Clark Users Unite!!!

[jokerjkny]

Just got my Lil Bit LTD, which is a 6 watt, dual 6V6 amp, loaded with a dust cap'less Red Fang, and HOLY CRAP, it sounds terrific! and this coming from a gent who swore off tweeds. but crank this sucker up, grab a slide, and its Derek-D era Duane! BIG booty, Joker review forthcoming...



and i remember from the NYC tonefest a few years back, hearing an exceptional Hampton 18 watter, which hit me like a mini Route 66. thick, fat, chunky, and creamy like a good bowl of clam chowdah!


but lookin' on these boards, where are all the raves? if anything Mike knows tone, and he's quickly escalating up my list of slammin' builders.

[trisonic]

Nice!

That Hampton, that was Mike A's right? I still remember that tone.
I see that Mike C. will now put three knob reverb an any Tweedy amp of his?

Best, Pete.

[joel]

I've got a Clark Gullah, which I think is similar to the LTD, with two cylinders running parallel class A. Gullah is voiced a bit more towards Marshal, and has bigger iron I think, intended for 6L6's. Rich, responsive, powerful feeling amp without being monstrously loud.

I'd like another Clark amp. I'm on the lookout for a Bandmaster head for Fender 'tweed-clean'. I'm sure the other tweed builders are all great, but it's Clark for me! /jd

[Ogre]

Happy Clark Beaufort owner here. I played a Lil' Bit Limited a couple of years ago, and it was the best "Champ" I've ever heard.

[jokerjkny]

Originally posted by joel
(...)'m sure the other tweed builders are all great, but it's Clark for me! /jd

yea, no doubt, as of today, mike's the only guy i'd ever buy another tweed.

pete,

yup, Mike'll put reverb in whatever amp of his you wish. he also offers an attenuator.

btw, this past winter, i had Mike build me his "updated" Hampton, which sound even better than what i remember that other one! never got around to it, but i'll do yet another jokerfantastic review.

[tonedaddy]

Beaufort with Cele Blue here. It ended my search for a vintage Deluxe completely.

Nice being able to run 6L6's with a rectifier change, too.

[tedwoods]

I use to own a Raeford,parallel 6V6's with Deluxe front end.

Is the Lil'bit like that?

I absolutely loved the tone of mine but there was some nasty "single-ended" hum.It somehow always bleeded through the mikes and the studio enginners would have me re-record my tracks,so I gave up...
How does this amp fare on the noise issue?I'd sure love to give them another go...

Ted

[joel]

My Gullah has some hum in the box, but it doesn't come out the speakers. I imagine it might be a bit of a problem in the studio. Sounds like Raeford, LTD, Gullah are all pretty similar. Same amp, different names? /jd

[garbud]

New Clark Grifton here. Basically a 60's Vox AC15 with an EF86 front end. 4 inputs, 2 volume knobs and 1 tone knob. Running it into an open back Clark 2X12 with Celestion Blues. Outstanding workmanship and sweet tone. Definitely the real deal!

Garbud

[Latif]

I've got a Tyger, the 3x10 bandmaster with the 3 knob reverb and attenuator options. I got it new for my 50th birthday gift to myself 5 years ago and played it a lot the first couple of years and then set it aside as I've tried a few two rocks, a Maz 18 and a Rambler for the past few years. It had developed a bad random noise problem and changing out the preamp tubes didn't help so untill a few weeks ago it sat with occasional thoughts of selling it. Well I ordered a set of the short bottle TAD 6L6s to try in all of my amps and the Clark was the first one to try. Not only did it cure my problems but it is just so sweet now, I can hardly turn it off. Doesnt matter which pedal and which guitar, loves em all but especially the V-stack tweedy and the Klon with my PRS hollowbody spruce is heavenly. It seemed at first like a one trick clean pony and I moved towards my Trocks for all the tonal options offered and while I still love my custom, it's hard to get it dialed in consistently while the Clark is like, turn it on and play. In the beginning I only played through the bright channel with my strat but am lately really liking the darker normal channel. I haven't tried jumpering them yet but that'll happen soon. Did I mention what a great looking amp it is, like great old piece of furniture.

Latif

[ricoh]

Clark Tyger........ Great amp .........top quality build..........and above all......... really great tone. I have been thinking about one of his " Blackface " amps

[mountain blues]

Congrats jae! I have a Beaufort that I LOVE. Yes, Mike Clark builds great amps.

[arriba]

Have a maxed out Clark Tyger ( attenunator, reverb and Nos tubes) One of the best amps I ever had.

[BobbyRay]

Clark Tyger here, with reverb and NOS tubage. Weber P10Q's

Those who were at the Michigan Tonefest will attest to the tone. Great stuff!

[James Knox]

My "need for tweed" began back in the 70's when I learned that the Layla Sessions guitar tones were Duane and Eric playing through tweed champs. I was 19 and found a Fender Tweed Champ at a pawn shop for $50. I had to sell that amp a year later to buy gas to take my new Bride on a honeymoon to Cali. I always missed that amp....

My tone quest journey passed through MANY an amp over the next 30 years. The past few years I always gravitated back to my '58 narrow panel tweed Tremolux, the sweetest sounding amp I have ever owned. I am finally starting to "get it". The tone I hear in my head is tube rectified cathode biased 6V6 open backed combos.

Feeling nostalgic, I started searching for a tweed champ. Read about Clark Amps here on the Forum. Found a used Lil Bit on FleaBay. When I got that amp - I was FLOORED by the quality and workmanship. After a couple of weeks, I contacted Mr Clark and ordered a 6V6 cathode biased Wateree in a bigger cabinet with a 15" Jensen. It should be done in the next couple of weeks. In the mean time, one of our Forum Bro's put up a Beaufort with a Weber Blue Dog - man, how could I pass on that?

The Beaufort arrived on Thursday, just in time for my rehersal that night. I also gigged it Friday nite. I AM IN LOVE.

By the way I made a slight modification to both amps - I changed out the red jewel lamp with an AMBER one. It looks so COOL with the lacquered tweed. All 3 of my Clarks will sport them...

Peace,

James