Blonde Series Amps

20W, 40W, and 80W Heads, and Combos

with Tremolo and optional London Power Scaling

You may purchase here, or we can also do 50% down to get started on any amp. Email with the specs and an invoice will be sent to you.

Be sure to inquire about NOS and ultra high end Hi-fi quality tubes sets.

Note: London Power Scaling is only for the 20W and 40W versions. I do not add reverb to these amps because the extra circuitry changes the tone. I suggest using my Classic Tube Reverb (which will outstrip any onboard reverb) or high-quality pedal.

We make 1x12, 2x12, 1x15, 2x10, and 4x10 matching ext. cabs for the Blonde Series. Amp covers in are also available Contact for pricing.

Blonde Series Amps

20W, 40W, and 80W Heads, and 1X12 20W Combo

with Tremolo.

In the early 60's Fender was producing it's Brownface and Blonde amps. They are some of best amps Fender ever produced.  My blonde series is based on the instrument channel of the larger Blonde amps like the Bassman, Bandmaster, Twin etc.  The Blonde Series amps have sparkle like the later Blackface amps but have a warmer mid range and respond beautifully to boosts, overdrive and distortion. The overdrive is smooth but aggressive perfect for rock and blues.  While it sounds great to crank it up amp it’s a nearly perfect pedal platform too.   Numerous improvements to the power section, small tweaks and layout corrections make my Blonde series exceed the originals while capturing the 60's clean and mean so many players are looking for. The bass and treble knobs are especially effective on these amps.  I also offer optional London Power Scaling or a bypassable master volume. The Power Scaling will make the amp very versatile and is highly recommended.

Options:

London Power Scaling with SAG Control:

London Power Scaling which solves non-master volume loudness issue. Power scaling allows the player to dial in anything from full power down to 1/10W.  So, these amps are capable of playing anything from a bedroom to a club to a stadium (depending on the wattage you choose).  Many amps have "wattage" and "power" controls that sound unnatural.  London Power Scaling is different from most of these and very transparent.  Plus, in any setting below full power it extends the life of the power tubes.  

The SAG control allows you to get the amp to have different feels ranging from the tight solid-state rectifier sound to warm and compressed tube rectifier sounds.  

Hot Channel in place of Tremolo:

I can add a second hot channel that will give you a vintage overdrive tone in place of the tremolo. It’s great option for those who don’t use tremolo and want some more overdriven tonal textures.

Blackface Ultra-Clean Channel:

A cleaner scooped mid-range Blackface Channel can be added in place the tremolo. It will give the later 60’s Fender tone.

Features:

All Tube Hand wired Circuit

High and Low Inputs

8 Ohm and Extension Speaker Outs

Volume, Bass, Treble, Presence, Depth and Speed Controls, FAT Switch 

Solid State Rectifier for Punchy low end

Tremolo with footswitch

6V6 power Tubes for 20 W and 5881 power tubes for 40 and 80 watt versions

Weber Vintage Series Ceramic Speakers for 20W Combos, Eminence Legend in 40W Combos, and Eminence Lil’ Texas Neos 2x12 80W

 Parts:

 Custom wound and Hammond Transformer sets, Malory 150 and Panasonic Tone Caps, Special Resistor Selection for the lowest noise and best tone, Carling Switches, Neutrik and Switchcraft  jacks,  JJ's Tubes, High Quality Tube Sockets,  Finger Joined Pine Cabs, Weber or Eminence Speakers depending on model.

What Folks are Saying about the Blondes:

“Hi Carl,
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, but I have been down for a bit with a bad cold and just this morning unboxed and played the Blonde 20W head and cabinet. Thank you for building it and shipping it ahead of schedule, really appreciate it. Your packing is amazing; it definitely could withstand the worst the shippers could throw at it.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how lightweight both the head and cabinet are. At this point in my playing, I really try to make all my gear lightweight (all of my guitars are Fender CS Ultralights made of paulownia).
The amp itself sounds absolutely amazing! The bands I have been in are all instrumental surf guitar, so we really appreciate that early 60s blonde sound, particularly when paired with a reverb unit. When I hooked the Blonde 20W up to my reverb unit, that was the sound of the Astronauts.
Thank you very much Carl!
All the best,
Paul”

“Good morning sir,

Just a note to say that this amp is the best I've heard.  I'm loving it so far.  I haven't been able to spend as much time with it as I'd like but that will change.  Loving it so far.”

Ben P.

Recently acquired a Blonde 40 with London Power Scaling in Tweed with Dark Lacquer from Carl’s Custom Amps. First, I’ll state this is my third piece from Carl and the build quality is The Very Best I’ve owned and all three are Stunning to look at and Perfectly constructed. This Blonde 40 is a Tone Machine! Carl is Masterful in his design and build and his knowledge of Tube amps comes through with every note. The Tremelo is stunning , the Tone is a dream and I could not be more satisfied. Carl was fantastic to work with and super helpful at every question asked and always immediate responses and great feedback. I have found my Amp Guru after chasing tone for 30 plus years. I’ll say this if you are considering a Carl’s Custom Amp…. Get you Some!!! You shall not be disappointed!!!

Thanks Carl,

John McNally

“Hi Carl,

Just writing to thank you for the amp. After playing it for about a week I can say without a doubt it is truly wonderful. I appreciate the time you took to reply to my emails and the chat on the phone to answer all my dumb questions. Your knowledge of the tone I was seeking and recommendation for this model of amp was spot on.

I admit I was second guessing going with the dark tweed cosmetics but as soon as I took it out of the box I realized how perfect it was. Just stunning. So glad I went that route and would recommend it to others. To me, your amp isn't just another piece of equipment, it's a work of art, both outside and in. And with the power scaling it's easy to dial in a beautiful tone without annoying the neighbors.

I look forward to years of playing with this amp. Thanks again.

Best,

Jeff”

“Howdy, Carl.
I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with your Blonde 40w amp! This thing sounds exactly like I hoped it would. I can easily get full, sweet sounding fender clean tones with all the controls at 10 o'clock, and bright, scooped blackface tones with the bass and treble at 3 o'clock. It loves my strat and my tele. The real surprise came when I plugged in the les paul and turned down the bass and master volume, with the preamp volume nearly all the way up- This amp absolutely NAILS the early EVH sound!!! I can't believe how easy it is to get any sound I wanted!! The gain range and EQ on this amp is more useful than anything else I have owned, and over the last 25+ years I've owned nearly every famous amp you can think of. This is also dead silent quiet as far as noise is concerned, and the tremolo is absolutely perfect. It just sounds fantastic at every setting! I wish I had tried one of your amps years ago! Your build quality is quite impressive, as well. If anyone wishes their amp sounded better, they need to buy one from Carl! Every time I hear this amp, I can't help but smile- its hard to stop playing when it sounds this great! Thanks again, Carl. Your amps are absolutely PERFECT right out of the box.”

Chris W

"Dear Carl,

Here’s my review! Sorry it took so long—I have been spending basically every free minute playing your amp. Feel free to use this review on your website or anywhere else you feel it might be useful.

The Blonde 20w is easily the best sounding and most versatile tube amp I’ve ever played. It is incredibly responsive to playing dynamics and all the controls are all fully usable in every setting. Seriously, I haven’t gotten a bad or unusable sound out of this amp. Basically, there isn’t a single bad setting on this amp I’ve been able to find—they all sound great.

The London Power Scaling makes this amp endlessly versatile. I can go from practicing in a bedroom without disturbing housemates to easily playing over a drummer, without any noticeable change in feel or tone when the scaling is in effect. It is easily as user-friendly and accessible as my Blues Cube, but sounds far better.

The tone of this amp is stellar. It is articulate and the highs are present without being overbearing. With the Power Scaling, beautiful tube overdrive is easily accessible at any volume. As mentioned before, the controls on this amp are powerful—the usable range on every knob is basically it’s entire sweep. The tremolo is smooth and strong and is an awesome addition to an already amazing amp.

The cosmetics and build quality are second to none. Carl is a consummate professional and a gift to all those who love great amps. The experience with Carl was awesome and he is always super helpful and pleasant.

If you are looking for an endlessly usable and versatile amp that can do basically anything from play small bedrooms to clubs but that features true tube tone, get one of these. With the Power Scaling, this amp is as versatile and user friendly as a Roland Blues Cube, but sounds vastly better and can be serviced until the end of time. Try doing that with a PCB amp...

In short, this is the best amp I’ve ever owned, and it was worth every single penny and every second of the build time. If anything happened to it, I’d replace it with another from Carl immediately. I won’t ever be buying amps anywhere else and I’m already scheming on ways to get another one from him soon. If you’re on the fence about getting an amp from Carl, climb down and order one. I guarantee you’ll be blown away. It’s truly vintage tone with modern ease-of-use and user accessibility, all in a handmade package built by someone who knows exactly what he is doing. Buy one! Seriously."

Mark V.
Note: Mark has an amp with the London Power Scaling option.

“Hi Carl,

I have no idea what a real early 60’s fender Blonde sounded like but I fail to understand how it can sound any better than the amp you built for me. Keep in mind this is after two days of play. I’m as giddy as a school girl thinking what it’ll sound like it 6 months when the amp is completely broken in! 

It looks great, sounds great. Awesome amp!  Thank you so much.”

Matt M

“Thanks so much, Carl. I just played for an hour, set the Master low and Volume to light breakup. Using touch and guitar volume control yields a wide range of tones without touching any other controls—just great

Thanks again for your work,”

Mark S

"I’ve finally gotten to spend a few moments with my new amp.  Couldn’t be more satisfied or impressed.  Thank you!  The cosmetics are perfect.  The sound is of course impeccable, but you already know that.  I am looking forward to using it more.  Thanks Carl!"

Jess

"The amp arrived yesterday--it's fantastic! I've been frustrated with "blackface" amps for a while--too strident, not enough guts in the midrange--and I couldn't be happier with this amp. Really nice top end, really full-sounding without being congested... It's really, really nice. I'll get to crank it at rehearsal tonight and see how it does in that environment, but so far it's exactly what I hoped for.

Thank you!"

Jamie

"Hey Carl, this Yann from France, I've received the amp on Wednesday and I have to say I am totally amazed! This Blonde 20W is just wonderful. I love it so so much, this is the kind of amp that you instantly know you will keep forever. The other one that made me feel that way was a Quinn Deluxe Brown replica, and I thought it was a one time in a life feeling, I was wrong. Truly an awesome amp! "

Yann

"Carl,

Thanks so much for a job well done...This little thing is incredible!.....

As I continue to learn the amp's "personality", it's continuing to impress me.Eagles, check... Petty, check. Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, check!  I love this little gem!

Brian M

"very nice job!
amp is the quietest I have ever had for a tube rig at idle..!!
sweet warm sound especially through the low input..
flawless reverb.l..great, comfortable handle and not too heavy!
great tone all the way around around..cannot say enough..
now to gig with it...tomorrow maiden voyage..
thanks Carl..well worth the wait!
Rick"

"Man. I just bought your CPC-20 at a guitar show. I could not be happier. What a fantastic amp! Nails that Fender clean with wonderful separation of notes and is still really hearty and can take pedals that some amps fuzz out on. I love it. Just wanted to thank you for what you do. I will so recommend your amps to my friends. Have a great day!"

Brian