Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $399

Standard/Professional

$300

$701+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

In the world of vintage tone and warm tube resonance, the Kalamazoo Model Two stands out as a charming relic from the mid-'60s. Perfect for practice sessions or intimate gigs, this combo guitar amplifier offers guitarists a delightful blend of authentic tube warmth and classic character. With its simple yet effective design, the Model Two provides a straightforward interface that allows musicians to focus on their playing rather than getting lost in complex controls.

Under the hood, the Kalamazoo Model Two boasts a single 10-inch speaker that delivers a rich and full-bodied sound, making it ideal for those seeking a true vintage vibe. It features a built-in tremolo function, adding a touch of vibrato to your sound, infusing your music with a classic, wavy effect reminiscent of the era it was born in. This amplifier is a testament to simplicity and quality, ensuring that the essence of your guitar's tone is preserved and amplified with integrity.

Whether you're a collector, a vintage gear enthusiast, or a musician looking to capture that nostalgic sound, the Kalamazoo Model Two is a remarkable choice that promises to deliver a genuine slice of musical history.

Key Features:

  • Authentic vintage tube amplifier from the mid-1960s
  • Single 10-inch speaker for rich, full-bodied sound
  • Built-in tremolo function for classic vibrato effects
  • Ideal for practice sessions and small performances
  • Simple design for easy operation and timeless appeal
Dustin Altick

Dustin Altick

Kalamazoo Model Two demo

Video thumbnail for Kalamazoo Model Two demo by Dustin Altick

Kalamazoo Model Two demo

Dustin Altick

Dustin Altick

Video thumbnail for Kalamazoo Model Two Gibson Amp by Deadwrench

Kalamazoo Model Two Gibson Amp

Deadwrench

Deadwrench

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers great big vintage sound, ideal for harp

  • Loved by harp players for its old school sound

  • Original components, like RCA tubes, enhance performance

  • Versatile with added line out and speaker jack

  • Produces excellent bluesy tone, perfect for blues/rock

  • Tremolo feature adds depth to playing style

  • Improves playing experience with its unique tone

CONS

  • Cabinet made of cheap wood, affecting durability

  • Often found in beat-up condition due to material quality

  • Requires maintenance, like replacing broken lamps

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kalamazoo Model Two.

Mods and upgrades

  • Adding a 25uf bypass cap on the output tube enhances low-end response and output, recommended for fuller sound without distortion at high volumes.

    Source
  • Installing a Reverend All Tone speaker can significantly boost bass, transforming the amp’s sound profile.

    Source
  • The Kalamazoo Model Two is known to benefit from an EL84 tube, which is less common in American amps of its era, enhancing its harmonica amp capabilities.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners describe the Kalamazoo Model Two as a "cool blues box," ideal for low wattage enthusiasts who enjoy vintage tones.

    Source
  • Owners report that the Kalamazoo Model Two sounds excellent when used through an external cabinet, improving its overall tonal quality significantly.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The amp is praised for its raw, driven sound that some users feel cannot be matched by digital plug-ins.

    Source
  • The Kalamazoo Model Two is especially favored in recording studios for its distinctive tremolo and gritty tones, making it popular for blues and classic rock.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Replacing the original speaker is often necessary to achieve optimal sound, according to owner experiences.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Adding a bypass cap to both the preamp stage and output tube can lead to distortion ('farty' sound) when the amp is maxed out.

    Source

Comparisons

  • There's a reference to using the Kalamazoo as a 'Mini-Marshall,' suggesting its capability to emulate more powerful amps' tones despite its small size.

    Source
  • The amp is likened to vintage Watkins models, suggesting a similar sound profile due to its EL84 tube, which was rare in US-made amps at the time.

    Source

Build quality

  • The cabinet quality is often criticized as subpar, but the amp itself is praised for its robust sound when paired with better external equipment.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mason Stoops uses Kalamazoo Model Two

Mason Stoops

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video for Fretboard Journal, Mason Stoops does a quick overview of his gear while touring with Mumford and Sons. There are a lot of custom and heavily modified guitars, but amp-wise Mason Stoops has an Austen Hooks Projector Amp and a Space Heater, a quarter box Leslie cabinet, a Shure PA Cabinet, a Kalamazoo Model 2 and a Peavey Studio Chorus. In his pedalboard, he has a Gamechanger Audio Plus, a Gamechanger Audio Bigsby, a Diamond Compressor, a Tech 21 Comptortion, a Sound Gas Grampian Mic Preamp, a Digitech Freqout, a Digitech Digiverb, a Line 6 DL4 Mk2, a Strymon Flint and a Strymon Deco.

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 Kalamazoo Model Two, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Tech 21 CompTortion
Tech 21 CompTortion Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
Peavey Studio Chorus 210
Peavey Studio Chorus 210 Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1
Gamechanger Audio Bigsby Pedal
Gamechanger Audio Bigsby Pedal Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1
DigiTech X-Series DigiVerb
DigiTech X-Series DigiVerb Reverb Effects Pedals
1
Diamond CPR1 Compressor
Diamond CPR1 Compressor Compressor Effects Pedals
1
Strymon Flint
Strymon Flint Multi Effects Pedals
1
DigiTech FreqOut Natural Feedback Creator
DigiTech FreqOut Natural Feedback Creator Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1

More Kalamazoo Combo Guitar Amplifiers

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides