Small Practice Amp?

**Franz 1997** · 05-16-2012, 12:28 PM

Well, maybe I can say a bit more about the 8" prototype Mambo amp. Sizewise, it's smaller than my 80s polytone baby brute and weighs about 7 lb less. Soundwise, it's a sort of polytone-on-steroids sound ( but then, I happen to like the older polytones) with a very clean, warm sound that seems to have a lot of even-order harmonics in it. I understand from Jon that that's a proprietary feature of the amp. It has a enhanced harmonics setting, but I haven't used it. Same controls as the smaller polytones; brite/ normal/dark switch; treble, bass, mid. Digital reverb.
My jazz ''reference'' amp is a 50W valve head from Barry Vyse into an Altec 12", and this amp comes the closest I have heard to that amp on a flat setting, in a tiny package. Volumewise, it's easily loud enough to hang in with horns and drums. I expect the 10" model to be louder, with a more efficient speaker. Jon is a designer who really knows what he is doing, IMO.
The downsides might be, depending:
-the price; it's not cheap, though cheaper here than most US jazz amps
-the design; it's very practical, but looks quirky and unusual. You'll like it, or you won't. I don't, particularly, but it sounds so good that I have been using it for every gig anyway.Even non-guitarists comment on the sound.

Hope that keeps you going for a bit...I'll do a report on the 10" model, with maybe a side-by-side comparison with the 80s polytone, when I get it. Jon has sold every once he has made, which is why I'm still waiting....

**jorgemg1984** · 05-16-2012, 01:08 PM

Chris the UK has been active in jazz amps! First ameson now mambo... I am really happy, "jazz amps" are too expensive in Europe and all I have tried have lots of room for improvement (except the jmul) After all we just want a small, light, loud amp with effective EQ and decent reverb right? It shouldn't be that hard!

Speaking of these things... what speakers are they using there? An 8 neo should be incredbly light! And how is the reverb? Several modes right? And the eq, is it effective? It it's close to old Polytones that's good! I agree that looks are not great... I like a regular gril cloth not metal ones.

As you know I love my jazzmaster ultralight and I am getting a custom amp as a backup that I will report to all of you as soon as I have it (and also an AC-60 always on the car)... but these amps make me curious, I still hear that Ameson clip a lot (speaking of which they need to put some clips on the Mambo site)

**Franz 1997** · 05-16-2012, 01:31 PM

Hi Jorge..yes, I agree, I think what Jon has really done here is nail a tested jazz sound in a really portable amp; it's very light because it uses class D technology. As you say- it's not that hard, but who has been doing it??

The reverb has just one mode-Hall. He will do a neo speaker to order. The 3-band eq I find much more effective than the 5-band hendriksen, funnily enough. Regarding the looks, in fairness to the designer he is prepared to build the amp to order in a more conventional shape, which is what I am having made. I'm not a fan of metal grilles either - it's interesting that the latest polytones have gone back to their black foam stuff...

Anyway maybe this amp should get a separate thread before long.

**jorgemg1984** · 05-16-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Franz 1997

Hi Jorge..yes, I agree, I think what Jon has really done here is nail a tested jazz sound in a really portable amp; it's very light because it uses class D technology. As you say- it's not that hard, but who has been doing it??

The reverb has just one mode-Hall. He will do a neo speaker to order. The 3-band eq I find much more effective than the 5-band hendriksen, funnily enough. Regarding the looks, in fairness to the designer he is prepared to build the amp to order in a more conventional shape, which is what I am having made. I'm not a fan of metal grilles either - it's interesting that the latest polytones have gone back to their black foam stuff...

Anyway maybe this amp should get a separate thread before long.

Yeah it seems like an easy task but then poorly designed eqs / reverbs / speakers ruin those amps for me... I heard bad things about class d but then again the jazzmaster ultralight is class d (and the new evans). As you know it does not surprise me the 3-eq is more effective than the 5-eq on the Henriksen, I found the same on my jazzmaster ultralight vs henriksen.

Oh it's great he can make it with a regular grill... it's much better that way, our dreams are finally happening Chris! I agree, let's get the thread back to what matters... just tell me if the Hall reverb is usable!

Thanks

**Franz 1997** · 05-16-2012, 02:56 PM

Jorge
Yes, it's a proper, useable reverb! I know why you are asking

**pingu** · 05-16-2012, 04:23 PM

The Aer have a metal grill like that under the foam
so it'd be fairly easy to put some foam on the front

They look like a great amp .......
Small , Light , powerful , tilt back or normal design
no BS modeling etc etc

I want one already !

Are you ordering a 10" version to get more warmth ?

**pingu** · 05-16-2012, 08:02 PM

Yeah a few bass amps have that going on , good simple idea innit

He seems to have thought of everything

Also
I just noticed the Mambo10 weighs 8.1 Kg ie less than my Compact 60 !!
If these things sound as groovy as Adrian Ingram says they do
I think they will be onto a real winner with the Jazz guys (bass too)
got to put some foam on the front to stop accidental beer attacks tho

**Franz 1997** · 05-17-2012, 04:40 AM

Are you ordering a 10" version to get more warmth ?

No, more because it'll be somewhat louder and 'cos I have a couple of 10" speakers ( an EV, a Neo) that I want to try with it. I'm hoping to replace all my other amps with this one!
The tilt-back feature really does work well. However the wedge shape is a bit more inconvenient to stash in the car boot. I carry mine around in one of the wife's shopping bags, over the shoulder.

**jorgemg1984** · 05-17-2012, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Franz 1997

[I] I'm hoping to replace all my other amps with this one!

The evans and the polytone? Or also the tube amp?

**Franz 1997** · 05-17-2012, 08:32 AM

The evans are good amps but need so much fiddling with the eq, and these old 80s polytones are great but contain an obsolete chip that it's impossible to find these days, so it won't go on for ever. They changed the circuit radically in around 1983, and IMO the later ones don't sound as good.

Of course tube amps are wonderful, but my back isn't!
-------------------
I've suggested to Jon Shaw that he might post a bit in this thread about some of his design ideas with the Mambo amp. Hope that's Ok with you guys?

**joeplaysguitar** · 05-17-2012, 09:16 AM

It's great to hear so many good thoughts on the Mambos. I'll have to give one a try.

Would they sound as good with effects/distortion pedals in front? (Forgive me if this is a stupid question, don't know much about amps).

**jorgemg1984** · 05-17-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Franz 1997

The evans are good amps but need so much fiddling with the eq, and these old 80s polytones are great but contain an obsolete chip that it's impossible to find these days, so it won't go on for ever. They changed the circuit radically in around 1983, and IMO the later ones don't sound as good.

Of course tube amps are wonderful, but my back isn't!
-------------------
I've suggested to Jon Shaw that he might post a bit in this thread about some of his design ideas with the Mambo amp. Hope that's Ok with you guys?

Had no idea Polytone had changed their circuit in 1983, I thought the only major change had been in the 90s with the "sonic circuit" (which I don't like). Wouldn't you be able to find a current replacement for the chip?

I think it would be great if Jon come buy and started a thread... everyone likes new amps around here!

**Franz 1997** · 05-17-2012, 12:33 PM

Maybe this belongs in a polytone thread..anyway I like my 82 poly baby brute so much that I paid $20 for the schematic!!. Turns out these older amps have a special NEC chip driving the output transistors. This device was abandoned in favour of a more conventional circuit in 83, maybe to save money..anyway I think these older ones sound better. The sonic circuit came much later, and IMO was a mistake. If anyone has a spare NEC LM391N-80 chip ( must be 80) , please pm me!!

Ok, I've stopped now.

**Gediminas** · 05-10-2013, 06:29 AM

Hey there fellow guitar nuts,

I have a question for the more experienced travelling musicians - I am looking for a small AMP that I could basically carry in one hand without it being a burden.

Sometimes I'm unable to bring my AMP with a car, and it becomes a problem when you have to play a gig or simply go to a rehearsal.

My priority is light weight, but with enough of a punch for at least a small space, and, of course, warm jazz tone, as much as it is possible with a smaller AMP.

Thanks a lot for your help, looking forward to your reply's

**tejastani** · 05-10-2013, 06:37 AM

Phil Jones Cub AG-100. 11 lbs and comes with a nice carry bag w/shoulder strap. Needs reverb pedal...

**disco~juice** · 05-10-2013, 06:55 AM

Mambo amps are warm, mellow, powerful, have nice reverb and weight 7-8 kg (7kg the 8'' and 8 kg the 10'').
These amps are in good value if you consider how good they are.

**Pukka-J** · 05-10-2013, 07:15 AM

Henriksen JazzAmp 110, ZT Lunchbox Acoustic, Roland Cube 60...if your only restriction is that you must be able to carry with one hand there's dozens to choose...

**jorgemg1984** · 05-10-2013, 08:00 AM

Mambo 8 - end of story

**Gabe** · 05-10-2013, 09:01 AM

Yeah definitely a Mambo amp. I used to use a ZT Lunchbox but it wasn't quite loud enough for me. I use a Mambo 10 which is very manageable. If you're not needing the volume to keep up with a loud ensemble the mambo 8 would work well.

**Philly112** · 05-10-2013, 10:22 AM

I replaced a ZT Club with a Mambo 10. There really is no comparison, the Mambo just blows the Club away. And I was actually pretty happy with the Club...
I presume that the Mambo 8 is very similar in sound to the 10 and is small and fairly light. They aren't cheap, but in the UK around the same price as ZT, and as I said, in a different league sound wise. And with a decent reverb as well. They are hand made by Jon Shaw who is a great guy to deal with, and he will be able to mod the amp for you if you want (eg add a headphone socket).

Phil