2023 Benson Monarch Reverb Pendleton Flannel 1x12 Tube Amp

Up for sale, a 2023 Benson Monarch Reverb 1x12” combo amplifier in showroom clean condition and in perfect working order. Benson Amplifiers are hand-wired point-to-point by a team of expert craftspeople in Portland, OR, and the Monarch is Benson’s signature (and original) amplifier. This rare example is from Benson’s collaboration with legendary PNW weavers Pendleton Woolen Mills, wrapped in Pendleton’s iconic plaid wool flannel.

The Monarch dates back to Chris Benson’s days as an amp technician, during which he would recreate portions of circuits he liked into a kind of Frankenstein’s monster-esque amalgamation of various components and designs; one day, like magic, he found himself with a circuit that could deliver euphonic cleans that transitioned directly into aggressive harmonic distortion, and the Monarch was born. The Voice switch toggles between British and American-flavored tonal profiles, with streamlined controls to ensure this unit is about as plug-and-play as they get, and the tube-driven reverb is lush and atmospheric.

The all-tube signal path is constructed on terminal strips, with no circuit, eyelet, or turret boards. Premium components include custom Soursound transformers and Mallory capacitors. The matched JJ tube complement comprises a pair of 6V6 power tubes, GZ34S rectifier, and three ECC83s in the preamp. This combo is loaded with a custom-built ceramic 12” speaker, built for Benson by Weber, rated at 30 watts and 8 ohms, a British-voiced speaker that is reminiscent of a Celestion G12H-30 but with a touch more compression when pushed hard, ensuring perfectly smooth overdrive and distortion.

The solid pine cabinet features dovetail joints, with a leather handle, Benson/Pendleton badge, and maroon grillcloth. Exceptionally well-kept since new, there’s barely a mark on the custom Pendleton flannel covering.