Efisy
03-09-2008, 04:35 PM
I open this thread to introduce yourself amplifiers Hook, created and assembled by hand in the Netherlands by Leendert Haaksma.
(Sorry for my bad English writing, I am french. Thanks)
Initially I must have: Divided by 13 RSA23, FTR37, RSA31 and JRT9/15
The RSA31 amp was the least interested me because Hook was the same thing better, so I replaced the RSA31 by the Hook Captain 34.
*More info about Hook Amps:
Hook, it is simply the story of a professional guitarist of the Netherlands ' Leendert Haaksma' who was unable to find a multi-channel amp very versatile and possessing the best vintage and modern sounds that exist on the market and that would have a lot of sensitivity, versatility & very dynamic!
Also, this player (he plays all musical styles) played on Marshall Plexi, and Blackface Fender Tweed, Bogner XTC and Dumble ODS, as well as other amps for several years on a professional level.
Simultaneously he developed his amp for a decade of research in the offering to test his friends professional guitarists.
Their opinions have been very valuable in his research.
After 10 long years he released the head Captain equipped with 6L6 power valve which was already a great success and very recently it had launched a very small production of new amps that assembles itself when the time are called Captain Hook 34.
They are equipped with EL34 and this amp is very successful! (The EL34 is even better than the 6L6 and the sounds are even cleaner and more accurate.)
Hook amps received all the congratulations and recognitions in Germany and the USA where she began to be exported (always in very small quantities), the latest Frankfurt fairs and other NAMM has been a major success for Hook!
The director of Gibson Germany fell under the spell from the first listening and has several!
The price in Europe for the head is 2695 Euros (6L6 or EL34 version) without footswitch and without color (for a complete set with cabinet, count between 3200 and 3500 Euros in Europe with all taxes)
->Approximately 5500 US Dollars for a Hook complete set (extra charge for Shipping and Taxes)
The head Hook Captain and Captain 34 is used by many artists to the Netherlands and Germany, among others, by its designer Leendert Haaksma participating in Pinkpop Festival and numerous sessions in stage and studio recording.
The technical design is very similar to a Bogner XTC, a Soldano SLO, a Mad Professor CS40, or a CAA OD100, but with 3 channels, cut tone, click channel, Eq, Bright, Fx Loop, Dynamic Response , Booster on each channels, Midi Footswitch 5 Knobs with leds...
The head Captain 34 EL34 version is very similar to a Mad Professor CS40, the sounds are very similar, but it has its own personality and is cheaper than at home Mad Professor.
The sound is simply fabulous ... No kidding, I have already heard a Dumble original several times, the sound is really clear and very close to her also saturated, the amp can be used both in very low volume, as strong volume (rare thing for a Valve amps) it is super versatile, it can sound Two-Rock/Dumble in his clear, Fender Tweed / Blackface, Vox AC30, Marshall Plexi, and may even have sounds very modern.
It's very good for Stage or Studio Recording! Because very strong and versatile!
This amplifier fully respects the sound of guitars and the pickups styles.
This is an amp to buy their eyes closed if you like the sound SRV, Hendrix and sounds a little more modern!
It's really the same league as Mad Professor and Soldano and it is cheaper in Europe that Soldano, Mad Professor and Two-Rock.
If you are looking for Dumble style sounds just add a pedal Fuchs Plush with Valve or a similar pedal and turning a blind eye it will be difficult to know if you play on a true or a false Dumble Overdrive Special...
It's incredible!!!!!
To summarize, Hook it is 100% vintage sounds but with all the advantages of Modern (loop effects mixable, Footswitch to trigger Boost, 3 channels, FX loop mix, Presence control etc ...) And the sound ... incredible!
For a little less than a Two-Rock was the same thing in more comprehensive and versatile, it really deserves to be known!
If you like Divided by 13, Bogner, Mad Professor, Fuchs, Matchless, Soldano and Two Rock you like amps Hook!
All colors can be custom, even the color of each knobs!
All components are high-end, carbon-based and fully assembled by hand!
To say, even my wife knows that there's not much has managed to hear a clear difference in sound colour compared to Divided by 13 she has grown accustomed to hearing ... Yet she did not particularly subtle ear or ear for music, but also in the early second was conquered by the sound of this wonder!
*Features Technical Specifications Hook Captain EL34:
100W hand built all tube guitar amplifier: (or 80W in 6L6 version)
· 3 Channels (with boost, EQ and Click Channel + Presence Control)
· Stainless steel chassis
· Military grade components
· Point-to-point wiring
· Mallory 150 series / Sprague Orange Drops capacitors
· Channels and boost are all switchable with a simple latching footswitch
· A switchable tube buffered series effects loop along with a return level control (power section master volume) to allow interfacing with a wide variety of effects devices. The individual channel master level controls act as effects send levels and the return level control then acts as an overall master volume when the loop is used. The effects send jack is always active and is useful as a low impedance preamp section line out.When the loop is switched off the effect buffer (send and return) is completely bypassed for maximum transparancy
· 4-EL34 power tubes with a custom designed output transformer Mercury Magnetics (4 / 8 / 16 ohm )
· Regulated DC heaters for the 6 12AX7 preamp tubes provide low noise and increased tube life
· Custom designed overrated power transformer MERCURY Magnetics
-> Herewith some links of demo videos head Hook Captain, unfortunately these are 6L6, I think they sound a bit less than the version EL34, the sound is a little more aggressive and a little less than own EL34 version, but still not bad to give you an idea of its:
(Sorry for the quality WMV which is not to beautify the sound, and at that time there were no Hook Cabinet, they were merely a cabinet Bogner, what is more, since the amps have experienced some improvements, but as it is said to give you an idea of the beast ...)
-> The best samples are those of the creator.
To admit, this one has a big tuft of hair like Craig Ross guitarist Lenny Kravitz!
*Demo with a strat Haar Custom Made:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_1.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_2.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_3.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_4.wmv
*Demo with a tele Haar Custom Made:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_5.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_6.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_7.wmv
*Demo with a ES Heritage:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_1.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_2.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_3.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_4.wmv
*Demo with a Gibson Custom Shop LP:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_5.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made LP Junior:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_6.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_7.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made Strat Relic (Produced by guitarist, creator and manufacturer of amplifiers Hook, also guitarist and studio famous course in the Netherlands):
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0001.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0002.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0003.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0004.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0005.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0006.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0007.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0008.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0009.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0011.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0012.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0013.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0014.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0015.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0016.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made Telecaster Always with the creator of the Hook amps:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0017.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0018.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0019.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0020.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0021.wmv
*Demo with a LP Heritage:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0022.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0023.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0024.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0025.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0026.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made Strat:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leendert_haaksma_2.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leendert_haaksma_3.wmv
So my dear friends, hoping you have made a discover or rediscover a new manufacturer of amps that deserves to be known (to me finally, after tastes and colors it does not discuss good ... but personally, given the unanimity on the product of those who have tested or purchased this series of amps it seems to be of good came ...)
I will put you on youtube videos of my test rig so you have an idea of the EL34.
But if you liked the 6L6 you will only find better head CAPTAIN 34.
My amp is the CAPTAIN 34 finish Baby blue / Ivoiry, it is equipped with a Hook Cab (open / closed back) equipped with 2 x 12" G12H Heritage vintage who have never served in the days when they were still manufactured in Britain. These are originals.
Excuse me again for my English, I am French and the French in general do are not very efficient in foreign languages!
We are better at French kiss :)
All the Bests
Nicolas.
To download the PDF brochure it is here:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/folder-HOOK-DEF.pdf
Website of the Manufacturer: http://www.hookamps.com/
Website of the worldwide distributor:http://www.haarguitars.nl/
And finally, a few photos:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/120-2026_IMG.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/Hook_1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/120-2024_IMG.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/back%201_mid.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/Hook_back.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/4%20hooks%20bij%20leendert.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Frankfurtmesse1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hook_captain_head_1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hook_captain_head_2.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hook_captain_head_3.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hookswitch.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/hook.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/leendert_hook1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/leendert_hook2.jpg
(Sorry for my bad English writing, I am french. Thanks)
Initially I must have: Divided by 13 RSA23, FTR37, RSA31 and JRT9/15
The RSA31 amp was the least interested me because Hook was the same thing better, so I replaced the RSA31 by the Hook Captain 34.
*More info about Hook Amps:
Hook, it is simply the story of a professional guitarist of the Netherlands ' Leendert Haaksma' who was unable to find a multi-channel amp very versatile and possessing the best vintage and modern sounds that exist on the market and that would have a lot of sensitivity, versatility & very dynamic!
Also, this player (he plays all musical styles) played on Marshall Plexi, and Blackface Fender Tweed, Bogner XTC and Dumble ODS, as well as other amps for several years on a professional level.
Simultaneously he developed his amp for a decade of research in the offering to test his friends professional guitarists.
Their opinions have been very valuable in his research.
After 10 long years he released the head Captain equipped with 6L6 power valve which was already a great success and very recently it had launched a very small production of new amps that assembles itself when the time are called Captain Hook 34.
They are equipped with EL34 and this amp is very successful! (The EL34 is even better than the 6L6 and the sounds are even cleaner and more accurate.)
Hook amps received all the congratulations and recognitions in Germany and the USA where she began to be exported (always in very small quantities), the latest Frankfurt fairs and other NAMM has been a major success for Hook!
The director of Gibson Germany fell under the spell from the first listening and has several!
The price in Europe for the head is 2695 Euros (6L6 or EL34 version) without footswitch and without color (for a complete set with cabinet, count between 3200 and 3500 Euros in Europe with all taxes)
->Approximately 5500 US Dollars for a Hook complete set (extra charge for Shipping and Taxes)
The head Hook Captain and Captain 34 is used by many artists to the Netherlands and Germany, among others, by its designer Leendert Haaksma participating in Pinkpop Festival and numerous sessions in stage and studio recording.
The technical design is very similar to a Bogner XTC, a Soldano SLO, a Mad Professor CS40, or a CAA OD100, but with 3 channels, cut tone, click channel, Eq, Bright, Fx Loop, Dynamic Response , Booster on each channels, Midi Footswitch 5 Knobs with leds...
The head Captain 34 EL34 version is very similar to a Mad Professor CS40, the sounds are very similar, but it has its own personality and is cheaper than at home Mad Professor.
The sound is simply fabulous ... No kidding, I have already heard a Dumble original several times, the sound is really clear and very close to her also saturated, the amp can be used both in very low volume, as strong volume (rare thing for a Valve amps) it is super versatile, it can sound Two-Rock/Dumble in his clear, Fender Tweed / Blackface, Vox AC30, Marshall Plexi, and may even have sounds very modern.
It's very good for Stage or Studio Recording! Because very strong and versatile!
This amplifier fully respects the sound of guitars and the pickups styles.
This is an amp to buy their eyes closed if you like the sound SRV, Hendrix and sounds a little more modern!
It's really the same league as Mad Professor and Soldano and it is cheaper in Europe that Soldano, Mad Professor and Two-Rock.
If you are looking for Dumble style sounds just add a pedal Fuchs Plush with Valve or a similar pedal and turning a blind eye it will be difficult to know if you play on a true or a false Dumble Overdrive Special...
It's incredible!!!!!
To summarize, Hook it is 100% vintage sounds but with all the advantages of Modern (loop effects mixable, Footswitch to trigger Boost, 3 channels, FX loop mix, Presence control etc ...) And the sound ... incredible!
For a little less than a Two-Rock was the same thing in more comprehensive and versatile, it really deserves to be known!
If you like Divided by 13, Bogner, Mad Professor, Fuchs, Matchless, Soldano and Two Rock you like amps Hook!
All colors can be custom, even the color of each knobs!
All components are high-end, carbon-based and fully assembled by hand!
To say, even my wife knows that there's not much has managed to hear a clear difference in sound colour compared to Divided by 13 she has grown accustomed to hearing ... Yet she did not particularly subtle ear or ear for music, but also in the early second was conquered by the sound of this wonder!
*Features Technical Specifications Hook Captain EL34:
100W hand built all tube guitar amplifier: (or 80W in 6L6 version)
· 3 Channels (with boost, EQ and Click Channel + Presence Control)
· Stainless steel chassis
· Military grade components
· Point-to-point wiring
· Mallory 150 series / Sprague Orange Drops capacitors
· Channels and boost are all switchable with a simple latching footswitch
· A switchable tube buffered series effects loop along with a return level control (power section master volume) to allow interfacing with a wide variety of effects devices. The individual channel master level controls act as effects send levels and the return level control then acts as an overall master volume when the loop is used. The effects send jack is always active and is useful as a low impedance preamp section line out.When the loop is switched off the effect buffer (send and return) is completely bypassed for maximum transparancy
· 4-EL34 power tubes with a custom designed output transformer Mercury Magnetics (4 / 8 / 16 ohm )
· Regulated DC heaters for the 6 12AX7 preamp tubes provide low noise and increased tube life
· Custom designed overrated power transformer MERCURY Magnetics
-> Herewith some links of demo videos head Hook Captain, unfortunately these are 6L6, I think they sound a bit less than the version EL34, the sound is a little more aggressive and a little less than own EL34 version, but still not bad to give you an idea of its:
(Sorry for the quality WMV which is not to beautify the sound, and at that time there were no Hook Cabinet, they were merely a cabinet Bogner, what is more, since the amps have experienced some improvements, but as it is said to give you an idea of the beast ...)
-> The best samples are those of the creator.
To admit, this one has a big tuft of hair like Craig Ross guitarist Lenny Kravitz!
*Demo with a strat Haar Custom Made:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_1.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_2.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_3.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_4.wmv
*Demo with a tele Haar Custom Made:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_5.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_6.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Agekat_7.wmv
*Demo with a ES Heritage:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_1.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_2.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_3.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_4.wmv
*Demo with a Gibson Custom Shop LP:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_5.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made LP Junior:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_6.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/Martijn_vanAcht_7.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made Strat Relic (Produced by guitarist, creator and manufacturer of amplifiers Hook, also guitarist and studio famous course in the Netherlands):
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0001.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0002.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0003.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0004.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0005.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0006.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0007.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0008.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0009.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0011.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0012.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0013.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0014.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0015.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0016.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made Telecaster Always with the creator of the Hook amps:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0017.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0018.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0019.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0020.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0021.wmv
*Demo with a LP Heritage:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0022.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0023.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0024.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0025.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leenderd_0026.wmv
*Demo with a Haar Custom Made Strat:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leendert_haaksma_2.wmv
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/Filmpjes/leendert_haaksma_3.wmv
So my dear friends, hoping you have made a discover or rediscover a new manufacturer of amps that deserves to be known (to me finally, after tastes and colors it does not discuss good ... but personally, given the unanimity on the product of those who have tested or purchased this series of amps it seems to be of good came ...)
I will put you on youtube videos of my test rig so you have an idea of the EL34.
But if you liked the 6L6 you will only find better head CAPTAIN 34.
My amp is the CAPTAIN 34 finish Baby blue / Ivoiry, it is equipped with a Hook Cab (open / closed back) equipped with 2 x 12" G12H Heritage vintage who have never served in the days when they were still manufactured in Britain. These are originals.
Excuse me again for my English, I am French and the French in general do are not very efficient in foreign languages!
We are better at French kiss :)
All the Bests
Nicolas.
To download the PDF brochure it is here:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/folder-HOOK-DEF.pdf
Website of the Manufacturer: http://www.hookamps.com/
Website of the worldwide distributor:http://www.haarguitars.nl/
And finally, a few photos:
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/120-2026_IMG.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/Hook_1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/120-2024_IMG.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/back%201_mid.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/HOOK/Hook_back.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/4%20hooks%20bij%20leendert.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Frankfurtmesse1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hook_captain_head_1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hook_captain_head_2.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hook_captain_head_3.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/Hookswitch.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/hook.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/leendert_hook1.jpg
http://www.haarguitars.nl/test/Merken/News/leendert_hook2.jpg