So I have lots of 12/15/36/100/130 watt amps.
I like to sit on the back porch and play the blues.
All my Mustang modelers have died on me and I was on the hunt for something tubey.
I stumbled on the HT-1RH 1W. It had the features I needed:
* Low wattage
* MP3 input for backing tracks
* Reverb
* Tubes (push pull)
* Great price
I was also looking at old Fender Champs, Valco amps, Vintage 47 amps, Silvertone etc.
I finally landed on a 1 watt tube amp:
The patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) circuit gives you infinite adjustment over the characteristics of the tone control network and takes you from the USA to the UK and anywhere in between. Add a fully specified speaker emulated output, MP3/ Line Input and you have everything you need for recording or practicing.
So the question was how to do take the HT-1RH 1W and also have a cool look?
I put together an extension cab for my 57 Tweed Deluxe - oiled pine wood, potatoe sack grill cloth, Jensen Electric Lightening speaker.
When the HT-1RH showed up I played it for a while and then I pulled the amp out of the head. It's held on with the 4 screws that are holding the rubber feet on.
I pulled the back wood off the cab and started playing with ways to get the amp in there.
I could have installed it flat on the bottom of the amp but I thought it would be safer and more accessible on the top.
I put a piece of paper over the bottom of the cab and made a template for the holes.
I made my marks and drilled the four holes in the top of my cab (two were under the handles, so they are hidden. The amp was screwed on tight using the screws from the cab.
It was super simple.
I used the cab wood back plate to go around the amp face and I left the bottom open.
I figured the amp would be pointed away from me most of the time anyway.
I put on a cable keeper to keep from yanking out the power chord.
The cool part is that I can still use the cab for my 15 watt 5e3 if I want as well.
The one watt concept really works. I try to sit on my back porch and play every day. My 57 Tweed was jut too loud. I can get the Blackstar Ht-RH cranked up and get some really rich blues tones. I'm getting killer harmonics as well.
I'm really liking the tone and I really dig I can get some Fender type tweed tones and rounded off Marshall tones.
My final thoughts - a 1 watt, pine combo with a 12 inch speaker? - SICK!!!
Take a listen. My neighbor, and killer guitar player, Karl plays as I jibber jabber:
