Ark Amps Reviews

[ArkAmps]

Here is a new review of the Ark Aviator Model (same circuit as the Model A) by Brian Wooten, guitarist with Trace Adkins and formerly with White Heart and Paul Brandt:

"I've been using an Aviator prototype for a few months now. I'm on the road constantly with Trace Adkins. Although Trace is a country artist I am a rock player. When I heard a clip of the Aviator I contacted the company directly to get more info on it and as it turned out we were playing near them and they were nice enough to bring their prototype out for me to hear. I was blown away by it and eventually talked them into letting me take it out on the road to hear it in a real world application for awhile. I've been using an FTR37 for a few years and love that amp. It works perfectly for the Trace gig so so the standard was set very high from the outset. When I heard the Aviator I considered it a high gain amp and wasn't sure it would be able to clean up enough for the few tunes that required that. But after tweaking on it for awhile at the house I was pleasantly surprised at how well it cleaned up. With Trace I plug into the "low gain" input and use pedals with it just like I do when using the FTR37. While the FTR37 is more like a big, fat Fender Deluxe the Aviator is more Vox/Marshall/Trainwreck. More harmonically complex and notes go into feedback more easily. The controls are very interactive and the bright switch and bass boost are very useful. There's also a knob that lets you bypass the tonestack altogether or dial in just as much of it as you want. It's also quite useful. I think this amp is perfect for studio guitarists. I think one of the best sounds on tap is to plug into the "low gain" channel and crank the preamp about halfway and engage the bright switch. Very Bryan Adams/Keith Scott trainwreck tone. No pedals needed! There's plenty of gain in the "low gain" input but if you've got to have more you can plug into the high gain input and you'll have more than you'll ever need. And I play a Tele almost exclusively!
I've got the amp at home right now so that I can use it for some recording and just to put it through it's paces since I'm not restriced by Trace's set list. I haven't had a chance to record with it yet because we've been so busy but I hope to have some clips by the end of the year.
As far as "boutiques" go I've played Alessandros, Komets, Divided By 13's, Ceriatones, Carol Anns, Exxits, etc. and the Aviator is as good or better than any of them. I can't wait to hear the other models."
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Another description of the Model A sound by Naylor amp designer Danny Russell:

"Seems like the majority of amps tend to force jazz (Fusion)players into
conforming their style towards cliche rock techinques (palm-muting,
etc.), whereas the ARK circuit (Model A)is more amenable to dragging the pick
across 5 & 6 string complex chords and just letting them ring. The
circuit's feel also encourages players to get their palm off the bridge
during lead work for a more fluid phrasing.

I think that you'll notice a trend during demos where players are mildly
alienated for the initial 30 seconds or so when they first plug in, but
experience an "awakening" as they discover the amp's relaxed overdrive
delivery ...all of a sudden they can do things that they've only heard
in their head. The ARK doesn't force you to play fast and hard. Less
experienced players just won't "get it", as they thrash away and
complain about the "lack of gain". Wayne Krantz might be a good
potential product endorsee ...I think he toured with Steely Dan."

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