Alessandro Black 'n Tan Arrives!!

[skhan007]

I have been researching Alessandro amps for about 1 1/2 years now and have finally pulled the trigger and acquired one. I have spoken directly to George on a few occasions and narrowed it down to either the Beagle or the BnT. I wanted low wattage & smokin' blues tones. In addition, many of you on this forum have been immensely helpful in sharing your opinions on the Alessandro amps you own.

The right deal on this 2006 High-End BnT came my way and I went with it. This amp has the following upgrades: Black Gate filter caps, functionally perfect solid silver wiring, audiophile resistors, all PIO caps, NOS Telefunken EL34's & NOS RCA 5751 preamp tubes, and a quilted mahogany box.

How she sounds: Like nothing I've ever owned/heard. Very, Very, dynamic. I can hit a note and let her sustain and I get all kinds of nice rich harmonics (mostly even order, from what I can tell so far). This amp has more clean headroom than I would particularly need, so I tend to keep her dialed to about 2 or 3 PM to get some soaring hot liquid gain going on. With this tube set up, she's somewhere in between a Fender & Marshall in the gain dept., but a voice that is somewhat unique IMHO. I'll make some YouTube clips soon. I pulled the chassis to inspect the insides and she's a very, very, simple wiring schematic. Not much in there at all. But I guess less is more, because she sounds stellar. This is definitely one of the most uniquely voiced amps I've owned. Now I understand what all the Alessandro owners were talking about!

Any way, here are some pics...

[Paul86]

Whohoo!
Congrats! You're in for a treat - for the rest of your life as a guitar player. That's how good these amps are.
Which cab you're using with that? Guitars, etc?
Anxiously awaiting for your clips...:RoCkIn

[skhan007]

There was the opportunity to grab the matching 2x12, which was just as beautiful as the amp, itself. I'll see if I can swing that. But until then, I've played this amp through a closed back 2x12 loaded with two Heritage Greenback 20 watters and have also tried it through an open back 2x12 loaded with one Celestion Blue & G12H-30. I like this better than the closed back cab. Much more chime and bigger mids with the open back Blue/G12H-30. I've played my PRS McCarty 57/08 & Les Paul R0 w/ antiquities.

[rhinocaster]

That's just stunning.

Alessandro amps are among the best available. Playing them is a very memorable experience.

Congratlations!

[dbeeman]

They are great amps. Generally open back cabs work best with them IMHO.
I like 2 * 12 Blues

[skhan007]

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

That's just stunning.

Alessandro amps are among the best available. Playing them is a very memorable experience.

Congratlations!

Thanks. That was kind of my experience. I drove out to a shop that had an Alessandro High-End Beagle and could not believe how amazing it sounded. I lost sleep over it. The shop owner told me that if I liked the Beagle, I'd like the BnT even more.

Originally Posted by dbeeman

They are great amps. Generally open back cabs work best with them IMHO.
I like 2 * 12 Blues

Right! I could either use the open back 2x12 (Blue/G12H-30) that I have now or acquire a matching cab. I'm thinking I might do a 1x12 Blue. Since I don't gig out, I'm not sure I 'need' the power of two speakers pumping- plus Celestion Blues are damn pricey.

[Paul86]

Bumping for clips.

[FFTT]

Dats Purdy!

Ya clippage Mon!

[cnardone]

i agree on the 2 blues is hot, Or a BLue and Gold but the blue and the G12H-30 mix is incredible as well. Enjoy her.

[vds5000]

Was this the used one at GC for around $1300?

[skhan007]

Originally Posted by vds5000

Was this the used one at GC for around $1300?

You saw one used at GC for $1300?!? Please PM me which GC.

No, I got this from a member here on TGP.

FYI- I just learned that the EL34's are not Telefunken's. They are early '70's Siemens/RFT's (still nice tubes).

The preamp tubes are not 6SL7 RCA's, as were advertised. They are mid 1980's Philips 5691's (industrial version 6SL7's- again, still good tubes).

I contacted George Alessandro and he confirmed that these are the tubes he put in this amp. All is good, but just wanted to have accurate disclosure on what's actually in the amp.

Got some clips done on the handycam and will upload to Youtube sometime soon.

[Tone Disciple]

Originally Posted by skhan007

You saw one used at GC for $1300?!?

There apparently is a used one at the GC in Hollywood for $1399. Sounds like a great deal to me. I was curious so after a little searching I found this

105102388 GUITAR
USED ALLESANDRO BLACK N' TAN 50W HEAD

Details »

Amps Guitar Center HollywoodHollywood, California 90046323-874-1060View Store's Used Inventory Request More InfoBuy NowNow Only
$1,399.99AMP HEADS | GUITAR Available In: Hollywood Telephone: 323-874-1060Manager: Jason VanderpalUSED ALLESANDRO BLACK N' TAN 50W HEAD
Click here to view all used items at this location All sales subject to sales tax where applicable. Shipping charges available upon request. Disclaimer

Go get it! Forgive the spam, but it would make a great Mother's Day Gift!.

[skhan007]

Holy smokes that is a steal for one these high end amps! I have no idea what options that one at GC comes with, but the one I have has options that make it over $3500 new. Luckily, I got mine pre-owned!

[Crikey]

Originally Posted by skhan007

[TDJMB]

Congratulations! You forgot to mention how great the eq is. They're the most useful 3 knobs I've ever heard. +1 for the G12H30 - which I ever so slightly prefer over a cab with 2 Blues. I think George likes the Celestion Golds.