Polytone Mini Brute I - IV. What are the Differences?

**AlsoRan** · 02-21-2012, 04:35 PM

Sigh...

Alas, in my tone quest, this horrible forum done it to me again, and now has me looking at Polytone Amps. I need to know what the difference is between the various Mini-Brute incarnations, and which are still available new.

My search on the web has me confused and it seems only the Mini-Brute II is still in production. I am aware of the reliability issues that may or may not exist as well as the possble quality control deficiencies, but the amp has that "other" Jazz sound that I like (I already have a '65 Deluxe Reverb RI).

Thanks.

**mr. beaumont** · 02-21-2012, 04:42 PM

I've never seen a Mini Brute I

The Mini Brute II has a 12" speaker, with reverb.

The Mini Brute III and Mini Brute IV have a 15" speaker, IV has reverb, III does not.

I assume this means the I is a 12" speaker with no reverb.

I have a Mini Brute III. Awesome amp. Very clean and dry...and not as dark as folks beleive. I can get nice definition with it...

Actually, if you're bored and want to hear it, it's used on "Stella" and "Darn that Dream" on my website...

**AlsoRan** · 02-21-2012, 04:55 PM

Thanks, I have read that the 15 incher can be muddy. Just someone's opinion but something I will have to check out myself.

**Pierrot** · 02-21-2012, 04:56 PM

Yes.

Megabrute has an 8" speaker.
Minibrute V a 15", as for the IV.

My Polytones all are newer ones, with Sonic Circuit, which I really like.
In the V, you can combine both the "normal" channel and the Sonic Circuit one, resulting in very complex adjustments.

In every Polytones I've tried, including mines, I find the reverb really unusable. It sounds ugly to my ears, cold, metallic, not real, etc...
Not to mention the distortion, which is the worst you can find...:-(

Though, I can't imagine a reason to sell my megabrute. It sounds nice, and is very portable.
Currently, I use it in a stereo set-up with a Phil Jones AG100 CUB and a TC electronic Nova System and....wow!!! Really good sound, I promise.

**AlsoRan** · 02-21-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Pierrot

Though, I can't imagine a reason to sell my megabrute. It sounds nice, and is very portable.
Currently, I use it in a stereo set-up with a Phil Jones AG100 CUB and a TC electronic Nova System and....wow!!! Really good sound, I promise.

Thanks for the detailed response. It's funny how the Polytone website calls their reverb the "best you have ever heard.."

I am definitely looking for something that is giggable so I can have the option.

Also, I will try to remember to take my camera and get some pictures from the Guitar Show.

Take care.

**mr. beaumont** · 02-21-2012, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

I have read that the 15 incher can be muddy. Just someone's opinion but something I will have to check out myself.

You definitely have to be careful with the 15. I learned quickly that all that bass thump was nice for solo gigs, but that same tone will not work in a group.

That said, my polytone gets played at home now...I've fallen for my henriksen/redstone combo...I get all the tone (actually, more flexibility) and volume with half the weight.

But I won't give up my polytone...in particular, my tele sounds MUCh better with the Minibrute than the henriksen...

**jorgemg1984** · 02-21-2012, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

Thanks for the detailed response. It's funny how the Polytone website calls their reverb the "best you have ever heard.."

Ha Ha this is hilarious. It's OK at best.

Any reason for excluding used market or more modern productions like Henriksen, AI, Evans, etc...? I am not exactly a fan of sonic circuit Polytones (although one with a new speaker sounded good when I recorded with it), once tried an old one and liked it. The construction and quality of the components on the current production is not very good, my tech once had to repair a Polytone and he couldn't believe how poor built it was. Most problems they give come from that.

**AlsoRan** · 02-21-2012, 05:18 PM

Jorge,
I am a bit disheartened with modern guitars and gear. I have heard and read it expressed far too many times that manufacturers are resorting to shortcuts in order to make money, thereby bringing down quality. Everything is a rush to production it seems, kind of like the Norlin Era of Gibson.

I hope I am wrong.

**jorgemg1984** · 02-21-2012, 05:20 PM

Some brands clearly live from the past... Fender is a good example - their RI line is expensive given the poor components and build quality. But, as Polytone, they have a big name...

If I were you I would check other brands - maybe you even like Polytone better in the end but these days there other options in that tone field that you shouldn't rule out.

**jorgemg1984** · 02-21-2012, 05:29 PM

I really don't want to put you away from your original idea - I don't usually like Polytones but lots of people like them here on the forum. But it's a good idea to check what other companies do these days

Keep us posted.

**ruiner54** · 02-21-2012, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I have a III. Awesome amp. Very clean and dry...and not as dark as folks beleive. I can get nice definition with it...

Actually, if you're bored and want to hear it, it's used on "Stella" and "Darn that Dream" on my website...

Very Nice Mr. B
Very dry indeed...is that a similar kind of thing found on the lunchbox? It's so hard to tell what to expect when you hear amps demoed with guitars different (and usually better quality) than my own.

Speaking of, which guitar is that on Stella?

**pierre richard** · 02-21-2012, 07:07 PM

I use a 1985 circa Mini Brute II...

Playing a 1977 Ibanez 2355 (ES-175) trough it...

014 Thomasticks with a medium action..less percussion sounding but real smooth..

Older Fenders like Deluxe Reverb (I had one) and Twin Reverb (I had one) are good amps..what are those others..Roland...Line...etc..

You should try as many as you can and see which one gives you the sound you want..

Time on the instrument..pierre

**fauves** · 02-24-2012, 09:48 PM

I have a old 15 poly and it sounds great with everything I run thru it. For a electric it sounds better than the modern amps I have tried. I am using old dearmond guitar mikes, a gretsch or a acoustic arch top with a k & k. I am not a vintage snob but the new ones sound a little sterile to me

**jorgemg1984** · 02-25-2012, 09:20 AM

I always read great stuff about the baby brute. Of the new Polytone series the Mega is my favorite - don't know why but I tend to like 8 speakers best in those amps. I even like them with the stock speaker - in the 12s I usually like less bassy speakers.

**cjm** · 02-25-2012, 10:15 AM

When it comes to guitars and amps, I suppose I'm as guilty as the next person of "hearing with my eyes."

I suppose it's also true that I taste with my ears. Which leaves my tongue with little to do.

To my taste, the Minibrute III/IV and its 15 inch speaker is best suited to "bright" sounding guitars, particularly guitars with single coil pickups. Typically, plywood guitars with P90s, Dynasonics, CC reproductions, etc.

Versions with smaller speakers, like the Minibrute II and its 12 inch speaker, are better suited to "darker" and more "mid rangey" guitars...typically archtops with humbuckers.

But then, I may not have good taste.

**Chordchunker** · 05-24-2012, 05:07 PM

Just got my Polytone Mini Brute off of the brown truck and am curious which model/time period it is. No description in the ad (Ebay) and this is my first polytone.. It is an older one and sounds fantastic btw..

**fauves** · 05-24-2012, 06:43 PM

does it have a volume knob ?

**Chordchunker** · 05-24-2012, 07:04 PM

Yes, with the orange knob.Bass/treble/volume/reverb. Also has a "Bright" switch..

No ID plate or markings anywhere.

**Franz 1997** · 05-25-2012, 11:06 AM

''does it have a volume knob?''

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