Metropoulos GPM45
While those differences accounted for a tonal
upgrade, what made the differences even
more compelling was the way they affected
the touch factor of the amp. Much like our
’ 65, the custom-built Metro had an ease
about it that felt like a broken-in vintage
head, making it a breeze to dig in, or to lay
back on the strings and feel the amp act as
an instrument. It was truly inspiring. Of all the
amps in the roundup, this amp sounded most
like our ’ 65—frighteningly close! I should
mention that the Metro kit version was actually plugged in first, and before comparing
it to the GPM45, we all agreed we’d be
thrilled to have one in our collection. We may
be splitting hairs here to some degree, but
knowing that anyone can buy a complete kit
for under a grand, and have that kind of quality and tone—that says a lot.
metroamp.com
Wallace Amplification BKW45
Brian Wallace has electronics in his DNA.
His father, an electronics engineer, and his
grandfather, an RCA tube repairman, were
both instrumental in his early education
and development in tubes and electronics.
When he was young his father gave him a
75-in- 1 electronic projects kit and further
Wallace BK W45
encouraged Brian by letting him watch as
he built his own projects. Like all of the
builders in the roundup, Brian is a player.
He began modifying amps in 1974, when
he removed the speakers and baffle in his
Checkmate amp and replaced them with
a baffle he created and some purchased
speakers—altering the sound of the amp
and thus beginning his lifelong journey.
In 1995, he was approached by Guytron
Amplification to help out while they were
getting started. A positive experience, it
propelled him to the next level and led
to the creation of Wallace Amplification,
which now offers several amp models as
well as replacement transformers under
the Marstran name.
Wallace’s first amp is the BKW45, but he
is more than a clone maker. Recently he
introduced the Abaddon, which is a 50-watt
master volume head consisting of four
gain stages in the preamp. There is much
more to come, including a line of pedals
and a reissue of the Fuzz Ace pedal he
made back in the early 90s. The BKW45 is
a unique flavor of JTM45. A hair darker in
tone and possessing slightly less gain than
all of the other models, including both the
vintage and reissue Marshall, it yielded
enormous bloom and a bold, thick, sustaining quality. Even though there was a little
less gain, it didn’t affect playability, and we
never struggled with the amp. It was one of
the rarest qualities I’ve experienced in an
amp, and certainly an unexpected bonus.
The Wallace had a magical ability to push
notes through loud and clear while still being
able to dish out gritty and harmonically pleasing chords that didn’t fight the non-perfect
intervals they were built on. This all came out
of an amp that was using tubes you can buy
today without breaking the bank.
Speaking of breaking, check out the sidebar
on what the BKW45 was subjected to by
UPS en route to our roundup. In spite of the
gorilla treatment it received, the amp arrived
without shattered glass and performed flawlessly throughout the entire set of three
sessions of playing and listening. That’s a
testament to a solidly built and roadworthy
piece of equipment. And one look inside the
amp will show what a dedicated and precise
builder Wallace is. In tone and build quality,
the amp is a work of art.
wallaceamps.com
106 PREMIER GUITAR MAY 2009
