Polytone Brute Mini 2

This second hand guitar amp is in very good condition for it's age.

The Polytone Brute Mini II is part of the legendary Polytone series of compact jazz amplifiers that became iconic from the 1970s onward. Designed primarily with jazz guitarists in mind, Polytone amps were famously used by players like Joe Pass, Jim Hall, and George Benson for their clean, warm, and uncolored sound. The Brute Mini II was one of the smaller, more portable versions in the lineup, aimed at delivering classic Polytone tone in a lighter package.

Build & Design

• Format: Compact combo amplifier.

• Speaker: Typically fitted with a single 8” speaker (depending on production year)..

• Controls:

  • Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass

  • Polytone’s trademark “Contour” control for quick EQ shaping

  • Reverb and Limiter switches (on some versions)

• Inputs/Outputs: High and Low inputs for different pickup levels, plus line out for PA or recording.

Physically, the Brute Mini II kept the plain, black box design that all Polytone amps were known for , utilitarian, no frills, and built like a tank.

Tone & Performance

• Clean tone: Warm, rounded, and smooth , perfect for jazz comping and soloing. It delivers that signature Polytone “dark but articulate” sound, with no harshness in the high end.

• EQ shaping: The Contour control is highly effective, allowing you to go from mellow, rolled-off tones to more mid-forward bite with just a twist.

• Headroom: Despite its size, the Brute Mini II has surprising clean headroom, staying clear at higher volumes.

• Reverb: Subtle and usable, though not as lush as modern digital reverbs.

• Other styles: While voiced for jazz, it also works well for blues and mellow pop/rock, but players looking for heavy drive tones will find it limited.

Strengths

• Compact and lightweight

• Smooth, warm clean tones , the classic Polytone sound.

• Simple, intuitive controls.

• Solid-state reliability , consistent performance without tube maintenance.

The Polytone Brute Mini II is a true jazz player’s amp , portable, clean, and warm with the instantly recognizable Polytone voice. While not versatile enough for players seeking modern high-gain tones or wide stylistic range, it remains a favorite for straight-ahead jazz guitarists who want a plug-and-play amp that just works. For chord melody, comping, and smooth solo lines, it excels.