VG READERS FIRST LEARNED about amp builder Gabriel Bucataru in 2005, when he was featured in the “Builder Profile” column, and the subsequent review of his Voxer 18 (March ’06). Gabriel’s latest amp model is the new Voxer 33 available in 1×12” or 2×12” combos as well as a separate head and cabinet.
The Voxer 33 uses a EF86 amp tube in the Bright channel, a pair of 12AX7 preamp tubes in the Normal channel, and EZ81 rectifier, and a quad of EL84 power tubes. Components and construction are top-shelf, including custom Mercury Magnetics transformers, Sprague capacitors, The Voxer 33 uses a EF86 amp tube in the Bright channel, a pair of12AX7 preamp tubes in the Normal channel, and EZ81 rectifier, and a quad of EL84 power tubes. Components and construction are top-shelf, including custom Mercury Magnetics transformers, Sprague capacitors, ceramic tube soects, a welded heavy gauge aluminum chassis, all point-to-point wiring, and a ginger jointed nine-ply Baltic birch plywood cabinet with extra bracing.
Fitted with a Celestion G12 Gold speaker (the 2×12” combo is fitted with a Celestion Greenback reissue and an AlNiCo Blue), like our first review Gabriel, the Voxer 33 was dressed in the company’s signature black and yellow tolex with gold piping, cream woven-cane grill, custom yellow chicken head knobs, a heavy duty yellow-nylon-mesh encased detachable power cord, yellow jewel light, black-and-yellow control panel silk screening and yes, even black-and-yellow speaker leads (now that’s commitment to a color scheme!). If the bumblebee look is a little to bold for you, Gabriel also offers a black-and-cream “Capuccino” and all black “Blackburn”color schemes.
Everything, from the perfectly executed tolex to the fit of all components to the laser cutout “Gabriel” logos on the foot switch, and pre-amp-tube compartment, give the Voxer 33 a high-end/high-quality vibe. Controls include a Volume and Tone control for the Bright (EF86) channel,Gain, Tone, Cut and Volume controls, and Gabriel’s exclusive six-position Tone Contour switch for Normal/crunch channel. The Voxer 33 ships with a two-button foot switch that overrides the control panel’s Gain control and allows toggling
