DIAMOND AMPLIFICATION
Positron
Rating:
using the guitar’s Volume knob. For kicks,
I dimed the amp’s Volume and strummed
power chords, which filled the room with
thunderous rock ’n’ roll tones that were
similar to an AC30’s, but with a bottom
end more like an early Marshall (a quality
that was no doubt enhanced by the 4x12
cabinet). Switching to the Strat’s neck
pickup kicked up the low-end content
yet again, and the amp responded with a
smooth, creamy overdrive.
dynamics remained intact, and I had
to think that the Positron would be an
invaluable amp in the studio.
The Verdict
Tone that hearkens to ’60s, class A, nonMaster-volume British amps has been a
sound ideal among amp freaks for years.
Now, Diamond Amplification’s Positron
allows you to access those beautiful vintage Vox and Marshall tones in a moderately powered, portable package that
sacrifices nothing but the heft of those
icons. The two-knob control setup makes
it quick and easy to tap in to the tonal
magic, and the compact package means
you can take it anywhere, provided there’s
a cab waiting for you at your end destination. For class A fans on the run, the
Positron is an ingenious little amp of surprising capability.
you crave a handwired, compact,
no-nonsense class A tube head
that’s loud.
Buy If...
Skip If...
one channel isn’t enough.
In search of more classic rock tones, I
routed the Positron to the Celestion
Vintage 30-loaded 2x12 and plugged in
my Gibson SG again. The hotter output
from the humbuckers drove the Positron
into overdrive land, with the preamp
emitting traces of sizzling distortion. This
is as close to a Marshall sound as I’ve
ever heard from a class A amp. Sustained
lead notes rang out with musical feedback. Throughout all settings, the amp’s
Diamond Amplification
Street $1499
diamondamplification.com
or use a mobile
device to read
this QR code to
download audio
clips of the
amp at
premierguitar.com/dec2010
