How Many Amps Do You REALLY Need?

[@Homermad81]

Wanted to thank you for your videos. Just started out trying to learn guitar for my midlife crisis and your videos have been extremely helpful.

[@ericvinson4628]

I keep trying to keep it to a reasonable number but they’re breeding like rabbits when I’m not looking 😅😅😅

[@duaneegeberg9879]

entertaining yourself. different than an audience

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I got tired of obsessing over guitars and pedals and naturally found myself learning about amps. I’ve become obsessed with info about tube amps from the 50s and 60s, especially Fenders! My family wants me to shut up about amps! 😂

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

Thumbnail pose just keeps getting better and better. Thumbnail king 👑

[@89digits59]

I need none, but still own 5 - don't know why 😊

[@zakatak01]

Thank you for tossing in the earplugs and setting a good example. Very respectable 👏

[@DaveElwoodCutter]

I'm still on the commercial, so I'd like to preemptively say: All on them. You need all amps. And on 11.

[@rigelloar7474]

My delusions tell me, that 8 amplifiers are required, pass it on. . .

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

I think 3: Fender, Vox and Marshall. Now they don't need to be those exact brands, but with those circuits.

[@johnnathancordy]

I'm coming round to that idea!!

[@mpesta]

I gig with 2, a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue for clean and slightly broken up. I typically play a Strat through it (neck pickup preferably). Then I have a Friedman Pink Taco for my real drive needs and I use a humbucker guitar with that. I marry them with a pedalboard that has a Tone King Duellist and MXR Duke of Tone and use those for solos and textures.

[@dave_d_i_a_l]

3, Fender Type, Marshall Type, VOX Type ✅

[@keithb5612]

And Orange please.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I’ve got a Marshall DSL5 and would love to compare the clean channel to an AC4, so I could find out if it’s close enough for that Vox sound I know I like the Vox sound but don’t have much experience with an actual Vox amp. I played an Eric Johnson strat through an AC15 with the Blue celestion, about 20 years, and have been thinking about that sound ever since I’ve got a fender style amp, along with the DSL5, and can get close to about any guitar sound that isn’t chug metal; maybe they could but I don’t play like that

[@dave_d_i_a_l]

@@honkytonkinson9787 I have a Marshall Origin50C with a creamback in it and an all stock fender concert, covers most bags 🤘🔥👍👌

[@ericwillett8709]

Agree with 3, but for me it’s a Fender, a Marshall, and a Dumble style

[@deddiev1718]

Vox AC15 into a 112 creamback, 3rd Power Dream Weaver which is a Bassman/jtm 45 approximation and a Fender Tonemaster Blonde Deluxe which takes pedals amazingly well.

[@emilong]

Same as guitars: just one more 😅

[@RobertFisher1969]

For myself: (1) A tube amp to occasionally remind me that I don’t find tube amps special. (2) My JC40 because I actually like the sound of it, and it works OK for amplifying my modelers. (3) An acoustic amp for acoustic/vocal gigs.

[@nekkon1989]

You need only one amp. But a good one. If I could afford a Tone King Imperial MKII I wouldn't be constantly on the lookout for amps

[@johnnathancordy]

My buddy Jake is actually gigging one of those at the moment while a couple of his others need servicing

[@frankcrack777]

@@johnnathancordy Well John, try one and tell us what you think 🙂. Because I can"t afford real TK Imperial MK2, I have got Neural DSP plugin. I haven't play real one, but man, for me it is THE SOUND! Perfect crunch sound! With my band (alternative, grunge, post-punk) I play Boss Katana head mk2 with 2x12 Marshall cab.

[@OilCanHarry2U]

I have one…and it is a complete delight.

[@nitbot]

I dont need that many tones, I typically dial in my 2-3 tone styles and that's it.

[@Jimmy4Thumbs]

1:38 loved that lick! The depth of your improv skills is amazing. On another subject, could you approach K-Line with the idea of a limited edition run of a JNC Signature limited edition run of Springfields? Maybe a price break for a big order? Just an idea!

[@GuitarsOK]

Cool idea for Chris (K Line), check out his interview on my channel. He always gives a nod to John (of course).

[@jonathanwapner6262]

Similar situation for me -- My clean/dirty amp is an Orange Rocker 15 combo, my clean pedal platform is a Quilter Toneblock 201 head, and my big amp that isn't worth the trouble of moving around is an Orange AD30 with 2x12 closed back cab. I'd really like to add a 1x12 cab with an EV.

[@andygrams6344]

I loved my Peavey Bandit 112 back in the day coupled with a Digitech RP-12, but unless I’m playing for a controlled room filled with many John Nathan Cordy’s, my Helix and a couple studio monitors are all I need.

[@raf_the_riffer]

That transition out of 5/8 was so smooth. 👌🏽

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

Beautiful opening piece.

[@robertvaldez9025]

Thanks John. I have information gas and you give me plenty to digest.

[@ckallaher]

After finally upgrading the firmware on my Katana 100w Mk II and downloading Tone Studio, I think the honest answer is that it’s the only amp I really need, especially with a few of your tasty settings as presets.

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

I only own one amp. The Orange OR15 and a 4x12. It can go from jazzy to Djent with various eq and pickup settings. That’s all I need.

[@ksharpe10]

Love that HEADFIRST!!!! Sounds so Glorious!!! The JNC signature model???

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Great playing as always. If I had your Pro Reverb (and I hope to get one some day) I'd have to play through that no matter the inconvenience of weight. The Marshall sounded very good, too

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

1. deluxe reverb with a mullard i63 at v1 for a bassman like tone at the normal channel or a tone king 2.jtm 45/dirty shirley/2061x/1974x 3.vox /matchless/morgan 4.tweed

[@Andreas_Straub]

Hx Stomp and FR10 -> happy camper 😊

[@viktoraspocius3851]

One amp with 2 cabs: I have laney cub super 15, stock set up works well for drive/rock tone but sound liek ass for cleans. I tried external cab with Jensen C12Q, beatuful F style sounds....

[@jesseparrish9198]

That marshall sounded beautiful with your effects.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

I have one at-home for practice (Vox AC-10) and one for live-shows (‘91 Peavey Classic 50 4x10) … However, I spend more time with my Boss GT-1 these days. I’m trying to get better and the headphones help me be a bit more critical. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chrismundayguitar]

After getting my CRS and TS-1 I thought they would be the only amps I would ever need… I find myself missing a Marshall flavour… and I kept my 100w Mesa Lonestar extra wide 1x12 combo… which I still use a lot

[@KozmykJ]

@JNC Did you ever try out the Laney IRTs ? Effectively 3 footswitchable Channels Clean - Rhythm/Crunch - Lead Different power options.

[@marcuslee2186]

I’ve been considering Mesa Boogies for this exact reason. I have a jazz chorus and dream 65 so I’m covered in cleans. But I want to try something with amp gain so I don’t have rely so much on pedals.

[@johnnathancordy]

Ultimately I've not really found the Mesa cleans I like have the gain channels I like so it hasn't quite worked out for me!

[@Claimjumper55]

I get by fine with 3 tube amps, a Friedman Twin Sister, Revv Generator 7-40 MK II, and a Carol-Ann Triptik. Actually just the Friedman and the Revv would give me everything I need. I also have a Synergy Syn-2 that goes into a Fryette Power Station 2.

[@NJSonye]

I have my Lonestar Classic 100 & 50 and a 2x12 Mesa cabinet. I use to have a pair of 1x12 “ Mesa wide body” and ZD Lunchbox that is my backup amp. I’d thought about a Fender Blues Jr w/ a WGS 12” speaker. Another consideration was using the HX Stomp with IEMs. I could see a small 1X12 and keeping the 2X12 and go the “HX Stomp/ IEM route.

[@psc502]

Not everybody knows this but a rectifier actually does basically any sound you would want out of an amplifier it has eight different tone modes and the ability to use each with a rectifier tube that adds a sweet sagginess also there's a very acts which that gives you the brown sound on all those channels and you can mix and match whether you want it and the rectifier tube or the more modern tighter diode rectifier it's thick clean channel can do jazz or switch it to pushed and you can get ACDC tone out of your clean Channel and if you're lucky enough to have the road king version you get another Channel and the ability to mix different Power tubes like two el34s and 4 6L 6S for 120 watts of power just saying I still think it's the most versatile amplifier ever made

[@SamuraiMullet]

Really contemplating selling my amps and just getting the new REVV G50. Covers a lot of ground fro. Cleans to high gain.

[@stratplayr6997]

Honestly, you just need 2. One practice amp, and one for gigging with.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I can’t imagine continuing to be a guitarist and never using an amp. I love the experience of guitar into the amp that gives the fizz! But I do appreciate that guitarists who gig would love the idea of never having to bring an amp anywhere. As an occasional drummer, I love the option of bringing only a snare, cymbals, and sticks to a gig, or sometimes only the sticks! Why did I have to pick complicated instruments; I could have played the trumpet!

[@ryanpullin]

If you get a Divided by 13 then you need to at least have 26 amps to have two full amps due to integers

[@johnnathancordy]

Facts

[@mei_music]

hey John nice content as always! what are you using for wireless in the gig? What's your opinion about the wireless options? I've met a ton of people that really worship the cables and some soundguys also swear by them - highlighting that even from cable to cable you get differences.

[@worthmoremusic]

One decent combo...whereby you can download a plethora of amps should you need a variety.

[@jefffranklin2294]

If it's the right amp with the right paddle board, one

[@jefffranklin2294]

You should check out Hughes and Kettner TM36 Heads. Super versatile, and clean sound is incredible

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

I have two Katanas (one 50w for practice in the house, one 100w for band stuff). But I WANT a Victory Kraken, probably the pedal form factor though.

[@triton1044]

You should definitely check out a Quilter Amp. They all have FX Loops and the Mach 3 I think meshes well with modeling units.

[@johnnathancordy]

Quilter were asking me to demo some stuff a while back I think...

[@triton1044]

@johnnathancordy hey man. You should seriously hit them back. I traded my Aviator Cub for a Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb and it's one of my bigger regrets. Now I'm saving for the Mach 3. Really powerful active eq, relatively compact, fx loop, reacts to drives well. It's hard to beat that.

[@Rummy73]

How many videos about buying and selling amps do we need?

[@bettsdn]

I had a Lonestar Special combo for a while. It was so good. The best of both worlds. But I had to sell it because I never wanted to play it out. Just too damn heavy as a combo.

[@tiagoramalhais5493]

Only one, I have a Synergy system

[@johnnathancordy]

Ooh - good shout

[@scozz6139]

I prefer the "British" flavor/tone amps, over the "American" tone amps. Most of those amps run the El34/6ca7 type power tubes, and the American sound is more 6v6 or 6L6 power tubes. I used to be a strictly a Fender guy, in high school, but when I got my first Marshall amp I changed pretty quickly. I'm a Blues, Classic Rock player,... unfortunately more of a hack than a player, lol!

[@VladSverlik]

Boss Katana - that's all we need

[@daviddalziel884]

Different ball game if you swap over to your Tokai ! Has to be the Marshall 😉

[@shepardnelski]

Which Marshall amp were you playing through? It sounded surprisingly good.

[@pbosche]

I have none tube amps. None. But 12 guitars. I’m not addicted to amps. But…I may finally order a custom REVV G120.

[@mikeblue385]

i don't record. i need one amp for gigs, about 35-40watts and a backup. hot rod deluxe and a katana 100.

[@peterhall4852]

One. A Roland 22w or 40 w and an eq pedal and overdrive.

[@aonortac]

A Mesa Lone Star Special 2x12 combo, a Magnatone Twilighter Stereo 2x12 and a Kemper with a Line 6 PowerCab 1x12 is more than enough for what I do... Other tones like the Marshall and Vox, I get it from my digital solutions like UAFX amp pedals.

[@robinr.2233]

Be sure to set aside the $$$ for your hernia surgery

[@aonortac]

@@robinr.2233 I don't carry them lol... I have profiled my amps on my Kemper. Otherwise I'd be saving a lot 🤣

[@robinr.2233]

@@aonortac - I think JC is talking about real, physical amps, not modeled profiles. Otherwise, I have more amps than I could ever try in my Helix.

[@richfiryn]

Let me ask Joe Bonamassa and I'll get back to you on this!

[@hakarl_]

You don't need a roadie for all that, just be a powerlifter. Easy

[@trickfall8752]

I think you are trying to talk yourself into selling that Fender Pro Reverb. For me personally the best way to skin this cat is with a...........you guessed it, modeler. Now at home I have a few amps. It's nice to have a Fender DRRI and a JCM 800. They cover the majority of sounds I like, but my ears are much happier playing the Catalyst 100 I just got.

[@Rummy73]

Boost a Marshall with an SD-1 or a Tumnus Deluxe, mate.

[@kevliao]

I'd rather have a lot of nice guitars and a good/decent modeler. If you're a bedroom rocker, seems like that's the way to go.

[@Wileylikethehawk]

You thought you might try a TS into a Marshall? You don’t say!? 😅. Good on ya mate!

[@alexmbrenner]

If we are talking gigging 1 main amp and a backup if one is in the shop. I used to own 10 amps and it was too much really.

[@johnnathancordy]

I forgot to mention the necessity of a backup actually!!

[@TheCyberMantis]

One. A Boss Katana head. That covers all the bases.

[@nickguitarmonkeyphillips1817]

I gig a Helix direct 90% of the time but I still own 11 tube amps

[@GuitarsOK]

John, have you tried a K Line amp?!? If not, let’s talk to Chris! Come on.

[@misterknightowlandco]

One and an eq pedal…

[@OilCanHarry2U]

You only need one amp. That amp… …a Gorilla GG-80W 1x10" Guitar Combo Amp.

[@MikeWh]

One more or one less than you currently have. Toss coin if decision making is hard.

[@TristanL585]

I’ve had seven in the last 10 months

[@jesseparrish9198]

Probably 1 but if you have a problem like me 1 isn't enough lol.

[@ryanpullin]

13 minus 50 = 47

[@kyran4238]

Need? Probably 1 or none.

[@jroobz]

i think i could be happy with a jcm800

[@-_OduvanchiK_-]

If i could have only one tube amp it would be a Mesa ROAD KING 2

[@theelderskatesman4417]

1

[@89ji76]

Zero to one

[@MotownGuitarJoe]

Zero

[@petersmith143]

None.

[@LEUNN_]

what I don’t need is a 4 minute senseless noodle intro

[@johnnathancordy]

You can skip that

[@ttexas1963]

Your senseless noodling has helped you gain 118,000 subscribers, keep noodling. 👍​@@johnnathancordy

[@sandraandpaul]

1