Joe Ionita says: I wanted to provide some feedback on the amp (P1800HiLo) after getting a chance to spend time with it - you're a magician, as this truly ends the amp search for me and finally nails that "sound" I had in my head all these years. When it arrived, I planned on only testing it during the work day for a few minutes to make sure there were no issues but ended up playing for over an hour as it sounded so good. I'm seriously considering selling my overdrive pedals as nothing comes close to plugging in direct. The cascade feature is also outstanding and was a huge surprise!!! I wasn't aware of it before you mentioned it during my initial inquiry as none of the demo videos I saw online mentioned it or showed it off, but it's unbelievable for heavier stuff. I also forgot to mention that it looks just as good as it sounds, and I'm glad I went with the blue grill as it is even better in person. This is overall the perfect amp for me, and you somehow exceeded my already high expectations.
Clay Mills says: Hey Mitch, got the beautiful P1800HiLo amp. It sounds inspiring and looks great. Thank you for your life-long efforts in supporting musicians everywhere with your talent for amp building. I look forward to years of making music with my Park.
Gavin Coe says: It’s truly like a mini Bassman (custom 7 watt Lil darlin in 4x12 cabinet). It has all the high end tone that is signature of a tweed amp, while all the low end thunder and punch of an early Marshall, and the boost switch can make that amp push plexi territory. It’s absolutely perfect! I was worried it wasn’t going to be loud enough for trio gigs and it most certainly will be! Thanks so much!!!! This thing is seriously the perfect older brother to my 1x15 (custom Lil Darlin). In stereo it’s the perfect rig between the two of them, I can’t say enough good things about it.
Mike Williams says: Park amps are amazing and actually reasonably priced compared to other builders. I’ve always felt like your amps were custom shop “M’s” that “M” should be building but they’re not. “(Name omitted)” builds nice amps…but yours feel and sound like the old ones. He seems to be missing something. Complex doesn’t always mean better. I’m not a fan at all of “(name omitted)”. Maybe a different amp crowd, but once you complicate the circuit you lose something. I’ve tried all the vintage Marshall type builders…all of them fell short compared to the original versions. The only exception was Park. Felt and sounded most authentic.
Christian Owens says: So I’ve put as much time as possible the past few days since getting it all here and getting the cabinet loaded, etc. I have a few things I’d like to discuss…first and most importantly. That Park 75 amp is just ridiculous!! It sounds great clean, it sounds great crunchy, it’s punchy, it’s clear, it’s articulate….just crazy good. I can’t speak highly enough of this amp Mitch! I am blown away and would love to get another one at some point! Thanks again so much for all your help and guidance during this process.
Mike Bove says: Hello Mitch, my name is Mike Bove. I'm up the Seattle area. I was fortunate to buy this lovely, amazing in every way, PMC 100 you built. It's serial #2. I bought this from Clif Jones. He was/is awesome as always. I wanted to personally thank you for this wonderful amp. I have only had it a few days, but I'm simply amazed at this design, and build quality. Thank you for the many years of inspiration this amp will surely bring. Cheers to you and your team!
John K says: Amazing amp! I just bought one of your Park 75 LTD amps. It’s the best sounding amp of it’s kind that I’ve ever played and I’ve played them all over the past 30 years.
Jesse A. says: Mitch, I hope you don’t mind another email raving about the Rock Head. I know you’re busy with the Jimmy Page collaboration. I’m super happy to see you getting the attention your work deserves. After about a year with your Rock Head, gear has come and gone, but the Rock Head remains the core of everything I do. The fundamental sound and versatility of this amp is truly incredible. It’s the one piece of gear I never even contemplate doing without. Now I just have to save up for the P1800!
Roger says: Had a chance to really spend some time with it tonight, I used my Gil Yaron. Easily the most elegant, sophisticated amp I own! You really knocked this design out of the park!!! Really, really exceptional
Review by Paul DiBenedetto: I was fortunate enough to spend some time at Mitch Colby’s shop, checking out one of his latest amp creations, the Park 18W combo. I tested the amp with a Les Paul, a Strat and a Tele.
As hoped for, the amp gave up varying levels of beautiful, fat crunch rhythm tones and smooth, singing lead tones, much like the original 60s version does. Yet at all shades of overdrive, the Park 1800 retained an articulation and clarity that went beyond expectation. Very nice.
What also surprised me was the beautiful and bold clean tone the amp was able to produce, which was surprisingly reminiscent of a lower volume version of a JTM45 clean. Crisp and full bodied, with excellent touch sensitivity. And as an added bonus, the Park 1800 comes with a smooth and full bodied tremolo that you will not want to turn off. I forgot that this was a part of the original circuit, so it really took me by surprise with the wonderfully hypnotic pulse it produced.
Lastly, the fit, finish and styling of the amp is, like everything Mitch produces in his Park and Colby lines, is impeccable. Beautiful construction that will last a lifetime and beyond.
Ahh, before I forget, the amp also comes with a lower power setting that when engaged, reasonably cuts the volume while adds a slight bit of sweet compression.
This is a perfect amp for studio and live use. Probably not louder than a Deluxe and with a wonderful cut that will work on most stages. Bravo!
Link to Rock Head review in Guitar Aficionado
Mitch Colby Interviews
Link to Amps and Axes
Link to Roadie Free Radio
Park 45 review in Premier Guitar 2015 NAMM issue
Link to Premier Guitar Review
The Park Fuzz Sounds gets picked by Guitar Player magazine as one of the 10 "Must Have" pedals at NAMM!
Link to NAMM "Must Have" pedals
Link to Park 45 review in the January, 2015 issue of Vintage Guitar magazine
October, 2014. The Amp Show
-Colby room was packed when I ducked in to take a quick listen and the tone was dripping from the walls.
-For doing old school stuff, the Park amps were killer! Felt like I was transported back in time...
-You guys got me gassing for a Park amp now.
-Actually it was a Park 45 and the Park 75. Both fabulous amps!
-They do look pretty darn sexy!
-The Park Amps were so nice.
-Yes, many M type amps, cant go wrong with any of them - The best for me was the Colby Mod Machine. Basically has every era and major circuit change thru the years available in one amp and it sounds incredible, plus Mitch's Park amps are just awesome!
-My favorite stuff? The Schaffer replica, Park amps.
-Yeah, the Park Stuff was old school cool!
September 12, 2014: Esse Dejos
"I have always wanted to own a Park Top Mount 45. But as we all know, they are both not only hard to find, but also cost a small fortune to buy when you are actually able to find one. Making matters worse is the fact that I've always been a firm believer based on experience (from my own 68 bass spec plexi) that the tone from exceptional examples of vintage Marshalls/Parks amplifiers can never be equaled by modern day clones or iterations of the classic designs. Well, that was until my Park Top Mount 45 arrived. From sparkling cleans, to ZZ Top crunch, to Beano bite, and Clapton woman tone... it's all there. I actually love playing it as much as I do my '68 plexi ... well maybe even more because I am just in disbelief with how good the amp sounds. Top notch build and top notch builder... couldn't be happier... especially since it's both a Top Mount 45 AND it's red!"
August, 2014: JD Simo
"I just plugged into it for the first time. I gotta admit that I'm so dialed into my plexi, and so happy with it, that I didn't expect to be blown away by a new amp. I am!! Truly!! You know like I do that it only takes a moment to know if it’s got it or not. You truly are making amazing stuff! Thank you so much for giving me the pleasure to try it!! Mind if I take it on the road this week?
Being a vintage fanatic and just a tad obsessive about minutiae, I'm floored by the Park line!! Immaculate build quality using the RIGHT components! Just like the old days! Thank you for caring and making something so right!"
July, 2014: Jimmy Vivino
"The missing piece of every guitar player's puzzle.....A great amp!"
March, 2014: Keith Nelson
"The first new amp I've tried that sounds like a vintage amp."
ToneQuest Report review of the Limited Edition Top Mount Park 45 head
"Colby's Park head sounds as if it were a virgin time capsule. Highly recommended for the ultimate "M" tone. $3,500 and worth it."