A boy and his amp: Big Elvis digs the 'Lil Elvis'
(Dave Molter | Posted 2010-01-12)
Introduced in 2009 by boutique amp crafters 65 amps, the Lil Elvis guitar amp has found an advocate in another Elvis ... Costello, that is.
Of his namesake amp, Costello says: “65amps [Lil Elvis] is now my main stage amp. I don't play a lot of notes, so the sound has got to count. Whether I’m using my original Jazzmaster, my ‘52 Tele or overdriving the amp with a super evil, Super 400 from 1970s, the “65” delivers the sound I expect and hope to hear, regardless of whatever my fingers are doing. It’s a real boon, since I discovered my ‘54 Tweed Fender Deluxe doesn't travel as well as a singer of the same vintage.”
The compact, handwired Lil Elvis perfectly suits any musician who desires inspired tone in a portable form. Based around some lost designs from the ‘60s best amp designer, the Lil Elvis is based on a 2xEL84 power section, a 12AX7 front end and a clean output of 12 Watts. Lil Elvis also features 65amps’ proprietary Master Voltage power technology, which keeps the entire vocabulary, authority, and response down to 2 or 3 Watts, making Lil Elvis an outstanding recording, small club or large stage amp, especially when in-ear monitors are required. The Lil Elvis is available in both a 1x12 combo or a head with matching 1x12 cabinet. Other features include a passive FX loop, 2 speaker outs, a unique tremolo and tone for days.
Although it might be a hard sell to convince today's younger guitarists that a low-powered amp can be made to sound huge using the correct technology, the Lil Elvis goes a long way toward dispelling the myth that bigger is always better.
65amps was conceived in 2004 when partners Dan Boul and guitarist Peter Stroud created a custom amp for Peter to use on stage with Sheryl Crow. Today 65amps’ range of guitar and bass amplifiers delivers surprising power at low volume, amazingly versatile tone and meticulous, road-worthy craftsmanship. You’ll find 65amps on stage and in the studio with a wide variety of players including Richie Sambora, Bruce Springsteen, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, and Peter Frampton, just to name a few.
Street price on the Lil Elvis head is $1895; the Lil Elvis combo sells for $2295.
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Find out more at www.65amps.com
Compiled from a 65amps press release.
