Hotone Pulze - Is This The Most Stylish Desktop Amp?

[@DanBestBaby]

The Captains Playing Has come a really long way in the last few years , always a pleasure to listen to

[@jeremyversusjazz]

Was thinking same. Good for him. Sat next to DPete all this time, it’s gotta rub off.

[@identifiesas65.wheresmyche95]

Yeah I remember when Rob just started, Lee sounded pretty bad compared to him and now I dare say I prefer his playing over Robs anyway, although its more my style too. EDIT: Lee used to be an amateur player like us, but then he took a .. to the knee.

[@mudwiser1391]

I am currently employing the services of two Yamaha desktops, and they have proven themselves to be perfect for my needs, they are great for recording with zero latency with Steinberg USB Driver. The units offer a plethora of useable tones and they are built like a couple of tanks, one of them is even green. That being said, I am a guitar guy, so I am always on the hunt for new, well priced gear. I am going to check these out.

[@iduncanw]

Nice, assuming your green one is the THR10X - awesome amp, Brown II and got a great tone in seconds all just by using the onboard controls 🤘🤘 Agree, recording is great as well 🤘 Even get an ok bass sound. Still go looking for new gear though, not sure why as I don't really need it.

[@garyt3hsna1l82]

you really aren't missing anything this thing sounds like garbage and the interface looks awful, I'll take the 10 knobs on the thr amps anyday.

[@mudwiser1391]

Your assumption is correct, as that is the only THR that is green and it's high gain baby, yup high gain.

[@evalonious]

Thanks Pete, for going over the "Just Amp" section of the features. Way helpful to just hear the true sound. ❤

[@nikverschuren4291]

True the presets sounded mwah

[@GitShiddy]

Pete playing a Standberg has big "How's it going, fellow kids" meme vibes (and potential).

[@iggy9955]

Well, he had to learn to play more than box penatonics. I have been playing since the age of nine and in 15 days I will be 63 years old. I haven't played for about 3 years now, something with the cervical spine, so the left side doesn't react, but I play with a slide. My first 30w 12-inch amplifier was a lamp bought across the street,sea ​​route (3 hours) probably, in Italy - Ancona, but now I have Laney and Marshall solid state. Greetings to all guitarists of the world. My favorite guitar is the Ibanez lowsuit from 71 LP Black Beauty. I have 6 guitars. Greetings from 3000 years old Zadar - Croatia - Adriatic coast.

[@steviesavage]

@@iggy9955 wow, age-wise we have followed the same journey, sorry to hear about your health issues though, its s bummer getting old eh! I still gig but am feeling it all catching up with me now. Keep on rocking!

[@damienvirgil6081]

that chapman guitar looks and sounds gorgeous

[@liamhemmings9039]

Shame it has the awful signature on the headstock.

[@twantheunisz9281]

Tone isn't in the guitar, it's all in the amp.

[@johnelcanrab2114]

​@@twantheunisz9281talking utter rubbish there mate

[@sixsledges5474]

@@johnelcanrab2114 he is partly right. It doesn’t matter what guitar you have: 100 or 10000 dollars. They’ll sound equally bad through a shitty amp. But most of the tone comes from the speakers or IRs you use

[@rowbags3017]

Great solo from Lee at the start! 😎The Pulze sounds good, but they've really missed a trick by not having the option to run on batteries. I used my THR10C recently for an "acoustic-level" gig and there was a power cut. Having batteries saved the day.

[@teachscott]

I did the same with my Tele...Blk highlights in scratchguard and a blk CORIAN nut. The corian is harder than bone and gives incredible sustain properties to my tele which had great sustain to begin with!!!! Love it when people see that there is a way to do more than pretty paint!!!!! Kudos to Chappers!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pepmasters-999]

Roxanne is the perfect song to play with a Hotone.

[@TheGuitarDudeAbides]

🤣

[@jefflevy3557]

You don't have to put on the red light. You can go into the app and change it to a blue or a green light.

[@jayz6008]

Id definitely get one of these if it had a looper or some sort of pedal control function

[@jeremyversusjazz]

The hotone xtomp is a criminally underated beautifully designed and built one effect-at-a-time multi-effect pedal-an idea which line 6 seems to have lifted.

[@briane.paulson]

The key is to dial back the effects a bit. On the high gain fizzy fix, go to the IR and hi cut to 6 k and low cut to 80 hz.

[@garyt3hsna1l82]

Definitely don't feel like i'm missing out keeping the thr30, some of these tones are pretty rough, i could sense the frustration of using the app and led screen and i was surprised at the omission of a rechargeable lipo battery, wireless jack, footswitch, or looper

[@Krullmatic]

Dang Cap! You've got some phenomenal chops! I already knew w that Pete does. Honestly though, yours are more soulful. Edit: They couldn't have picked a worse name!😂 That Strandberg sounds most excellent!

[@Michel-r6m]

Got a Boss Dual Cube LX (I like, batteries) but with that touch screen this is next level, yet no batteries 😂 There is always something that keeps me using my little Boss.

[@ElBlasto-lh7qu]

Best guitar pete has played, suits him as well, gold star from me

[@robbrady4649]

£369 is more than I would have guessed, based on the sounds and interface.

[@SW-by9ob]

£100 more the the Spark 40? No chance.

[@AngusNB]

The same price as a Yamaha THR10II. Nope, not for me.

[@damianhannon1581]

Yup. There are amps with better features, and I cant imagine the sound will be far off (if at all) - for less. Seems like a lot of people have this feeling. I am in the market for a bigger practice amp (I have the NUX mighty lite) - seeing the Spark 40 for £100 less, this Hotone amp just would not even be an option. Nux Mighty Air is nearly half the price I think off the top of my head. Simply said, there is better amps for the price, and similiar (or better) amps for less. Shame, as while I dont think it looks better than the Yamaha, it is quite a good looking amp with the nice screen.

[@rodmorgan7041]

You guys enjoyed this so much. It make it more enjoyable for me to watch, thanks

[@niclastname]

These are awesome! It's a bit weird that they all have the controls on the top though. I guess it makes it visually more minimalist, but I imagine most people would be sitting in a position where it would be easier to have the controls on the front.

[@im58woody]

Lee seems like he is in a rush to get through this one lol. I agree with Pete on this one that the amps sound much better than the presets for the most part.

[@sweendog705]

Ya. They are more interested in the guitar than doing an actual review. Leon Todd ,Brett Kingman and Elmo do actual reviews of this thing and they love it!

[@vitaliistep]

It sounds awesome! Ampero II sounds better and more realistic than AxeFx or Quad Cortex as to me and now this device. Well done, Hotone!

[@calumedward1156]

The simplicity of this compared to others is actually a bonus for me - don't need a billion features. Just something small and simple I can plug into and play :D

[@StormdriverOne]

There is nothing about Lee's guitar that suits me except the color. I don't want a single coil bridge or a P90 neck. I don't particularly want a Tele shape or a hollow chamber or an F-hole or a maple neck. None of that matters because I still want it! It looks and sounds amazing. Chappers has made the first guitar that I don't want but still want.

[@franki68]

Have one and it’s very good , cleans and heavy tones are excellent , crunch tones less so . The one Pete is playing sounds nothing like mine ,maybe the guitar ? The app is good but if you get the optional footswitch beware it uses Bluetooth so when you use the footswitch you can’t use the app or stream music to it ,a big flaw currently.

[@MartinStrang]

I had a strandberg boden classic, amazing guitar in ergonomics and sound

[@fraenkiboii]

I've got an SBerg essentialsas well and they're absolutely great. I was blown away how resonant such a light guitar can be. Swapped out the pickups tho - they weren't great tbh

[@AFriskyPigeon]

15:50 That "shining star" patch with those notes had me thinking of a succulent melt in the middle chocolate pudding with salted caramel cream... These aren't just any tones, these are M&S tones.

[@TheSuperspyk]

Im someone that has an amp but then I have loads of desktop/mini/headphone amps (as im never gonna gig again I imagine and would get an appropriate amp if I did) But this is the first time im watching something new and shiny yet im not feeling it. It may have more than my Yamaha THRII30, yet I think I prefer those sounds to this I am really happy for people who feel more connected to this than me though, great to see new shiny things on the market Would love to see a comparison with the usual suspects

[@andyl1118]

When it comes to these small amps, I usually find that the speakers lack a bit of size (obviously) - I think the Nux Mighty Space is the only one with 4” speakers. Thoughts if this does really make a difference?

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

I use TC's Wire Tap app to record sounds and ideas.When you save it it comes up with a name by itself. That's funny and brilliant. I don't use the pedal, for it does not work on batteries.

[@doctoribanez]

I like the way it looks . I have a spark mini and a katana. If i didn't have those, it would be a contender. For all im doing now anyway

[@BoneStack117]

Hotones with the Captain

[@csumme7]

Lovely little amps. Lots of bells and whistles. However too many options for me. I still enjoy my Roland Micro Cube and Yamaha thr5.

[@joeyhoser]

Is there any reason I would want to play through this instead of software and studio monitors?

[@fergusuan7371]

Loving the Strandberg, can't wait to try one. Literally cried at Peter's impression at 19:55 😂.. And does the amp have a non "De La Fizz" mode?

[@mylogify]

I love the entertaintment parts :D :D so funny at the same time, thank you.

[@Dav-xh7pu]

Thank you for the video. Is it better sounding than the Yamaha THR10ii?

[@brianrollins7275]

No

[@KPSMUSIK]

What monitors are you using? I heard Genelec but which? I am trying to get a good experience with not using a cabinet but all FRFR solutions I have heard, kind of sound like the sound is in a box and far away, kind of smaller, hard to describe... Even with 10 inch FRFR or 10 inch tops + 12 inch subs DSP managed. I don't understand it, because clearly a PA can playback a recording of a real amp and it does sound like the real amp recorded. But when you play guitar (NOT playback a recorded guitar) through such a PA or FRFR speaker it doesn't feel right when there is now also a real cabinet involved. Somehting is off, but what is it? What I don't understand is, why does a FRFR system or PA speaker with the same physical volume, same speaker size at the same dB level still not feel and sound like a miced cabinet? Am I doing something wrong?

[@miquelmarti6537]

Why do they keep skiping the looper and the drum machine? That basic feature shouldn't be avoided in such expensive practice amp. I'd still be getting the Joyo dc15.

[@isitreallyisitreally1756]

Mm nice second hand Yamaha THR 10 will be enough for most players , looks very similar too , but half the price . Loads of features of course , but it’s loads of money , for practice amp .

[@bobgamble8204]

Price is waaaay too high, thing sounds not bad, but the spark line is more tried and tested. Maybe just the presets are a bit too reverb heavy is sounded like. I love my reverb but it they didn't sound too great

[@mylogify]

Sounds like that Magnatone Slash

[@caydespliff181]

“I uuh…I think my prosthetic leg is outta tune here.” effing pete lol

[@zz-.-]

Definitely positive grid. I don’t understand why any other desktop/practice amp is even considered. Sounds great, features no one else has, cheap, and in terms of looks you can customize it to look however you want. Just doesn’t get any better from what I can tell.

[@KeithMilner]

Nah, the Spark stuff doesn't look stylish. And the "features that no one else has" are mostly junk or easily possible on other amps (they are just app-based, after all). I had a Spark 40. I gave it away in favour of a Yamaha THR-10 which is both stylish and sounds great, and has enough good tones in for my use, without having to dick around with an app all the time. This new Hotone unit looks and sounds pretty sweet though.

[@zz-.-]

@@KeithMilner so what is comparable to Positive Grids tone cloud that has thousands of user-created tones uploaded for any and every artist or song’s tone you may want to emulate quickly and easily? I can get dimebags tone 75 diff ways with one click, is there something better out there? Honest q. I won’t argue the looks (you can literally put artwork on the face of the amp, but it’s not really relevant bc who is using an amp for looks), genuine q, what is so much better than PG that I’m missing, if that’s a key desire for the unit?

[@barrettwissell9708]

Spark has a great idea and mediocre execution. First of all, way too much bass. The first thing most people do is zero the bass, and it's still ass heavy. This is because Spark is trying to appeal to both guitarists and bassists. Secondly, they have a crazy failure rate. One day they just stop working as an amp and functionally become a Bluetooth speaker. The input puts out nothing but static. This issue has happened to thousands of units, and Spark does nothing about it.They definitely capitalized off KZbin and priced themselves to be an impulse buy most people can splurge on. As far as quality, though? Seriously lacking. Even that app is rather gimmicky, but , I'll admit, it is the main draw.

[@ryand5251]

But the looper… haha I’m a spark guy too, just bought the live, but wishing it was more like the fender frfr in design - more traditional amp look. I do wish they would sort a looper to complete the spark, but for practice and ease of playing enjoyable tones, positive grid have nailed it

[@justice100forwin2]

@@KeithMilner Yea I had a Spark 40 and I sent it back just thought it sounded so digital and notes would just die instead of fading out. I have a Yamaha now and am much happier with the sound.

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

I prefer the Spank Mini 8n pearl, which was excellent value at Anderton’s spring sale.

[@clemguitar63]

Nice vid into playing Capt!

[@mr.s5333]

Interesting amp, but I'll stick with my THR thanks. Great tones, old-fashioned knobs to get instant control, or the optional ability to tweak further with an app. Is also a great interface for wasting hours with digital tones on the PC.

[@justice100forwin2]

Sorry for being thick , but what do you mean the THR is a great interface for digital tones on a a PC? Does it give you more sounds when connected to a PC?

[@garyt3hsna1l82]

@@justice100forwin2 theres a flat switch so you can bypass the amp section and use it as a studio monitor and load in impulse responses and fx from a digital workstation like garage band, ableton, reaper, but having the gain and eq knobs on the top of the amp is clutch.

[@justice100forwin2]

@@garyt3hsna1l82 Thanks for that, I get it now.

[@Pulse2AM]

The best tones were the clean and crunch, the heavy patches needed work.

[@Arkslippy]

Seems very like a positive grid with the physical knobs gone, brilliant thing to have in a kitchen or living room, mine works partime as a Bluetooth speaker

[@denmar355]

Probably a fun at home practice tool. But should be about $259.00 for all of its digital cheap to make features. Personally, I find most of these digital things only excite for a few months at best. I always go back to playing quietly through my master volume amp and pedal board.

[@SW-by9ob]

Definitely seems pricey when a Spark is £100 cheaper. I see no value in adding a touchscreen to it either. Ca only assume Andertons have a few i n stock and they aren't selling well..

[@stoneysdead689]

@@SW-by9ob Considering I've known like 4-5 ppl who consistently curse their Positive Grid because the phone app won't work about half the time, I can definitely see a benefit to having the touch screen interface on the amp. Younger ppl don't seem to realize it, but there are still ppl who don't stayed glued to their phone 24/7. I don't even know where mine is most of the time.

[@KeithMilner]

@@stoneysdead689 I had a Spark 40. Didn't get on with it. It sounded good through the headphones and USB (where most of the KZbin promo videos record from) but not from the speaker. When they added the EQ it helped a lot but, effectively took away the ability to have a modulation pedal. I also found that I really needed to jump into the app all the time to control it, which I didn't enjoy. All the "clever" features are all in the app and could, theoretically, be done on any Bluetooth speaker. You might ask "why haven't other vendors added this to their app?" and I couldn't really answer it, other than I didn't find them particularly useful, reliable or compelling. And the Blueooth was, occasionally a bit flaky, as it is with a lot of these systems. There are, as well, decent apps for backing beats and things like Chord AI which work with any Bluetooth amp or even a standard Bluetooth speaker. In the end I gave it away (yes, for free - that's how little I valued it). I now use a Yamaha THR 10ii for portable use (when I was travelling and living abroad in a small apartment) and find that looks and sounds better and is easier to use without the app. Partly that's because it has fewer options but, personally, I would rather have a handful of good options I can dial in easily from the top panel than a gazillion that I have to use an app for, and which require a lot of tweaking to sound good.

[@SW-by9ob]

@@stoneysdead689 It's in a horrible position though so you have to be stood over the amp to use it. It's also low res and replaces pretty much every physical control.

[@joesatchton212]

I'll stick with my still superb desktop practice amp the OG Spark 40. This one sounds way too fizzy across the board on all the presets. Sure, could likely adjust to taste but I'm gonna pass on this one. And Pete needs a Strandberg. Love to hear his thoughts on the Stranberg neck.

[@manfredworner8528]

Had one was great for cleans and effects but when it came to high gain or heavy distortion it sounded way to tinny no matter what I did I think because it’s all metal casing But anyone who plays clean and a bit of crunch it’s a great amp it sounded awesome But anything beyond that for me at least it’s a no

[@roscoechance5155]

Is the casing metal or plastic? The grille?

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

I hope this gets shipped to india as the folks at yamaha slept on the thrii 30 desktop amp and didnt bother marketing it here (india).....same wirh the boss katana ex air

[@sboistan]

Thinking about getting one of these, for those that have them, how are the high gain tones (or really, the plexi style tones)? This video didn't really explore those. The cleans on this sound pretty great.

[@sboistan]

I got one. I really like it (especially compared to the thr10i and thr10ii series which I wasn't crazy about at all). Hotone improved the presets with a recent firmware patch...

[@theblindspot985]

Wow those amps are pretty spicy. You might even say it's a hot one.

[@johngallagher7884]

That was a great Kirk Hammet Pete.

[@ironeddie9917]

Hey Dutchman Pete let me tell you, Kirk Hammett in Metallica and Lars fits in Metallica perfectly. Could you imagine a different guitarist or different drummer in metallica it wouldn’t work.. Dont be bashing the biggest heavy metal band in the world.. And will always be number one in the world and they’re laughing all the way to the bank Pete. Have a nice day. I am subscribed this is my favorite guitar show.

[@geovannivm]

tasty intro jam!

[@borzak101]

Everything that requires an ap has a limited amount of time it will be useful. What used to be known as something that was throw away quality. When the app is gone, the item is useless and headed for the landfill.

[@masterofreality230]

Sounds like the gain tones are missing an IR or something.

[@gazzaduce3424]

They really sounded like shit didn’t they on the high gain. It sounded like the cabinet was turned off.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Is it just me, but I've never heard a good warm clean tone from anything digital.

[@christianlacheze3323]

Neither have I. The “processed” sounds are much easier to emulate than clean ones, be tit amps in the box or software amps. Back to my old Fender amps.

[@mylogify]

Maybe you need a Magnatone Slash Signature amp. :D For that warm cleans.

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

loved the vid boys, and that shinhuser if that's how you ay t, was brilliant, gota have a vid on those axes.

[@stoneysdead689]

LOL- It's called a Strandberg.

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

@@stoneysdead689 thank you.

[@tomwatson283]

Brilliant. As always.

[@leokrissandy5579]

have to agree with pete, the preset is meh but some of the amp sounds pretty good

[@themetalghost]

You guys try the pitch detune? I need a practice amp to carry between 3 locations with a built in downtuner and the Spark folks don't seem to have one nor seem to want to say they will have one unless the Spark 2 will?

[@Scoots_McGee]

As of yet, positive grid does not offer one. All they have is a pretty shit octave pedal locked behind a pay wall. I'm really happy with my spark 2 (great improvement overall over its predecessor the 40) but the ai tone search is completely redundant, and they desperately need a search feature for drum looper, or at the very least the ability to rename and search within your favorited drum loops

[@zonavelhalpma]

I need to buy one of these Now

[@johnelcanrab2114]

Bet you don't

[@arlo12345678910]

Killer into jam! Youu guys got soul man!

[@rockerbob949]

Into was creamy smooth. Nice job guys

[@kaitang3226]

For a practice amp, I think the Nux Mighty Space is better, specially because it comes with the wireless bug and I'm lazy.

[@uwedasler425]

The Yamaha THR was the OG? I had a Vox Pathfinder 5 since 1979 🙂 (and it still does sound better than any of these)

[@twelve-t4c]

the laney lion mini is the best looking desktop amp . looks like a classic radio . i personally think these thru style amps are ugly

[@hozzer68]

If that’s the best it can sound mic’d up thin and fizzy it’s a no from me, and for those who are dyslexic - no it’s not Thin Lizzy

[@misstress1928]

Vox ADIO is second to none in terms of style. All other desktop amps look like a toolbox your plumber has forgotten.

[@wasio44]

i'll prefer go to a cheaper spark or nux one.

[@Jonathan-L]

24:08 ... I was hoping to hear the Dumbell ODS, but Lee skipped past that one.

[@alexdenton6586]

As time goes by, we see more and more good products coming from Chinese brands, and that’s exciting. It creates competition for American products, which tend to stagnate and lack innovation. The Chinese brands seem to understand everything, engaging in a constant race to offer the best product. I just ordered mine, and I think it will be great on its own, but I can't wait to test it connected to my JBL PartyBox Ultimate.

[@svitlanaostapchenko5642]

Danish must be a handful after a few beers or shots 😂😂😂

[@msilliphant]

mmmmm GK had one back in the early 90s and it was a 100 watt

[@BennyGuitare]

Damn Pete, now I need to watch Dodgeball 😁

[@davidf2281]

Yeah but it says "Ho tone" on the front, lolz. (Fantastic intro jam!)

[@gazzaduce3424]

Leon Todd’s KZbin review of this sounds incredible for the high gain but on here it sounds like trash. I can only presume the cabinet on here was turned off or something ?

[@CS_Murphy_R9]

I really wanted one until I heard the price!😱 Guess I'll just stick to my katana 50 that I paid $ 175 for five years back.

[@CloudiVist]

If the Hotone community site is not called Ho Town, I will be disappointed.

[@Tomekkplk]

Bitchin' Strandberg! When did that blue come out?

[@jimmyjimmy951]

We don’t get board watching Andertons TV.. 😂🇦🇺

[@johngallagher7884]

Sounds like Pete played a little "Top Gun"

[@johanandre5338]

That guitar looks ridiculous. I guess it sound alright, but I cannot really get past the visuals. :)

[@mattw.6726]

Man, all of the high gain presets sounded like a box of bees.

[@gazzaduce3424]

Yeah they sounded horrendous. It sounded like the cab was turned off or something.

[@Manley156]

I'm going to assume this is IR related and can be changed. No offense to either fella and Pete is a killer player, but high gain dialing in is not something they are good at.

[@nickofzo]

Cool tech, but I don't see myself touching screens all the time. My clunky fingers often press the wrong things on my phone already.

[@birmingben]

Playing guitar is for many people a form of escapism and should not involve a distracting mobile phone, I'm probably just old but I don't want to mess with my phone while creating an awesome guitar riff that no one will ever hear while I'm waiting for my dinner to cook. Many times throughout my life I have created the basis for an entire music track while waiting a few minutes for the kettle to boil, this would not be possible if I had to mess with phone apps in order to turn my flippin amp on etc. (and yes sometimes I plan to make a cup of tea and end up playing guitar/keyboard for six hours and forget why I went into the kitchen in the first place)

[@triton1044]

Sorry man, this does mean youre old.

[@modelcitizen1977]

No, OP has a point. It's tone as a service. What happens when Hotone goes out of business and their app stops working?

[@Joe-mz6dc]

@triton1044 This kind of comment reflects why there aren't very many good young guitar players. You guys just don't get it. Sad. A guitar is meant to be played. Not your phone.

[@cirisirpula152]

What? You don't have to use the app to turn on. This one even has a screen to see and adjust the parameters, something that others are missing (spark for example)

[@cirisirpula152]

​@@Joe-mz6dcIf you only listen to songs from 80s, then you probably won't see all the great young talent there is.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Is This The Most Stylish Desktop Amp? = Hell No. ( either ) The Black or White THR30II. . .

[@rockerbob949]

Is it Ho Tone or Hot One?

[@ultravirez]

Sounds as fizzy and digital as you would expect.

[@David-xv6ye]

The icon is not a floppy disk it's a SIM card, Lee is showing his age😂😂😂

[@clemguitar63]

A whole lot of 'Hit' & 'Misses' with this HOTONE offering!

[@larrydj549]

The dad blues are real

[@madrox4132]

I keep reading the brand as ﾎﾄﾈ.. I think I need a nap

[@stringybarkin]

Can't take to those headless guitars, like having no head on your manbits!!

[@mylogify]

24:50 hahahahaha :D laughed a lot so funny!

[@w.l.h.]

Yamaha would like a word please