Ace Amplification COLT - Refurbished

A compact boutique amp head combining British heritage with modern design

The Ace Amplification Colt revisits two essential voices of British guitar amplification: the open, lively response of late-1950s Plexi heads, followed by the tighter, sharper overdrive of “800” circuits. Its approach is nevertheless resolutely modern: a single input, two channels that are easy to balance, and an especially practical lunchbox format for transportation.

Hand-built in Greece using selected European components, this guitar amp head focuses on a robust, straightforward design. It is aimed at musicians looking for a characterful tube amp capable of delivering an authentic playing experience without having to handle an oversized, overpowered head.

For rock guitarists who want genuine tube tone everywhere

The Colt is equally suited to demanding hobbyist guitarists and experienced musicians looking for a compact head for the studio, rehearsals, and small to medium-sized stages. Its 20 Watts provide enough volume headroom to play with a drummer, while the 2-Watt setting makes it suitable for home practice while retaining a dynamic response and well-defined low end.

It naturally fits into blues-rock, classic rock, hard rock, garage, punk, and alternative rock styles. Its design also makes it an excellent pedal platform: overdrive, fuzz, wah-wah, modulation, and delay can enrich an already highly expressive tonal foundation. The effects loop is ideal for placing time-based effects after the preamp’s overdrive.

Two direct and effective channels for going from vintage crunch to powerful drive

The Plexi channel delivers organic, spacious drive that responds to both picking dynamics and the guitar’s volume control. It lends itself to slightly pushed cleans, generous crunch tones, and richly textured classic rock rhythm sounds. The Boost channel tightens the attack, increases precision, and adds more bite for stronger riffs and lead tones.

Each channel has its own Gain and Volume controls. This makes it easy to adjust the levels independently between a crunch sound and a more saturated tone, without losing balance while playing. The shared three-band EQ—Bass, Mid, and Treble—then allows you to shape the head’s overall character according to the guitar and speaker cabinet being used.

The built-in attenuator selects either 20 Watts or 2 Watts of power. This function allows you to push the amp harder without imposing excessive volume levels. The Colt comes fitted with EL34 power tubes as standard, but can also accommodate 6L6 tubes for a more American color, with rounder lows and a different top-end character. The no-Bias system makes this replacement possible without any bias adjustment.

British EL34 bite with usable dynamics at low volume

Thanks to its all-tube Class A architecture, the Colt delivers a lively, tactile response with natural compression as the gain increases. The EL34s provide the singing midrange, lively highs, and direct attack that have shaped countless British rock tones. The Plexi channel emphasizes the warmth, openness, and gritty texture of a pushed amplifier.

The Boost channel is denser and more aggressive, with tighter low-end control and impressive definition for riffs built around powerful chords. The transition between the two channels covers a broad range, from energetic blues to classic hard rock. Paired with a suitable 8- or 16-Ohm speaker cabinet, this Ace Amplification Colt head offers an expressive, precise sound that feels particularly satisfying under the fingers.

Technical specifications

Technology	all-tube	Shared 3-band EQ	Bass, Mid, Treble
Power	20 Watts	Loudspeaker output	1 x 8 Ohms
Operation	Class A	Dimensions	37 x 20 x 20 cm
Power attenuator	20 Watts / 2 Watts	Weight	7.5 kg
Installed power tubes	EL34