SPANKY JR 6VEL

The Do Almost Everything 5 Watt 110 Combo!

Spanky JR 6VEL

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Guitar and Pedal Platform Amplifier

The SPANKY Jr 6VEL is our new high-headroom grab-n-go 5 Watt 110 combo amplifier! Thanks to 3P’s 6VEL™ technology, you can operate the amp on most of your favorite tube combinations. The SPANKY Jr 6VEL is for virtually everyone and is at home just about anywhere. It’s designed on an overbuilt power supply including the exact higher current power transformer as used in our 20W Spanky MKII so you know its got enough headroom and punch for any low volume gig, rehearsal, showcase, or any environment where inspiration calls.

Classic 50s-60s American Tones

6VEL Single-ended, Cathode Biased, Class-A with a twist...

Single Ended.

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Single Ended

Single Ended guitar amplifiers employ an output section that operates in Class-A (more about that in the next section). They were once considered student-type amplifiers with simpler circuits, fewer components and generally lower output and volume. The ‘magic’ in the format waiting to be unleashed is a potentially purer tone due to shorter signal path, increased harmonic content at the power tube stage, and an intimate responsiveness and expressiveness when compared to push-pull amps. 

Class-A.

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Class-A

The SPANKY Jr 6VEL features two 12AX7 dual-triode preamp tubes. Both operating in Class-A, the first tube is for the preamp and driver gain stages, the second one is for our now legendary tube-driven spring reverb effect. The power amp section employs a Single Ended, Class-A power design. This means that the power tube operates for the entire cycle of the audio signal resulting in a sound that is free of the crossover distortion that can occur in push-pull type amplifiers.

Cathode Biased.

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Cathode Biased

According to Wiki “Cathode Bias (also known as self-bias, or automatic bias) is a technique used with vacuum tubes to make the direct current (dc) cathode voltage positive in relation to the negative side of the plate voltage supply,” meaning the power tube self-regulates its operation without requiring the user to set the operating bias point of the power tube. The SPANKY Jr 6VEL utilizes a single octal-based power tube socket with supported power tubes including 6V6 (standard), EL34, 6L6, 5881, KT66. Supported rectifier tubes include 5Y3 (standard) and 5AR4/GZ34.

Hand-wired, Turret Board Construction

Made in Nashville, TN

Built by Human Beings

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Handwired, Turret Board Construction

The SPANKY Jr 6VEL is made by hand using FR4 board material that we source raw and drill in-house. Each turret is then hand placed and swaged to lock it into position. From there, we hand wire each trace to the back of the board prior to hand picking and installing the components and wire tails.

Solid Pine Enclosures

Custom Designed for Enhanced Response

Solid Pine

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Solid Pine Enclosure

The EXTRA SPANKY 6VEL features a purpose-built custom solid pine enclosure. Every detail from joinery to thickness, from back panel width and open-air venting, was considered and selected for optimal performance. The result is a dramatically improved sonic depth and low frequency response compared to typical current and even legendary vintage amps in its class.

Deeper is Better

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3/4″ Deeper

The EXTRA SPANKY 6VEL features an enclosure that’s 3/4″ deeper than traditional enclosures. Additionally, the long front angle matches the tilt of our Spanky styled cabinets for a solid, substantial and more uniform looking footprint and profile. Going beyond aesthetics, this design increases the internal cubic volume of the enclosure enhancing the sonic performance of the speaker.

10 Inch Speaker

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10 Inch Speaker

The EXTRA SPANKY 6VEL enclosure was also designed from the ground up to accommodate a 10″ speaker. We selected a birch ply baffle mounted on 3/4″ cleats to bring the enclosure system together. The result is an amplifier that sounds and more importantly, feels HUGE! 

HI/LOW Inputs, 3-Band EQ

Optimized for Single Coils, Humbuckers, P90s and Filtertrons

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How it Works

The SPANKY Jr’s HI/LOW inputs and 3-Band EQ are optimized for a wide variety of input signals so you’ll have the tonal versatility you need to get things sounding just right.

HI and LOW Inputs

The SPANKY Jr 6VEL features HI and LOW inputs. The HI input provides maximum clarity, detail and punch for your guitar signal. The LOW input has a gentler, balanced frequency and dynamic response. For maximum chime and presence, use the HI input. For warmer tones, use the LOW input.

Volume Control

The SPANKY Jr 6VEL features a unique Volume control.  Rather than using an ‘audio taper’ potentiometer, we went with a ‘linear taper’ pot. This design enhancement delivers a familiar feel, tone and temperament of your guitar signal more akin to larger amplifiers. Settings around 11-o clock are clean, punchy and substantial.  Settings after 1-0 clock  begin to introduce overdrive.

Three Band EQ

The SPANKY Jr 6VEL features a three band EQ arranged across TREBLE, MIDDLE and BASS controls.  Each band has been fine tuned to deliver maximum useable range.  With all controls set to ‘noon’ every guitar we tested sounded balanced and full of bloom.  From there, altering settings in each of the EQ bands allows you to sweeten the tone to perfection.  Single coils snap with punch and clarity.  Humbuckers growl and cut through nicely.  P90s bark and wail… well, you get the idea!

Flood-Mode™ Spring Reverb

Lush Spring Reverb, Layered or 100% Wet

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How it Works

The SPANKY Jr 6VEL features a lush Class-A tube driven spring reverb effect to give your tone a vintage-style ambient effect. The REVERB knob controls the overall sense of space to your sound.  FLOOD-MODE™ allows you to turn your SPANKY Jr 6VEL into 100% wet stand-alone reverb effects device.

SPANKY Jr 6VEL

Spanky Jr in Ivory Levant

Special Features:

• Clean, American Voiced, High Headroom Preamp Section
• 3-Band EQ
• Tube Driven Spring Reverb with Flood-Mode™ Switch
• 6V6 (5W) Class-A Operation
• Cathode Biased for plug-n-play Octal-based Tube Swapping
• Overbuilt Power Transformer and Power Supply
• Hand-wired and Hand Built in Nashville, TN
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Specifications:

Model Name: Spanky Jr 6VEL
Output Architecture: 1x Power Tube (Class A), Cathode Biased
Power Output: ~5W (6V6), nominal increase when using 6L6, EL34, or KT66
Plate Voltage, Rectification: 120V AC input yields ~360 V DC (5Y3 rectified), 380 V DC (GZ34 rectified)
Controls: Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Reverb w/ Flood-Mode™ switch
Output Impedance: One each, 8 and 4 Ohm Output Jacks
Internal Speaker (Combo): WGS ET-10 Speaker (8 Ohms)
Preamp Architecture: 1x 12AX7 Preamp Tube, 1x 12AX7 Reverb Tube
Materials and Dimensions: 3/4 in. Solid Pine Cabinetry, Birch Front Baffle.
110 Combo: 19-7/8 in. x 16 in. x 9.5 in
Head: 17 in. x 8 in. x 8 in
Weight: Head: 17 lbs. 112 Combo: 26 lbs.
Certification: CE Certified

Available Packages:

NOTE: Standard finish for this model include black levant tolex, black faceplate and silver grill cloth. Product images on this page show the unit with optional ivory tolex and blues breaker grill cloth. Please see our Custom Shop page for this and more available options.

Spanky Jr 6VEL ships as follows:
• Spanky Jr 6VEL Amplifier
• Tolex color is black levant with classic silver grill cloth as standard.
• Control faceplates are black as standard

Introductory Pricing:
$1899 USD (110 Combo Version)

Custom Shop Options:
• Please see our Custom Shop page for details

How to purchase:
Visit our dealer page to locate an authorized 3rd Power dealer nearest to you as ordering through one of our dealers is the quickest way to get a Spanky Jr. If you don’t have a dealer in your area, or your preferred dealer is not currently on our list, you can contact us for assistance and we’ll make sure you get taken care immediately to ensure your spot in the production cue. EMAIL: info@3rdpower.com

NOTE: 220/230/240V Versions are also available

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm http://www.p65warnings.ca.gov

Sound Clips

Tele, Glassy Tone with 6V6 Power, 5Y3 Rectifier, On-board Spring Reverb, Shure SM57

Tele, Clarity with 6V6 Power, 5Y3 Rectifier, On-board Spring Reverb, Shure SM57

Strat, Blues in Bm with 6V6 Power, 5Y3 Rectifier, On-board Spring Reverb, Shure SM57

Gretsch, Mud Drone (Tape Echo plugin), with 6V6 Power, 5Y3 Rectifier, On-board Spring Reverb, Shure SM57

Strat, Blues Jam with 6L6 Power, 5U4 Rectifier, On-board Spring Reverb, Shure SM57

Les Paul, Classic Slam (Tape Echo plugin) with EL34 Power, 5U4 Rectifier, On-board Spring Reverb, Shure SM57

Jazz Bass and Tele, Ambient Flood with 6L6 Power, 5AR4 Rectifier, On-board Spring Reverb Flood-Mode™, Shure SM57 (yes, even the bass was tracked through the SJR)

1307 Jewel Street
Nashville, TN 37207
615-945-3393
info@3rdpower.com

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