Jet City Amps The Story and Review from Ultratone Guitars

Before founded in 2009, Jet City Amplification, asked themselves, "Does the world really need another average-sounding tube amp, propped up with pithy marketing rants using the word 'boutique' fifteen times a paragraph?" At first, the answer was "yes", their hearts are black enough. Let’s face it, they are not running a charity. However, something inside just wouldn't let them do it.

Perhaps it was a sense of camaraderie with their brothers who drop their dwindling cash reserves on guitar amps promising tone, but ending up not delivering the sounds? Or maybe it was because for the first time they were unshackled by the MBAs and bean counters they worked for in the past — guys who wore khakis with pleats and never touched a guitar— let alone heard an amp sing like an angel. Sure, they know how to use accounting software, but  Jet City did not let budget alone define their design decisions – this was to be a labor of love of music.

Whatever the reason, Jet City Amplification strives to deliver the utmost in tone, while being affordable enough for musicians slugging out a living on the small stage.

Of course, actually delivering on this credo was a challenge in itself. Luckily for the amp-buying consumer, legendary tube amp designer, Mike Soldano joined the group. The very name Soldano conjures the smell of hot tubes and blistering guitar. In fact, Mike’s creations in the 1990's are directly responsible for more shattered eardrums than any other guitar amp. The other guys can say boutique all they want, but Mike is the real deal.

Jet City Amplifiers are designed in Seattle with a very simple "no bullsh*t" philosophy. They do not employ digital effects, other amp models, or cabinet reproductions. The control sets, tubes, rectifiers, speakers and the rest of the components are employed to deliver pure, all-tube tone.  From shimmering clean to thick ‘n raunchy overdrives and screaming high gain distortions, Jet City amps are designed to cover the spectrum without compromise.

Jet City's, "Keep It Simple, Soldano", approach to tube amp design combines quality and simplicity. With easy to use controls, cool cosmetics, and sensible pricing, Jet City Amplifiers offer a taste of the good life, at a fraction of the cost. Each amplifier is meticulously hand-built and rigorously tested, ensuring 100% legit tone, and unflinching reliability.

While some other budget priced amps can snap like toothpicks under the pressure, Jet City Amplifiers handle the task and are ready for more.  Right out of the box, these amps are ready to go with no mods necessary.  Jet City Amps are ready for you to plug in and see what real tube amp design and quality tone is all about.

JCA100HDM 100W All-Tube Guitar Amp Head

Ultratone Guitars Reviews Modtone MT-BB Buzz Boy Power Fuzz Effects Pedal

Modtone MT-BB Buzz Boy Power Fuzz Effects Pedal

The search for a quality fuzz pedal can lead to many dead ends.  The fuzz pedals at the right price seem to lack the features and tone shaping needed.  A fuzz pedal fills a song's or performance's specific need.  Guitarists can easily collect 3 or more fuzz pedals because individually these pedals do not fill their individual needs.  The search for a fuzz pedal that gives musicians the flexibility to use one pedal.  The ModTone MT-BB Buzz Boy Power Fuzz fills that need.  With a list price of under $150.00, true bypass, rugged metal construction, a 5 year warranty, and high quality components and controls, this pedal has you covered.

The Buzz Boy is a versatile vintage fuzz box.  One twist of a knob and the Buzz Boy goes from a thick sludgy and saturated tub-like fuzz to a high level of gain.  For all its ability to go over the top it can also do some subtle and unique tones when you dial it back.  The Buzz Boy can go from screaming distortions to 60's counter-culture  fuzz without missing a beat.

Another Review Without Complaints - String Swing CC01-UKE Wood Ukulele Wall Hanger - Ultratone Guitars

String Swing CC01-UKE Wood Ukulele Wall Hanger

It is not often that we review such a simple accessory, but this little hanger does the job.  We began hanging our ukuleles with this String Swing CC01-UKE wood ukulele hanger.  The mount has stayed in the wall, the finishes on our ukes are still perfect, and they look great.  There is no better wall decoration than a guitar or ukulele and this hanger lets you hang your uke with pride.  While hanging other instruments, we found that this hanger works perfectly with our mandolins too.  Then, we hung a cumbus, and a saz after that.  This little hanger rocks!  The instruments are proudly displayed and we now have our walls filled with instruments.  

What a great little accessory! At Ultratone Guitars we pride ourselves on delivering quality product, excellent reviews, and jaw dropping, low prices.

Reviews Without Complaints - Italia Torino Bass Guitar Black Ultratone Guitars

Italia Torino Bass Guitar Black

Are you a bassist that is simply sick of the ordinary bass?  Do you love the classic relics of old, but find it a trying  task to rebuild, refinish, and repair them to playable instruments? Do you wish that you could have one of the wildest classic designs and combine it with advanced electronics, tone-woods, and hardware?  The Italia Torino Bass Guitar may be the semi-hollow body bass you seek. This bass is a 30" scale length so it is super fast and comfortable to play.  The neck is sweet to feel and the semi-hollow body resonates such a great tone.

Italia Guitars and basses echo the designs of some of the most collectible instruments of the 1960's, inspired with a modern and distinctly original twist.  The Torino is now available as a bass guitar, again with a semi-hollow body construction and f-holes.  A tune-o-matic bass brige carries 4 strings over to the Italia action angle trapeze tail piece.  2 Wilkinson pickups provide the tonal heart of this beautiful bass.

I have to highly recommend this bass to players of all size and skill level.  Great bass!

Sonor Smart Force Drum Kit Black - Reviews without Complaints - Ultratone Guitars

Sonor Smart Force Drum Kit Black

This SONOR drum kit is a perfect kit for the starting drummer or percussionist.  This set includes multi ply shells, excellent hardware, and a perfect set up.  Advanced heads deliver a professional sound and the advanced hardware is designed to handle the power of drumming.

The SONOR Smart Force Series drums are designed especially for beginners at an uncompromisingly attractive price. This drum kit is extremely interesting for all up-and-coming rockers, jazz cats, enthusiasts of metal or the blues … or any drummer who’s looking for a drum set that is sturdy, yet versatile. The 9-layer poplar shells of the SONOR Smart Force Sets are full bodied, providing balanced sound with lots of power up front. These poplar shells deliver maximum strength, perfect curving, and ­neutral ­tuning thanks to tension-free cross-lamination of the individual layers of wood (CLTF Cross Laminated Tension Free Process). The covered finish is very sturdy and long lasting, and the workmanship is impeccable. 

SONOR Smart Force Thicknesses 

9 layers for bass drums, tom toms, floor toms and snare drums = 7.2 mm 

16" Deep Bass Drum 

A deep bass drum drives more power and rich bass drum sounds! The pre-muffled batter and resonance heads on the bass drum provide 'all-round' powerful sounds and dynamic 'kicks'. SONOR heads made by REMO. 

Bass Drum Legs - On Solid Footing, Everywhere You Go! 

The bass drum feets can be converted from rubber to metal by turning the rubber foot. Fixing the position by a fastening screw. 

Tuning Lugs 

The new SONOR Force tuning lugs with fine-pitch threads are equipped with the TuneSafe tuning safeguard feature, which prevents tension screws from loosening. And for the beginner, this means the "tuning" lasts even longer. The standard Force Series bass drum ships with a bracket. The inner workings of the bracket are built for a strong and secure base; thanks to a smooth yet firm application of pressure. With the tried and true ‘Ball Clamp’ system, the tom toms can be securely positioned wherever the drummer wishes. 

Cymbals Not Included 
Black Finish

DBZ Guitars Barchetta FM Plus FR - Another Review without complaints - Ultratone Guitars

DBZ Guitars Barchetta FM Plus FR Electric Guitar Black Cherry

This DBZ Barchetta is an ax designed for the pro player, but priced right for the practicing musician.  These guitars are custom designed by Dean B Zelinsky.  The pickups are custom wound by Seymour Duncan per Den's suggestions and wishes.  The carves are sweet too!  The neck is mahogany with a soft V shape for sweet reach and tone.  Easy to make big bends with the Barchetta.  The Barchetta also features a Floyd Rose Pro Tremolo system so you can dive bomb the night away without going out of tune!

Ultratone Guitars is your source for this guitar!

he Barchetta Embodies Rock N Roll With an Impressive Electronics Set-Up and a Smooth Finish! 

The DBZ Barchetta FM Plus FR Black Cherry Electric Guitar is a full featured shred machine. This Guitar features a thick growl from its thin profile mahogany body with the beauty of a flame maple top and the confident feel of a set in mahogany neck. The 22 Fret fingeboard is ebonized rosewood and provides a solid playing surface. Custom Premier Series Inlays lead you up and down this soft V shaped neck. The pickups are Custom Wound Seymour Duncan DBZB and DBZ5 Humbucker Pickups made in the USA. 1 Volume and 1 Tone knob combine with a 3-Way switch to allow you to dial in that perfect tone for every song. Designed to be your go to electric, the Barchetta is a show stopper everytime! 

DBZ Barchetta FM Plus FR Electric Guitar Features:

Product# BARFMPL-FR-BC
Set In Mahogany Neck
25.5" Scale Length
Mahogany Body with Flame Maple Top
Ebonized Rosewood Fingerboard
22 Frets
Premier Series Inlays
Abalone Purfling
DBZB / DBZ5 Custom Wound Humbucker Pickups
1 Volume / 1 Tone Controls
3-Way Pickup Selector Switch
Grover Tuners
Chrome Hardware
Floyd Rose Tremolo System

Dulcimers and Santoor.. What is the Difference? An Ultratone Guitars Review

Description of the Dulcimer

Dulcimers are a form of board zither that originated in the Middle East. They probably arrived in Europe in the 11th century. It was actually the Europeans who introduced the dulcimers to the Far East in the early 19th century. With slight variations, dulcimers have been found around the globe. They can be plucked or played with hammers. Hammers come in a wide variety of shapes and construction. They may be simple wood, or wrapped with material, some have finger notches and some are straight.

Mountain Dulcimer

The Mountain Dulcimer is hourglass in shape and more closely resembles the zither than the other styles of dulcimer. Mounted along the hourglass shaped soundboard is the fretted neck. The soundboard terminates at the Peg Box. The single, non-course, strings can be noted on the neck while the strings are strummed or plucked.

American Hammered Dulcimer

The American Hammered Dulcimer is usually played on a stand or table. It is trapezoidal is shape. There are two moveable bridges. The Strings run in courses over these bridges between the non-parallel sides. A course is composed of consecutive strings, tuned to the same note. The courses alternate over the left bridge than the right and back and forth. In this way each course of strings provides two tones, one to each side of the bridge. Also, by alternating courses over two bridges four playing surfaces are available, though usually only three are used. The American Hammer Dulcimer has two strings per course. It may be picked, plucked, or played with a bow, quill or hammer.

Persian Hammered Dulcimer

The Persian Hammered Dulcimer is smaller than the American Hammer Dulcimer yet still wider than the Santoor. It is trapezoidal in shape. The left courses are steel and the right courses are brass. They alternate over movable bridges. It has individual movable bridges for each course. It may be picked, plucked, or played with a bow, quill or hammer.

Indian Santoor

The Indian Santoor is trapezoidal in shape. It is not as wide as the Persian Hammer Dulcimer or the American Hammer Dulcimer. The strings run between the non-parallel sides in courses over individual movable bridges. A course is composed of consecutive strings, tuned to the same note. The courses alternate over the left bridge then the right and back and forth. In this way each course of strings provides two tones, one to each side of the bridge. Also, by alternating courses over two bridges four playing surfaces are available, though usually only three are used. These playing surfaces are struck or stroked with light wooden hammers.