TEST_ Seymour Duncan Powerstage

 Times have changed. Features such as portability, weight and dimensions have become massively more important in recent years. Along with a few other suppliers, Seymour Duncan has also responded to this trend and launched the Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 and the Seymour Duncan Power Stage 700, two power amplifiers designed specifically for guitarists and designed for portability.

The concept of the Seymour Duncan Power Stage series

50 years ago, everything was very simple. Due to a lack of PA systems, you packed as many 412 cabinets and heads as you could get into a van or truck, set them up, switched them ALL on and filled the entire hall with sound from the stage. The end result: an excellent guitar sound and deaf musicians.

Those days are definitely over and not even the most die-hard vintage fans of recent times want this sound system back. The exact opposite is the sound constellation in which all musicians play directly into the desk using modeling amps and D.I. boxes and you can no longer hear any other instrument on the stage except the direct radiation of the drum sound. A dream for hall mixers, but the interaction between the guitar string and the moving air of the loudspeaker is lost. The result is a comparatively lifeless sound, which sometimes makes old-school musicians feel a kind of disgust.

The middle ground that is increasingly sought after is a mixture of both systems, i.e. you generate enough sound pressure on the stage using a comparatively quiet and small system to enable interaction with the instrument, but get the final volume from the individually adjusted in-ear system. Never before have so many 1x12" or 2x12" boxes been seen on stage, even in the harder faction, while the full-stack armada that is still often lined up to fill the stage mostly consists of empty dummy housings for weight reasons.

In order not to ruin the transport advantage by lugging around heavy all-tube tops, you need power amplifiers that are as small, light and good-sounding as possible, preferably the size of a stomp pedal and that can be connected directly to the floorboard if necessary. Do I see the first people pricking up their ears?

The Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170

The Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 is a 170 watt Class D power amplifier aimed at two groups of musicians who both have the same concern or problem. It's about size and weight (as is always the case in life...). With dimensions (L x W x H): 292 mm x 176 mm x 56 mm and a weight of just under 2.8 kilograms, the power amplifier can actually be placed on the floorboard and secured with Velcro / cable ties.

This means, conversely, that with the right concept, you can leave your regular top at home and travel with just the floorboard, speaker and guitar. If you can find a working cabinet on site, or you share equipment with other bands on site, you can even travel to the show by public transport.

The second target group are professional musicians who often have to travel by plane to shows abroad. I myself know the problem well enough that, depending on which country you are playing in, the organizers only provide you with completely worn-out material in which not a single amplifier works perfectly. My personal "highlight" was the penultimate Russia tour, tour stop St. Petersburg. Three Marshall tops on site, one with a broken master volume control, one with oscillating power tubes and one that wouldn't turn on at all. Taking a "mini amp setup" with you in your personal suitcase can minimize many problems.

Some people will now rightly ask why the power amplifier has such a high output. It must be said that this value only applies to 4 ohms and, unlike a tube power amplifier, the power decreases with increasing ohm count. At 8 ohms, the power should be around 90 watts, at 16 ohms around 50 watts. But don't worry, always remember that to double the volume, the power must be increased tenfold, i.e. 170 watts is only just twice as loud as a 17 watt amplifier.

The Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 is very simple in its design, which didn't stop the manufacturer from packing the product in a very attractive housing with a brushed aluminum top. The product, made in the USA, has a clean preamp and a three-band tone control that starts at frequencies of 87 Hz, 712 Hz and 6.61 kHz and allows a boost/cut of 13 dB. A large, protruding volume control allows you to adjust the volume with your foot during the show; theoretically, you can also raise the volume for a solo and then turn it back down on the fly. A powerful fan on the front ensures that the internal components are cooled. On the back there is an input and output, a power plug, an on/off switch, and that's it.

The Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 in practice

The fact that the Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 does not have any rubber feet alone shows that the entire concept is designed for pedalboard operation. The built-in preamp means that you can actually connect your pedals directly to the power amp and treat it as if it were the clean channel on your personal amplifier. Put bluntly, overdrive in front, distortion in front and you have a three-channel amp.

If you don't need any distortion for your sound, you can even plug the guitar directly into the power amp. Jazz musicians will be happy! There's also a tuner and you can go to the show with 2 pedals, or even just one with a clamp tuner. For my part, I took a three-channel Koch Amps Superlead pedal, connected a Line6 Pedal Modeler to the Superlead, sent the whole thing directly to the power amp and attached a 412 Marshall cabinet with 75 watts Celestion to the back.

It really made my jaw drop. I placed just 3 pedals on a small pedal board with a total weight, including all power supplies and cables, of less than 8 kilograms, and I got a sound that beats many high-quality all-tube tops. The sound is powerful, dynamic and yet subtly compressed, with the three-band tone control responding very well to the respective orientation of the speakers. The tone control works very tastefully, although the bass control is a bit too low for the standard tuning, but it can fully exploit its strengths with ERG guitars. At high volumes there is even a hint of saturation, which is very subtle and never initiates the notorious "transistor distortion".

The Seymour Duncan Power Stage 700

The big brother of the 170 power amplifier enters the stage with the Seymour Duncan Power Stage 700. I'm going out on a limb here. Even if the product is advertised as a pure guitar power amplifier, all the connections suggest that electric bass players could also find a home here. 700 watts at 4 ohms will destroy any normal guitar cabinet and even if the cabinet has 8 ohms, the approx. 350 watts are beyond good and evil. 16 ohm speakers are not supported. Bass players are more relaxed about such power outputs, however, as stable bass reproduction requires significantly more power reserves than the guitar spectrum.

The two outputs in Speakon / jack combo sockets in conjunction with the 4 / 8 ohm speaker specification also show a clear bass cabinet orientation; Speakon is actually not available in guitar speakers. Otherwise, the concept of the Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 has been transferred to the 700 version, although the Seymour Duncan Power Stage 700 is a stereo version that also has an XLR connection to the FOH, which can be used for speaker simulation if required.

It is also great that the 700 has a multi-voltage power supply, which makes the power supply much easier for international performances. The power amplifier can also be installed in the rack using 2 rack angles, where it takes up less than 2 U.

Conclusion

With the two power amplifiers Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 and 700, the American manufacturer is dedicated to the very specific target group of modeling amp players and working musicians. Both groups are supplied with very good-sounding products and a detailed range of features, with Seymour Duncan managing to generate a completely new type of transportability, particularly with the 170 version.

While the 700 version still raises a few small question marks for guitarists (high power output, only one volume control for 2 channels, Speakon outputs), the little sister convinces as an excellent niche product that many musicians have been desperately waiting for.

Top marks!

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Additional Informations:

### The History of Seymour Duncan PowerStage Amplifiers

Seymour Duncan, a name renowned for its high-quality guitar pickups, expanded its expertise into the realm of amplifiers with the introduction of the PowerStage series. This venture into amplification marked a significant evolution in the company’s product lineup, reflecting both its commitment to innovation and its responsiveness to the changing needs of musicians. The development of the PowerStage amplifiers is a story of meticulous engineering, market insight, and a deep understanding of the guitarist’s requirements.

#### Origins and Rationale

The concept of the PowerStage series emerged from the changing landscape of guitar amplification in the early 21st century. Traditional tube amplifiers, while cherished for their warm tones and dynamic response, posed practical challenges related to size, weight, and maintenance. With the rise of digital modeling and the increasing use of pedalboards, there was a growing demand for portable, reliable, and versatile power solutions that could seamlessly integrate into modern guitar rigs.

Recognizing this shift, Seymour Duncan set out to design an amplifier that could meet these needs without compromising on tone and quality. The goal was to create a compact, powerful, and highly functional amplifier that could serve as the backbone of any guitarist’s setup, whether for live performance or studio work.

#### Design and Development

The development process for the PowerStage amplifiers was thorough and detailed. Seymour Duncan's team of engineers and designers embarked on extensive research and development, drawing on decades of experience in the audio industry. They focused on key attributes such as portability, ease of use, and tonal versatility.

One of the primary design challenges was achieving high power output in a compact form factor. Traditional amplifiers often require bulky transformers and large cabinets, but the PowerStage needed to be small enough to fit on a pedalboard. To address this, the team utilized Class D amplification technology, known for its efficiency and ability to deliver substantial power without excessive heat generation.

Another critical aspect was the tonal character. Guitarists have discerning ears, and the sound quality of the PowerStage had to meet the high standards set by Seymour Duncan’s pickups. The engineering team worked meticulously on the preamp and power amp sections to ensure that the amplifier could deliver rich, dynamic tones across a wide frequency range. They incorporated features such as three-band EQ and presence control to provide musicians with the flexibility to shape their sound precisely.

#### Introduction of the PowerStage 170

The first product in the PowerStage series, the PowerStage 170, was introduced in 2017. This compact, pedalboard-friendly power amp quickly garnered attention for its innovative design and practical features. With 170 watts of power, it was capable of driving virtually any speaker cabinet, making it an ideal solution for guitarists who needed a powerful yet portable amplifier.

The PowerStage 170 featured straightforward controls, including volume, bass, mid, and treble knobs, allowing users to quickly dial in their preferred sound. Its compact size and robust construction made it a reliable choice for gigging musicians, who appreciated the convenience of carrying an entire amplifier rig in a pedal-sized unit.

One of the standout features of the PowerStage 170 was its versatility. It could be used as a traditional amplifier, driving a speaker cabinet directly, or as a power amp in conjunction with digital modelers and preamps. This flexibility made it a popular choice among guitarists who utilized a variety of setups and needed a reliable power solution that could adapt to different scenarios.

#### Expansion with the PowerStage 700

Following the success of the PowerStage 170, Seymour Duncan expanded the series with the introduction of the PowerStage 700 in 2018. The PowerStage 700 offered even more power, with 700 watts available, catering to musicians who required higher output for larger venues or more demanding applications.

Despite its increased power, the PowerStage 700 maintained the compact and portable design of its predecessor. It featured an intuitive interface with more advanced controls, including additional EQ options and presence adjustment, providing greater tonal flexibility. The inclusion of stereo output capabilities also made it suitable for use in more complex rigs, where stereo effects and multi-cabinet setups were required.

The PowerStage 700 retained the same high-quality construction and reliable performance that had become the hallmark of the PowerStage series. Its ability to deliver clean, powerful amplification without coloration ensured that the natural character of the guitar and any connected effects were preserved, making it a valuable tool for both live performances and studio recordings.

#### Market Reception and Impact

The introduction of the PowerStage series was met with positive reception from both musicians and industry critics. Guitarists appreciated the combination of portability, power, and tonal flexibility, which addressed many of the limitations associated with traditional amplifiers and other compact power solutions.

Reviewers highlighted the build quality and performance of the PowerStage amplifiers, noting their ability to handle a wide range of musical genres and playing styles. The amplifiers’ compatibility with digital modelers and preamps also earned praise, as it allowed musicians to integrate their favorite tones into their live rigs without sacrificing quality or reliability.

The success of the PowerStage series reinforced Seymour Duncan’s reputation as a company that understands the needs of musicians and is capable of delivering innovative solutions that enhance their playing experience. The amplifiers became a popular choice among touring professionals, studio musicians, and hobbyists alike, further establishing Seymour Duncan as a versatile and forward-thinking brand in the music industry.

#### Ongoing Innovation and Future Prospects

Building on the success of the initial PowerStage models, Seymour Duncan continues to explore new possibilities in amplifier design. The company remains committed to innovation, seeking to develop products that meet the evolving needs of musicians while maintaining the high standards of quality and performance that define the brand.

Future developments in the PowerStage series may include advancements in digital integration, offering even greater control and customization options for users. As technology continues to evolve, Seymour Duncan is well-positioned to leverage new advancements to enhance the functionality and versatility of their amplifiers.

In conclusion, the history of Seymour Duncan’s PowerStage amplifiers is a testament to the company’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to the changing landscape of guitar amplification. From the initial concept to the successful introduction of the PowerStage 170 and 700, Seymour Duncan has demonstrated a commitment to providing musicians with practical, high-quality solutions that enhance their ability to create and perform music. The PowerStage series stands as a significant achievement in the company’s storied history, reflecting its dedication to excellence and its deep understanding of the musician’s journey.