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Description

The Polytone Mini-Brute II is a classic choice for jazz guitarists and musicians seeking a versatile combo amplifier. Renowned for its warm, rich tone and compact design, the Mini-Brute II delivers a powerful sound that's ideal for both intimate gigs and studio sessions. This amplifier is equipped with a 12-inch speaker and a solid-state preamp, offering reliability and consistent sound quality across various playing environments.

The Mini-Brute II is celebrated for its clean sound, capable of highlighting the nuances of your guitar's natural tone. Its simple control panel includes a 3-band EQ, allowing you to tailor your sound with precision. The addition of a bright switch further enhances your tonal options, making it easy to adapt to any genre or playing style. Musicians appreciate its sturdy build, which ensures durability whether you're rehearsing at home or performing on stage.

With its renowned built-in reverb, the Polytone Mini-Brute II adds depth and dimension to your sound, creating a lush atmosphere that complements your playing. This feature is particularly appreciated by jazz enthusiasts who seek a smooth, full-bodied sound without the need for additional pedals. The amp's compact design makes it easy to transport, perfect for gigging musicians who need a reliable and portable solution.

Key Features:

  • 12-inch speaker for powerful sound projection
  • Solid-state preamp for consistent, reliable sound
  • 3-band EQ for precise tonal control
  • Built-in reverb for added depth and ambience
  • Bright switch for enhanced tonal versatility
  • Compact design for easy transport and setup
Nikolay Karageorgiev

Nikolay Karageorgiev

Polytone Mini Brute ii

Video thumbnail for Polytone Mini Brute ii by Nikolay Karageorgiev

Polytone Mini Brute ii

Nikolay Karageorgiev

Nikolay Karageorgiev

Video thumbnail for Gear Talk - Polytone Minibrute II (1980) by Lothar's Guitar School

Gear Talk - Polytone Minibrute II (1980)

Lothar's Guitar School

Lothar's Guitar School

Video thumbnail for Polytone Mini Brute II with overdrive by Nikolay Karageorgiev

Polytone Mini Brute II with overdrive

Nikolay Karageorgiev

Nikolay Karageorgiev

Video thumbnail for Peace - Polytone Mini-brute ii amp - solo jazz guitar by GeoffreyKimMusic

Peace - Polytone Mini-brute ii amp - solo jazz guitar

GeoffreyKimMusic

GeoffreyKimMusic

Video thumbnail for Polytone Mini Brute II vs Henriksen Blu Six by Hyun-Bin Park

Polytone Mini Brute II vs Henriksen Blu Six

Hyun-Bin Park

Hyun-Bin Park

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Polytone Mini-Brute II.

Build quality

  • Known for durability despite cosmetic wear; many amps are "beat to hell" yet function well.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Frequently used by gigging jazz guitarists and also functions as a compelling bass amp.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Noted for being super clean and loud, ideal for jazz styles.

    Source
  • Polytone Mini Brute II may not require a footswitch for reverb activation; some owners report reverb works by simply turning it up.

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  • The amp’s footswitch jack is meant for optional dual footswitches to control channel switching and reverb, labeled as 'A' and 'B'.

    Source
  • Distortion becomes notably better past 3 o'clock on the knob, transforming from thin to creamy and fuzzy with increased volume.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Generally low maintenance; owners report minimal servicing needs even after years of use.

    Source
  • Reverb issues might involve an internal connection problem; reseating jacks in the reverb tank could be a solution.

    Source

User experience

  • Often found on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Reverb, indicating easy availability.

    Source
  • Some owners report the built-in distortion initially sounds thin and buzzy but improves significantly at higher settings, suggesting a unique tonal characteristic of the amp.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners suggest using a stereo 1/4" instrument cable to test footswitch functions by shorting the sleeve to the tip or ring before purchasing new cables.

    Source

2.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Pat Martino uses Polytone Mini-Brute II

Pat Martino

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

When did you get back into playing? I didn’t get back into a relationship with the guitar until ’83. At that point, Tommy Gumina approached me and asked to endorse a solidbody he had just designed for Polytone. I used and endorsed that guitar, and Polytone amps, for about a year and a half.

See how Jim Hall uses Polytone Mini-Brute II

Jim Hall

Guitarist

...
Verified via Modernguitarist

Jim Hall was seen using a Polytone Mini-Brute II amplifier during a live performance with Scott Colley on double bass and Joey Baron on drums. Despite the quiet setting, Hall noted before the concert that he comes from a generation that played mostly "acoustic," citing his duo work with Bill Evans as an example. This information is detailed on Modernguitarist's "Jim Hall’s Gear" page.

See how Herb Ellis uses Polytone Mini-Brute II

Herb Ellis

Guitarist

...
Verified via Talkinguitars

VG: What type of amplifier were you using?

HE: For studio work, I had a Fender. But I like Polytones much better for my jazz work.

VG: Tell us more about the Polytones.

HE: In my circles, it is well know. It’s been around for a long time. George Benson, Ray Brown, Joe Pass; most of the top jazz players play Polytone. Most of the amplifiers are made with rock in mind, they are way too heavy on the bass end, and much too thin at the top. The Polytones are more well-rounded. The bass isn’t too heavy and the top still has some roundness to it. It’s just perfect for jazz.

VG: Is it a tube amp?

HE: The first ones were, but they’ve gone to transistors. They say there’s a difference but I’ve never noticed it.

See how Sam Bush uses Polytone Mini-Brute II

Sam Bush

Guitarist

New Grass Revival

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Verified via Premierguitar

According to the Premier Guitar's interview, Bush uses the Polytone Mini-Brute II amplifier.

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 Polytone Mini-Brute II, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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