Benson Chimera

The Benson Chimera tips its cap to both sides of the pond yet finds its citizenship in a land of its own. Designed by Chris Benson with full devotion to tone, the Chimera carves out its own sonic territory: rich, articulate, and unequivocally three-dimensional. Plug in and you’ll find a harmonic complexity that feels alive beneath your fingers. The cleans shimmer without being sterile, and when it breaks up, it does so with texture and musicality rather than brute force. It responds like an instrument—dynamic, sensitive, and inspiring. OVERVIEW 57 captures for humbuckers and single coils with 2 different speakers. Head Captures & IRs Included (via website) MICS & PREAMP Each capture was miced with a vintage U.S.A. Shure 545D through an API Preamp & EQ. “HB BEN3” and “SC BEN” were dual miced with a 545D and a Beyerdynamic M160. CABINET Original Benson 2X12 Open Back Cab HEAD CAPTURES No compromise head captures. Captured with the matching cabs connected at full volume for proper impedance matching for the best tone possible. HB BEN1 Benson Custom Ceramic 30W 12” Speaker Your starting place for all humbucker-equipped guitars. This is a full and even capture with neutral amp settings and standard mic placement. Miced with a vintage 545D. HB BEN2 Benson Custom Ceramic 30W 12” Speaker This takes the BEN1 and increases the treble and subdues the bass. Both the amp’s tone controls and the mic position are adjusted for a brighter and clearer tone. This is your go-to capture for darker humbuckers or for those who just like that extra air. Still miced with a single vintage 545D. HB BEN3 Benson Custom Ceramic 30W 12” Speaker Consider this a bonus capture because I couldn’t leave well enough alone! This takes the foundation of BEN2 and attempts to refine it by adding a Beyerdynamic M160 ribbon mic to the 545D. Yet, the amp’s tone controls are quite aggressive so even though the M160 should have added warmth, the amp’s settings keep it bright. The result is a capture almost identical to the BEN2 but has something unique you audiophiles may pick up on and enjoy. HB VSOP Amperian V.S.O.P. Alnico 30W 12” Speaker Dumped lows, scooped mids, crispy highs. Can definitely lean harsh if you don’t treat it nice. But with the right rig it’ll tear through the mix and send your guitar to the front. The upper mids sit quite differently than the Benson speaker. Try it in stereo with the BEN2 for bright width. Single miced with a Shure 545D. SC BEN Benson Custom Ceramic 30W 12” Speaker Enhanced lows and detailed highs. A warm and even capture designed for single coils of all varieties that still has plenty of clarity available.