Sonzera 20 Combo
Clarity & Definition in a Low-Wattage Combo
Sonzera [Portuguese]: from som (sound), meaning a cool and/ or stunning sound (in the sense of music) – a kind of slang.
The Sonzera 20 is a 20-watt combo amplifier with two independently controlled, footswitchable channels designed for maximum versatility and in the spirit of vintage amps that allowed you to control your tone instead of the amp being in control.
The clean channel delivers full, 3D tones reminiscent of American 1960’s and 70’s amplifiers. The lead channel is related to the clean channel circuit-wise, so that it can be set up to act as a boosted clean channel or manipulated to make the channels sound like two completely different amps (the lead channel can be set from slight to very heavy distortion by simply using the volume and master controls). The bright switch on the lead channel has been carefully tailored to deliver familiar high-end snap and is particularly effective on the low strings, neck pickup settings, and with singlecoils, while the low-end response of the lead channel is full, tight, and clear.
Both channels on the Sonzera are designed to maximize note clarity and definition. The global presence control and the tone stack allow players to dial in a variety of tones from bell-like chime to warmer, thicker tones. The Sonzera 20 Combo also features global reverb control that is designed to enhance notes without clouding them. The reverb can be turned on and off via the footswitch. The addition of a built-in effects loop allows players to use all their time-based effects with ease without negatively impacting the overall tone of the amp.
In addition to its versatile tone, the Sonzera 20 Combo is also designed for reliability and serviceability. The power tube sockets are mounted directly to the steel chassis, and no push-on connections are used – all wires are soldered.
With robust construction, a wide range of tones, and steadfast controllability, the Sonzera 20 Combo is a solid gig- and studio- worthy amplifer.
Specifications
General | |
Available Configurations | Combo |
Electronics | |
Wattage | 20 |
Tubes | |
Power Tubes | (2) 6L6GCMS |
Preamp Tubes | (1) JJ ECC83S, (3) 12AX7AC5 |
Front Panel Controls | |
Clean Channel | Bass, Treble |
Global Controls | Presence, Reverb |
Back Panel Features | |
Inlet | Fused Power Inlet (IEC) |
Effects Loop | Loop Return, Loop Send |
Extension Speaker Jacks | 5, Parallel |
Ohm Switching | 4 (x2), 8 (x2), 16 Ohms |
Bias | Fixed Bias, Adjustable (bias jacks accessible from back panel) |
Hardware | |
Cabinet Material / Construction | Poplar Plywood |
Covering | Stealth |
Grill Cloth | Black and Cream |
Piping | Gold |
Measurements | |
Amp Width | 19.5" (49.53 cm) |
Amp Depth | 10.5" (26.67 cm) |
Amp Height | 18" (45.72 cm) |
Amp Weight | 42 lbs. (19.05 kg) |
Included Accessories | |
Included Accessories | 2-Button Footswitch (Channel Gain/Clean, Reverb On/Off) |
Preamp Tube Positions & Functions | |
V1 | 12AX7, Common Input Gain Stage |
V2 | 12AX7AC5, Gain Channel |
V3 | 12AX7AC5, Reverb |
V4 | 12AX7AC5, Phase Inverter |
General | |
Available Configurations | Combo |
Specifications
General | |
Available Configurations | Combo |
Electronics | |
Wattage | 20 |
Tubes | |
Power Tubes | (2) 6L6GCMS |
Preamp Tubes | (1) JJ ECC83S, (3) 12AX7AC5 |
Front Panel Controls | |
Clean Channel | Bass, Treble |
Global Controls | Presence, Reverb |
Back Panel Features | |
Inlet | Fused Power Inlet (IEC) |
Effects Loop | Loop Return, Loop Send |
Extension Speaker Jacks | 5, Parallel |
Ohm Switching | 4 (x2), 8 (x2), 16 Ohms |
Bias | Fixed Bias, Adjustable (bias jacks accessible from back panel) |
Hardware | |
Cabinet Material / Construction | Poplar Plywood |
Covering | Stealth |
Grill Cloth | Black and Cream |
Piping | Gold |
Measurements | |
Amp Width | 19.5" (49.53 cm) |
Amp Depth | 10.5" (26.67 cm) |
Amp Height | 18" (45.72 cm) |
Amp Weight | 42 lbs. (19.05 kg) |
Included Accessories | |
Included Accessories | 2-Button Footswitch (Channel Gain/Clean, Reverb On/Off) |
Preamp Tube Positions & Functions | |
V1 | 12AX7, Common Input Gain Stage |
V2 | 12AX7AC5, Gain Channel |
V3 | 12AX7AC5, Reverb |
V4 | 12AX7AC5, Phase Inverter |
General | |
Available Configurations | Combo |
Accolades
“I ended up recording the entire new Kentucky album with the amp. It was my main amp for my rhythm sounds and my solos. It’s so simple. I just love it.”
- Chris Robertson, Black Stone Cherry
“The Sonzera combines surprising exibility with simple design; and produces big, clear tone from a convenient grab n’ go platform.”
- Mark Lettieri, Snarky Puppy
"What’s really cool is the Sonzera 20 Combo offers features...usually found only on amps costing more than twice as much...This is the best sounding spring reverb I’ve heard since the Twin Reverb, and it may actually be better than that."
“We’re seriously impressed with this wonderful combo, packing plenty of serious guitar tone into a compact, portable package with more than enough volume to handle most small to medium gigs.”
- Music Radar
“In an amp I’m normally looking for a really great clean tone especially when I’m running a lot of pedals. I really want a bright, clear, pristine tone that’s full bodied with enough bass to move the low-end and enough sparkle on top. The Sonzera’s been perfect.”
- Dave Knudson, Minus the Bear
“If you plug into this amp, you’re going to sound like you...it’s going to translate really well what it is you want your sound to be. It gets a very wide variety of tones from the most saturated to the most pristine clear...I could easily plug into a Sonzera in any situation and never have to worry about getting the tone I want. There’s been a lot of love and care put into this.”
- Paul Reed Smith
"Anyone looking to make a cool and stunning musical statement would do well to plug into a Sonzera."