The KR12 Head is an EL34-based head. It is the result of Louis Rosano’s longstanding work with Hubert Sumlin and Keith Richards. The KR12 Head’s four inputs offer different levels of gain from crisp, crunchy throatiness to a hefty vintage rock bark.
Based on the Louis Electric M12 used by Sumlin, the KR12 Head has several gain options and unmatched headroom, but preserves the warmth of a 1950’s and 1960’s vintage style amp. The KR12 Head has Volume and Master Volume controls, middle, treble, bass plus Presence. And, lurking on the underside of the chassis, a little Damping knob which adjusts the level of negative feedback which is an excellent feature to have because most amplifiers only offer fixed resistor which limits tone shaping.
- Classification: AB1, fixed bias
- Recommended Bias 2/EL34s 37 to 47 mili amps for each side
- Power output: 40 watts
- Speaker load: 8 and 16 ohms
- Controls: Volume, Master Volume, Treble, Bass, Middle, Presence
- Four Gain Inputs
- Damping Control to alter feedback circuit
- Pre Amp Tubes: 3-12AX7
- Output Tubes: 2-EL34
- Rectifier: 5AR4 or Optional Solid State Rectifier
- Height: 12″, Width: 24″, Depth: 9″
- Weight: 33 lbs.
- Eyelet Terminal board construction
- Hand-selected caps and resistors
- Custom designed hand built transformers
- Belton tube sockets
- Switchcraft and Carling input jacks and switches
- High-quality machine grade fasteners
- Moisture free circuit board
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“New KR12 owner here. The KR12 is an amazing amp. It’s caused me to let go of a couple of other combos. It’s incredibly versatile! It’s not a jack-of-all-trades but more like a master of them all!”
“Fabulous tweedy style cleans but some of the best natural overdrive I have come across – no harshness or splattiness – super smooth but with clarity and has that great quality of just sounding sweeter with lots of volume instead of ear fatiguing. My favorite setting is plugged into gain 1, footswitch on in the normal 2 input with negative feedback around 4-5, volume up high, master to taste. Add Barber CDD to tip over the edge.
Loves single coils as much as humbuckers and just nails that wonderful vintage warmth. I am playing it through a 4×10 cabinet loaded with Celestion Golds and the sound is massive and glorious.
What an absolute monster of an amp!”
“My new Louis Electric KR12 Head arrived the other day. I know I am late to this party but this amp deserves more press – it is an incredible amp!”
