I Bought A CHEAP Tube Amp - And It's BRILLIANT

[@MrPolevaulter]

Check out my review of the Harley Benton Tube15: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5KWoKN-nKZ9nKssi=wA2oQOd2BlZD8Vj_

[@WesleyWattley-xy4fg]

👋

[@jimmyjames2022]

Sweet demo for this SubZero! So jealous I can't use amps anymore (seniors residence) but at least I can come enjoy Elmo's demos.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@chessrootslove9916]

I have a 15w & two 5w amps from monoprice (which seem to be the generic HB). The 15w is packed away - too loud for my house, but the 5w also drops to 1w and I think they sound great. So, now I have a house full of small amps...no spark yet. Great demonstration - as always. Rock on Elmo! 🎸🎸🎸 Rob

[@MashaT22]

Generic HB! 😂

[@nj1255]

The Monoprice/Harley Benton 15w tube combos are the same design as the old Laney Cub (not the newer SuperCub), if what I've read is true. The Harley Benton Tube30 is supposed to be the same as the old Laney VC30. I'm guessing that it's the same manufacturer who made the old Laney Cub and VC30 who have now licensed their products to HB and are also selling them under the Monoprice name. These SubZero amps are probably also the same. The even have a new one called SubZero Voyager 15 which is a "tube/modelling" hybrid head, and I know that I recognize all those controls and amp "models" from an old Laney modelling amp that my friend had when we were young. Can't remember the name of the Laney model though.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks Rob!

[@tonoselectricos]

Hi Mr. Karjalainen. Sometidos, cheap products, specially with simple electronics, are just amazing, based on it's simplicity. I have a *Wangs* 5w combo.....and it sounds absolutely amazing mic'ed for any recordings. 😂🎉 Love your videos. You're doing a FANTASTIC job here. Thank you so much!!!

[@smithfield06]

Great review, SubZero Saturn-50VR Tube Amp 4 x 12" Seventy 80 Stack is 615 euros, great value

[@yiannisfaitakis]

That Jet guitar is sooo good.

[@MrPolevaulter]

It sure is.

[@GabrielNacu]

And Sub Zero sales will go up in no time! Good call on demoing the SubZero stuff as there's barely anyone on KZbin checking them out :) - Gabe

[@vincentl.9469]

regardless of the name plate, these things are often made in the same factory...same applies to guitars. I notice there was a lot of hum on that sub zero-as with a number of tube amps

[@GabrielNacu]

@@vincentl.9469 Oh definitely, loads of brands come out of the same factories!

[@brandonjackson5865]

@@vincentl.9469 Most tube amps are noisy, at least under gain they will. They will make different levels of hum at idle depending upon the condition of the electrical supply it’s getting. I think that’s part of why people used say that Marshalls sound different from night to night. I don’t mind the hum but my wife has walked in and said how do you stand that hiss and hum, it’s another or a part of that old technologies charm. I love and accept the noise it’s just part of it but there’s things you can do to quiet them down, make sure your outlets are grounded and use a power conditioner to ease the spikes and dips in current and of course noise gates. If you play mostly clean the noise probably won’t be an issue but all tube amps are going to be a little noisy when cranked.

[@vincentl.9469]

@@brandonjackson5865 also I believe it's the the tubes themselves that are microphonic, if that's the right word. Single coils & P90s are quite noisy , more so with tube amps

[@mcskillby]

Been waiting ages for someone to review this amp head, Thank you. I used to have the older, blue colored, 5 watt version which I bought new. I used it at rehearsals with a Metal band for over 2 years until one day I switched it on and smoke poured from the back of it. BUT I always had it cranked and got Hundreds of hours of use out of it before that happened.

[@Santaheckler]

I’d pay extra to have my amp start to smoke while I was playing (on stage)!

[@pauln6803]

​@@Santaheckler Chinese knock off capacitors will do it for ya!

[@mcskillby]

@@Santaheckler 🤣

[@MashaT22]

@@SantahecklerI second that! I’ll pay twice what you paid to have an amp start smoking on stage! That would be an epic way to complete the curtain call - just don’t do it at the start of the set cause you’ll get booed and have 💩 flung in your direction for stopping the music prematurely, lol. 😂😂😂

[@Santaheckler]

@@MashaT22 might work anywhere in the set if you just start smacking the amp with your guitar Pete Townsend style!

[@daniellarson3068]

Inspiring. This Winter I've got to fix up my old Sears Silvertone tube amp. However, the cost of new tubes (valves) these days may be almost the cost of a new tube amp.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@Thisworldthisweek]

I’ve got the HB15 combo. It’s great.

[@donstang4802]

Thanks Elmo! It’s always good to see what you can get for a little less money. I wonder if the combo is just as good. I looked at the head it’s on sale!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure. You can always try.

[@donstang4802]

@@MrPolevaulter Thanks Elmo!

[@davidjones6218]

Great amp, and the 50w is only £299 uk...Yes please elmo, a comparison with the HB would be great! 🍻💥

[@MrPolevaulter]

Definitely thinking about it.

[@Bobby_Digital37]

Wow! From the first strum this was amazing!!

[@LordBransty]

I have a Subzero solid state amp. Best home low volume amp ever IMHO. And I have quite a few. I don't use it anymore, since discovering discovering Two Notes Captor X attenuation. Now I'm experimenting with different tube heads going through that. Thanks Elmo! I may well have to treat myself to one of these now for Christmas. Great channel! Won't be long until my bank balance is no longer in the BLACK!

[@BBF3]

Thanks for the video. It could be that the Saturn-15VR is just a Harley Benton/Monoprice StageRightTube15 in a different housing. More and more brands do mean nothing. As long as both amps, Tube15 and Saturn-15VR, sound good and have nice features (effects loop, 1 Watt mode) all is good. 20 years ago it was a dream to get that good tube amps for such a small price, nowadays it is almost normal.

[@KozmykJ]

Yup. There are a few branded versions of that amp coming from the same source. Not that there is anything particlarly wrong with that so long as the QC level is maintained.

[@Allen-tm9xn]

Yeah just like the monoprice and the Harley Benton they basically got the same insides and tubes they're good little amps I've had my monoprice for 6 years and it's still plays great

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, that's what I've understood.

[@GerhardGeficky-jg4ok]

Sounds pretty great but its Elmos playing that is helping it. Sounds pretty good. The printed circuit boards are thin and cheap but you van mod them easily.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@norseman61]

I’ve also heard great things about Stage Right (Monoprice) tube amps. I believe they are the exact same amp as the Harley Bentons. They have a small 5-watt 1x8 for $159.00 and a 15-watt 1x12 for $259.00. Also, FREE shipping.

[@Mullewarp]

As far as I know they are the same as the Harley Benton valve amps, only a different label.

[@221b-l3t]

Yes and both of them are an almost exact clone of a Laney Super Cub 15. The old ones even said Laney on the PCB. They probably bought the rights to make and sell it, since Laney discontinued it.

[@roryoconnor861]

Live the t-shirt. "King eh, very nice."

[@MrPolevaulter]

😊👍

[@saheltaja]

”Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not some farcical aquatic ceremony!”

[@SirLoinMagroin]

Thanks Elmo. Sounded good but the hum and hiss was prominent and exacerbated by single coils [of course, as expected]. A noise-gate may help for higher gain. One watt [which seems closer to 7] by your db meter would suffice for at home self-practice, however maybe not "bedroom/late night" level for some. Bottom line: The noise floor could be an issue but if not, the versatility of sounds and price make it a great choice for beginners and/or those who desire an entry level real tube amp. I was not very impressed by the reverb that seemed to engage more after the fact but not a deal breaker imho.

[@MrPolevaulter]

The reverb was made a bit weird by the compressor on my speech mic.

[@volkerracho9598]

I bought the combo version 1 1/2 years ago cause I didn't like the color of the Harley Benton/ Monoprice. One day later I purchased the head, too, cause HB had no head version at that time. Both are great!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool bananas :)

[@michaelolz]

Some things are rebadged versions of the same product. Take the Harley Benton low-cost tube amp with the Monoprice version. HOWEVAH! I think it bears comparison if for no other reason than to show those who may not be aware that my initial statement is true. Great video, professor!

[@Chip_57]

Great Monty Python tee Elmo. Nice tube head too.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Monty Python is the best :)

[@Tini.F.]

It has a marvelous and strange reverb, like a ducked reverb!

[@MrPolevaulter]

That's the compressor on the speech mic.

[@Nanook19801]

Yeeep. We want comparison with HB 15. I need to choose my first tube amp!!. Thanks in advance!!. I started with the guitar three months ago. I already had things but I have been buying several of your highly recommended ones. Success after success. Gear gurú!!

[@AmericanNationalist852]

You should just play with what you have for a year or two, save up for some decent stuff, and upgrade with better gear when you start to develope your own sound because you'll have a better idea where you want your tone to be. You'll save a lot of GAS money and frustration that way. Just my stupid opinion 😅

[@Nanook19801]

​@@AmericanNationalist852 I already have everything for the practice period. I only need a valve amplifier. And both this one and the HB15 are cheap, so I'll treat myself to trying one. From there, of course, purchases will be more focused. Thanks for the advice!

[@volkerracho9598]

No comparison needed, it's the same amp. The Subzero combo version has a slightly more closed back and a device plug instead of a fixed one, which I like more (and the color).

[@jckelley10]

I just looked up the HB Mighty - 15TH (tube head) and it is probably a very similar amp! It's also Black! Black like the black ducks of despair!

[@221b-l3t]

I think the black one is a different amp than the Tube15

[@MrPolevaulter]

Oh yeah, there was that one as well.

[@volkerracho9598]

@@jckelley10 No, the Mighty - 15TH is a different amp and doesn't sound as good according to written reviews.

[@adamstein9333]

It’s a BLackstar, it’s a Behinger/ Bugera it’s a Mk2 Pulse, Harleybenton? I can Go On and On? I Love it. HT 1R Metal was My go too .

[@adamstein9333]

And where is the infinium version. That will explode!

[@jimilipi5493]

I would like to have a review of the harley benton tube 15 head with the cab g112 celestion v30. Nice and pleasant video.

[@RickMichaelis63]

Very Cool Elmo! Thanks for sharing 🙏✌️❤️😎🎸🎼🎵🎶😊

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@Smart-Alex]

The only thing I worry about with cheap tube amps is how long will it last? I bought a tube amp from a reputable brand (Marshall) that at least had a warranty covered by a Marshall service center when it stopped working after 2 months.

[@OKuusava]

So these will not last the 2 months expensive one lasted? ;-)

[@billahler7728]

I love these simple cheap tube amps. I just do not have room for more gear.

[@MrPolevaulter]

They sure are nice :)

[@robf.7404]

Isn't this simply the same as the HB Tube15 Head and Combo / the Monoprice Stage Right 15W, which are all the Laney LC15 circuit? I'm in IT by profession for several decades. In the world of desktop PCs there have been many PC components brands offering identical products, usually PCI and PCIx add on cards of various functionality, etc, which came out of the same Chinese component factory, and get branded under multiple names. That seems to be the same business strategy being used here. Ok, they actually have a version of the combo amp I just found on their web site. Even comes with same seventy-80 speaker and the same Celestion badge Anyways, I have the Monoprice and love it.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I think that's what's going on here.

[@TheHenkka65]

Thanks again for a great review. 🙂 How would you rate this in comparison to the Marshall DSL 20, assuming you'd get them both around the same price, ofc the SubZero being new and the DSL being a bit used but in a good condition...? Which one would you choose?

[@221b-l3t]

Nice sounding amp. How would you compare it to the Harley Benton Tube15? It's always out of stock. BTW nice bluesy shredding. Also nice to hear a little Gary Moore.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! Thinking of comparing them.

[@Jinballify]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But isn't HB Tube 15 just in-house branded version of the Monoprice amps they sell on U.S. Amazon? Much like some of the Joyo stuff got rebranded in to HB. This might be a similar deal.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yes, I think that's it.

[@SD_UK]

I which case, I beleive it is also very, very closely related to the Laney Cub 15 / 15R

[@JohnWiku]

​@@SD_UK "closely related" is an understatement. They are the same 😂😂😂

[@volkerracho9598]

​@@SD_UK Apart from the digital reverb and the two inputs, the Laney Cub 12 R is the same amp.

[@dmitrirehhovski6051]

I believe, it's the same as Harley Benton Tube 15....😊

[@MrPolevaulter]

I think so too.

[@mike42356]

Which is, in turn, a Laney Cub with the addition of a true spring reverb. I have checked the numbering a few components of the HB Tube15 head and they are the same in the Cub schematic.

[@gae7081]

But the Harley Benton One dosen't have the real spring Reverb..wrong?

[@mike42356]

@@gae7081 yes, it does, both the head and the combo. If I am not wrong, that is the same amp with the second generation of Monoprice Stage Right 15.

[@gae7081]

@@mike42356 thank you!

[@URTH-yb5xh]

Give the cheap a chance Elmo makes good points Tube amps $2500 + used $1700 and up Good luck

[@MPA551]

Gotta love the single coil hsssssss

[@markaston6232]

Definitely compare to the HB Elmo!

[@MrPolevaulter]

I think I will.

[@SisGuitarGAS]

I recently got myself a Laney Cub 12 which I think had similar specs to this and the tube 15. Maybe a shoot out between the three would be good? I previously owned the Tube 15 combo and liked it but found the cabinet a bit flimsy and rattly, which I guess is resolved by justc buying the head if you have a decent cab already. The laney combo seems a bit better put together so far

[@googlesucks5087]

Just get the spark 2 it has that rich Distortion gain tone you can hear this when you play one but you can't on the videos the others just don't have that spark

[@scotchgod8478]

I would love to see a comparisn between this one and the HB. Anyways, which cabinet would you recommend for this?

[@scottnoricsson2023]

I wonder what's next? Scorpion amp? Or maybe Kung Lao one?😆

[@onsesejoo2605]

Buzzzzzzzzz, noisegate would be a must or guitar with noiseless pick ups. The mere noise is 80 dB at one point while the sound itself is over 100 dB which is not a healthy amount if wanting to hear playing in the future as well, be it Spinal Tap length of bent sustain or not.

[@tymanngruter1808]

You can get that woman-tone so easy with this guitar and amp combination, the amp makes a lot off sizzle sounds, is because the mic. ? 😊

[@vincentl.9469]

no it's because of the amp

[@ALLNevada]

Hey elmo i have request / idea, could you demo or comparrison some pedals i cant wrap my head around pricing of some pedals. There are some 400€ pedals that are rivaled by 50€ pedals, is there something to these more expensive pedals or are they just for the cork sniffers. Thank you

[@ChengLi1979]

another laney cub 12r clone. ❤ love the cub.

[@kramersurfer5280]

was that i see the light tonight by Yngwie thrown in there...

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, I think I played that at some point.

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

So it looks (and sounds) like the same circuit as the HB tube 15, also sold by Monoprice and also sold under a second Gear4Music brand as the Hartwood Interceptor 30 combi. Any real differences, apart from it being head only?

[@JohnWiku]

All the same, just different headshells/tolex/front panels.

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

@@JohnWiku there are some other small differences. For example the Hartwood has a plug in power lead, not a hard wired one like the HB. And better speakers in the Combi

[@samizdat113]

The only thing better than having good tone is paying a fraction of what most pay for good tone.

[@MrPolevaulter]

:)

[@jimsimmons2674]

Elmo it sounds kind of like a Marshall Plexi,do you think it sounds close to a Plexi?

[@221b-l3t]

95% of the videos he uses a 50W Plexi so compare to that. I don't think so. It sounds great but not like Plexi.

[@jimsimmons2674]

@@221b-l3t Do you think is still sounds like other Marshall's or like some other amp?

[@MrPolevaulter]

I don't think it does. It's pretty different actually. I like it, but it's not like a Plexi.

[@jimsimmons2674]

I heard some tones you played that sounded like AC/DC to me that is why i said it kind of sounds like a Plexi.

[@przemyslaw1235]

I was buying multieffect pedals😅buy ,sell,buy,sell😅always tweak something .More tweak then play😅 now i own Laney lionheart😊2 chanells amp and i play more then before.Better to have 2 good chanels then 50 shit options😅

[@doudouxjn5980]

van halen kiff!good sound!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@bluematrix5001]

Elmo, what is that last Guitar? the Strat with a tele headstock

[@MrPolevaulter]

Custom built.

[@Reeses0810]

Any competent repair shop can fix your amp I have many obsolete obscure amps I get serviced.

[@icarusi]

Isn't the HB Tube 15 based on the Laney Cub?

[@221b-l3t]

Yes. Exact clone with one difference I forget. Which is cool because that was a 600€ amp. Nicer speaker of course and Made in UK but I want the head anyway. Pretty sure they bought the design from Laney, early models still said Laney on the PCB.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I've heard that too.

[@Psalm24-1WAEII]

What cab was used for the demo?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Marshall 1960 AHW

[@ErickvdK]

Is the compression I hear from the amp or production or youtube?

[@MrPolevaulter]

My speech mic compressor and KZbin.

[@ErickvdK]

@@MrPolevaulter Ah, thanks. Would have been a bit much otherwise...

[@jeffhabermel4300]

What cabinet are you running it through?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Marshall 1960 AHW

[@johnnorth9355]

An amp with no digital trickery that forces you to learn how to play ? It will never catch on lol.

[@MrPolevaulter]

😂

[@_Uh_Oh_]

Cool 😊

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@honkytonkinson9787]

It’s noisy and I would be apprehensive of its reliability. Might be a fun at home, jam in the garage kind of amp, but I’d recommend a katana, or something similar to someone starting out. It would be discouraging to be a new guitarist and suddenly find yourself owing $200 for an amp repair

[@ScottXDavidson]

It sounds Hendrixy

[@MrPolevaulter]

A bit yeah.

[@SFPP_Archival_Recordings]

Why does the reverb sound like a reverse verb lol

[@Fuzzybunny-ki1cw]

yikes that sound....

[@briandevitt6903]

I know its good because the "boss" just told me to turn the volume on the video down. And she must be obeyed as we know.

[@MrPolevaulter]

😂

[@AndrewAHayes]

Its OK but I would rather spend more money on better amp or if I only had the price of this amp I would rather by the Vox VT20X, it still has a valve for the pre amp and loads of modelling and FX and sounds outrageous!

[@googlesucks5087]

But the metal distortion on it sucks

[@ShantiBalahari]

Like 👍 first and then watch 😎

[@MrPolevaulter]

:)

[@DMSProduktions]

They are all COPIES of the Cub series of amps from Laney!

[@MrPolevaulter]

I've heard that being said, yeah.

[@DMSProduktions]

@@MrPolevaulter I have the original MONOPRICE version. I ended up getting it for free because it arrived broken, & as I'm NOT in the US, was made for US power grid only! (Their website showed pics of the INTERNATIONAL version so it had switchable voltage!)

[@olivierhelary4536]

What can explain a such price ; is there cheap electronic components, or manuf. workers not paid ; including transportation ? A status : around locally, lot of interesting second hand products. Shall we buy and produce infernally ? Have a good day. Enjoy playing

[@221b-l3t]

It doesn't say Marshall or Fender and it's Made in China. Tube amps are not that expensive to make. There's just so few "trusted" manufacturers that people will pay what they ask.

[@olivierhelary4536]

Second hand and local repair ... affordable. this is the solution to promote. Too much products in the world otherwise

[@seanpollock5300]

Lots of name snobs, just like guitars, scared that a 500 quid rig is gigable and sounds just as good compared to there 10 grand rig. But the name is everything

[@MrPolevaulter]

Some people do like names.

[@dingalarm]

I thought this amp was rather noisy (especially the reverb), except when played clean. So perhaps I'm naive, but honestly, what is so "special" about valve amps? 🙄🤷🏻‍♂️

[@norseman61]

With the improvements that have been made to solid state amps and especially DAWs, very little is special about tube (valve) amps anymore. The "sound quality" advantage of tube amps is now minimal at best, and is being outweighed by the negative points (cost, weight, reliability, transport, etc.). You can find MANY of the top studio and stage musicians out there who'll say the same thing, and the number is growing by the day.

[@tadask.4931]

Mostly touch sensitivity and dynamic range. Where you can go from from silent clean to good loud crunch without touching a knob on the guitar or the amp and do not get lost in a band mix playing live. If you play alone at home this might not be that much of an issue. But for live giging solid state just lacking a bit in the dynamics of playing. So to say its more about the feel how it responds to your playing rather than the sound that is comming out of the speaker. And TBH this particular amp does not represent what a really good and quality valve amp is. It is just good enough as an entrypoint to tube amps with a very high posibility of failing after some time because internaly it is not a best engineering and parts selection.

[@martinheath5947]

Buy cheap, buy twice

[@volkerracho9598]

@@martinheath5947 Absolutely correct! After I tested the combo for a few hours, I purchased the head version, too ;)

[@shane011471]

The problem with these inexpensive (and cheaply made) valve amps is when something goes wrong with them (and it will) they are more expensive to fix than the amp is worth, so it turns into nothing but e-waste at the end of the day. If you think you are saving money you are absolutely not. A well-made valve amp that will last and can be serviced is expensive (no way around it.) You would be much better served to save your money. That thing was very noisy and the artifacts after the reverberation was horrid in every respect.

[@edyb2097]

Let's face it: any valve amp, no matter how expensive it is, it's expensive to get fixed. Ok, you may spend 300 euros on a 300-euro broken amp, but you may spend the same amount of money on a 1500 € amp. The difference is in the proportion, but does it really matter at the end of the day? In one case you'll spend 600 €, in the other case 1800...

[@shane011471]

@@edyb2097 Yes it matters.

[@edyb2097]

@@shane011471 not to me. To each their own.

[@myuncle2]

Many people don't know it, but you can buy a Wangs amp, which has better components (and better sound) than these Sub zero - Harley Benton amps.

[@comeback1827]

interesting.... please, does the Marshall Silver Jubilee 25 IS a reliable and good components and not expensive service amp please ?

[@Amiga1200_Juicer]

it sounds plasticy

[@7171jay]

@Amiga. I'd describe it as bright and hard sounding but I think I get what you are saying. Lots of cheap amps and even not so cheap amps have this kind of sound. Not a fan but I guess some people are good with it. Good or even just good sounding but poorly made tube amps aren't cheap.

[@Wooburnmusic]

Harley Benton ? ...... IF you are fortunate enough to find the sound that you are looking for, ....... And you probably wont, ok for the shitty big boy distortion perhaps but for class tones that sound like you actually ARE a guitarist, noooooo !

[@randallhaney7909]

Okay. This amp is Not for the U.S. market.. You should've said that in the first place. Okie Dokie Elmo. I'm outta' here at TM: 2,25.

[@volkerracho9598]

@@randallhaney7909 ??? Thumbnail: Just 250 EUROS ...nuff said. By the way, Gear4music ships worldwide. Same Amp: Monoprice Stage Right 15

[@Multi7on]

Waiting for new models - Shao Kahn, Cyrax, Liu Kang, Kitana, Goro, Baraka and Obama

[@JohnWiku]

Yer momma too 😂😂

[@Multi7on]

@@JohnWiku don't tell your bf about this😂