Ashdown's Hand-Wired Peacemaker Amps Now Shipping

Peacemaker 100 (Click for a close-up)

First unveiled in concept form at NAMM 2001, Ashdown Engineering's Peacemaker 50 and 100 hand-wired all-tube guitar amplifiers are now shipping. During an intensive, yearlong development phase in which the opinions of many leading players were sought, the Peacemakers have evolved into guitar amplifiers of versatility and tone.

Central to the Peacemakers' 'Modern Classic' design ethos is point-to-point copper wiring with Ministry of defence lacing of all looms. Transformer guru John Page was persuaded out of retirement to design the ultimate transformer for high frequency performance, harmonic content and low-end response while an all stainless steel chassis is used to eliminate the effects of magnetic fields on the sound. Six enormous smoothing capacitors ensure a consistent, ripple free delivery of power and all the very best practices are followed for the reduction of hum and noise.

Preamp tubes are the classic five 12AX7 configuration and output tubes are matched sets of EL34s on the 100-watt head and 6550s on the 50. Each output tube is individually fused with independently variable biasing accessible via the rear panel. Using the front panel mounted VU meter set to 'Audio' mode, the guitarist can experiment with different tube selections and biasing to create their own, totally unique tone.

Despite a simple, uncomplicated range of front panel controls, the Peacemakers are capable of an extraordinary variety of sounds, all underpinned by the unmistakable trademark tone of a lovingly hand-crafted tube amp in which no corners have been cut. And despite such uncompromising quality, the Peacemakers are relatively affordable when compared with other 'boutique' guitar amplifiers.

In addition to the standard wooden cabinet, the Peacemaker 50 and 100 are also available with optional Birdcage tops (pictured). Peacemaker 4x12" cabinets are available with open and closed backs, and with a range of Celestion and other drivers.