This my friends is probably the smallest tube amp on the planet . It ’ s the size of a Fuzz Factory ( it ’ s actually built in a modified Z . Vex pedal housing ) and pumps out a massive half-watt at full blast . It does this by utilizing a pair of NOS Phillips 6021W dual-triode tubes . The word on the street is that these tubes were originally used for nuclear missiles . I ’ m glad Zachary Vex found a ( slightly ) safer alternative use for them . The Nano is powered by a simple 12- volt DC power supply but is ramped up internally to 230 volts . In other words , inside it ’ s cooking just like a standard sized amp .
Doesn ’ t sound very impressive does it ? Well , once heard through a 1x12 or even a 4x12 cab , it ’ s a gamechanger . It sounds like a raging stack but the volume level is just barely loud enough to keep up with a drummer . That said , this amp isn ’ t for gigging ; it ’ s for recording , or getting cranked amp tones at home without annoying your housemates or neighbors . And most importantly , one can get cranked amp tones without overpowering high end condenser and ribbon mics . The tones from the Nano Head are pretty classic , sounding like a cross between a Marshall JTM and a Fender Bassman but at reasonable levels . And it holds up to pedals surprisingly well , although any amount of extra gain pushes it into saturation in a hurry .
PRO USE : Supposedly , Malcolm Young of AC / DC uses one at home . I can see why , the cranked tones of the Nano are great for big , crunchy AC / DC chords .
BONUS : The cool factor of the tiny little 6021W tubes are worth it alone . It ’ s like playing an amp built by the Smurfs . It doesn ’ t hurt that my review model was painted blue .
Z . VEX NANO HEAD
This my friends is probably the smallest tube amp on the planet . It ’ s the size of a Fuzz Factory ( it ’ s actually built in a modified Z . Vex pedal housing ) and pumps out a massive half-watt at full blast . It does this by utilizing a pair of NOS Phillips 6021W dual-triode tubes . The word on the street is that these tubes were originally used for nuclear missiles . I ’ m glad Zachary Vex found a ( slightly ) safer alternative use for them . The Nano is powered by a simple 12- volt DC power supply but is ramped up internally to 230 volts . In other words , inside it ’ s cooking just like a standard sized amp .
Doesn ’ t sound very impressive does it ? Well , once heard through a 1x12 or even a 4x12 cab , it ’ s a gamechanger . It sounds like a raging stack but the volume level is just barely loud enough to keep up with a drummer . That said , this amp isn ’ t for gigging ; it ’ s for recording , or getting cranked amp tones at home without annoying your housemates or neighbors . And most importantly , one can get cranked amp tones without overpowering high end condenser and ribbon mics . The tones from the Nano Head are pretty classic , sounding like a cross between a Marshall JTM and a Fender Bassman but at reasonable levels . And it holds up to pedals surprisingly well , although any amount of extra gain pushes it into saturation in a hurry .
PRO USE : Supposedly , Malcolm Young of AC / DC uses one at home . I can see why , the cranked tones of the Nano are great for big , crunchy AC / DC chords .
BONUS : The cool factor of the tiny little 6021W tubes are worth it alone . It ’ s like playing an amp built by the Smurfs . It doesn ’ t hurt that my review model was painted blue .