Top Hat Amp Opinions

[braintheory]

What do you guys think of Top Hat amps? I’m mainly curious about the Emplexador model, but also the others, so tell me about those too if you have experience with them. I heard somewhere that it’s not as raw or aggressive as an actual plexi, and although very very few amps are, that's definitely a turn off to me. Would you guys agree with that? Unfortunately, I find many of these “boutique” amps to be lacking in rawness and not as organic compared to vintage Marshalls and Mesa/Boogie’s. Would Top Hat be another one of those boutique amps that sound polished and not quite authentic sounding? I asked Cliff at Destroy All Guitars about them (I believe he used to carry them) and he said they were just ok sounding, but had issues. What do you guys who've played them think?

 

[rokket2005]

I can't speak for the emplexador, but I have a king royale that I've had a year and a half or so and I haven't had any issues with it. From a pure tonal standpoint I think it's the best sounding amp I have, that's including a vh4, xtc classic, tremoverb, pittbull classic, and an engl invader. Granted it's a very different sound from my other amps, but it just sounds great and given the choice between my top hat and a similar voiced vox I'd take the top hat 100 times out of 100.

 

[gtrwun]

I owned an Emplexador MkII and loved everything about that amp. Never heard of anyone having trouble with their Top Hat. The interior of my amp was a work of art. Very clean work. The Emplexador has a Marshall Plexi/800 vibe for sure, but it has the high end rolled off a bit for a bit tamer tone. To me, the reason a lot of builders tame the high's on the Marshall type circuit is because thats what a lot of players used to complain about too much "ice pick". That was pretty common in the old days.

 

[lespaul6]

too dark and just blah.. you will sell it in a few months if not sooner.

 

[braintheory]

too dark and just blah.. you will sell it in a few months if not sooner.

Which model did you try that was too dark?
Also, how would the Emplexador compare to other Marshall type amps like a Helios, Metroplex, or Wizard for those who've tried 'em?

 

[LanierP]

There was an Emplexador used at Guitar center in Lakeland Florida a couple weeks ago. I was passing thru the area, so I popped in, and there it was. Had the matching cab too. I think it was a 2x12, but could have been 4x12, I don't remember. Anyways, I have been interested in these too, so I plugged in and played it for about 20 minutes. The store was about to close; just employees, so I got to turn up more than what 'is allowed' at your average GC.
Consensus; I was underwhelmed to say the least. It seemed to be missing something to me, maybe a lack of mid to upper end bite. I had the gain dimed and it was kinda 'Foreigner' gain, which maybe that is what it's suppose to do, but this one was just flat, not 3D like a wizard is, it just didn't feel mean to me if that makes since. It was a 50 watter, I think they wanted 1799$ for the head. I did sound a bit better at volume, but I don't know man, I just wasn't getting a good vibe off it. Wanted to like it; left kinda Ho-Hum about. Maybe this ones tubes were done and toast, not sure. If I ever see another, I will give it another try, but like an earlier post said, if I bought this, it would be up for sale in less than 2 weeks.
I have a couple Wizards, MC2 and MTL and there is absolutely no comparing here from what I heard.

 

[lespaul6]

There was an Emplexador used at Guitar center in Lakeland Florida a couple weeks ago. I was passing thru the area, so I popped in, and there it was. Had the matching cab too. I think it was a 2x12, but could have been 4x12, I don't remember. Anyways, I have been interested in these too, so I plugged in and played it for about 20 minutes. The store was about to close; just employees, so I got to turn up more than what 'is allowed' at your average GC.
Consensus; I was underwhelmed to say the least. It seemed to be missing something to me, maybe a lack of mid to upper end bite. I had the gain dimed and it was kinda 'Foreigner' gain, which maybe that is what it's suppose to do, but this one was just flat, not 3D like a wizard is, it just didn't feel mean to me if that makes since. It was a 50 watter, I think they wanted 1799$ for the head. I did sound a bit better at volume, but I don't know man, I just wasn't getting a good vibe off it. Wanted to like it; left kinda Ho-Hum about. Maybe this ones tubes were done and toast, not sure. If I ever see another, I will give it another try, but like an earlier post said, if I bought this, it would be up for sale in less than 2 weeks.
I have a couple Wizards, MC2 and MTL and there is absolutely no comparing here from what I heard.

+100 I had an emplexador 100 watt for about two days. No bite, no aggression, no snarl... just a dud. Sorry if anyone owns this one... just one mans opinion.

 

[gtrwun]

There was an Emplexador used at Guitar center in Lakeland Florida a couple weeks ago. I was passing thru the area, so I popped in, and there it was. Had the matching cab too. I think it was a 2x12, but could have been 4x12, I don't remember. Anyways, I have been interested in these too, so I plugged in and played it for about 20 minutes. The store was about to close; just employees, so I got to turn up more than what 'is allowed' at your average GC.
Consensus; I was underwhelmed to say the least. It seemed to be missing something to me, maybe a lack of mid to upper end bite. I had the gain dimed and it was kinda 'Foreigner' gain, which maybe that is what it's suppose to do, but this one was just flat, not 3D like a wizard is, it just didn't feel mean to me if that makes since. It was a 50 watter, I think they wanted 1799$ for the head. I did sound a bit better at volume, but I don't know man, I just wasn't getting a good vibe off it. Wanted to like it; left kinda Ho-Hum about. Maybe this ones tubes were done and toast, not sure. If I ever see another, I will give it another try, but like an earlier post said, if I bought this, it would be up for sale in less than 2 weeks.
I have a couple Wizards, MC2 and MTL and there is absolutely no comparing here from what I heard.

+100 I had an emplexador 100 watt for about two days. No bite, no aggression, no snarl... just a dud. Sorry if anyone owns this one... just one mans opinion.

I dont own this amp anymore , but did for many years and again, mine sounded great. It needs to be turned up and the circuit is darker than a Marshall 800 for sure. Lots of variables though.....speakers, guitars, cabs...so on. I would not say its comparable to a Wizard in any way. Not sure its trying to be that though.....

 

[skoora]

I've never tried a 100 watter but the 50's I've tried sounded great on the modern setting. Definitely bright enough and enough gain to palm mute classic metal. To me the vintage setting is too lackluster and has too little gain. Even older 60's Marshalls have a lot more gain than the vintage setting on the Emplexador. They advertise it as a Marshall tool box of 60's through metal panel/800 Marshalls but it doesn't get anywhere near what a jtm45 can do. I would like one for fun because I dig that modern setting but just can't justify the expense and my Stiletto does what it does with more useful options anyway. If I had no other Marshall style amps I wouldn't say no. Would love to try a King Royale.

It is one of those boutique brands that sound nice but ultimately I would rather have an original or nice straight clone/reissue of the classic amps they emulate or have tweaked. Probably for less money too, compared to new prices.

 

[braintheory]

These comments about it lacking bite or aggression are definitely not what I want in a Marshall type amp. I don't like how many, if not most, "boutique" amps roll off the highs compared to actual Marshalls and how most sound comparitvely tamed or neutered. That's not what I want. I want it to have the aggression and balls of the Marshalls, not a more polite take on it. What about there other models? Aren't most of their other models going for a Voxy sound, but still with some Marshall flavor in there? Do they also sound in any way tamed or less aggressive/ballsy than actual voxes or vintagey amps?

I remember I tried once a Bruno Underground 30 and that would be an example of a "boutique" amp that I felt sounded tame compared to actual voxes and remember finding all the Mojaves I've as well to be neutered takes on Marshalls. I hope the Top Hats aren't like those amps in that regard

 

[lester]

I have an Ambassador 35 (6v6, class A, kind of a Super Reverb type thing with a bit of a Dumble tweak and defeatable master volume) and I don't find it tame or rolled off at all. It cuts beautifully. Great build, great reverb, beautiful tone and I think it looks pretty decent too.

Brian is great to work with. I had an Emplexador too at one point. He made two different versions of those, one with the Pacific transformers and the later version with the Heyboers. I believe the Heyboer version he changed a bit and is a little more aggressive and punchier.

 

[braintheory]

Do they still make the Ambassador? I didn't see it on his website

 

[braintheory]

Any other thoughts?

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I had an early script logo Emplexador. Didn't bond with it and sold it fast.

 

[tophatdad]

Raising the Dead/Zombie Thread! Sorry, but with a username like TopHatDad I couldn't resist.
Don't have any experience with the Emplexador but did own a 2x12 Club Royale that was my favorite amp ever. It had a blended Vox/Marshall tone that was a direct hit on my personal sweet spot. If I was looking for an amp based on vintage Marshall sounds, I'd check out the Emplexador based on my experience with the Club.

Threads like this remind me how much I miss the Club and how I should be looking around for another one. There's an Ambassador available in the Atlanta area that I could pick up easily but really don't want to turn my back on the TopHat el84 experience!

Best,
Mike