The Avenger Harp Amp – $1895

Search no more…….the AVENGER is here! Sonny Jr.’s most unique 45 watt amplifier to date has the power, punch and volume to slay the dragons that have haunted harp players since guitarists found the volume control knob.

Have you or are you…..

• Playing in a band with multiple instruments that are turned up so loud you consistently get drowned out?

• Been at a jam where you were not able to mic your amp, only had a few songs to play and needed to be heard and to reflect your best?

• Find yourself in a situation where you cannot line-out or mic your amp and need all the pure tone and volume possible without feedback?

• Need the flexibility to turn the amp down for medium-size rooms but still keep the integrity of the tone?

Then the AVENGER is here to save the day!

It has the most unique and complimentary speaker combination ever assembled with each speaker added for perfect harmony. As a 35 yr. professional player, Sonny not only knows how it feels when your breath hits the harp, but also how the amplifier should react, and what the optimal tone should sound like from the amp. The Avenger is designed around the popular Cruncher circuit, but with a large, beefy output transformer matched to it. With the unique speaker combination of a strong Weber 12” P12Q, one 10”P10Q, and two 8” speakers, one with a gigantic 30 oz. ceramic magnet and the other an Alnico magnet, the tonal spectrum is broad enough to capture every nuance of sound you can create in the palm of your hands. No tube subs are needed with the Avenger and the tone control settings are thoroughly explained in the manual supplied with your purchase.<br/>

Specs

Raw explosive power, punch and volume without feedback
Bench tested at 45 Watts
55 lbs.; 22.5W x 23H x 9.5D
Unique speaker blend for a wall of tone–12″, 10″ and (2) 8″
Stock gritty, nasty tone–no need for tube subs
Same pure tone at all volume levels
Crystal mic hot input
Unique paper-in-oil capacitors
Bias pot for perfect idling of the power tubes
Gorgeous seven-layer tint with clear coat tweed with sturdy, thick leather handle
Available with 120V / 240V power transformer at no extra charge
Packed in a custom triple-layered box
Personalized customer support by phone or email
Inquire about options
PRICE – $1895 plus shipping

Purchase Includes:

Gorgeous finger-jointed pine cabinet with an seven-layer custom hard lacquer finish
Beefy transformers from Heyboer for huge bottom end
NOS American paper-in-oil capacitors
High-grade NOS preamp tubes tested for noise prior to installation
Garelite circuit board that won’t bend and crack
Point-to-point wiring with carbon comp and carbon film resistors in the circuit, along with a bias pot for perfect tube idle
Modified Bright Two input to provide a boost for crystal mics or any other mic that could benefit from a bit of help
Top of the line Weber speakers for a perfect tonal blend
Highest grade filter capacitors
True speaker-sounding line out
Personal customer service from Sonny Jr.

Chassis

Every chassis is meticulously point-to-point wired one at a time, by one single technician. We currently have a team of superb techs who make a consistently excellent product meeting our high quality controls and expectations. I supply the exclusive parts such as our custom wound transformers, tubes, and Astron and similar style paper in oil capacitors. To my knowledge we were the first company to use these American military NOS style tone beasts for production. DETAILS are what you will find in every corner of this unique, versatile, and user-friendly amplifier. No matter what your level of knowledge is concerning tubes and amplifiers, you can learn how to tweak your amp to fit your needs.

Crystal Mic FAT Channel Mod

We have taken the unused bright two channel input and made a modification to it to enhance crystal or ceramic microphones. The impedance-matching input will add more bottom end, fullness, and depth… everything you wished they had from the beginning. It will not affect any of the already tremendous tone you are getting from the amplifier or how it is used stock, just an added bonus. Controlled magnetics, reluctances, dynamic, and crystal microphones can all be used in the normal one channel. Everything is fully detailed and illustrated in our comprehensive, twelve page customer manual, the guide from Sonny Jr. to you for a wealth of knowledge about this amplifier and amplifiers in general. Thanks to my partner, Dr. Kay King, for the photography, design and production of this unique manual. Customers are amazed first by the amp’s beauty when they receive it, along with the detailed knowledge of how to set it up and dial it in with ease. I guess that’s because our company is led by a 35 year professional harmonica player who thinks like a customer, not an owner.

Transformers

The brain of the amp, and heart and soul comes from the components of the vintage tube chassis. We start with the transformers which are made specifically for Sonny Jr. to Triad specifications of the original 8087 power and 45249 output transformers, then custom wound to make them better. I have original vintage transformers that I have tested the Avenger against to make sure we are right on. The full bottom end, the ringing mids, tone projecting highs, and sustain all are maximized due the high quality of these components. Our transformers are made right here where they were 50 years ago, in the heart of the Midwest, where the metals and construction are consistent with the time-tested high quality. NO foreign countries making our product to cut cost. Not here, NEVER.

Capacitors

After extensive testing of the yellow Astron metal polyester capacitors used in the original tweed amps, I realized these caps, while being touted as one of the keys to the original tone, leaked voltage badly and most were out of the standard 10% tolerance for the stated value. They are susceptible to the elements of heat and moisture which make then vary in tolerance and not work up to full potential. Orange drop and Mallory capacitors cannot compare in richness of tone as these tone monsters that hold a powerful, warm charge that is released with every breath. What I doggedly searched for and found is Astron paper-in-oil style capacitors, New Old Stock, built to military specifications in a glass or metal sealed type casing from the early 60’s, just as they were when they came off the line. We also use Sprague Vitamin Q and similar brand paper in oil capacitors, which have been the style used by audiophiles for 50 years to get the most accurate reproduction of sound in their very high end equipment. They are impregnated in oil, rolled in paper, and hermetically sealed to maintain their consistency over long periods of time. Each NOS capacitor is tested before installation using a Sencore LC103 capacitor analyzer, testing under voltage. These caps give the truest replication of the 50’s vintage sound, but with more thunder and lightning. I will have a supply of similar brands to continue to match this same tone quality for the future. All resistors, electrolytic capacitors and other parts of the chassis are readily available to ensure the highest quality for tone and reliability.

I want to make absolutely sure you are choosing the correct amplifier for your needs, and having a personal conversation with each prospective buyer is one aspect of the purchase. I’m always happy to demo over the phone to give you an immediate feel for the superb tone that emanates from each amplifier. When I ask potential customers why they decided to choose a Sonny Jr. Amp, the response invariably is, “I’ve done my homework, read the reviews, see your endorsers, the high grade quality product you produce, and keep coming back to your site.” Those of you who are within driving distance of central Connecticut are welcome to come by to plug in and test drive both of the amps. If North Carolina is closer, I can probably arrange an appointment for you to test them there.

I understand that this is an investment for many people, and that it’s not an inconsequential decision. Then there is the matter of checking with “The Boss” to make that person understands that all those other amps you thought were the one just can’t hold a candle to the Sonny Jr. product. From the gorgeous lacquered tweed cabinets to the quality internal parts, these amps are built to last a lifetime and are truly a work of art.

Along with the proprietary custom transformers and the NOS American paper-in-oil capacitors, the Avenger has a unique harp-friendly circuit with pure rich tone. No tricked-out one dimensional sound here. It’s all there with thunder, clarity, power and punch, and the juice to cut through to the far corners of any room. You will hear what you play no matter how loud the band chooses to be. Want still a little more? Use the true speaker-sound line out plugged into the PA or mic the amp. Experiment with the mic both in front and back of the amp. Some players prefer in back so you don’t get the rest of the band bleeding into your mic.

The amplifier with all its thunder is only 55 pounds with an optional thickly padded Tuki cover available, and shipping costs are based on your location. There is no extra charge for 240V overseas power transformer setup and we supply an adapter to fit your wall socket whenever possible. We have amplifiers in nearly 30 countries and understand the ins-and-outs of the customs procedures. Each amp is supplied with an illustrated color manual that will not only explain the nuances of the amp, but will help you to be more knowledgeable about amplifiers in general.

Between the Avenger and the Cruncher, you will have all situations covered. Now you can sell all those other supposedly great amps, vintage or custom, that make claims they cannot back up. Sonny Jr. amplifiers have proven to hold their retail value through the years.

I look forward to our initial conversation and the one-on-one interaction. I will be hitting the road to perform clinics and allow everyone to try these great amplifiers. Browse through our site to read the professional endorser comments, customer reviews, check out the hot custom mics, and then purchase the best harmonica amplifiers on earth.

Synergism – Webster defines it as:

The interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.

I truly believe that the combination of all aspects of this manufacturing process puts this amplifier in a league of its own. With the strong backing of endorsers like Charlie Musselwhite, Mark Hummel, Pierre Lacocque, Gary Smith, Sugar Ray Norcia, Paul Lamb, Mitch Kashmar, Peter Nande, Ian Collard, Westside Andy, and many more, I am pleased to be a part of making your goal of being the best harmonica player you can be obtainable. As I will always tell you, what you put into this amplifier is what you will get out–all the potential is there, and then some. So don’t get mad at me when you can now hear every note you play!

In Summary

I will never stop pushing the envelope and am continually working on new ideas in the quest for the holy grail of sound….the TONE. Please check back for regularly updated reviews, events, and any news pertinent to our amps. I will say that without question, the Avenger is the best large amp I could ever produce.

Respectfully,