Grammatico LaGrange

The Grammatico LaGrange is a boutique guitar amplifier inspired by the classic 5E3 Tweed Deluxe circuit, renowned for its rich, organic tone and exceptional craftsmanship.

History of the Grammatico LaGrange

• Introduction: Designed by John Grammatico, the LaGrange was created to replicate the tones of iconic vintage amps from the 1950s and 1960s, particularly the Fender Tweed Deluxe. It debuted as a high-quality, hand-wired amplifier with modern reliability, aiming to capture the sounds of early rock, blues, and jazz legends.
• Design and Features: The LaGrange is a 15-watt Class A amp powered by two 6V6 power tubes, two 12AX7 preamp tubes, and a 5Y3 rectifier tube. It features a single Jensen P12Q 12-inch Alnico speaker and simple controls: two volume knobs (for Normal and Bright channels) and a single tone knob. The amp is praised for its harmonic richness, throaty mids, and three-dimensional sound that works equally well with single-coil or humbucking pickups.
• Legacy: The LaGrange has become a favorite among players seeking vintage tone without the fragility of original Tweed Deluxe amps. Its meticulous build quality and tonal versatility make it ideal for blues, rockabilly, country, and classic rock.

Popular Settings

• Clean Tones:
  • Use the Normal channel with Volume set around 3-4 for sweet, clean headroom.
  • Adjust the Tone knob to balance warmth and brightness.
  • Ideal for jazz or clean blues styles.
• Overdriven Tones:
  • Engage the Bright channel with Volume at 6-8 for natural tube breakup.
  • Turn the Tone knob up slightly to enhance clarity while retaining warmth.
  • Perfect for early rock ‘n' roll or Texas blues tones.
• Dynamic Playability:
  • Set both Volume knobs around 5-6 and use your guitar's volume control to transition seamlessly between clean and overdriven sounds.
  • Works well with both single-coil pickups (for chime) and humbuckers (for fatness).
• Cranked Settings:
  • Push either channel's Volume to 10-12 for saturated distortion with rich harmonics.
  • Combine with a treble booster or overdrive pedal for added sustain in small club settings.

Notable Players

• Redd Volkaert: The Grammy-winning guitarist has demonstrated the LaGrange extensively in live performances and online demos, showcasing its versatility for country and blues tones.
• Mike Keller (The Fabulous Thunderbirds): Keller has used the LaGrange to achieve warm, vintage-inspired tones ideal for blues-rock.
• Josh Perdue: Known for his work with Joe Bonamassa, Perdue has highlighted the amp's ability to deliver dynamic clean-to-crunch transitions.
• Influences on Design: The amp was designed to emulate tones associated with legends like Neil Young, Keith Richards, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, George Thorogood, Kenny Burrell, and T-Bone Walker.

Summary

The Grammatico LaGrange stands out as a modern boutique amplifier that faithfully captures vintage Tweed Deluxe tones while offering exceptional build quality and tonal flexibility. Its appeal spans genres from blues to classic rock, making it a go-to choice for discerning players seeking authentic vintage sound.