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Cool fact: "Sonzera" means "big sound" or "amazing sound" in brazillian portuguese. We say "Que Sonzera!" when something sounds amazing. Just like this amp or anything you play. haha. Thx for the vids, man.
Wow took the words right out of my mouth. Just picked one up yesterday. Ferocious was exactly the word I use to describe the dirty channel. For what it's worth I have a bassbreaker 007 combo and the sonzera has more low end and has more depth in it's tone. I love my bassbreaker and I think the 15watt combo will be a very good comparison. For what it's worth I love this sonzera amp, the dirty channel puts to shame the bassbreaker (at least my 7 watt combo) and the clean channel is a very good clean channel. Clear and detailed but not ice picky, but by no means fendery. It's nice and clear like my hot rod deluxe but it doesn't have that super scooped sound. I think it's fair to say tonally my bassbreaker combo and this amps clean channel are very neutral. Where the sonzera takes it is the drive channel. OMG!! it's a BEAST. Like phil said it's not a metal amp by any means. It's in your face overdriven rock saturation. I'm too big of a PRS fanboy to not keep this amp, but I do think the bassbreakers are a better bargain. I don't think you get $150 worth over the bassbreaker 15 combo. However I would consider it my favorite amp so far (vox ac15, fender hot rod deluxe, fender bassbreaker 007) BUT damn if the bassbreaker isn't a bargain from the guitar gods!
+David Wright If you get a chance to test out a Carr Raleigh I'm pretty sure you would change your mind. You have never heard 3w sound so good through either the clean or the driven channel.
I would like to add that the Sonzera series is one of the most responsive amps to your pick attack. Dial your amp to just short of braking, pick hard and you will notice that you may get a little more than what you was expecting. But pick lightly and you get that sweet clean. Also rolling the volume will be more dynamic. Having independent reverb controls for each channel is amazing, specially accentuating cleans but less on leads. This amp with an OD in front and a delay on the loop and you have a very versatile rig that won’t brake the bank.
I ended up purchasing the Sonzera 50 combo. The amp itself is amazingly loud, great tone. The ability to structure your tone with manipulation of Master volume and Volume is pretty cool. The construction is solid and amp is HEAVY! After several shows I have a few notes on it, 1: The hissing does get under my skin at times but is a none issue once playing. 2: There seems to be a popping/ crackle, rattle breakup, unsure how to describe at high gain. Maybe just my amp, have to check with MFG. 3: Although it loves pedals, I run my pedals thru Moen GEC9 and before I switch on the standby on Amp, I have to make sure I select a setting on my GEC9. Otherwise if amp is fully on, then hit/turn on GEC9, there s a loud Pop! I don't have this issue with my Fender HotRod or Blackstar ID260. Aside from that Im happy with the PRS Sonzera so far, wish it had an out DI.
Thank you for an honest and not brand-centric marketed review. I honestly was considering this amp, but thanks to your unbiased review Phillip I'll be looking for something else that suits my needs. My Custom 24 needs a bedroom amp that'll give me that smooth buttery clean channel for genres like neo-soul/jazz/r&b/post-rock and a lead channel with a smooth rounded out full-bodied tone. Suggestions?
Any way for you to do an episode on all the different Gibson Les Pauls out there and what the damn differences are? Just crazy how many types... Which is the best bang for your buckaroo... Thanks
Hi, it's funny how like, i'm from Brazil, and here, sonzera actually means something, it means that a sound is really good hahahaha just some trivia for you guys
Had the 50 watt…clean channel is great! Drive channel is among the worst in any amp I’ve owned. Just completely fuzzy and undefined and no really redeeming character. Maybe could work for loose classic rock style stuff but look totally elsewhere if you want precise tones. It almost sounded like the clean channel with a bunch of fuzzy gain sitting on top of it, but not blended.
aww, its to bad theres not a 20 watt head. I'm looking for something like this thats not crazy expensive. I'm not a fan of aal, but tosin abasi's amp/pedalboard set up is really intriguing.
Hey Phillip sorry I know this is the wrong place to ask but I have a question that I hope you bring up in your next Q&A. Is there a performance benefit to replacing all the brittle solid wiring in my Epiphone Les Paul with more robustm stranded wire? Could this help against signal loss or possibly tone at all? Also, what are your thoughts on replacing the caps with something like black beauties or orange drops? Thanks man I really love your channel.
I bought one of these less than a month ago it sounds amazing but the effects loop died today (i use a chorus and a compressor through it) the modulation is noisy through the front end. Im trying to return it right now
Which one to get? The Paul Reed Smith Sonzera 50 head or the EVH LBX ll 15 Watt head. Only $100.00 difference! The PRS is more powerful and has reverb.
Hi Phill, thanks for another excellent demo. I was lucky enough to get one of the last DOD Ice It 30 watt stereo solid state Amps great for bedroom practice, I"Ve found even my Marshall Class 5 can be too loud when the family's home.
My guess is is because PRS doesn't have an amp pedigree really. Ask yourself this question when you think guitar amps who do you think of for me I think of Fender and Marshall that's it. Those are immediately the two companies that pop into my head why because they have built amps for years. PRS really still is a new kid on the block so I wouldn't imagine that many people are going to choose a PRS amp over someone or rather a company with a trusted history in AMP design. That's just my take.
Phil, if those are 2 6L6's in the back of that amp like you said, and not 6V6's, that pretty much explains why this is the loudest 20 watt amp ever... because it's actually a 60 watt amp! :)
Just because a pair of 6L6's can handle a nominal 55w, it doesn't mean they have to. An amp can be designed to produce less (or a lot less in this case) than the rated maximum of the power tubes.
Just got one. Wonderful amp...just my opinion. Best part......very portable. Cleans are beautiful. Drive side I am using as a second rhythm channel with a King of Tone in front of amp, Line 6 delay & Boss Chorus thru effects loops. Never been happier with my sound. Have Mesa, Fender, Budda, Marshall on hand also......just works well for me.
Well I love friedman amps myself and you cant go wrong with a runt or any Friedman really. But they are not comparible and honestly I thought this demo was not on par with the tone. This has a vintage fender tone. Ok maybe not as good as my 67 vibrolux but definately as good as some of the best old fender tones which I was not expecting and why after ten minutes in the store I bought it. I also own the BE-OD pedal and put in in front of the clean and well it sounds exactly like a Friedman but then again thats a damn good pedal. Ahh I see this was a year ago. I am sure you love your friedman..Just saying this amp sounds way better than this demo. Wish he miced it better or somthing. I love not lugging around a large fender to practice and I am considering gigging with this except for large outdoor venues Id use my Twin Reverb with pedas or a rockerverb depending on what were doing. Actually throw a good mic in front and you can use this little guy at any venue Im sure. I really like this amp and Ive played and disliked the PRS cleans on others...The ones I played had great drive (like this) but the clean was off. This amp is different. I like it better than the more expensive PRS amps. But since you have your Runt. Im sure your very happy with it.
I'd say if someone wants this with major overdrive at bedroom levels they can add a Dr. Z Airbrake lite. It's an attenuator for combo amps. I had one on my old DSL40C. PRS doesn't make junk, that's for certain. Good review.
Hey Phillip. Good video... Great information on that amp..Noticing the more polished presentation.. Have you been vacationing in the South of France? How's life?
Local shop trying to talk me into buying a J-M 100. It's expensive lol. I wont say yes until someone I trust has reviewed it and demo it. Your like THE AMP GUY I have trusted for years so...any way you could get hands on a J-M 100 and see what makes her tick before I plunk down that kind of scratch?
I was at Sam Ash in Clearwater, FL and A/B'd this with The Friedman Runt 20 & a Fender Deluxe. Having had a Fender Twin0 in The 1970's, I never appreciated just how remarkable the Deluxe really is. New, it is $1,199. It has Reverb and no channel switching and may well be the best choice out of the three. The Paul Reed Smith Sonzera 20 is $999.00 but you get a sweet overdrive and an effects loop, plus the onboard reverb is great. Friedman Runt 20 Guitar Combo is $1,499.99. It has no reverb but it does have an Effects Loop. For me, at The store at that time, and really playing hard through all 3, it seemed as if the PRS Sonzera 20, even though it was the least expensive, was the logical choice. No, if $$$$$$$ were no object and I had put a Quality Reverb unit through the effects Loop of the The Friedman Runt 20..... Well, who knows how awesome that would be? With the right OD Pedal in front of The Fender Deluxe You could probably take it in any direction and adding an effects Loop is possible. MOTONE.COM sells them.
20w is not bedroom volume. 1 watt into a Celestion GT75 produces 97dB - louder than a power mower. There's a reason why the 5w THD Univalve has a built-in HotPlate attenuator - cranked, it's way too loud for bedroom use without.
I just bought one of these amps used. Love the sound, description is very accurate for what I've heard so far. I play mostly blues, classic rock stuff with a little bit of alt rock thrown in. One complaint... mine does have some hiss on the clean channel, more than expected. Do you think it needs servicing by a qualified amp tech ?
To date no one has made me want to buy this amp. It just doesn't sound inspiring to me. For less money I'd rather have a Peavey 6505 combo for gain sounds and it's cleans are certainly good enough for pedals.
Phil, not sure you know, and maybe it was a coincidence, but "Sonzera" is the term that can be used in Brazil to describe great tone (or a great gig, band, or music). Worth checking w Paul next time u see him!
Not really blown away. My 6505 MH is better. Has more features too. Thank you so much for an honest review. But it may sound decent with gain around 4 and pushed by a good OD pedal. But not for me sorry. Have a nice day man.
Phillip McKnight I have the BB....but the lack of foot switching and the volume swell with each channel is off putting. Thought about selling it and getting the Sonzera. What other lower watt heads or combos in this price range do you prefer?
Great vid. Looking for something in this price range for bedroom playing. Good pedal platform. Between blues jr, Sonzera, bassbreaker. I had a bassbreaker 15 which sounded great, however, the effects loop was messed up. Anything else I should look at? Playing a PRS Mira primarily.
Depends on what you want Bassbreaker is probably the most versatile, but with less sparkly cleans, BJR is pretty versatile and takes pedals well as long as they don't add in too much bass, and I'm guessing PRS is somewhere between that, I've never played one. I have a Blues Junior and A/B'd it with the Bassbreaker and came to that conclusion
Just got an email that G&L Asat classic are now using the name standard, Any relationship to fender not using it anymore? You should review them, there selling at $1000 Cheaper than F-American Standard
I like the pedals in the background. What does the John Wayne pedal do ? it's probably a cross between an Ibanez super tube screamer and a Winchester 30-30. All kidding aside, great amp review.
I'm not a fan of the gain channel, but really like the clean channel. Does it stay clean at higher volumes? I'm looking for a good pedal platform that's not going to crap out when I stick an overdrive like a Friedman Dirty Shirley pedal into it. It's between this and the Blackstar artist 15.
was thinking about the 50w head, but extension options on this combo are nice so i can plug my 2x12 and this could be a 20w "head" ; your thoughts about this or 50w head? thank you very much in advance!!
I would like to see the demonstration with a single guitar. If it is a single coils, fine, if it is a humbuckers guitar, fine as well. Just like you did on the Marshall DSL40 and Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. By doing the Clean channel with a Strat and the gain with a Les Paul or the PRS it's more difficult to understand how the amp acts along the different settings. Great analysis anyway, as always! Thanks for your videos!
Phil, where ya been? :) Anyone else kind of get the feeling that if Paul were to make cell phones, he'd probably really get it really right on nearly every point? Love him or hate him personally, I think it is really hard to dispute that the guy knows how to make some great gear... This amp is potentially right up my alley as a home enthusiast looking for a great sounding, cleanish, neutral-ish amp to serve as a foundation for my pedals and stuff like an AX8 - with the exception perhaps of how loud Phil says it is. Still, will def check this one out all the same. :) cheers man!
kdrake777 That could be fixed with a good speaker swap. I have a Blackstar Artist 30 and it has 2x12 V type speakers and it has a familiar sound to any amp that has those speakers. They are versatile speakers but not my flavor.
Hey @PhillipMcKnight, did the absence of a mid knob on the clean channel bug you at all? Was it a problem at any point/how did you work your way around it?
Hey Phil, love the channel. I was wondering if you would recommend splurging for the blue alnico speaker in a VOX AC15? I also love the yellow JEM with the pyramids, could you do a demo/review of it?
OK Phil, NICE new setup of the room, I likey alot lot, looks great! And i like that some 20w amps and some even smaller amps are starting to use 6L6 and EL34 tubes cause it does make a difference, would of liked to hear the same guitar with the gain on 10 and then half
Great video as always. Someone mentioned hiss on the clean channel. Not on my amp. There may be a grounding issue in the room Phil is in but mine is quiet. If you want to check out more clean sounds, watch the Mark Lettieri video. This amp and a mike and I need nothing else. Tired of carrying heavy amps to gigs.
Wow look at the transformers in the back of that thing! Big choke even (I think that's what that is). I guess you'd need it for the 6L6s. That power tube selection is interesting for this wattage also- getting focused beam tetrode tone at that wattage isn't common.
I had one but traded it for a mark 5 25. Now i have a Hughes and kettner tubemeister 36 with mesa cab. My question is wich amp is better in your opinion?
So whats your thoughts on a cost effective power soak? It looks like you could put a passive on inside but there is that putting a volume pedal or a compressor in the effects loop. Has anyone tried any of that?
Great Demo. This I the first demo I've seen where I like the gain sound. Every other video I've watched has just had the gain pinned and it sounds WAY too saturated. With a lower gain setting, it actually sounds tasty...
I wish - and you're not alone in this by any means - that when people demo at "bedroom volumes" that they speak over their playing in a normal voice so that we can get some sense of what your definition of "bedroom" volume is. Thanks for doing these, BTW.
Great review and it's good to see you again. I got spoiled with all the vids you had been doing and 2 weeks seemed like a lot longer. Nice to see John say Howdy.
You just sold me on this amp. The gain is almost exactly the tone I am looking for. The cleans in this video weren't great, but I heard a demo direct from PRS, and the cleans were absolutely dripping. This is a fantastic and underrated amp.
Nicolas Rivera I just received mine and it has beautiful cleans and I am able to get out clean tones from John Mayer style to tosin abasi and the over drive is very good kinda a satriani style. And I use it as a pedal platform and with my high gain pedals I can get out some amazing metal tones kind of like tosin again and Richardson or petrucci for example. Hope this helps two years later
I was 10 feet from John when he was playing it at the press conference and then later i got to play one. It was very nice. But not made for a bedroom, home recording person like me. I will give it a try though. Might be fun to check on out and see what I can find like it.
hey phillip....love the videos keep up the great work! How does this compare with the fender hot rod deluxe and the marshall 40 dsl in terms of clean channel? I'm looking for a good amp for hard rock/blues and also would like to know how you would rank these amps
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Cool fact: "Sonzera" means "big sound" or "amazing sound" in brazillian portuguese. We say "Que Sonzera!" when something sounds amazing. Just like this amp or anything you play. haha. Thx for the vids, man.
Thats awesome
Are you done with the Friday Q & A's? I enjoy them.
Hey Phil, what happened to the live Friday night shows?
PRS makes amps now? Jees, i've been out for too long...
Or not been out enough?
Wow took the words right out of my mouth. Just picked one up yesterday. Ferocious was exactly the word I use to describe the dirty channel. For what it's worth I have a bassbreaker 007 combo and the sonzera has more low end and has more depth in it's tone. I love my bassbreaker and I think the 15watt combo will be a very good comparison. For what it's worth I love this sonzera amp, the dirty channel puts to shame the bassbreaker (at least my 7 watt combo) and the clean channel is a very good clean channel. Clear and detailed but not ice picky, but by no means fendery. It's nice and clear like my hot rod deluxe but it doesn't have that super scooped sound. I think it's fair to say tonally my bassbreaker combo and this amps clean channel are very neutral. Where the sonzera takes it is the drive channel. OMG!! it's a BEAST. Like phil said it's not a metal amp by any means. It's in your face overdriven rock saturation. I'm too big of a PRS fanboy to not keep this amp, but I do think the bassbreakers are a better bargain. I don't think you get $150 worth over the bassbreaker 15 combo. However I would consider it my favorite amp so far (vox ac15, fender hot rod deluxe, fender bassbreaker 007) BUT damn if the bassbreaker isn't a bargain from the guitar gods!
Is the hiss on the clean channel a design flaw or design preference?
For bedroom practice, nothing beats the Yamaha THR10. Nothing.
David Wright vox amplug
David Wright I have THR10X. Love it for bedroom practice.
THR10s are awesome. There is no such thing as a bedroom tube amp anyway. My YBA1 attenuates to 0.1W and that is friggin loud.
David Wright have you ever tried a Blackstar Ht1R? It's just a 1watt tube amp but sounds amazing.
+David Wright If you get a chance to test out a Carr Raleigh I'm pretty sure you would change your mind. You have never heard 3w sound so good through either the clean or the driven channel.
I would like to add that the Sonzera series is one of the most responsive amps to your pick attack. Dial your amp to just short of braking, pick hard and you will notice that you may get a little more than what you was expecting. But pick lightly and you get that sweet clean. Also rolling the volume will be more dynamic. Having independent reverb controls for each channel is amazing, specially accentuating cleans but less on leads. This amp with an OD in front and a delay on the loop and you have a very versatile rig that won’t brake the bank.
I really would like a comparison between this and a Bass breaker amp.
Agree. + I would like to hear the comparison this one with the Archon 25. Specially the clean channel since the lead is a different type
I ended up purchasing the Sonzera 50 combo. The amp itself is amazingly loud, great tone. The ability to structure your tone with manipulation of Master volume and Volume is pretty cool. The construction is solid and amp is HEAVY! After several shows I have a few notes on it,
1: The hissing does get under my skin at times but is a none issue once playing.
2: There seems to be a popping/ crackle, rattle breakup, unsure how to describe at high gain. Maybe just my amp, have to check with MFG.
3: Although it loves pedals, I run my pedals thru Moen GEC9 and before I switch on the standby on Amp, I have to make sure I select a setting on my GEC9. Otherwise if amp is fully on, then hit/turn on GEC9, there s a loud Pop! I don't have this issue with my Fender HotRod or Blackstar ID260.
Aside from that Im happy with the PRS Sonzera so far, wish it had an out DI.
I played one today. FABULOUS tone but I guessed all of your mentions. That gain hiss is no bueno
Gain on 3 and Mayer's I don't trust myself with loving you licks sounded pretty sweet to me!
Thank you for an honest and not brand-centric marketed review. I honestly was considering this amp, but thanks to your unbiased review Phillip I'll be looking for something else that suits my needs. My Custom 24 needs a bedroom amp that'll give me that smooth buttery clean channel for genres like neo-soul/jazz/r&b/post-rock and a lead channel with a smooth rounded out full-bodied tone. Suggestions?
I bet that amp would sound great with a high gain pedal like the Bogner Red Ecstacy or the EHX English Muff'n would sound awesome with that amp!
Phil do you still have this amp and are your feelings still the same?
Any way for you to do an episode on all the different Gibson Les Pauls out there and what the damn differences are? Just crazy how many types... Which is the best bang for your buckaroo... Thanks
Hi, it's funny how like, i'm from Brazil, and here, sonzera actually means something, it means that a sound is really good hahahaha
just some trivia for you guys
Had the 50 watt…clean channel is great! Drive channel is among the worst in any amp I’ve owned. Just completely fuzzy and undefined and no really redeeming character. Maybe could work for loose classic rock style stuff but look totally elsewhere if you want precise tones. It almost sounded like the clean channel with a bunch of fuzzy gain sitting on top of it, but not blended.
aww, its to bad theres not a 20 watt head. I'm looking for something like this thats not crazy expensive. I'm not a fan of aal, but tosin abasi's amp/pedalboard set up is really intriguing.
Should I replace my fender champion 100 with this? Looking for a smaller tube amp
Hey Phillip sorry I know this is the wrong place to ask but I have a question that I hope you bring up in your next Q&A. Is there a performance benefit to replacing all the brittle solid wiring in my Epiphone Les Paul with more robustm stranded wire? Could this help against signal loss or possibly tone at all? Also, what are your thoughts on replacing the caps with something like black beauties or orange drops? Thanks man I really love your channel.
I bought one of these less than a month ago it sounds amazing but the effects loop died today (i use a chorus and a compressor through it) the modulation is noisy through the front end. Im trying to return it right now
Which one to get? The Paul Reed Smith Sonzera 50 head or the EVH LBX ll 15 Watt head. Only $100.00 difference! The PRS is more powerful and has reverb.
Clean channel sounds just like the vibro kings that John Mayer was playing
Hi Phill, thanks for another excellent demo. I was lucky enough to get one of the last DOD Ice It 30 watt stereo solid state Amps great for bedroom practice, I"Ve found even my Marshall Class 5 can be too loud when the family's home.
Anyone else think this amp is a bit MESA sounding?
How much better is the fillmore 25 than the sonzera 20?
Does Phil or anyone know why these amps never took off like I thought they would? They faded away quickly.
My guess is is because PRS doesn't have an amp pedigree really. Ask yourself this question when you think guitar amps who do you think of for me I think of Fender and Marshall that's it. Those are immediately the two companies that pop into my head why because they have built amps for years. PRS really still is a new kid on the block so I wouldn't imagine that many people are going to choose a PRS amp over someone or rather a company with a trusted history in AMP design. That's just my take.
Hey Phil, great vid as always. The room is looking fantastic.
Phil, if those are 2 6L6's in the back of that amp like you said, and not 6V6's, that pretty much explains why this is the loudest 20 watt amp ever... because it's actually a 60 watt amp! :)
Just because a pair of 6L6's can handle a nominal 55w, it doesn't mean they have to. An amp can be designed to produce less (or a lot less in this case) than the rated maximum of the power tubes.
Hey do you want to sale that Parker fly guitar ?
Just got one. Wonderful amp...just my opinion. Best part......very portable. Cleans are beautiful. Drive side I am using as a second rhythm channel with a King of Tone in front of amp, Line 6 delay & Boss Chorus thru effects loops. Never been happier with my sound. Have Mesa, Fender, Budda, Marshall on hand also......just works well for me.
It's a cheap fillmore sold
Thanks for the review Phil. I was debating between this and the Runt 20. Your reviews helped a ton. Runt 20 is on the way!
Well I love friedman amps myself and you cant go wrong with a runt or any Friedman really. But they are not comparible and honestly I thought this demo was not on par with the tone. This has a vintage fender tone. Ok maybe not as good as my 67 vibrolux but definately as good as some of the best old fender tones which I was not expecting and why after ten minutes in the store I bought it. I also own the BE-OD pedal and put in in front of the clean and well it sounds exactly like a Friedman but then again thats a damn good pedal. Ahh I see this was a year ago. I am sure you love your friedman..Just saying this amp sounds way better than this demo. Wish he miced it better or somthing. I love not lugging around a large fender to practice and I am considering gigging with this except for large outdoor venues Id use my Twin Reverb with pedas or a rockerverb depending on what were doing. Actually throw a good mic in front and you can use this little guy at any venue Im sure. I really like this amp and Ive played and disliked the PRS cleans on others...The ones I played had great drive (like this) but the clean was off. This amp is different. I like it better than the more expensive PRS amps. But since you have your Runt. Im sure your very happy with it.
Ordered new from Guitar Center in 2023. It's got that HUMMMMM. It's going back. Very bedroom friendly clean volume though.
I'd say if someone wants this with major overdrive at bedroom levels they can add a Dr. Z Airbrake lite. It's an attenuator for combo amps. I had one on my old DSL40C.
PRS doesn't make junk, that's for certain. Good review.
Hey Phillip. Good video... Great information on that amp..Noticing the more polished presentation.. Have you been vacationing in the South of France? How's life?
Local shop trying to talk me into buying a J-M 100. It's expensive lol. I wont say yes until someone I trust has reviewed it and demo it. Your like THE AMP GUY I have trusted for years so...any way you could get hands on a J-M 100 and see what makes her tick before I plunk down that kind of scratch?
I was at Sam Ash in Clearwater, FL and A/B'd this with The Friedman Runt 20 & a Fender Deluxe. Having had a Fender Twin0 in The 1970's, I never appreciated just how remarkable the Deluxe really is. New, it is $1,199. It has Reverb and no channel switching and may well be the best choice out of the three. The Paul Reed Smith Sonzera 20 is $999.00 but you get a sweet overdrive and an effects loop, plus the onboard reverb is great. Friedman Runt 20 Guitar Combo is $1,499.99. It has no reverb but it does have an Effects Loop. For me, at The store at that time, and really playing hard through all 3, it seemed as if the PRS Sonzera 20, even though it was the least expensive, was the logical choice. No, if $$$$$$$ were no object and I had put a Quality Reverb unit through the effects Loop of the The Friedman Runt 20..... Well, who knows how awesome that would be? With the right OD Pedal in front of The Fender Deluxe You could probably take it in any direction and adding an effects Loop is possible. MOTONE.COM sells them.
20w is not bedroom volume. 1 watt into a Celestion GT75 produces 97dB - louder than a power mower. There's a reason why the 5w THD Univalve has a built-in HotPlate attenuator - cranked, it's way too loud for bedroom use without.
I just bought one of these amps used. Love the sound, description is very accurate for what I've heard so far. I play mostly blues, classic rock stuff with a little bit of alt rock thrown in. One complaint... mine does have some hiss on the clean channel, more than expected. Do you think it needs servicing by a qualified amp tech ?
To date no one has made me want to buy this amp. It just doesn't sound inspiring to me. For less money I'd rather have a Peavey 6505 combo for gain sounds and it's cleans are certainly good enough for pedals.
Phil, not sure you know, and maybe it was a coincidence, but "Sonzera" is the term that can be used in Brazil to describe great tone (or a great gig, band, or music). Worth checking w Paul next time u see him!
Not really blown away. My 6505 MH is better. Has more features too. Thank you so much for an honest review. But it may sound decent with gain around 4 and pushed by a good OD pedal. But not for me sorry. Have a nice day man.
Wich amp would you chose? Hughes and kettner tubemeister 36with mini slant mesa cab. Or the sonzera?
Phillip, did you like this more or less than the Bassbreaker 15 combo?
That is tough, I would pick this because I like the way it looks and takes pedals.
Phillip McKnight I have the BB....but the lack of foot switching and the volume swell with each channel is off putting. Thought about selling it and getting the Sonzera. What other lower watt heads or combos in this price range do you prefer?
Great vid. Looking for something in this price range for bedroom playing. Good pedal platform. Between blues jr, Sonzera, bassbreaker. I had a bassbreaker 15 which sounded great, however, the effects loop was messed up. Anything else I should look at? Playing a PRS Mira primarily.
Depends on what you want Bassbreaker is probably the most versatile, but with less sparkly cleans, BJR is pretty versatile and takes pedals well as long as they don't add in too much bass, and I'm guessing PRS is somewhere between that, I've never played one. I have a Blues Junior and A/B'd it with the Bassbreaker and came to that conclusion
You might consider a Peavey Classic 20 MH and a decent 1x12 cabinet. Very versatile and great sounding head.
Just got an email that G&L Asat classic are now using the name standard,
Any relationship to fender not using it anymore?
You should review them, there selling at $1000
Cheaper than F-American Standard
I like the pedals in the background. What does the John Wayne pedal do ? it's probably a cross between an Ibanez super tube screamer and a Winchester 30-30. All kidding aside, great amp review.
I'm not a fan of the gain channel, but really like the clean channel. Does it stay clean at higher volumes? I'm looking for a good pedal platform that's not going to crap out when I stick an overdrive like a Friedman Dirty Shirley pedal into it. It's between this and the Blackstar artist 15.
was thinking about the 50w head, but extension options on this combo are nice so i can plug my 2x12 and this could be a 20w "head" ; your thoughts about this or 50w head? thank you very much in advance!!
I would like to see the demonstration with a single guitar. If it is a single coils, fine, if it is a humbuckers guitar, fine as well. Just like you did on the Marshall DSL40 and Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. By doing the Clean channel with a Strat and the gain with a Les Paul or the PRS it's more difficult to understand how the amp acts along the different settings. Great analysis anyway, as always! Thanks for your videos!
Phil, where ya been? :) Anyone else kind of get the feeling that if Paul were to make cell phones, he'd probably really get it really right on nearly every point? Love him or hate him personally, I think it is really hard to dispute that the guy knows how to make some great gear...
This amp is potentially right up my alley as a home enthusiast looking for a great sounding, cleanish, neutral-ish amp to serve as a foundation for my pedals and stuff like an AX8 - with the exception perhaps of how loud Phil says it is. Still, will def check this one out all the same. :)
cheers man!
Hughes & Kettner Tubmeister 40, review plz
I have one, and they are definitly worth checking out!
Thanks Phil, you just saved me $800! I didn't like the clean sound.
kdrake777 That could be fixed with a good speaker swap. I have a Blackstar Artist 30 and it has 2x12 V type speakers and it has a familiar sound to any amp that has those speakers. They are versatile speakers but not my flavor.
I definitely like the clean sound much better on my Fender Deluxe 65 Reverb limited edition. I guess you get what you pay for.
Hey @PhillipMcKnight, did the absence of a mid knob on the clean channel bug you at all? Was it a problem at any point/how did you work your way around it?
Hey Phil, love the channel. I was wondering if you would recommend splurging for the blue alnico speaker in a VOX AC15? I also love the yellow JEM with the pyramids, could you do a demo/review of it?
OK Phil, NICE new setup of the room, I likey alot lot, looks great! And i like that some 20w amps and some even smaller amps are starting to use 6L6 and EL34 tubes cause it does make a difference, would of liked to hear the same guitar with the gain on 10 and then half
Great video as always. Someone mentioned hiss on the clean channel. Not on my amp. There may be a grounding issue in the room Phil is in but mine is quiet. If you want to check out more clean sounds, watch the Mark Lettieri video.
This amp and a mike and I need nothing else. Tired of carrying heavy amps to gigs.
Wow look at the transformers in the back of that thing! Big choke even (I think that's what that is). I guess you'd need it for the 6L6s. That power tube selection is interesting for this wattage also- getting focused beam tetrode tone at that wattage isn't common.
Curious how you think these compare to the Peavey Classic series of amps. I have a Classic 50 and I'm interested to see how similar they are. Thanks!
I had one but traded it for a mark 5 25. Now i have a Hughes and kettner tubemeister 36 with mesa cab. My question is wich amp is better in your opinion?
So whats your thoughts on a cost effective power soak? It looks like you could put a passive on inside but there is that putting a volume pedal or a compressor in the effects loop. Has anyone tried any of that?
You'r videos are just amazing
Relaxing to watch thanks .
Phillip, when will we see a demo/review of the Yamaha THR10? I am surprised that hasn't been done yet.
Great Demo. This I the first demo I've seen where I like the gain sound. Every other video I've watched has just had the gain pinned and it sounds WAY too saturated. With a lower gain setting, it actually sounds tasty...
just picked it up today!! easy dial in sounds without using pedals. have a Mesa f50 and carvin legacy this was easier to dial in!
I wish - and you're not alone in this by any means - that when people demo at "bedroom volumes" that they speak over their playing in a normal voice so that we can get some sense of what your definition of "bedroom" volume is. Thanks for doing these, BTW.
I Don't Trust Myself with some gain.... I like it
This versus blackstar artist 30 Phillip make it happen
Just wanted to say I enjoy your informative info!
so basically a fender deluxe but better speaker...cool.
a mini Archon would be awesome, wonder why they haven't done it since the Archon was well received.
Love the video. Convinced me to go with the EVH LBX2 or wait to see what the Tremonti amp is all about.
Great review and it's good to see you again. I got spoiled with all the vids you had been doing and 2 weeks seemed like a lot longer. Nice to see John say Howdy.
Hey Phil, do you think that the Mesa boogie express plus amps, take pedals well?
Thanks for the review! Probably picking this amp up this summer!
Phil, curious how you think this compares to the Archon? I bought one of those after watching your demos.
Phillip, I’m guessing the 50 combo is going to be even less friendly for playing in my house on the gain channel??
You just sold me on this amp. The gain is almost exactly the tone I am looking for. The cleans in this video weren't great, but I heard a demo direct from PRS, and the cleans were absolutely dripping. This is a fantastic and underrated amp.
Could you do a video on facts about Seymour Duncan pickups? ;)
why would you change guitars to demonstrate the high gain on 10 vs 5?
Thanks so much I'm ordering it today
I LOVE that figurine. I'd rather have that than the amp. :-)
Great review. The amp sounds really good.
Another quality video Phillip!
Your den is looking sweet as! Love the pedal shelves !
It seems a lot like the Blackstar Artist 15, I love mine
The amp seems good 20watt is just perfect for playing in my house. good video,informative as always
a 20 watt archon head would be so sick.
How does this compare to the custom 20?
Woop woop 5:55 Thanks for the add! Rock on!
This amp or a Fender tube amp?
Nice review. But im struggling to find the voice, the identity of this amp, every demo i hear sounds so generic and characterless.
Nicolas Rivera I just received mine and it has beautiful cleans and I am able to get out clean tones from John Mayer style to tosin abasi and the over drive is very good kinda a satriani style. And I use it as a pedal platform and with my high gain pedals I can get out some amazing metal tones kind of like tosin again and Richardson or petrucci for example. Hope this helps two years later
Love the honest review! Keep em coming!
nice review! thank you
Nice demo. Thanks.
What is the pickup in the bridge position of your Mystic Blue (guessing) Strat?
It is a mini Pearly Gates. It is on the Seymour Custom shop picks
Hi Philip, love your work. I have a Super Sonic 22, how does this PRS Sonzera 20 compare to that? What is your opinion?
I liked the Super Sonic Moore, But It is super close
Thanks for the review! I have a request for you: if you could get a hold of one to borrow, I would love to hear your opinion of the PRS JMOD 100.
I was 10 feet from John when he was playing it at the press conference and then later i got to play one. It was very nice. But not made for a bedroom, home recording person like me. I will give it a try though. Might be fun to check on out and see what I can find like it.
Loving the pedal layout around the room, looks like a really awesome studio mate. Keep up the vids, loving it all!
hey phillip....love the videos keep up the great work! How does this compare with the fender hot rod deluxe and the marshall 40 dsl in terms of clean channel? I'm looking for a good amp for hard rock/blues and also would like to know how you would rank these amps
That is tough. I really like this amp. it feels and sounds defiant and right now I have those honeymoon ears on right now. LOL