PRS Sonzera 20 Demo | First Look

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Chasing '60s Fullerton zing and muscular drive, this re-vamped compact combo excels in both realms.
Returning to the lineup after a brief reprieve, the PRS Sonzera is a moderately powered 20 watt 1x12 combo amplifier. The Sonzera offers mid-1960’s American-style tone with two independently controlled, footswitchable channels designed for maximum versatility. The Sonzera’s gain channel can be set as a boosted clean channel or with heavy distortion, and the spring reverb and built-in effects loop allow players to easily expand their tonal palette. This is a distinct amp in the PRS line up, which also boasts the Archon, HDRX, DG Custom, and MT-15 amplifiers.
“I am very happy to re-release the new Sonzera 20 combo with improved construction techniques, refined voicing, and fresh cosmetics. Their design inspiration draws from the purity and tonal beauty of vintage American reverb amps of the 60s. The two-channel design is currently unique to the PRS lineup in that the Gain channel is simply the Clean channel with additional gain stages and its own tone stack inserted for discreet lead voicing control,” said PRS Amp Designer, Doug Sewell. “The 12 to 35-watt classic American reverb amps were very inspirational to me as a beginning amp designer in Texas. I consider the Sonzera amps an homage to those early days, and it was especially satisfying and nostalgic to be a part of their development and production.” (Specs courtesy of PRS.)
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[@arprtr]

Thanks for the PRS amp review John. I have now reached a point in life where "how much does it weigh " seems to be the most important spec. The new PRS amps seem to be better than their previous offerings. I like the fact that you can adjust the bias without taking the amp apart. Thanks again for a stellar review.

[@justice100forwin2]

What does adjusting the bias mean ?

[@arprtr]

@@justice100forwin2 In very basic terms it is setting the idle current for the tubes to operate. It should be done whenever new tubes are installed and checked periodically during the tubes life. Tubes that do not come into spec will give poorer performance and would be an indication that they should be replaced of not used at all as in the case of new tubes.

[@donciseau]

Excellent playing sir!

[@musicmann1967]

Sounds great, especially with that guitar! Very nice.

[@linheitzig9227]

Thanks for taking your time and sharing with us.

[@donciseau]

Excellent tones!

[@hibernative]

Sounds great. PRS has an awesome lineup of amps that sometimes get overshadowed by their guitars. AT least for me.

[@flooptydoo1178]

I had that devil girl decal on my truck. I dig it!

[@telefrk49]

I need one on a tele!!

[@calbraid3328]

John's a better player than half the guys featured on Rig Rundown.

[@radiradev2387]

Loved the Jerry Reed plug there...

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍💓🇺🇸🎸 LONG LIVE PRS!!! RELIC FREE SINCE 1985!

[@smelltheglove2038]

I have a theory….. If PRS became a guitar builder in the 50s, and there were a bunch of old naturally worn PRS guitars around that were considered “better” than their modern guitars, they’d be relic-ing guitars as well. As it stands now, they just don’t have that legacy so to beat one up to try and get it looking like it’s 70 years old would be ridiculous.

[@frankenstein4106]

John's PRS is the most relic'd one I've seen. Maybe they could start making re-issues of that.

[@gregs8685]

@@frankenstein4106 well the DGT has a nitro finish so he picked the right model to relic!

[@kolchak357]

Love the Jerry Reed!

[@bp7152]

Love the sound and features! Wish it didn’t have 90’s Peavey solid state aesthetics.

[@adamstrachn]

It sure isn't the most attractive combo ever 😂

[@SpartanPridePod]

Curious if the excessive hiss is gone from the Clean channel. That's what caused me to punt on V1

[@bobbyjohnston5451]

Your playing earned a like

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Isn't there an effect pedal engaged in that beautiful rendition of Hendrix in the beginning of the demo? I mean that reverby sound seems to have some kind of modulation and freezed tails? I also heard that dreamy sound on the Sweetwater demo.. If it's only the amps reverb is gorgeous!!!

[@azcoyote007]

How does it compare to the old version of this amp?

[@bearstokesful]

Sounds great, I really wish the video was a little more descriptive on the amp, but we knew what you sound like on it at least 😆 more talking next time lol

[@poesybeat]

PRS John Bohlinger SE One Signature Model please.

[@mickael.defoiardefoiard7738]

100% PLeasure

[@RDembowski]

Brasileiros: vocês foram invocados. 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@flybynight1929]

You got a screw loose! Literally, there's a screw sticking up on the right side (looking from the front) on top.

[@sjgreaves]

Who can resist popping their amp open to take a look inside? I know I can't...

[@dougmaccoll7564]

Plus, the top of the amp has dust, dirt, and liquid stains of some kind.. Clean up your act John!!! 😂

[@telefrk49]

@@dougmaccoll7564 lol

[@DMSProduktions]

Oh look! ANOTHER PRS!

[@sixslinger9951]

and?

[@DMSProduktions]

@@sixslinger9951 And nothing!

[@sixslinger9951]

@@DMSProduktions so, you are just a PRS hater?

[@DMSProduktions]

@@sixslinger9951 No! DID i say that? LOL! Seems my sarcasm went OVER your head! But you HAVE to admit, there are a rather a lot of them on the market!

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

I tested one of these two days ago- REALLY great sounding amp with solid features, however it has a noise floor that was just unacceptable to me, even on the clean channel at low volume. Not sure why, after decades of innumerable companies with hundreds of amp designs to draw from, that PRS couldn't make one that was reasonably quiet. I would have walked out with it in my hand that day, but I knew I would always hate that annoying hiss.

[@matthewstearle7395]

What amp do you recommend around a thousand?

[@whatwouldhousedo5136]

@@matthewstearle7395 Depends on your needs- Marshall DSL 20 or 40 if you want higher gain- well made and reasonably easy to work on, lots of features. Cleaner- any Fender around that price- the new Tonemaster series sounds fine for non-tube amps.

[@matthewstearle7395]

@@whatwouldhousedo5136 THANK YOU so much for your advice,I like your choices,will check out both amps,appreciate your advice

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

We don't hear an ounce of a hum here on this demo however? Even with loud distortion on lead channel.. Maybe you tested a faulty unit?

[@mhidoyaga]

Why doesn’t it have a mid control in the clean channel?

[@andyleotell]

The mids are split between the treble and bass knobs…. Not sure why they do this… perhaps mids are noticeable on the drive channel? Try using an eq pedal if you need to control your frequencies Kenneth…

[@elliotgreen987]

Curious why he chose not to use the new SE DGT to demo this

[@johnbohlinger]

I'm just more comfortable on my old DG.. Also, I have to send the SE back and did not want to ding it while playing it

[@elliotgreen987]

@@johnbohlinger Fair enough! Thanks for the reply, great review by the way

[@TheThinker39]

Sounds great, but another website says the amp weighs 49 pounds. That's too much for me to haul around. I would prefer a lighter head and separate speaker cabinet. Weight is so important, especially to older musicians, that I suggest you include weight information with your amp and speaker cabinet reviews. Just put the amp on a reasonably good bathroom scale and tell us the number. If it's within a couple of pounds, that's close enough. Thanks.

[@poesybeat]

PRS website says 42 pounds (Sam Ash and GC too). Sweetwater says 49, but must be a misprint. Still not light at 42 though.

[@TheThinker39]

@@poesybeat Thanks. I thought 49 pounds seemed excessive.

[@drewweissmann1486]

Pat Metheny, Jimi Hendrix.

[@forebackj1985]

SIR I KNOW OF A 5 YEAROLD KID THAT'S GOING TO PLAY GUITAR.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

made in china?

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Yep

[@srh361]

Made in China