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“Authentic Hendrix” Touring Circuit

The PRS HDRX 50 captures the flexibility and balance of late 60’s British- inspired tone in a powerful 50-watt amplifier. A continuation of PRS’s popular HXDA amplifiers, PRS HDRX amps feature a refined control layout and a newly-documented “Authentic Hendrix” Touring Circuit. This circuit is heavily inspired by one of Hendrix’s personal amps, purportedly used at Woodstock, which Paul Reed Smith and PRS Amp Designer Doug Sewell were able to study in 2018.

Designed to push the high-end so it is very clear, but not so much that it’s harsh, the PRS HDRX shines without glaring and allows for aggression that can be backed off for smooth, sweet tones. The PRS HDRX 50 is driven by a pair of EL34EH power tubes, the best pre-amp tubes available, and a custom-designed Straight Edge output transformer. The HDRX 50 mimics the 100 watt power supply while using its own custom 50-watt transformer, which makes it much closer in output and tonal character to the 100 watt amplifier than a normal 50 watt amp. The power supply and filament design also make the HDRX remarkably quiet with little to no amp “hum or hiss.”

The PRS HDRX 50 features a 3-band TMB tone stack, 3-way bright switch, high-mid gain switch, and presence controls. These features mirror the historic amp and give players flexibility and increased control of their tone. The PRS HDRX 50 is also designed with internally bridged channels with individual volume controls. This eliminates the need for a jumper cable (historically used on the outside of the amp) and allows players to more easily dial in their distortion level and tone by blending the lead and bass channels’ individual volume controls, bringing more modern convenience to the amp.

Made in PRS Guitars Stevensville, Maryland, USA factory, PRS HDRX 50 amps are an exhaustive recreation of tone, a celebration of history, and a mon- ument to modern technology. PRS has also designed matching 2x12 and 4x12 cabinets for the HDRX Amp family. Loaded with modified Celestion G12H-75 Creamback speakers, these cabinets push and punch to complete the package.

“Designing the PRS HDRX was not an exercise in over-engineering – it’s a fairly straightforward build with the right parts and circuit. We kept historic specs where it made sense, and we made substitutions based on availability, safety, and experience. In the end, I think we have made a great-sounding amplifier with exceptional build quality and enough power to blow your pantleg when you play it,” Paul Reed Smith.

Please note: This is a vintage stock volume amp. PRS recommends using a volume attenuator with these amplifiers. There are several good choices on the market. PRS recommends the Koch Loadbox LB120 II. Please note, these come in 16 and 8 ohm versions; make sure the resistance matches the cabinet being used.

Featured Specifications

Specifications

General
Available Configurations Head Only
Electronics
Wattage 50
Output Transformer Straight Edge 50 Watt Output
Tubes
Power Tubes (2) EL34
Preamp Tubes (3) 12AX7 / ECC83
Front Panel Controls
Global Controls Treble, High Mid Gain Switch (on/off), Middle, Bass, Presence
Back Panel Features
Inlet Fused Power Inlet (IEC)
Extension Speaker Jacks 5
Ohm Switching (2) 4 ohm & (2) 8 ohm parallel, (1) 16 ohm
Bias Adjustable with Monitoring Jacks
Hardware
Covering Black Tolex
Piping Black
Measurements
Amp Width 21.5" (54.61 cm)
Amp Depth 10" (25.4 cm)
Amp Height 10" (25.4 cm)
Amp Weight 34.4 lbs (15.6 kg)
Preamp Tube Positions & Functions
V1 Input
V2 Cathode Follower
V3 Phase Inverter

Controls

Pre-Amp Section

T/M/B Tone Stack
The historic pre-amp tone stack of the HDRX 100 & 50 features treble, middle, and bass controls. This classic design driven by the cathode follower is placed later in the preamp circuit and is a big part of getting that wonderful midrange-driven, creamy British distortion.
High-Mid Gain Switch
Historically, some of Hendrix’s amps feature a key capacitor that helps define the gain and voicing of the amp and some do not (the amp PRS documented contained the part). We have included the capacitor and put it on a switch, so players can easily bring it in and out of the circuit. This is a classic mod. In the down position, there’s a more vintage, thick tone. The up position provides more high midrange gain that helps cut through the mix.
Individual Treble & Bass Volumes
These controls regulate the output level of the internally-bridged channels. By individually setting the Treble and Bass Volume controls, players can better dial-in their tone and distortion.
3-Way Bright Switch
HDRX amps feature a 3-way (off/on/on) bright switch, so players can set their brightness as desired when the treble channel volume control is below ten. Bright 1 is a standard value. On the Bright 2 setting, the brightness is further increased so players can reach their desired brightness at lower volumes.

Global Functions & Controls

Power On
PRS HDRX amplifiers feature a 2-way On/Off power switch. These amps were designed with historically-correct, high-power value capacitors and do not need a Standby Switch as part of properly powering on the amp. Mute the amp in lieu of a Standby Switch by simply pulling out the guitar input cable one click.
Presence
The Presence control resides circuit-wise in the power amp section and manipulates the negative feedback. Turn up the presence control to release more high-mid and treble into your sound. Depending on your preamp tone stack settings and your volume, the presence can change the volume and/or the texture of your high-end, making your amp wilder or more “present” sounding.
Input
PRS HDRX amplifiers feature a single input. On the documented historic amp, there were four inputs. Historically, these channels were “jumped” so the two channels could be blended. Here, the treble and bass “channels” are internally bridged for modern convenience – eliminating the need for a jumper cable on the outside of the amplifier.

Accolades

“The HDRX is an incredible rig. Not only does it have a ton of power, it’s got plenty of nuance and subtlety. Plus, my favorite pedals sound awesome straight in to the front end, with no need for an effects loop."

- Mark Lettieri

“This amp CRUSHES. Plug in, dime the eq, set the volume knobs and bright switches to taste, and you have what I consider to be a killer, dynamic sound that changes with your choice of guitar, pickups, and its volume and tone controls. That’s the secret to a great amp right there.”

- Butch Walker

“The PRS HDRX amp takes design concepts utilized for over a half century and brings them into the new millennium. A balance of power, dynamics, and tone with enough headroom to rattle your brain when needed. A sonic beast.”

- Myles Kennedy

“Being an absolute Jimi Hendrix fanatic, I was blown away at the opportunity to try out this amp!!! Not only does it nail that classic Jimi vibe and sound, but it can do so much more as well!”

- Chris Robertson

“This amp is sick!!!” All the frequencies are in the right spot. It takes pedals like a champ and breaks up really good and cleans up really well.”

- Justin Derrico

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