BluGuitar AMP1 100 Watt Guitar Amp explained by Thomas Blug

Thomas Blug is a renowned guitar player and amp designer. Just recently he has started his own brand BluGuitar which will bring instruments to guitar players with the utmost tonal integrity and all of Thomas' experience and knowledge. Featuring BluGuitar AMP1 - 4 Channel 100 Watts Tube Amp Power - all in a very smart travel friendly package with no tonal compromise. Check it out - The new Guitar Amp.
www.bluguitar.com

[@ClamsAnonymous]

I know it's not super relevant, but check out 6:50, where instead of using the whammy bar to dive the strings, he grabs the low E and tugs on it. That is a supremely fucking cool move. Never seen that before.

[@emdblues]

+ClamsAnonymous he's bending the neck.

[@ClamsAnonymous]

nah dude, he has a floating bridge, so tugging on the low e string makes all the other strings go slack. definitely not bending the neck.

[@krelbar]

+ClamsAnonymous I used to do this almost 25 years ago with my old B.C. Rich with gotoh bridge. I stumbled across it because my low E kept getting hung up and going sharp, so I would pull it. I happened to strike some other notes once and noticed the pitch change.

[@mattpanaccio2334]

+ClamsAnonymous gotta love when ppl hate on a sick move.. Wahh you're gonna hurt the neck!! Hahah

[@Dream-Academy]

An old move used by countless guitarists for decades....

[@liamstrauss5477]

Saw Thomas play with this last week in Liverpool, had a chat to him too, great guy great player. All I can say is... BUY one, it`s sounds amazing.

[@ollirokkz7583]

Hallo Thomas, ich habe mir deinen AMP1 gekauft 😊 Und was soll ich sagen... Danke für so einen wahnsinnig tollen AMP! 🤩 Ich bin wirklich hin und weg !!! LG Olli 🤟

[@BluGuitar]

Danke für deine Rückmeldung! Viele Grüße, Thomas

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Ein vielleicht dumme Frage - beim Plexi, welcher Master Regler treibt den Amp 1 denn in die Endstufensättigung wie beim Original? Der Kleine oder der Große?

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

This is an extremely ingenious, versatile, tone packed design that any guitarist can easily find multiple uses for. Incredible ... I NEED one. Thank you for coming up with this design Thomas! I'll be telling everyone I know about it.

[@alguitarchristie]

Hi Thomas, thanks you for you're demonstration, it was because of this video that I decided after years of lugging around heavy amps, today, I have bought the AMP1 :) thanks for you're dedication to an excellent product :)

[@MrPhilbirkhead]

Well I have one now, and it's got to be one of the best amps I've owned. Great sounds versatile. And yet fairly straight forward and easy to use. Love it. Thank you Mr Blug. Great invention. Can't wait for Amp 2, if there ever is one. Cheers.

[@eklogit]

This is the best idea since I started playing guitar. Already ordered one and today I got the answer that it is on its way to me. Yeah!!! Can't wait to rock the shit out of that box. Great work Mr. Blug, seriosly! This will become a milestone.

[@blusky1199]

Purchased my Amp1, Remote 1, Looper Kit and the Nano Cab from Sweetwater. Revisiting these uploads are great. Thanks Thomas !!

[@michaelvonobernitz7092]

Ein Schüler hat mich auf den Amp 1 aufmerksam gemacht, weil ich gerade auf der Suche bin, nach einer tragbaren, gut klingenden Lösung für die Bühne. Ich kann nur Danke sagen, für all die Ideen und Gedanken, die in der kleinen Kiste stecken und den wirklich authentischen Sound. Super Sache !

[@RandyFricke]

Mine is on the way! Thank you Thomas. Brilliant.

[@greasemonkeyguitarshop]

How do you like it?

[@berndkiltz]

Wow. One of the greatest Demos I have ever seen. Normally I would straight away order it - but as I know that EVERYTHING sounds good when you play it, Thomas, I have to check it out at session first ;) If It fits my Guitars nicely, this might be my new liverig. Totally impressed.

[@socalpipedude]

I just picked one up. Best guitar gear purchase I've made in the last 15 years. It's truly a game changer. Well done Thomas!

[@greentracktasmania5659]

Big Wave do you still like it?

[@socalpipedude]

GreenTrack Tasmania I absolutely love it! Money well spent!

[@incitatus634]

Do you still have it?

[@socalpipedude]

@@incitatus634 I dont. I currently have a Fractal Axe-FX III. I do miss it though.

[@p10rambo]

@@socalpipedude do you feel the difference of tube vs digital?

[@placidrenegade]

Looking forward to seeing Thomas next month at my local guitar show

[@Slovy_]

I've been watching all your demos. This is definitely my next amp purchase. The price is more than fair.

[@adrianbatista2291]

Slovacek * so how was it ? I am Planning to buy it

[@CreamFreshCream]

I think it sounds phenomenal! I'm gonna get this amp.

[@officialWWM]

I was wondering how to change channels on the fly, then he showed the foot switch setup options. That's it, Im sold!

[@rockingstar3534]

I love the clean tone without boost @4:50. Very sweet!

[@arjunkaul]

Great work Thomas! Ich bin glad

[@marcelblade]

bought this amp last monday, it,s a little beast, love it.

[@gingataff]

Fuck Fractal and Kemper, I'm getting a BluGuitar AMP1.

[@silcouturecattery2321]

+gingataff Im looking for days for such a solution. This (!!!) shits on all! I'm getting one. That's it.

[@MetalTerrorist]

Sounds awesome. I love it.

[@MarcoWriedt]

Astonishing piece of gear! Thomas is also one of the nicest people I have met in the business! 🎸

[@BluGuitar]

Thank you so much 😊! Greetings 🖖 Thomas

[@dmitrymaloletov4838]

The BluGuitar AMP1 have very good sound and capabilities! Thanks Thomas! Great demo!

[@supernatural758]

simply beautiful..want one

[@hammondsphoto]

This looks like the perfect amp for real-world musicians of all types. Many people get sick of dragging loads of hugely heavy gear just to do a support slot at a small venue - many bands travel in a couple of cars or even public transport rather than a dedicated van and lug all their own stuff. For some gigs shared backline is pretty typical. So with this, you could rock up with a couple of gigbags, plug into a borrowed cab and/or PA and do the gig. It sounds brilliant in the video but to be honest it only has to sound 'good enough' to be useful. I want one.

[@williamolsen20]

I think there are also a lot of guitar snob out there that will not even consider this an option. I would want to try it out because I am curious how it responds to my playing. I have heard A>B tests of solid state and I think solid states sound just fine, but I like the response of an all tube amp. I am not discounting this amp I would just like to personally try it out.

[@LIHPIT]

@@williamolsen20 2 years on must have tried it how was it

[@williamolsen20]

@@LIHPIT Actually not I am lazy. I have just been working on other stuff I guess.

[@monkiemind1596]

Exactly my situation! My friend from Legendary punk band U.K. Subs highly recommends and tours the world with it. 😊

[@wagnernoise]

That is amazing!!

[@snicklefritzthetab8411]

Fantastic playing. Amp sounds awesome!!!!

[@BluGuitar]

Thank you so much 😊

[@officialpoa3171]

*OUT STANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the most exciting gear since the invention of SAW STUDIO AND SAC-SOFTWARE AUDIO CONSOLE* MAN thank you so so so very much for inventing these two pedals and at the price point they come in at my 33-year quest a multitude of different tones in an affordable package and not needing a roadie to carry my gear has finally been answered, and right on time!*

[@BluGuitar]

Just enjoy your “new life” with these…!

[@officialpoa3171]

@@BluGuitar RIGHT ON!

[@stuartanthony6409]

Wow - great stuff - nice tone

[@Mutombo71]

I had the chance to test the amp one last week and was blown away. I used a 4x10Marshall and the 60W Fatcab. I was really impressed by the sound. I own a 79 Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface) and I had the impression of sitting in front of my own amp, when playing the Amp1. I really like it.As I'm playing blues and rock, I only really tested the clean and the vintage channel and they really convinced me.Would there sometime be an update with a smaller version only containing two channels? It would be great to have a smaller and cheaper version where you could choose the channels (e.g. Clean&Vintage or Clean&Modern, ...) That would be a no-brainer for me. Thanks for this great AMP

[@JRP3music]

Nano tube technology finally applied as it should be. I really caught on with the BHG Michael Nielson video. Like the cool add on tech for it as well. Awesome!

[@sabrimejri8277]

definitely getting one of these!

[@bboyzagy]

One can definitely hear Blackmore in some of those notes. Magnificent playing.

[@BluGuitar]

Thank you 🙏 he’s got that unique phrasing that fascinates me...

[@paulsguitarstudio126]

A little late in the day but I just got my Amp1 and Remote1 (review up on Sweetwater "Paul"). Got im HImmel. I love this puppy, just the best sounding and easy to use optimized amp tones ever. I will never go back. As far as Amp2, please do not create more noise in the unit. If anything improve the NR do not add power supply feeds for pedals. For gods sake buy a power supply brick. I find I need to use a 2ndary slight NR on my loop which removes the slight surface amp hiss all real amps have. Mine is dead quiet and without killing the dynamics. Genius accolades to Mr Blug. This is the best sounding real amp you will ever play. What a pleasure to turn on the rig and have my sounds dead on and no constant tweaking. Such a great thing to get away from the whole modeler IR circus back to way better sounding high end pedals. The Amp1 is the deal. I think his design is utterly amazing, sounds better at analog tube emulation on the preamping than Tech21 flagship PSA and that is saying a lot. The future of guitar amps. Bravo

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

Good one!Nice to talk about modern aspects!Good Concept and of cource a good guitarplayer!Thank you!

[@BluGuitar]

Thank you so much!

[@florisgooijer7927]

Sounds fantastic....

[@ententchen]

I love my Amp1. Real tube tone and "amp in the room feel" even with headphones... never got that satisfied even with "state of the art" modellers. Looking forward to the AmpX :) greets from germany

[@ententchen]

​@Steve1963 D Thats the point. The Amp1 sounds absolutely fantastic even on low volumes. The RecOut is the best sounding direct solution I ever heard. I also have the BluBOX (IR Cab sim) which tops that even more. Dream Sounds and I never had the "real Amp" feel when playing top notch modellers. They sound very nice but I never got this special "feel" / dynamics and therefore was never satisfied and tweaked them every day again but never reached my dream sounds. I'm so impressed by this little thing even with headphones you feel like playing a real stack just beside you. Simply amazing

Fantastic. I need one!

[@sirspikey]

nice, I'm impressed!

[@iwo1621]

Das ist mal echt eine feine Sache Thomas.

[@kevinraabe457]

Awesome mate!!

[@BluGuitar]

Thanks Kevin!

[@adamdagosto570]

I would like a more detailed explanation of power soak feature within the Amp1 without the use of Remote1. I understand how the Remote1 controls this feature, but how is the Soak accessed within the Amp1? I imagine its all done internally, but what is it doing?

[@williamking7420]

Amazing video. Amazing player and amazing amp!!! Now since the mini preamp tube is kinda proprietary and hard wired into the circuit board what happens when it fails on a gig? How do you replace it without having to tear the unit down? Might be a bit of a problem????

[@GC-cx6ew]

Iam absolutely floored….literally 10 minutes with this and you would have kick my ass to pry out of my hands…good luck with that! Meanwhile I have Mesa and Marshall gear for sale…..30year player….seems so weird without a head sitting on a cab….oh well I’ll adjust…yeah it’s that good.

[@BluGuitar]

Welcome to the new (more convenient) world…! Tone Innovation - that’s our claim: Tone first!

[@ianryan5727]

Amazing!

[@MauricioConde1]

Thomas great sounding amp and incredible chops. I can't wait to get a Amp1. What kind of pickups do you have on your strat? Are they voice to sound like the original 50s?

[@JudgeFredd]

Sounds very very nice

[@xaviervonbuchwald5243]

Fantastic.

[@pg1171]

Finally! An actual player designs something for the player. Has any player done this since Tom Scholz and the Rockman?

[@jjhuckester]

Just bought one, its a very full blooded amp, great for songs as well as solo widdling. Used in anger, both with a Vintage 30 cab and a Jensen 10" Tornado cab, it sounds massive. Something that really impresses is how I can back off the guitar volume and go through so many great tones as it thins out but doesn't lose focus. All 3 gain channels can do very usable cleans. The side knobs work like a presence effect and the tube squeals come even quicker than through my Carvin Legacy 3

[@KingdomCrum]

I had a Carvin Legacy 3 but it was giving me power issues, so I got rid of it. How does it compare to the Amp 1, now that you've had it for a bit?

[@jjhuckester]

I've gone back to a Carvin Vintage Tube amp, I prefer the break up sound without the Marshall tone

[@_patrikjay_]

Great info Craig ...thanx

[@telesavalas1]

Right up my street. Been gigging with Roland VG 99 into desk for a while, but fancy getting more organic, without carting a tonne weight combo. Can use this straight to PA or take a cab- magic!

[@francisk7305]

NICE SOUND, NICE GUITARIST !

[@fpw2205076]

Hi! Is a great amp with amazing tones! I guess you know either the H & K GM deluxe 40 or the new black spirit 200, according to your opinion and experience, what are the differences and advantages of this Amp 1 or the new Mercury Edition over those (or some of those two) H & K amplifiers?

[@annelies91]

Dear Mr. Blug, I have a question about the footswitches that can be used. If you have a three knob external footswitch would it be possible to switch reverb on and off as well? or would that require a midi footcontroller. Thank you very much.

[@jorgequevedo7582]

Best pedal ever! ♡

[@Sadowsky46]

Thomas ist der Beste! 👍

[@kohtomiyama8721]

Sounds awesome!!! I love this sounding!!!! Works grat! I'd like to buy it I think!!! But I want to MIDI Controller Interface if you make it!!!

[@samuelguymer4358]

I can't wait to see what further developments he makes with nano tubes. Using x2 nano tubes for more output or a bass version.

[@bwtms]

can I use both of the two speaker outputs simultaneously for full stack (2 x 412 cabs)?

[@angelophan]

Is the ending solo bit available for purchase anywhere? Also, does the rec out allow for cabinet emulation to be used?

[@xoonth]

Very nice AMP !!

[@BluGuitar]

Thank you so much 😊! I’m still so happy with it…

[@awesomejohnnet]

Great demo! I have always been a supporter of thomas and his beautiful music and tone. What is the name of the very last song that is being played from 20:00-> 21:02 its a very beautiful composition... I love to obtain a recording of that song.. does anyone know where to purchase that tube?

[@jogiii]

yes please

[@_patrikjay_]

Want one desperately

[@cankutbayhan5952]

is that demo except recording output section had been lined in with a mic or not? i mean aMp1 to console or to cabin and to mic and then to console?

[@Nofarewell]

I ask here as well, how does the AMP1 handle really high gain, can it substitute a Mesa Dual Recto, Peavey 5150, and others in the category?

[@christianpucciarelli]

i tried it and it sound awesome, my only big suggestion is to make dhe cabinet emulation switchable. why? lot of homerecorders like me, like to have a sull tube amp sound (including power amp saturation) and use impulse on their daw to record ;)

[@nwnowarastaghfirullah93]

Weltklasse ....

[@TheZenguitarguy]

It may not sound that way in the space, but listening here it sounds compressed and more solid state then tube?

[@maddle60]

Hallo Thomas, du benutzt in diesem Test keine Box, oder? Ich denke du gehst direkt vom Recording out in deine Tonaufnahme oder über deine BluBox. Klingt geil. Ich teste das Teil demnächst. Gruß aus Freiburg

[@scottmatheson2390]

"I vanted to heff an emp I could pluck in anyverr..." Very cool little unit!

[@gingataff]

But seriously, switchable/disableable cab simulation would be the icing on the cake. I like my cleans through a Jensen or two.

[@salkii62]

gingataff well, that's what the BluBox is for

[@wly5329]

How did you record ryhtms? direct line or mics? no impulse or else ?

[@MrPhilbirkhead]

Hi Thomas, I love your Amp 1, I'm on my second one now. Really great sounds, great versatility. Brilliant design etc. But soon I feel it's possibly time for an Amp 2, a new updated version possibly. Don't know if you've though of it. But basically taking the amp 1 and improving it a little. Some ideas. Maybe adding a built. In tuner?. Or moving the fiddly little side controls to somewhere on top where you can see them with proper decent knobs you can get hold of. Maybe a stereo version would be good? Just ideas. What you've done is fantastic, but I'm sure as with most things there is room to improve it. Ok Thanks Phil. amp 1 user and fan.

[@greentracktasmania5659]

Philip Birkhead noooo! No amp2! i just bought Amp1, I dont want it to be superceeded already, lol.

[@eanroad]

I would recommend Mr. Blug to make an Amp2 that has all the features and functionality of the new H & K Black Spirit 200. Honestly, i think Amp1 sounds better than the H & K Black Spirit 200.

[@francisk7305]

ça sonne !

[@SiggiHauswirth]

When is it available ?

[@officialpoa3171]

*When plugging the AMP-1 into a SWITCHER like the VOODOO LABS GCX, I know that we need to use a PADBOX however - could we benefit from the use of a RE-ACTIVE LOAD, before going into an I.R. For the sake of getting that AUTHENTIC CHUG & WOMP from the a cab IR?*

[@BluGuitar]

Reactive load provides an EQ curve that gets parts of the sound via current feedback of the amp (AMP1). Of course that can improve the tone, you could also use an EQ pedal to do the same…

[@ishta]

Wow! An amp designed by a guitar player ho has paid his dues and some. I want one! Of course being German it probably won't be cheap,

[@paddyhaig101]

Dear Mr Blug, the is a great deal of debate and speculation as to where the 'nano tube', fits into the BluGuitar amp 1, equation? Many people quote you as saying that it's like a 12AX7, pre-amp tube, used in the pre-amp aspect of the BluGuitar amp 1. However I have watched video's of 'yourself' declaring, that the 'nano tube' is actually a 'driver' in the 'power amp' section, working in conjunction with a PVM power amp. Can you please supply a definitive answer to address all the naysayers?

[@stevemartin171]

I am quickly falling in love with this amp. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I thought that an acoustic guitar would sound decent running through it. I play about 50/50 acoustic/electric on stage. Would the BluGuitar do the trick, assuming I had a nice acoustic enhancer pedal (TC Body Rez) in the chain? Any opinions on this are most welcome.

[@Cantstandtherock]

Dont use this for an acoustic. Just use a DI into the console and you will have much better acoustic tone.

[@guitars0]

ive been using the unit for over a year, but when i use it with a 4x12 cab at hi volumes the unit cuts off and on in the clean channel anybody else having a problem with the unit?

[@adrianleiva5884]

Great great great.-

[@gertzpalma]

THANKS!

[@BluGuitar]

You are 🙏 welcome 🙏!

[@NamelessMan666]

This looks like an alternative to my FM3, I guess I'll give it a try this year!

[@BluGuitar]

It definitely is, but would also be amazing as an add-on... use the AMP1 for the base analog amp tones and bolster it with FX from the FM3... we've done that and love it! Although some may consider it overkill ;) By the way, if you like that kind of stuff, we think you'll like our upcoming AMP X... have a look at this: amp-x.bluguitar.com/en/

[@NamelessMan666]

@@BluGuitar Well, for me as a metal guy, there are no FXs needed except a chorus. This box seems to have it all plus the fx loop when the chorus is needed :))

[@JeffKastner]

Got my Amp1 today. Love the distortion but my big complaint is when you roll the volume knob on the guitar down to about a 1, the sound cuts in and out, regardless of the channel. I initially thought it was the reverb phase but turned it all the way down and it still happens. Is this typical? Seems like a pretty big issue for us guys who use the volume knob a lot!

[@realchrisma]

Jeff Kastner it's probably the noise gate activating

[@whitesocktheory]

Huge Tip!! The trick to getting a great tone out of the direct record is to keep a speaker connected. Without one, it sound a lot like my old Johnson J-station which is not bad but not great. When you connect a cab though, it works a lot like the radial JDX "reactive load" and sound fantastic!! That box alone is $200.00 It is hidden in the manual but once I tried it out the difference is quite noticeable. If you notice in the video he keeps the speaker connected when listening to the direct out.

[@whitesocktheory]

Yes they are seperate

[@dorothyemond9264]

Wow!!!!

[@superhuman1377]

Can run my helix through this amp 1 just for fx's

[@weimondo]

this thing sounds awesome! but the marshall head you played thru sounded better imo, more dynamic and open. Amp1 in comparison was darker and slightly more compressed.

[@1Mrsensitive]

I understand you are makeing a new Amp1 for release late 2018, will the new Amp1 have a power soak option. At the moment we have to buy a separate devices to get this function...which is not good

[@coffeewaldo]

Stephen Kennedy do you mean it’s too loud for home use?

[@mariedurand6935]

j'adore votre guitare décorée 👍👀🗼

[@SuperJ333]

Thomas - this sounds great and I'd like to buy one, but unless I'm being a bit thick there seem to be a lot of details missing from the reviews. For example, tube amps need cranking for the best tone, but you can't crank a 100w amp unless you're in a big venue, and certainly not at home, so what's the tone like on this turned down to a whisper - or doesn't it work like a standard tube amp? And again, what about cabs, PA and other non-computerised outputs - a Tiny Terror sounds loud and amazing through a 4x12 and it's only 7 or 15w, so what would you need in the way of speakers? And a nanotube? What's that, how long does it last, and where can you get another one! OK, obviosly I'm not a guitar tech, and any help or advice, in laymans terms, would be greatly appreciated..

[@marviosantos]

+SuperJeremiah333 Yeah, this quite simply cannot be a tube power section, there are limits that physics puts on you, you need huge transformers to support a 100w tube output section, unless there is a box hidden somewhere twice the size of the unit shown, there is no physical way this is an actual tube amp, maybe a tube pre going to an SS power section? Crap, even an SS power section would be too big to fit in that unit, it has got to be a Class D amp in there, kinda like in the Tiny Terror, which is a 400W amp! (bwahahahaha) Also, I crank my various 100/120W amps at home, have a wife and two kids, gigged a ton with them in all sorts of small clubs, Maybe if you are using an original, un-modded Plexi/800, sure, there is no way to make it sound good without going deaf first, but most, if not all, modern 100w tube amp sound just fine in "small gig volume" at around 3-5

[@coffeewaldo]

Marvio Botticelli I’m wondering if it’s like the kemper it can be used at low volumes.

[@Meltingpot1000]

Late to this thread, but I'm wondering about the clean headroom with a drummer in a full band. I haven't seen any comments to address this.

[@BluGuitar]

There’s 100watts tube power. Enough to give you headroom. It’s hard to capture this in a video Studio…;-) you still need a speaker that transforms that power into Volume.

[@mcmSEA]

I did a fly gig last month with the Amp1, and it performed perfectly... great Marshall and clean tones, even some Voxy tones in the Vintage channel with appropriate dialing and guitar. The Nanocab + Amp1 can easily keep up with a hard-hitting drummer! All fits in overhead storage on the plane :). Highly recommended!

[@billrand4138]

just wondering what sort of settings you had for a voxy ish tone?

[@Janine.Najarian]

Ah want it

[@tip3951]

블루기타 연주중에 헤드 뒤쪽에서 연기가 나더라구여 이유가 뭘까여 ?

[@Slovy_]

I've been looking for an American retailer. But if not I'll pay shipping from overseas

[@alienlovesecrets9379]

Zwei Fragen: 1. Ist es tatsächlich so, dass der Vox AC30 keine Berücksichtigung in der Einstellbarkeit des Amp1 gefunden hat - denn die Rede ist ständig nur von Fender, JTM45, JCM800 und Highgain. Das wäre in dieser Kombo verwunderlich wenn das übergangen wäre. 2. Wie groß ist die Soundlücke zwischen den Kanalwechseln? Das könnte live störend sein. Weshalb gibt es diese Lücke bei einem analogen Gerät überhaupt? Danke und Grüße

[@ollirokkz7583]

Es gibt keine "Soundlücke" 😊

[@23skidoo46]

was wondering how's the tone and volume when played through headphones?

[@BluGuitar]

It’s okay. Phones are a tough one… But there’s some reverb, and with some nice headphones it’s okay 👍

[@ManniEifel]

Wir sehen uns im Proberaum in Zülpich am 11 Mai

[@bustanorms2028]

Can it be used with out cabinet speaker? Direct to mixer for live gig?

[@BluGuitar]

Yes, it can! Just use the Recording Out for that :)