About the Amp:
This is a 100W EL34 boutique handwired combo with a 100/50/25 Watt switch and a 1x12" Reussenzehn designed Emminence Legend Speaker. It is a limited edition of the Chicage Model No. 2 similar to the one which was built for Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top).
Excerpts from reviews of "Guitar & Bass":
The Rio Grande is a river in the Lone Star State (Texas) and a Reu-o-Grande-amp can sound so authentic that the conjecture is close, that this amplifier would be closely associated with the land the Rhythm and the Blues are at home.
But thehome of the Reu-o-Grande amps is the town of Offenbach, Germany that has so much classic rock and roll appeal as my grandma; this is where Thomas Reußenzehn has its production workshop since 1968, in which he builts next tio the guitar amps many other products such as stereo pre and power amplifiers, headphones, etc. One thing that all these products have in common: they are driven by conventional tube technique.
With Reu-o Grande Thomas Reußenzehn refers to a small limited series of amplifiers, where all his years of accumulated know-how on tube amps and their modifications come together. The first Reu-o-Grande amps, then still heavily modified Marshall 1959 models, were built for the Rodgau monotones in 1979, followed by sporadic small series such as the top Chicago Mod 2 with built-in exercise speakers or 4x 10 "- stereo combo.
Minorities often have an unusual appearance, and so Reußenzehn has never shied away from offering spectacular designs. The Reu-o-Grande head for example, had a bright red fabric cover, Snake Skin immitation, a so-called Spidertop with engraved aluminum front panel etc. And for his latest creation, the 112 Leo combo, the Master has even gone on safari.
Construction
The almost square case of the combo is covered with leopard skin (immitation) - hence "Leo" as Thoughtful! - Respect!Stay calm, her animal rights activists here any real leopard was pulled the wool over my eyes, of course it is an imitation, a fabric that appears deceptively real and is also exceptionally stable. Rugged metal corners are fixed with a little clunky-looking wood screws, also protect the eight corners of the rear half-open combos. Four rubber feet provide a secure grip, as well as the duty leather handle on top of the housing.
Reu-o-Grande amps always present, so the manufacturer, the "pure" rock and roll sound - equipped and are therefore so spartan than any other amplifier on the market. Features such as Hall, a second channel or even EQ seeking man therefore vain. Other legendary amps such as the Vox AC30, have no tone control in the strict sense. The guitar signal is highly amplified relatively "short" on the fewest possible steps and phase shifts, effective sound influences are not made in the preliminary stage, but in the final stage through active presence and cut filter.
A conventional tone control, which usually consists of capacitor filters, affect the pure sound dramatic, it then has a relatively large technical effort will be operated to give the sound the old freshness. However, with increasing volume by the coming into saturation output transformer sound characterizes the crucial stage of the amplifier, the tone control was simply omitted!
Another special feature is the built-in the precursor so-called cathode follower circuit in the TubeBooster available as foot appliance Daniel D from the same house also sits and already a number of guitarists should be known. The precursor is therefore equipped with three 12 AX7 tubes, the first - this very responsible for Daniel D. circuit, has been treated to microphonics by a special mechanical damping action.The Daniel D. circuit variant gives the Vertstärker a great dynamics and sensitivity that make a channel switching almost redundant - as the precursor reacts sensitively to the incoming guitar signal.
The rectifier function is not realized as with many other vintage-oriented amplifiers through a tube but by a diode circuit. This gives the amplifier a greater assertiveness and a slightly more central, more direct punch. The natural compression that causes a tube rectifier is in the Reu-o-Grande reached in the 25-watt position, in Potiform (100,50 and 25 watts) can be adjusted by means of a triple switch.
The final stage is klassich: 1x 12 AX7 and 4x EL34 British style to enhance the worked-in the preamp signal. All tubes are supported by an integrated fan at operating temper, even if you like it a bit hotter approaching.As an output transformer, a high quality transformer series PM-95 is used, the thanks 12X nesting of the winding layers guarantees a high degree of frequency transformation and operational safety - as happens so fast no one in the knee. Here Reußenzehn continues the tradition amplifier at the end of the 50s, which constituted with such so-called ultra-linear circuits with complex output transformers in his opinion, the culmination of old tube circuits.A word processing: On the inside of the amplifier we see that the traditional way the individual components have been freely and naturally wired by hand with fabric silicone wires. A good dynamics and a plush tone is mainly achieved by all the major components as close as possible - are built - here on an area of about 10 x 10 cm. For this reason, the internal amp comes also completely without shielded cables, which would cause their higher capacitive damping high frequency loss and a duller sound, and still has a high signal to noise ratio, ie, he roars no more than other amplifiers too. All other components such as potentiometers, jacks and switches are proven, robust parts that leave a reliable impression.
Controls:
The amplifier used in the 112 Leo corresponds to the top amplifier of the Reu-o-Grande series, the Chicago Model No 2. Similar to an AC-30, the amplifier is installed hanging in the housing, the controls are aligned to the top.Above the input jack active Soundpoti similar to the cut-regulator of AC-30, the hidden variable from over treble / midrange dominant to bass / low mids-emphasized sounds. With the pre and master pots, the input and output volumes are set, an additional presence control - what a luxury! - Acts directly on the driver part of the stage and, if necessary, give the sound, a clear height boost.As mentioned above, a switch lowers the nominal final volume from 100 to 50 watts - here two power tubes are switched off - or to 25 watts, which are achieved by additional damping load resistors. Two heavy-duty toggle switch press the On/Off- and standby functions - that's about it as well.The connection periphery of the rear or underside is designed similarly spartan. Besides the two speaker terminals are one of which is occupied by the built-in speaker, we find the socket for the Euro power plug, two fuse holders and two more, labeled with send and return jacks, which are a serial loop.The supplied volume pedal is connected, the controls directly and exclusively the output stage of the amplifier and not as an upstream volume pedal adjusts the input volume of the precursor.In this way it can also be an effect unit "hung", the manufacturer has but necessarily indicate to use good equipment with the prescribed standard level, otherwise there is a danger that the sound of the amplifier gets stuck in the effects unit ...As a speaker Reußenzehn used a 12 "Eminence aggregate of the company, whose membrane it has hardened in a special procedure scheming.
Practice:
The handling of this Leos seems simple - and really, what can you do already wrong, there are almost no controller there? Connect the cable and off you go!If both regulators for pre and power amp turned up halfway, makes itself at my equipped with single-coil pickups favorite guitar (fully up volume control of the guitar) a rich, clear crunch sound wide, which is very dynamic and alive.The sound is downright fat and round; a great solo sound in a blues context. If the volume control of the guitar now turned back about halfway, the sound is almost completely clean and still has not become much quieter.Here, for the first time clear why the manufacturer believes that a channel switching is not necessary in a Reu-o-Grande. When the guitar is turned up, it gets just the right boost in volume to occur accompanying environment into the sunlight of a soloing from the rhythm and can. Practical!With a humbucker equipped guitar a whopping distortion is achieved at half cranked gain and power amp controls on the amp. Here, the guitar is also not quite clean, if their volume is withdrawn - because we would have the extra gain further turn back.But we want more! Is the gain knob about 3/4 of his way turned up, we get the humbucker guitar a wonderfully rich solo sound that somehow reminds me of the endless solos of jazz-rock formations from days gone by.Or is it just the joy of playing, which is mediated by the dynamism and vitality of this amplifier? My bandmates have certainly given me to understand clearly that we are not jazz-rock band with eternal guitar noodling were finally, and that I should hold back a little ...The single coil pickups delivers in this 3/4-Einstellung the amp a always transparent and pressing "board", where individual notes played unusually well fed and appear singing. Wanted feedback and targeted upset in overtones are one of the easiest exercises with this combo.The change from 100 to 50 watts nominal makes itself subjectively noticeable only at high volume. However, if the 25 - watt position enabled, then the output stage earlier in your saturation, the compressor effect described above is achieved and designed the sound soft and "creamy".Ultimately, all sounds that can be set with these few knobs, shaped by their freshness and vibrancy, no matter what guitar is being used.Even fully up-down gain with a humbucker guitar is rendered transparent, nothing crushes and makes tight.
Summary:
With a good guitar that is best equipped in the bridge position with a (splittable) humbuckers and has the correct capacitor on the volume pot, which prevents the lowering of heights when runterregeln, has an a guitarist with this Reu o Grande 112 Leo ultimate sound tool at hand, who gave him an unusual sound and bandwidth - provides quality paired with a pure tube sound.The traditional design-handmade in Germany - and uncompromising design are a prerequisite for an impressively expressive sound that enhances any guitar and his focus is certainly in the broad field between ROCK AND BLUES.International sound - and price comparisons needs of Reu o Grande Combo do not fear, and in the case of services, modifications, etc., it is certainly enough for the manufacturer of advantage not somewhere on the Rio Grande, but - be as in this case-the murky Main home has. Leo F. is dead-long live this Leo!
PLUS:
+ Extremely dynamic blues / rock sound reason
+ Versatility (see text)
+ Uncompromising design