35W 4XEL84 McClane

Spanky cleans to mid crunch.   This is really a single channel amp covers A TON of ground.  The DNA for the McClane was originally a wreck express, but it has evolved over many years. 
The issue I have with the Express circuit is that, like a Marshall Plexi, offers it’s best tone when it is cranked.  WAY too loud for most applications.  The McClane sounds good at lower levels. 
The latest McClane is 4XEL84 for about 35W.  Stunning!  It does it all -from big and bouncy SRV type to Billy Gibbons.  Can sound like a BIG amp, or it’s excellent master volume will provide great tone at lower volumes.   The McClane now has a loop!
 
 
Email me if you are interested, Randy phaezamp@gmail.com or hit “Contact” on this site.
Other options available too – different output tubes, different colours, custom name, etc.
Main signal is point-to-point and components are in the best possible position.  I’ve been doing this a LONG time.
Even though I am based in Ontario, Canada I never had an issue shipping to the US. 
 
 

The new 3 position control on the McClane

As you can see, as you turn up the gain, the bass and treble don’t get turned up QUITE as high.  Total swing is about 16db.  Previous version had a 4 position but the 3 position is perfect.  Only one stop needed between 1 and 3 gain levels, not 2. 

unfin McClane

The Next 35W McClane

This one is under construction. Another 4XEL84 35W McClane. Has a loop. A single channel solution for ALL your needs. Fantastic cleans, OD tones lean toward cranked Marshall. US$945 Shipping not incl. If you want it, hit the DEPOSIT button. The 4XEL84 McClane will be staple of the Phaez lineup (maybe 2XEL84 if demand warrants)

DEPOSIT $200

Previous 4XEL84 McClanes

A wrote:

Hi Randy,  absolutely love McLane she’s hot. Had her Side by side  w/a Mesa Boogie MarkIV and she outshone the competition. Well Done.

B wrote:

Well – Saturday was the McClane’s first day. Long email Read fast.  Met up with Dr.z friend at the local music store. House full of  real high end guitars and Dr z amps – and a phenomonal player. One of  two I know who actually can play well enough to utilize their high end  stuff. He works at the local guitar store part time as a tech, and sells Dr z amps for them. He’s tight with the Dr. personally, and plays at  the Z fest. He put some used Groove Tubes in it, and I spent the next  hour listening to him play a strat. Playing thru a Dr Z 1×12 closed back with a vintage 30. He was blown away – and he has very high standards.  Got everything into a sweet spot, then played with the mid. He couldn’t  believe the power of the mid knob. Plus pick and finger sensitivity. By  the time I left, he was talking about the need for a KT66 amp. He already has 4 EL84  amps. If you hear from …. sometime, that’s the guy.

Took it home, set it up for my son, thru you’re big 1×12 with the  Delta Pro speaker. He is an excellent guitarist, but plays only  acoustic. He wasn’t expecting much. Hooked up his pride and joy, a  custom shop Taylor, solid walnut (back, sides and top). Outstanding to  look at, and incredible sound and definition. We were both amazed. Even  my wife came to listen. Master volume almost off,  guitar about 1/2.  Outstanding clarity and reproduction of the guitar’s sound. He plays  with thumb pick and bare fingers. Barely touching the strings.

C wrote:

“Hey Randy,

How are you?  I just realized I never told you how incredible this McClane is…seriously I think it’s my favorite amp of all time.  And i’ve got some nice amps… a Cornford RK100 (holy pricey!), a 1969 Fender Blackface Bassman (pretty sure I have the finest Bassman ever created…thing is ridiculous), an Electrosonic Supersonic (don’t know if you’ve heard of electrosonic, they were only in business for four years or so, but the thing is ridiculous.  Dumble style circuitry)  among others.  But I don’t play any of those any more because I have the McClane! Seriously, you are the master.  That bright knob just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  I’ve never heard anything else that has that kind of extremely unforgiving yet smooth and sweet string noise before”

D wrote:

“wild.  loudest 18W amp I could imagine.  I’ve never played an amp that has as good a touch response as the McClane’s.  And I’ve played a lot”

E wrote:

Well – Saturday was the McClane’s first day. Long email Read fast.  Met up with Dr.z friend at the local music store. House full of  real high end guitars and Dr z amps – and a phenomonal player. One of  two I know who actually can play well enough to utilize their high end  stuff. He works at the local guitar store part time as a tech, and sells Dr z amps for them. He’s tight with the Dr. personally, and plays at  the Z fest. He put some used Groove Tubes in it, and I spent the next  hour listening to him play a strat. Playing thru a Dr Z 1×12 closed back with a vintage 30. He was blown away – and he has very high standards.  Got everything into a sweet spot, then played with the mid. He couldn’t  believe the power of the mid knob. Plus pick and finger sensitivity. By  the time I left, he was talking about the need for a KT66 amp. He already has 4 EL84  amps. If you hear from …. sometime, that’s the guy.

Took it home, set it up for my son, thru you’re big 1×12 with the  Delta Pro speaker. He is an excellent guitarist, but plays only  acoustic. He wasn’t expecting much. Hooked up his pride and joy, a  custom shop Taylor, solid walnut (back, sides and top). Outstanding to  look at, and incredible sound and definition. We were both amazed. Even  my wife came to listen. Master volume almost off,  guitar about 1/2.  Outstanding clarity and reproduction of the guitar’s sound. He plays  with thumb pick and bare fingers. Barely touching the strings.

F wrote:

“Hey Randy,

How are you?  I just realized I never told you how incredible this McClane is…seriously I think it’s my favorite amp of all time.  And i’ve got some nice amps… a Cornford RK100 (holy pricey!), a 1969 Fender Blackface Bassman (pretty sure I have the finest Bassman ever created…thing is ridiculous), an Electrosonic Supersonic (don’t know if you’ve heard of electrosonic, they were only in business for four years or so, but the thing is ridiculous.  Dumble style circuitry)  among others.  But I don’t play any of those any more because I have the McClane! Seriously, you are the master.  That bright knob just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  I’ve never heard anything else that has that kind of extremely unforgiving yet smooth and sweet string noise before”

Dear Randy,

It is noon here in Southern California and I was supposed to be at work hours ago. However, your McClane amp arrived early this morning and I just can’t seem to stop playing it.

I popped in a mullard reissue, and 2 TAD 12ax7s, and 2 JJ EL84s, and plugged into a 2×12 open cab with 2 greenbacks. Instant heaven! I have just begun to scratch the surface of the different tones but with the boost and mid up and the gain at about 2, I am hearing the tone that is usually in my head. I am surprised at how much deep bass this thing has for an EL84 based amp. So far it sounds good with all my guitars, which is something I can’t say about many of my other amps. Count me as one very happy customer!