Top Hat Super Deluxe. Anyone used one?

[Stafford]

Looking at pulling the trigger on a used Top Hat Super Deluxe 1x12. Anyone have any experience with these amps? Not a lot of info on the web.

Thanks Stafford.

[velorush]

Paging JohnnyB (resident Top Hat endorser - if one ever came anywhere near this area, he's already sold me)!

[JohnnyB]

I have had a Club Deluxe (20w via 2 6V6, 12" Celestion Greenback, out of production) for 15 years. The Super Deluxe takes the same basic format but with a pair of 6L6s making 33w and a larger transformer to match the power demands. It's also available in 1x12 or 2x12 configuration.

List price for a 1x12 Super Deluxe is about $2K. If your used one is significantly less than that and in excellent working order, I'd recommend jumping on it if it's the kind of amp you want. That is, if you like simple circuit vintage type amps that are expressive, well built, and touch responsive, you'd like the Top Hat. If you're looking for high gain buzzy shred tones, look elsewhere.

There are several features that I really like about my Top Hat to the point that it nearly spoils me for anything else. If I were a better guitarist, it would spoil me for sure:

Its cabinetry is top notch, made of Baltic birch laminate. Parts and components are top notch as well, from the transformer to the pots--which have a broader range than we're used to--to the speakers available, the grill cloth and tolex, fit and finish, you name it. The tone controls can dramatically change the tonal balance. The midrange knob alone can scoop the midrange or put it in your face.

Parts and build quality, however, can't begin to describe how touch sensitive and responsive this amp is. When playing a single coil guitar into it, the sound almost seems to jump out of the speaker before you're done picking the notes. Tone is warm and full, but not soupy and syrupy. It has that rich liquid tube sound so reminiscent of vintage amps, but is not wooly or rolled off. It has a "Cut" knob which can roll down the very high treble without affecting the regular treble. This enables you to dial out certain noises and buzzes without affecting the primary tonal balance. Turned the other way, the Cut knob can open up the top end more, producing an airier sound than we're used to. It is also high in resolution, making it easy to hear differences in pickup height and polepiece adjustment, and different types of string sets.

Whether you want subtle expressiveness or lots of "jump" dynamics, the Top Hats deliver on both. The more I played mine the more I liked it.

Another thing about Top Hats and other good boutique amps--their top notch parts and simple signal paths result in a clearer, more present sound that cuts through the mix in a way that belies its size and power rating. I took my Top Hat to a jam where the other 6 or so guitarists had 50-100 watt rigs with at least 2x12 speaker configs, except for one other guy who had a 1x12 18w Matchless. Our amps tore the place up. Even when two or three of the other guitarists were all playing, when Mark or I would come in, it would cut right through the mix and take over the room. At the store where I bought mine, the owner also gigged out and told of his experience taking a 20w Top Hat 1x12 to a club venue that held around 300. He dimed the volume at the amp and controlled the clean-to-dirty profile by adjusting his guitar's master volume. He said the gig went great, he had plenty of volume, and this setup gave him exactly what he was looking for in clean-to-distorted sounds.

Of course, this was a classic rock/cover gig, and I wouldn't suggest that it would have been sufficient for death- or industrial metal, either for volume or level of distortion.

These things sound killer with Strat and Tele type guitars as well as humucker Hamer Artists and my now-departed Phantom Custom really lit it up with any of the pickup selections.

[Stafford]

JohnnyB

Thanks for taking the time to provide me with some great information. It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for in an amp. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on it today. I'll keep you posted.

Stafford

[Stafford]

Picked up the Top Hat today. Tonights activities will include a couple beers while I test out the new toy. Here's a quick pic with my 95 Hamer. My partner in crime tonight!! Thanks for the great help JohnnyB.

Stafford.

http://m939.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/Stafford1231/SANY2175_zps3b3215c5.jpg.html?o=0

[JohnnyB]

Here ya go:

[DaveH]

Congrats, these are nice amps (nice guitar and nice dog too)! Cranks that puppy til you find the sweet spot, and use your guitar volume to roll the drive up or down.