Showing posts with label practice amps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label practice amps. Show all posts

7/08/2012

Bugera 1960 Classic 150-Watt Hi-Gain Valve Amplifier Head Review

Bugera 1960 Classic 150-Watt Hi-Gain Valve Amplifier Head
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I did a lot of research (or as much as possible) on this amp. First of all, I'm 32 and play all kinds of tones. I'm current with all kinds of music, and don't just play bbq blues. I've been looking for an affordable all tube amp for some time that didn't have all kinds of doo-dads and modelers, etc. I've owned a '78 50watt JMP, '73 Sunn Model T, 70's Fender Twin, Orange AD30, as well as some solid state amps when i was first getting into guitar.....So i'm familiar with tube tone and good vs. bad. The only thing this AMP can't do is nu-metal...but that's a good thing. you can hook up a tone sucking distortion pedal if you must, but don't waste all this warmth. For someone who plays at low volumes, this may not be the amp for you. this amp is plenty loud, and sounds better the louder it's turned up. It has a grindy overdrive and distortion as opposed to a smooth or fuzz type. I personally love this, and is what i look for. Bridging the high and low channel is the way to go, but you'll have to crank it to get it to break up...so again, if you don't like it loud, get an amp that has a master volume. The high channel will drive the pre-amp for tone, and the low will drive the power tubes to get its tone. not the most versital amp but if you like it pure, this is a great competitor in the tube amp tone world. I perfer it to many of the amps that were $1,000 more.

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Classic 150-Watt Hi-Gain Valve Amplifier Head

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6/08/2012

Epiphone Blues Custom Combo Amplifier, 15/30W, Tube 2x12" Speaker Review

Epiphone Blues Custom Combo Amplifier, 15/30W, Tube 2x12 Speaker
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I have owned and gigged with this amp for nearly 2 years. I play thru it exclusively, if I am even using an amp. I have a custom made guitar, so I can't help anyone achieve a well known tone. Sorry. But I can say that it is fairly easy to find your very own sound with this amp. It has alot of tone shaping choices in the form of the eq, and a switch that also acts as a frequency boost in a way. It is a switch that can make the 3 different bands of the eq act independently of each other, or not. For example, on windows media player, you can set the eq sliders where if u move one of them, the other frequencies are going to pull up a little all around that slider. Same highly generalized theory. Kinda. This amplifier has a great tube tone, and you can get a "pop" to some bass notes. Kinda funky. It is solid. Absolutely. And will get very loud. I've never gigged anywhere where I could even think of turning this up past halfway, on the 15w class A setting.
It is a trebly amp. And I play a trebly maple guitar. But I just turn the highs down a good bit on the amp, and roll a little tone off my pickups, i have an even sounding tone. The overdrive channel is fairly good, but it has always been way too trebly, even while playing a Black Beauty in the rythm position. Soooo, I would suggest either changing all the tubes, (they had to cut cost somewhere), or use your own overdrive. If u turn this amp up on the clean channel, it will have a very nice, very silky smooth breakup. It is a classic rock sound that is so much fun to play with. Or you can get really good blues tones out of it. The entire amp is tube powered, down to a tube rectifier and tube reverb.
This amp is better than most other amps I've ever tried. It is durable, reliable, looks and sounds great. If you are on a budget and want to get more than you pay for, at least try this amp. you won't be sorry. If you just take your time with it, you can find a lot of the tones you are looking for. I use a processor in front of it most of the time now, due to the style of playing i have, i need tons of effects. I run that signal into a tube preamp, then into the amp. It sounds wonderful, not at all digital sounding, and is really responsive to nuance. a worthwhile buy for sure.
Pros: sensitive response to playing, great tube sound, built like a tank, enough options for extra cab outputs, and really sweet breakup on the clean channel when turned up allowing for some serious tone.
Cons: no effects loop, trebly (but can be easily remedied by the amps own electronics), heavy as lead to tote (get casters), and cheap stock tubes.
All in all, i don't ever want to be without this amp. I'm sure there are better, but with all the options I have for finding the right sound for a song, i am not even interested in finding one. It does all I need, and what it does not do, I use 3rd party gear to accomplish.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Epiphone Blues Custom Combo Amplifier, 15/30W, Tube 2x12" Speaker

30W or 15W Class AB Combo, Tube Rectifier (5AR4), 2 Channels, DC Powered Filaments, 2 x 12" Eminence Speakers and Tube Reverb

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2/19/2012

Blackstar Series One 45 45W 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp, Black Review

Blackstar Series One 45 45W 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp, Black
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I was sent a different product due to a false listing...Be very careful with this seller!!! After 2 weeks I STILL haven't received my refund...ARRRGGGHHH! It would have been 5 stars had i actually received it...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blackstar Series One 45 45W 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp, Black

The Series One S1-45 from Blackstar delivers high-gain performance with a level of tonal refinement found previously in only the very best boutique and vintage amps. By switching both preamplifier and power amplifier parameters the S1-45 delivers both Class A style tones with a bell-like ring and classic push-pull crunch depending on the mode selected. The Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) control removes the limitations of traditional designs allowing you to tune the tone to exactly the sound you are looking for. Dynamic Power Reduction (DPR) can reduce the power down to 4-1/2W and MIDI switching and a series effects loop make this the ultimate pro's combo.

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8/26/2011

Tech 21 TM-30 30W, 1x10 Guitar Combo/Direct Recording Amp Review

Tech 21 TM-30 30W, 1x10 Guitar Combo/Direct Recording Amp
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I've owned a Tech21 Trademark 10 (and a Trademark 60) for a number of years now, so when the 30 came out it was a no-brainer to buy one. This amp is essentially identical to the Trademark 10, with more output and a different speaker- but that additional 30 watts makes a lot of difference.
The 10 was a great practice and recording amp, but didn't quite have enough oomph for playing gigs (although some guys ran the output into the PA, which worked well). But the 30 is a LOUD little amp, and it seems to have a bit more low end, too. I'd have no problem at all using this little amp for gigs in small or medium sized halls.
Like the 10 it replaces, the 30 has a tremendous range of sounds- it can mimic just about any amp you've ever heard. And the reverb sound- something usually skimped on in tiny amps- is gorgeous. The box contains a real 3-spring Accutronic reverb, just like the big boys. Thinking back to the Fender Princeton I started with as a kid, this little amp has far more sounds, it's twice as loud, and adjusting for inflation, probably less than half the price.
Strongly recommended as a practice amp, a recording amp, a performance amp for small venues, a travel amp, a front end for running into the board in big halls... the possibilities are limitless. Maybe the best little amp on the market today.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tech 21 TM-30 30W, 1x10 Guitar Combo/Direct Recording Amp

30-watt, 1x10 direct recording combo loaded with special design speaker.

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7/10/2011

Blackstar HT Series HT-5H 5W Tube Guitar Amp Head, Black Review

Blackstar HT Series HT-5H 5W Tube Guitar Amp Head, Black
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Played one of these at Guitar Center. It was the Blackstar HT-5 Head hooked up to 2 10" Blackstar cabs. Used a PRS Singlecut SE with it. They also had an Egnater Rebel Head. The Blackstar HT-5 sounded way better than the Egnater IMO and was able to get decent high gain tones at lower volume. The ISF knob makes a big difference in the voicing of the mids of the amp and really changes its character. I also tried to max the gain, Bass @ 10, Mids @ 0, Treble @ 10 and it sounded like mud however that is an extreme metal setting. Cleans are good but not outstanding. Overall this amp has its own sound to it but I would say its closer to a high gain Marshall than it is to a Mesa Rectifier. I believe the power tube it uses isn't a common size but you can find replacements which is something to consider as well. There are also a lot of youtube videos of this amp and I can say it sounds better and more full in person as youtube tends to add a lot of compression.

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Blackstar 5 Watt Tube Head Amp - Blackstar HT5H.

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