Amber is basically a Little Gem/Ruby without gain control but with switchable “channels”. It came about after I salvaged a nice and nasal speaker and found the time to build it one day. I kind of doubt I’ll ever use it but it’s a cute thing to have around, with its retro look and sound.

Specs:

• LM386 amplifier (about 0.5W)
• clean and overdrive channel
• integrated supply and power cord

I would call this a “utility amplifier” because it’s not voiced for a particular sound or configuration; instead my goal was to develop a transparent amp that could be used with guitar, bass, stompboxes and even ampsims and other line-level sources. It’s pretty simple as heads go but it does pack quite a few features for its size:

• 12AX7 preamp section
• 20W solid state power section
• FX loop (preamp out, poweramp in), plus the preamp and power amp can be powered off independently, to be used as needed
• 2 channels: second channel removes preamp negative feedback
• switch-mode power supply for light weight and high efficiency
• controls: gain, master volume, channel, preamp on/off, poweramp on/off