SMOKEY AMP
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For those unfamiliar, The Smokey Amp
is a simple little practice amp that was
originally built into a cigarette box.
Nowadays, it is also built into a small
translucent polycarbonate box and
that’s the one I have. The Smokey is
bone simple; it has an input jack, and
output jack (more on that in a minute),
and a very basic little two-inch speaker.
sustain in a portable package. When
recorded, the Smokey creates a tone
that is incredibly tight in the mix. It’s
not great for thundering riffs or rhythm
parts, but it’s killer for lead tones.
The Smokey sounds a trebly (a little
thin), brash, and it distorts very quickly
(partially in the circuit and partially via
the speaker). Rolling off on the volume
cleans it up a little, but it doesn’t really
do clean. It’s powered by batteries, can
fit in a pocket, and offers electric guitar
BONUS: You can use it as an overdrive/
fuzz or power a 4, 8, or 16 ohm cab
with it. Placing it in the rear pocket
of your pants helps to soften the
sometimes shrill highs.
TONE TALK //
PRO USE: John 5 of Marilyn Manson
fame rarely, if ever, plays acoustic.
Instead, when around the house, he
uses a Smokey to amplify his electrics.
Little Giants: Four Tiny Towers of Tone