HUGE TONES with BluGuitar AMP1 & Designer Thomas Blug

I sit down with Thomas Blug the brilliant designer behind the BluGuitar AMP1, as well as MANY of my favorite products through the years!
02:06 Thomas' Origin Story
06:05 Hughes & Kettner Days
11:11 Enter the AMP1
15:47 AMP1 Description
24:27 (Playing) Clean Channel to Dirty
28:35 High Five #1
28:58 (Playing) Vintage Channel
32:14 (Playing) EQ knobs
32:43 (Playing) Classic Channel
36:13 (Playing) Modern Channel
36:48 National Influence on Amp Designing
42:46 (Playing) Gate
46:04 (Playing) AMP1 Irridium
50:43 (Playing) HOLY CRAP!
52:39 (Playing) BASS! BASS! BASS!
53:53 (Playing) THE JAM SONG!
#AMP1 #ThomasBlug #BigHairyGuitars

[@truescotsman4103]

I purchased the Iridium Edition because although I'm a classic rock guy I wanted the extra gain on tap. Unfortunately the voicing was too nasaly for me the metal vibe was overpowering my classic rock mojo. I purchased the Mercury edition last night because I believe in this product. The feel and sound are awesome and it even has sweet auto-feedback for days. I'm setting up a fly rig with the Boss GT-1000 Core in 4cm. The clean sound is absolutely spectacular and I have Friedmans, vintage Marshalls and Rivera era Fenders. This amp is a game changer!!!

[@bestregardsband6912]

What is the auto feedback you mentioned?

[@Terrub_Ullum]

I started watching thinking “I don’t really have 55mins to spare....nek minute....watched the whole thing, so interesting. Thanks 👍🏼🤘🏼😊

[@the92project]

Happy owner of an AMP1 Mercury. Incredible amplifier!!!

[@narvul]

Congratulations I'm really sure that you're happy with it.

[@Celticsaint777]

Can you get a great Vox sound with Amp1 Mercury?

[@the92project]

@@Celticsaint777 I've seen Thomas matching a vintage vox tone but honestly I don't think it does that. But it does so many great things, it truly is astonishing. I have a fancy Bogner amp and I play my Bluguitar more. It's amazing

[@truce11]

Probably one of the best interviews of him online. Got my attention to your channel

[@BluGuitar]

Thank you so much!

[@guskalogeros9021]

I agree 💯

[@18JR78]

He should make a demo with a fake head chassis and test it out with guitar players then remove and reveal the small pedal/head for a legit reaction haha.

[@jspacone]

It would be difficult to twiddle the knobs that way, but it would definitely blow peoples’ minds.

[@judgegroovyman]

@@jspacone good point maybe he could make a midi controller built into the head chassis so the knobs would actually work? :)

[@godboy159]

Do people really like this thing? We had one and sold it shortly after. Super thin to my ears.

[@stevethebeeline44]

@@godboy159 what was your signal chain and cab used?

[@godboy159]

@@stevethebeeline44 Signal chain? Guitar (50's tele) into box, record out into board/speaker out into Friedman 4x12. Only tried it once when we received it. I believe we bought it when it was first released. It didn't do anything for me. I mean it's a tough sell for us because we already owned over 150 different vintage and new guitar amplifiers plus 2 Kempers and an Axe FX on top of over 550 pedals. We were a full service recording studio that had everything. Covid lockdowns have since made us close our doors and we are in the midst of selling everything. But I always thought my partner wasted his money on that thing. I believe we donated it to a children's summer camp that were friends of the family. I also felt the AXE fx II was lame. Not thin but I didn't like the low end on it. It was way too loose and digital sounding. The Kemper if you dial up the right amp profile beats all of them hands down and not one guitar player thought differently after they compared both. We mostly used the simulators for scratch tracks. Most finished tracks were all done with real amps. Now the Kemper is joined by the Quad Cortex (which is every bit as amazing as the Kemper and maybe more in some ways) and I'm in the middle of profiling all of our amps before we sell them. Hope that more than answered your question.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

02:06 Thomas' Origin Story 06:05 Hughes & Kettner Days 11:11 Enter the AMP1 15:47 AMP1 Description 24:27 (Playing) Clean Channel to Dirty 28:35 High Five #1 28:58 (Playing) Vintage Channel 32:14 (Playing) EQ knobs 32:43 (Playing) Classic Channel 36:13 (Playing) Modern Channel 36:48 National Influence on Amp Designing 42:46 (Playing) Gate 46:04 (Playing) AMP1 Irridium 50:43 (Playing) HOLY CRAP! 52:39 (Playing) BASS! BASS! BASS! 53:53 (Playing) THE JAM SONG!

[@markinthemix6055]

I watched the whole thing. 2x on some sections. You managed an honorable respectful good interview and demo of this fine piece of gear. Thomas is a beautiful person to the guitar community. A gentleman and a genius. I wanted the conversation of the X amp to come up. I hope its out by summer.

[@wolverine3344]

Agree, I’ve also consumed everything I can find on Thomas, and eagerly await his AMP X that I hope is still on track for January 2021. Great channel BHS.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

Always seems like such a lovely man. I'm hoping the Amp X is in my (near) future. I would be proud to support Thomas.

[@narvul]

Met him on several occasions in Europe and he's a really nice guy. The first time even, though my brother and I aren't the most easy people on a fair. And the sounds of this amp are really great btw....!!! Still gotta check it through .

[@Ewald_93]

That is probably the best video of the Amp1 now 😊 Now it would be great to see a a comparison between the Mercury edition and your Friedman BE 100. Thanks for your videos! I always enjoy them🤙🏼

[@jammergreg]

That is funny you said that. As of September 2021 I’m playing stereo with the Amp 1 mercury edition and a Friedman JJ Junior both with a 112 cabinets about 5 ft apart. Small venues with about 50 to 300 people.

[@ValNanovsky]

Thomas is such an inspiration! What a nice guy - and a phenomenal guitar player. I have all his albums and love every single one of them. And it looks like I might be buying a BluGuitar amp soon :)

[@WyattWillis88]

What a treat to have almost an hour of Michael and Mr.Blug I've been a big fan of the guy since seeing him on tone-talk.Seems like one of the most down to earth, intelligent, and overall just a cool nice guy! Not unlike a certain Mr. Soldano. Cheers and thank you both! Edit: and how fitting that both he and Mr.Soldano both saved up and bought a Mesa boogie for their first "nice amp" and both were disappointed by the sound. Can't say I blame them either I never got on with any Mesa amp

[@riglerdaniel]

Great demo, thanks for both of you!

[@mdeerocks6792]

Awesome interview and great sounds!

[@andrerodriguesguitars]

Finally a great demo with some rock/hard-rock tones!👏🤘 Did you saw that bend that he did?!😱😁😁😁 He seems to be a really great and humble guy. Great work again Michael!🤘

[@Silkaz7]

Sounds amazing, great interview, eagerly awaiting the amp x.

[@CountJayeAndTheHardBeats]

Great video showing two great amps.

[@jspic4907]

This was awesome.

[@aristocaster]

Great interview and great sounds, Amp 1 is wonderful.

[@charliewelch328]

That was awesome!!

[@Terry3Gs]

Awesome video !!

[@pvbaelen]

Awesome vid. Thanks.

[@ykdickybill]

That was AMAZING !!!!

[@leftymike5625]

I have watched a few vids from other channels on this product, and I must say that the sounds you got where the best I heard.🤘

[@juliencarnevale2712]

Dude! That was a rad interview 😀

[@avinashkumai3044]

A great video. Keep up the good work. Cheers!

[@jammergreg]

Stellar!

[@dyonight]

this video was amazing!

[@brucerobenalt8048]

Those things sound AMAZING!

[@shorerocks]

Thomas rocks. A time well spent!

[@bandshooting]

Impressive background informations from Thomas and great sounding killer units. So happy these tools make guitar life so smart👍🏻🤘🏻Thanks 4 sharing👋🏻cheers & keep on rocking, Harry

[@208414]

That was fun!

[@Yellowshark667]

awesome video!, loved the solo at the end... a bit Vai/Zappaesque!

[@rodrigobelinchon2982]

those things sound gorgeous !

[@zeppo20]

Congrats for both of you.

[@sergio2603]

This was that rare video, simultaneously educational, entertaining and beautiful at times. That solo by Thomas was certainly incredible. Congratulations! The best Amp1 interview in the Internet ever! Thank you for all the hard work.

[@jorgeleonel6663]

Impressive little box. Also looking fwd to AmpX that Thomas teased during NAMM. Awesome interview and demo video, kudos guys!

[@patrickkem689]

As always! Spectacular Michael!

[@MrAletube]

Top notch video,Mr Blug is just awesome

[@bodd66]

Brilliant interview. Been thinking about getting the Mercury Ed' for a while. Thanks Michael.

[@jspacone]

This tone is SEARING! Amazing.

[@skallen59]

Wonderful, that’s a little hairy AMP1 😀 As always good job!

[@racrx7]

Cool sounding amp and very cool discussion on music culture between countries 👍🏻🤘🏻

[@vondragonnoggin]

Great interview. The guy is a genius designer with great musical taste and chops. Great demo of the Mercury and Iridium differences too.

[@anahowana]

The guy breaths passion and dedication

[@chrisjeneson5091]

What a fun and informative video. Super interview technique, relaxed but deep digging. Thomas is clever but humble and between you, you got some massive tones.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Nice.. The clean is on both are really good.. The bass sounded killer on the black unit as well..

[@timhintz]

Such a cool guy! Great guitar player and so smart! Seems like a great guy to talk to. Great products.

[@rockabilly12]

Awesome!

[@pedalscapes]

Cool vid! Love the Amp 1 :)

[@Nig6tWalker]

Thomas Blug awesome guitar player,thank you Michael for this video❤️❤️❤️

[@BradHutchings]

Thomas is a heck of a salesman. I need one of these.

[@lebroucke]

Awesometuff! Now we need a video with the Helix and the AMP1 as power amp!!!

[@johngerson7335]

Those are pretty mind-blowing! Sounds like you could cover anything between the two of them. Seemingly perfect bridge between tubes and modelling in my humble opinion. Even though they're not modellers, they meet the need that folks who're using modellers seem to have. Great demo and interview Michael, thanks!

[@peevee605]

Thomas Blug is a genius. Pure and simple. Great playing, great tones, superb interview.

[@jasonsapp792]

Michael I love your reactions .... With both of us being in GN's on FB would be interesting to see some of those guys reactions to playing one of these like Chippy..... I think Thomas has created a masterpiece

[@lucianoobelo]

Thomas is a hell of a player!

[@jumbomacfly62]

THX for the great video and insights! I have seen Thomas LIVE many years ago and enjoy all his Music. He really KNOWS what and why he is doing what he is doing!!! My guitar teacher - Horst Keller - will have him in an interview in SEP 2020. Looking forward to that one as well! Once again THX for this great video. Listen to his song „Strat-King“ - awesome! Keep on rockin‘😎🎸🎸🎸

[@adriyanmusic]

Crazy tone I'm going there ...

[@jammergreg]

Yeah I bought one too. That was a great video I’ve been following Thomas for about five years and you ever since I got into Friedman amps. Your demo of the amp one was one of the best. Of course Thomas Blug Is a Stratocaster maniac.

[@mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805]

Incredibly impressive amps.

[@rockerviktor]

Thomas Blug is an incredibly amazing human being.

[@patrickkem689]

It would have been fun to hear a work session With Thomas and Eddie Van Halen! One can only imagine!

[@livefromstudioa8245]

I keep coming back to this video, then checking prices on reverb, then this video, then reverb. Rinse, repeat. Sounds. So. Good.

[@dougwebb485]

pretty amazing unit

[@ITheFight]

Its weird when it comes to amps, I love the lengthy talky videos. Thats probably why I love Tone Talk

[@gearViewmirror]

I'm sold on this, after minute 32, yes thats how i want sound!🎸🤘🎸

[@larslevinberget9558]

Blug is one hell of a player as well!

[@ivanglucina9396]

I have the Mercury, remote and blubox, its unreal. I can get the same sound from it exactly like my fav head, friedman PT20. Cant wait for amp x!

[@JohnsonInc999]

A+++ for Govt' Mule jam !

[@Bero70]

Man, that solo at the end. I knew he's a "Master" Guitar player, but that solo..OMG..Thomas is on another level entirely .

[@kleberkshima]

I watched the whole video. Bluguitar is one of the best inventions of the century! Tomas Blug is the man!

[@tommanseau6277]

I've seen several videos on this, but most were so short and compressed. I knew it could deliver a lot of tones, but you captured what these amps can really do & not with just one guitar or one style, but even a bass!? Take home message: this is *not* a modeler. This is a real set of amps in a sub 3# package. Now that's really cool. I'm debating about the Mercury or waiting for the AmpX that's coming at some future date, whenever that might be & however much.

[@tomatengarage5608]

Hey Michael, well...I am a bit late for a fresh comment (since this Clip is 16 months online...) but however. Just want to let you know: I had a good time watching it - and despite the fact that it's maybe too long for the "normal" KZbin consumer - I absolutely enjoyed the conversation and would have followed it, even if the Video was running over several hours. That is exactly the type of talk I like to hear...! I have seen Thomas a few times on the Frankfurt Musikmesse and was amazed by his skills as a guitar player. I never knew he was developing stuff for Hughes & Kettner...!?! Anyway, his tone during his Demo´s was killer and I spoke to him a few times. Such a nice & humble guy! The AMP1 is the very next piece of gear I will add to my Setup, I mean what from this little Amp would you not like to have in your arsenal as a real Player...? Thumbs up for this Clip and I left an Abo. Best greetings from Germany. Michael

[@nicolassayada9982]

Wow I’m seriously considering this! I like them both! I’m kind of wishing Thomas would build a stand alone micro tube power amp! That I could just put my synergy preamps(or any others!) into! Hey but the synergy stuff would work with these things to! I had literally just said “that reverb sounds awesome”, and then you said it sounds awesome too!! Lol!

[@richard66754]

What a neat guy! I like Mr. Blug and his amps. I like the classic model best.

[@blacksheepkey2410]

Saugeiles Video. 🤘😜

[@johnnyrock8848]

SUPER!

[@timothy5974]

First I love Mikes playing and this interview was great. I think this sounds really great. I could just plug this into a 4x12 and go. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@nicolassayada9982]

My first amp was also a Mesa boogie Mkii B! I still have it! I want he Blugie mod now! This guy!

[@giovanigiorgos2955]

That was pretty freaking impressive....don't know which one I liked better

[@gitarbangsatchanel8036]

Damnnn..!! I must have this stuff

[@canyondepths]

I still use my H&K Tubeman II for direct recording. It feels like a tube amp and sounds fantastic using the power amp out into IR's.

[@ccmusic2249]

Due to the "tube" nature and feel, combined with the REMOTE1 foot pedal, the supremely compact nature of the amp/pedal itself, and the modular abilities of the entire system, this (at least to me) is peak "gigging musician" gear. All of this goes on a pedalboard and into a travel case and you're in the bus or on the plane. As soon as I saw the REMOTE1 on his website (of course after hearing all the amazing tones and tonal variety), I was sold.

[@umaduro]

This video made me grab my guitar again

[@Strangeluw]

Wow! I just watched the video to try to decide which amp to get. But I think I'm just gonna sell my recto and buy both. :D Really good sounding amps.

[@drloqutis2492]

Its hard to argue with Thomas he is a great guitarist and a tonemonger. He just killed that solo with a medium overdrive sound with single coils!!!!!!!

[@MojoDudeX]

I still have my H&K AS 64 and I love it.

[@anthonycosta2662]

Nice job

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Just found you. He's really good. His Vintage guitar looks really cool too..

[@Celticsaint777]

What a cool guy. I think I need Amp1 Mercury and blubox for my studio

[@Soloist1983]

Fantastic product, this interview really makes me want to grab one. Between Blug, ENGL, and even Hughes and Kettner, the Germans are seriously beating everyone in the amp game.

[@ibanezman1025]

Don’t forget Diezel

[@kmichaelp4508]

I thought I would give it a few minutes...maybe a few more...well? I guess I could check out and see how outrageous this little thing was,while in the middle of the video...what? Really? I'm going to watch the whole thing! Ok. For an old retired dude this is way out of my realm but God I wish I could afford one and relive my youth!!!

[@pellelov5081]

Very good interview ! I was missing the question about nanotube now when Korg are using the same name .

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

Insane. Both sound insane. I want the Mercury for the MarshallyFenderness, then the fuckin Iridium??? Damn. I want both. Excellent product and one of the best interviews/demos. Thx guys

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Every day, I think, Hmmmmm, I should also get an Iridium. That thing is NUTS!

[@michaeltaylors2456]

OMG a German pronounces MESA BOOGIE correctly ! ) May Suh. I cringe at every limey and kiwi that says Messa buugeey lol. This is the best interview and demonstration of this product out there. Do I wait for the bluguitar X model ?

[@michaeltaylors2456]

I got the Mercury edition, it’s way better than KZbin audio can show. The feel or picking dynamics is perfect. Reminds me of a 50 watt modded Marshall JMP I had. It almost does the magic amp sponge thing. I say almost because it is still very articulate, never flabby. Overall It’s a sound of of its own, not exactly 100% Marshall or Vox, 96 % I guess, it really doesn’t matter as it is very useful and musical.

[@solarkantari5d]

When Thomas starts dropping Nukes at the end of the vid 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nicolassayada9982]

Yeah, I want them both and I want to blend them! I wish Thomas would put his IR box into the old one too! Oh snap! He should make a stereo in and out blue box! To blend both of his amps!

[@timh4369]

Amp1 ME edtion is amazing. Guitar players have preconcieved notions on gear. I use an amp1 live and it rocks plus its so light and portable on my pedal board...i'm set up and ready to go in 5 minutes. Its a Marshall sounding unit in a box ,if your thinking of getting one do it you will be pleasantly surprised. Great Video

[@the92project]

I love my amp1. I actually got it instead of a Bogner head and I don't regret it one bit! Crazy good.

[@timh4369]

Super... I also have a kemper but I’m been preferring the tones from my amp1 lol I’m also looking at the Landry ls30 or the new Bogner head

[@michaelmitchell5909]

I just bought the iridium version. The thing sounds amamzing

[@stephenfell4338]

I see Thomas the new generation Tom Shultz with his products,please ask him was Tom Shultz an influence and has he learnt anything from him because this amazing as a repeat of 40 year. Please