Varsity 12 Reverb 1x12" 15-watt Tube Combo Amp Review

Yeah, it freakin’ slaps.

I pulled the trigger on this thing without ever having heard it and was kind of nervous. There isn't a ton of videos of these online, and being a mainly humbucker player, I couldn't really get a feel for how it'd sound. However, it sounds incredible and I couldn't be happier. It truly feels and sounds like the highest quality. The tone controls are SUPER responsive and the feedback… read more switch is so useful for going from edge of breakup to a little raunch. It sounds like John Fogerty and Neil Young's guitar tones banged and had a baby. The cleans are so good and it's not overly bright. It has plenty of headroom and takes pedals like a champ too. Can't wait to gig this thing. Yes, it's a loud 15 watts, but it is totally usable and would give plenty of stage volume without going into full rage mode. Thanks to my sweet water reps for being God tier as well. Sold a Mesa Boogie Cali Tweed for this and I will never look back.

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Great Amp

I've had this amp for a year and I still love the way it sounds. The cleans are great and it breaks up nicely when cranked. I run a Tone King Ironman II Mini attenuator with it so I can get those overdriven tones without being too loud. While this amp is 15 watts, it's a loud 15 watts. The reverb is very nice. It's not as "wet" sounding as Fender reverb, but can still get some good… read more surf reverb tones. The cover is nice and heavy and will do a good job protecting the amp when transporting it.

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Tone for days. Less is more. Just outstanding.

I've had this a couple of months now, and got it based on the videos I'd seen online. Sadly, the first one I ordered got some water damage during shipping, (I live in a rural area). My engineer John Tonello got a replacement shipped right away. I have owned Fender '59 reissue, 65 amps Red Line, Mesa Boogie 5/25. This matches the tone in my head more than any amp. I play a Jeff Beck… read more sig and a Music Man BFR Cutlass through the Magnatone and they just sing. I usually AB the Magnatone with a Dr Z Jetta to get a nice wet/dry mix. The VARSITY also sounds great using an 8 Ohm extension cab with a Celestion G12 H30. Everything you hear on the videos is true. The touch sensitivity, the chime, the bass response are all there in spades. The reverb is like liquid Jesus. I can only imagine what the Stereo Panorama sounds like, but I certainly intend to find out. There are so many amps out there but at the $... mark for this handcrafted wonder, I doubt there's better value. The amp feels like complete quality without breaking your back and its a LOUD 15 watts. If you're in the market I highly recommend.

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Best small combo I’ve ever played

This amp is incredibly dynamic, responsive, and musical. It feels like betrayal when I use a pedal, though it takes pedals well. It is bright, but it can still do jazz very well. It is also drop-dead gorgeous.

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