NAD: Two Rock Studio Pro (just released)

[sfarnell]

New from Two Rock is the Studio Pro. I haven't had a lot of time with it yet but will report more in depth later. The amp is a powerful little bugger, like TRs most recent offerings. It's small like the jet, has one channel, pull switches on the eq, two 6L6s, reverb, and an active loop. It's a one channel clean amp but can gain up quite a bit. It is a LOUD 35 watts, seemingly as loud as the J-2, but with much more headroom. The cleans are beautiful and the reverb is superb. There's no footswitch. I tried my Ethos pedal with it with good results. VEry Dumble like. My first impression is that the Studio Pro is similar to the J-2 but with a lot more headroom and without as much gain. Haven't had a chance to try the active loop yet but it's a nice feature, especially at the price point the Studio Pro sells for. More later. Here's a pic:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g109/sfarnell/TwoRockStudioPro001.jpg

[spitshineguitars]

Very nice!!

[riker4208]

That looks really nice. I've been wanting a one channel Dumble style for a while.

[jzucker]

sweet. what's it going for?

[PeeCee]

I'm curious what your relation with Two Rock is.

Are you advertising?

I didn't see anything on their site about the amp. Did you buy it. Is this a freebie for you in exchange for pumping it here? Why coy on the price point?

Full disclosure please.

[sfarnell]

I'm curious what your relation with Two Rock is.

Are you advertising?

I didn't see anything on their site about the amp. Did you buy it. Is this a freebie for you in exchange for pumping it here? Why coy on the price point?

Full disclosure please.

No, I'm not advertising. The Studio Pro should be on the TR site today since it was just released yesterday. From what I know, the retailers have some in stock.

There's nothing to disclose unless being long time friends with Bill is some sort of conflict. I'm not a professional musician, I'm not endorsed by Two Rock, I'm not a distributor or retailer, and I've been a paying customer of Two Rock for years. I've purchased Fuchs, Bludotone, Carol Ann, and I've posted good things about many builders. In fact, I can think of only one time that I had anything negative to say about any builder and I apologized for that incident. I've owned Two Rocks that I didn't like (Kimock Sig) and posted my opinion about it on TGP. I have no relationship with Two Rock other than being long time friends with Bill.

For those who want to know the price: $2,700

I've also had more time with the amp and it is much more Fendery than the J-2 which I thought had a real Marshall flavor. When the mid knob is pulled it becomes very much like a beautiful blackface. The reverb is really good, not overbearing at all. I don't like a really heavy reverb so this one is perfect. This little thing can rock. It gets a really good grind going with the gain up to 12:00, much like how the Classic Reverb can get a good overdriven tones.

[spitshineguitars]

thats a tasty price for a new two rock!!

[jzucker]

price is very reasonable. Is it hand wired?

[caspersvapors]

only 2700 huh? so hopefully in a year or so theyll be in the emporium for under 2k :D

[caspersvapors]

WANT

http://www.two-rock.com/products/studio-pro

[sfarnell]

price is very reasonable. Is it hand wired?

Yes, it's hand wired. Jack, I thought of you when I tried the reverb. I know that you're looking for an amp with built in reverb and this one is very nice.

Like the Zingaro, the intent of releasing the Studio Pro (IMO because I have no personal knowledge) is because of the lousy economy and the need to offer something nice without cutting too many corners. After all, this is a one channel, lower powered amp, and it doesn't have a footswitch. If it had two channels, was 50 - 100 watts the cost would go up considerably. I think it's TR's attempt to deal with reality: not many people have a lot of disposable income in this economy.

[jzucker]

$2600

[sfarnell]

only 2700 huh? so hopefully in a year or so theyll be in the emporium for under 2k :D

That would be a good bet.

[jzucker]

very, very sweet. The one channel wouldn't bother me a bit. I actually liked the zendrive and the clean channel of my emerald pro just as much as the dirty channel...

[GearOnTheBrain]

Yes, it's hand wired. Jack, I thought of you when I tried the reverb. I know that you're looking for an amp with built in reverb and this one is very nice.

Like the Zingaro, the intent of releasing the Studio Pro (IMO because I have no personal knowledge) is because of the lousy economy and the need to offer something nice without cutting too many corners. After all, this is a one channel, lower powered amp, and it doesn't have a footswitch. If it had two channels, was 50 - 100 watts the cost would go up considerably. I think it's TR's attempt to deal with reality: not many people have a lot of disposable income in this economy.

i only wish they had "dealt" with reality over these last ten years.
im very impressed this amp isn't $4000.
95% of players dont have the kind of disposable income that two-rocks cost........whether in this economy or a thriving one.
it's about time they price an amp thats more grounded in reality so more people can afford their amps............they make very nice stuff but sorry, they are way overpriced.
i think this is a great move on their part.
hope they do more amps in this price range or even less.

[GearOnTheBrain]

i hope they release a 1x12 combo version.

[LVC]

Man -- they got my full attention with this one.

I have never lustd for a Two-rock amp before (do a search on me :rotflmao ) -- but this amp speaks to me big time --- exactly where my head currently is at with respect to amps -- especially if it has the headroom (if you want it)

Steve --- would you say this is sort of their take on a Tweed amp?

Clean to Cream with guitar vol and touch?

[Steve Snider]

I want one to try one of these.:bonk

[deltaboy]

Wow. The two rock I've been hoping they would build.

[J.T. Guitar]

Congrats... If it came from Bill and Joe's place, it's sweet.

[michael.e]

I'm curious what your relation with Two Rock is.

Are you advertising?

I didn't see anything on their site about the amp. Did you buy it. Is this a freebie for you in exchange for pumping it here? Why coy on the price point?

Full disclosure please.


Steve is a Playa with an ear for a great guitar tone. He is a hound, that is all.
Dude is not a shill if that is what you are quietly asking.

[Pa'ani]

Congratulations on your new Two Rock Studio Pro. Looks like a killer Rig!

[Sikor]

i hope they release a 1x12 combo version.

+1 for affordable Two-Rock combo :love:

Now the question is: how does it sound? ;)

[LVC]

Any dealers getting one in the NY/NJ/CT area?

Really would like to try one in person.

If it has enough clean headroom to do a club gig (without going through the PA), and stay above a loud funk/Latin drummer --- then it is going to be hard for me to stay away from this thing.

One of the reason I dig the higher powered tweaked tweeds is that you get enough clean headroom to do a gig with the guitar set to 6-7 -- and then all you have to do is dial up the guitar a notch or two to get into OD heaven.

It is a beautiful thing

If this puppy can do the same --- it will be very hard for me to stay away --- but I need to try one first.

[JoeB63]

Smart of them to price it below the used prices of their high-$ amps. They should sell a lot of these.

It's funny how $2,600 can seem like such a reasonable price :).

[traviswalk]

Wow, good for them and great product!

As Laz said, may be hard to stay away from this one!

[whaiyun]

this is the SHIZZ. Finally, a Two Rock that's getting closer to my budget! and SINGLE channel. and LOWER powered! It's a dream come true!

Argh. Time to save up.




DEMO ANYONE?

[Crash-VR]

Imagine running that in a stereo rig with a J2! Especially in combo versions... Now we're talkin....

[Maven]

Very cool. Kinda like a Classic Reverb Jr. Single channel, 40 watts, pair of 6L6, send and return for the reverb, buffered loop. Bright and deep on the EQ controls. Good price. Looks like a winner to me!

[princeton]

Can the Single channel get into Overdrive, like a Custom Reverb ?
Are the cleans more blackface or Tweed ?

[sfarnell]

Can the Single channel get into Overdrive, like a Custom Reverb ?
Are the cleans more blackface or Tweed ?

This amp has a lot of gain. It goes into overdrive with the gain at 11:00. To keep it clean I have the gain at 9:00 and the master at 2:00, and I use single coil guitars. Or, gain it up and use the volume control on the guitar to clean it up. I think that an OD channel on this amp would be redundant. There's more than enough gain and od with the one channel. In that way it is very much like a mini Classic Reverb. More so IMO than a Custom Clean which does not have very much gain unless the FET is engaged.

The tone is more BF than tweed although with the gain up I can get that softer, sustaining tweed od. My favorite settings make the amp sound like the nicest BF that is ready to explode. It may just be me but I think that a D style amp can be made to sound like a beefy, hyped up tweed amp. I'm not saying that the Studio Pro is D inspired because it's far from a Dumble type amp. But, it can be made to sound Dumble like, especially with my Ethos pedal.

[whaiyun]

This amp has a lot of gain. It goes into overdrive with the gain at 11:00. To keep it clean I have the gain at 9:00 and the master at 2:00, and I use single coil guitars. Or, gain it up and use the volume control on the guitar to clean it up. I think that an OD channel on this amp would be redundant. There's more than enough gain and od with the one channel. In that way it is very much like a mini Classic Reverb. More so IMO than a Custom Clean which does not have very much gain unless the FET is engaged.

The tone is more BF than tweed although with the gain up I can get that softer, sustaining tweed od. My favorite settings make the amp sound like the nicest BF that is ready to explode. It may just be me but I think that a D style amp can be made to sound like a beefy, hyped up tweed amp. I'm not saying that the Studio Pro is D inspired because it's far from a Dumble type amp. But, it can be made to sound Dumble like, especially with my Ethos pedal.

I'm really looking for an lower powered single channel clean amp. not pure clean headroom but just at that breaking point blackface tone at small venues.

Is this what I'm looking for?

[sfarnell]

I'm really looking for an lower powered single channel clean amp. not pure clean headroom but just at that breaking point blackface tone at small venues.

Is this what I'm looking for?

The Studio Pro fits that bill.

[trap]

This amp has a lot of gain. It goes into overdrive with the gain at 11:00. To keep it clean I have the gain at 9:00 and the master at 2:00, and I use single coil guitars. Or, gain it up and use the volume control on the guitar to clean it up. I think that an OD channel on this amp would be redundant. There's more than enough gain and od with the one channel. In that way it is very much like a mini Classic Reverb. More so IMO than a Custom Clean which does not have very much gain unless the FET is engaged.

The tone is more BF than tweed although with the gain up I can get that softer, sustaining tweed od. My favorite settings make the amp sound like the nicest BF that is ready to explode. It may just be me but I think that a D style amp can be made to sound like a beefy, hyped up tweed amp. I'm not saying that the Studio Pro is D inspired because it's far from a Dumble type amp. But, it can be made to sound Dumble like, especially with my Ethos pedal.

it sounds like the J2 in the way it reacts to gain. a friend of mine always said the j2 could be a one channel amp. i like the buffered loop design. i wonder how that pickup impedance control would work with a fat strat. if it's set up for the hb, how would it sound when switched to a single coil?

[BigViolin]

Man -- they got my full attention with this one.

I have never lustd for a Two-rock amp before (do a search on me :rotflmao ) -- but this amp speaks to me big time --- exactly where my head currently is at with respect to amps -- especially if it has the headroom (if you want it)

Steve --- would you say this is sort of their take on a Tweed amp?

Clean to Cream with guitar vol and touch?

If you buy a TR, well, that could be end-o-days type stuff. :D

[LVC]

If you buy a TR, well, that could be end-o-days type stuff. :D

Hey ..... if I dig it ... I will roll with it.

I've played an anniversary Jet a couple of times at Golden age (they have a used one there for sale) -- and I told John (the owner) -- if they turned the J2 into a one channel amp and gave it more clean headroom ---- it would be something that I would be interested in.

I've been moving away from 2 channel amps for a while --

My ideal amp is a one channel amp that will stay clean above a drummer in a club setting with the guitar at 6-7 (tele).

Roll my guitar vol from 7-10 for grit to a thick saturated OD.

That is it ---

trying to keep it simple and real

[kingsleyd]

My ideal amp is a one channel amp that will stay clean above a drummer in a club setting with the guitar at 6-7 (tele).

Roll my guitar vol from 7-10 for grit to a thick saturated OD.

That is it ---

trying to keep it simple and real

Hmm... sounds exactly like my Classic Reverb, when ya dial it in right and run it through my EV speaker.

Oh, that's right, you hated that amp... ;)

[sickboy79]

Sure looks sweet! I'm sure she sounds awesome as well! Congrats!

[LVC]

Hmm... sounds exactly like my Classic Reverb, when ya dial it in right and run it through my EV speaker.

Oh, that's right, you hated that amp... ;)


If you say so it must be so -- :)

[kingsleyd]

i only wish they had "dealt" with reality over these last ten years.
im very impressed this amp isn't $4000.
95% of players dont have the kind of disposable income that two-rocks cost........whether in this economy or a thriving one.
it's about time they price an amp thats more grounded in reality so more people can afford their amps............they make very nice stuff but sorry, they are way overpriced.
i think this is a great move on their part.
hope they do more amps in this price range or even less.

They've made a pretty good living selling amps to the other 5%, who don't seem to think they are overpriced. That's every bit as much a "reality" as the one your other 95% live in. If it wasn't, T-R would have gone out of business a long time ago.

[kingsleyd]

If you say so it must be so -- :)

Yep.

In any event, IMO the Classic Reverb is one of the most underrated of T-R's offerings, and if the Studio Pro shares some of its mojo, I'd bet it's a very cool amplifier indeed. Also it is nice to see them hit a lower price point.

[StratStringSlinger]

I wonder if the Studio Pro can be fitted/bias for 6v6's? I kinda liked this feature of the Jet Sig (another great amp).

P.S. Does anyone want to do sound clips or a video demo of the amp for us? =)

[crosse79]

Wow - looks like an amp that is within a good price range for those who have been on the lookout for a Two-Rock.

[LSchefman]

>>Did you buy it. Is this a freebie for you in exchange for pumping it here? Why coy on the price point?

Full disclosure please.<<

I don't get why you think you're entitled to demand or get an answer to any of these questions from the OP, especially when you put them this insultingly.

Why do you think this is being 'pumped' any more than anyone else posting a "new amp day" post? Why would you imply that TR or the OP would do this?

FYI, TR doesn't give amps away to anyone, even to its endorsers. Even famous players have to buy them. Compare and contrast to lots of other amp and instrument companies.

But there's no freaking way on EARTH that they'd give a guy an amp to post about it on TGP. I mean, that's ludicrous.

So I'd like to confront you the way you confronted the OP: What axe have you got to grind? What's the point of your post? What were you thinking when you decided to taint his post with innuendo for which you have zero basis in fact?

What makes you think you have any right to some kind of "disclosure" from a complete stranger who owes you no duty or obligation whatsoever?

[GearOnTheBrain]

>>Did you buy it. Is this a freebie for you in exchange for pumping it here? Why coy on the price point?

Full disclosure please.<<

I don't get why you think you're entitled to demand or get an answer to any of these questions from the OP, especially when you put them this insultingly.

Why do you think this is being 'pumped' any more than anyone else posting a "new amp day" post? Why would you imply that TR or the OP would do this?

FYI, TR doesn't give amps away to anyone, even to its endorsers. Even famous players have to buy them. Compare and contrast to lots of other amp and instrument companies.

But there's no freaking way on EARTH that they'd give a guy an amp to post about it on TGP. I mean, that's ludicrous.

So I'd like to confront you the way you confronted the OP: What axe have you got to grind? What's the point of your post? What were you thinking when you decided to taint his post with innuendo for which you have zero basis in fact?

What makes you think you have any right to some kind of "disclosure" from a complete stranger who owes you no duty or obligation whatsoever?


seriously.
i agree 100%..........i almost wrote a post like yours but.......whats the point?
the guy obviously has a chip on his shoulder.

[diagrammatiks]

i only wish they had "dealt" with reality over these last ten years.
im very impressed this amp isn't $4000.
95% of players dont have the kind of disposable income that two-rocks cost........whether in this economy or a thriving one.
it's about time they price an amp thats more grounded in reality so more people can afford their amps............they make very nice stuff but sorry, they are way overpriced.
i think this is a great move on their part.
hope they do more amps in this price range or even less.

yet they sell so many amps.

[GearOnTheBrain]

They've made a pretty good living selling amps to the other 5%, who don't seem to think they are overpriced. That's every bit as much a "reality" as the one your other 95% live in. If it wasn't, T-R would have gone out of business a long time ago.


they probably arent perceived as overpriced by said customers because those customers obviously are in a privileged position financially.
when you have that kind of disposable income, its easy to rationalize such extravagant purchases.
anyway......im not gonna argue, youre not gonna change my mind, im not gonna change yours.
even if i had millions of dollars i'd still say they are way overpriced.
redplate amps offer VERY similar features(actually more versatile) and cost at least a couple THOUSAND dollars less.
thats just one example........and i dont own one of those either.

back on topic...............i think two-rock amps sound great and this is an exciting model and i hope they continue in this direction.
:)

[GearOnTheBrain]

yet they sell so many amps.


and?



never mind, dont answer that.

back on topic please.

[KOG]

It's only money and you can't take it with you! Soon you won't be able to pass it on either. :FM

It is up to the individual where one wants to waste it. Gear is still a better waste than cars, golf, boating, home electronics, alcohol, drugs, cheap hookers, gambling, etc......:bong

Gee yet another overpriced Two Rock thread, who would have thunk it. :bonk

[deltaboy]

Very true. When I compare guitar to other hobbies, I'm like, damn, 2.5k really isn't as bad as you think for a guitar/amp

[trap]

the proof is in the puddin' ! lets hear some clips!!!!

[konstantine]

the proof is in the puddin' ! lets hear some clips!!!!

yeap! we need some clips!

[helicopter99]

clips clips needed

[BigViolin]

Hey ..... if I dig it ... I will roll with it.

I've played an anniversary Jet a couple of times at Golden age (they have a used one there for sale) -- and I told John (the owner) -- if they turned the J2 into a one channel amp and gave it more clean headroom ---- it would be something that I would be interested in.

I've been moving away from 2 channel amps for a while --

My ideal amp is a one channel amp that will stay clean above a drummer in a club setting with the guitar at 6-7 (tele).

Roll my guitar vol from 7-10 for grit to a thick saturated OD.

That is it ---

trying to keep it simple and real

This approach is becoming more and more appealing to me as well. Though the K & M is about as seamless as any two channel I've played and covers a lot of ground. I'm satisfied, but it's always fun to keep an ear out, so many great amps around.

The whole "wreck" thing is very intriguing as well, I'll be curious as to what you end up with.

[wishkahdaddy]

You get what you pay for and the Two Rock I own was very pricey, but I'd muster up money and buy another if something happened to this gem. It's that good and products that are truly "THAT GOOD" usually cost a lot of coin.
Two Rock, I guess, markets to the other 5% according to your numbers. That's their decision and obviously they are doing something right as they seem to be a thriving business. Thank goodness for guys like Bill Krinard. He's helped me attain tone I never knew was possible.
i only wish they had "dealt" with reality over these last ten years.
im very impressed this amp isn't $4000.
95% of players dont have the kind of disposable income that two-rocks cost........whether in this economy or a thriving one.
it's about time they price an amp thats more grounded in reality so more people can afford their amps............they make very nice stuff but sorry, they are way overpriced.
i think this is a great move on their part.
hope they do more amps in this price range or even less.

[J.T. Guitar]

and?



never mind, dont answer that.

back on topic please.

I guess if were up to you Chevrolet would have never made the Corvette and Ford would not have made the Cobra.

Don't worry, they still made the Chevette and Pinto. :)

[LVC]

This approach is becoming more and more appealing to me as well. Though the K & M is about as seamless as any two channel I've played and covers a lot of ground. I'm satisfied, but it's always fun to keep an ear out, so many great amps around.

The whole "wreck" thing is very intriguing as well, I'll be curious as to what you end up with.

Well I have two new amps incoming (both currently being built for me)

1. tungsten Buckwheat (30 watt 5e3 tweaked for better clean headroom)
2. Tube-Tone Pro - with Diaz mods

[Madison]

Normally I could easily get GAS for the Studio Pro because I prefer single channel amps, but my JET simply won't allow GAS at this time. It is a killer amp that time and again suppresses any thoughts of buying something new. Would love to hear some clips of the SP just the same!

[PeeCee]

seriously.
i agree 100%..........i almost wrote a post like yours but.......whats the point?
the guy obviously has a chip on his shoulder.

No chip, and I'm not a Two Rock hater. Check my sig. My EG is one of my favorite amps and I've got several other Two Rocks. I was just really curious because I make rather frequent trips over to the TR site and I never heard anything about this amp.

It just sounded kinda suss:
Unadvertised amp
The OP didn't know how much is was...I was curious about how that worked.

[JesseKnutson44]

I just purchased one of these today. Should be in the mail and shipped soon! Once I get it I'll post some clips. Right now I'm in DC, but once I'm back home I'll make sure to give you guys a demo (mid december)

[LSchefman]

>>i agree 100%..........i almost wrote a post like yours but.......whats the point?
the guy obviously has a chip on his shoulder<<

Maybe it's just a poor choice of words on his part. I was just a little cheesed when I read it, but cooler heads like yours usually prevail. ;)

It certainly looks like it will be a cool amp - then again, I'm a longtime TR fan, and have yet to hear a TR that I didn't at the very least like an awful lot. Maybe their designs just speak to what I hear in my head.

[bigwebb83]

can we get some clips please?