View other reviews for this product:
mooseherman
Published on 03/24/10 at 15:28
This is a really solid tube combo amplifier. It has two channels, which are both based on classic amp models. It has a surprisingly low wattage (18) but it still rips. There is only a single 1/4" input. There are tone controls for both channels, as well as a "cut" knob that works on both. Each channel has its own volume control, and there is also a separate one for master volume.
UTILIZATION
Getting a good sound is as easy as owning a good guitar. Like most amps, this is as good as the player and the guitar he's using. It has an insane range of tones, ranging from smooth, clean jazz to slightly overdriven blues to really overdriven southern rock to full on ripping rock glory. The manual will explain how to set this amp rather clearly and also offers some ideas on amp settings which may help steer people in the right direction (though I think there are far better settings than the ones given in the manual).
SOUNDS
The sounds that I can get out of this thing are phenomenal. I use a Stratocaster most of the time (I'm really picky) but I've had good luck with just about every kind of guitar I own. Even acoustics sound okay! But the amp is versatile enough to be able to play in any style with humbuckers, single-coils, hollow or solid bodies. The aforementioned genres are all easily attainable. Post-Zeppelin heavy metal is probably not possible, but that's not really a genre I'm interested in anyway. And in reality, with the right pedal combinations, those genres do actually become possible. I think I would probably choose this amp over the Fender Twin assuming I didn't have any pedals. The clean tones actually remind me of the Vox AC15 or AC30 models, which are phenomenal. The dirty channel is standard Marshall derivative, not quite the same as the Marshall tone but not necessarily inferior (it's more a matter of taste, really). This thing is perfect for somebody who doesn't mind using amp distortion and would rather not buy a ton of pedals (even though that's probably the way I would ultimately choose to go).
OVERALL OPINION
This is a very well made, well crafted amp. I would have to say that most of the sounds, if not all, are at least good if not great. This thing isn't particularly expensive, so it's a great deal. I would highly recommend this to somebody looking for a versatile amp, who doesn't own an army of fuzz/distortion/overdrive pedals.
UTILIZATION
Getting a good sound is as easy as owning a good guitar. Like most amps, this is as good as the player and the guitar he's using. It has an insane range of tones, ranging from smooth, clean jazz to slightly overdriven blues to really overdriven southern rock to full on ripping rock glory. The manual will explain how to set this amp rather clearly and also offers some ideas on amp settings which may help steer people in the right direction (though I think there are far better settings than the ones given in the manual).
SOUNDS
The sounds that I can get out of this thing are phenomenal. I use a Stratocaster most of the time (I'm really picky) but I've had good luck with just about every kind of guitar I own. Even acoustics sound okay! But the amp is versatile enough to be able to play in any style with humbuckers, single-coils, hollow or solid bodies. The aforementioned genres are all easily attainable. Post-Zeppelin heavy metal is probably not possible, but that's not really a genre I'm interested in anyway. And in reality, with the right pedal combinations, those genres do actually become possible. I think I would probably choose this amp over the Fender Twin assuming I didn't have any pedals. The clean tones actually remind me of the Vox AC15 or AC30 models, which are phenomenal. The dirty channel is standard Marshall derivative, not quite the same as the Marshall tone but not necessarily inferior (it's more a matter of taste, really). This thing is perfect for somebody who doesn't mind using amp distortion and would rather not buy a ton of pedals (even though that's probably the way I would ultimately choose to go).
OVERALL OPINION
This is a very well made, well crafted amp. I would have to say that most of the sounds, if not all, are at least good if not great. This thing isn't particularly expensive, so it's a great deal. I would highly recommend this to somebody looking for a versatile amp, who doesn't own an army of fuzz/distortion/overdrive pedals.