Mark Jazz 112, and a Fender George Benson....all sold as not quiet so easy to use in a reliable way. But the best thing that happened to me was taking the Rivera back and stumbling upon this Fargen Jazz SE.

It is the amp I have been looking for all my life. Not only does it make the L5 sound the mellow way I thought it should, but makes my 1994 Fender Strat with Lace Sensor pickups sound...well, beautiful. I will put some things on Youtube soon using it.

The nearest I have got to a great sound with the L5 in the past was with a Fender Deluxe solid state Dynatouch from 1994 that died after a lot of use...and then a Mesa Boogie Express 5:50 - but that was just too heavy. Have stuff on Youtube using the L5 and the Mesa playing with my sons when they were still at high school - The Jack Stoneham Trio (sorry about the pink walls).

But this Fargen amp is just perfection. And, if you are worried about volume, how can you ramp up volume on a jazz hollow box without feedback anyway...you always mic it, don't you?

I can't thank Fargen enough.

Oh yes...second best in the Jazz amp category according to me is the Roland JC40 just out. Have that too...but go to the Fargen first.

Use a Fender Supersonic 22 for all rock, funk etc with a Start and a Tele.

**marcwhy** · 03-22-2016, 07:38 PM

Congrats! Great amp.

**JazzNote** · 04-17-2022, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by twizzlealive

I just bought one of these here in Sydney. I had ordered on-line a Rivera Suprema 112, and when it arrived and I plugged my Wes Montgomery L5 into it, I just could not control the feedback. Took it all the way back to Newcastle to Jack's Music where I bought it and tried many amps for a dedicated Jazz sound.

I have owned two Henriksens in the past, and a DV Mark Jazz 112, and a Fender George Benson....all sold as not quiet so easy to use in a reliable way. But the best thing that happened to me was taking the Rivera back and stumbling upon this Fargen Jazz SE.

It is the amp I have been looking for all my life. Not only does it make the L5 sound the mellow way I thought it should, but makes my 1994 Fender Strat with Lace Sensor pickups sound...well, beautiful. I will put some things on Youtube soon using it.

The nearest I have got to a great sound with the L5 in the past was with a Fender Deluxe solid state Dynatouch from 1994 that died after a lot of use...and then a Mesa Boogie Express 5:50 - but that was just too heavy. Have stuff on Youtube using the L5 and the Mesa playing with my sons when they were still at high school - The Jack Stoneham Trio (sorry about the pink walls).

But this Fargen amp is just perfection. And, if you are worried about volume, how can you ramp up volume on a jazz hollow box without feedback anyway...you always mic it, don't you?

I can't thank Fargen enough.

Oh yes...second best in the Jazz amp category according to me is the Roland JC40 just out. Have that too...but go to the Fargen first.

Use a Fender Supersonic 22 for all rock, funk etc with a Start and a Tele.

Pulling out an old tread: How is the Fargen signal to noise ratio? Does it generate hiss or hum which might get audible in quiet passages when recording?