Charlotte: The Middle Sister
Restrained elegance
Charlotte is the middle sister in The Three Sisters of Ainsty, and perhaps the most restrained and balanced of the three.
Her cabinet has a quieter visual character than Maria or Emily, with a more understated relationship between the Yorkshire sycamore and sapele. She doesn’t have Emily’s dramatic front-facing burr, or Maria’s darker, heavier use of sapele, but there is an elegance to that restraint.
Like Maria and Emily, Charlotte is a one-off Colson of York amplifier. She shares the same original boards of sycamore and sapele as her two sisters, the same 1998 English Celestion speaker, and the same fully analogue 25-watt platform.
But she has her own build, her own cabinet, and her own voice.
Charlotte’s character
Charlotte is the most composed of the series.
Alongside Yorkshire sycamore and sapele, her base is made from slatted pine repurposed from the rear door of Drew’s 1815 Georgian house in Bilton-in-Ainsty. That gives her a direct material connection to the place where she was built, while keeping the overall design more flowing than the other two sisters.
The proportions are slightly narrower than Maria and Emily, but she has the same cabinet depth as Maria, giving her a graceful and grounded stance.
The Colson of York mark is burned into the cabinet, and the finish leaves the natural grain, colour and character of the materials visible.
Controls
Charlotte has six controls: Shape, Weight, Air, Gain, Give and Volume.
Shape changes the overall voice. Weight controls the depth and firmness of the low end. Air adds upper presence and projection. Gain drives the front end. Give changes how the amp yields under the note when pushed. Volume sets the final level.
For pedals and live use
The FX loop lets delay, reverb and modulation sit after the amp’s main voice and drive section.
There is also a rear access hole for a microphone cable, allowing a mic to be placed over the top of the cabinet and rested against the speaker cloth for live use.
What’s included?
Charlotte is supplied with her record of origin, owner’s notes and build details.
Collection from near York is welcome. Courier delivery can be arranged at the buyer’s cost once suitable insured shipping has been confirmed.
Availability
The Three Sisters of Ainsty are now available to purchase. Each amplifier is completely unique and will never be repeated. If you’re looking for something rare, responsive and genuinely individual, this is one of the first opportunities to own a Colson of York amplifier.
For purchases, questions, private viewings and delivery options, please get in touch using the form below.