KLIPP series

Click here for more photographs of KLIPP amps.

Specification:
60w or 100w
4 x ECC83 pre-amp valves
2 x EL34 output valves (60w) or 4 x EL34 output valves (100w)
2 channels (normal and Klipp, not footswitchable)
2 inputs for each channel (high and low)
Shared EQ for both channels: Presence, Bass, Middle, Treble controls
Separate volume for each channel
Separate treble boost circuit for each channel
Klipp channel has Klipp level control

Klipp heads were made between 1970 and 1975. Tony Iommi is alleged to have used one on the early Sabbath albums, but some people think it was Laney Supergroup that he used. The amp was a top line amp in it's day, and would have been quite expensive. The amp itself is similar to a Marshall Superbass of the same period. Tonally, it has a great clean sound - very clear and defined. The amp has a lot of bass in the amp, and this allows the amp to be made to sound very heavy.

The Klipp effect is created by running the output of the Klipp channel through one of the ECC83 valves to get gain at lower volumes. The Klipp control acts like a mix, adding in more and more of the "Klipp'd" output as you increase the level. It sounds very buzzy at low volumes and at gig levels becomes a valve driven fuzz pedal. Combined with the large amount of bass in the amp, this gives it a very distinctive tone!

Also, the channels are not truly independent. While using one channel, if you increase the volume of the other channel you can hear the sound fatten. Everything seems to be interlinked in some way, giving further scope to tailor your tone.

Dave aka Twinfan from BKP forum uses Klipps with an SG in his AC/DC tribute band YC/DC www.ycdc.co.uk and to get Angus' tone he uses a lot of presence (around 7 or 8), not much bass (around 1 or 2) and the treble boost engaged to thin the sound out.

Many thanks to Dave for providing the information and the pictures.