by Vince Lewis.

Jazz guitarists are regarded as the most difficult to please when it comes to the tone of their instrument. Once the search for the perfect guitar is accomplished the quest for the perfect amplifier and cabinet immediately begins. These peripherals must deliver the exact sound produced by the instrument that has been so carefully chosen. There is no room for error in this selection. The amplifier must be able to provide additional volume to the guitar while maintaining its character in every way.

The majority of jazz players prefer archtop guitars. Color and texture produced by a hollow body is unique and can be difficult to amplify without compromising tone. As jazz musicians are frequently engaged in short-term and one-night performances, mobility is also a concern. A lightweight and dependable rig is critical to the traveling artist. There have been a few popular lightweight combo amps as standards in the industry. Fortunately, separate heads and cabinets have become a viable option in recent years. Once the amp of choice is selected, the cabinet that best compliments it must be found.

For this review, I plugged my Custom Heritage archtop guitars into a Fender Ultralight Jazzmaster head and tested a Redstone Audio 8” cabinet. An initial impressive feature is the beautiful response of this unit, providing a sound that is clean and clear. The bass response is full and rich and the woody tone of the guitar is conveyed perfectly in all registers. Not being technically inclined, I can only judge this product by what I hear. This cabinet rivals any product through which I have ever played. Amazing to me is that a speaker this size can produce the volume and character required for live performances. There seems to be no problem whatsoever in achieving that.

This component produced a balanced volume across the guitar's entire range of notes. I feel this is especially important for an amplified acoustic or hollow body electric guitar, which is prone to feedback as well as “boominess” in the bass register. Redstone speakers are tuned to produce a balanced sound when the amplifier EQ is set to flat (center) position. This means that you can play louder before feedback occurs in addition to producing an improved overall tone. These speakers are rated at 200 watts and 8 ohms. The designer recommends a 75-watt or higher solid-state amp or a 30-watt or higher tube amp, noting that solid-state amps work particularly well.

Redstone cabinets are without equal when it comes to physical design and ease of transportation. This 18-pound dynamo is just the ticket for moving around with minimal effort. The special sprayed on finish is considerably more durable than the traditional Tolex covering. It is also more attractive and appears to be basically indestructible. Redstone offers a 10” and a 12” inch speaker as well.

For most jazz guitar applications a sealed cabinet is best to achieve a balanced tone. A properly designed sealed system also has the lowest phase distortion of any cabinet type. The designers at Redstone Audio believe that EQ should be used to shape the sound of the instrument to the artist’s satisfaction. It is not meant to solve deficiencies created by the design of the cabinet.

Redstone Audio is a new company owned and operated by audio experts who are jazz guitarists as well. They are committed to customer service and satisfaction. Watch for Redstone Audio’s quick ascent into the spotlight as the cabinet of choice for the professional and amateur jazz player. Additional information can be found at www.redstoneaudio.com.