2007 Hook Captain 34 V2

Overview

This amp comes from a maker in the Netherlands, which I seldom hear discussed stateside. This flagship model is extremely expensive, and adjusted for inflation is the most expensive amp I’ve owned. It’s a 3-channel amp, with channel 1 being a clean to light drive channel, and channels 2 and 3 being overdrive channels, but with different voicings - it reminds me a little bit of the Rivera Knucklehead, but in layout only - not tone.

This is definitely an amp I’d describe as “chewy,” and both channels two and three can be made into some truly amazing lead sounds. It lacks the low end articulation for modern metal, but can delve into hard rock territory no problem, and could probably do metal boosted. The EQ is very interactive, and channel 1 especially is the highlight fro me, with great sparkling clean tones without getting too harsh.

All three channels have a boost function as well as an additional switch - “bright” for the clean, or “edge” for the two drive channels, but it works similarly. Edge really brightens up the sound, adding some Marshall-esque upper mids to cut through, but keeping the overall smooth character of the distortion. In the interest of not getting lost in the mix, I’d consider the edge switch mandatory for most rock music, but it’s nice to have the option to turn it off for a smooth solo or light overdrive fill in a song that is otherwise clean. Channel 1 has an additional switch, labeled EQ. This is a very fun feature, it completely bypasses the EQ from the circuit on that channel, resulting in a massive volume boost and a really wonderful, raw tone. The boost can still be used, as well as the gain and volume controls, and some of the best tones I’ve gotten out of this amp has come from this setup.

This particular amp is the Version 2 model. Version 1’s were point to point wired, and are clearly different internally. The current production model is Version 3, but I’m not sure exactly what the differences are.