Up for sale, a Hamstead Artist 60+RT 1x12” combo amplifier, near-mint and in perfect working order, complete with the original footswitch. Updating Hamstead’s much-lauded Artist 20 platform and expanding it with more power and tonal sculpting versatility than ever before, this combo amp pairs the Hamstead Artist preamp stage with a fixed bias, twin EL34 output stage, bringing extra volume, clean headroom, and dynamic range.
The Artist 60+RT features a single-channel, dual input design. Each stage of the circuitry has been carefully refined to provide a wide spectrum of sonics, from the warmest of mellow jazz, through sparkling country cleans, to mean, gritty blues and classic rock drive. The Artist 60 offers depth, clarity, and great dynamic feel, and the Output Power selection can operate at 60, 20 or even a mere 7 watts, without compromising the tone, ideally flexible for stage, studio, and practice use. Additional tools include a three-position Bright switch and a footswitchable “Voice” mode that adds upper midrange presence, perfect for cutting through a mix. Hi and Lo preamp gain presets can be selected on the rear control panel, which also features bias test points, a three-way ohm switch, FX loop, and a switch governing the order of effects in the signal chain (Reverb into Tremolo or vice versa)
As the “+RT” would indicate, this Artist 60 is loaded with Hamstead’s signature Reverb and sine wave Tremolo circuits, both footswitchable (or toggled on the front panel). The long-spring Reverb ranges from subtle atmosphere to dark, ambient sounds, and the Tremolo is smooth and even at all speeds.
The matched JJ tube complement comprises two EL34s in the power section and a trio of ECC83s in the preamp. This Artist 60 is loaded with a Celestion G12M-65 Creamback 12” speaker, arguable the definitive vintage-flavored Celestion ceramic speaker, yielding a classic woody tone with warm, vocal mids; sweet, refined highs; and powerful, spongy low end kick.
The cabinet is crafted from marine-grade birch ply, and cosmetic touches include black tolex, black grillcloth, a vintage-style jewel LED, chickenhead knobs, and brushed faceplate.
The four-button (Voice, Reverb, Tremolo, FX Loop) footswitch is included.