As advances in consumer recording and live sound create increasing demands from artists for quality low-wattage amplification many boutiques have turned to cloning the venerable single-ended designs of the 50's and 60's. Synaptic Amplification takes a fundamentally different approach leaving the student-level models of yesterday behind. The new Pure-Drive SE amplifier was designed from the ground up to deliver uncompromised single-ended tone to today's demanding performing artists and recording professionals.

In contrast to the odd-order harmonic signature of common push-pull output stages, the Pure-Drive SE's single-ended output achieves a predominant 2nd-order enhancement adding warmth and dimension to the signal along with a tasteful bite when driven hard. Providing 15 watts of pure class A power from a variety of octal-based output tubes the Pure-Drive SE is built to hold its own against all but the most rambunctious drummers while allowing guitarists to take full advantage of its unique wide-open overdrive character.

Diverging from modern trends favoring excessive panel controls, channel switching, and extreme preamp gain architectures the Pure-Drive SE embraces the core audiophile principle that the best tones result when the fewest components of the highest quality are combined in a carefully planned and laid out circuit. Instead of maximum distortion, the Pure-Drive SE aims to achieve maximum dynamics yielding rich full-bodied cleans that smoothly transition into a musical overdrive with merely the control of your touch. When more grit or intensity is desired add your favorite overdrive, fuzz or distortion pedals, the circuit was designed to react optimally to pedals providing infinite potential for tonal variation on the fly. No matter what you put in front of it, the Pure-Drive will retain clarity and preserve the characteristic signature of your instrument while enriching your tone with the complex harmonic enhancement that can only be achieved by a cranked output tube driven slightly beyond the limits of its capability.

 

• Handwired point-to-point / turret lug circuit construction.
• Dovetailed hardwood Brazilian Cherry / Birdseye Maple cabinet.
• No compromise component selection featuring premium Ohmite carbon composition resistors, foil-in-oil signal capacitors from Mojo and Jensen and PEC military-grade carbon potentiometers.
• Massive transformers designed in conjunction with Mercury Magnetics in California for exceptional clarity, defined bass, punchy dynamics and decades of rock-solid reliability.
• Standard Tubes: 2 x 12AX7 (select), 1 x EL34 (Mullard)
• 15 Watts pure class-A output power from a variety of common octal-based tubes including 5881, 6L6GC, EL34 and KT66 types without requirement for bias adjustment.
• Military-spec adjustable wirewound cathode bias resistor for precision tuning of output tube idle current and plate dissipation. Internal adjustment by a qualified technician allows calibration of the amp to optimally run virtually any octal based output tube ranging from a 6V6GT to a KT88 or 6550.
• Voice Switch alters the fundamental circuitry around the tubes providing the option of a full bodied low frequency response or a tailored bass response with greater upper mid-range emphasis. Use to compensate for proximity effect when close-micing your speaker cabinet, to improve distinction of parts when accompanied by other instruments or any time an overall edgier tone is desired.
• 3 Knob tone circuit provides wide ranging control of the amp's treble, middle and bass response.
• 4 / 8 / 16 Ohm impedance selector with dual output jacks allows the amp to be matched to drive a wide range of speaker configurations ranging from a single 10" cabinet to a wall of stacks.

Cabinet Wood Options: The standard cabinet wood is Brazillian Cherry with a Birdseye Maple face. Curly Maple is generally available as an option for the cabinet face. Custom cabinets can be made on request from a wide variety of hardwoods including but not limited to American Cherry, Mahogany, Bubinga, Padouk, Lacewood, and Zebrawood or a combination of woods. Wood pricing and availability is always changing so contact us for details.m

Protective Cases: Protect your amp from dents, scratches and the elements on the road with a custom-fitted gig bag. Made out of water resistant 1000 Denier nylon canvas these padded gig bags will get your amp to and from your show dates rain or shine without fear of harm from minor mishaps. If your amp is liable to be subjected to rough handling in transport a custom flight case is highly recommended. Contact us for pricing and availability.

Tube Experimentation Set:

The easiest and least invasive way to modify the tone of your amp is by experimenting with different tubes. The Pure-Drive SE is capable of running a wide range of common octal-based output tubes without requiring bias adjustment. Each output tube type and brand has it's own characteristic signature ranging from the cutting grind of the EL34 to the creamy overdrive of the 5881. Try a KT66 when you want more bottom or throw in a 6L6GC to extend the headroom for more clean power. Use tube substitutions when layering guitar parts in the studio to help distinguish tracks. The tube experimentation set includes the following premium current production tubes to get you started:

• 1 x 5881 (Tung-Sol)
• 1 x EL34 (Mullard)
• 1 x 6L6GC (Select)
• 1 x KT66 (Genalex)