“Authentic Hendrix” Touring Circuit

The PRS HDRX 20 captures the flexibility, power, and balance of late 60’s British-inspired tone in a lower wattage package. The PRS HDRX 20 features a newly-documented “Authentic Hendrix” Touring Circuit. This circuit is heavily inspired by one of Hendrix’s personal amps, purportedly used at Woodstock, which Paul Reed Smith and PRS Amp Designer Doug Sewell were able to study in 2018.

Designed to push the high-end so it is very clear, but not so much that it’s harsh, the PRS HDRX shines without glaring and allows for aggression that can be backed off for smooth, sweet tones. The PRS HDRX 20 is driven by two 5881 power tubes. Chosen for their lower power, smaller size, and organic voice, the 5881 tubes bring thick but articulate tone that drives well and breaks up beautifully in this lower-wattage amp.

The PRS HDRX 20 features a 3-band TMB tone stack, 2-way bright switch, high-mid gain switch, and presence controls. These features mirror the historic amp and give players flexibility and increased control of their tone. The PRS HDRX 20 is also designed with internally bridged channels with individual treble and bass volume controls. This eliminates the need for a jumper cable (historically used on the outside of the amp) and allows players to dial in their distortion level and tone more easily by blending the lead and bass channels’ individual volume controls, bringing more modern convenience to the amp. The addition of a Master Volume control on the HDRX 20, a new feature for HDRX amps, is another modern convenience. Players can use the Master Volume to control the power amp section of the HDRX, making it more user friendly for players who do not want to add a volume attenuator to their setup.

Number of Channels

The HDRX 20 features internally-bridged channels with a shared 3-band TMB (treble/middle/bass) tone stack, preamp, and master volume controls. The individual treble and bass volume control eliminate the historic channel jumper cable and allows players to dial in their distortion level and tone more easily by blending the lead and bass channels’ individual volume controls.

Vintage Design

The PRS HDRX 20 captures the flexibility, power, and balance of late 60’s British-inspired tone in a lower wattage package. This amp features a newly-documented “Authentic Hendrix” Touring Circuit, which is heavily inspired by one of Hendrix’s personal amps (purportedly used at Woodstock).

Wattage

At 20 watts (and with the inclusion of a Master Volume control), the PRS HDRX 20 can be used at home, in small venues, or in the studio. The lower wattage allows this amp to drive to breakup at a lower volume as well, giving it a unique voice.

Controls

Pre-Amp Section

Your Tone Starts Here

T/M/B Tone Stack

This amp has a 3-band EQ, so you can use the Treble, Middle, and Bass controls to dial-in your desired tone. This classic design is driven by the cathode follower and placed later in the preamp circuit to help get midrange-driven, creamy British tone.

High-Mid Gain Switch

This switch allows players to better define the gain and voicing of the amp. In the down position, there’s a more vintage, thick tone. The up position provides more high midrange gain that helps cut through the mix.

Individual Treble and Bass Volumes

These controls regulate the output level of the internally-bridged channels. By individually setting the Treble and Bass volumes, players can better dial-in their tone and distortion.

2-Way Bright Switch

The Bright Switch allows more high-end frequencies to come through, making the tone brighter. This should put some “shine” on the tone without it becoming harsh.

Power-Amp Section

Global Controls

Presence

The Presence control manipulates the negative feedback in the amp. Turning it up releases more high-mids and treble, bringing the amp’s tone forward. Depending on the tone stack and volume settings, the presence can change the gain/texture and loudness of the high-end, making your tone wilder and more 3-dimensional (or more “present”).

Master Volume

Use the Master Volume control to bring the amp’s overall loudness up or down. Because it resides in the power amp section, the Master Volume allows you to control different flavors and mixes of preamp vs. power amp distortion – from edge of breakup with the preamp set mid-level to creamier and warmer when pushed hard. Cranking the amp loudly for power amp distortion is not always possible in a home environment, so use your preamp/individual channel volumes to drive distortion with the master set lower to taste.

Features

General

• Available Configurations : Head Only

Electronics

• Wattage : 20

Tubes

• Power Tubes : (2) 5881
• Preamp Tubes : (3) 12AX7 / ECC83

Front Panel Controls

• Global Controls : Master Volume, High Mid Gain Switch (off/on), Treble, Middle, Bass, Presence
• Channel 1 Controls - Bass Volume
• Channel 2 Controls - Treble Volume, Bright (on/off)
• Note: Channels 1 and 2 are internally bridged

Back Panel Features

• Inlet : Fused Power Inlet (IEC)
• Extension Speaker Jacks : 5
• Ohm Switching : (2) 4 ohm & (2) 8 ohm parallel, (1) 16 ohm
• Bias : Adjustable with Monitoring Jacks

Hardware

• Covering : Black Paisley
• Piping : Black
• Panel : Black Tolex

Measurements

• Amp Width : 17.25” (43.82 cm)
• Amp Depth : 9” (22.86 cm)
• Amp Height : 9” (22.86 cm)

Preamp Tube Positions & Functions

• V1 : Input
• V2 : Cathode Follower
• V3 : Phase Inverter