Straub Cantus

Designed and built by Harry Straub, the Cantus is a 50watt amp drawing heavily from the design of a 1968 JMP Small Box Plexi. It is powered by 2 x EL34s, dual Hexfred solid state rectifiers and 3 X 12AX7s. The control layout on the front panel is as follows: Power, Standby, Presence, Treble, Middle, Bass, Master, Boost Switch, Volume & Input. The transformers are from Heyboer, and you will find carbon comp resistors where tone is the issue and wirewound/metal films where noise is an issue. You'll also find Mallory 150s, and Solen Fast Caps throughout the circuit. This impressive internal package is coupled with a superbly built external housing. The casing is an exquisite dovetailed cabinet made from Sappelle. Control knobs are also made from wood (rosewood or ebony) and accent the cabinet nicely. Topping all this off is a front Plexiglas panel which comes backlit in your choice of color. Adding to it's cool looks the control names are etched out of the Plexiglas so the letters glow the color you have picked for the panel. This makes for a great look and very easy maneuvering in darkly lit clubs and theatres.

There is an infinite selection of stellar tones available from both the Normal and the Boost circuits of the Cantus. This amp is capable of delivering very fat JTM 45 fronted sounds all the way through to the higher end, more sizzling sounds of the late 60s to early 70s Marshalls and the classic overdriven sounds of the late 60s JMP 50 watt series. Add the boost function and you have just transported these classic tones to a level beyond. Imagine your favorite Marshall tones with gobs of infinite sustain and distortion added, but still preserving the original Marshall vibe and tone. This is a classic sound taken to a new level in a way no one has done before. The Cantus is incredibly responsive to the guitars pickup volume as well as your pick attack and dynamics. It gives you a tremendous amount of control over the dynamics of the amp and makes it a true joy to plug in and play. Set this amp up to scream and then just back your guitar volume down and you'll have a tremendous palette of sounds at your disposal. An incredible amplifier packed with sounds that will inspire you to play to the best of your abilities and beyond.

Price: $1945