Milkman Sound 18W Beekeeper 1x12 Combo Amplifier with Fane F25 Speaker

The Milkman Sound 18W Beekeeper is a single channel, low wattage amplifier inspired by the “tweed” era Bassman amplifier. In typical Milkman fashion, the focus of the circuit is on the pristine clean and punchy tones that ride the edge of saturation rather than high gain. The clean fatness of the B style amplifier is kept in place while the wattage, size and weight get reduced.

VINTAGE BASSMAN DNA, REIMAGINED AT 18 WATTS

The Beekeeper’s custom Soursound transformer set utilizes the same winding structure as the venerable Triad 45249 transformer - easily the most defining component in the original 5F6 Bassman amplifier. The output transformer has been re-tooled to run a pair of 6V6 output tubes with cathode bias (rather than the original 5881 in grid bias) and the interleaving matches the original seven section buildup, contributing to its open top end, coupling efficiency, and airy response. 6V6 have more of a honey sweet tone and put out less wattage – they are the perfect tube to reduce a 45W circuit down to 18 watts.

FANE F25 SPEAKER

This version comes with a 12" Fane F25. The F25 is a low wattage, 25 watt, ceramic magnet, guitar speaker with an emphasis on crunch and mid-range presence. A well-balanced driver, equally suited to classic rock sounds as it is jazz, heavy metal or punk. The F25’s tonal character possesses a detailed, yet reduced, top-end that paves the way for a super-satisfying mid punch to chords and cut-through lead tones without being too sharp or shrill. Clean tones are warm, detailed and not overly bright.

MILKMAN SOUND 18W BEEKEEPER FEATURES:

• 18-watt Class AB all-tube amplifier powered by a cathode-biased pair of 6V6 output tubes for rich dynamics and smooth natural compression
• Inspired by the legendary 5F6 Bassman circuit, reimagined in a lower-wattage, more portable format
• Designed for pristine cleans and punchy edge-of-breakup tones rather than high-gain distortion
• Fane F25 speaker for transparent sound, tight lows, and high headroom
• Single-channel design with a simple, intuitive control layout
• Four-band control set with Volume, Treble, Midrange, and Bass
• Custom Soursound transformer set based on the winding structure of the original Triad 45249 transformer for authentic vintage response
• Re-engineered output transformer optimized for 6V6 tubes with the original seven-section interleaving for an open, airy top end and excellent coupling efficiency
• 6V6 output tubes deliver warm, "honey sweet" tone while reducing the original 45-watt circuit to a more manageable 18 watts
• Hand-wired with pushback cloth wire using premium components throughout
• Hand-built in San Francisco, California