so many people with shit tons of subscribers all making their over processed fancily edited copycat clone amp shootout etc videos that are fcking useless because every thing is so processed that 10 different amps sound exactly the same. This guy with 38 subscribers makes a video wirg no fancy editing, no fancy mics but guess what... its one of the only videos on you tube that gives you a real idea of what the amp really sounds like. This video is so much more useful than all of those others.
Thanks James! And thanks so much for designing such a killer range of versatile amps. These Iconics are a Godsend for us players who want those authentic old school classic rock/ hard sounds with a phenomenal clean channel in a portable & affordable package. There’s really nothing on the market quite like them. The most fun amp I’ve played in years. Quick question… how does the 10” speaker in this combo differ from the 12” in the 40 watt? (Besides the size obv.). My ear definitely gravitated more towards the midrangey vintagey sound of this particular model. Thanks again!
@@jakestadium I did lean a little darker on the 10”, because they can tend to be harsh. We were shooting for a similar tone though, something in between the darker EVH 12 in the 5150 III 412’s and the brighter G12H Anniversary in the combos. You can dial them pretty close though with some tweaking of the Presence
I have been thinking it over off and on for awhile, hard to choose between the 40 and 15, kind of thinking of the 40 and the 25% 10w mode might be ok for house/garage practice, curious how it would sound with an attenuator too.
Dude! I’ve been trying to decide on an amp For two weeks!!! First it was the Blues jr. then it was the Pro Junior, then it was the AC15, then the AC10. This is $50 more than the AC10. 5150! Plus I’m trading in a Katana 50 and o get a military discount. Thanks for the tones.
I had the pro jr which I think is one of the best looking amps and it sounded great but for me , I just wish it had more controls. I just got the evh iconic 15 watt and it is so sweet. There were some keyboard warriors saying they couldn't get a good tone from it and all I can say is they should take up playing a trumpet or clarinet because if you can't get sick tones with this amp, you are not meant to play the guitar!
Hey man do you still have this amp? I’m considering replacing my modelling amp (Catalyst) with this. I play a Les Paul and looking for a mix of Marshally classic rock sounds but also Metallica and some shreddy stuff too. This looks perfect.
I have the 40 watt version and it did sound a little fizzy at first but the more I’ve played it and broke in the speaker the better it sounds. I might still eventually put a vintage 30 in it but that’s going to be later down the road.
From what i understand these are hybrid which i don’t mind i like things like that they’re cool. But because they have a solid state pre amp section ( i think) and a tube power amp section. there’s rly only one area that would need maintenance and the overall odd cleaning.
For small-medium sized shows with adequate sound reinforcement, yes absolutely! I’ve gigged it a few times in a cover band and it performed well. However, if you primarily play metal/hard rock with a hard hitting drummer I would go with the 40 watt model.
I just got the 40 watt last week and i live in a townhouse, so i havent even got to turn it up past 1.5 on quarter power. Does it open up the louder it gets when your on the clean crunch channel or does it get undestinguishable?
Just got one of these. Sounds great. One question…the foot switch changes channels…but when I engage the overdrive button volume suddenly goes really loud. Any suggestions on setting it up? Thanks
Hey there! My amp behaves the same way on the green channel, the volume jump is normal when the overdrive button is engaged. This is why the amp was designed to footswitch between the green and red channels, but not between the clean and overdrive on the green channel. On the green channel you choose either clean or overdrive and adjust the volume accordingly, then on the red you choose normal or burn and adjust that volume accordingly. Then you switch between those two sounds. Thanks!
If you want to switch Clean + mild OD within the same Green Channel, you can use an OD pedal with the Level/Volume adjusted to match (or whatever loudness you want it to be relative to the clean) and the Gain adjusted to the ammount of crunch you want.. Or you can footswitch the Boost button which adds some volume and gain on the same channel. This is all for less crunch than a Red Channel. Also because there's no noise gate on the Green channel so you can't go too crazy on gain for that channel unless you have really quiet pedals. If you simply want clean + distortion, just switch from Green channel to the Red channel with the volumes adjusted as you want.
Apreciate the demo. The problem i have is how apparent the noise issue is. Sometimes even have trouble hearing you speak over it. But what’s disappointing is the fact that you completely glossed over the use of the noise gate,by just saying it’s “subtle”.It would have been more helpful to show the full sweep,and let viewer decide.Bro, how can you watch your own video and not see the noise is a huge problem? I guess i’ll hold out until i watch a few more reviews. Thanks
All fair points! On this particular model the noise gate is non-adjustable. (It is adjustable on the 40 watt, 60 watt, and 80 watt models). I’ve gigged this amp once already and had zero noise problems on stage, so the noise you’re hearing in the video comes from (presumably) being sat very close to the amp. Hope this helps clear things up. 👍
@@jakestadium Thanks for the reply.Presumably you watched this video before uploading, so i have to come to one of two conclusions. either you decided the noise wasn’t an issue for you, or you didn’t notice it. Either way you didn’t really seem to properly address it..But for me(and other viewers I suspect) its the only thing noticeable. Absolutely dreadful. But if you feel that doesn’t properly represent the amp, I would re-shoot. But still, apreciate the effort to demo it. The noise is definitely the 800 pound gorilla in the room. For a high gain amp in 2023, that is 100% unacceptable.
@@Boogieplex you're coming across as a bit of a noblet, pal. You can draw your own conclusions, or better still, go and try one. This guy is doing you a favour by reviewing it and letting you hear it. Buy a noise gate, problem solved. Or, buy the bigger versions that have a noise gate built in. Whatever you do, tone down your approach to people who make videos, they owe you NOTHING.
@@PatrickBateman1337 First of all, im more disappointed in the amp then I am the reviewer. Secondly, I don’t seriously understand how it wasn’t addressed, but i don’t need the “feelings police” telling me how to comment. Maybe you were reading it in a mean voice, but I told him multiple times I appreciated his efforts,and even thanking him. What would a world look like if everyone just stroked each other’s egos? I spoke the truth. My ONLY issue was the noise in the amp, and my dissapointment in how it wasn’t addressed. I gave him my opinion, I wasn’t mad,and he even replied i had fair points. His video was perfectly fine other than what i pointed out. It was nothing personal,and who knows, maybe…..just maybe, i helped him in future videos. I don’t feel i was mean…..slightly irritated,but apparently I should sensor myself next time,as not to offend potential viewers like yourself. My deepest apologies if I offended the reviewer, but I stand by my comment.
Bizarre. Your demo sounds great. But, the Sweetwater demo is awful and matches my experience with this amp in a shop. I wonder what could make that kind of difference?
Hey there. I agree about the sweetwater demo not sounding great. In my experience the iconic amps need the volume up to at least 3 or over to sound good, at least on the distortion channels. Under 3, you’re not really engaging the power amp and the sound is just too preamp focused and solid state-ish. Thus the buzzy fizz you hear in some demos. Another thing, the speakers in the 40 watt combo and 412 cab sound different to the 10” combo and not nearly as sweet to my ears. Try putting the amp through a cab with V30s, Greenbacks, or G12H30s and you may be surprised by the tonal differences.
@@jakestadium Thank you-appreciate the intel. When i did try the smaller Iconic, it was in a shop and i really did try to keep the volume down-i didn't spend much time with it. Unfamiliar guitar that wasn't in perfect tune, and i just wanted to get a quick sense of the amp's tone, but without exposing the rest of the store to my compromised noodling. So, yeah, it was probably set below 3. Then again, that's probably how i would be using the amp anyway-i was going to buy it for a tv-side/couch setup, for when i didn't want to get involved with firing up the Kemper at my desk/full setup. So, i guess the iconic wasn't right for me anyway. But, thank you for the probable explanation for my results. Interesting to note that a subsequent Sweetwater video had the Iconics sounding *much* better than that first one i was referring to. I wonder what they did differently.
@@CentaurusRelax314 You're welcome! On Sweetwater's initial demo it sounded like an issue of bad mic placement, making it sound really harsh, thin, and fizzy (solid statey drive). Like directly on axis of the cone with no room mic/reverb blended in. This is one of the reasons I prefer just an iPhone video in the room non-close mic'd demo to hear how an amp really sounds. No one listens to an amp with their ear directly to the speaker cone so why should amps be demo'd that way? I understand close mic'ing for recording guitars for a mix of course.. but not for an amp demo solo'd.
so many people with shit tons of subscribers all making their over processed fancily edited copycat clone amp shootout etc videos that are fcking useless because every thing is so processed that 10 different amps sound exactly the same. This guy with 38 subscribers makes a video wirg no fancy editing, no fancy mics but guess what... its one of the only videos on you tube that gives you a real idea of what the amp really sounds like. This video is so much more useful than all of those others.
I agree every amp will sound decent with hours worth of editing that’s why I trust these videos by independent reviewers.
Nice thorough demo….glad you like it ✌️
Thanks James! And thanks so much for designing such a killer range of versatile amps. These Iconics are a Godsend for us players who want those authentic old school classic rock/ hard sounds with a phenomenal clean channel in a portable & affordable package. There’s really nothing on the market quite like them. The most fun amp I’ve played in years.
Quick question… how does the 10” speaker in this combo differ from the 12” in the 40 watt? (Besides the size obv.). My ear definitely gravitated more towards the midrangey vintagey sound of this particular model. Thanks again!
@@jakestadium I did lean a little darker on the 10”, because they can tend to be harsh. We were shooting for a similar tone though, something in between the darker EVH 12 in the 5150 III 412’s and the brighter G12H Anniversary in the combos. You can dial them pretty close though with some tweaking of the Presence
Ahh ok gotcha! Thanks for the info James. I’ll def. experiment with the Presence knob on the 40. You da man ✌🏻
Nice demo! I've had my EVH Iconic 15 a few weeks now and simply love it.
I think I’m going to buy this model and buy a noise gate.
I bought the 40 watt 1/12 ..great amp works well in a band mix and fun amp to play
I have been thinking it over off and on for awhile, hard to choose between the 40 and 15, kind of thinking of the 40 and the 25% 10w mode might be ok for house/garage practice, curious how it would sound with an attenuator too.
Thanks for this excellent test !!!! This might be my next amp for sure 😉😉
Great video and thank you for recording with the camera mic! 👌🏽
Great video. Amp sounds GREAT. Thanks man.
nice demo great playn and some cool riffs, jessies girl put a smile on my face. love the amp im sold🤟😎🎸
I have the 40 watt. Love it.
Great demo 👍🏻 Enjoyed
Dude! I’ve been trying to decide on an amp For two weeks!!! First it was the Blues jr. then it was the Pro Junior, then it was the AC15, then the AC10. This is $50 more than the AC10. 5150! Plus I’m trading in a Katana 50 and o get a military discount. Thanks for the tones.
I had the pro jr which I think is one of the best looking amps and it sounded great but for me , I just wish it had more controls. I just got the evh iconic 15 watt and it is so sweet. There were some keyboard warriors saying they couldn't get a good tone from it and all I can say is they should take up playing a trumpet or clarinet because if you can't get sick tones with this amp, you are not meant to play the guitar!
@@carlhungus2521well I got the Iconic 15. It is awesome. I’m still working with it.
I did it bought $50,000 worth of cheap stuff. I think we all do that. I could have had a good amp
Bad ass dude. Nice demo.
Hey man do you still have this amp? I’m considering replacing my modelling amp (Catalyst) with this. I play a Les Paul and looking for a mix of Marshally classic rock sounds but also Metallica and some shreddy stuff too. This looks perfect.
Great Review!
Nice sounds good, versatile!
I have the 40 watt version and it did sound a little fizzy at first but the more I’ve played it and broke in the speaker the better it sounds. I might still eventually put a vintage 30 in it but that’s going to be later down the road.
Haha that thing sounds amazing.
hot damn this amp sounds phrmoninal. got a 60wt 2x12 on its way and i cant wait.
Yep tried em all its the most versatile. Love it....hope it lasts a while looks like a nightmare to work on, lots of surface mount stuff.
From what i understand these are hybrid which i don’t mind i like things like that they’re cool. But because they have a solid state pre amp section ( i think) and a tube power amp section. there’s rly only one area that would need maintenance and the overall odd cleaning.
Will a 12" speaker fit in the 15w version?
thank you for the content , do you think this 15 watt amp is loud enough to play with a drummer or should I go for the 40 watt..thanks
For small-medium sized shows with adequate sound reinforcement, yes absolutely! I’ve gigged it a few times in a cover band and it performed well. However, if you primarily play metal/hard rock with a hard hitting drummer I would go with the 40 watt model.
I just got the 40 watt last week and i live in a townhouse, so i havent even got to turn it up past 1.5 on quarter power. Does it open up the louder it gets when your on the clean crunch channel or does it get undestinguishable?
No neck pickup 😢
Need a good power line conditioner.
Just got one of these. Sounds great. One question…the foot switch changes channels…but when I engage the overdrive button volume suddenly goes really loud. Any suggestions on setting it up? Thanks
Hey there! My amp behaves the same way on the green channel, the volume jump is normal when the overdrive button is engaged. This is why the amp was designed to footswitch between the green and red channels, but not between the clean and overdrive on the green channel. On the green channel you choose either clean or overdrive and adjust the volume accordingly, then on the red you choose normal or burn and adjust that volume accordingly. Then you switch between those two sounds. Thanks!
@@jakestadium nice one. Thanks
If you want to switch Clean + mild OD within the same Green Channel, you can use an OD pedal with the Level/Volume adjusted to match (or whatever loudness you want it to be relative to the clean) and the Gain adjusted to the ammount of crunch you want..
Or you can footswitch the Boost button which adds some volume and gain on the same channel. This is all for less crunch than a Red Channel. Also because there's no noise gate on the Green channel so you can't go too crazy on gain for that channel unless you have really quiet pedals.
If you simply want clean + distortion, just switch from Green channel to the Red channel with the volumes adjusted as you want.
Hello, what impedance use the amp pls? thanks
Hey there, it has a selectable Impedance switch that allows it to run at 4, 8, or 16 ohms 👍
@@jakestadium Thank you , but using only the amp without cabinets, just the amp??
As far as I know the internal speaker is rated at 16ohms, that’s what the switch was set to from the factory!
@@jakestadium Perfect!! thank you very much Jake!!! I´m going to order this amp next month. Thanks again my friend!!
Apreciate the demo.
The problem i have is how apparent the noise issue is. Sometimes even have trouble hearing you speak over it. But what’s disappointing is the fact that you completely glossed over the use of the noise gate,by just saying it’s “subtle”.It would have been more helpful to show the full sweep,and let viewer decide.Bro, how can you watch your own video and not see the noise is a huge problem? I guess i’ll hold out until i watch a few more reviews. Thanks
All fair points! On this particular model the noise gate is non-adjustable. (It is adjustable on the 40 watt, 60 watt, and 80 watt models). I’ve gigged this amp once already and had zero noise problems on stage, so the noise you’re hearing in the video comes from (presumably) being sat very close to the amp. Hope this helps clear things up. 👍
@@jakestadium
Thanks for the reply.Presumably you watched this video before uploading, so i have to come to one of two conclusions. either you decided the noise wasn’t an issue for you, or you didn’t notice it. Either way you didn’t really seem to properly address it..But for me(and other viewers I suspect) its the only thing noticeable. Absolutely dreadful. But if you feel that doesn’t properly represent the amp, I would re-shoot. But still, apreciate the effort to demo it.
The noise is definitely the 800 pound gorilla in the room. For a high gain amp in 2023, that is 100% unacceptable.
@@Boogieplex you're coming across as a bit of a noblet, pal.
You can draw your own conclusions, or better still, go and try one. This guy is doing you a favour by reviewing it and letting you hear it.
Buy a noise gate, problem solved. Or, buy the bigger versions that have a noise gate built in. Whatever you do, tone down your approach to people who make videos, they owe you NOTHING.
@@PatrickBateman1337
First of all, im more disappointed in the amp then I am the reviewer. Secondly, I don’t seriously understand how it wasn’t addressed, but i don’t need the “feelings police” telling me how to comment. Maybe you were reading it in a mean voice, but I told him multiple times I appreciated his efforts,and even thanking him. What would a world look like if everyone just stroked each other’s egos? I spoke the truth. My ONLY issue was the noise in the amp, and my dissapointment in how it wasn’t addressed. I gave him my opinion, I wasn’t mad,and he even replied i had fair points. His video was perfectly fine other than what i pointed out. It was nothing personal,and who knows, maybe…..just maybe, i helped him in future videos. I don’t feel i was mean…..slightly irritated,but apparently I should sensor myself next time,as not to offend potential viewers like yourself. My deepest apologies if I offended the reviewer, but I stand by my comment.
@@Boogieplex not reading that, don't want your life story. You told him to rerecord the video ffs. You're a noblet man, simple as.
Bizarre. Your demo sounds great. But, the Sweetwater demo is awful and matches my experience with this amp in a shop. I wonder what could make that kind of difference?
Hey there. I agree about the sweetwater demo not sounding great. In my experience the iconic amps need the volume up to at least 3 or over to sound good, at least on the distortion channels. Under 3, you’re not really engaging the power amp and the sound is just too preamp focused and solid state-ish. Thus the buzzy fizz you hear in some demos. Another thing, the speakers in the 40 watt combo and 412 cab sound different to the 10” combo and not nearly as sweet to my ears. Try putting the amp through a cab with V30s, Greenbacks, or G12H30s and you may be surprised by the tonal differences.
@@jakestadium Thank you-appreciate the intel. When i did try the smaller Iconic, it was in a shop and i really did try to keep the volume down-i didn't spend much time with it. Unfamiliar guitar that wasn't in perfect tune, and i just wanted to get a quick sense of the amp's tone, but without exposing the rest of the store to my compromised noodling. So, yeah, it was probably set below 3. Then again, that's probably how i would be using the amp anyway-i was going to buy it for a tv-side/couch setup, for when i didn't want to get involved with firing up the Kemper at my desk/full setup. So, i guess the iconic wasn't right for me anyway. But, thank you for the probable explanation for my results. Interesting to note that a subsequent Sweetwater video had the Iconics sounding *much* better than that first one i was referring to. I wonder what they did differently.
@@CentaurusRelax314 You're welcome! On Sweetwater's initial demo it sounded like an issue of bad mic placement, making it sound really harsh, thin, and fizzy (solid statey drive). Like directly on axis of the cone with no room mic/reverb blended in. This is one of the reasons I prefer just an iPhone video in the room non-close mic'd demo to hear how an amp really sounds. No one listens to an amp with their ear directly to the speaker cone so why should amps be demo'd that way? I understand close mic'ing for recording guitars for a mix of course.. but not for an amp demo solo'd.
great demo. sweetwaters was horrible...sounding like a dirty bee hive! they should hire you instead of Nick. just saying.
thank you! that's too kind
Horrible amp. Cleans are almost impossible, it’s made for one thing only