Yamaha DG130H

I got this piece from Musicians Friend for $700.00 US. My normal head (marshall) had gotten smashed in a trailer accident, and my backup head (sunn late 70's model) just died. I needed something that could be used on stage, in the studio, in my apartment, and anywhere else I dang well want to use it.

First of all, VERSATILITY. The thing that I enjoy about this amp is that the models don't seem to be based on any one amplifier. Pair this with the fact that you have four EQ knobs, plus presence, and you can really find almost exactly the sound you are looking for. I have owned Line 6 products and have not found the individual amp models on those unit flexible enough to get the sound I was looking for. Sure, it sounded like I was playing through a Dual Rectifier, but I could never get it to sound like how I would really EQ a Dual Rec (which I've also used). The unit has a gain knob for the input (like a bass amp) and this also can color the overall tone, which I enjoy. I can get that bluesey overdriven tone from one of the clean models by overdriving the input. It also allows you to boost the output from weak pickups, which can improve the overall tone.

SOUNDS. - I have to do alot of different types of music. Not only do I do studio work, play for a church, and gig, but I also record my own original music. Not only do I have to get tones for Rock, Hip Hop, and who knows what else, but they have to be GOOD. And this amp has not let me down yet. All the sounds are not Xerox copies of another amp, but sort of a canvas that you can color with what you want to hear. That's nice for me. Let me say that, if you are looking to get the exact sound of a Fender Deluxe Reverb, or any other exact replica of an amp's tone, this is probably not your dream amp. This is for players that want to make thier own sounds and break thier own ground! But don't let that shy you away, this amp is nothing less than a totally awesome tone machine. And it's 130 watts LOUD! Just don't kill the band, OK?

EASE OF USE. - Well, I can use my midi pedal to control it. It's about as challenging to program as it is to set your watch. No brainer. And the time you might normally spend on reading the manual, or going into some sort of "deep editing mode", can be spent on working with the individual sounds. The XLR (mic cable) output is so good, that I take it straight to the console with hardly any post EQ in live situations. And it's works just as well in recording. (I have ProTools at my home studio, and it sound great!) The built in effects are very musical, although I would like to be able to get them a little more "extreme" at times, they are very hard to "abuse" because of thier musicality. Oh, yeah, and all the knobs move on thier own to reflect the current preset's parameters. So no more wondering what the gain is on, or how much bass is in this patch. You can see, you can grab, and you can change, in seconds. Good for a knob fidgeter like myself.

Well, the head itself seems a little oversized?!? But that's more asthetics. Like I have previously stated, I wish the effects section was a little bigger and badder. But I have never bought an amp for it's effects. I buy an amp because it sounds good on it's own. And this amp does that 100%. The other thing that I dislike is that I only have one. I wish that I had 2 of them to link through midi, that way I could blasting a marshall vibe out of one, and a mesa vibe out of the other. Hey, at least I can still get it to tape.

It seems very solid, but only years will truly tell the tale. I get back to you. The quality is top notch. No slack anywhere. I have owned Yamaha guitars in the past, and quality seems to be something that they have a great handle on. Good Job.

For $700.00, I do not think that there is a better sounding, higher wattage, more user friendly amp on the market. If you can find one, let us all know! I am extremely happy with this purchase. This amp allows me to get great tones, no matter what, without sounding like i'm trying to "emulate" anything. I can do my paying gigs, with more reserved tones, then blow kids out the back door of the club with the heavy stuff that I love. I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a wonderfully strong and versatile amp, but cannot seem to find that edge with Line 6 Products. Great Job Yamaha!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Amp transistor 130 watts
Motorized knobs
The big big big sound !!!! for a type "transistor", the quality is there! no doubt it's true yamaha reputation !!!!

USE

The behemoth is easy to tame, the instructions are clear, with a minimum reading was quick to dip the system because at first glance it feels a bit lost in front of all these knobs !!!

SOUNDS

You jouiiez the bal musette rockabilly or metal trash-hardcore-neo-heavy-and-I-pass, this amp is the most versatile I know. I tried it with a Les Paul Epiphone and Washburn, slap! the plants sonic palette is already nice, and after you can access hundreds of customizable amp simulations moreover !!!! you save your own settings based on your guitar, and if you are equipped with a small pedal (like the MFC-10) the possibilities are ENORRRRRMES!
Personally, I plugged into a Marshall cabinet (900 ref 1960) no complaints ....

NOTICE GLOBAL

I've had two years and it was with difficulty that I separate myself ('went feel of tube amp ....) because both repeat or on stage this head will surprise !!!! !!dropoff window

Transistor amplifier 130 watts
> Knobs motoriss
> From the big big big sound!! for a type "transistor", the quality is the! no doubt it's yamaha's reputable Fidler!!

UTILIZATION

The mastodon is easy matriser, the record is clear, with a minimum reading was quick to dip the Systm because at first glance it feels a bit lost in front of all those knobs!

SOUNDS

> Whether you jouiiez the dance hall or mtal rockabilly trash-neo-hardcore-heavy-and-I-going, this is the most versatile amp I know. I tried it with an Epiphone Les Paul and a Washburn, a slap! palette of plants is dj sounds nice, and you can APRS accder a hundred customizable amp simulations that!! rglages you save your own based on your scratch, and if you your a small pdalier quips (like the MFC-10) the possibilities are ENORRRRRMES!
> Personally, I plugged into a box MARSHALL (900 ref 1960) nothing wrong ....
>

OVERALL OPINION

I have two years and it is with difficulty that I spare ('tter went the amp lights ....) because both BPS or sc does this surprise you head !!!!!!

It's a guitar amp head 130 watts transistor. 4 or 8 ohms
Controllable by footswitch noon.
Effects loop.
128 banks wish to edit and save.
divided into
- 8 types of sounds: clean 1 & 2, Overdrive 1 & 2, Crunch 1 & 2, Lead 1 & 2 (the "1" sounds are more "aggressive and acute," 2 "more dug in medium and fed low)
- Effects section (quality excptionnel) Included: chorus, echo, delay (SETTINGS available "deep", "level", "time") brief Modek your effect you wish.
- Sound quality much better bill than most tube amps "-middle" range
- Motorized knobs (that's always impresses!)
- Connectors High / Low gain

UTILIZATION

The config is very simple and very well thought out, since I've never needed to put the nose in the manual, so it is intuitive.

Ne plus ultra, you still have a listing containing 128 types of pre-recorded sounds to which a descriptive name is given for each, so you can easily identify, and get the sound you want.

Level functionality, nothing wrong.
button = one function and two functions each knobs (EQ or effects switchable via the button "amp / effect")

FYI, it was on loan / lease by the LB LAB studio, stronghold of metalheads (not than) par excellence, you will find their site easily on the net. This is also where I bought it.
I tried many multi-effects amp before buying it, of different brands, and none comes close to the head ... Even today, hands down!
No offense to the new hybrid at Marshall: WDD 1 ... far behind!

SOUNDS

I have this head for 4 years so I think many know about me.

I started playing rock style "Black Desire" and that happiness with the head as the sounds and effects are the palette of qualities.
The beautiful clean well slap or friendly, good distos easily adjustable according to the "grain" wanted ... Overdrive 2 is great, round and accurate at will!

Then I moved progressively toward the metal such as TOOL, DOWN, 7DUST etc. ... and the head followed! I pushed him into a corner and damn it! Distos that go far!
I played with a Washburn signature Nick Catanese equipped with EMG 81/85, and another washburn equipped with Seymour Duncan SH11.
With either scratching it sounds very fast and very efficient way without having to spend hours and hours of adjustments ...

I just put 8 as a noise gate built was total happiness because the sounds are very very very LEAD loaded gain and share feedback quickly only if one does not control his guitar a minimum. Otherwise in the meantime, we lower the gain and the problem is resolved.

OVERALL OPINION

Perfection does not exist, I put a 9!

Level panel of games you can achieve sounds and effects approached The Edge of U2, but also sounds like THE CURE, to go to the ultra-biting distos worthy of the name.

I used it in repeats and in concert, it's robust.

In short, the versatility of this head works wonders and is a good investment for the keys to any musical style, but looking at the quality.
I do not, moreover, that this head has been made in so few copies ...