Allen Encore

[bigben55]

Tell me about it, those of you who've owned or played one.

The clips I've heard sounded killer. How well does the master volume work (as in not drastically change the dialed in tone)? 35 watts can be a lot, too much unless that master works well.

Would you buy a "not built personally by David Allen" Allen amp? I have the luxury of living 35 minutes from him, so if I did buy one I would take it to him for a once over.

 

[ruger9]

I assume you have seen this? Makes me want one.... I've been drooling over this clip for years....

 

[mad dog]

I did buy one not built by him. In fact, it's an Encore head built by a guy in NJ before David A. even sold the amp in kit form. This guy got David to sell him all parts but the faceplate and headcab, plus a schematic. Then he did all the work. A few cold solder joints stalled the amp once. Other than that, a totally reliable work horse.

Easily one of my favorite amps ever, any vintage. I've experimented quite a bit with tubes. Tried 6v6s, cool, but not quite the best. All manner of new and old 6L6s. Some very good, others not so much. NOS RCA blackplate 6L6s are the ticket here. Just as good in their own way, NOS Tung Sol 5881s. The amp is very responsive to preamp tube changes. So I tried so many. Can't remember the final choices, cause it sounds so good now, I stopped messing around and just play it.

The MV is extremely useful. It's the MV - combined with judicious use of the Raw knob - that help make this amp so versatile. Set it one way for low/medium volume music room practice. On stage, MV goes back up. I've had several excellent 35 to 40 watt amps. This is the one that stays, due in no small part to the MV and Raw knob. Controls aside, it just sounds so good. The stock OT is part of why. Some people put in the higher rated OT, the one David uses in the Old Flame. I stay with the stock OT because it has the perfect balance of clarity and overdrive. Would not want to lose that.

Tonally, the encore is quite VR like. It's everything I love about the old VRs, but much more useful to me. Both of my favorite BF sounding amps are like this one, being one channel "inspired by" rather than close replicas of famous fender models. (The other is by another David, David Gries. The Gries 20, his homage to the BFDR.)

What a luxury, to live so close to Allen Amps. David is a friendly, very helpful guy. I'd love to meet him someday.

 

[bigben55]

Saw that. Awesome!

Problem is, I'd have to sell one of my 2 amps to buy it and I don't want to. I love both of them, a Richter 5E3 and a 1966 Super Reverb. The SR just sounds so good, amazing even, and I can't see selling it. Ever. The 5E3 is replaceable, but it too is an amazing amp.

Would the Encore sound "choked" at cranked 5E3 volumes? That amp is JUST enough (75 watt ceramic speaker). The Encore would have to be my small room amp too, which leads me to MV questions. I'm not normally a MV fan.

 

[ruger9]

The MV is extremely useful. It's the MV - combined with judicious use of the Raw knob - that help make this amp so versatile. .

Tonally, the encore is quite VR like. It's everything I love about the old VRs, but much more useful to me. .

I always thought (based on the demo above) the Encore would be very much like a vintage VR, then by adding the RAW into the mix, it morphs into a CVR, with more gain/lower headroom....? Sort of the best of both worlds.

 

[mad dog]

The encore does not sound choked or boxy at medium and lower volumes. But please bear in mind, my experience is with an Encore head, and various cabs. Tried it with 2x12s, 1x15s, and most recently, a 12+10 cab. This last cab is by far the best. It could well be a different story with a combo version, no way for me to tell. But I suspect the Encore would be quite volume versatile regardless of format. What works for me: Roll off the master to about 2 oclock or so. Add 1.5 to 2 max on the Raw knob. Set the channel volume at 10:30 or 11. At those settings, it's my main amp for playing at home. And I do have an excellent small tweed 1x12 to compare it with, an EC Tremolux. The ECT is a fine amp, but I use the Encore much more often, as it sounds so good, and gets such a cool edge at medium volumes set as described.

And Ruger, it's way better than a CVR. Just my opinion ...
MDS

 

[ruger9]

And Ruger, it's way better than a CVR. Just my opinion ...
MDS

Well I think that goes w/o saying, I was just talking from a "tonal variety" standpoint. Disregarding the BUILDS, just that you could have the vintage VR (headroom) if you need it, or the new CVR (low headroom/more drive/thicker tone) if you need it.... that RAW control is a pretty darn cool thing.

I have read in the past that buyers have asked David (Allen) if he could make the RAW feature footswitchable, and he replied "unfortunately, no"

 

[bigben55]

Too bad I ain't made of money, because I'd buy one in a second. It's just, I love both my current amps too much to sell one. Played them both loud for a couple hours yesterday, I can't part with either

 

[thunderbyrd]

oh, no, no, no, Big Ben! you don't want that awful amp. pure junk and a waste of your money...cause if it can sit there for another 2 weeks, it's coming home with me! actually, i'm surprised it's still not sold...

 

[thunderbyrd]

well, it's gone off c-list this morning. somebody is a happy camper today.

 

[moosie]

I love my 1x12 Encore, and highly recommend them to anyone wanting a quality hand-wired Fender-inspired amp. The MV and Raw are very nice extras, and I love the tube bias tremolo.

I built mine from a kit, purchased during one of David's 10% off sales. Excellent email support diagnosing what turned out to be a bad reverb tank (and super-fast part replacement).

It's my first build (not counting some HeathKits back in the 60s), and is the quietest amp I've never heard.

The 1x12 cab is perfectly done, and is sized like a DR, but 1" taller and deeper. Those 6L6 cleans sound big.

I'd never buy someone else's kit build. They're easy to build if you can follow instructions and pay attention to the details. But there are way too many things to mess up if you do neither. David's kits are priced VERY reasonably, and unlike many, the directions are detailed and flawless, the parts are high quality, etc.

That said, I think it's probably a bad idea to build a kit to save money. Do it because you enjoy it, otherwise you'll be one of those who ends up with a possibly crap amp you're trying to move on CL. >ahem<

 

[bigben55]

well, it's gone off c-list this morning. somebody is a happy camper today.

Bummer dude. It wasn't me.

I thought long and hard about it though. I can see the Encore being "the" perfect "only amp one owns" amp. 35 watts is loud enough for anything nowadays but the MV and Raw make it small room usable. But having a BFSR and a 5E3, it just didn't fit my current amps needs.

If i ever own an Allen, and I WILL, it'll either be an Encore, Brown Sugar or Accomplice.

 

[BlueCajun]

I love my 1x12 Encore, and highly recommend them to anyone wanting a quality hand-wired Fender-inspired amp. The MV and Raw are very nice extras, and I love the tube bias tremolo.

I built mine from a kit, purchased during one of David's 10% off sales. Excellent email support diagnosing what turned out to be a bad reverb tank (and super-fast part replacement).

It's my first build (not counting some HeathKits back in the 60s), and is the quietest amp I've never heard.

The 1x12 cab is perfectly done, and is sized like a DR, but 1" taller and deeper. Those 6L6 cleans sound big.

I'd never buy someone else's kit build. They're easy to build if you can follow instructions and pay attention to the details. But there are way too many things to mess up if you do neither. David's kits are priced VERY reasonably, and unlike many, the directions are detailed and flawless, the parts are high quality, etc.

That said, I think it's probably a bad idea to build a kit to save money. Do it because you enjoy it, otherwise you'll be one of those who ends up with a possibly crap amp you're trying to move on CL. >ahem<

Hey Moosie, did you get the cab from David (or did the kit include a cab)? And about how much does your 1x12 Encore weigh? David's website lists it as around 46 lbs. Is that consistent with yours? Thanks!

 

[moosie]

Hey Moosie, did you get the cab from David (or did the kit include a cab)? And about how much does your 1x12 Encore weigh? David's website lists it as around 46 lbs. Is that consistent with yours? Thanks!

I got the cab from David. My choice of speaker configuration, Tolex, knobs, and pilot light. Slight price difference for bigger cab / more speakers.

I think the cabs are made to order by a local craftsman. The kit shipped immediately, and the cab followed a couple weeks later. Even though it was a kit, the cab was fully assembled, including speaker, grille, tank, feet, corner protectors, etc. Great by me. All I had to do was install the chassis.

I haven't weighed it, but 46 lbs sounds right, I guess. The stock WGSG12C isn't a particularly heavy speaker.

Ignore the handle. Mine's from a Champ David normally includes the BF/SF strap-style, which is a better idea. I only play at home, otherwise I'd put a beefier handle on there.

I built the kit exactly as provided. I didn't feel the need to 'upgrade' any parts, or change a thing.

 

[BlueCajun]

View attachment 350274 View attachment 350275 View attachment 350273

I got the cab from David. My choice of speaker configuration, Tolex, knobs, and pilot light. Slight price difference for bigger cab / more speakers.

I think the cabs are made to order by a local craftsman. The kit shipped immediately, and the cab followed a couple weeks later. Even though it was a kit, the cab was fully assembled, including speaker, grille, tank, feet, corner protectors, etc. Great by me. All I had to do was install the chassis.

I haven't weighed it, but 46 lbs sounds right, I guess. The stock WGSG12C isn't a particularly heavy speaker.

Ignore the handle. Mine's from a Champ David normally includes the BF/SF strap-style, which is a better idea. I only play at home, otherwise I'd put a beefier handle on there.

I built the kit exactly as provided. I didn't feel the need to 'upgrade' any parts, or change a thing.

Your wiring looks great. You mention David's instructions being very detailed. Did they give pointers such as which wires to twist and which order to wire things up (for easier assembly and installation in the chassis)?

Feature-wise, the Encore checks all the boxes for me. But I occasionally play out. So I'd probably go for something a bit more portable like the Sweet Spot or Accomplice Jr (I can live with tremolo from a pedal).

I never really gave the kits much thought. I've always been intimidated by them. But I have done a little bit of wiring such as guitar pickup electronics and modifying my PRRI (swapped OT and added PI grid blocker). So maybe I'm ready. It looks really fun.

 

[moosie]

Your wiring looks great. You mention David's instructions being very detailed. Did they give pointers such as which wires to twist and which order to wire things up (for easier assembly and installation in the chassis)?

Feature-wise, the Encore checks all the boxes for me. But I occasionally play out. So I'd probably go for something a bit more portable like the Sweet Spot or Accomplice Jr (I can live with tremolo from a pedal).

I never really gave the kits much thought. I've always been intimidated by them. But I have done a little bit of wiring such as guitar pickup electronics and modifying my PRRI (swapped OT and added PI grid blocker). So maybe I'm ready. It looks really fun.

As I recall, David's instructions begin with a page about safety, then a summary of all the parts provided (so you can do an inventory) and the tools needed (which he also lists on his site, so you can already have ordered them). The tools are nothing special. I treated myself (finally) to a decent soldering station, and I'm very glad I did. I also needed a couple nut drivers in sizes I didn't have. David imparts the critical nature of tightening the hardware, correct use of lockwashers, etc. Not only to suffer the endless vibrations and road-handling, but because if certain things come loose, well, the chassis is the ground, after all. It's important, and he lets you know this.

The instructions proceed in sequential fashion. Everything is done in order. Occasionally there's an extra part you thought should have been addressed, but sure enough, eventually it is, and you see why he waited. He does mention twisting certain wires, and other aspects of 'dress'. But he also sent a photo of one of his builds. When in doubt about dress, I made mine look just like his. Even then, I was a bit lax with the lengths of one or two wires. Maybe an inch too long, or even less. When we were diagnosing the startup problem of what turned out to be a bad reverb tank (and not something I did wrong, YAY), I sent him a pic of my chassis. Without prompting, he responded with those details. "shorten wire X by a half inch, so that is doesn't get near Y, etc". When I was done it looked even more a mirror image of his original picture. Did I mention this is the quietest amp EVER?

The only thing he doesn't do is to explain all the electronics behind everything you're doing. The WHY. I didn't expect this, as then it wouldn't be a kit, but a whole course. But I feel much more comfortable inside a chassis than I used to (safety first!), and I'm a bit further along in my electronics knowledge thanks to thinking about what I was building.

In retrospect, it's a bit amazing that David offers his amps in kit form. These are top boutique amps, on par with any other Fender clone or "inspired by" (which to a large degree is all of them). And his is a really good kit. Not just a bag of parts and a wish for luck. He's prompt, knowledgeable, patient, and helpful. A good communicator, both in the detailed instructions, and in his emails. Top notch parts. Good design, with some good changes that still keep the Fender spirit. I don't feel like it's an Allen. I lump it together mentally with my Silverfaces. Just new.

The chance of your build resulting in a great, working amp, is extremely high. One caveat, though. Build the kit. Get it working. Save any other ideas for different parts, mods, etc, for AFTER the amp is stable, and working well. If you don't actually build what he sent you, you'll have difficulty getting support.

Finally, if for some reason you just can't get it working, you pay to ship the chassis to David, and he provides the first hour of bench time, free. He says that's all it usually takes, IF you've done your best to build it as described, and not made a complete mess of everything.

Contrast this to the Weber kit I purchased, which was literally a bag of wish-I-had-bought-better parts, a parts list, schematic and printed layout. Zero instructions. Not inherently bad, but a different experience, for sure.

Have fun!

EDIT: I forgot to mention the only down side to the kit: resale is very, very low I would imagine. Build it to keep. It'll last forever.

 

[mherrcat]

Did they give pointers such as which wires to twist and which order to wire things up (for easier assembly and installation in the chassis)?

I built the Accomplice Jr. amp a couple of years ago and it is basically "paint-by-numbers" simple. I did discover a couple of places in the instructions where steps were easier to accomplish if reversed, and a couple of typos, but nothing that caused any problems. If you have done any guitar pickup/pot/capacitor replacement or any basic amp stuff, like replacing resistors or capacitors, you can do this. Just read the instructions completely a couple of times before starting so you understand the sequence and check components off the wiring diagram as you go.

 

[BlueCajun]

moosie and mherrcat, thank you both!

 

[Michael Vilogi]

Love my Encore... Had a Classic 10, which was great for rock, but loud and I missed the verb. Also had a Chi 6w with 12in speaker and that was wild.

This Encore has a non matching 15 in Cab with a Weber. Its fat and verby, just like I like it.

 

[kLyon]

I have a Sweet Spot I bought from a guy who built it from a kit. He sent pictures; the wiring was neat... I took a chance.
It's now my favorite amp.
(With these choices at hand: Tone King Imperial, 1964 blackface Twin, 1961 Ampeg Super Echo Twin))