Alessandro Working Dog Doberman Mini Review

I picked up one of these used recently. Since there doesn't seem to be much out there in these amps, particularly this model, I thought I'd post a mini review. I've only had it a few days and can't tell you all of the ins and outs of the amp. Mine has an upgraded speaker (Celestion Gold) and upgraded power tubes (Mullards). I don't know what the real differences in sound are b/t this and stock Jenson and stock tubes.

The amp is 40 watts using 12AX7 preamp and EL34 power tubes as well as tube reverb. It has a built in attenuator that brings the output down from 40 watts gradually to 20 watts.

I used it on Wednesday night at rehearsal. Here are my impressions:

1. The amp can get LOUD. Setting it at 20 watts for the rehearsal it was still loud. It will fill up most rooms and cut through a loud rhythm section with ease.

2. Tremendous headroom. This amp does clean VERY well. I am more used to amps with gain that comes on more quickly. If you're looking for lots of gain from the amp, especially at lower volumes, this ain't. it. Nor is it a bedroom amp. I've heard that the Working Dog Boxer makes a good "at home" amp. At higher volume, though, there is nice breakup. I think the sound is very good for classic rock or blues but would look elsewhere (or to reliance on pedals) for metal.

3. Seems to handle pedals well. Or at least it sounded good with the pedal I was using, a Fuchs Xtreme Plush overdrive. This did give me sufficient distortion (but not a lot as this isn't a high distortion pedal) at practice volumes.

4. I think the built in reverb sounds pretty good. I've read others don't like it. But I'm not a reverb expert and don't have much experience w/ classic Fenders, which I guess are the state of the art in that regard.

5. The amp is a little short on options. What I mean is there's no speaker out or ohm adjustment. As George Alessandro said in an email to me, it's designed to be used as a combo amp. If you're looking for more flexibility/options, look elsewhere.

6. Perhaps my favorite trait: IT IS LIGHT!! I think it weighs in at about 34-35 pounds. I don't know of another amp in this category that sounds this good and seems as well made and is as easy to lug around. Being 51 with bad elbows, this is huge. If my Industrial Amps combo weren't 55 pounds, I'd never have looked elsewhere.

7. Build quality seems quite good. I'd never seen one of these before I bought it. I kind of expected the "feel" of the amp to be less than wonderful to keep the weight down. Not so.

8. Price: The amp is very well priced, particularly when compared to other PTP boo teeks. MSRP on the stock amp is under $1500. There's currently a special going on where they can be had for 25% off MSRP w/ free shipping if you go to the manufacturers website. For $1100 delivered (+/-) it's a great deal, IMO, if this is what you're looking for in an amp.

 

Closest thing I've had that resembles this in sound is the clean channel on a Mesa Lonestar. Breakup doesn't really kick in until amp volume is at "5" and never gets dirty. There is no real master. Output control is an attenuator so you can't really manipulate it like a traditional MV and channel volume. Amp sounds pretty tight at all volume levels, including with bass turned up. EQ is effective, particularly bass and treble; middle less so.

 

You are right; the mid control does assist in moving the amp from clean to a more broken up sound. Never gets saturated though, although I haven't opened it up at the 40 watt setting for fear it'd kill my pets. :BOUNCE

 

Either that or use a really saturating distortion pedal.

 

Wish I had mine back. Does that count?

 

It remains a pretty unique amp. EL34 based combo with reverb providing great "English" tone in a 40-20 watt package weighing 35 lbs. Not high gain at all. I know of nothing that fits this. Plus when available they tend to be huge bargains in the used market. The newer ones Ive read are even more versatile w/ a better attenuator range and more compact to boot.

There used to be a few live clips of Eric Steckel playing through a Doberman when he was 14 or 15 that sounded great but it looks like he pulled them down. Too bad.