Guitarist Tone Lounge: Boss Nextone Stage & Artist combos

Nev Marten and Richard Barrett put the new Boss Nextone amps through their paces. With all-analogue power amps that replicate the performance of classic valve types from EL34 to 6L6, Boss says the Nextone amps put a host of classic tones at your fingertips in a lightweight, reliable combo with bags of deep editing possibilities via an accompanying app. We find up if they live up to the fanfare.

[@jeffmakor7135]

These two chaps are refreshing. Both are long time journalists and excellent musicians just going through the various choices of the Boss amps. I'm so sick of reviewers fancying themselves as witty and just blast through high gain riffs as if to say how proficient they are. Also, and very watchable, is the lack of hard sell and absence of bs from Neville and Richard. I imagine their conversation here is pretty much the same as I would have with other guitarists sat in front of, and curious about the Boss tone generators. Bravo.

[@stevesteve1965]

Love 'Tone Lounge' such a laid back approach to gear reviews with the added bonus of hearing you both play together giving a true idea of how the gear sounds in reality rather than just just a guy blasting out whatever. Keep it simple chaps,it works! Great👍

[@seniorjuanvaldez]

Probably the best review of these amps on you tube! Very thorough! Thank you gentlemen!

[@richardbrown9069]

Love these two gents wish they did more vids Dickie n Nev are awesome 👍👍👍👍🍻🍻🍻

[@jimcairns1633]

You just can’t beat professionalism and experience. Fantastic review as usual.

[@bsptree99]

Great review guys! Best I've seen on KZbin so far.

[@dpgoguen]

The best demonstration and review on the Boss Nextone I've seen and heard. Thank you!

Yes!!! Tone Lounge! My favorite series of Yours.

[@carlweiderick]

Amazing amps! Gonna half to get one. You guys are great! I love the way you do you presentations.

[@mannyfragoza9652]

wow Boss really hit it out of the park with these Nextone amps.. they sound amazing

[@dizzyguy7423]

and i really prefer how they look to the katanas, more classic

[@JohnW335andTele]

Yes! Thanks, I’ve been waiting for this one from you guys!!

[@Gjuby]

What a mastership in playing and thorough knowledge of the subject. The sounds you get from these amps just make my want to buy a Nextone. I happen to have played one in a shop with a Vintera strat and I immediately got my favourite clean Mark Knopfler type of sound. Also, I appreciate the controls are totally simple and non digitally operated. I don't understand the criticism at all. I used to have a Blues Junior, a Vox night train and a Marshall origin and they were all trouble: failing tubes, too loud for home practice, heavy to lug around....I am done with tube amps.

[@csharpminorseven]

I have a Celestion G-12H which I had in a cab instead of the Boss G12 which IMHO gives a good improvement on what is an already really good amp. Very good review Guitarist guys - thanks a bunch: if I didn't have one already I'd buy one, and your comments Nev on the Artist for backline gigs and the Stage for everything else holds true, making choosing a bit easier too.

[@timaddison707]

That song that kicks in at 08:40 is gorgeous. Lovely playing chaps.

[@jameshalligan69]

I've been researching amps for the last few weeks since inheriting my Dad's Gibson Les Paul Standard in Cherry Burst. One minute I'm looking at the Marshall Ori20C, the Laney LT20 12, Vox ac15. After watching your video I think my heart is set on the 40 w. Thanks guys. It's been over 25 years since playing but hoping to pick it up again, hopefully the Les Paul will sound great once I get my head around the settings.

[@MDK2323]

Beautiful tone gents! Great demo as well, thanks!!

[@mattgilbert7347]

This is wonderful. Thanks, gents. British chaps ending up on EL34s? I am shocked! ;) Best, no-nonsense review on YT of these amps. If I start playing again I may get the Nextone Stage 40w to cover most of the bases.

[@JS-nf1sn]

These guys are the kings of class. Always great videos.

[@rollinover]

Great, but I really enjoyed the intro and outro songs the most. Could listen to that all day!

[@paulwatson9217]

Ok I’m 3 years late on this one but great demo guys, and yes even though I’ve got the mk2 Katana Artist I went out and bought the Nextone Artist because of this demo. Thanks guys

[@leonthompson8988]

Love the tasteful playing

[@gcvrsa]

If I were a young guitarist looking for my first amp, or an older guitarist looking to get back into playing after years away from it, I would seriously consider these combos. We've finally entered the age of solid-state amps that can properly stand up with tube amps. The only reason I'm not buying one is because I already have a Mesa/Boogie that doesn't need replacing.

[@8sigreg]

Gemma Seymour They’re very useful for a guitarist who has great amps but wants something easy to grab and go, or for times when they don’t want to risk beating up more expensive amps. I have several boutique amps but got a Stage to throw in the back of the car for extended trips. It’s a very impressive amp, fun, and very flexible especially with the v2 update to the system and editor.

[@cmharris67]

I got rid of a tube amp worth twice as much for this one. Dropped a Celestion Neo Creamback in it, and love it. Great tone. Super light. I'd recommend it to anyone playing small clubs.

[@TheEchelon]

First amp for a young guitarist? The smaller one of the two already costs $600+. What if he/she stops with playing guitar? It happens a lot. Also kids can't afford, nor need something like this to start out. Katana 50 is much better suited as a first amp. Very affordable and versatile with all the built-in effects and settings. Beginners still need to learn about different effects, tones and what type of music they like to play. After they're more experienced, they can go search for what they like specifically.

[@Rabidswatchief88]

The Echelon, I think this amp is perfect for intermediate guitar players. Those who have gotten past the begging hurtles and decided this is something they will probably do for the rest of their lives, and need an upgrade over their cheap, beginner amp.

[@paulwatson9217]

@@cmharris67 Have you got the Artist or Stage? You didn’t say and if it is the Stage dose it keep up with the drummer? I’m happy to buy the NEO Creamback and which ever amp 40w or 80w But my point is if these amps are performing like their valve counterparts then 40w should be more than enough for me.

[@petkopeet]

That intro always gets me :)

[@johnrichardson1796]

Great demo , this is how guitar amp demo's should be done .

[@merryromero4875]

Great duo!!! The best

[@simply3141592654]

So much better than the Fender Mustang, Marshall Code or VOX modeling amps. I like it better than the Katana too. More vintage than Katana

[@basilclay6363]

Was thinking of getting a Blackstar HT-5, might have to try one of these first though. Excellent review, ta.

[@vertigofall]

What more do you want from a demo!? Bravo!

[@joshhicks8572]

These sound amazing especially that tele shhheeewwww

[@cheshiergrin]

Great review, and great playing. I am planning on buying the stage model in the next month or so. I played them at music stores a few times and am very impressed. It seems to me the critics of the amp don't get what it's intended to do. It has 4 vintage amp circuits built in, not models of them. To me that is very cool. Also if metal tone is what you want buy a Katana. I have played amps of all types over the last 40 years and will still play my tube amps when I get the chance. But I play my Roland 504 or my cube when I practice or jam at lower volume, so I am a fan of Roland / Boss products. And this Nextone is calling to me.

[@adrianmorris9743]

The GAFC footswitch has a couple of exp pedal inputs: one for a volume pedal and one for a tap tempo pedal - so you CAN have it all. Best Nextone review I have seen - made me buy mine. Thanks guys.

[@henryb160]

But unfortunately it doesn't come with a footswitch (if it ever did) as stated at the start of this review. An added expense.

[@gbaren]

Nice demo...Lusting after those Knaggs guitars :)

[@Blues-man.]

You guys are top hat !

[@doomliger]

love the non-sales pitch of these fine gentleman. Love the conclusion. - the amps just work as they should.

[@simply3141592654]

This video sold me on this amp. Great amp. I like it better than my Katana. Great for home too

[@henryb160]

Which one did you get and do you still have it.

[@Nikoo033]

Richard is such a tasty player. Loved the video.

[@fernandes5986]

They play great and all that stuff, but what about an A/B with comparison lets say a Marshall Bluesbreaker amp?

[@Nikoo033]

jorge fernandes there is a really good review comparing the nextone to other amps (watch with good speakers or headphones), kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYK9gJiOfadrd7M

[@DMSProduktions]

@@Nikoo033 Next one?

[@addicted2tone349]

I'm really thinking of having a go at one of these amps but that Knaggs is a beautiful instrument!

[@j.rozman7016]

Knaggs rocks!! ;)

[@richardmurrell]

Tasteful playing gents!

[@gcvrsa]

These amps make me wonder if Boss could stuff the electronics into a 500-series pedal enclosure or two. One preamp, one power amp.

[@bulenterdem1977]

After watching this video, I think they sound like a tube amp both clean and overdriven. Organic, dynamic and touch sensitive.

[@1willywonker]

great playin

[@Gusrikh1]

Very, very interesting..

[@germanstelmakhovich2069]

That jam starting at 8:40 blew my mind

[@katylied8]

In Custom mode you can use the very good tremolo instead of delay and use you fav analog unit etc in the loop. You can also with the tone studio select different boosts such as treble boost or comp plus different input gains and series or parallel fx loop etc.Maybe different types of delay and reverb too.

[@8sigreg]

Anto Drennan guitar There are three types of delay, and three types of reverb. The v2 update added a number of new presets and extended the editing capabilities.

[@kentbernard9842]

Is that the GA-FC controller? The GA-FC does have a tap tempo switch on it. The tester GA-FC has a tone button that is not on any other GA-FC. The Nextone and Katana Artist are wonderful. I loved my Katana 100 and now I love my Katana Artist even more.

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

GUITARIST- Very nice to see MEN reviewing this Boss amplifier. Not boys. Or Gen Xers. Experienced guitar players. Thank you. And it was nice to see 2 players relating to each other with guitars.

[@simply3141592654]

GenXers are in their 40s and fifties as of 2021

[@MaPa60]

Can you use the fx return as a power amp going into a speaker, like on a tube amp?

[@MegaJackpot180]

great vid guys hey Nev you still got that Relic nocaster?

[@nickg2431]

The reviews are very detailed ,relaxed and of excellent quality and playing. I watch "hang jawed" at some other reviews as someone somewhere plays something that sounds like its played through a foam rubber mattress and then declares "its the best tone ever!" or bashes away at chords and buzzy riffs through a 4k boutique amp....

[@bikersoncall]

4:21 Sounds magical, but did you go into laptop editing tweaks, for this or is it just the amp , stock, and why are you not showing us the settings for this tone, is this proprietary ?If you can adjust the boost , unlimited, that's great, but not so great if it's just that little 'touch' of whatever. 9:53 Sounds great, the clean lead sound, why no settings?

[@Prajnana]

Great review of these amps, best I've come across on KZbin as of 1/28/20. Two questions: 1. Is there no difference in tone between the Nextone Stage and Artist? 2. Do these essentially replace the older Blues Cube Stage and Artist or do the BC amps. continue offer their own unique benefits?

[@fastacesus8499]

No these do not replace the Blues Cubes. I own both Nextone and Blues Cube Artist. The Blues Cubes still have more amp like feel and better quality build. Here is an example of how they differ. BCA channel volumes create preamp distortion, master volume add power amp distortion. Nextone channel volumes are just that volume, master volume adds power amp distortion and that is where the magic is. Most people are put off by the BCA because its tweed, the Nextone Offers a range of tones from Blackface to Marshall. All sound good at the cost of the quality of tone and amp like experience.

[@steveburrows1679]

Sounds nice in isolation. Back to back with Nev & Rich demoing the Blues Cube Artist it's night and day, The Blues Cube Artist sounds much more pleasing to my ear - which I guess it should at 30% more £££ than the Nextone Artist. Still, nice amps.

[@jonloomis]

Great demo--what mics are those?

[@PixieintheMainframe]

So is it a solid state amp made to act as a platform for pedals? (In a nutshell)

[@8sigreg]

It’s designed to work with what input you give it. I don’t use pedals and it sounds very good cranked up and used like a Tweed Bassman or JTM45. It does a good imitation of the preamp and power-amp tubes saturation and sag. It’s a fun little amp.

[@gilouch8975]

Do they sound different to your ears? I don't need 80w but if the bigger cab makes it sound better I might throw some extra $$$ ... ?

[@kkk-vu3kt]

What tele model is this? Sounds so good and looks beautiful.

[@nevillemarten1697]

Hello. It's a Custom Shop 52 Relic. Love it. Thanks!!

[@kkk-vu3kt]

Neville Marten Thanks for the information!!! You’re a great artist!!!

[@danialollis9200]

Ok gents, the Nextone Artist or the Blues Cube Artist, which one would you choose for yourself between the two, and why?

[@maxflinter6896]

No answer here? Am interested in this matter as well...actually I think the BCA sounds better but is not as flexible as the NA.

[@fastacesus8499]

Late to the party but the blues cube is a step up. But yes very much less versatile.

[@joshhicks8572]

Do they come with the footswitches?? I’m pretty sure you have to buy them separate

[@rockyoutcrop100]

Seperate purchae

[@steventhomas231]

Would this be any better than the blackstar silverline 20w?

[@gilouch8975]

o tonemaster or boss nextone or kemper or helix ???

[@andrewwheelerguitar]

Oh don’t you worry. The smaller size is plenty, plenty big enough for most any pub gig, un-mic’d.

[@reviewforthetube6485]

Almost there but still not a real tube tone I'm sry but it is very good loved the tone at14:15

[@ew6629]

I realize this amp has more options (tube types and delay) but how does the tone compare to the Roland Blues Cube Artist and Stage?

[@richardmurrell]

Exactly what I’d like to know...

[@ianbarcelos]

I guess this one is the next generation of the Blues Cube. Blues Cube has only one option, this one has 4. Just my two cents.

[@fastacesus8499]

I own both. The blues cube has a more organic feel. Going from kat to Nextone to BCA you notice the difference. People slag the BCA for its tone, however tone is not amp feel. The Nextone has more versatility than the BCA which is why I bought one. The Kat is a really good amp but after a while its starts to feel a little sterile.

[@ew6629]

@Jay Knudson I actually ended up getting the BC Artist 1x12 80 watt version and happy with the tone so I bet the 212 is excellent as well.

[@henryb160]

If only Boss had made the Katana to look like these I''d have one in every room. Instead they produced a real dog; albeit one that barks ever so well!

[@larryroybal6946]

How do I switch from delay to tremolo and back to delay.

[@hikinguphigh]

Any chance of selling the tone lounge vinyl. My misses really wants one in the living room....... honestly 😁

[@guitarist]

hikinguphigh nice idea!

[@DMSProduktions]

Missus!

[@Fox-86]

It sounds interesting but my only issue with it, and a big one, is that going through the gear page nextone thread you read about users saying there's a very noticeable delay when switching between valve simulations. Sounds like a total deal breaker if that's the case. How are you supposed to smoothly transition between a clean and a dirty sound within a song?

[@DMSProduktions]

Um just stick to the 1 output emulation. You DO have clean and o/d for each type!

[@Fox-86]

@@DMSProduktions thanks for your answer

[@fruscianteisgod1985]

I've only heard of that happening when you use the custom mode and you have two different power amps selected eg clean on 6v6 and lead on el34.

[@8sigreg]

The delay that occurs between adjusting the tube type or power is very short, and would be easily obscured in a band setting live, but you probably wouldn’t want to bother as the amp sounds good in all the tube types and changing the power could be done as easily as tweaking any of the other knobs. Switching from clean to lead is fast.

[@KM-302]

I sold my katana 100 212 combo for that reason only. Loved the amp and gigged it for a few months but the latency on the gafc switching between channels was way too long and it really annoyed me even at gig volume. I would have happily kept it had it not been for that.

[@Fox-86]

2nd in hooray 😀😆

[@soundknight]

First loser

[@timstudio1]

There's not enough reverb can you please turn it up I can't hear it.

[@draper858]

Is this a tube circuit or modeling software?

[@Newnodrogbob]

They call it tubelogic. It’s a circuit, not modeling, but it is solid state. There is some digital happening, though. If I remember correctly the effects are digital, and there’s some kind of control of the analog circuits which is happening digitally too. I hope that helps...

[@simply3141592654]

Analog

[@TopoIl12]

Name of the song in the beginning?

[@brunovskymichal]

Rakety jak pizza - frayer

[@mailvilla]

12/22/2019. Hello Tone Lounge Guitarist, I have heard people be worried it started fizzing and farting with high gain high volume chords. Is that true? All replies from viewers also welcome.

[@slg9095]

Would have liked to hear more high gain sounds to see if the 80w especially is up to playing metal. My impression is that they're probably not suited for that.

[@RickMcCargar]

Amp on the left...apparently he couldn't see he always had that far left (delay?) foot-switch button turned on.

[@30smsuperstrat]

Sounded like Chris Spelling not Spedding 😆

[@soundknight]

Power tubes aren't 'this side of the pond and that side of the pond' that's ridiculous, it's the complete vintage amps themselves that made the sonic difference.

[@richardbarrettguitar1228]

Brian Cullen I think you’ll find that (rightly or wrongly) many people - including some manufacturers- refer to the differences between valves’ different tonal colours in this way, so technically incorrect perhaps, but as a commonly used descriptive language not ridiculous really...

[@nevillemarten1697]

@@richardbarrettguitar1228 Definitely, old chap - EL34s UK side, 6L6s US side. EL84s UK side, 6V6s US side. Of course it's not gospel but everyone knows what we mean.

[@WarrenPostma]

Lack of tap tempo would mean I won't buy this rig. Tap tempo is essential on a footswitch. Having it switch in/out the effects loop is silly.

[@owlytimbre9103]

Digital still can't get the attack, the weighty twang of it. It doesn't grab in the same way.

[@giabgr]

Pretty sure they don't come with footswitches!

[@basilclay6363]

They don't.

[@noprob250]

KZbin Tipp #1 You should first upload your videos, check if everything is okay and then release it with one click to the public. In this way it is immediately availible in HD

[@Tolbiny]

I think the Katana Artist probably sounds better. Real shame Boss don't include the foot switch with that.

[@trueworld3857]

80watts isn't double the power of the 40watts in real world volume.remember it logarithmic. So double the power of the 40w would be a 400w amp.Gteat vid I am going to buy the Nextone artist.I am not uninterested in the modelling of the katanas

[@colinmortimore218]

80w is double the power of 40w. Just not twice as loud.

[@edtweed5e4-a]

Check out ToneTwinsTV

[@bikersoncall]

3:11 to 3:28 This wasn't clear at all, they sounded about the same, at first , you played soft, then when you hit the lead chnl, you attacked the snot out of the strings, then later around 3:25 or so I could hear no difference, so if you need a boost for a lead, this is surely not the answer. When you need to boost for a lead, you need a 20% gain at the very least, in a band setting.

[@markjones2349]

Modeling distortion still sounds like shit no matter what they call it.

[@hifrets]

Is it me or...cant hear any harmonics ...like a dead sounding amp.

[@sugarlife485]

its u

[@gnatiu]

No offense to these Gentlemen but: 32:59 - "The tones are convincing and NATURAL" - I don't understand this. The sound of a voice is natural, the string of a violin of all acoustic instruments are natural. Because you don't put anything between them, you hear just material made of wood, no coils, no cable, no nothing. The sound of fingers knocking on wood is natural. When you fart - that is a natural noise, sound. Why is the sound of a tube natural? And if it is, why then is the sound of transistors not natural??? Because it does not sound like a tube? Use a 100 Watts instead of 20 - and you have the same amount of air in motion but still half as much or less to carry around. You don't need to change the bloody tubes, you don't need an amptech for biasing, you don't have to wait for the damn tubes to acclimate to the place you got in from the cold, and so on and on and on. A tube is the predecessor of a transistor, it's for amplification and due to its flaws it produces a not natural sound that most players like. Because the grew up with it or they grew up with all those myths. But they use transistor driven pedals in front of their very expensive (idiotically expensive) boutique amps. Why does it have to be natural? What is natural? Should Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode go home then? Why playing an electric guitar then? If it sounds good, it's good. Should women not wear any make up anymore, blablabla. I will swap my greenboard made in USA-Blues Junior with a Strymon Iridium on wednesday. Or I'll resign from that, sell it for good money to somebody (there are some dumbies out there who like the Blues Junior that was built with a massive design fault for years) and buy that nextone stage. Because I watched this video.

[@Staffayland]

Doesnt sound like a tube amp at all. Very flat and unresponsive sound. Sorry Roland/Boss, the Blues Cube is actually really good, but this really sux.

[@8sigreg]

Staffay You should hear one live loud. It’s very tube like when playing it. It’s not like my $2-3K boutique amps, but then again it’s significantly cheaper and flexible. I like the one I have.

[@Staffayland]

@@8sigreg I tried one a while ago. Didnt like it live either. Only good things about these and the Katana is that they are cheap. On the other side, You can get a used Peavey Classic 30 or a Fender Blues Junior for just some extra bucks that sounds way better.

[@8sigreg]

Staffay I play my Stage opposite Blues Jr. amps regularly and it’s holding its own nicely. I’ve said elsewhere that the Nextone doesn’t compare to my boutique amps, and I prefer them for my regular work, but in a situation where the Blues Jr. works so does the Nextone.

[@roberthouston6130]

There is only one tube amp sound?

[@patoujemfly8605]

you talk too much, not enough music

[@davidfellows6250]

Doesnt sound good from here.