Absolutely amplifying

Define a good amp! That’s what one customer said the other day. It got me thinking. Is there really such thing as a bad amplifier? Of course there is - if you buy crap, that is. But let’s not go there. Let’s think in the vein of affordable and quality. Next step, think about what you want it to do. It’s actually easier if you’re looking for something to flap your trousers (or skirt) and massage your drummer’s ears at the same time. However, for those more intimate practice sessions you need something that can still “kick” but not annoy the neighbours.

Kick is a good word, because it leads me onto to the Carlsboro KICKSTART. There are various versions of this, but I went with the 25 watt model. It is a superb piece of solid-state amplifier design and engineering. Its small size is no indication of what it can do – and I defy anyone to not fall in love with it.


You get two separate channels – clean and lead. Plus the manufacturer has blessed us with a very useful bank of usable built-in effects. And, you can get an optional footswitch to change channels and to turn the effects on and off.

One of the key things in small amp design is sturdiness. The designers have recessed the front of the cab / speaker grill so that if something or some lout falls on it, you won’t get a damaged speaker. (My other practice amp doesn’t have this feature and it now looks like it’s been to hell and back!) You also get a standard plug-in power lead with this, so you can pack it away with your other accessories when travelling to the gig or rehearsals. This is much better than having your power lead permanently fixed to the amp, where it will be damaged.

Coupled with 25-watt output you get a great amp that covers both home practice and will stretch to gigging if you mic it up through your PA. Try that with the delay, chorus or flanger effects and you create a spine-tingling atmosphere.

In playing terms, the amps circuits allow you to get some pleasing sounds at all volumes. The tone and effects don’t die on you just because you turn the volume down, nor do they distort to the point of destruction when you crank it up. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Come to the shop and grab one today.

See you soon.