The 3 Best Digital Amps For Tube Snobs
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- The 3 Best Digital Amps For Tube Snobs
Princeton Tonemaster - sweetwater.sjv...
Blackstar St. James - sweetwater.sjv...
Tonex - sweetwater.sjv...
Positive Grid - positivegrid.s...
Buy Your Gear Using This Link To Sweetwater To Support The Channel - imp.i114863.ne...
Amazon Wish List - www.amazon.com...
Our Amazon Store - www.amazon.com...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @dylantalkstone
If you need the best cables ever - runwayaudio.com?ref=dylantalkstone
Use code dylantalkstone for a 10% discount
For behind-the-scenes and priority access to FAQ's, check out
/ dylantalkstone
Listen To The Podcast Here - anchor.fm/dyla...
Learn to Solder and get 2 FREE months of Skillshare!
skl.sh/2TRnbxe
Find us on the internets at:
www.dylantalkst...
/ dylantalkstone
/ dylantalkstone
/ dylantalkstone
Dylan Talks Tone Recieves Commision From Some Of These Links
There comes a point where it's no longer about the equipment and more about the player.
We all have access to equipment WAY better than Hendrix had, yet we just keep wanting this and that instead of being focused on the craft. My$.02 👍
I love tube amps. I really like solid state amps. Nowadays, the digital stuff is getting really good and so much more convenient. Do they sound exactly like tube amps? No. Do they get very close? Yes🤘
The Orange Super Crush 100 seems to be one of the best digital amps for people who like the classic sound. Orange really is coming up with some of the best stuff these days. It's an Orange Renaissance! 🍊🤘🎸
I don't think the Super Crush is digital, it's analogue solid state (apart from the reverb).
I have 5 low watt amps and my favorite practice amp is my Orange Crush 12.
Def not a digital amp. It is for sure solid state.
But a sleeper amp for great cleans that is class D is the catalyst 200. Mostly because it’s a great powered cab because of the ability to use the effects loop or preamp in for preamps and modelers. Don’t love the high gain setting, I’d rather use my super crush head for that.
The Orange Super Crush is a Solid-state analog design with a Solid-state A-B output that is superior to class D for guitar. Very well done electronically and sonically. Love my Super Crush 100H. I also love my all tube OR-15H. Both, although different topology, exude the "Orange" sound. Their cleans ain't too shabby either and pedals are welcome.
I bought a brand new Super Reverb in 1967 and loved it. In the 70s I played a silverface Super Reverb. I went back to playing in the 1990s and eventually got myself into a Deluxe Reverb Reissue. I did work with a ‘blackfaced’ silverface Princeton Reverb for a while, but stuck with the DDRI until just recently.
I am 74 years old and I play solo or with a scrappy little blues duo featuring only guitar and drums. My major work is on TH-cam these days. I’ve made over 2000 videos. I’m retired and live in an apartment. The Deluxe was just too much for gigs and for at home and I took a chance on a new Fender Tone Master Princeton.
I’ve used it extensively at home, and I’ve played a few gigs with it now. it is the best performance amp that I have ever used! And the first digital amp that I have ever used. Just last Friday night I had some people in town from Baltimore and LA. I had more comments about my tone being “dialed in” and my sound being better than ever.
The amp responded beautifully to my tube screamer and my Keeley Katana clear boost. I cannot imagine playing any other amplifier for the rest of my life!
fender= cheap junk that's gonna end up in a landfill , not even a headphone socket and they want $1000 , do me a favour , pull my other one ! you could put that money off a decent macbook and just get a neural amp sim for $100 and you'd never notice the difference
Yamaha THR stuff is awesome. Also I don't know if it's considered digital but a Roland JC 22 for home is also awesome.
I am using a ToneX in the fx loop of an HX Stomp as my primary rig. I play it through a class D power amp and a guitar cabinet. Great sounds with TOTAL control of ho loud I am without impacting tone. That's the main reason I went digital. Never have to compromise on my tone no matter what the sound guy makes me do. I also have an Ampero Mini. I had the Ampero II Stomp, but sold that when the Mini came out. This is a tiny inexpensive solution with some great sounding amps in it. (oh, and it has fx too 😁). So in reality it serves the function (sonically) of both the ToneX and the HX Stomp. Of course feature wise, it is lacking a lot of what the HXS and ToneX offer. But can I get good fundamental sounds from it? Oh yes! Bought it as a backup, but like it enough that I am using it more than expected. I am 67, and for about 10 years I built tube amps as a hobby. I never would have thought I would end up going digital, but the convenience and flexibility (for me) out-weighed any tonal things. They sound great, and I never go for side by side comparisons, so sounding great is what matters.
The Roland Blues Cube "Stage" or "Artist" are great for their tube like response.
I prefer tube amps, but the digital gear has really improved by leaps and bounds over the last few years. I have a Helix and am enjoying exploring all the models,fx, etc.
Bluguitar Amp 1 is the amp for tube snobs because it contains a tube and works at all volumes. If you like all the funky things a driven tube amp does an Orange Super Crush 100 is another option.
I like that thing, but I wonder about reliability, and if it can be repaired or if you just toss and buy a new one if it breaks.
For “Bedroom” amps, love my Mustang GTX50 (built in Looper), and Blackstar Debut 50R (it loves pedals). Great video/review!
Ain’t nothing like the real thing.
Why accept substitutes?
Because they serve a purpose.
If it don’t matter don’t bother
I’m a huge fan of the fender mustang GTX. Inexpensive, tons of amps and effect built in.
I'm not a tube snob, but every time I've tried fully digital equipment, I've found the tone wanting. Some digital effects I can tolerate, as long as the basic guitar signal remains analogue, but I avoid digital wherever possible. So for me, analogue rules, whether it's tube or solid state.
just buy a load box and cab sim like torpedo. then you can keep ur real actually repairable tube amp
As a long-standing valve-amp guy, I have been impressed by hearing the Tonemasters in gigs. A few friends have bought them and swear by them. Valve sounds with half the weight is the general view. On a much cheaper level; I bought a NUX MG300 recently. As a low-tech guy, I am still very much learning it but I have managed to create a few patches that sound very good through headphones. I see no reason why it shouldn't sound as good through a PA, I shall try it soon. Very portable. Certainly ideal for open-mic and jam nights.
I’ve got a super champ x2, which isn’t made anymore, but it works great for practice and still has enough power for a small gig.
I totally get what you're saying and as someone who plays tube amps and wants the feel of a real amp behind me, I know that there will be a situation at some point where I need a digital solution. But I think for someone like me something like the Captor X or Ox is probably the best solution, because I can still use my amps but run them through a digital cab sim in a quiet stage environment. I am interested in trying one of the Tone pedals though
I'm a digital native, but been looking at more analog solutions for this mainly because of latency. Most of the time it doesn't matter, but when you put on a wireless unit plus two to four AD/DA conversions, it starts to add up. So some of the options I was looking at include
1. DSM Humboldt Simplifier
2. Quilter SuperBlock
3. Quilter 101 Mini
4. Neunaber Neuron (digital but apparently low latency?)
5. Joyo American Sound with separate clean power amp.
My primary rigs are all Helix based currently, but I have one I've been building around a Plethora X5 and it's been interesting trying to figure out what I should do about the amp.
Also, the Fender Mustang series has quite good Fender emulations. It has the possibility of option paralysis, but if you stick to the Fender models and run pedals for dirt, it's pretty nice and simple.
Love my Deluxe Reverb Tone Master and use it every weekend in the band!...I set it to the 5 watts...and of course, mic it!...thanks for the video!
I’ve been happy with my Katana.
Perfect? No.
But for $250, awesome.
Here are my thoughts:
1. Tone Master range (twin reverb and Princeton specifically)
2. Blues cube - people have been sleeping on this amp it's insanely good
3. Roland JC-120
Im a tube amp snob but i do like my solid state boss nextone stage 40, which i got because one of your videos about 3 years ago on your channel Dylan. It is tube like and you get to select which power tube type you want 6v6,6l6,EL84,EL34. Though just recently i bought a nux mg400 modeler and for less than $250 for digital modeling it sounds great after some tweeking and a firmware update, loads of great sounding amps, IR cabs mics placement, all of the effects from Od, modulation, delay, reverb, compressors . Also i literally just got the blackstar st James 50 EL34 which is the lower gain version and pedal plateform friendly version to what Dylan has and i can say its such a great sounding tube amp , ALL of my pedals sound fantastic through it even on the 2 watt setting. I have quite a few different tybe amps from Marshall, Mesa Boogie,Hughes and Kettner, peavey and i wish all my oedals sounded great through each but that would be to easy lol. The cab rig digital emulations sound really good silent recording bevause it also has a reactive load built into the St. James, like seriously for the money you cant go wrong with this amp and that goes for both versions 6l6 and mine the EL34 , though if your more into vibtage sounding and lil lower gain think marshall plexie and fender cleans between the 2 channels, if you like more modern sounding and higher gain go with 6l6 version either way you cant go wrong, also dont think because its not a more well knowm brand like my other amps above i mentioned that its not worth looking into remember that blackstar was started by a few employees that left Marshall. Blackstar also makes bunch of other really decent tube amps and great pedal board amps they even make super fancey boutique tube amps in their artisan line. But thats my two cents and ill stop rambling on now, thanks dylan love your channel and hope to be buying some puckups soon, my fav pickup winder stopped and i love P90's so ill be looking for some soon.
Thank God this is not a problem for us new guitar players. Since tube amps are so expensive it is just not an option for a beginner to buy one. And we can also have a less biased opinion on what we like. Of course, I notice a difference between a tube amp and any digital modeler, but that is mainly because the tube amp is using a real cab or a traditional speaker and the digital modeler usually is being played through headphones, monitors, or a PA system which sounds different. I have a friend who is a total tube snob and tone chaser, the one who is never fully satisfied with the gear he has. We have been testing digital modelers with power amp-style pedals, like the Mooer Baby Bomb or the EHX MAGNUM, through traditional guitar cabinets with a Celestion V30 speaker. The result, he enjoyed it, as much as playing a real tube amp. So my conclusion is that is not a matter of tube or digital, what matters is the speaker. That is what matters, as Glenn Fricker has said a million times.
Like somebody already mentioned, the Roland JC (Not a digital amp).
I saw a... Anderton's video where a digital Princeton could not emulate a fuzz pedal correctly when put in front.
So Roland JC is not a bad choice.
I have never had a venue try and tell me I couldn’t use my amp. And I play a lot live. Never had that happen lol.
I have the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb in blonde. It's been my most played amp for about 1.5 years, besides owning 3 full grown tube amps by Marshall, Engl and PRS. Great tone and convenience are just too hard to beat
I really like the blackstar debut 50. Sounds great, its cheap, and it is very simple to use. Under rated imo. Thanks for the video.
Agree 100% love my Debut 50R-plus it takes pedals!
Not digital, Mark.
There have been great advances in digital amplification but analog is still worlds beyond in sound quality- that said I have seen op-amps that will destroy tubes in terms of clarity and quality- especially at low volumes
Tube snobs and digital snobs unite already!!😂. Hybridize!!!
I purchased a Fender LT25, was really nice, but I decided to trade it in for a Fender GTX100.
The GTX100 will be easier to resell, by my son, than LT25 or GTX50 when I pass😉.
It has Headphone out and Auxiliary input for music along with USB out, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, stereo Fx out and Fx return, and XLR stereo output.
The fact is that it emulates over 43 amps, different cabs, and full array of pedals where everything is adjustable in depth. You only need to spend the time having fun finding "YOUR" favorite sound.
I do not need the 100 watts, the 50 would have been fine for me ( I live in an apartment) but the price of the 50 + separate pedal is the same as the 100 that has the pedal included. (Nor do I need 200 presets, but better too many than not enough).
From the GTX7 pedal, you can access the 200 presets + your five preferred presets you assigned + the tuner + a one minute loop with multiple dub capabilities.
The Fender tone app lets you control the settings from your phone or tablet making it really easy, and you can download a boatload of presets made by pro musicians and other members of the Fender Tone community where people upload their own presets they created.
And if you think they don't sound like the originals, I haven't heard the other amps live and don't intend to compare them side by side...
When alone with the GTX100 amp it sounds great to me, and that's what counts in the end.
I bought one a year ago and I think it's a great amp .
Tube amps are awesome and I have what I need at home, but the amazing stuff all these new digital platforms are coming out with are insane and they just keep getting better! Great Vid Dylan!
Tube amps are illegal in certain countries due to power consumption? What is the world coming to
It's senses. Funny you didn't mention kitchen or cleaning appliances. However much you may want to preserve what you consider a basic level of liberty or prosperity where you live, people elsewhere have different priorities & face different & very real hardships.
Hi Dylan, nice video, thank you. I may have missed it but what do play your Tonex through? An amp? Thanks!
Change the speaker in your Fender MT deluxe. Down load the latest Blond Deluxe Firmware . Big improvement . Celestion 65 good choice . Only adds 3 to 5 lbs. Weights less than Princeton RI.
Since I could never afford couple-of-grands-worth amp and (pluse couple of hundred to set'em up have to be included), I find myself more nad more inclined totransistor / digital solutions (Katana Artist, OR super crush, even HUMBOLDT DMS). I find the reliability and CONSISTENCY in performance eliberating. I have no idea about high end amps, but medium priced amps (500-1500 range) I had an opportunity to play are just way inconsistent and I have never ever had a gig in which I could go and play without having some sorf of an issue (I am talking Blackstar, Marshall, Hughes & Kettner, fender twin amp) - tube failure, noise, unusual high end overtones, volume drops.... Not bashing any brand, just stating my case. Still have all of them, still love them and think the sound out of the tube amps is generally better, but when it comes to a gig, I tend to opt for less hassle. simple as that. Honestly, small venues, I do not miss a thing in a context of a mix, or sound quality in general. True, the possibility I am sloppy or tone deaf, shoul not be easily discarded. So far I haven't had any stadium gig - when I do, I 'll let you know :D
Katana 100 MkII 1x12" combo ain't too shabby. Fender GTX100 1x12" combo is even lighter and has BluTooth/Editor/Software connect. Game-Changer Live control. No one talks about it.
I tested a fender mustang GT40. It had quite a lot of latency, around 6mS. Not sure about the Princeton but it seems that in order to have features like wifi, over the air updates, online 'tone' library, ipad integration... it was easier/cheaper/faster to use embedded linux and the ALSA library. I would be weary of such features if you care about latency.
modeling way better if u cant play loud, but nothing can beat 2x12 cab with Marshall if u can play that loud i have katana when i cant play loud and 2x12 with jcm 2000 when i can i love the air that pushes out im 24 years old and idc baut tubes but it just sounds better for me and dont get me wrong i love digital too
I use a super tone master. Sounds amazing. But in terms of direct recording, as you explored, it sounds terrible. Awful tone. How are you using tone masters for recording? Are you using 3rd party IR’s?
Tone snobs pfffft! Im running my pedalboard into a Joyo American Sound Into a Hall of Fame reverb and straight into the power section of this solid state princeton 65 that i rescued from a dumpster a couple of years ago, im thinking of adding a pasive vol. attenuator because the joyo pedal is surprisingly loud. From Bassman to Twin reverb with the turn of a knob. Song of the day: QOTSA - Mexicola
I think they all sound great. Me personally, I like the Tonex for it's flexibility, affordable price point and overall great tones. Great video Dylan, I totally agree with your POV.
Electricity consumption of a guitar amp is miniscule unless you are trying to out-do a 747 on takeoff. I have a Tubemeister 18 that draws about 50 watts at bedroom sound level. My Powercab 112 plus draws about 20-25 watts at the same sound pressure level.
Please consider this: speaker efficiency. Get a really efficient spkr, say 95 db, and use a 5w or 2w option on a tube amp. An example is the 10w Bugera on the 5w or 1w setting into an Eminence Ragin Cajon, or the CR, etc. You'll get a pretty full sound bedroom level. Just a thought.
Generally, regulations your mention for 'some' European countries hold for all countries of the European Union (EU). So, such 'some' countries are not part of the EU. But European countries not part of the EU often follow EU-rules not to have or manufacture 'alien' technology.
Quilter Aviator Cub is Awesome
In my experience, the "I hate digital tone" people tend to have a boatload of digital pedals. 🙄
Not saying that we can perfectly model tube compression, especially not without a significant amount more headroom, (a basic understanding of why distortion happens would be highly beneficial for people to have) but by the time you add in a drummer and or bass player, no one who is going to pay you for your music cares.
My little Bogner Ecstasy Mini head using the Variac switch actually sounds like a 50w Marshall... and this is coming from a tube amp purist snob.
I like the Quilter amps. Not digital. Not tube. All analog voices that sound great. I ended up selling all my tube amps and just went with Quilter. Also light on the old back!
What about us bass tube amp snobs? What can you recommend for that Classic 70s' ampeg SVT sound?
Maaan, that Schecter is nice. I'm getting one but hopefully in a darker cherry hue.
I went digital about 5 years ago and got a Moore 200. It's ok but I miss the pedals I sold...maybe it's the tactile thing that's gone. I have both a small digital amp, along with a 20W Peavy classic...love them both. From the GE200 they are going into excellent speakers so that helps :) Today, with digital having come so far I think the whole argument dig-vrs-tube is probably over. I may give that Tonex a run though. I can see that along with a few good pedals , this could be a great rig. Thanks again Dylan...good show.
I have three tube amps and rotate changing tubes and biasing them so it winds up happening every six to 8 months or so. It used to be affordable, now it's not. Looking at a Katana.
I'm loving my Nextone. Really slid under the radar.
Other than that, my bucket list SS amp is the JC-120.
If i had $ for another amp i think a tone master would be good as i like pedals. Im not against solid state i do enjoy my koch jupiter jr though its a highbrid. I do have a half watt tube amp but jts still a bit much for an apartment. Id like a solid state because my amp just gets hot n it already gets to hot in the summer here
These are good options but the route I chose to play quietly in the home was to use any of my tube amps like a dual recto or 5150 and run into a load box like a Rivera Rock Crusher or Torpedo Captor and take the line out into my audio interface into my DAW and add an IR and sounds great! I also like to use a Synergy SYN1 again into audio interface/DAW/IR. great for home practice, recording.
Until Tonex came along i was diehard tube...You have got to wade through a lot of meh captures but there are some gems to be found.
Why would you pick Princeton over Deluxe or Twin?
You can always spot a Tube Snob when they use the term "Real Amp", AS IF a Solid State amp doesn't: Have an Instrument Input Jack; AMPlify then produce sound output; Have 3 dimensions; Have Weight; Plug Into an electrical outlet. That view's Delusional.
I guess they live in Joe's Garage playing Imaginary Guitar Solos too.
lol exactly. I like anything that makes a sound come out the other side
There do seem to be lots of great options out there. Personally I have a kemper and have been loving that for live use. It’s much easier to carry around than my previous tube amps. I still have one but can’t use it as I’m also in an apartment.
When I’m at home or recording demos, etc. I’ve really need digging the Neural DSP plugins. Yeah you don’t get quite as much variety as you may with tonex or kemper but dang does it sound good and all you have to do is plug in to your interface.
Tube amps have soul, and warmth, Vox amps do it good!
If you haven't tried a Vox VX50 yet you should. It's crazy good, crazy small, and very handy!
Totally agree. The Vox VX series is amazing.
Honestly that tonex sounded great! It turned my head like, what?
FX Loop...missing. Why does Fender do that?
Anything more vox like that could be on this list?
Try the Vox Cambridge50 - it’s freaking fantastic, lightweight, and sounds ridiculously authentic.
@@DougGoodwin thanks! I’ll look it up!
I have a digital Spark amp for convenience but my Vox tube amp absolutely smokes it for tone. There is no contest. It's that simple. And that is not snobbishness
Agreed
iridium...
Great video, I agree with everything you stated. Another option is the solid state Roland Blues Cube. Although it's not the latest, it is very well made (Japan), has a great clean tone and is a wonderful pedal platform. It is very good but I recently purchased a Carr Super Bee 10W tube amp with a built in attenuator. It is better than the Blues Cube but considerably more expensive.
The best solid state amp I ever owned is a Blues Cube Hot.
Line 6 is good enough for me. Aso use a Vamp 2 for direct.
What is the reason these clubs n such have went the way they have. Making everyone to be quite i mean?? Liability of some kind??
Because it’s not about guitar tone. It’s about fun for their patrons.
Dylan, since you've stated your love for the ToneX more than enough, what pedalboard amp or any other amp, do you recommend for to pair with the ToneX? Can it compare favorably to the Tonemaster Fenders?
I can't speak for Dylan but I think any clean power amp will work. I was using my ToneX into the FX loop of a studio clean channel on a Fender Mustang GTX-50 combo and it sounded pretty good. I just recently changed that amp out for a Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170, so I have pedals into the ToneX (well I have a reverb pedal after the ToneX but you can always use the reverb built into the Tonex), then into Powerstage 170, then into an Egnater 1x12 cab. It sounds really good. I have a Fender Sonic 60 cabinet with two Vintage 30s that I will use next, once I repair one of the speakers. (I don't use the CAB models in the ToneX but a couple of them didn't sound bad when I did try them)
I was waiting for one of the big TH-camrs to try a ToneX into power amp, into cabinet, but it seems like the majority of them just go direct to DAW and use powered monitors and such. I like using the cabinet though. It's a more slow and steady approach to going digital. So I just took a chance on the SD Powerstage. :) I think you would be fine with a Blackstar Amped 1, (2 or 3 might work but the 1 has a linear channel that is probably better suited for using as a clean amp); Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170, 200, etc.; or if you want to go cheap find a used Crate powerblock.
If you already have any amp just try going into the effects loop of it. It can't hurt to experiment. I was surprised my dusty GTX-50 worked so well. If you look at new clean power amps I suggest adding one to your cart on the Reverb site when you are ready to buy... and wait for a retailer to offer you a new one at below MAP pricing.
I love tube amps but for at home and practice you can’t beat the Fender GTX100. Amp modeling is solid for at home, ton of vintage effects, L/R XLR outs, headphones, Bluetooth and a very good foot controller. Also sounds good with your pedals in front or through the effects loop.
I have a Fender gtx100 and I like it !
My guitar player is a mega tonehound. His fly-rig now is a Quilter SuperBlock US. Great-sounding black-panel Fender tone.
Every TH-cam demo of it I've ever seen does the DI feature wrong, and because of this, they all sound terrible. The 24v power supply is only for use when you're using it as an amp.
When running it via DI, use a standard 9v power supply and you'll love it.
Still happy with my Boss Nextone Stage, bought after seeing Dylan talks tone episode from 15 december 2020, where Michael Bay and Dylan were very positive about the amp. Does it sound like a tube amp? I don't care. Sounds good enough for me !
I like the Tonemaster series, except I think they are priced too high. I also think they are still not the best option, for that cranked tone, at very low volumes, through the speaker. But, if tha particular Fender amp works for your tone, then they are a great option. If not, then I think you overlook Options like the Line 6 Catalyst, Boss Katana, particularly the Artist level. Heck, even my Supro Delta King, is a btter option, for EOB and cranked tones at home volumes, even Apt volumes, than the Fenders (and it's a tube amp).
I WAS a hard core tube snob, but switched to digital years ago. I do have an Axe FX III in the studio (and I defy anyone to tell the difference from 'real' tube amps). For gigging I use a Catalyst modelling amp, which I also think Is a good choice for this list. I also use alone or with the Catalyst, a ver small pedal board with an HX Stomp and TOnex,. I switched for all the reasons mentioned AND because I need cranked tones at non cranked volumes.
I play SMALL gigs, just 2 of us, in small venues on tiny stages or corners of the place. Bars Restaurants, Coffee houses, etc. She sings, I provide the rest. We cover a lot of musical ground, gig to gig, but generally in the same gig. m acoustic to classic rock, to pop rock and punk, to blues, even som Celt rock and folk. To do that with any tube amp, means a large pedal board AND an acoustic amp. It just makes more sense to use digital. I can cover all that in a small HX Stomp/tonex board with a Midi pedal into FOH. Or in cases where there isn't a FOH, run it into the power section of my Catalsyst or Supro Delta King..
I also had a HUGE collection of Low watt tube amps, amp heads, CABs, attenuators, Torpedo devices, pedals etc to get that range of tones at decently low volumes, and it just became too much. I replaced all of it Amps, CABs, DIs, pedals, etc with one Axe FX.
I love tube amps and have a few (71 & 76 Deluxe, 71 Princeton). I play mostly at senior homes because I like making money and being home early🙄. Yes, I'm old. I don't need to carry an amp around so I'm currently using a Dream 65 with a Rat-type pedal in front of it and a Halo after it. It's plugged directly into my Bose mixer and L1 Compact. The Dream 65 is great but I'm considering a Tonnex just for a little more options in sounds.
"Quilter" has been making amps like these for many years way before the others. Many touring guitarist use them as well as studio guitarist.
I've had a Vox AC15, a fender Blues Deluxe, and still have a Marshall Valvestate 65 watt, and a DSL40. But I am in love with my Fender Champion 212, 100 watt digital amp. Sounds great at lower volumes, but has TONS of headroom if I need it.
I was a tube amp snob. I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and love it to bits. But recently I had to gig regularly and travel a lot and the amp is heavy as hell and takes a lot of space. So I bought a Boss GT-1000 Core and I can't be more happy with it. I can put my whole rig on my back attached to my guitar case. I have plenty of amp options, cabs and effects on my disposal in a single small unit. it's just so convenient. It doesn't sound like my tube amp BUT it's pretty damn close that I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.
I tried many/most of the cheaper budget digital amps and I found some I liked; I found most I did not like. I really want to try the Tonemaster Princeton. That appears to be the amp I want and need. At $120 the Fender Champion 20 (they also make the 40 and 100) was perfect the the looks/feels/works like a regular amp. I got rid of it for 2 reasons: solid state amp "pop" when turning off and can't do multiple fx at same time without a pedal board. At $120 the Fender Mustang Micro one of the best modeling amps I've used. Was perfect for what it was. I regret selling it. At $200-500 the Fender Mustang LTs and GTXs: some modeling sounds were awesome, some were sterile and blah. I didn't have the patience to learn it and it was too "fiddly" with the buttons and menus. Same goes for the Boss Katana. The Positive Grid Sparks I don't like amps that you have to rely on your smartphone. I uesd to work for a the company that puts a lowercase i in front of things. I know from years of experience you can run into software no longer being supported in new hardware or new OS. For that reason I didn't want to risk it. Currently playing a 5w tube amp with 3 digital pedals. Works for me. Will one day replace it, the reverb and tremolo pedals with a Tonemater Princeton and keep the delay pedal.
When I was thinking Tube Snobs, I was thinking more along the side of audiophile. I can get really good sounds from the Quad Cortex but the damn thing is so buggy that I don't trust it while playing live and it made me go back to Fractal Axe-Fx III.
Sorry tone is not stupid it’s 1/2 the battle once you already know how to play
If you can’t get good tone out of basically anything… then you need to keep learning
Doesn't Helix let you tweak "bloom"? I have Amplitube and never knew I wanted an AD30 till I got it. I'm fairly novis and Amplitube is like a brilliant demonstration of options in addition to being good renditions of the real thing. OH, and I know it's mics, but with UA DLX you can blend a U47 with a M251 in varying proportions. There are features in opportunities in digital that are just so powerful.
Dylan, And the 'usual man's Kemper'? I've made this question two times but never saw your answer (excuse me if I missed a vid where you answered that). You did extensively use a Kemper and are now saying the Tonex can be comparable. What are your thoughts on the Kemper and why did you stop using it?
I have been thinking about getting the Kraken however my tube amp I purchased the EVH ICONIC because I can go direct out to the board and not have to worry about a cab. 80 watts or not as long as my pedals are connected correctly I will still have my power,tone and true sound with just my Head ..
I trusted full-on Digital the day I got the Spark 40. It genuinely surprised me. Now I record with my Boss ME-90 _(York Bassman IRs that saved the day.)_
Neither truly competes with my Fender SuperSonic 22. But, with my pedalboard below my computer desk, and the Spark in my living room…I’ve got no barriers to setting up.
I got a Cuvave Cube Baby as a free-bee. I really enjoy the cabinet IR's that are in it. The other things it does aren't worth a damn. I use a few pedals in front of it, primarily a Sans Amp Fly Rig, and have gone completely direct because of that cheap little pedal. My back loves me now.
I have Mesa, Vox and Fender tube amps and practice with a Line6 Catylst 100w.
Dear Dylan, Recently i am going to buy an amp. So this video will definately help. I have a multi Effects processor and need an amp with quality sound. Simulation is not important. Pratice amp with high quality sound. 30W would be preferred.
Never tried myself, but I'd like to get your opinion on the Mooer Prime P1. Have you tried it? If not, please consider looking into it.
🍻
Home player in an aparment here. Right now im using a biss GX100 into an orange 35rt (in the return of the loop) and it sounds decent enough at quiet volume.
I don't like headphones very often and prefer to play through an amp.
I also have a toddler and this soulution is easy to put away when im done, just two cables, guitar and the GX. The orange sits under a cover on a dresser so he cant really mess with it.
I have a Blackstar HT5R .5-5W it is awesome
Does it attenuate to even lower wattage ?
Preferring the Helix modeller range (HX Stomp great for cramped stages) over the Tonex but they're all amazing pieces of tech....great time to be a guitarist.
I have a Katana II 12 combo and a Fender Champion 100 and I love them both. I play metal on my Katana and everything else on my Fender. I have been a singer all my life but recently got into guitar at 58 years old. I can't hear any difference other than the speaker on any of it. I'm good with Solid state and it's more convenient. But then I don't know shit right? LOL.
I’ve always been a fender tube amp guy, since my high school days when I worked summer to by a bandmaster… I’m 73 now with hearing loss from playing loud fender tube amps… A year ago I bought a katana mkii ex… It can sound great but I get tired of going down that menu driven search for a tone… A month ago, I bought a church used tone master deluxe reverb in blonde… I’m selling the katana as I’m back in fender land… The thing that makes them great is they sound like what they are supposed to sound like and the digital conveniences, DI output and attenuator are the bees knees…these are great for home use, recording and at 23lbs, an old guy like me can arrive at a gig with guitar in one hand and amp in the other… of course we all know it’s not that simple… But they make it easier to play guitar and they sound great… My deluxe resides at our rehearsal studio and I’m buying a Princeton TM to live at home…
I have ran into similar problems with noise, I'm home hobby player I would love a tube amp, but I don't want the aggravation from the neighbors, I really like the Princeton Tonemaster but it goes for £849 here in the UK not the most cost effective but I love the 6 way power switch attenuator I didn't know it was only 12 watts, but I would love one, right now I have is BOSS Katana Mini Solid State 7 watt little monster, I can take with me , at home it works great , I love the sounds that comes out it, and I'm not getting eggs thrown at our window at night ,
Bang for buck the tone x by far is the best option, but it limits you to do only direct out, no “amp in the room”. I love the fender tonemaster stuff but I feel it is too expensive for what it offers, I would go for a used one. I think tube snobs already have tube amps, if I have an amp that I love and cant play it at volume I would rather buy a load box that can load IRs like the two notes stuff that will make my amp usable in any gig and for home practice or recording.
Tube pre amp is also a option 🤔
Really interesting look at some the good digital amp options. I have to say that without spending a bunch of time with each one, I think any of them can do a great job for musicians at any level. Back in the 1970's, touring up on the Prairies in Canada in midwinter, I got to have a love/hate relationship with certain brands of amps - tube and solid state - from that era. Because I was the guy in the band who knew which end of a soldering iron not to pick up, I spent more than a few breaks doing repairs on gear where the build quality was pretty skanky, or on rented equipment that had been thrashed to death. Much later, I owned some pretty good tube gear, including a double-stack Marshall bass rig. After a neighbor's apartment fire destroyed part of mine in the mid 1990's, I had to say goodbye to the Marshall and some other gear - stuff not destroyed by the fire. A bit later, I was able to buy some "made in U.S.A." Peavy guitar amps - modest size stuff - that served me very well for many things in the post-fire period.
I was incredibly fortunate when a bass player in our union, then about 90, made me a gift of 2 bass cabinets and a really great head. It was a tremendously generous gift, and as much as I'd loved just _having_ a Marshall rig, I can't complain about the sound and tone of the gear I was given to help get back on my feet.
I've bought - and sold - several amps since then, and kept only a couple. I can say, "there are better amps" - probably true - but it sometimes comes down to "2nd best tomorrow." Will it do the job? Do I like the sound(s)? Is it reliable? (and as I've gotten older: how easy is it to take to gigs). My point is, I suppose, that there's no "absolutely right" answer. You've got some new stuff there that I'd love to try out, but cost becomes a real issue, and there are items I have more immediate need of. I've only had a couple of amps that were absolute stinkers - others have gone from "not bad" to "pretty darn good." Sometimes, that's the choice it comes down to.
Anyhow, thank you for posting this overview - all of those you mention are things I'd like to try out myself. I might get lucky and win the lottery, or I might find one at a price I can afford - but only after trying it out. Because that's really what it comes down to: how does it sound, and is it "flexible" enough as far as what it can do. Everyone's needs are a bit different. Possibly the one thing I have learned, post-fire, is that if I find an amp that's "supposed to be good" and after trying it I can't imagine why, Don't Buy It! Save that money for one I do like. Cheers from the Great White North.