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Kustom Amplification

KUSTOM DOUBLECROSS™ AMPLIFIER HEAD & CABINETS

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 Kustom Doublecross™ 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

Guitarist Magazine – Vintage Advance Guitars review
Kustom Doublecross Review
Music Radar Kustom Doublecross Review

Kustom Double Cross Tone Sampler

Chief Designer James Brown
Demonstrates the Double Cross

Kustom Double Cross Guitar Amplifier

Kustom's Mark Hunter
takes an in depth look at the Double Cross

CLICK HERE


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Kustom Doublecross Cabinets
KUSTOM DOUBLECROSS
VINTAGE 30's 4 x 12" CABINET
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.

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