For everyone who still prefers the authentic flavor of tubes. Want a manageable amp with an affordable price and tube tone? If you're tired of modelers and want the real deal, this could be your pick. Everyone knows guitarists' fondness for tube amps. Even before the craze for vintage sound, most guitarists have always bet on the warm sound of tubes. The problem, once you start looking for one, is the price increase this type of construction brings. In general, almost all players just starting out opt for solid-state amplification, mainly for its versatility with new modeling technology and for its price.

When We Talk About Tubes, There's No Modeling
It's very fashionable right now to find modern amps that electronically simulate various kinds of tones, imitating the tubes of legendary amps (American, British, and so on). They can also simulate different cabinets, bigger or smaller, with one speaker, two, four or more, or with cones of various diameters. Even with all these possibilities, a solid-state amp is generally cheaper and more accessible.

The Defender by Kustom: An Authentic, Affordable Proposition
After this preface, let us introduce today's guest: an amp with a polished look and genuine construction when it comes to its tube circuitry. Its look recalls completely vintage models, since even the knobs on the front panel hint at that warmth of the “old days.”

Front Panel
In a fairly manageable combo format (about 17 kg in total), we find a complete front panel. On it we find:

1. ¼" jack input.
2. Bright/normal selector switch (which boosts attack and treble detail in bright mode).
3. Volume.
4. Master control.
5. Bass, mid and treble EQ (three knobs).
6. Reverb.
7. Presence.
8. Boost.
9. Power LED.
10. Standby switch.
11. Power switch.

Rear Panel
1. ¼" TRS input for boost footswitch.
2. Impedance selector for external cabinets: 16, 8 or 4 ohm.
3. Two ¼" TRS outputs for connecting speakers/external cabinet.
4. Bias selector for EL34 / 6L6 tubes.
5. Tube cover: TUBE CHART.

Power and Sound
As we mentioned at the start, this is a tube amp. Dense, thick tones, with good punch and vintage adrenaline. Its 50 W pack serious muscle. I certainly think you could play at the rehearsal space without any problem, even with an “intense” drummer. We could also use this “not so small” amp at gigs (miked or unmiked depending on the size of the room). For use at home we'll need to be a little careful, because it hits with some pretty hefty blasts that might just make your neighbors lose their minds.

In short, it shows versatility of sounds, delivering cleans, medium overdrive and heavier tones.

Personally, and considering its attractive price, I found the sound quite warm and punchy. Maybe the knobs are a bit abrupt (I mean the controls have a medium sensitivity), but overall it's a very decent tube combo at a price well below what's “usual.”

Conclusions
I think I've given a pretty clear summary of what you'll find in this amp. A combo with a vintage look and sound, fairly well finished and with an eye-catching price. I was also surprised by the manufacturer's website, www.kustom.com: more polished than I expected, with good photographs of its products, demos and even the artists associated with the brand.

For 749 € you get a warm tube amp in the vein of the gutsy tones of the most authentic blues. As you can imagine, if you add hard-hitting distortion, super boost and metal pedals, the grit will keep growing without losing that thick tube feel. Now all that's left is for you to try it and decide for yourself whether it speaks to you.