SWR California Blonde...........................

[major-minor]

Anyone here use one?

Seems like they've been around forever. Must be doing something right.

[Big0range]

I've got one and like it. Someone here mentioned that they impart their own sound into an acoustic, but I don't think that's accurate. I plugged in a transducer 12-string, a transducer nylon-string, a Dual-Source (mic & transducer) steel string, and the piezo output of my Carvin. Each sounded unique. However, I'm not sure the SWR accurately recreated the sound of each instrument. I don't know if that is a pickup issue or an amp issue. None of them sounded bad, and the LR Baggs Dual-Source sound the best, and ultimately I'm happy with the sound I can get out of the amp.

[major-minor]

Keep hearing that the "Made in Mexico" model isn't as good. Anything to that?

What year did they start being built in Mexico?

Also looks like they are making a new version called California Blonde II. Anyone have the scoop on those? Are they also made in Mexico?

[Troubleman]

I have a California Blonde and a Blonde-on-Blonde powered extention cab. It's the Marshall stack of acoustic amps. It now lives at my church; there's a mixer feeding it and three acoustic guitarists share it. It is fairly accurate, powerful, and punchy. I've owned it for years. It does have its own character, not a profound coloration, but definitely in how it responds to various input. I've gotten my best tones out of it using a direct box (Baggs PADI or Raven Labs PMB) in front of it. If I'm gonna play solo, I use an old Ultrasound AG30 with an Alesis Nanoverb in its FX loop, and an Ultrasound E50 extention cabinet. One day I might spring for a JBL Eon G2 - 15, or maybe even (if i could afford it) an AER acoustic amp (imo the best of the best), but until then the Ultrasound rig'll do. It's a bit sweeter sounding than the CaliBlonde, but beneath the AER. None of them handle acoustic guitar and vocals simultaneously as well as the Eon system.

peace,

jb

[Leonc]

Cali Blonde owner. Sold my Blonde on Blonde a couple years ago. Owned a Strawberry Blonde before that. I haven't heard a better combo amp for acoustic instruments.

[Steve L]

I've had a California Blonde for years! I can't even remember how long!
I remember when I bought it that it had what I considered the "purest" tone of all the amps at the time. That is, the least amount of colorization.
The change I've made recently is that I bought a D-TAR Solstice to use when I play with a PA system. It's great! But, now I have now started using it with the California Blonde and find that it makes the amp even better in some ways. The EQ on the D-TAR is more "musical" or something--hard to define it. It's a bit easier to balance the dual source pickups for me (Highlander IP-2).
Very satisfied with the amp--never considered an alternative.

[Rock-On!!]

Great amps

[Chris Rice]

I have one but don't have extensive use on it yet. So far, very good. Sounds great with lap steel also!

[Brett Valentine]

I juust use a Blonde on Blonde cabinet with my Rane AP-13 Dual source preamp/dual ART Tube EQ based rig, and I get an amazing sound. Wish I could dial down the tweeter just a bit though. Get's a big, warm sound.

Brett

[waxnsteel]

Originally Posted by Brett Valentine

I juust use a Blonde on Blonde cabinet with my Rane AP-13 Dual source preamp/dual ART Tube EQ based rig, and I get an amazing sound. Wish I could dial down the tweeter just a bit though. Get's a big, warm sound.

Brett

Wonder if you couldn't get a dial installed to attenuate the signal to the tweeter. Like on some old PA cabs.

Great sounding amps. I used to have a Strawberry myself, but to me it never sounded better than going through the PA and it was just one more big box to worry about.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by waxnsteel

Wonder if you couldn't get a dial installed to attenuate the signal to the tweeter. Like on some old PA cabs.

The newer one's do have an attenuator for the tweeter...


Jamie

[Tahitijack]

I liked the California Blonde so much after buying it I went back and also purchased its little sister the Strawberry Blonde. The are built like a tank and will be around for years to come. When ever I play through them other players coment on its tone. Mine are US made and I also read the amps are now made in Mexico have some new features but also have problems.

[Brett Valentine]

Originally Posted by waxnsteel

Wonder if you couldn't get a dial installed to attenuate the signal to the tweeter. Like on some old PA cabs.

Great sounding amps. I used to have a Strawberry myself, but to me it never sounded better than going through the PA and it was just one more big box to worry about.

I was considering that. What I might do is wait till I can get another used Blonde on Blonde (purchased it used for $225.00) and work on one of them first if it is one of the older ones.

Would really like to have 2 of them, especially for thast price.

Brett

[Antz_Marchin]

Anybody wanna sell me one??

[Pa'ani]

I also had a SWR California Blonde and a Strawberry Blonde for many years and it served me well.At that time it was a great acoustic rig.
Sold the Strawberry Blonde and traded the California Blonde recently.
Now my preferred acoustic amp is a AER Compact 60.
I also use a LR Baggs PARA-DI pre-amp.
I'm waiting for a Avalon U-5 Pre-Amp that I just purchase from a really cool Gear Page member, to use in conjunction with my AER Compact 60 or straight into the board in a live or recording situation.