Two-Rock is a relative newcomer on the guitar amplification scene, but have rapidly earned an impressive reputation for themselves. They have a wide-ranging roster of users including John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, John Scofield and Carlos Santana. The Jet 35 has been designed to produce the Two-Rock tone in a small, portable package and at a club volume level.
Specifications:
Power: 35 Watts from 2 x 6L6 valves
EQ: Three band
Other controls: Gain, Master, Lead Gain, Lead Master, Reverb, Reverb Drive
Pull Bypass/Lead on Gain and Master controls, Pull Bright, Deep & Mid on Tone controls
Foot Switch: Bypass/Lead foot switch (included)
Loop: Serial passive
Reverb: Spring
Speaker 12″ WGS
Dimensions (L x H x D): 38 x 46 x 25.5 cm
Weight: 18 kg
First Impressions
The Jet 35 is tiny for a 35W amplifier – about the same height and depth as a Deluxe Reverb, but a full 16 cm narrower. It has the weight of a larger amp, so still feels substantial. One complaint is in the appearance – it has an unassuming, plain look with nothing about the cabinet or fittings belying the fact that it is an expensive amplifier.
Features
The gain structure of the Jet is interesting – it isn’t really a two channel amp, but rather an amp with an extra switchable gain stage for overdrive sounds. The clean has the usual gain and master controls, as does the lead section. When the Lead channel is selected, the normal gain and master controls stay active – so you end up with two gain and two master controls, all active. The two are also interactive – if you turn down the clean gain control it affects the gain of the drive channel too.
The EQ controls all have pull switches on the controls (Bright, Mid Boost, and Deep on the Treble, Mid and Bass controls respectively), as do the normal gain and master controls (bypass, Lead), making for five pull switches in all.
The reverb has the usual volume control on the front panel, but unusually, there is a Reverb drive control on the rear panel, which controls the signal level going in to the reverb circuit.
The effects loop is passive – a simple send and return between the preamp and the power amp with no extra circuitry added to compromise tone.
In Use
The control layout takes a little getting used to, particularly the two gains and two masters, and takes a little time to set the balance between clean and drive tones, but once you get the hang of it, it is incredibly flexible. The effects loop let me to integrate it into a TC Electronic G-system-based rig without any difficulties and it takes stompboxes very well.
Tone
The Jet 35 is an absolute tone monster. Glorious full, chimey and bell-like clean tones and a range of drive tones from dynamic from bluesy, dynamic edge of drive, through classic rock crunch and all the way up to super saturated Santana. The only thing I couldn’t get from it is high gain metal distortion tones.
Cranking the clean gain does not add any drive, merely compressing more, and it really starts singing at higher settings. You can get drive at higher settings, with the master control turned up until the power valves crunch, while the preamp stays clean.
The tone generally is quite balanced and modern, with enough range on the controls and switches for a variety of tones. The amount of bass on tap is amazing, given the size of the cabinet – more than enough for most purposes.
In Conclusion
The Jet 35 takes the (long held) crown for the ideal “grab-and-go” club or studio amp – more than enough volume, tone and flexibility for most applications and small enough to transport easily. It is not a home amp, particularly for drive – it needs to be turned up at least halfway. It also won’t make a heavy player happy – but any other style of player will be in tonal bliss.
Suggested Retail Price: R 26,100 Supplier: Guitartone
Tel. No: 021 855-5963
