Historical Background of how this came together: For over 20 years Joe Satriani has tasked Alan Rosen of Bananas At Large with finding the perfect amplifiers for his needs. Joe and Alan have tried every high-gain amp on the market, many unique boutique brands and models, and even have imported amps from all around the world to try to find that one special amp that does it all for Joe. When Sammy Hagar announced the tour that will pay tribute to the songs of Van Halen with Joe at the helm, Alan knew it was time to custom-build THE amp to fit the VH tones and cover Joe’s needs. He went right to a trusted, long-time friend and ex-Bananas At Large employee… Dylana Scott of 3rd Power. Alan and Dylana spoke at length, reinforcing Alan’s opinion that only Dylana could make what Joe needed. With that Joe, Dylana, and Bananas At Large have come together to create The DRAGON SERIES AMPLIFIERS: A series of amplifiers designed to take the electric guitar to new heights of expression.
Sounds really awesome!!! Like how it can go from pretty articulate plexi/modded plexi style tones, to super compressed sounding, but never sounds weak, or unresponsive.
The Ping Pong delay in perfect time, at the beginning and through out gives this even more thumbs. This is how some of us will play through such a great amp. Don't worry it sounds just a awesome without any effects. Well done Mr. Nielson. 🌩🎸
Satch has a very unique tone , which this amp carries. More of a nasally midrangey, vocally tone. Even though it is a Marshall based tone (Which I love) & it is still very versatile. Needed a little more demo of the clean tones. Thank you.
Mr. Nielson, always enjoy all your amp demos, but I also enjoy your playing and composition as well as the recording. That "Supertele" is pretty cool as well.
Intro song is fantastic, and those features are so unique, the 400hz bump especially, you can tell how shrill that melody/lead tone is without it, I would have never thought that would have been needed, but it clearly is :)
Great amp demo. Bought your songs. Love discovering you. Hope you do more in the future. Live Satch and Eddie and live the couple singles you have out. Can't wait to hear more. Thank you!!!
I can't put my finger on the tone except it reminds me of a mesa rectifier or mark series with tight bottom and great mids. What a beast of an amp. way more character than i was expecting, but i think under your fingers, it shines even more
Joe played this in New York with Steve Vai this year. His pedal board went out, and I was pretty sure he was playing directly through the half stack when his pedal board went out. His amp sounded amazing. Joes live sound is just about perfect
When you started your channel, you seemed to be a producer who played guitar. Taken a while to realize you are a fantastic guitar player who happens to produce. Great playing!
Exactly what a signature amp should be! Beautifully made with amazing tone in collaboration with a signature artist. This amp is next level. All the features and the foot switch alone is amazing. Thank you 3rd power
I can not agree more. That was the sound that could reach the deep parts of my soul - DiMarzio FRED with rich harmonics, DS-1, 6100. Later all those experiments with Peavey and different stuff - the thrill was gone.
Dang it that amp sounds too good! Now I need one! It does totally nail that LWAN tone even dry, I bet once you start messing with effects and EQ's you can get some crazy good sounds out of that thing!
Nice playing. Very nice. It has that rock vibe that makes us smile inside, but it's not just reruns of the same old stock licks we have all played forever. Cool amp. I really like the lead tones, because it seems like they would let you cut loose and legato etc. I prefer the Plexi kerrang for chords though. P.S. I really like Surfing and Flying in a Blue Dream, but my fav Satch album is actually the mid 1990s self titled one that was red. It did not go faster though. It was kind of bluesy. Songs like Moroccan Sunset. I just like vibe of the record, but also the licks he came up with etc. I remember thinking "how the heck does he think up hitting notes like that?". I have still not tried the Satch version of the JVM. I saw an interview of Santiago talking about it. It's quite different to a regular one. I only ever see the vanilla ones here in NZ though. Paradise has its downsides. I make do with a Friedman IR-X, a Freyette Power Station, and my little 50 watt Plexi clone. I picked up a V30 loaded bottom cab for it recently. MF30s. I got the nephew to play AC/DC riffs while I dialed it in. No power station or master volume. The amp slightly boosted running on 10 into two 4x12s. Angus settings from Rig Rundown pretty much. It's something else. I had forgotten what a full stack is like. It's not for the faint of heart and is kind of scary to play, but it does something you just can't get any other way. The notes are so massive and weighty that you could just about walk on them (my frustration with all the volume solutions like load boxes and IRs or modelling is how wimpy and thin the notes can become in comparison to a full stack Plexi kind of thing -- Eddie was right I guess. Volume is tone).
Definitely has that Satch tone to it. Interesting that it was designed to fit the VH tones as it sounds more like Satch tones than VH tones. I think it's that 'fat' sound that you mention.
Thanks so much! If you sign up for newsletter on my site, you can download the mp3 and tabs. Yep, that's a Shabat Lion with a Michael Nielsen spec neck (tele), the bridge is a Lollar high wind Imperial, and the Neck is a Lollar El Rayo (which is not much different than a regular Imperial... maybe a little brighter and more single coily)
Sounds fantastic Michael! Any chance of getting some Kemper profiles and Tonex Captures...perhaps even a THU product... 🙂! Great stuff. I love your work!
THANKS! Here's my album: www.michaelnielsenmusic.com/store Right now, it's only for sale, not streaming. But it includes backing tracks, tabs, demos, lots of stuff in there!
The amp sounds great, very thick and meaty. Pumped to listen to the new album though, you're by far the most underrated player on TH-cam, I always come for the great demo's but your playing has seriously evolved over the years. 💪
Historical Background of how this came together: For over 20 years Joe Satriani has tasked Alan Rosen of Bananas At Large with finding the perfect amplifiers for his needs. Joe and Alan have tried every high-gain amp on the market, many unique boutique brands and models, and even have imported amps from all around the world to try to find that one special amp that does it all for Joe. When Sammy Hagar announced the tour that will pay tribute to the songs of Van Halen with Joe at the helm, Alan knew it was time to custom-build THE amp to fit the VH tones and cover Joe’s needs. He went right to a trusted, long-time friend and ex-Bananas At Large employee… Dylana Scott of 3rd Power. Alan and Dylana spoke at length, reinforcing Alan’s opinion that only Dylana could make what Joe needed. With that Joe, Dylana, and Bananas At Large have come together to create The DRAGON SERIES AMPLIFIERS: A series of amplifiers designed to take the electric guitar to new heights of expression.
I want to thank Alan at Bananas for the confidence, support and partnership and of course, Joe for the opportunity!
@@3rdpoweramps No one better! Love how things come full circle!
The amp doesn't even tickle what the JSX or the JVM410HJS can do.
@@n0nyabznss Nope it fully blows them away and doesnt fail on tour! 🤪
Any chance there will be a combo version of this amp?@@3rdpoweramps
This is the first instrumental guitar song of last 10 years that I really enjoy
Oh wow!!! THANK YOU! 🙏☺️
Everything I’ve heard from this amp has been amazing. It addresses just about every concern I’ve had about Plexi style circuits. Well done 3rd Power!
I missed this type of juicy hard rock guitar. Fantastic work.
The solo in the intro song is fantastic.
The tone is very sharp, cutts my ears in half! Great!
Great song Michael! And great tone from the Dragon
9:18 holy moly! Nailed that sound! Great video Mike!
Truly killer tone!!
Love your playing as always!!! The amp sounds great!!!
Good lord this sounds amazing!!!
Sounds really awesome!!! Like how it can go from pretty articulate plexi/modded plexi style tones, to super compressed sounding, but never sounds weak, or unresponsive.
Love the tone. Reminds me of my BE100 with the SAT and FAT switches on but with a different midrange. It’s cool! I think aI might get one.
Sound phenomenal... great playing as always Man!!!
Thanks a lot! :)
The Ping Pong delay in perfect time, at the beginning and through out gives this even more thumbs. This is how some of us will play through such a great amp. Don't worry it sounds just a awesome without any effects. Well done Mr. Nielson. 🌩🎸
I think that may my favorite gain sound I’ve ever heard in 40 years of listening and playing.
Wow, sounds great! Great playing too Mike!
I always come away from Michael’s videos impressed at how good those Shabat Guitars sound.
Satch has a very unique tone , which this amp carries. More of a nasally midrangey, vocally tone. Even though it is a Marshall based tone (Which I love) & it is still very versatile. Needed a little more demo of the clean tones. Thank you.
This got to
Be the best sounding amp Sateriani ever had!
Mr. Nielson, always enjoy all your amp demos, but I also enjoy your playing and composition as well as the recording. That "Supertele" is pretty cool as well.
Love the playing and the tones, Michael!
Intro song is fantastic, and those features are so unique, the 400hz bump especially, you can tell how shrill that melody/lead tone is without it, I would have never thought that would have been needed, but it clearly is :)
Great demo!
You are too kind! Thanks so much!
Michael Nielsen I tuned to your channel to check out the Dragon and discovered a good guitarist with some tasty licks. I’m subscribed.
"I don't feel Tardy". LOVE IT! 🤣
My friends, this is why it's so important to playing/creating a mix/composition. What a intro jam joint Michael, that was pure 🔥great .
Gonna age myself. I had “Live without a net” on Betamax. This amp sounds insanely good.
So did I. Ha ha...
@@tawny624 nice!! It’s a classic.
I have the VHS tape about 5 feet from me as I type this. Count for anything? Lol.
That amp sounds insanely great. Of course it wouldn't be without your great playing. Thanks for then review.
Love the shirt!!!
What a good tone, how well you always play!💯
Incredible sounding as usual!
Its crunchy but so smooth at the same time.! Just a sublime distortion to it.❤
Sounds amazing
That intro was da bomb!
Groovy song. Downloaded it. The tones and playing are bussin, ✌️👌🎸😎
Dude, extremely awesome playing in the beginning! I can tell this amp can be used for heavier styles, too. Really wanna try one of these!!
Congrats on the release @3rdpoweramps !!! Sounds amazing as always!
Thanks Jeff!
@@3rdpowerampskitchen sink is a goated amp
Crisp and harmonic.
Great review bro. Subscribed !
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
Wonderful as always Michael. Thank you!
Awesome Mike ! 💥💥💥💥💥👊🏻
Holy crap that sounds good !!
Loved the intro, excellent chops
Great amp demo. Bought your songs. Love discovering you. Hope you do more in the future. Live Satch and Eddie and live the couple singles you have out. Can't wait to hear more. Thank you!!!
Sounds awesome!
Sounds amazing! ❤
This amp is different from all the others I've heard, and it is the best sounding as well. I'm still a Hiwatt guy, but this amp kicks ass.
Sounds like my old Crate Blue Voodoo. Cool stuff
That is one awesome sounding amp!!!
Great work Mike
The only guy who can do it justice. Great demo Michael!!
Deeeewd, your playing and these tracks & especially the solo RIPZ! Whoa!!! Tone is ok 2!
I can't put my finger on the tone except it reminds me of a mesa rectifier or mark series with tight bottom and great mids. What a beast of an amp. way more character than i was expecting, but i think under your fingers, it shines even more
Joe played this in New York with Steve Vai this year. His pedal board went out, and I was pretty sure he was playing directly through the half stack when his pedal board went out. His amp sounded amazing. Joes live sound is just about perfect
I was there and can confirm, Joe’s tone was AMAZING
@@BenEller next time one of my favorite guitar TH-camrs is in Manhattan we need to do shots :-)
really great sounding amp and very cool ideas and design .... and your playing, man i love your phrasing and ideas ...
Sick Intro! Awesome amp and video!
When you started your channel, you seemed to be a producer who played guitar. Taken a while to realize you are a fantastic guitar player who happens to produce. Great playing!
Thanks man! That's really nice of you to say!
Fantastic intro track 😎👌🤘 amp sounds killer 🔥🔥🔥😊
I want one… those sounds are fantastic
little summer song thrown in at the end. nice.
Such a great album!!! 🤘
HOLY ****. that sounds amazing 😍
Sounds so awesome!!
This is the best thing satch hasn’t recorded for 15 years, Stella tone and Melodie’s
Love the amp!!!! Love the Tee!!!!!!
Nashville!! Home town advantage!
Damn I love that tone
Bringing the heat Mike!
Exactly what a signature amp should be! Beautifully made with amazing tone in collaboration with a signature artist. This amp is next level. All the features and the foot switch alone is amazing. Thank you 3rd power
First saw those on his tour with Vai and i had to do some research, thanks for sharing this.
Joe's best sounds are from 90's - Extremist, Time Machine and Crystal Planet. Clean amp platform and modded Boss DS-1. 😅
Marshall 6100 on the clean channel dialed to edge of break up and pushed with a DS-1.
Yes... my favorite recorded tones too
I can not agree more. That was the sound that could reach the deep parts of my soul - DiMarzio FRED with rich harmonics, DS-1, 6100. Later all those experiments with Peavey and different stuff - the thrill was gone.
Exactly. 💯
Agree.
Outstanding ❤
Sounds incredible…thank you.
Crazy good sounding! And That guitar sounds killer! I love the Freq stuff.The EQ is so responsive! It's a delicious Rock machine!
Nice sounding amp, nice playing too.
Phenomenal!
We need a whole album!
Wow! 😮 I want it!
Sweet!
Dang it that amp sounds too good! Now I need one! It does totally nail that LWAN tone even dry, I bet once you start messing with effects and EQ's you can get some crazy good sounds out of that thing!
Unrelated but how about a tour of your new studio space? I'd love to see what that all looks like. Oh, and that lick at 2:12? Damn that's tasty.
Nice playing. Very nice. It has that rock vibe that makes us smile inside, but it's not just reruns of the same old stock licks we have all played forever.
Cool amp. I really like the lead tones, because it seems like they would let you cut loose and legato etc. I prefer the Plexi kerrang for chords though.
P.S. I really like Surfing and Flying in a Blue Dream, but my fav Satch album is actually the mid 1990s self titled one that was red. It did not go faster though. It was kind of bluesy. Songs like Moroccan Sunset. I just like vibe of the record, but also the licks he came up with etc. I remember thinking "how the heck does he think up hitting notes like that?".
I have still not tried the Satch version of the JVM. I saw an interview of Santiago talking about it. It's quite different to a regular one. I only ever see the vanilla ones here in NZ though. Paradise has its downsides.
I make do with a Friedman IR-X, a Freyette Power Station, and my little 50 watt Plexi clone. I picked up a V30 loaded bottom cab for it recently. MF30s. I got the nephew to play AC/DC riffs while I dialed it in. No power station or master volume. The amp slightly boosted running on 10 into two 4x12s. Angus settings from Rig Rundown pretty much. It's something else.
I had forgotten what a full stack is like. It's not for the faint of heart and is kind of scary to play, but it does something you just can't get any other way. The notes are so massive and weighty that you could just about walk on them (my frustration with all the volume solutions like load boxes and IRs or modelling is how wimpy and thin the notes can become in comparison to a full stack Plexi kind of thing -- Eddie was right I guess. Volume is tone).
Yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaah!!!!!
3rd Power make excellent amps.
Definitely has that Satch tone to it. Interesting that it was designed to fit the VH tones as it sounds more like Satch tones than VH tones. I think it's that 'fat' sound that you mention.
First albums had a 5051 on them...
Sweet!!!!
Sound very cool👍🤘🔥
Great sounding amp. So many options. I assume the lower wattage amps will be more simplified.
Love that tune!!!
The intro piece was brilliant man, is that a Lollar set you got on the tele? That sounds fantastic as well.
Thanks so much! If you sign up for newsletter on my site, you can download the mp3 and tabs. Yep, that's a Shabat Lion with a Michael Nielsen spec neck (tele), the bridge is a Lollar high wind Imperial, and the Neck is a Lollar El Rayo (which is not much different than a regular Imperial... maybe a little brighter and more single coily)
Love. That. Shirt. Want the amp too but that shirt....
Sounds fantastic Michael! Any chance of getting some Kemper profiles and Tonex Captures...perhaps even a THU product... 🙂! Great stuff. I love your work!
Where is your album Michael !!! Bioy, sounds massive..
THANKS! Here's my album: www.michaelnielsenmusic.com/store
Right now, it's only for sale, not streaming. But it includes backing tracks, tabs, demos, lots of stuff in there!
The amp sounds great, very thick and meaty. Pumped to listen to the new album though, you're by far the most underrated player on TH-cam, I always come for the great demo's but your playing has seriously evolved over the years. 💪
I’ve watched Too many of your videos, afraid I’m gonna start making that same guitar playing face
Crazy amp! Also, your original track is pretty smoking as well!
Super need ❤ sound amazing 🎉🎉🎉
The amp is cool but I want that T-shirt! You've been hitting it out of the park with your playing Michael, not bad for a Dodger fan. ;-P
I remember seeing video of the rehearsals and was really curious if he did switch to 3rd Power. This is confirmation.
I think it's cool that he took that extra step to dial in his tones for this tour. Pretty cool if you ask me. Big respect to Joe.
I recommend listening to this song at 2x speed! Sounds killer!
I love this sound. Will it be profiled for the Kemper ?
Seems pretty cool. Wondering how it compares to the Headfirst Alta MkII or even a Friedman, wish I could get all those heads in a room and try them