Dean Markley amp question.

[Latebluesman]

Hi everybody, I found a used practice amp for sale,
I am not familiar with these amps at all.
It is a K-20X 40 watts, as claims the owner.
I searched and looked for information about this amp, but it appears
that there is nothing about a Dean Markley K-20X, with 40 watts.
I found info only about the K-20X that is 15 watts.
I am going to see the amp tomorrow, so any info from you guys, would be important. Is there such thing, as a K-20X with 40watts?
Is it a tube or a SS amp? And what should I check, generally?
Thank guys, in advance!

 

[Latebluesman]

Also the ad of the seller gives some extra info: 12# weight, 8"x12"x13".

 

[StephaninMelb]

K-20X User Manual

Here is the K-20X User Manual from the Dean Markley Legacy Amp Site

(link removed)

The K-20X is a 10W amp, which is fine for home practice

 

[StephaninMelb]

From Harmony-Central User Review

Dean Markley K-20X

As mentioned below, 1x8, 15w (<--- this is probably where people are getting the wrong wattage info), 2 channel (pushbutton, no footswitch), attractive small openback combo. Weighs about 12 pounds. There is a headphone jack but no line out and no aux in -- but what do you want for $69? Now made in China by the way, not Korea.

I was looking for an inexpensive, lightweight, not terribly ugly small amp under $100 to take on the back deck, to a friend's house to jam a little (with an acoustic or banjo, not a bassist and drummer), or on car-trip vacations etc. I use a wide variety of stompboxes and multiprocessors but also wanted a basic usable tone in the amp itself. I've tried this little beast with a variety of Les Pauls (US, Korea, China), a couple of Mexi-Strats, an acoustic with Fishman electronics, etc and a wide variety of pedals. For an amp of this type and price, it's amazing that (a) it is virtually noise-free at all settings unless you introduce noise via your signal chain and (b) the "Vintage Rock"; Chinese speaker is not only not farty but actually provides a very nice sound right to the top of the volume spectrum and (c) this thing is LOUDER than you would expect. The distortion channel is somewhere between crap and OK. You can get a passable classic rock sound with it -- think "Barracuda"; -- but if you want an amp this size to do modern metal you need a pedal (or maybe the ToneBlaster from Ibanez instead of this). With a Les Paul knockoff and just a Danelectro echo pedal I can do some very pleasing stuff...Pink Floyd on the clean channel and Deep Purple on the dirty. Rating based on basic tone and the price, not compared to a Plexi or an old Twin!

 

[Latebluesman]

Thank you and yes, this is the kind of stuff I keep finding.
Nothing for a 40 watts. I only found this ad, but is closed:
"Dean Markley K-20X 40 Watt amp!
norfolk.craigslist.org › for sale / wanted › musical instrumentsJan 28, 2012 – I have an awesome Dean Markley practice amp up for sale or trade! This amp is perfect for guitars, keyboard/synthesizers, or electric drums!"
The one I am talking about, is given by a senior American fellow, so I don't expect it to be Chinese. But 40watts? Has to be wrong I guess.

 

[Warren Pederson]

I tried a few of those at one time, probably that model. I couldn't get too excited about them. How good of a deal as most everything is right if the price is right.

 

[StephaninMelb]

You can get Fender Mustang I off Amazon in $88 (used) to $110 (new) range - that would be better

 

[Dave_O]

I think the "40watts" refers to its mains power draw

 

[StephaninMelb]

The Dean Markley K-20X User Manual I sent you the link for has the Specifications listed and power output is 10W. It is a solid-state amp, not tubes.

Yes many people look at the back of a solid-state amp and confuse the mains current draw figure listed at the back as being the output power...

which is natural if someone doesn't know much about amplifiers.

 

[Warren Pederson]

Geez...you could pick up a brand new Vox Pathfinder R and be truly happy guy. I think in the US, they retail for around $120. I also think every guitar player should own a Roland Microcube.

 

[Latebluesman]

Thanks a lot guys.