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what's all the fuss about?

They sound pretty damn good. I played through one in one of the Santa Barbara music stores. I'm not sure if the one I played through would fit my style of music, but it sounded damn good nonetheless.

I remember playing a Custom Reverb that I loved. Too bad the store wanted $3500 for it

They really are one of the quot;end of the linequot; amps. My heart is set on a CAA OD-100, but that won't be for a while

what are they voiced like?

They have amazing clean channels and a suprisingly Marshall like drive channel, despite the fact that they are 6L6 based. They also have a couple of toggle switches, bright and normal, some type of mid switch and I think a modern/vintage switch, although I can't remember for sure.

What I do remember is that the OD was lush, tight, compressed and sustaining...without being harsh, and it was articulate as hell. I thought it was going to remind me of a Mesa amp, but it certainly did not. The only downside IMO is they are rather plain looking.

The Emerald Pro is the one I played.


Originally Posted by Jeff_HWhat I do remember is that the OD was lush, tight, compressed and sustaining...without being harsh, and it was articulate as hell.

Almost sounds Dumble-ish, or am I interpreting your description wrong?


Originally Posted by FretFireAlmost sounds Dumble-ish, or am I interpreting your description wrong?Thats what I thought too...is that right???

The Custom Reverb is very Dumble-ish to my ears. Pretty much a smoother, tighter, Marshall with more sustain.

Very cool. How would they compare to a Fuchs?

I was reading an interview where John Mayer talked about Two Rock. He compares them to a Dumble. I think I read the article on www.tonequest.com


Originally Posted by FretFireVery cool. How would they compare to a Fuchs?

I haven't played one, but I would imagine the Fuchs would be similar (I've only heard clips)?

Never played or heard a Dumble, but I was blown away by the Two Rock. I am usually VERY opposed to 6L6 based distortion. The highs are usually to brittle, the mids to scooped and the bass to harsh...but this Two Rock was none of that.


Originally Posted by the guy who invented firewhat are they voiced like?

If you get the chance listen to John Mayer play on the Crossroads Festival DVD he's playing through a Two Rock. One of the best strat tones I've ever heard, very SRV/Dumble sound.

What does a Two Rock sound like? It depends on the model.The Emerald was supposedly designed to get Robben Ford's Dumble tone.
The Custom was inspired by Steve Kimrock's Dumble tone.
The Ruby was intended to be cop the Trainwreck vibe.
The Jade is supposed to have more gain than any other model.
I dunno about the Opal, Sapphire, or Amethyst.
Fuchs amps are Dumble-inspired as well and are probably most comparable to the Custom.
I've played an Opal and Emerald 50. I didn't quot;getquot; the Opal. It was a nice enough amp but didn't do much for me. OTOH, I did quot;getquot; the Emerald, figuratively and literally. It has one of the best clean sounds I've every played (a Fuchs I tried was slightly better) but the lead channel is what really makes that amp special to me. Backing off on pick dynamics makes for a good (not great) clean sound while digging in with the pick gets a wonderfully harmonic timbre. It's amazingly expressive and at band volumes it lets you grab a note and just hold on to it. All the while, it doesn't sound super compressed or buzzy. It just breathes.
If you're into crunch or sizzle, or if quot;brutalquot; is a complimentary adjective when describing tone, a Two Rock might not be for you (though the Jade might work in such applications). OTOH, if you're looking for an amp that'll help you achieve and extend some classic tones, you might want to check one out.
Oh, and if you plug in a Strat, dial in the clean channel for some light grind, and flip on the neck pickup, it's instant SRV.

I really want a Two Rock Emerald Pro.....I just want it for about $1200 and not $2000.


Originally Posted by Jeff_HI really want a Two Rock Emerald Pro.....I just want it for about $1200 and not $2000.

Deals are out there, though not quite a inexpensive as you're hoping for. About a month or so ago, an Emerald 50 (not Pro) went for a bit over $1500.

It's hard being a cheap bastard, and wanting the very best in equipment. I'll eventually fork over the dough.

I agree that Mayer had a great strat tone on Crossroads.

the amp in Santa Barbara sounded pretty good, too

I have a friend who's an endorsee, but I'm not sure which model he uses.

Jeff, I think that santa barbara amp at Jensen's was an Emerald 50, not the Pro.

I have a Custom Reverb and I agree with Chris about it being quot;an end of the road amp.quot;

I just wish I'd discovered it a long time ago and I'd not have had to buy and sell so many amps to get to this point.

I thought that Emerald 50 the other day was more of a rock amp (some of that Marshall terrtory maybe?). My Custom Reverb is a do it all amp for me. I can dial in country, rock, blues, you name it. The matching 2x12 is killer as well. I like their eminece-made speakers.

I'm very much addicted to this amp. Like no other, ever.

After I got the TR, I started selling off other amps. I still have several amps sitting around, but they don't get played much. The TR could very well be my last amp purchase. They are that good to my ears.

The other key for my amp was when I took out the JJ 6L6's and put in the TAD 6L6WGB's.

The reason is that Two Rock is selling their amps in a new even-higher priced versions, called the Signature Custom Reverb or the Signature Opal, etc.,. In the Signature amps, they put NOS 6L6WGB's in there. So, I figured that must be an important factor. It was in fact. The amp got even better when I put in the new tubes.

The entire Signature series thing leaves me a bit cold, but if they have found a market and they're making money, God bless them. It just seems to me that if you take a great amp that costs a lot already, the entire bluepriting thing just doesn't seem worth it to me.

Now they are discontinuing the Custom Reverb completely. Joe and Bill have a new versoin of the CR, called the Artist. It's not quite as good as their Signature CR, but it's supposed to be closer than the old Custom Reverb.

They do have a positive track record of improving their model lines. I can't imagine it getting any better than my CR, but I hold out the possibility that they can make it better. The day I visited them in Northern Cal, I turned down the chance to plug into the Signature. Just didn't want to know. Why? Well, I wasn't ready to pony up another 1500-2000 over the 3 G I was about to spend on the CR! I'm not overly cheap, but 3 G was my limit.