Jim Kelley Amplifier Eras

[beckstriad]

I made a video today of Jim Kelley Amplifiers through different eras. I made clips of each one I have, which includes Single channel Reverb through the modern 2 channel Line. Each one is stellar and each has its own character while also having a ton of commonality.

The guitar played is my PRS CE24. I believe it was built in 1991.

Speakers represented are:

Ev12L in the Single channel (Suhr Reissue)
JBL E120 in the FACS
EV SRO 15 in the FACS Line
EV 12S in 2 channel Line

 

[willie k]

The Jim Kelley Eras Tour!
This is a great comparison.
You really couldn’t go wrong with any of Jim’s amps. I feel very fortunate to have mine.

 

[Ed536m]

Beck, great video on the sound comparison of these amps. Since my interest has been perked what are the main differences of these amps? I realize some are 2 channel and some have reverb. What does FACS stand for? Line? Are they all running 4x 6v6’s and about the same wattage? Thanks in advance.

 

[beckstriad]

Beck, great video on the sound comparison of these amps. Since my interest has been perked what are the main differences of these amps? I realize some are 2 channel and some have reverb. What does FACS stand for? Line? Are they all running 4x 6v6’s and about the same wattage? Thanks in advance.

There are those here (including Jim) who are more knowledgeable than me about this.

My best understanding:

All are basically refinements of a similar thing tonally. All of the badged amplifiers as far as I am aware are four 6V6 amplifiers. I believe there was one prototype that had two 6V6s.

The single channel has reverb and is one channel with high and low inputs. They are switchable between 30 and 60 watts. Best used with attenuator because they get loud.

FACS I believe stands for Foot(switch) Activated Channel Switching. This amp is two channels that are identical. One is designed to run with an attenuator to get the overdrive sounds more easily. The attenuator integrates with the amp in an ingenious way. These amplifiers have reverb on both channels. They are switchable between 30 and 60 W as well. Some have effects loops and some do not.

The FACS Line is a two channel amplifier that has the Line circuit Incorporated and does not require an attenuator to get the overdriven sounds. Not exactly the same way the sound is achieved with the modern Line, but incredible in its own right and, again, ingenious. Also switch wall between 30 and 60 W. I think a lot of of these had different options as there were not many of these built at all from my understanding. They have effects loops.

The Line is the most recent production amplifier that Jim has built and the initial ones were single channel and subsequent ones have been to channel with an an and B input. These do not have reverb. They are not able to be changed power wise. These are the amps that Jim auctions a few times a year.

Jim also built a couple of fender and Marshall prototype amps in the past. Most recently he has licensed his Line technology to Tim from audio eyra to build a few of the Marshall Line mods as well as some of Tim‘s ground up builds. Those are KT 66 amplifiers.

I may be leaving out details or have something incorrectly. If so, hopefully voodoo sound or Jim will come in and correct me.

 

[Ed536m]

Thanks for a great explanation!!

 

[Voodoosound]

There are those here (including Jim) who are more knowledgeable than me about this.

My best understanding:

All are basically refinements of a similar thing tonally. All of the badged amplifiers as far as I am aware or 4 6 V6 amplifiers.

The single channel has reverb and is one channel with high and low inputs. They are switchable between 30 and 60 watts. Best used with attenuator because they get loud.

FACS I believe stands for Foot(switch) Activated Channel Switching. This amp is two channels that are identical. One is designed to run with an attenuator to get the overdrive sounds more easily. The attenuator integrate with the amp in an ingenious way. These amplifiers have reverb on both channels. They are switchable between 30 and 60 W as well. Some have effects loops and some do not.

The FACS Line is a two channel amplifier that has the Line circuit Incorporated and does not require an attenuator to get the overdriven sounds. Not exactly the same way the sound is achieved with the modern Line, but incredible in its own right and, again, ingenious. Also switch wall between 30 and 60 W. I think a lot of of these had different options as there were not many of these built at all from my understanding. They have effects loops.

The line is the most recent production amplifier that Jim has built and the initial ones were single channel and subsequent ones have been to channel with an an and B input. These do not have reverb. They are not able to be changed power wise.

Jim also built a couple of fender and Marshall prototype amps in the past. Most recently he has licensed his Line technology to Tim from audio eyra to build a few of the Marshall Line mods as well as some of Tim‘s ground up builds. Those are KT 66 amplifiers.

I may be leaving out details or have something incorrectly. If so, hopefully voodoo sound or Jim will come in and correct me.

That’s very spot on man. Nothing really for me to add. There was a 30 watt line amp amp badged prototype also. And if I’m not mistaken if the conversation I am remembering correctly with one of Jim’s friends when I picked up the Lee Rittenour zebra. There’s a 4 el84 line amp. Other than that. You’re rapidly picking up all the knowledge