I bought this little beast for $156.00 (head) + $50.00 (unloaded cab) straight from the factory in China..
( + $250.00 for shipping)
Have'nt spent much time with it yet.....still need to load the cab with some decent speakers :lol: But here's a demo someone did that (youtube quality apart) is pretty much the way it sounded when I fired it up...
Well, I've had it for nearly a week now & it still works ...guess that's a good sign lol!
Truth is, it's built like a tank (23 1/2 lbs)...really solid. I don't think there will be a problem with reliability..these amps are pretty popular in China, and they have a European distributer (certified ROHS/European safety compliant) as well Icon Guitars.se, though I guess the price will be marked up a lot.
Sound-wise..I can't complain. It's really detailed & punchy, has unreal power and sounds truly massive(!!) ....on the crunch setting, it does the sweet bluesy/retro thing really well too. The cleans are'nt the sweetest, but they're not too bad either...
The knobs, buttons and faceplate look a LOT like the H&K Tubemeister. Since the TM series is made in China, I wonder if someone in the factory decided to "borrow" the design and put these out there... :lol:
Well, according to what they (manufacturers) told someone at NAMM 2011, this is basically a reverse engineered Engl Savage with some component/wattage down-scaling/tweaks. Though H&K obviously "inspired" the face-plate design, knobs etc...
These amps have actually been out long before the Tubemeister and the lady at the factory I bought it from said they've been demo'ing them at NAMM in the US for a couple of years already. In fact, my order was put on hold for a while because she was away at NAMM earlier this year (She handles the overseas customers/orders)
I actually own a H&K Switchblade 50 watt combo and this thing has a hell of a lot more gain (tonnes more) ...it also sounds far more aggressive and is actually quite a bit thicker/bigger sounding as well...especially at lower volumes.
I'm from Bangalore, India ...and while we're physically way closer to China (share a border), shipping to India actually costs quite a bit more than it does to the US...
Got it straight from the factory in Tianjin (goldeamusic). They were pretty helpful...
Well after sending a few emails back and forth it seems like I could get a pretty big break in cost + shipping if the number of units I order is 10. I should have exact numbers pretty soon, any one else interested in doing a group order for the Rex 3200?
That's because the factory probably builds the H&K amp in question. As stated elsewhere in the thread, if your company wants the Chinese to manufacturer something for you, you are essentially forfeiting your copyright privileges in China. They do not recognize intellectual property rights in the same way as the western world.
I would never buy one of these. If you buy a new H&K, you are getting a full manufacturers warranty. If you get some clone shipped over from China, well, best of luck!
That's because the factory probably builds the H&K amp in question. As stated elsewhere in the thread, if your company wants the Chinese to manufacturer something for you, you are essentially forfeiting your copyright privileges in China. They do not recognize intellectual property rights at all.
I would never buy one of these. If you buy a new H&K, you are getting a full manufacturers warranty. If you get some clone shipped over from China, well, best of luck!
Fixed. They simply don't give a shit about anyone's ideas, period. Why companies continue to have a love fest with China is beyond me. Cheap manufacturing? Yay! Rampant theft of ideas/designs/etc? Oh well!
Fixed. They simply don't give a shit about anyone's ideas, period. Why companies continue to have a love fest with China is beyond me. Cheap manufacturing? Yay! Rampant theft of ideas/designs/etc? Oh well!
Right? Oh, I guess making Chinese companies go through the effort of reverse engineering our products was just too cruel to the developing world. I know, let's just hand them all the specs! :facepalm:
To be honest "originality" is'nt that much of a word in the guitar world. Look at how many established/respected names are pretty much identical strat copies, LP copies etc (albeit with a slightly different headstock for respectability & their own "identity" lol). As for amps, early Peaveys were reverese engineered Marshall's, early Marshall's/Traynor's were reverese engineered Fender Bassman's and so on...
This amp is pretty much a different sounding beast. It definately does'nt sound like my H&K (or an Engl). Does it look like one? Sure, there's an obvious similarity, Just like there are plenty of "highly desireable", "respected/custom/boutique" amps out there (costing mega $$$$) that look like Marshall's & Fenders" (and sound like them too).
It was the same with Japan/Japanese products in the 70's/80's. Nowadays the "MIJ" tag commands respect (and a high price) but it was'nt always that way. Guyatone amps were exact Fender replica's. Ibanez and other manufacturers had their fair share of "lawsuit" models many of which are highly prized collector's items these days etc.
In the end if it sounds good and is well built, who cares what it was "inspired" by & whaere it was made..lol.
This thing might have been MIC & cost $156/- but I would rather buy it (based on what it sounds like) over 99% of the other lunch box heads out there, even if price was'nt an issue. The orange Dark Terror being probably the only other head, I'd consider "as well" ..(I'd still want both..lol)
So, are you saying it was $160, including shipping and import tariffs? There is no way I am trusting a tube amp that is that cheap, especially when it looks like a knockoff of a brand known for catching on fire. :lol:
For $300, I'd rather have a Jet City, Blackstar, or used Peavey Classic 30 and at least get something that won't explode and has a full manufacturer's warranty.
Now, those are amps that are approved for sale in the United States. So, are you OK with buying and using an amp that has NOT gone through the certification process required for sales on the US market? Best of luck, man! :lol:
Yeah I got that...:squint: I think it's absurd to think that while I'm playing it it's going to burst in to flame and kill my family. I'll be sure to unplug it when not in use....:lol:
I figured this was next...Planes crash to...do you not fly??? C'mon man, I feel this is a personal vendetta for you now...haha...Do you work for H&K or something???:ugh:
I'm guessing now you will say...sure I fly....but not Air China LOL
Thanks for the wish of luck my way....I'll let you know if I survive.....
I figured this was next...Planes crash to...do you not fly??? C'mon man, I feel this is a personal vendetta for you now...haha...Do you work for H&K or something???:ugh:
WHy would he post links to proof that the H&K's that are deemed "safe" set on fire if he worked for them :S
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Metal Guitarist Forums
1.1M posts
10K members
Since 2008
A forum community dedicated to guitar owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about collections, displays, models, styles, amps, modifications, kits, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!