What's your amp? "a Divided by 13..." Yeah... It does, don't you think? :) Divided is the kind of brand that never needed to advertise or anything to get all the greatest guitarists on the planet using their amps. Besides, Divided isn't really a brand, it's more of a person. Fred Taccone. And Fred's amps, I would personally find it hard to call them "amps", as we could call so many others... Why? Quite simply because the Divided are NOT amps like the others. Fred's philosophy is to make the best, and the least we can say is that Mr. Taccone's impressive list of clients speaks for itself and supports this. .. We are here in the best of the best, the strawberry on the cake, the top of the top... The CCC 9/15 is one of the "small" amps in the range, by its wattage, but large in by the sound it delivers!
Aesthetically, it always depends on individual tastes, but for us, it's a big slap in the face. The complete stack (head and cabinet) is just magnificent. The finish is indisputable, the design is sleek, efficient, the manufacturing and the components used are top notch... It's impressive while being sober... And it's as beautiful inside as it is outside . It's a big crush, we're not going to hide it! On the front panel, and from left to right, there are 3 switches (On/Off, Standby, EL84/6V6), a Master Volume, an EQ (Bass, Treble) and a Volume equipped with a Push/Pull to activate the Gain Boost.
On the rear panel, only classic, the usual 4/8/16 ohm outputs. The cabinet features a Celestion G12H and an open panel / closed panel to use the cabinet as you see fit.
With the CCC 9/15, Frederic has developed a very versatile amp, which will be just as comfortable at home, at low volume, as on a small stage. The CCC 9/15 is the amp you'll take everywhere. Compact, lightweight, with plenty of headroom and a solid sound signature. Overall, the CCC 9/15 shares the same base as the JRT 9-15 by adding an ultra-efficient Master Volume to be able to use it in any configuration. The preamp part takes up the one set up with the CJ-11, namely a "front end" directly inspired by the old Vox. Stratocaster in hand, it's the total panard! The EQ is ultra-responsive, the clean sounds offer taut, punchy bass, with a complex, precise top of the spectrum, which slices but without being too aggressive. Boost activated, we twist nicely even with a limited drive level. By pushing the gain, the bass becomes more mellow, the mids are highlighted and we find a typically "old school" grain ideal for Blues / Rock registers, with this side "fits in" specific to Divided amps.
The (or rather the) power section(s), is (are) based on the JRT 9-15, and therefore inspired by the first Gibson amps. The first section is based on a pair of EL84s for a drive rich in midrange, a typically British rendering, with a complex top of the spectrum, and a more typical sound signature. The second is based on a pair of 6V6 for a more Fenderian rendering (rounder, more balanced) reproducing the "classic" drive of US amps from the 60/70's.
Divided by 13 CCC9/15 could be summed up in one word: "flexibility". Admittedly it's a single channel, but its "double" power section, its very beautiful clean / crunch sounds and its ability to "clean" superbly with the volume knob, make it an amp that will be really ideal on a small stage or at home. A few good pedals, and nothing else to add, you will be at the TOP!