Conference napalm::guitar

2830.0. "ART Attack Modules" by TECRUS::ROST (Both kinds of bass, slap and pop) Thu Oct 14 1993 08:34

    By now, everyone has probably seen the ads in the music comics about
    the ART "Attack Modules".  It's the first foray into amps for the
    company after establishing a beachhead in digital FX.  The obvious
    question is "can they build a good amp?" and part of the answer is they
    now have the Pearce of Pearce amp fame working for them.  So, maybe...
    
    The amps are on the cheap side, I saw a T-12 model (100 watts, 1-12")
    for $699 (list?).  It's *tiny*, maybe 15" wide by 20" high by 8" deep?
    Really light, too since the cab is plastic.  It seems similar to the
    type of construction used by EV on the 100S PA cabs or Bose on some of
    their gear, and those cabs are impressive sounding indeed.  The back is
    molded so you can stand the amp upright *or* tilt it back like a floor
    wedge. There are 50 watt models (all transistor) and 100 watt models
    (with tube preamp).  
    
    The front panel is *very* busy.  There are a number of small white
    buttons for selecting various options, the usual gain and EQ knobs for
    each channel, the knobs for the digital FX, and the patching for FX
    loops, etc. The FX, by the way, are *not* programmable.  The jacks on
    the rear are for extension speakers and the footswitch.  The power
    switch is also on the rear.  Unfortunately there didn't seem to be
    anthing to wrap the power cord around and as the cab is sealed you
    can't just toss it in the back.  
    
    The size and weight make this amp *very* attractive, and competitive
    with the GK ML models as far as portability goes. You have lotsa cool
    setup options: set it up like a normal amp, mike it through the PA
    while laying it in front of you like a monitor, or even hook up an
    external cab (like a 4-12) to cover the stage but have the unit in
    front of you as a personal monitor, etc.
    
    OK, how did it sound.  How do I know?  8^)  I didn't try it as it was a
    *guitar* amp, not a bass amp.  No word if a bass model will be in the
    works.  
    
    							Brian

    
      I tried the T-12 out a while back. It didn't interest me that much
    but I do think the price and package is reasonable. It didn't sound
    "vintage" and it didn't have all the goods to be too "hi-tech" like
    some of the newer DSP based units or rack gear. This stuff is
    definitely somewhere else, like a decent value line/semi-portable amp.
      Time will tell - the plastic cabinet is an interesting concept.
    
    							-B{}{}M-