Egnater Rebel 20

[M Fowler]

I know this is a tube amp building forum; however, I can't help it and just had to tell you about this little amp. First it has a small foot print but is big in volume. I found that I like the mix knob in the middle with both the 6v6 and el84 at the same time with the gain knob at 2 o'clock this amp has such good tone for lead runs and found myself playing for 2 hours of classic rock tunes before I finally stopped. You don't need any pedals with baby and I will find out soon if this is loud enough to use gigging as is without miking. I used a Dr Z 212 blues open back cab but will build a 1-12 cab for gigging.

Just to let you know I am right smack in to building my Liverpool so I do build amps as well, but nothing wrong with buying a $599 amp to play around with either. One great sounding amp in my opinion.

Mark

[Normster]

I saw one of those on display at the LA Amp Show. (Didn't get a chance to play one.) From an amp builder's perspective, I was amazed at how well it was laid out. When I peeked in the back I never expected to see EL84s AND 6V6s.

[Tubetwang]

599?:roll:

That is one nice scooore.

I like that amp!

Major Twang

[M Fowler]

The Rebel 20 has such a nice tone for my style of lead work that I am so impressed with it. Sure takes a load of pressure off me trying figure out my set-up for the Halloween gig coming up. I can't wait to play the Dr Z and Rebel together without any effects. Oh I forget I have to have my tremolo pedal with. My Boss/Fender reverb pedal sucks so I need to find something to replace that or go with out. My tremolo is a cheap Danelectro which has a great sound so maybe I should try is reverb pedal.

[Mickey_C]

Incredible features for $599:
-20-Watt All-Tube Head
-Variable Wattage Control from 1w to 20w
-Tube Mix Blends Between 6V6 and EL84 Power Tubes
-Master Volume, Gain, Three Band EQ
-Egnater Signature Tight and Bright Voicing Switches
-Effects Loop
-Powered by Groove Tubes
-100V/115V/230V Switchable
-Rugged Shoulder Bag Included
-Dimensions: 14.25 " (W) x 8.25 " (D) x 7.5" (H)
-Weight: 16 lb.
-Tubes: -3 x 12AX7 -2 x 6V6 -2 x EL84

599?!??!?!?!



How does he do it? My guess is CHINA for the whole amp, PCB, trannies, construction, and all. I don't see how else it's even possible.

Regardless, what a great time to buy an amp... it's turning into the golden age of amps, all over again.

[Mickey_C]

Oh yeah, if you haven't seen it... it looks BAD-ASS too!

[M Fowler]

I just dropped it off at the local guitar shop so the guys there can play with it this afternoon and I will pick it up later. They were all interested in trying this amp out. I had them play my Ceriatone Express and all they could say was wow no master volume that thing is loud and interesting sound. None of us have ever played through a real trainwreck and not sure some of these younger guys even know about trainwreck amps.

I will let you know what the commens were about the Rebel 20.

Mark

[roberto]

M Fowler,
how the "Variable Wattage Control from 1w to 20w" works?
Something like London Power Scaling?

[M Fowler]

Roberto

I do not know how that works and the amp guide that came with is basic. I would have to take the amp out of the head cab to find that out. Or I could see if Bruce Egnater is willing to discuss this with me.

I got your interest now don't I?

Mark

[roberto]

M Fowler,
it should be interesting to know how it works, if you ask or find it.
Thanks!!

[Mickey_C]

I discussed a little bit of DC power scaling with Bruce Egnater after loading up on day two. He told me "...that's nothing new, I've been doing that for years." I was bug-eyed, and he sounded casual and sincere.

If anybody doesn't already know, DC scaling uses discrete regulators on each node, following the filter caps, so you are not scaling the caps (hence the nomenclature Direct Control). It allows perfect control, as you can ramp each node differently as desired, voltage changes are instantaneous, and you can tie all controls back to a singular low voltage control - or even an expression pedal (I've been playing with that one myself).

If that is indeed what Bruce is doing, then his amps have state-of-the-art power controls too!

I'd be interested to peek inside myself - not to steal his designs, which are all on PCB anyway, but just to see if that's really what he is doing. It should be easy to determine looking at the power supply.

[M Fowler]

Mickey_C

Thanks for the info, hey I used to live in Gilbert AZ crossroads were warner and McQueen at the Islands Man. I don't miss the damn heat.

Mark

[benoit]

Holy crap! I saw this thread the other day and didn't look to see where the poster was from. Then I go in to the music shop where I teach guitar and there's a Rebel 20. Thought it must be a strange coincidence til today when I saw the post about bringing it in to Marguerite's! Nice to know there's another AGer in town.

[gearhead]

I just gave one a whirl at Guitarget. Holy Crap, took all my willpower not to walk out with it.

A pretty versatile puppy. Can go from clean and sparkly to uber gain with the guitars vol control only (if you set it up that way). The transition zone from clean to gain is a bit narrower than I would like, but heh it's 599.

Gain is definiitely more heavy and clipping than an EL-34 or 6L6 amp, in my limited time with the Rebel.

There's a lot to tweak, so maybe there are more tones/gain structures to explore. But what I got out of it was pretty cool.

[M Fowler]

Benoit

I brought my Ceriatone TW express clone in before that and had all three guitar techs there play through it, they all had comments but mostly about how loud it was.

The Rebel 20 is killer for me and works so good at the last band practise, but is not as clean as my DrZ Stangray so not sure if I will just use the Z live with pedals or go the dual amp route. I get such good harmonics with the rebel with the power turned down to 11 o'clock, mix at noon using both sets of power tubes and gain at 3 o'clock. THis thing gets very loud as well.

If you want to try this baby out let me know.

Mark