TEST: Suhr Badger 18

 One may think what they will of boutique amps, but it's not uncommon for the big names in mainstream amplification to adopt various details that were previously developed in small workshops in backyards. And didn't all the big names like Marshall, Fender, and Mesa originally start as boutique forges, responding to the needs of musicians who craved more power, greater robustness, and additional flexibility?

The fact that names can appear here that have already left their mark on the scene is evident in the Suhr Badger 18. None other than John Suhr is responsible for this small head, who has impressed interested musicians as a custom guitar designer, master builder in the Fender Custom Shop, or through his collaboration with Bob Bradshaw. Another clone in the Marshall 2061 style? Far from it!

Construction

Anyone who has ever experienced the forward defense of a badger that feels cornered knows why John Suhr chose this beautifully colored fighting machine as its namesake. The aggressiveness and readiness to fight of the marten, often portrayed by Walt Disney as a cuddly teddy bear, is legendary and should instill the necessary caution when handling the controls of this small head. But let's take it step by step.

Weighing just under 11 kilograms, the small head (dimensions 520 mm x 208 mm x 215 mm - WxHxD) is very easy to transport despite its full-tube transformer equipment. The workmanship is flawless, which one would expect in the nearly 2,000 euro segment. The fact that the ochre-gold-black color scheme is strongly reminiscent of the British forefather is no coincidence. The tube layout with 3x 12AX7 in the preamp and 2x EL84 in the power amp is a good template for a crisp midrange with biting highs. Add a simple three-band tone control, and British rock is ready. Or is it? Do you seriously believe one could charge 2,000 euros for that, even with handcrafting? Far from it.

The first curiosity arises with the tube rectification. Unlike many of its competitors, the Suhr Badger 18 uses a tube with the rather rare designation 5V3GT instead of the popular diodes. The astute reader will already know that, especially at higher volumes, the overall sound is softer, more compressed, and has a subtle tendency towards sagging. However, much more exciting is the circuit, which is managed by the unspectacular control named Power on the front panel.

While Gain on the far right regulates the classic preamp in terms of volume, the Drive control is located in a typical power amp circuit between the output of the Treble pot and the phase driver stage. These are the best prerequisites for dynamic distortion at low volume. So far, nothing new in the West, comparable to the typical Marshall Master circuit of the 2203 (100 watt) or 2204 (50 watt) type, but there was still this Power control. It doesn't function as a simple load resistor that only converts the delivered power into heat but regulates the supply voltage of the power tubes down via an electronic module, if necessary, to about 0.5 watts of output power, mind you, with full tonal yield from the power amp. The elaborate system called Power Scaling was specially licensed from the Canadian company London Power for this purpose.

On the rear, in addition to the tube-buffered FX loop and the IEC socket, there are a total of 4 speaker jacks available, which cover almost the entire range of speaker impedances. Only the 16 ohm variant of a single vintage 4x12" cabinet is not supported, but with 2x 16 ohm, 1x 8 ohm, 2x 8 ohm, and 1x 4 ohm, about 90 percent of common speaker combinations can be driven.

Inside and out, Suhr has used only the best components. In addition to consistently excellent parts, such as Mallory dual capacitors, the interior of the Suhr Badger 18 leaves a very tidy and accurately processed impression. Everything is handcrafted to perfection, without a single point of criticism to note.

Practice

To anticipate, those in search of the ultimate clean tone are at the wrong address with the Suhr Badger 18. Similar to Marshall's first series, you can "persuade" the head to produce a clean sound by reducing the gain or the volume control on the guitar, but it's not its favorite métier. Those expecting or hoping for radiant highs in a crystal-clear Fender sound should look elsewhere.

The amp can play to its strengths all the more when it comes to the multiple shadings of light crunch up to ambitious high gain. Like the Marshall 2061, the Suhr Badger 18 generates an edgy basic tone that finds its way into the ear canal bitingly but not scratchily. In addition to very effective tone control and a very differentiated interplay between Gain and Drive, one can juggle very subtly between the parameters fat, slim, compressed, open, heavy, hollow, and throaty.

Even with comparatively strong settings of the controls, the sound remains classically British defined without sliding into muddiness. Even at high Drive settings, the amp never loses the contours that keep the tone in check. And now the beautiful part! Thanks to the Power control, this sound can be dialed down to a large extent to room volume. Due to the non-linear operation of our hearing, you may need to adjust the tone control a bit, but the saturation factor remains. The tonal yield of the Power Scaling actually achieves a quality previously unknown to me and cannot be rated highly enough in practice.

Stylistically, the amp can be classified in the range from blues to classic rock. True metal thunder is not its métier; for that, the amp sounds too British and lacks the excess of high gain. However, in this case, this range could easily be reached with a suitable overdrive pedal.

To expand on the technical aspects of the Suhr Badger 18, it's worth noting the attention to detail in the circuit design. The use of the 5V3GT rectifier tube is a deliberate choice that contributes significantly to the amp's feel and response. This tube, less common than the often-used 5AR4/GZ34, provides a softer sag characteristic, which translates to a more compressed and forgiving feel when pushing the amp hard.

The Power Scaling feature deserves a deeper look. This isn't a simple master volume or attenuator but a sophisticated system that adjusts the operating voltages of the power tubes. By doing so, it maintains the interaction between the preamp and power amp sections, preserving the tonal characteristics and feel of a fully cranked amp at lower volumes. This is particularly useful in home recording situations or small venue gigs where full volume isn't feasible.

The FX loop is another area where Suhr has paid attention to detail. By using a tube-buffered design, the loop maintains the integrity of the signal path, minimizing tone loss often associated with solid-state loops. This makes the Badger 18 more pedal-friendly, especially for players who rely on time-based effects like delay and reverb in the loop.

In terms of speaker outputs, the flexibility offered is noteworthy. While it doesn't cover every possible combination, the range provided caters to most practical setups. The ability to run 2x16 ohm cabinets is particularly useful for those who prefer the sound of vintage-style speakers, which are often wired for 16 ohms.

The choice of EL84 power tubes is interesting in the context of a British-voiced amp. Typically associated more with Vox-style amps, these tubes in the Badger 18 contribute to its unique voice. They provide a bit more chime and sparkle in the top end compared to the EL34s often found in Marshall-style amps, while still maintaining a strong midrange focus.

The preamp section, with its three 12AX7 tubes, provides ample gain for most styles of rock and blues. The way these stages are configured allows for a wide range of tones, from edge-of-breakup sounds to saturated lead tones. The interaction between the Gain and Drive controls is particularly noteworthy, offering a level of control over the distortion characteristics that's not common in many amps of this size.

Build quality is another area where the Badger 18 shines. The use of high-quality components like Mallory capacitors isn't just about name-dropping; these parts contribute to the amp's overall tone and reliability. The hand-wired construction, while more labor-intensive, allows for easier servicing and potentially better longevity compared to PCB-based designs.

One aspect that might be overlooked is the amp's weight. At 11 kilograms, it's relatively lightweight for a tube amp of this power. This makes it a viable option for gigging musicians who need to transport their own gear, without sacrificing the benefits of an all-tube design.

The aesthetic design of the Badger 18 is worth mentioning. While clearly inspired by classic British designs, it has its own identity. The color scheme and overall layout give it a vintage vibe, but with a modern twist. This could appeal to players who appreciate classic styling but want something a bit different from the standard black and gold look.

In terms of practical applications, the Badger 18 excels in small to medium-sized venues. Its ability to achieve saturated tones at lower volumes makes it suitable for clubs and bars where volume restrictions are common. For studio use, the Power Scaling feature is invaluable, allowing for fully saturated tones at reasonable volumes, which is crucial for home and project studios where neighbors might be a concern.

For players who primarily use pedals for their distortion, the Badger 18 provides an excellent platform. Its relatively neutral clean tone (when set that way) allows overdrive and distortion pedals to shine, while the amp's own character adds depth and dimension to the overall sound. The effective EQ section helps in shaping the tone to sit well with different pedals.

One potential limitation of the Badger 18 is its lack of channel switching. For players who need to switch between clean and distorted sounds frequently during a performance, this might be a drawback. However, this is mitigated to some extent by the amp's responsiveness to guitar volume changes and its ability to clean up well when the guitar is rolled back.

The Badger 18's tonal palette, while versatile within its range, might not suit every player. Those looking for ultra-modern high-gain sounds or pristine, high-headroom clean tones might find it lacking. However, for blues, classic rock, and even some harder rock styles, it provides a wide range of usable sounds.

In the context of home recording, the Badger 18 offers some interesting possibilities. Its ability to achieve power amp saturation at low volumes means that mic'ing techniques typically reserved for loud amps can be employed in quieter environments. This allows for capturing the full character of a pushed tube amp without the need for isolation booths or soundproofed rooms.

For players considering the Badger 18, it's worth comparing it to other boutique amps in its class. While it shares some characteristics with amps like the Vox AC15 or certain lower-wattage Marshalls, its unique features set it apart. The combination of EL84 power tubes with a British-style voicing, along with the Power Scaling feature, creates a distinct package that isn't directly comparable to many other amps on the market.

Conclusion:

The Suhr Badger 18 is an amplifier for connoisseurs. The highly efficient tone control, paired with a classic preamp and power amp circuit, make the amp a typical representative of the Marshall 2061 class.

However, what elevates the head far beyond the sonic possibilities of the competition is the excellent Power Scaling circuit, which is second to none. Indeed, all sonic aspects of the amplifier can be realized across almost all volumes with only minor concessions, which brings a radiant smile to the faces of both fellow musicians and the FOH, provided the guitarist's ego can be rudimentarily restrained.

In the landscape of boutique amplifiers, the Suhr Badger 18 stands out as a thoughtfully designed and well-executed piece of equipment. It successfully bridges the gap between vintage tones and modern convenience, offering a level of versatility that belies its simple control layout. While it may not be the perfect choice for every player or every style of music, for those seeking a high-quality, British-flavored amp with the flexibility to perform in various settings, the Badger 18 is certainly worth consideration. Its premium price point is justified by its build quality, innovative features, and tonal capabilities, making it a solid investment for the discerning guitarist.