Highlights -25 watt AA1164 Princeton Reverb Circuit - 6L6 Power tubes and larger transformers. 12” Speaker Combo-Amp.
-Accepts 6V6/6L6/KT66/KT88
- Reverb and Tremolo
-Single Alessandro 12" GA-SC64 Speaker
The Lil King-S was Wayne's idea to create an amp that was never made during this era, a single channel 25-30 watt amp but not as bulky or heavy as say a Deluxe or Vibrolux Reverb.
The other, to take a stock Lil King and see how far he could push it without changing the "inefficient" Phase Inverter found in the original circuit. Tonally think louder and tighter Princeton Reverb. Still not as bright as a typical Blackface style amp in this wattage range, the theory was to create a higher powered version with more headroom and bottom end definition, but when over-driven would retain some of the classic small amp character.
The amp also accepts 6V6 or KT66/88 power tubes with a simple re-bias. If you love the Princeton Reverb sound but wish it was a little louder with better bottom end definition, this may be the amp for you! What does the "S" stand for...Stage, Souped up, or Lil' King on Steroids...
The Lil King-S
Tech Info & Features:
Front Panel:
Back Panel:
By 2009, players started asking for a beefed-up version of the Lil King—something louder and tighter without losing the signature sag of a Princeton. Instead of common Princeton mods, Headstrong took a more purpose-built approach. The Lil King-S (“Souped Up” or “Stage”) keeps the Princeton’s unique phase inverter, but increases headroom and wattage by:
• Boosting PI voltages via the untapped leg of the filter cap can
• Bumping voltages throughout the circuit
• Custom transformers: A larger power transformer and a 35-watt output transformer designed for multiple tube options
With 6L6 tubes (as sold here), the Lil King-S puts out around 25 watts, making it like a Princeton Reverb on steroids—still dynamic, still saggy, just bigger and bolder.
