Benson Amps Benmaster | Guitar Amp Demo

Описание: 🎸 Benson Amps Benmaster — A 10-Year Anniversary Tribute to Tweed Majesty

In this video, I’m demoing the Benson Amps Benmaster, a very special 10-year anniversary project that traces its roots back to one of the most misunderstood and magical circuits of the tweed era: the 5E7 Fender Bandmaster.

The Benmaster is Benson’s idealized interpretation of that semi-mythical design — an amp whose flaws on paper are exactly what give it its voice.

Compared to the cleaner, more direct 5F6A Bassman, the 5E7 Bandmaster’s inefficient power supply, unconventional phase inverter, and loose feel combine to create something completely different: a compressed, greasy bark with a glowing halo around every note. It feels alive, vocal, and unapologetically rock and roll.

This Benmaster delivers 35 watts from a pair of 5881 power tubes, driven by two 12AX7s and a 5AR4 rectifier, pushing three Weber 10A125A Alnico speakers, lightly doped for the perfect balance of punch, swirl, and compression. A custom Soursound transformer set, dovetailed pine cabinet, and birch ply baffle complete the platform. Controls are classic and purposeful: Volume, Treble, Bass, and Presence.

I’m pairing the Benmaster with my Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R8, loaded with Ron Ellis LRP Humbuckers and my signature Edge of Breakup x Emerson Custom Les Paul Prewired Kit, featuring Emerson Custom Premier Pro pots, caps, and treble bleeds. This wiring lets the guitar clean up effortlessly and perfectly complements the Benmaster’s dynamic, touch-sensitive response.

To push the front end, I’m using the Expresso FX Ge Boost Mini, built around a NOS Philips OC141 germanium transistor, adding warmth, compression, and harmonic density without masking the amp’s character. For movement, the Effectrode Tube-Vibe brings rich, psychedelic modulation that stacks beautifully with this circuit.

This demo is about real playing, real tone, and a historically important amp done right. If you’re into boutique amps, expressive Les Paul rigs, and deep tone exploration, hit Subscribe — there’s a lot more coming.

🔊 Signal Chain
• Amp: Benson Amps Benmaster (10-Year Anniversary)
  – 35 watts
  – 2×5881 power tubes
  – 2×12AX7 preamp tubes
  – 1×5AR4 rectifier
  – 3× Weber 10A125A Alnico speakers (lightly doped)
  – Custom Soursound transformer set
  – Dovetailed pine cabinet, birch ply baffle
  – Controls: Volume, Treble, Bass, Presence
• Guitar: Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R8
• Pickups: Ron Ellis Pickups LRP Humbuckers
• Electronics: Edge of Breakup x Emerson Custom Les Paul Prewired Kit
  – Emerson Custom Premier Pro Pots
  – Emerson Custom Caps
  – Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds
• Boost: Expresso FX Ge Boost Mini (NOS Philips OC141 Germanium)
• Modulation: Effectrode Tube-Vibe

⏱ Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:37 Demo Begins - Lower Gain Settings
03:52 Guitar Volume Knob Cleanup
05:22 Bass Knob Settings
06:58 Volume / Gain to Noon
08:53 Volume / Gain to 3 o'clock
09:35 Volume / Gain Cranked
09:50 Going to the Lowest Possible Gain
10:26 Exploring Treble & Presence
11:17 Expresso FX Ge Boost Mini
14:12 Volume / Gain to Noon
16:35 Effectrode Tube Vibe
18:29 Lowering Benmaster Volume
19:19 Volume to Noon

🙌 Thanks for Watching
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