Handwired Dark Gene Red 1 watt tube amp

[@d.kowalskiamplifiers4622]

Awesome demo, Phil! Great tones! Very thorough. Thank you again!

[@SapperRJMorgan]

Thanks for your art. We appreciate both your contributions to the community.

[@onesandzeros]

Nice amp!

[@Bobyoudontneeemyname]

Think you are about to receive an influx of orders

[@girolamo5637]

Agreed! Also D.Kowalski not only makes Great Amps but is a Fantastic Guy! Keep up the Awesome Job!

[@bigtuna6463]

I have had mine for 4 weeks now and i am amazed at the tones i get from it. That little 3 position toggle switch makes it so much more versatile on the clean channel. I have the red version like that one. I have several small combo tube amps but this head through a 10'' cab i had sounds great to me. The builder nailed it What a fun amp to play through good review.

[@digitaldrew]

I've had a Dark Gene Red for about 2 years or so now. Amazing little amp with way more potential than I thought. I ran it into a 1x12 and was blown away with the tones. Its such an expressive little box. Now, I love running into my Katana Artist MkII Power Amp as a preamp and blowing the doors off everything with that crunchy beautiful tone. Well worth every penny.

[@rstuartcpa]

Me too…one reason why I love collecting amps is that collectible amps are relatively more affordable than collectible guitars. You can easily find a mid-60’s Fender Super Reverb (the “Holy Grail” of collectible amps) for less than $4,000…while a Strat from the same era will run you more than $20,000.

[@ThePowerman121]

“It’s loud enough to upset everyone in the house”. That sounded personal.

[@robertbrandner]

Great idea, showing the amp with the current settings in the insert in the corner.

[@_patrikjay_]

That thing sounds great and sounds way more full and big than a Half of a Watt. Well done!

[@fredsalter1915]

I love your guitar & gear vids! And +1 for using Kiesel!

[@mattcgtx4809]

I just got both. The Red is a lot of gain for my taste but the clean channel is GREAT for pedals. The Green is just awesome. Keeping them both😎

[@darrell5228]

Man you always have great tech and info videos.

[@MrJommins]

You had me at the very first note you played on that guitar. As soon as I heard that amplifier I thought oh yeah, this is what it’s all about.

[@Bobby_Digital37]

Man that’s a exactly what I’ve been looking for!!

[@clemguitar63]

DARK GENE into a Fryette Power Station ONE HUNDRED PS-100, paired with your Speaker Cabinet of choice, and Stand Back Jack!

[@utenzil]

I like this. There are very loud, very clean old solid state amps with line in you can get for cheap if 0.5 watts doesn't rattle your rafters.

[@jeffpashley]

Killer demo, Phil!

[@7171jay]

As the Zvex Nano now goes for $519, has less controls, pretty much doesn't do truly clean very well, and uses a rather oddball tube the Gene seems like a gift with it's really low pricetag, rather full function controls and it's even point to point. CRAZY!!!

[@stickman55100]

What a great sounding amp!

[@DRChevalier]

Thanks much Phil. I was not aware of this product and it will cost me some money because it really does sound very good in your environment 😊

[@vlada]

Kowalski Amplifiers absolutely need to call one of their amps The Killer.

[@AMERICANPRIDE1100]

Ordered mine in April it’s arriving today 3 months I can’t wait to try it got the green model

[@PipeCat1965]

Half a Watt - that's why they make microphones and monitors. You can gig with anything if it sounds good. Cool share.

[@jakemunns5185]

I got a Dark Gene Red a few months ago and love it, but took about 5 months from time of order to delivery. But Kowalski is good with communication, very friendly, and helpful with answering questions. Tempted to get a Green, but not sure the two are different enough to warrant the purchase.

[@vautrain]

I've had the Green model for quite some time and it's just a great sounding amp for late night jamming. Probably the best low watt tube amp I've found for low volume playing without an attenuator, and I've tried quite a few from .5 to 5 watts.

[@pzuliomaccavellion9711]

I've had the green and the red for a couple of months now! Both awesome!

[@thomask9577]

Which one do you prefer and why?

[@pzuliomaccavellion9711]

@@thomask9577 the red is more my style, more aggressive sounding, but the green has a really cool fluffy fuzz when you push it. And they both get that pushed power valve sound at such low volume, its awesome and strange to get used to, almost bizarre! Honestly both awesome!

[@danlohrfink9272]

As much of a fan as I am of my Vox AC4, this thing sounds super cool. Going on my wish list. Thanks, Phil & Dave!

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

It sounds really good!

[@robertpratte3639]

I have had the red for a year or so - I think it was a second run, back when they were about $100 cheaper. Great little amp. I've intended to pick up the green for awhile, so thanks (no thanks?) for reminding me. Just ordered the sibling.

[@olearywu]

Great amp. Cool builder. Hagerman amps does similar things, also made in the USA. Love my SE-2, a two watt amp, plus my pedal sized One-watter. I don't see how you'd need more than two watts for home use.

[@toddflowers8052]

Sounds pretty darn good ....thanks Phil !

[@johnl.donofrio2441]

Ordered one. Can’t wait.

[@raymondsurace2575]

I have a Green model and I love it!

[@DH432hrtz]

Great demo, Sir😎

[@sirblingjax]

Could you ask David Kowalski if he could bring down the price by offering the amplifier in a kit form for people that were just want to build the amplifier as a kit that would also be a great savings for people who like building electronics devices. Since he's so backed up with orders this would help him out and increase his revenue!! The amp sounds great and will also be an assets for clean and crisp sounds when recording into you DAW :)

[@stevenkoppelkam643]

Just ordered mine

[@johnschoppmusic]

Saw Pete Thorns Vid on the single channel awhile back and pulled the trigger! Quality Amp For Sure!! ~cheers

[@pastorkev777]

Frenzel Amps has been doing this sort of thing for well over a decade too. I would recommend checking them out too. A variety of good affordable amps like this is a good thing!

[@TheStupidMonkey007]

This looks very interesting. Looking forward to watching this in an hour or so.

[@fantomas9240]

That sound huge and great! Hope find it in Europe. A effect loop would be perfect

[@rorow3r]

Amazing on bass too, use it into my Straight Ahead power amp and it sounds amazing. Clean or overdriven. Had it for about 2 years.

[@andrewmanara5289]

This sounds really good

[@Setright230]

That’s exactly what I’m wanting for some recording and low out night playing. Yet Australia the computer has changed my name from Grumpy Digger which I prob change back. Really like to find one for Australia as still breaking in the Gibson SG 61 ri cherry no vibrato love it and Gibson Qc must be taking care as not a buff or paint run. Had to include a SG to my little collection Habit lol.

[@strings53notlob50]

It sounds pretty cool but a little more than double the money and you have a 50 W Marshall head. It would be cool to see if he could make a 10 W version.

[@mattdevol3339]

Red or Green? Red or Green?? Red or Green??? I cant decide, and can’t afford both, so any good advice as to which one I might enjoy most? You may also want to look at a Wangs Mini 5.0 Watt tube amplifier for $249. It’s a quality piece of gear, sounds great, and feeds my mini-amp tube addiction.

[@meesterdinglefritz2064]

Wow,that sounds really good!

[@matthewmorin7016]

And now it's going to be sold out.

[@MisterCross]

True!

[@prohunter717]

Wonder if the price will stay the same or not for long.

[@jsatchton597]

This is The Way.

[@MrShooter72]

Yep

[@sordel5866]

That price point is simply not sustainable for a small manufacturer: I think this is basically a loss leader to promote the brand. If you don't need it "hand-wired", however, there are tube amps from bigger brands for about the same money.

[@orlanbro]

What a great amp! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@AnimeAsLeaders998]

hi. did you change the way you record guitar for youtube vids? This is the best sounding one compared to your other videos (other ones sound too compressed, too dark etc and did not sound as good as this video). nice little amp.

[@I.M.Guitar-Nerd]

You'll need to give us an update in a week or so and let us know how many months of backlog he stacked up from this.

[@WebbChannel1]

SORRY PHIL!! Just went on their website, they UPED THE PRICE TO $450.00 NOW 11/4/23

[@shawnjoe72]

It became OVERPRICED & UNAFFORDABLE for what it is now. One might as well go for a more wattage amp at this price point.

[@richgleadall3884]

cool unit forsure.

[@wayne2202]

This thing sounds awesome great review also! Can't wait to get it probably going to take a year to get after this review.

[@wormfost5578]

Sounds very nice. 👌

[@JoshuaC923]

It sounds pretty good! Thanks Phil

[@Efren7962]

Have you reviewed the Stage Right 5- and 15-watt tube amps by Monoprice?

[@Stratisfied22]

My Vox Lil Night train has the same tube configuration. Basically all preamp tubes.

[@9999plato]

I took the plunge. Way better than the Champion 600 in the mini amp department at my house. Do I need another amp, no but I think it will be a better practice amp for keeping a lid on things than my Egnater rebel15 not that the Rebel is bad its just louder.

[@ivonsmith4255]

Sounds wonderfully warm and fat! Theres a lot of juice in that little unit! I wonder if they are available here in SE Asia???

[@quiksilver78]

Any relation to Killer Kowalski? This looks like a modded Joyo Bantamp (in a good way) without an FX Loop

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I might try one of these out, my Egnater Tweaker 15 is a little too loud for my bedroom (the whole house can hear it 🤷‍♂️)

[@bobmcelver1484]

Cool little amp......affordable. Btw.....what's the guitar on the wall directly behind your head ?.......love the wood tone of it.

[@daveblevins3322]

Nice work 👍

[@snapfinger1]

High Fidelity. Boutique bedroom amp. Perfect match with celestion cab.

[@ToneDeth.]

When people say you can’t gig with 1 watt amps, what about micd up with PA and monitors. Easy no?

[@roderickbalt8993]

Sounds very good, I remember I hade a Brunetti Singleman which had a 1 or 2 watt but it was a long time ago and I can't remember how usable that was in terms of getting the compression etc. This is sounds great!

[@dlmyrs]

I have a friend who can do a half finger. He’s a farmer. That’s a common thing around here.

[@thomask9577]

This looks really cool. This or the Bugera G5 Infinium?

[@soundknight]

Has lovely compression to it.

[@ianmartens5286]

nice little amp thanks

[@allengoeddey2719]

Is this the same amp Pete Thorn has reviewed as well? I just purchased a Supro Delta King 8. One watt tube amps can get plenty loud. That sounds really nice. That 12” speaker 🔈 makes a difference

[@paulcroce7303]

Omg thanks Phil

[@wildesage4172]

I lucked out a couple years ago and got a Bugera 5w head (with a 1w & .1w switch) for a STEAL from Craigslist. If i didn't have that, I'd have completed check-out on one of these before you even reached the middle of the video. I mean, I'm still tempted to! But the Bugera fills the role well enough. It's more money to put into pedals, lol.

[@tonywurtz8908]

Purchased a RED immediately after seeing this vid This could be bad for David, he's going to be backlogged for years LOL

[@bradleystereoguitaramplifi9616]

Cool! ❤ 🎸😎

[@brucechavez9535]

Sir, if you don't mind, may I ask you about that guitar that you're playing? It's really gorgeous. I know it's Kiesel Strat-style, but I just want to know the model name of that one, and how much did you get it for? Thanks so much, Sir in advance. And thank you as well for another good gear review...😊

[@onionheadguy7094]

It's a Delos. You can build one to your specs to see the price. I think the pickups are the kiesel equivalent to PAF pickups.

[@ravenslaves]

Hmmm...replace that 12au7 with a 12at7...ax7...etc... Could get some interesting results.

[@gayrambo4529]

The genius is the small footprint. And I can't even build a champ from scratch for $375. This is a screaming deal (literally).

[@EricJohnson-iv7ne]

Really cool

[@jacobbockover1628]

I think my out the door price was 400 and change it sounds better with a big bassy speaker. It is good at speach volume. I really want some sorta power amp i could plug the speaker out into

[@dougiedrever7168]

bit ridiculous that you can buy two of the amps for the price of the cab, ffs companies are taking the piss these days with cab prices, its a plywood box with a speaker, they might bullshit about the size and stuff but the only thing that makes any differ is the baffle, the stiffer that is the more efficient the speaker is end of,prob costs friedman as much to get the nameplate made as it did to buy the ply for the cab

[@Jonathan-L]

Now do the same demo with a Hotone solid state amp :)

[@jeromestevenfaigin6059]

This amp sounds fine in my earbuds, but is the tones mostly what kind of speaker or speakers go what kind of cabinets or mixing board then, piggyback to the Shure, SM57?

[@GuitarGears4544]

Phil-- did you say somewhere what kind of cabinet you're running it into? Maybe I missed that. Really takes pedals well.

[@mattl1811]

1x12 with a creamback

[@GuitarGears4544]

@@mattl1811 Thanks!

[@paulruiz4778]

What’s the situation regarding tubes supply is still worth buying a tube amp ?

[@toddjanney]

KooL idea !

[@touron119]

Would b cool to run through the bad cat unleashed!

[@DustinNulf]

I like it

[@lidor2856]

Hey Can you make a video about harmony guitars? The rebel and comet

[@christianpucciarelli]

What’s the preamp pedal you’re talking about ?

[@daveg4923]

I’ve been thinking of making something like this for a while..what wattages would you suggest that would make it suitable for home and gigging …. I’d be interested in making one n sending it to you Phil

[@DavidSmith-xz4zz]

Can you not run it through front of house and gig with it?

[@stevemyers2092]

sweet!!!!!!

[@BenBreard]

I don't need it, but it would be super cool to have. :)

[@adfury]

Didn't wangs do that?

[@davidtguitar]

If i want this, and use it both with headphones, and be able to record trough it on my computer. What would be the best solution?

[@davidtguitar]

Suppose i need it connected to an ir loader pedsl with headphone jack

[@julirichmond3]

Two ✌ gain contols! 😮

[@justinespinosa7878]

Two!

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Deux. 👀

[@richclayton5785]

From the point of view of a DIY amp and pedal builder. I can’t imagine how anyone can build an amp like this for that price. I couldn’t even source the parts at cost for that price, let alone build it, tune it and test it.

[@dusted2death]

Homeboy better have octopus arms after today! 😂😂

[@Bobyoudontneeemyname]

People dont realize how loud a 1/2 watt of tube power is, you wouldnt gig but its more than enough to make the roommate mad lol

[@BrentAdams]

Cool

[@MichaelJones-ti9fx]

🎉

[@ArtistformerlyknownasBret]

What pu's are in that Keisel?? Please and thank you.

[@therealjamesmarchant]

No, Marshall got a watt out of the 12au7 in the 50th anniversary amps.

[@waltercoyle6393]

@@therealjamesmarchant Nailed it James 😉

[@JohnWiku]

​@@waltercoyle6393 James doesn't know 😂😂