Pricing and availability

Average Price: $2,179

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Discover the Benson Chimera, a guitar amplifier head that seamlessly blends vintage warmth with modern versatility. Crafted for musicians who demand tone without compromise, the Chimera stands out in the realm of guitar amplifiers. Designed and built with meticulous attention to detail, this amplifier head offers unparalleled tonal clarity and dynamic response, making it a favorite among both studio professionals and touring artists.

The Chimera is powered by a unique all-tube design, ensuring robust sound quality that captures the essence of your performance. With its hand-wired circuitry, the Chimera provides a rich harmonic palette, making it highly responsive to your playing style. Whether you're dialing in a clean, crisp sound or pushing the limits with a gritty overdrive, this amp head delivers with precision. Its straightforward control layout allows for easy adjustments, so you can focus on what matters most—your music.

Perfect for any setting, from intimate gigs to large venues, the Benson Chimera is engineered to handle it all. Its compact size doesn't compromise on power, offering 30 watts of pure tonal bliss. The Chimera's versatility is further enhanced by its compatibility with various speaker cabinets, providing you with the flexibility to tailor your sound to your specific needs.

Key Features:

  • All-tube amplifier design for authentic sound
  • Hand-wired circuitry for enhanced tonal quality
  • 30 watts of power, suitable for various performance settings
  • Simple, intuitive control layout
  • Compatible with a wide range of speaker cabinets

Product specs

Brand Benson Amps
Model Chimera 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Various
Year 2016 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Electronics Tube
Output Power (Watts) 30
Reverb None

FAQs

What are the core tonal characteristics of the Benson Chimera amp head?

The Benson Chimera amp head offers a unique blend of rich harmonics and musical EQ, providing a versatile tone suitable for various music styles. It is known for its clear, dynamic sound and the ability to produce both clean and overdriven tones.

Is the Benson Chimera amp head suitable for live performances with a full band?

Yes, the Benson Chimera amp head, with its 30-watt output, is designed to deliver ample volume and clarity for live performances, even when playing with a full band.

Does the Benson Chimera amp head include built-in reverb?

No, the Benson Chimera amp head does not include built-in reverb, focusing instead on delivering pure, uncolored tone.

What type of tubes does the Benson Chimera amp head use?

The Benson Chimera amp head features tube electronics, which are integral to its warm, responsive sound and dynamic tonal range.

How does the Benson Chimera compare to other Benson models like the Monarch?

The Benson Chimera shares the Monarch's simplicity and unique tone but offers a higher power output of 30 watts, making it more suitable for larger venues and louder performance settings.

JayLeonardJ

JayLeonardJ

Benson Chimera Amplifier Head & 2x12 Cabinet

Video thumbnail for Benson Chimera Amplifier Head & 2x12 Cabinet by JayLeonardJ

Benson Chimera Amplifier Head & 2x12 Cabinet

JayLeonardJ

JayLeonardJ

Video thumbnail for "Pick of the Day" - Benson Chimera by Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - Benson Chimera

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for Benson Chimera Combo stereo paired with Vox AC30 (Live Set Examples) by Kenyon Reed

Benson Chimera Combo stereo paired with Vox AC30 (Live Set Examples)

Kenyon Reed

Kenyon Reed

Video thumbnail for "Pick of the Day" - 1968 Fender Telecaster Thinline and Benson Chimera by Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1968 Fender Telecaster Thinline and Benson Chimera

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for Nash T63 + Benson Amps Chimera | QuickTake | Barnett Music Exchange by Barnett Music Exchange

Nash T63 + Benson Amps Chimera | QuickTake | Barnett Music Exchange

Barnett Music Exchange

Barnett Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for Testing a Benson Chimera by Tadhg Leahy

Testing a Benson Chimera

Tadhg Leahy

Tadhg Leahy

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Benson Chimera.

Features and functionality

  • The Chimera offers considerable headroom and can move a lot of air, making it ideal for larger venues but may require careful volume management to achieve desired breakup.

    Source
  • The Chimera's tone controls are simple with only treble and bass, allowing straightforward sound shaping without the complexity of multiple EQ settings.

    Source
  • The Chimera features the Tall Bird reverb circuit, which users praise for its excellent integration and lush sound quality.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Consider the Bellringer for power scaling; it shares the Chimera's circuit but uses EL34 tubes versus the Chimera's quad 6V6 setup.

    Source
  • The Chimera's 30W output is notably louder compared to the 15W Monarch, with both amps known for significant volume even at low settings.

    Source
  • Compared to Two Rock amps, the Chimera's bass is more controlled and present, avoiding the overly boomy feel experienced in some models.

    Source

User experience

  • The Chimera's reverb is described as lush, but can be overwhelming at higher settings, suggesting careful adjustment for optimal sound.

    Source
  • Owners express satisfaction with the Chimera's unique circuitry and hand-wired construction, contributing to its distinctive tone and ease of use.

    Source
  • The Chimera's cleans are described as fat with chimey highs and a substantial bottom end, making it a standout for players seeking a rich clean tone.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners praise the Chimera's robust construction, likening its durability to being "built like a tank," indicating long-term reliability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Chimera takes pedals well, with users specifically noting its compatibility with reverb, delay, and fuzz pedals for a streamlined setup.

    Source
  • Owners mention that the Chimera can hold its own in a band setting with its clean tones, even when played just before the edge of breakup.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Users have noted that Klon-style pedals like the Archer can introduce a high-pitched whine when used with Strymon Timeline, requiring adjustments to filter it out.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ryan Adams uses Benson Chimera

Ryan Adams

Singer, Guitarist

Phil Lesh and Friends

...
Verified via Instagram

"New ride. Unreal @bensonamps Holy moly" - Ryan Adams, Instagram (@misterryanadams)

See how Ariel Posen uses Benson Chimera

Ariel Posen

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo

A Benson Chimera Head can be seen in this photo taken from Ariel's Instagram.

See how Scott Mills uses Benson Chimera

Scott Mills

Guitarist

Colony House

...
Verified via Instagram

Scott Mills showcased his Benson Chimera guitar amplifier head in an Instagram story, highlighting his latest gear addition.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Benson Chimera, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1
Strymon Flint
Strymon Flint Multi Effects Pedals
1

2 alternative and related items for Benson Chimera, curated by the Equipboard community.

Benson Preamp

$249.00 - $287.00

cheaper alternative similar sound

According to Benson, their preamp pedal is based on the Chimera amplifier, substituting the vacuum tube circuitry for FETs.

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