So, if you’ve been following the story of the Marshall AFD100 guitar amp, you may be interested to know that Slash has finally got his mitts (and his Les Paul) on the prototype version.

The AFD100′s progress has been interesting. Since it was announced at NAMM, interested geeks have been able to follow its progress through design, construction and testing at its dedicated web site. Marshall, over at the AFD site, announced that Slash had just had a chance to play the prototype and they’ve, very kindly, videoed him doing so.

Marshall tell us that the sound on the video is from the camera mic only. Even so, it gives a good indication of the final sound and, to be fair, Slash seems happy.

The AFD100 (or Appetite For Destruction 100) is based on the mythical Marshall that was used by Slash to record Appetite with Guns n’ Roses. In the video you can see Slash run through a number of classic GNR riffs

This is the OPC (which I’m relatively sure stands for nothing more complicated than ‘Orange PC’).

A computer in an amp?

Orange announced it recently and the associated news article on their web site carries the headline “Orange launches its new PC division”.

I don’t normally just paste in press release text but, in this case I think I will.  I’ll come back to my own views after the release – hope that’s ok.

Orange Amplifiers, the British based pioneering force in guitar amplifiers, are proud to announce the launch of the revolutionary all-in-one computer amplifier speaker – The OPC.

The project has been several years in the making and as a pioneering force in guitar amplifiers, they have used their expertise in sound technology, engineering and electronics to build a new generation of computers that incorporate the best of both worlds: latest computer technology with integrated tools for the modern musician and music lovers.

The revolutionary all-in-one computer amplifier speaker – The OPC is 100% designed and built in the UK. It is a fully integrated computer with internal speaker which delivers playing, recording, editing and computing capabilities to musicians and music aficionados. This is the first computer of its kind that you can connect yourself and your music to the digital world simply by plugging in your instrument.

The OPC will be leading the way with a number of ‘Firsts’:

• The first computer of its kind to have a built-in high powered speaker which delivers superb full range hi-fi quality sounds as well as vintage guitar sounds.
• The first computer to have a universal input jack enabling users to plug in a multitude of musical instruments (guitar, keyboard etc ) and peripherals such as the iPod, MP3 players, microphone’s.
• A unique cooling system to ensure air goes in and exits only after cooling the internal computer

As a fully fledged computer it has 4GB DDR2 RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, Intel chips, Windows 7 x64 home premium, 8 x USB2.0 ports, is Wi-Fi enabled and has a graphics card with optional ATI 5670 512MB card for those who may want to play a few games while they put their guitars down. The first models will include modelling software incorporating computer samples of vintage and current Orange amps and cabinets as well as free branded recording software package. Once plugged in, you can then use the software included to create music or choose your guitar sound and then play, record and hear your guitar through the computer!

The OPC is compact, very portable, sexy and beautifully Orange! It takes many of its design cues from Orange’s, instantly recognisable, brightly coloured Orange Amplifiers and picture-frame cabinets and once again makes Orange stand out from the crowd.

The OPC is due to be released in June 2010 and the price will be announced shortly. For further information news please see the website www.orangeamps.com

I have to admit, I have my doubts about this one.  On the face of it, it’s an interesting idea.  Build a computer right into your amp cabinet and connect it so that recording your magnum opus is easy and requires no faffing about with interface cables and whatnot.

The thing is, this isn’t really a computer in an amp.  It’s more like an amp in a computer.  If that.

It’s not completely clear from the release (and I’ll be happy to retract if someone points out I’m wrong) but it seems this is basically a PC in an orange wooden box with a slightly bigger speaker than you have in/beside the computer on which you’re reading this.  It doesn’t seem that it functions as a standalone amp and sounds as if you need to boot the PC and run an amp modelling application before you can make any guitar noise.

I’ve seen worried comments around the net about the concern over big magnetic speakers next to hard disks and components being shaken loose from serious rocking.  My understanding, from what I’ve read about the OPC, is that those things aren’t going to be an issue. They’re not an issue in your current PC and, as this seems not to be all that different, if you buy one, you probably don’t need to worry about them.

While it’s certainly much prettier than the beige, plastic box you’re currently using to rest your monitor on, I’m slightly at a loss as to the point of this.  Based on what I know so far, it seems like the answer to a question nobody asked.  So it saves you connecting a recording interface up with a firewire or USB cable – how much of a hassle is that really?

There’s currently no word on pricing but one thing to bear in mind if you’re considering it:  Its a PC and, as such, will be well on the way to being obsolete in something between 18 months and three years. Orange may have considered this eventuality in their new PC division and have upgrade/replacement plans laid out. If not though, and if you’re paying a premium for an (admittedly very nice) Orange wooden box around your PC, remember it could end up being a pretty doorstop in a few years.

Personally, I’d buy a recording interface for my current computer and one of Orange’s rather lovely sounding real amps instead.

A couple of weeks ago, we took a brief look at some of the new amps launched by Orange at this years NAMM.

Time to take a closer look at one of them.

This is the Orange Rockerverb II.  With it, Orange plans to build on the original Rockerverb reputation and to improve the specification and range available.  Orange tell us that the new Rockerverbs have been upgraded based on feedback received from both endorsers and players.

The new Rockerverb range includes both a 50-watt and 100-watt head and a 50-watt combo (available in both 2×12 and now, 1×12 formats).  All have the following features

• Enhanced valve F/X loop offering a totally transparent sound
• Improved reverb tone which delivers an unforgettable sound across all levels
• New middle control on the clean channel

The Rockerverb combo models have been redesigned to have front-mounted controls.

Orange’s press release reads:

All models and built using tried and tested top quality components and deliver the legendary orange sound. From Chiming tube driven reverbs to sparkling tube driven effects loops and ultra high gain distortions these are rightly regarded as the most versatile guitar amps on the market delivering some of the purest guitar tones in the business.

The new range of Rockerverb heads and combos will be launched in March 2010.

Marshall Apmplification got a lot of attention at NAMM when Guns n’ Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist, Slash, made an unusual announcement.

Slash announced that Marshall would recreate the amplifier he used to record the Appetite For Destruction album.

The amp, which will be called the AFD100 (Appetite For Destruction, get it?), will hopefully be released in the summer of 2010 but, and this is the unusual bit, the public can follow the development of the amp on a dedicated website.

From the concept, to the initial design work, to the circuit schematics and planning, to the building and testing (including testing by Slash himself), you can follow the progress of the AFD100 on the net.

Marshall promise video content, news, blog entries as well as interviewers with the designers, the builders and, of course, the man himself – Slash.

Regarding the amp, itself, Marshall tell us that the amp used by Slash on Appetite was a JCM 800 2203. What makes things a little more intriguing however, is that the amp was actually rented for AFD and had been ‘modded’ before Slash got it.  The story goes that Slash liked it so much that he ‘forgot’ to give it back to the rental company who had to, eventually, come and steal it from the studio.

In a splendid, folklore-type ending, the amp has since vanished.

Marshall and Slash will work together to unlock the mysteries of this magical amp and, hopefully, unleash it on us amp-buying, tone-hounds next summer.

Frickin’ brilliant.

Keep an eye on the AFD100 site to track it’s progress.

Want to look like a Mammoth, Towering Colossus Of Rock?

You need the new, Marshall Dave Mustaine Megastack, then.

Park one of these in your backline and you will look monstrously huge on stage. Basically because, despite the mega name, this is essentially a microstack.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

The Megastack comprises a 15-watt head with four channels (yep, four) just like Dave’s own JVM rigs.  You can choose from clean, crunch and a couple of overdrives named New Wave Of British Metal and Holy Solo.

Nice.

A three-way tone stack and built in reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser and delay add to the versatility while you also get a couple of ins and outs (line in for CD/MP3 jam-along and a line out/headphone with speaker emulation).

The unit comes with two speaker cabinets to make up the stack.  Each cab contains a 10″ Celestion speaker.

A footswitch is available (but optional) and provides easy control for channel switching and tap-tempo as well as control for the built in tuner.  The footswitch is ‘Stompware’ which allows you to use it with a standard guitar cable – no need for proprietary cables.

The Megastack is a limited edition and is currently a US-only product.  Pricing and availability to follow.

Orange have been keeping busy and have used NAMM to launch a number of new models.

First up, pictured left, is the new addition to the, very popular, Tiny Terror range.  We’ve always had a soft spot for the lunch-pail Tiny Terror.  Those of you who don’t have – or don’t want – extension cabs around the place however, can get your Tiny Terror in combo form.

This new addition to the Tiny Terror Combo range is even more tiny and comes loaded with a Celestion G10 Vintage speaker.  This unit sits a little below the 12″ version already available and given the Terror’s handy low-wattage switching arrangement (15/7 watts) should make the range even more attractive to those with limited space or neighbours with limited patience.

The new Thunder 30 amps are designed to replace the Rocker 20 series.  There are two models (head and combo) and both are 30-watt, twin channel amps, with four EL84′s.  The combo comes with a 12″ Celestion.  Both amps also feature an effects loop.

Rockerverb II adds some extra bells and whistles to the popular Rockerberb line – namely, improved effects loop, better reverb tone and the addition of a mid control on the clean channel.  The line is extended with the addition of the Rockerverb 50-watt combo.

Lastly, the Crush range has the Crush Pix available in black.  While that’s maybe not so big a deal, the addition of a new bass combo – the CR100 BXT – should make for a bit more interest.  Boasting 100 watts and a 15″ speaker, it should help keep our lower-end brothers and sisters happy.

Line 6 are giving away more stuff.  Only a few days ago, we looked at their Propellerhead Record/POD Studio GX offer and now they’re at it again.

For the month of December, if you buy a Spider IV amplifier AND an FBV foot-contoller for it you can get yourself a Backtrack portable digital recorder for freeeeee.

The Backtrack is a pocket-sized unit specially designed for guitarists.  It has a full 1/4″ input and output and high-quality audi recording to flash memory.  USB connection will import your recorded audio to your favourite DAW and charge the battery at the same time.  The Backtrack retails for $139.99, making this a nice offer if you’re considering splurging on a Spider amp.

Bear in mind though, that not all Spiders qualify.  Qualifying Line 6 purchases for this promotion include only Spider IV 75, 120, 150, HD150 amps and the FBV Shortboard MkII foot controller.

Still, if you’ve got your eye on one, why not get something back?  Backtrack!

See what I did there?

The offer is US only (bah!) and you need to send in receipts and whatnot.  More here.

A little while back, we heard the PRS Sweet 16 amplifier.  Time now to go up to its big brother, the PRS 30.

PRS say that the 30 gives you an ‘English sound with an American twist’.  Obviously enough, it’s a 30-watt valve amp.  It’s got four EL84 valves to provide the crunch and has a rather clever master volume that is progressively dialled out of circuit as the amp’s volume reaches its maximum setting.  The 30 is available in both head and combo versions – all made in the US (Stevensville, Maryland).

So here you go.  Have a listen – see what you think.

We talked about the Marshall Class 5 amp on it’s release a while back and it’s safe to say we were looking forward to hearing how it sounded.

The Class 5 is a low-powered 5-watt amp in the style of the Bluesbreaker combos (albeit smaller).  ECC83s in the preamp and an EL84 handling power promised Marshall valve crunch.

Now you can hear how it sounds.

Joe Bonamassa demos the Class 5, both in a band context and by showing how it sounds at different settings.

So, what do you think?  Does it do it for you?  Does the Class 5 rock your world?

We talked, a while back, about PRS’ new Sweet 16 amplifier.

Remember?  A 16-watt 6V6-based head with a master volume.  It seemed pretty tempting to say the least.  It looked great, the specs were great.  The only thing left was how it sounded.

Well, now you can find out.

Below is Mike Clark playing through the Sweet 16 and attached 1 x 12″ cab. For the pedants, he’s playing a 305 and McCarty.