Ace Amplification Pimento

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

ACE Amplification was founded in 2017 with the goal of making the "boutique" approach of FX Amps more accessible, a brand known for its high-end handmade amplifiers. The Pimento stands as a particularly coherent synthesis of the ACE catalog: it inherits a clean channel from an FX Amps bestseller and a saturated channel based on the spirit of the ACE Colt, with a slightly revised interpretation to gain versatility. The result: a model focused on simplicity, portability, and reliability, with a clear priority on sound quality.

Who This Amp Is For

The ACE Amplification Pimento targets guitarists who want an all-tube amp capable of adapting to multiple contexts: apartment playing (thanks to the 2 W mode and attenuation), rehearsals, recording, and concerts on small to medium stages. Its Blackface-style clean channel suits musicians oriented towards blues, pop, funk, country, indie, and classic rock, while the JCM-style lead channel naturally addresses rock, hard rock, and more contemporary distortions. It is also an excellent choice for guitarists who build their sound with pedals, seeking a responsive and clear foundation.

Features and Innovations

The Pimento is based on a clear architecture: 2 channels with a single input, simple and effective control, and the essential tools expected on a modern amp. Channel 1 emphasizes a rich and musical clean tone, with a gain control allowing for an organic natural saturation at reasonable volume. Channel 2, more aggressive and assertive, adopts a "JCM" approach with dedicated Bass/Mid/Treble EQ and a thicker feel, perfect for dense rhythms and leads that cut through the mix.

For volume and dynamics management, the amp offers separate Gain and Master volume, a 20 W / 2 W mode in Class A, and an integrated attenuator: all to preserve the tube feel while precisely controlling the sound level. Finally, the effects loop facilitates the integration of time-based effects after distortion, preserving definition and balance of repeats.

The Sound

The Pimento displays a decidedly "tube" character: a lively attack, natural compression when pushed, and a very expressive response to playing dynamics (pick nuances, guitar volume, more or less aggressive attacks). The Channel 1 evokes the Blackface: round and warm, with the brightness needed to stay present, and headroom designed to maintain clarity while handling overdrives, fuzz, and modulations very well. Increasing the gain yields an organic break-up, ideal for blues-rock and singing cleans.

Channel 2 belongs to the JCM family: pronounced mids, rock grain, a sense of energy and projection. The announced reinterpretation makes it thicker and a bit more modern, helping to achieve dense saturations and solid palm-mutes while maintaining the precision needed for riffs and leads. With the 3-band EQ, you can easily adjust the balance: scooped for cutting rhythms or more mid-focused to stand out in solos.

Technical specifications

Category	Guitar amp head	Number of channels	2
Technology	Tubes	EQ	3 channels
Effects loop	Yes	Color	Red
Attenuator	Yes	Finishing	Steel
Category	Amplifier	Power output	20 W

Power	20 W / 2 W	Channel selector	2-position switch
Class	A	Controls (detailed)	clean gain, drive gain, bass, mid, treble, clean volume, drive volume
Channel 1	Fender Blackface type voicing	Inputs	1 input
Channel 2	JCM 800 type voicing	Speaker outputs	1 output 8 or 16 ohms
Gain and Master volume	separate	Weight	7.5 kg
Channel 2 EQ	Bass, Mid, Treble