Now I gotta say that before now I had written Fender off as far as getting a cool sound (for me). I'd heard Jay Dee get a most incredible sound from a Twin, but it sure didn't work for me. I found most of my happiness in all of my Evans versions over the years (and now the Evans pre). But, I gotta say that these prototypes really kicked butt. I really noticed the difference when I reverted back to my normal preamp, amp, speaker setup...I was missing something.

I'm sure more info will start emerging, especially when they get past the testing stage and start marketing the final version. There are only 7 copies right now and I just returned the two I had. I think Lloyd is getting one next and a few others. Sam Marshall of Fender (the developer) has said he's going to try to bring a few out to the steel jam in Apache Junction on May 1st and 2nd. Hopefully I'll get to be there also. Really good work Sam!

All tube?
Power?
Effects?
Speaker?
Size?
More?

There is a line-out in the back (with it's own level control) and efx loop in and outs. There was a spring verb in the units I had but I was using an efx unit and didn't try the spring unit.

There is also a mute and compressor push button on the front. Only one 1/4" input but you have a 'pad' button if you need it.

The treble, mid and bass controls are all center indented (straight up) and you either roll off to the left or boost to the right. There are two other controls that are sweep knobs (although I forget the names right now) which are not center indented. One volume control and one master control (and of course the reverb level control). I found it easy to use, but they sorta setup these models with the center indent being my sound so I had little tweaking to do.

These models had wheels which were easily removed but they said they had not gone through the UL testing as yet and the wheels may not stay.

Oh, by the way, the name of this amp is the "Steel King" (with the retro lettering/font), black cabinet and control strip with silver grille.

I'm sure they mentioned the power rating but it escapes me right now. I'm sure there will be more info available soon.

Well to make a long story short, Peavey has been "cleaning their clock" in the steelers' market for decades, and it will take considerable effort on Fender's part to change that. If Fender had included a graphic EQ, and a good electronic delay/verb (in addition to the spring unit), they might have had me for a new customer.