I gigged weekly with a Polytone Mini Brute for over a decade. I love it and keep going back to it. Yes, I have a half-dozen great tube amps that sound better --Rivera Solera, Heritage Kenny Burrell, 64 Fender Deluxe, and several others; however, you can't beat the pure tone PLUS lightweight convenience of the Polytone. I also have the Henricksen, but find myself gravitating toward the Polytone. For me, the point is to have a clear and beautiful sound from my amp and yet be able to show up at a gig with a guitar case in one hand and my amp in the other, play my gig, and go home! As always, a huge amount of tone is in how you play the guitar. Best to all!!!
Everybody has a tone preference but if a good guitar player recorded with any one of these we'd just accept that it's his sound because there wouldn't be a frame of reference. They all do what they're supposed to, so the weight/size/features/price/customer support kind of matters the most. I had an AER and like a lot of people it started overheating and since the company won't release schematics to the public I would have had to ship it on my money back and forth 500 miles away for the nearest AER-approved tech to work on it, plus the techs' bench fee just to look at it and parts and labor to repair it if he could. I'll never buy another AER. Polytone is reported as totally unreachable by customers, if they are even still in business. Jazzkat went bankrupt. At least Henriksen is an American company and you only have to pay $70 flat if something goes wrong with it, so that's your best bet of these three right now. Honestly though, you can get a Bugera AC-60 for $250 and it's 90% as good as the AER without the shoulder bag. If 5 of those die on you you'll still be out less money than if you bought one AER Compact 60 and it went the way mine did. It's all about that workhorse gear that keeps working night after night. The fancy boutique, ultra light, proprietary stuff is awesome while it works...
I compared the Henriksen , AER and JazzKat TomKat and bought the TomKat. The tube drive and 2 way tweeter gives it a jazz quality all its own. An acoustic guitar sounds great too.
The Baby Brute sounds good. The Mini Brut II sounds like its broken. A speaker problem. I say that knowing both amps the MBII is broken. The AER works for acoustic guitars with Piezo pickups , not so much for Archtop guitars IMO, folks use it though. I like the AER with the "whizzer tweeter " removed. I use mine for classical guitar a lot. Polytone amps are a secret and guilty pleasure of mine. If you want to get a buzz try running a Polytone with a small tube amp, a little stereo rig or something , You'll get a kick out of it. Fix that MBII and pair it with a Deluxe Reverb. Its a riot.
Allen Watsky the aer60 is used by loads of jazz guitarist, because it's so clean, having a look on TH-cam, Martin Taylor for one. I've used this amp, and I can honestly say it's great for both acoustic and electric for jazz, not so sure about the mini brute, but I'm sure I could all these amps to sound very similar, also the round wound strings sound really bad, I would use flat wound etc, the mic on the camera also fails to pickup the true nature of the speakers and is way to close to the strings.
Really the question - what for? For solo performance you may want a warmer amp. But for playing in the band it will drown in the mix. You should also check Evans - they are super clean, high wattage (300W) and they can play in both contexts - the EQ is super flexible (plus external speaker and XLR out).
These comparisons are odd. There are an almost infinite number of tones- from any amp depending on settings, guitar settings, type of pick and attack. Would be very possible to get the exact opposite sounds from each amp as well.
I agree. When I’m comparing amps I’ll tweak the tone controls of each to get as close to my preferred tone as I can. If he compared them all set to noon, he’s not giving all amps a fair shot. He doesn’t say if he’s done that or not. For solid state guitar amps designed for clean, tonal differences are much more a result of the speaker and cabinet design than the amp itself. The tone controls can dial out some of those differences, but if the frequency response of the speaker/cabinet is bumpy a simple bass/mid/treble eq can only do so much to smooth it out.
Based on what I’m hearing, I think it’s fair to presume the guy doing this demo did essentially try to get to “the same tone” on all these amps. And they all do sound good.
The AER sounded the best, fuller and more rounded sound. The tone would have sounded better on all amps if there was a reduction in brightness. Good video though.
I guess I'd be okay with all of them ... to my ears the Henriksen sound the cleanest and most "acoustic" while the Mini-Brute has the most "character" (in a good way)...
Hi, I know this is an old video but I'll ask anuway. I have a Polytone Mini Brute IV just like the one you are playing through.at :35 My question is this - everytime I flip the on and off switch it makes a Very Loud pop! Can this damage the amp? Also any idea what may cause this. I took the back of mine it is actuall very clean and is from from 11/10/1987. Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide. Shelton, Wa
I gigged weekly with a Polytone Mini Brute for over a decade. I love it and keep going back to it. Yes, I have a half-dozen great tube amps that sound better --Rivera Solera, Heritage Kenny Burrell, 64 Fender Deluxe, and several others; however, you can't beat the pure tone PLUS lightweight convenience of the Polytone. I also have the Henricksen, but find myself gravitating toward the Polytone. For me, the point is to have a clear and beautiful sound from my amp and yet be able to show up at a gig with a guitar case in one hand and my amp in the other, play my gig, and go home! As always, a huge amount of tone is in how you play the guitar. Best to all!!!
Its the AER Alpha 40 for me. Sounds balanced and natural. Thanks for the demo and great playing.
I liked the polytone baby brute the most
Everybody has a tone preference but if a good guitar player recorded with any one of these we'd just accept that it's his sound because there wouldn't be a frame of reference. They all do what they're supposed to, so the weight/size/features/price/customer support kind of matters the most. I had an AER and like a lot of people it started overheating and since the company won't release schematics to the public I would have had to ship it on my money back and forth 500 miles away for the nearest AER-approved tech to work on it, plus the techs' bench fee just to look at it and parts and labor to repair it if he could. I'll never buy another AER. Polytone is reported as totally unreachable by customers, if they are even still in business. Jazzkat went bankrupt. At least Henriksen is an American company and you only have to pay $70 flat if something goes wrong with it, so that's your best bet of these three right now. Honestly though, you can get a Bugera AC-60 for $250 and it's 90% as good as the AER without the shoulder bag. If 5 of those die on you you'll still be out less money than if you bought one AER Compact 60 and it went the way mine did. It's all about that workhorse gear that keeps working night after night. The fancy boutique, ultra light, proprietary stuff is awesome while it works...
The comparison I was looking for. Thanks man !
I have a Mega Brute...
Great sound, small package...
Love it...
Thanks for the clip to compare these fine amps...
Polytone has already gone. Nowhere no new product.What I want is to be able to buy now.
To my ears Henriksen tone has the best compromise between warmth and clarity. Polytones are good too. Aer a bit thin sounding
Really appreciate this demonstration! Thank-you...
Please take a look at the DV MARK "Little Jazz" amp. It is so amazing !
Excellent amp yes, and not expensive at all!
My home practice amp. Picked up used for very low cost. Would like to give the 12” version a go now . I like that it has input and DI out.
I compared the Henriksen , AER and JazzKat TomKat and bought the TomKat. The tube drive and 2 way tweeter gives it a jazz quality all its own. An acoustic guitar sounds great too.
The Baby Brute sounds good. The Mini Brut II sounds like its broken. A speaker problem. I say that knowing both amps the MBII is broken. The AER works for acoustic guitars with Piezo pickups , not so much for Archtop guitars IMO, folks use it though. I like the AER with the "whizzer tweeter " removed. I use mine for classical guitar a lot. Polytone amps are a secret and guilty pleasure of mine. If you want to get a buzz try running a Polytone with a small tube amp, a little stereo rig or something , You'll get a kick out of it. Fix that MBII and pair it with a Deluxe Reverb. Its a riot.
Allen Watsky the aer60 is used by loads of jazz guitarist, because it's so clean, having a look on TH-cam, Martin Taylor for one. I've used this amp, and I can honestly say it's great for both acoustic and electric for jazz, not so sure about the mini brute, but I'm sure I could all these amps to sound very similar, also the round wound strings sound really bad, I would use flat wound etc, the mic on the camera also fails to pickup the true nature of the speakers and is way to close to the strings.
The Baby Brute for sure .. the Henricksen's pick noise/attack was too honest and pronounced.
Yeah, the Hendricksen sounded too bright and edgy.
Really the question - what for? For solo performance you may want a warmer amp. But for playing in the band it will drown in the mix. You should also check Evans - they are super clean, high wattage (300W) and they can play in both contexts - the EQ is super flexible (plus external speaker and XLR out).
The henriksen is possibly the cleanest sounding amp I've ever heard.
Tommy Two-shoes , my cheapest tube amp cost 10x the price I paid for my used Henriksen, when I want to play jazz the Henriksen wins every time.
my Blu Ten for me Is a perfect souns
These comparisons are odd. There are an almost infinite number of tones- from any amp depending on settings, guitar settings, type of pick and attack. Would be very possible to get the exact opposite sounds from each amp as well.
I agree. When I’m comparing amps I’ll tweak the tone controls of each to get as close to my preferred tone as I can. If he compared them all set to noon, he’s not giving all amps a fair shot. He doesn’t say if he’s done that or not. For solid state guitar amps designed for clean, tonal differences are much more a result of the speaker and cabinet design than the amp itself. The tone controls can dial out some of those differences, but if the frequency response of the speaker/cabinet is bumpy a simple bass/mid/treble eq can only do so much to smooth it out.
Based on what I’m hearing, I think it’s fair to presume the guy doing this demo did essentially try to get to “the same tone” on all these amps. And they all do sound good.
LOVE the rich mids in the Baby Brute
I like the AER it has that nice round tone the other amps were too spikey.
Aer for sure! I have a Bugera A60 which sounds good with my Heritage Eagle, but probably not in the same league with the aer or henriksen.
The AER sounded the best, fuller and more rounded sound. The tone would have sounded better on all amps if there was a reduction in brightness. Good video though.
4 of which is more sound bottled?
I guess I'd be okay with all of them ... to my ears the Henriksen sound the cleanest and most "acoustic" while the Mini-Brute has the most "character" (in a good way)...
the baby brute was ok but the aer had better highs
Hi, I know this is an old video but I'll ask anuway. I have a Polytone Mini Brute IV just like the one you are playing through.at :35 My question is this - everytime I flip the on and off switch it makes a Very Loud pop! Can this damage the amp? Also any idea what may cause this. I took the back of mine it is actuall very clean and is from from 11/10/1987. Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide. Shelton, Wa
My Polytone makes the same noise. Not sure why
@@steveprager7862 Thanks for the response. Im 67 and the Polytone is to heavy. I currently have on consignment . lol I do like the sound though.
Cool content, liked and subscribed!👍
The Henriksen has the best balance, by far. The AER's bass frequencies are boomy and unnatural to my ears.
Henriksen for me
I like the Polytone sound over the other two.
Yes nice, but should tell something about the settings of the amps ...
Great songs
Who is the guitarist? and what is the name of the song he is playing?-----please!
I don't know who the guitarist is, but the tune is You Go To My Head.
What's the tune being played? Sounds so familiar!
Is it "You go to my head"?
Yes! Thank you!!
Boy there is a lot of string noise? That guitar seems very bright!
It's probably the way his technique is or how the guitar is set up. Cheers!
roundwound strings most likely
Polytone every time
They all sounded sterile except the poly tone diamond. Quilter would beat all of those.
very nasal midrange ...these amps are able to sound different that in this video. I belongs polytone, aer. The AER is a very good.
Baby Brute
Polytone sounds jazzy
Polytone !!
AER Alpha 40
sadly polytones are no longer being made
AER Alpha 40.
Henriksen
Baby brute - AER - Henrickson - mini brute was not good
baby brute!
AER
3
They all sound lousy to me.
It's the guitarist that makes things sound like SHIT!!!!
I totaly agree. My Roland 60 Cube sounds much rounder. More Ballanced. Polytone amps are totaly overrated and they brake down a lot.