The Pink Taco V2 is a hand-wired, single-channel 20-watt head, cathode biased, with two EL84s and three 12AX7s. Friedman built it for players who wanted the BE-100 sound in something small and simple, and Dave Friedman's stated aim was an EL84 amp with the tight low end and midrange of a 100-watt EL34 amp. Gain and master set the drive, with bass, middle and treble below them, and the range runs from blues through classic rock to heavy rock and metal. It cleans up well from the guitar's volume control, even at higher gain.
Three switches do the voicing work: the S-Switch changes the gain structure, and the Sat and Fat switches reshape it further. There is an ultra-transparent series effects loop and separate 4, 8 and 16 ohm jacks, all in a tongue and groove Baltic Birch cabinet 18 inches wide that weighs 22 lbs. Friedman assembles it in Los Angeles and backs it with a limited lifetime warranty.
Within the 20-watt EL84 heads, the Runt-20 is the two-channel option with a clean channel, an internal load and an XLR output. The Little Sister shares this chassis size and tube set but leans toward 60s and 70s British classic rock, where the Pink Taco is aimed at BE-style gain. The Pink Taco V2 Combo puts this amp over a 12" Celestion G12M-65 Creamback.
SPECIFICATIONS
AMPLIFIER
Country of Origin: United States
Type: 20-watt EL84 cathode biased head
Channels: Single channel all-tube
Construction: Hand-wired
Assembly: Assembled in Los Angeles, CA
Transformers: Custom made transformers
TUBES
Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
CONTROLS
Volume: Master volume and gain controls
EQ: Bass, Middle, Treble
Switches: S-Switch (Gain Structure Switch), Sat Switch, Fat Switch
CONNECTIONS
Effects Loop: Ultra-transparent series FX loop
Speaker Outputs: 4, 8 and 16 ohm jacks
CABINET
Construction: Tongue and groove Baltic Birch
DIMENSIONS
Dimensions: 8.5″ (D) x 18″ (W) x 8.25 (H)
Weight: 22 lbs.
FEATURES
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
