Argos 50W

Achillies Argos 50W – Hand Wired Head

Named after the many-eyed giant of Ancient Greek mythology, the Argos 50W is an amplifier built around multiple perspectives—a single platform capable of shifting character, feel, and response with remarkable ease. At first glance, its compact control panel hints at this versatility, but it is only once the controls are engaged that the true depth of the design reveals itself.

At its core, the Argos 50W draws inspiration from the most influential foundations of British-voiced rock amplification: a four-input architecture paired with a cathode-follower tone stack, delivering a bold and authoritative 50 watts via a matched pair of EL34 power tubes. A solid-state rectifier provides a firm, immediate response with a tighter low end and increased punch, making the Argos 50W more aggressive, focused, and articulate under the fingers.

From this foundation, the similarities to vintage designs end. The Argos 50W is not a recreation—it is a re-imagining, purpose-built to deliver classic rock authority with modern control and flexibility.

The circuit features a custom-voiced tone stack designed for a more even and highly usable frequency response across the Presence, Bass, Middle, and Treble controls. Each control offers a wide, musical range without harsh spikes or dead zones, allowing tones to be shaped precisely and intuitively across clean, edge-of-breakup, and driven settings.

Visually and functionally, the defining feature of the Argos remains its six front-panel switches—the “eyes” of the giant. With all switches in the up position, the amplifier operates in its most traditional state. From there, each switch introduces a carefully voiced enhancement, allowing the Argos 50W to evolve across decades of tonal character—from open, dynamic vintage textures to tighter, more aggressive modern rock responses—without losing clarity or feel.

The result is an amplifier that balances authority, articulation, and adaptability, offering the unmistakable midrange presence of EL34 power with the depth, control, and perspective that define the Argos name.

The Six “Eyes” of Argos

1. Master
Engaging the Master switch introduces a true-bypass master volume, accessed from the rear panel. When disengaged, the master is completely removed from the signal path, preserving the traditional dual-channel volume structure. When engaged, it allows the Argos to retain clarity, punch, and harmonic depth at reduced volumes—ideal for studio work, late-night sessions, or controlled stage environments without sacrificing feel.

2. Bright
The Bright switch adds enhanced high-frequency definition, particularly effective with darker humbucker-equipped guitars or speaker combinations. It helps the Argos cut through a mix while adding sparkle, presence, and articulation when needed.

3. Blend
Blend eliminates the need for patch cables between channels. It allows seamless mixing of the brighter and darker inputs while using a single jack, providing instant access to classic bridged-input tones with far greater control. Purists can still jumper inputs traditionally, but Blend offers unmatched flexibility in shaping preamp gain and character.

4. Edge
The Edge switch tightens the EQ focus, becoming more pronounced as preamp gain increases. Chords gain definition and clarity, while lead lines sustain longer and feel more controlled, adding precision without harshness.

5. Cut
One of the defining features of the Argos, the three-position Cut switch reshapes the low-frequency response:

• Up: Full, rounded low end with classic compression and bloom—ideal for early rock tones.

• Middle: Introduces the first low-cut stage, tightening the response for punchy classic rock rhythms.

• Down: Adds a second, more aggressive cut, eliminating flub at higher gain levels and delivering focused crunch and sizzle suited to faster, more aggressive playing styles.
  Used in combination with the Bright and Edge switches, the Argos can move from raw vintage textures to articulate, high-energy drive with ease.

6. Raw
Raw mode completely removes the TMB tone stack from the circuit, unlocking maximum gain, immediacy, and punch. This setting delivers extreme touch sensitivity and dynamic response, allowing players to shape everything from clean edge to saturated grind using only their picking dynamics and guitar volume—or an external EQ in the effects loop.

The Argos is an amplifier designed for players who want classic foundations with modern control, capable of covering a vast tonal landscape without losing identity or feel. It is bold, articulate, and unapologetically expressive—an amp that sees everything, hears everything, and responds to every nuance.

Rear Panel – Even More Eyes of the Giant

The rear panel of the Argos expands its already formidable flexibility, revealing even more ways to shape, route, and control your sound. From left to right, the giant keeps watching…

7. Effects Loop with Level Control
A high-quality, fully buffered effects loop designed to preserve the core tone and feel of the amplifier. The dedicated loop level control allows precise balancing of modulation, delay, reverb, and volume-based effects—particularly useful when blending multiple pedals or managing overall effects intensity.

8. Master Volume
Active when the front-panel Master switch is engaged. This control provides smooth, usable volume reduction while maintaining clarity, punch, and harmonic content. (See Front Panel Control 1.)

9. Line Out with Level Control
A dedicated line out jack with its own level control. With a speaker load connected, this output can be sent directly to a DAW interface, live mixing console for foldback, or monitoring systems such as in-ear rigs—making the Argos equally at home on stage, in the studio, or in silent-monitoring environments.

10. Speaker Outputs (4Ω / 8Ω / 16Ω)
Multiple impedance options ensure seamless compatibility with a wide range of speaker cabinets, allowing the Argos to integrate effortlessly into any rig.

11. Tube Power Switch
Select between 50 watts for maximum headroom and tighter response, or 25 watts for increased compression, earlier breakup, and a more saturated feel. When combined with the front-panel switches, this feature dramatically expands the tonal and dynamic range of the amplifier.

12. AC Voltage Selector
Designed for global use, the Argos requires no external step-up or step-down transformers. Simply select the appropriate mains voltage for your region and plug in—true international versatility built in.

A truly multi-faceted giant, the Argos offers an extraordinary range of carefully tuned, musical options that invite experimentation while never overwhelming the player. Whether you prefer to fine-tune every detail or simply plug in and play, the Argos delivers classic British-style rock tones with modern control, exceptional feel, and limitless perspective—allowing countless ways to see, shape, and connect with your sound.