DestroyAllGuitars
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The following is a description and review of the 50 Watt Cantus
amplifier designed and built by Harry Straub. The Cantus is a 50watt amp drawing heavily from the design of a 1968 JMP Small Box Plexi and is powered by 2 x EL34s, dual Hexfred solid state rectifiers and 3 X 12AX7s. It can also be driven by 2 x KT66s and a GZ34 tube rectifier. The amp reviewed here is the EL34, dual Hexfred rectified masterpiece and the controls on the front panel are as follows: Power, Standby, Presence, Treble, Middle, Bass, Master, Boost Switch, Volume & Input. All transformers are
from the Mercury Magnetics Axiom series, and you will find carbon comp resistors where tone is the issue and wirewound/metal films where noise is an issue. You'll find Mallory 150s, and Solen Fast Caps throughout the circuit, and they are happy to replace these with any custom parts you might request. This impressive internal package is coupled with a superbly built external housing. The casing is an exquisite fingerjointed cabinet made from Striped African Mahogany. You can also choose from Walnut,
Cherry, Oak and Birch and they will also accommodate custom designs and patterns and mixes of different woods. Control knobs are also made from wood and accent the cabinet nicely. Topping all this off is a front Plexiglas panel which comes backlit in your choice of color. Adding to it's cool looks the control names are etched out of the Plexiglas so the letters glow the color you have picked for the panel. This makes for a great look and very easy maneuvering in darkly lit clubs and theatres.
Now let's move on to the fun part and get into the sounds of this amp. I'm finding that there is a tremendous selection of top notch
stellar tones available from both the Normal and the Boost modes
of the Cantus. To me the real key to dialing in these tones lies mostly in the interplay between the master and the regular volume control. This is where the real action is, as the tone stack is so simple and so effective that it makes it really hard to dial in a bad tone unless you are amongst the tone deaf. One thing to remember about the tone stack is that the interaction between the Middle & Treble is dynamic so moving one will affect the other just like in the older Marshalls. I'm finding that the best way to work with the Cantus is to set everything at 12:00 with the exception of the presence control which I would start
at 9:00 O'clock. From that point I would dial in additional gain (to taste) by using a combination of moves with both the master and regular volume control. By simply raising the volume you are also increasing the high end spectrum of the overdrive, but by increasing the master you are not only increasing the overall volume but you are adding thicker and more even output distortion and harmonic content and this is where the Cantus speaks more articulately than any other Marshall type amp
I've worked with. From that point on, it's very simple to work the tone stack to increase or decrease any frequencies you may want to tweak. One final visit to the master/volume section should take you to tone heaven at that point. In the Normal non boosted mode, this amp is capable of delivering very fat JTM 45 fronted sounds all the way through to the higher end more sizzling sounds of the late 60s to early 70s Marshalls and the classic overdriven sounds of the late 60s JMP 50 watt series as well.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL: Now add the boost function and you have just transported these classic tones to a level that is beyond the beyond. Imagine your favorite Marshall tones but now add gobs of infinite sustain and distortion while preserving the original Marshall vibe and tone. This is a new sound, it's a classic sound taken to a new level in a way no one has done before. Again, the interplay between the Master and the Volume and the use of the tone stack and presence come into play in the identical fashion as in the non boosted mode. (very simple and user friendly)
The one area to be careful is when engaging the boost function, one must back off the master volume (preferably to about 9:00 to be safe) and than adjust upwards from that point while also working the volume control to find your preferable mix of low frequency to high frequency gain and distortion.
This amp is more responsive my guitars pickup volume settings than any other amp I've worked with. It gives you a tremendous amount of control over the dynamics of the amp and makes it a true joy to plug in and play. Set this amp up to scream and than just back your guitar volume down and you'll have a tremendous palette of sounds at your disposal. Many, or almost all manufacturers make this claim and IMO most fail to deliver.
Straub has never made this claim but delivers bigger and better than any amp designer/builder whose product I've had the pleasure of playing.
This amp makes things so easy. A classic Brown sound is 10 seconds away at any given time, as is a vintage Plexi or hot rodded 50 watter and the best part is that you can dial in all these sounds with a tremendous depth, punch and clarity or you can thin them out and bring in as much sizzle as you want
depending on your preference to tone. You are given a tremendous deal of flexibility with this amp, the learning curve is simple and in terms of dollar value and the "Bang For The Buck", I believe that the Cantus is the best deal out there for anyone looking for Marshall heaven.
The Cantus amp, just like a great new guitar, is inspiring. It makes you want to play and helps bring out the best of your abilities, thus making the entire playing experience a more enjoyable and rewarding one. It also, like all great amplifiers, has the ability to expose your weak points as well but there is something about the Cantus that pushes you to work through those weak points and keep striving for the magic moments
that make you feel as if your sitting on top of the world. It is truly inspiring and fun at the same time, and its my belief that is exactly what all this is supposed to be about. The Cantus delivers the goods big time
amplifier designed and built by Harry Straub. The Cantus is a 50watt amp drawing heavily from the design of a 1968 JMP Small Box Plexi and is powered by 2 x EL34s, dual Hexfred solid state rectifiers and 3 X 12AX7s. It can also be driven by 2 x KT66s and a GZ34 tube rectifier. The amp reviewed here is the EL34, dual Hexfred rectified masterpiece and the controls on the front panel are as follows: Power, Standby, Presence, Treble, Middle, Bass, Master, Boost Switch, Volume & Input. All transformers are
from the Mercury Magnetics Axiom series, and you will find carbon comp resistors where tone is the issue and wirewound/metal films where noise is an issue. You'll find Mallory 150s, and Solen Fast Caps throughout the circuit, and they are happy to replace these with any custom parts you might request. This impressive internal package is coupled with a superbly built external housing. The casing is an exquisite fingerjointed cabinet made from Striped African Mahogany. You can also choose from Walnut,
Cherry, Oak and Birch and they will also accommodate custom designs and patterns and mixes of different woods. Control knobs are also made from wood and accent the cabinet nicely. Topping all this off is a front Plexiglas panel which comes backlit in your choice of color. Adding to it's cool looks the control names are etched out of the Plexiglas so the letters glow the color you have picked for the panel. This makes for a great look and very easy maneuvering in darkly lit clubs and theatres.
Now let's move on to the fun part and get into the sounds of this amp. I'm finding that there is a tremendous selection of top notch
stellar tones available from both the Normal and the Boost modes
of the Cantus. To me the real key to dialing in these tones lies mostly in the interplay between the master and the regular volume control. This is where the real action is, as the tone stack is so simple and so effective that it makes it really hard to dial in a bad tone unless you are amongst the tone deaf. One thing to remember about the tone stack is that the interaction between the Middle & Treble is dynamic so moving one will affect the other just like in the older Marshalls. I'm finding that the best way to work with the Cantus is to set everything at 12:00 with the exception of the presence control which I would start
at 9:00 O'clock. From that point I would dial in additional gain (to taste) by using a combination of moves with both the master and regular volume control. By simply raising the volume you are also increasing the high end spectrum of the overdrive, but by increasing the master you are not only increasing the overall volume but you are adding thicker and more even output distortion and harmonic content and this is where the Cantus speaks more articulately than any other Marshall type amp
I've worked with. From that point on, it's very simple to work the tone stack to increase or decrease any frequencies you may want to tweak. One final visit to the master/volume section should take you to tone heaven at that point. In the Normal non boosted mode, this amp is capable of delivering very fat JTM 45 fronted sounds all the way through to the higher end more sizzling sounds of the late 60s to early 70s Marshalls and the classic overdriven sounds of the late 60s JMP 50 watt series as well.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL: Now add the boost function and you have just transported these classic tones to a level that is beyond the beyond. Imagine your favorite Marshall tones but now add gobs of infinite sustain and distortion while preserving the original Marshall vibe and tone. This is a new sound, it's a classic sound taken to a new level in a way no one has done before. Again, the interplay between the Master and the Volume and the use of the tone stack and presence come into play in the identical fashion as in the non boosted mode. (very simple and user friendly)
The one area to be careful is when engaging the boost function, one must back off the master volume (preferably to about 9:00 to be safe) and than adjust upwards from that point while also working the volume control to find your preferable mix of low frequency to high frequency gain and distortion.
This amp is more responsive my guitars pickup volume settings than any other amp I've worked with. It gives you a tremendous amount of control over the dynamics of the amp and makes it a true joy to plug in and play. Set this amp up to scream and than just back your guitar volume down and you'll have a tremendous palette of sounds at your disposal. Many, or almost all manufacturers make this claim and IMO most fail to deliver.
Straub has never made this claim but delivers bigger and better than any amp designer/builder whose product I've had the pleasure of playing.
This amp makes things so easy. A classic Brown sound is 10 seconds away at any given time, as is a vintage Plexi or hot rodded 50 watter and the best part is that you can dial in all these sounds with a tremendous depth, punch and clarity or you can thin them out and bring in as much sizzle as you want
depending on your preference to tone. You are given a tremendous deal of flexibility with this amp, the learning curve is simple and in terms of dollar value and the "Bang For The Buck", I believe that the Cantus is the best deal out there for anyone looking for Marshall heaven.
The Cantus amp, just like a great new guitar, is inspiring. It makes you want to play and helps bring out the best of your abilities, thus making the entire playing experience a more enjoyable and rewarding one. It also, like all great amplifiers, has the ability to expose your weak points as well but there is something about the Cantus that pushes you to work through those weak points and keep striving for the magic moments
that make you feel as if your sitting on top of the world. It is truly inspiring and fun at the same time, and its my belief that is exactly what all this is supposed to be about. The Cantus delivers the goods big time
