Mack Amps Launches Gem 2G Guitar Amp

[DonMack]

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (January 31, 2011) – The new Gem '2G' boutique guitar amplifier is now available at www.MackAmps.com.

The Gem 2nd Generation (2G), available direct for $449.00, features enhanced overdrive and distortion voicing, more clean headroom and its two gain stages can now be selected by a foot switch.

"The big news is the new preamp design and the foot switch feature that effectively makes the 2G a two channel amp," said Mack Amps founder Don Mackrill. "The re-voiced preamp has more clean headroom and still produces gorgeous crunch in the Hot setting and the Melt setting has even sweeter distortion than the original Gem."

The Gem 2G includes Mack's innovative power switching feature that lowers its output from 4 watts to 0.4 watts without changing tone. Unlike many low power amps that use a preamp tube in the power stage, the 2G's lush tones come from an EL84 power tube.

Behind the scenes, the Gem 2G's power supply also got some attention. "A sign of a well designed amp is how quiet it is," Mackrill said. "The original Gem was already quiet for a single-ended amp, but we continued to innovate and the 2G's hum is almost inaudible."

Mackrill had this to say about the Gem 2G's position within the crowded 'Under-10-Watt' amp market:

"Compared to a $200 to $300 amp made overseas that needs an upgrade kit for another $100 to even $300 and a bunch of your time to make it sound good, the Gem 2G sounds fantastic right out of the box, has way more flexibility and is hand made in Toronto for about the same price or even less."

Mack Amps hand makes boutique guitar amplifiers and sells them direct for prices much less than traditional boutique amps. The result is a loyal and growing following of guitarists who love their Mack amps.

The Gem 2G:

• 4 watts switchable to 0.4 watts
• 1 X EL84 cathode biased, Class A
• 1 x NOS 6AC10 triple triode preamp tube
• Switchable preamp gain stages/channels - front panel and footswitch
• Volume, gain, tone controls
• Anodized aluminum, red cabinet
• 8" W x 5 1/2" H x 4" D
• 4 lb
• 117/120 VAC, 60 Hz

For more info, visit http://www.mackamps.com/gem-head-combo/

[Lacking Talent]

Any plans to offer an effects loop in this model?

[DonMack]

Hi LT,

Thanks for your question.

The short answer to your question is: we have no plans to add an effects loop to the Gem.

Here's why:

• For a time we offered FX loops in our Heatseeker and Skyraider amps, but we discontinued them because few customers wanted them. That experience leads us to believe that while there is a lot of interest on forums and generally on the Net, the actual demand for loops is not great. Or, at least demand is not high for a loop type that we would ever consider adding to our amps (see below) that would add substantially to the cost of the product.
• We would only ever provide a full featured all-tube effects loop (if you're going to do it, might as well do it right!). This would require another tube, send and return level controls, parallel/series switch and send and return jacks. All that would require a lot more space thereby requiring an increase the Gem's overall size and it would add considerably to the cost. The extent of the change would not be warranted by the demand.

So, based on the above an effects loop for the Gem isn't on our radar screen. Let me know if you have other questions.

[Lacking Talent]

Been away from the board for a bit, Don, just now saw your reply -- thanks much for taking the time to elaborate!