Designed
by noted amp builder James Brown, the 100 watt Double
Cross boldly redefines high-gain guitar amplification
with a broad spectrum of stunning new tones and user-modified
features.
The Double Cross platform consists of three distinctively
voiced channels: Rhythm, Lead I and Lead II. Each Lead
channel can be modified by users via four separate function
switches which are located at the four end points of a
"Cross" design on the control panel. These switches
are not simply EQ parameters: instead, each uniquely blends
additional 12Ax7 tube stages, letting players actually
alter the Gain/EQ/Attack structure of their preamps –
modifications usually not offered to consumers unless
they take their amplifier to a knowledgeable technician
to be permanently "modded."
In general, the two Lead channels are voiced differenctly,
with Lead I catering to a modern heavy tone and Lead II
crafted for a more tradtional, high-gain "cranked
amp" lead tone.
The four switches on each Cross are: (1) Bright: which
alters the tone to enhance high-end response and tighten
the low-end; (2) Gain: which boosts the preamp gain; (3)
Tight Stage: which adds chunky, vintage-style gain like
a classic amp when fully cranked; (4) Thick Stage: which
offers rich, aggressive tonal qualities with complex harmonic
content. These four functions may be activated, omitted
and blended in any combination to create a wider choice
of tones than any other high-gain amp on the market.
"Having worked on high-gain amps for years, I always
noticed how adding more gain usually causes so much compression
that you lose all your dynamics and note definition,"
explains James Brown. "Although the Double Cross
offers tremendous amounts of gain and distortion, it adds
the extra tubes in a new way that doesn't change your
dynamics or sacrifice the touch sensitivity, regardless
of the amp's settings."
All three channels of the Double Cross provide separate
Gain and Volume controls – a standard Kustom feature
– as well as independent Bass, Middle, Treble and
Presence controls. There is also a global Master Volume
and a Boost Volume control that can be activated with
the Double Cross's 5-function metal footswitch (included).
A speaker cabinet-emulated Direct Out, drawn from Kustom's
Coupe Series amplifiers, has evolved to offer two signal
options: (1) the tonal coloration provided by a Slant-style
4x12 cabinet or (2) the distinct sound of a Straight-style
4x12. The rich, punchy tone of Kustom's D.I. signal has
been revered by professional musicians and is now even
better.
Special features include an all-tube, footswitchable effects
loop, a 6L6 / EL34 bias switch for changing output tube
types, a Tight input jack that tightens the attack response
of the entire amplifier, and a 5-function footswitch that
activates each channel, the Boost function, and the effects
loop.
MIDI Capable!
The Double Cross's footswitch functions can be activated
by sending MIDI patch changes to its MIDI IN. Programming
is simple... plug in your MIDI footswitch(or cable from
effects device), send a patch number change, footswitch
the Double Cross as required, and Press & Hold the
MIDI Save button on the back of the amp. From then on,
the amp will return to this footswitch setting whenever
it receives this particular patch change. And the amp's
regular footswitch can still be used, too!
KUSTOM
DOUBLECROSS VALVE AMPLIFIER
DOUBLECROSS
£1,999.00
• 100 Watts RMS Power
• Lead 1, Lead 2 and Rhythm Channels
• Normal & Tight Input Configuration
• Bass, Middle, Treble & Presence Controls per
Channel
• 5 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7 Preamp Tubes/Phase Inverter
• 6 x 6L6 or 6 x EL34 PowerTubes with Bias Switch
• Gain Control per Channel
• Master Volume per Channel
• Variable Boost (footswitchable)
• MIDI In
• Effects Loop (footswitchable)
• Direct Out with 4 x 12 Cabinet Emulation
• Footswitch – 3 Channels, Boost & Effects
• 12 (H) x 27 (W) x 10.875 (D)
• 43lbs/19.5kg
Chief
Designer James Brown
Demonstrates the Double Cross
Kustom's
Mark Hunter
takes an in depth look at the Double Cross
KUSTOM
DOUBLECROSS
STRAIGHT / VINTAGE 30's
4 x 12" CABINET
DC412A
£1,229.00
DC412B
£1,229.00
Kustom
Double Cross™ 412 A/B guitar speaker cabinets take
the classic 4x12 concept and elevate it to a new artform.
The top, bottom and two sides of a Double Cross 412 speaker
cabinet are all cut from a single sheet of virtually void-free
Baltic Birch plywood, recognized for its rich, "woody"
tonal qualities. Kustom has found that cutting the cabinet's
entire 15mm frame from a single sheet of birch enhances
the overall resonance because each piece has similar structural
characteristics and density patterns. Accordingly, the
individual pieces of wood resonate together, creating
stronger fundamental tones with naturally enhanced harmonics.
Furthermore, using modern CNC machines that are Computer
Indexed results in incredible accuracy when cutting the
wood. Once assembled, the pieces fit together perfectly,
with tighter glue joints, for increased strength.
Taking this concept even further, a Straight-front Double
Cross 412 cabinet features a one-piece Baltic Birch Baffle
Board. The Baffle itself is thinner than the cabinet’s
shell, measuring 12mm in thickness. Testing at Kustom
has shown that a somewhat thinner Baffle contributes desireable
resonance to the overall sound, creating more lively,
less rigid, tonal qualities.
Naturally, the Double Cross 412 with the classic Slant
front is built from two pieces of virtually void-free
Baltic Birch, as is necessary with the Slant-type design.
Again, thickness is 12mm for responsive performance.
Double Cross 412 speaker cabinets all use 12-inch Celestion®
Vintage 30™ speakers, a favorite of professional
guitarists around the world. These premium speakers deliver
rich, full-bodied tone with great definition and sustain
– you’ll quickly hear why they have earned
a reputation for excellence. Overall power handling is
rated at 240 watts.
Double Cross 412 cabinets are wired for Mono or Stereo
operation which is selectable using a switch on the back
of the cabinet. When using a cabinet in the traditional
Mono mode, the four speakers are rated at 16 Ohms. In
Stereo mode, two speakers function for the Left side and
two speakers function for the Right side with a total
impedance of 8 Ohms per side.
Visually, Double Cross 412 cabinets are stunning. Total
boutique quality. And rightly so, as they are handcrafted
at the Kustom Shop in Cincinnati, Ohio. Beautiful, high-quality
coverings, Vintage Black Weave Grill Cloth, removeable,
vintage-style castors, and rugged handles complete the
package. Truly a classic piece that can compete with any
speaker cabinet ever built.
All
products contained within the JHS website are available throughout
the United Kingdom and Eire from all good music stores.
Please
note, as trade only distributors we do not sell direct to the
general public.
Specifications, colours and pricing are subject to change without
prior notice.
Please
contact your local music store. If you experience any difficulty
in obtaining the products you require please contact us at
webinfo@jhs.co.uk
Please include your name, address and postcode.
