NAD Firestorm Tony Purrone

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Tony Purrone “Firestorm” Signature Series Amplifier - A Rare Gem

Own a Piece of Guitar History

This isn't just an amplifier; it's a sonic masterpiece crafted for the legendary Tony Purrone. This Firestorm Signature Series amplifier offers unparalleled versatility and tone, meticulously designed by renowned engineer David Klang.

Key Features:

  • Two Distinct Channels: Cool Channel for accentuated mid-range or Hot Channel for clean, scooped mid voice.
  • Bridgeable Design: Expand your tonal palette with the option to bridge both channels.
  • All-Tube Powerhouse: Delivers up to 180 watts of pure tube-driven sound.
  • Customizable: Tube complement and bias settings can be tailored to your preferred sound.
  • Elegant Design: Burgundy vinyl, hand-polished birch panel, and nickel hardware exude timeless style.
  • Includes Cooling Fan and Offset Handle: For optimal performance and convenience.
Built on a Solid Foundation:

Originally based on a late '70s, early '80s Fender Twin Reverb, this amp boasts an ultra-linear output transformer.

A Sound Like No Other:

Tony Purrone, the world-renowned jazz guitar improviser, selected this amplifier for its ability to capture the essence of his unique musicality. From blues and jazz to fusion and beyond, this amp can handle it all.
 
The amps sounds great. I'm not much for clean NMV amps but it does sound great, not like a couple of NMV amps I've played lately. The knobs are very touchy :p just the slightest turn affects the tone. Unreal like touchy, like when you move a GEQ slider touchy. The reverb? Holy crap, wow wow wow. Soooo gorgeous, I'll post some videos to show you guys. I'm not going to send it out yet for an upgrade, and may never mod it because of the authenticity and it's provenance. A clean machine for pedals.

The guy on the right in the picture is the drummer from my old band, Alan Richardson. After the bassist died, the band broke up and I've haven't spoken to him since. I new he played with Tony but I didn't put 2&2 together until I saw the picture from his website. There wasn't web back then and they mainly played in NYC so I douchebagigly never went to see the trio. I am so douche-bag.

After watching a bunch of Tony's videos, I've calculated Tony as being 42,911 % better at playing guitar than me. I'm surprised Alan would even play with me for years, sheesh. We did Hendrix mostly, and Cream, but I love Hendrix, so it was wild. I drank booze back then.

I bought some speakers off CL a month ago and when I got to the home to pick them up, an hour away, it was an old singer from my band. I didn't recognize him until he told me who he was and then I remembered him. We did one gig together and maybe a few practices.

My kid and I picked up a hitchhiker a couple of weeks ago, he got in a asked when my band was playing? I had no idea who he was.

The shop I bought the amp from was jam-packed with vintage gear ceiling to floor. A 1960 Gibson Custom Les Paul Black Beauty 3 pick-up, 85k, and bunch of pre CBS Fender amps. He said one collection he's selling for $40,000 is worth at least $80,000 minimum, I Believe it, better call Joe Bonamassa. !000's of guitars, so many he has no idea what's there. ("All the cases have guitars in them") 276 Main Street, Danbury, CT. There was a guy out front playing a bass through an amp at stage volume, because he could. Just him on bass, cranked up so the whole block could hear him. I chatted with the owner, he played for all sorts of famous people, biggest gig, 1.5 million. Cool guy, he's like me when talking gear.


Tony Purrone’s custom made amplifier. by John Bazzano, on Flickr

Purrone amp by John Bazzano, on Flickr

Tony Purrone and Alan Richardson. by John Bazzano, on Flickr
 
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Update - I talked to Tony about his amp, he said it was "just too big to bring" with him to gigs is why he sold it. It weighs around 60 pounds. Tony's still playing out occasionally. He said that there was a whole bunch of literature that went with the amp at the store so I called the store and they said they'd look for it. I also got the phone # from Tony for David Klang (pron. Klong) to ask him if he still has any information about the amp, he's the builder.

I also gave my friend Alan the drummer a call and he said he didn't play anymore and was retiring soon from his job.

I will make a matching cabinet with a thiele 606 design EVM15L, 8 ohm enclosed bottom half, EVM12s, 8 ohm open back upper half with matching tolex, nice casters and plenty of handles. It'll be a big boy cowboy rig capable of handling 180 clean watts.

It's sporting some old school 6L6GC's but it can take several different types of glass. It's also is loaded with nice preamp tubes. KT88's might be the ticket.

This is a nice guitar amp. Would work great for bass also.
 
Interesting. Congrats.

Never heard of it or the player but cool that you got a good deal and got to talk to guy. :cheers:

I thought the "Customizable" part was funny :lol:
 
David Klang sent me the owner's manual. David also said he modded it for Tony with a switch under the chassis for less gain on the hot channel. Yes, this is a clean machine.

I've ordered everything I need to make a cabinet - EVM15L thiele design on the bottom and a EVM12L open back on top. Matching tolex. 24"Wx36"Hx16"D

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjChTUU
 
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