Henriksen Blu 6 Amp Review

[@doodlesmusic8166]

This type of amp is ideal for those of us who are getting a bit 'long in the tooth'. I've had AC30s, Princetons, a Laney head a 2x12 cabs....I'm 65 now and I simply don't want to drag big heavy gear around anymore. I use an acoustic and a Schertler Unico at the mo and even the Schertler is starting to feel a bit heavy. You wheel in a combo these days with a 1 x12 in it, strap on the old Strat, and everyone thinks, 'oh no, I'm off', cos it's simply too loud for most of the places I play in. Yes, I know, if it's too loud, you're too old', but then, yes, I am! 😂Smaller is better!

[@kenrobertson9995]

Very nice review! I've had my Blu 6 for about 18 months now and still love the tone. I never thought that I'd use the headphone jack, but yep! You forgot to mention the DI out - super useful for gigging with a singer and a mixing board. I, too, found the lack of bass underwhelming....so...I modded an old Klipsch subwoofer from a ProMedia 2.1 that I had hanging around...I ripped out the dead amp and installed a 1/4" jack to the speaker. I placed the Blu 6 on top of the subwoofer - and voilà! Much better bass response! Very nice playing too, btw :)

[@stevec.1802]

The Bud 10, still portable but a bit fuller sound.

[@FrankMiddendorp]

An excellent amp indeed. I purchased it a few months ago because I was interested in a Polytone-type amplifier, and this one turned out to be even better. However, I've decided to sell it as I no longer have use for its high volume or the convenience of transporting it.

[@jhigelin7252]

hi, for this type of sound, you have also Roland Cube 60 Chorus from eighties. Approx 100 dollars and a 12" speaker. Regards from Belgium

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Thanks for that suggestion! The cubes are great!

[@AGoogleUser-hf5zg]

I've played this amp and I concur with Nathan. However, I just wanted to add that I've found that getting a neo 15" speaker with cabinet and head will solve all the issues that he lists. Its a few more pounds and a bit bulkier but it sounds huge(think Wes with a Standel) and with an acoustic image (2.4lb) head will be light enough and loud enough for any situation.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Thanks for that insight! Might be helpful for others searching for the perfect lightweight amp. I personally like the “all in one” aspect of the blu, but I do have the deluxe which is still my main amp. For others not wanting to have two amps that could be another option.

[@MattiasBrahammar]

A groundlift switch should definitely be added to this amp (something I wrote directly to Henriksen after I got mine). It's also worth mentioning the combined jack/XLR input with 48 volt phantom power. Great if you're using it also with acoustic guitars and to use a condenser mic on the guitar. Regarding the volume, as others have mentioned, if you add an external cab the volume increases significantly, also due to the class D type amp that gets louder at 4 ohms overall impedence. Regarding the boxiness, this amp actually records really well and also works well miced up into a PA, both for straight jazz sound as well as for more rock oriented overdriven sounds (tweeter off then though).

[@user-zn6gz4ub7w]

Without even knowing I figured this was a class D. As a sound engineer I have mixed self powered speaker systems equipped with class D amps.

[@GDavis-uy1gg]

Thanks for this review and you have some nice chops as well . GD

[@fouroutoffour]

Great review! Thanks for this video. I was just considering getting a blu six. Do you have any experience with quilter amps and how they would compare with the Henrikson? I’ve read comments that people think that a Quilter is more “Fender-like” Than a poly tone or Henriksen but I wondered about your thoughts. Thanks again

[@AGoogleUser-hf5zg]

Its all about how you eq the amp. they all can sound just like a fender if you have the right eq. the quilter makes it easy because they have a setting for that.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

I've brief used (most listened to) the Quilter amps through Randy. He started using them just as I left Michigan. You can hear him on it on the "bouncin with bud" video we did together. I like quilter too! Still seems like for the "all-in-one" package the blu is great, but the quilter you can mix and match heads and cabinets which is nice. I personally just wanted the most portable/best sounding thing I could get as recently things have been more mobile than before.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Very good review, sounded honest. 👍

[@vesawallden7590]

Because of this video, I ordered one 🙂

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Happy to hear it! I'm sure you will enjoy the new found gig freedom (from heavy amps) as much as I have!

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

Sounds pretty good to me. I would have to hear it side by side with Deluxe reverb.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

For sure! They would be very different sound, and I would say, used for different purposes. Both are great though!

[@vecernicek2]

Would you consider this an upgrade for archtop over AER 60?

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Thanks for your comment! My mentor Randy Napoleon used the AER 60 a lot and personally I like the sound of the Blu a bit better. So sound wise yes (for me). I think acoustic guitars sound better through the AER though. The blu also has that bluetooth feature which I really like actually! The Blu is also so light. I got it so I could play wherever I wanted, especially now going back in forth between my house and the school. Both amps are great, it's just want you find more appealing for your sound and your mobile situation.

[@vecernicek2]

@@NathanBortonMusic Thanks! I have the AER 60 and am very happy with it, especially the practicality is great. I actually lately thought about getting something less practical, like the GA-50 clone by Raezer Edge :)

[@hallgeirpedersen4331]

Great review!

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Appreciate that!

[@fouroutoffour]

Great vid, again. It would be cool to hear you discuss how you get your sound (in general). I love your sound on "The More I See You" on your album. Is that mic'd on the guitar and the amp? Is that the Benedetto through a Deluxe Reverb? Or are there so many layers of studio micing, compression, etc that it's hard to really advise how to achieve this sound in my living room ? Ha ha. Thanks for all you do!

[@NathanBortonMusic]

hmmmm that could be a good idea! If your ever interested in a more detailed description of that recording process, just message me through my website and I'll give you a more detailed answer!

[@markslist1542]

Thanks for the review. Why did you exclude it from your collection of amps that you would gig with? What is the reasoning?

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Hi Mark thanks for your comment! I'm not sure if I remember that list... haha. If it was in the past it was because I didn't know about the Blu. I've own a henriksen in the past and didn't quite like the sound, but the newer ones seems to be a bit better to my ears. This is a great gigging amp, but I wouldn't record with it. That would left to the fender deluxe!

[@markslist1542]

Nice to find you frolicking around. Don't crash into anything.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

@@markslist1542 probably to late for that! haha

[@peteywheatstraws4909]

I'm not saying it's not a nice amp, it is. But you can get a used F-150 that runs for the same amount of money.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

I can defiantly understand that. They are a bit pricey, however I have never seen one of these amps have problems (when used/cared for properly) so, at least from my experience, you get what you pay for. There are way cheaper alternatives, but I find that the sound from other small amps (DV, Quilter, etc...) just isn't stand up. However, I recently tried the Dream 65 pedal and WOW that thing is amazing. I would be interested to see what that does to cheaper amp! It sounds amazing through my blu though!

[@fredflander4505]

My older Henriksen JazzAmp 110 ER just sounds dull. A lot of money for a lemon. No more Henriksen for me.

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Sorry to hear that :( In the video I actually talked about not liking my old Henriksen either. I do think these newer versions are a lot better sounding. If you ever have the chance to try one of their new models out, please let me know what you think!

[@russellalfonso2962]

Polytones are very positive

[@NathanBortonMusic]

I think so too!

[@davidjansen9209]

I used a Roland Cube until it died. Bought a Marshall 900 twin tube and a SS Marshall 50. After 35 yrs my ear loves the Marshall clean tone. I play jazz 90% of the time. My Marshall 50 SS died 2 days ago so I am seriously looking for a replacement. Very good review. You came across knowledgeable and honest.

[@cw8566]

7 min video, showed the amp for about 10 seconds total

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Here’s is just playing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWjOeqVtl82Hr6c

[@KeenanCrow]

Sounds a bit boxy to my ear

[@NathanBortonMusic]

Hi Keenan. Thanks for your comment. Yes, I could see where you are coming from. Compared to my deluxe reverb it defiantly is more boxy sounding. However, I think the main point of this amps existence is to have an "all-in-one" compact unit. There are other amps that sound a bit more open (AER and Quilter), but those amps lack a bit of the depth the blu has (as well as the size). In person it does sound a bit less boxy. The tweeter really helps on that end... I think some other commenters have suggested other various amps in this same market that could fit the bill better? I might do another performance focused video with the blu and really try and dial in the recorded tone!