Bartel Sugarland 12-Watt EL-84 1×12 Half-Stack Guitar Amplifier in Blue Tolex – CHUCKSCLUSIVE 65th Anniversary Edition

Eye-Catching Style and Great Sounding Design – This Bartel Sugarland Amplifier Half-Stack CHUCKSCLUSIVE 65th Anniversary Edition in Custom Blue Tolex Boasts EL-84 Power Tubes, Distinctive Eric Collins Grill Cloth and Matching 1×12-Inch, Fane Loaded Speaker Cabinet

Bartel Signature Series amplifiers bring serious innovation and refinement to the crafting of vintage tones. They continue to stand apart from most conventional guitar amps because of their strikingly different kind of sound – deep and resonant, detailed and present – just a totally unconstricted tone. Each one is hand-built by Mark Bartel himself in his Baltimore shop.

Our 65th Anniversary

Celebrating Chuck Levin’s 65th Anniversary, Mark Bartel kindly partnered with us to build this great Sugarland model – a 12-Watt purist design, single-channel, all tube amp that is powered by a pair of EL-84 power tubes vs the standard 6V6s. Its single channel multi-voice preamp will offer up an incredibly wide range of voicings, from sparkly cleans to a thick, woody tweed, and all the way to a driven plexi crunch, with growl and grind. The solid wood cabinet design with unified baffle/body construction delivers live, deeply resonant and unconstricted sound. This Sugarland model also features a unique master volume circuit that is extremely transparent, and is able to maintain the same sound and vivid presence all the way down to bedside volumes.

• Handwired All-Tube 12-Watt Head
• 1×12-Inch Speaker Cabinet
• EL84 Power Tubes
• Fane A60 Speaker
• Custom Blue Tolex Covering
• EC Collins Grill Cloth
• Custom Panel Graphics (Head)

Eye-Catching Style

Visually unique, eye-catching style is another bonus on this model. It has a unique blue tolex covering with complementary piping, a modified trim design, and unique faceplate artwork, for a stand-out look. Last, but certainly not least, this special build features the distinctive looking EC Collins custom grill cloth. More than its good looks, this particular cloth adds actual character to the speaker sound.

Sound Changing Looks

We chose EC Collins True “Bluesbreaker-Pinstripe” Handmade Grill Cloth to use for our exclusive Bartel amp. It is handmade by Eric Collins, and is an exact replica of the unique pinstripe grill cloth used on the early Marshall amps from 1965-1968.

For speaker cabinets, it has unique acoustical properties which really deliver on that raging stack sound, even at very low volume.

• Single Channel, Multi-Voice Preamp
• Innovative Master Volume
• Wiring Layout – Lowest Noise Floor for Pure Tone
• Interstage transformer coupled phase inverter
• Paper Bobbin Layer Wound Transformers
• Custom Fabrication Turret Boards
• Cathode biased output stage
• No negative feedback
• Handwired Circuitry
• Silver Plated Wire

The acoustic response of this amp is something special. It cuts through amazingly well on a stage, and somehow never sounds shrill or piercing – it stays thick and full, like a saxophone. Yet, despite of its powerful presence onstage, it also sounds fantastic in a home environment – still full and rich, with intense clarity but never sounding overly bright, even at very low volume.

The master volume circuit is incredibly transparent and makes the Sugarland so much more versatile and usable. It preserves the harmonic balance and the dynamic response a lot better than a conventional master volume circuit, so the tone and feel remain consistent down to bedroom volume. At the same time, it preserves the presence and immediacy of the sound better than a power attenuator does, the ultimate tool for transparently reducing volume to any level.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Sugarland, Chuck Levins’ 65th Anniversary Build
• Power Tubes: EL84 (2)
• Panel Graphics: Custom
• Covering: Custom, Blue Tolex, Complementary Piping
• Grill Cloth: Special, EC Collins “Bluesbreaker-Pinstripe”
• Enclosure: Unified Body/Baffle Design
• Material: Solid Eastern White Pine
• Baffle board: 12-Piece Construction, Solid Eastern White Pine and African Mahogany
• Cabinet Sealant: Special Recipe Compound Ensures Natural Acoustics
• Handle: Leather, Handmade by Brookwood Leather
• Knobs: Custom, Molded
• Upholstery: Natural Hide Glue Application, Delivers Superior Acoustic Response
• Tubes: 2x12AX7A, 2x12AU7, 2xEL-84, 1x5Y3GT
• Speaker: 12-Inch Fane A60 (2)
• Signal Output: Line Out
• Dimensions: TBA
• Weight: TBA

Manufacturer: Bartel Amplifiers LLC
Model: BARTEL WMC65 BOM30
SKU: I738033-N-1-WHXB

We are Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center

Since 1958, Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center has been the trusted destination for musicians and audio professionals across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Family-owned and operated, our legendary music store delivers Everything in Music®—from instruments and recording gear to pro audio, rentals, and repair services.

Our team of musicians and industry experts lives and breathes gear, helping you build the perfect setup for your next performance, studio session, or installation. As an authorized dealer for top brands, we also offer our award-winning CHUCKSCLUSIVE line—exclusive, limited-edition instruments and collaborations recognized with the NAMM Top 100 Dealer Innovation Award for redefining what a music retail experience can be.

Chuck Levin’s isn’t just a store—it’s a community built by players, engineers, and creators who share a lifelong passion for sound. Stop by our legendary Wheaton, MD showroom or contact us anytime for expert advice, product questions, or the best possible deal on your next piece of gear.