Description

Satellite Amplifiers Atom! A killer head, 36 W Four EL-84s, two 12AX7s, 5AR4 / GZ34 tube rectifier
(Switchable to solid state) $1999

The Satellite Amplifiers Atom is a high-quality tube guitar amplifier designed to deliver powerful, raw tones with simple controls, offering a pure and direct connection between the player and their sound. Known for its vintage-inspired design and hand-wired construction, the Atom is built to focus on tonal purity and responsiveness. It is a favorite among guitarists who want an amplifier that responds dynamically to their playing style without the complexity of excessive controls. Satellite Amplifiers is a boutique brand known for their attention to detail, delivering amps that sound as good as they look.

Key Features

  • 12-watt all-tube amplifier, providing warm, natural breakup at manageable volumes
  • Single volume knob for simplicity, allowing you to control your tone directly from the guitar
  • Hand-wired point-to-point construction, ensuring durability and superior tonal quality
  • Class A amplifier, known for its rich harmonics and natural overdrive
  • 6V6 power tubes for vintage tone with smooth breakup
  • 12AX7 preamp tubes, delivering rich, creamy gain and tonal flexibility
  • Celestion speaker (or custom options), enhancing the amp’s vintage voicing and projection
  • Durable vintage-style housing, with rugged construction for gigging and studio use
  • No unnecessary tone controls, focusing on the guitar’s natural sound and the player’s dynamics

Sound Profile
The Satellite Atom delivers raw, unfiltered tube tone with rich harmonic content. With its Class A design and 6V6 tubes, the Atom excels at producing a creamy, warm overdrive that’s responsive to the player’s touch. The amp breaks up naturally at higher volumes, offering a dynamic, vintage-inspired tone that is perfect for blues, rock, and classic rock styles. The simplicity of the amp allows the natural characteristics of the guitar to shine through, with the tone ranging from clean and chimey to thick, saturated overdrive. It’s a perfect amp for players who want to focus on their playing dynamics without being distracted by a lot of extra controls.

Applications
The Satellite Atom is ideal for guitarists who prefer a straightforward, no-frills amplifier with a strong focus on tone and dynamics. Its 12-watt power output makes it perfect for studio recording, small gigs, and practice, where you can push the amp into natural overdrive without excessive volume. It’s especially well-suited for blues, classic rock, and indie music, where a touch-sensitive amp with organic overdrive is essential. Players who rely on their guitar’s volume knob and pick attack for tonal variation will appreciate the Atom’s immediate responsiveness.

Build Quality and Aesthetic
The Satellite Atom features a hand-wired, point-to-point design, reflecting the craftsmanship and attention to detail that Satellite Amplifiers is known for. The vintage-inspired chassis and rugged construction ensure that the amp is both durable and visually appealing. Its minimalist aesthetic, with just a single volume control, focuses entirely on tone, letting the player take full control of the sound from their guitar. The amp’s retro styling and Celestion speaker add to its classic appeal, making it not just a powerful tone machine but also a stylish addition to any rig.

Country of Manufacture
USA

Collectibility and Market Value
As a boutique amplifier, the Satellite Atom is highly regarded by tone purists and vintage amp enthusiasts. While not necessarily a mass-produced or highly collectible item in the traditional sense, its hand-wired construction, limited production, and association with Satellite Amplifiers give it strong appeal among boutique amp collectors. The amp holds good resale value due to its build quality and distinctive tonal characteristics, making it a popular choice among players who appreciate a minimalist, vintage approach to amplification.