Amps Under $1000 | A Tech's Perspective | Part 2 of a Series

[@PsionicAudio]

There are a very few points where the voiceover momentarily drops in level. Sorry about that, forgot to remove the previous automation in Logic. I had two days to learn the program, and I forgot that when you delete a region the automation for that region stays behind. I’ll get it.

[@SooBahkJoel]

Oh my god... unsubscribed. Kidding, of course. I recently stumbled upon your channel when shopping for a new amp. Even though I know absolutely dick about the nuts and bolts of amplification and electronics I find your videos absolutely fascinating. Even for a laymen like myself your wealth of knowledge and experience is indispensable for making smart, informed decisions on purchases that can sometimes be a real strain on the wallet. Thanks.

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

Wow, I used to play, not been paying attention much to guitar tech but I found this video and how really interesting to get an informed insight on all these amps, great job! I sometimes simulate voice drop outs by putting a pillow over my head, your way is much simpler!!! ;D

[@mattb4rd]

My Fender '68 DRRI came with a Celestion G12 70 V type installed and I've been pleased with it. Am I missing out by not swapping it for a WGS? Also, Do you happen to know a tech in the Jacksonville, FL area that can do the work described at ~ 9:00 on a Fender DRRI?

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Gods. What a loser. You’re giving me free knowledge, information and wisdom gathered over time and you’re not a Logic Pro genius?

[@ryangunwitch-black]

(That’s humor, y’all.)

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

This is you directly saving people money. This is you saving other tech's time & sanity. You're also exposing companies who seem to hold their customers in contempt, year after year, decade after decade. I can forward this to my customers who ask this question regularly. Thank you again for such a carefully considered video, mate!

[@brendanjames8818]

Well said Brad!

[@frogger-5meo152]

Definitely! I agreed with everything he said and I realized all guitar amplifiers are made wrong, so even though I used to play metal I just started playing acoustic instead. Man, I'm so glad I saw this video and I'm totally surprised that one of these many amplifier companies haven't scooped this dude up to design their amps. I'm sure he would definitely want to do that and I bet he would definitely have the time being in his fifties and living in his parents basement and everything. THIS DUDE IS THE MAN BECAUSE HE DEFINITELY KNOWS EVERYTHING!

[@JohnShalamskas]

@@frogger-5meo152 Tell me you did not watch the video, without saying that you did not watch the video.

[@matheuspachalski]

Nice to have Mike Ehrmantraut explaining good amps for you

[@SneedyKetler]

I can picture him putting a pistol back together as he talks about how much it sucks to work on Mesa/Boogies

[@moonguitarclub]

I was thinking just the same 😂

[@charlodius]

😂😂😂

[@Ben-bt6oc]

Knew I'd heard that voice somewhere 😂

[@CreepyCat.]

lol love it

[@riffalini]

Man, your 2 amp videos are amazing. I watched the $500 and $1k video more than once. When I do finally get another amp I know what to avoid now as far as long term quality. Your honesty is a blessing in a world full of people hyping up gear even if it sucks, just because they get something for doing it. Aside from you being so honest, I also found the videos taught me things i had no idea about as someone who knows very little about the inner workings of electronics. Keep it up brother.

[@bocabenkolstad]

Thanks for the excellent research and perspective. Just last week (after watching the previous installment), I traded in my Blues Junior for a DSL40CR. My playing hasn't improved, but my tone sure has. Glad to see the Marshall holds its own in this price tier as well.

[@gearoftones8585]

A few amp owners whole world just fell apart after watching this video

[@PsionicAudio]

Oh, I doubt it. World views are hard to shift. And that’s OK. I make a lot of money off fixing Blues Juniors and HRDs and Mesas and 5150s. Disagree with me, fine. I’ll be seeing you. ;)

[@gearoftones8585]

@@PsionicAudio 😂😂 Might be more in your interest to push the crap amps. Keep that bench regularly occupied! Seriously though, it's great info to have. Nobody ever considers service and repair and clearly they should.

[@paulallyngoff7472]

I have a Fender Supersonic that was completely submerged in water during a flood in 2016. After it dried out, I turned it on and it worked perfectly. 6 years later, only problem I have is corrosion around the tubes and no reverb.

[@waitin4winter]

Question, so the notion that these fender modern reissues will become problematic in the first few years, do you mean like the majority of them will fail? Or do you mean more like, for example, 20% which is not a majority but still significant?

[@caseywilson7768]

Haha yup....I have a EVH 5150 aaaannnd a Peavey 6505 plus lol glowing reviews for sure 😄

[@anthonystrickland9870]

As an industrial electronics engineer of 35 years, I can say that this video was nothing short of excellent !

[@Updog89]

What a gem of a channel! I really appreciate your down-to-earth perspective, years of experience and matter-of-fact delivery.

[@notplaying2379]

Excellent work. I had an Orange dual terror, it’s probably the most disappointing amp I have owned. I swapped it for a Blues Junior, which led to me getting a Princeton reverb with a cannabis Rex speaker. In my amp journey, I’ve gone back to where I started, a clean Fender with a decent speaker and dirt pedals (my first valve amp was a Silverface bassman into greenbacks). I’ve been chasing real valve distortion for years and realised that the best sounds have all involved dirt pedals and boosters into clean or driven valve amps.

[@Cam_B]

I’m surprised you didn’t like the DT. I love mine. It’s a super simple rock amp. Only downside is no fx loop. I can see if you need good clean, it wouldn’t be for you and understand why you would go the fender route.

[@notplaying2379]

@@Cam_B I liked my Tiny Terror so much, I was hoping that the Dual Terror would have a bit more clean headroom, and felt a bit disappointed. If the DT had been manufactured the same as Ade Emsley’s prototype (there was a choke to increase “perceived” headroom) I may still have it.

[@hog7203]

​@@notplaying2379 I broke my back a few years ago and had to switch to any amp that I could pick up. Got a good deal on a used tiny terror head. I didn't like it because of no clean headroom so I switched out the preamp tube to a 12at7. Now it's one of the best sounding amps I own. I was gonna use a 5751 tube but didn't have one available at the time. That would probably be a better choice cause it's a little hotter but I'm happy with the results, so I'm gonna leave well enough alone.

[@bludworm1]

I was one of the few that asked for this video. From my whole heart, thank you, thank you, thank you! These videos are extremely time consuming to make and produce. I appreciate and applaud the efforts of your free time in doing this vid!

[@bludworm1]

Well, like I said in my comment above, I was one who asked for this video. Because it's just time to get a good amp. I spent a year trying all the amps on your recommendation list. I ended up pulling the trigger on the Marshall DSL.

[@TheDankCat127]

I ran across this channel recently and I’m really glad I did. I don’t know jack from shit about electronics but it’s good to hear objective opinions from someone who knows what they’re taking about and not just another paid sponsorship KZbin guitarist singing praises about the latest gear release (not knocking those guys). I also enjoy your ramblings. Subbed 🤘

[@charleshuguley9323]

There's nothing wrong with a one trick pony if you like the trick.

[@fossilmatic]

Definitely worth waiting for. Lol, I’m left thinking I have four amps that will be toast inside ten years, while the 72 Twin Reverb I keep under the stairs will survive like a cockroach. But considering I don’t expect my mid range coffee machine to last more than five years of daily use, I guess I should abandon the romantic mojo and adopt more reasonable expectations.

[@ikestoddard2458]

Does your Twin have a Master Volume?

[@tombryan1]

How often do you have to re-cap that coffee machine?

[@tjminasi1442]

Cannot WAIT for the review of amps under $1500. Love this series.

[@jjclem8759]

Never came, alas

[@pkdude5334]

at this point the $1000 video is now the $1500 video

[@MikeDBZ]

@@pkdude5334 HAHA YES, this video is a few years old now. But also, this is USD. in canada these amps will be 2k no doubt.. ouch

[@SirLoinMagroin]

Great job Lyle. I see the DSL-40 and Vox advanced through both the $500 and $1000 tech perspective. I'm a die-hard tube amp guy, mostly Marshall's but if I am to be truly honest, I've got to say I also love my Katana 100 and my Super Crush 100 just as much. They are my "new school" and "old school" solid state favorites, respectively. Only time will tell about longevity as they are both relatively newcomers to the market. I'll let you know if they are "Chuck tested tough".

[@alexgenova9632]

Came here for shitting on Mesa, wasn't disappointed.

[@guitarmike6757]

I bought the new Marshall dsl 40cr exactly because of your last video amps under 500 bucks and I’m glad too hear you still recommend the new version I did put in a 65 creamback sounds killer thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience 🙂🙂

[@AudaciousAce1989]

Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten a blue light bugera 6161..... oops. Sounds and plays fine now. It was only $250 used and sounds AWESOME. Anything I should look out for, before it blows up??

[@FYMASMD]

I’ve had a Tech21 trademark 60 for over 15 years. Great effects loop. Good reverb. Versatile,Dependable and it weighs @35 lbs. Excellent line direct options. I play most genres of music and this little amp with my 4 pedal board is great. Bought new and I think it might have been @600-50$$. All that time I’ve had a 100watt Marshall JCM900 combo and a Fender Prosonic combo. They stay home. 😎

[@polrequena1467]

What about the PRS HDRX20 or the new Marshall ST20h? Thanks so much

[@soloflightwest]

I’m a tube amp user %100, thats why I use a modeler pedal on my board. I gig constantly with a 1959 Magnatone 213A Troubadour, and absolutely love it but it’s inevitable to avoid a tube amp malfunction forever and having DI amp solution ready to go on board like the HX stomp or new UAFX Dream that can also serve as effect you need anyway should be the new standard for professionals. You might find yourself in a situation where amps aren’t even allowed and or sound engineer needs your amp volume so low it becomes pointless to even use one.

[@Ninjametal]

Any venue that doesn't allow amps doesn't deserve guitar music, but otherwise I agree with you about any pro having some kind of direct to front of house, modern modeler in their kit.

[@axelmurphy2397]

gotta agree there. if anyone told me i can't have my amp over a certain volume i'd tell them to go fuck themselves and leave lol but i'm not likely to play at those kind of venues i guess. either way, none of us should be allowing that kind of nonsense

[@sparkyguitar0058]

In my worship music situation most of the time I don't even use an amp. And when I do it's a small S S practice amp used as a monitor to hear myself. I can live with this cause I got to play every week during the pandemic. Now I got 3 kinda gigs every week. 2 on Sundays, outside st a homeless temporary church then at another church where they pay me a small amount. But the guys in this 1 are putting together a original worship music album. In the area I live in there is no original music anywhere. So I appreciate what I got cause it could be nothing. And hopefully when we do record our album I'll get to use my real equipment.

[@BenState]

Did the amps under $2000 ever get made? I looked on the channel search, couldn't find it.

[@BarqB]

Thanks for making me feel good about choosing the DSL 40CRC I like the IR output that simulates a 1962 cab. I run it through a headrush speaker in addition to the vintage 30 in the cabinet and it really fills up the tone.

[@stratolestele7611]

Why would one take a perfectly satisfying Deluxe Reverb RI, and make repairs ahead of time. There are undoubtedly, scores upon scores of gigging players using them year over year. I'm all for preemptive fixes for things that are critical. If I am gigging with a Fender RI anything, I'm going to have a solid back up, as I would always have, regardless of the condition of my primary.

[@joeltunnah]

Because he's a repairman, not an electrical engineer working to a design price point with readily sourced materials that can be built with low skilled workers or automated processes. So he says amp xyz is crap because they use a 5w resistor when a 10w resistor costs 20 cents more. Sure, and a 20w resistor is only a few cents more than that! You're fired. That's not how engineers think, and it's not how companies make a profit.

[@TheBlinkisback09]

I got my first tube amp this year, Vox AC15C1, secondhand for $300. Definitely worth it and I can't wait to start building a collection towards the finer things!

[@antkn33]

Why would some KZbinr know more than the engineers at Fender, box, etc???

[@nachom1971]

VHT surprisingly has a couple under 1000$ handwired (in China) amps. I'll definitely never get rid of my ac15, jcm900 4100, twin 65 reissue or even my early blues junior (recapped, upgraded tube pcb and biased) .

[@jackdpearce]

They're actually quite decent amps, I've heard some mixed reviews of the Dumble style ones, but I have a standard 18 (1987x clone iirc) head and V30 loaded 2x12 cab that was ~$600 used. It's an excellent clean/pedal platform amp.

[@mattdude3427]

Do you have an opinion on orange crush amps? Specifically the heads?

[@march4652]

I'm not even in the market for a *good* gigging amp at the moment (a bit too amateur for that, still) but this is an invaluable perspective to supplement research and casual interest. Thank you for taking the time to put this series together!

[@Danaction87]

Thank you for the time you put into this, and all the honest information. It really shows what kind of person you are when you are including all these details to save people from having to take their amp to find someone like you and hand them money. Would love more videos on lesser known amps, if you have the time.

[@louismadeira3160]

Great video. I learned a lot and have made a purchase according to your recommendations in this video. Couldn't be happier.

[@oldguy5381]

This was a well made video Lyle. Lot’s of good information from a tech’s point of view. And if your giging for a living a good tech is your best friend. The good the bad and the ugly laid out in a matter of fact way, Bravo.

[@BenState]

Awesome!! I just bought the Orange Tremlord 30. I would love to see your opinion on that, but I guess that depends on your exposure to what is a fairly new amp model. 1 channel, 30W, clean, all tube reverb and trem and fx loop. Seems sweet to me for a pedal board. Also has solid state rectifier, which i prefer anyway.

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Orange: great amps .Ike Turner had a supercool Orange stack check it out.also Eric Burdon and War's guitar player had a badass Orange setup not familar with their newer mods but Orange has alwys rocked

[@cosmic5789]

Thoughts on PRS amps? Genuinely curious where they fall without the fog of the cult-like love and hate that they get.

[@adamwatson6916]

I really like my DSl 5CR and 40Cr . I have had both for the last 4 years and so far I have had no issues. Not saying I will not have issues but so far I have had no issues and I love the sound and I actually refer them to other more expensive amps I have owned and no longer own. I have had a mini Jubilee and and a JVM 1 by 12 and I newer bonded with either and actually preferred the tone of the DSL amps and I no longer own either amp . The jubilee and JVM did sound great but neither amp had the tone that I prefer. The DSL get me closer to that tone I hear in my head . I think if u had changed the speaker in the JVM it might have been a keeper and would have got me the tone I like but I also found the amp to be very noisy so I moved on from it

[@Minter_Music]

Same. My DSL15C has held up very well and sounds excellent clean, dirty, or with pedals.

[@GilgaFrank]

A very interesting and informative video. I've used big Marshalls and Boogies in the past and recently taken to just taking a BOSS GT-1000 to small gigs. The one amp that never failed me was an ancient Sound City 120 LB with six EL34's in the back, all the original Mullards and probably played into the ground. Playing through that thing felt like someone punching you in the chest with every chord. Loud and clean. As for modellers and reliability - yes, there's no tubes to fail, no leaky caps and no big heavy transformers - but if it stops working before a gig, can you fix it with a soldering iron? Or does it just go in the trash? Tube amps can be brought back from the dead but digital modellers are built to be disposable consumer electronics still aimed more at bedroom players rather than people who take them on the road.

[@regisrithgin2268]

Just want to say I can tell how much work you put into the video and it was very informative. I appreciate what you do a lot. It seems like people want to withhold the kind of knowledge you share, so thanks for doing what you do.

[@adamdarmstaedter1256]

I have the EHX Mig-50. I know it is a reproduction of the Sovtek amps and I have heard that those are based on the Fender Bassman circuit. It is advertised as being built rugged and made to last. I would love to see a video on this subject. Maybe a comparison of the 3?

[@TheDankCat127]

Also I appreciate your comments on 5150s and Mesas. I had considered the EVHs for a while but your video has made me consider waiting for something nicer. I’ve heard of the issues with the EVHs failing…

[@EasyHeat]

Once had a ‘74 Ampeg VT22 2x12 combo and later a ‘71 Sunn Solarus head. Although super loud, both became insane money pits, and I sold them during Covid. Lately I’ve been using a clean/crunch VOX Nu-tube preamp pedal direct to interface and into various amp sims. It’s been working well and takes front of amp pedals convincingly. Mostly play punk/hardcore/Stoner-Doom

[@zoomzoom3950]

My choice for digital modeler today: Boss GT-1000 and SY-1000. My first modeler was the Vox Tonelab tabletop when new; I've owned Fractal and Helix. I also use a Line 6 HX Effects with my tube amps, but for direct modeling with FRFR I prefer Boss. IMO

[@pb12661]

the new boss GX-100 is good too. great for the price.

[@erpringle]

I don't know how you judge these amps but it sounds to me like you're not a player and judging only on the basis of working on them. I'm a player for over 50 yrs and I don't know exactly why you hate on the origin 20 or the vox night train 50 but I have both and have never had a problem with them and love the tone from both. I also have a Friedman pt20 and a fender silver face princeton and believe it or not I play the night train 50 more than any of them. I really don't care what you think but my question for you is if the night train 50 is such a piece of shiot, why does the value keep increasing, if you can find one? I have owned the DSL 40 and it was one of the biggest pieces of shiot I ever owned. Sold it and bought the origin and have yet to have any regrets, so far. We shall see. Personally I think you may be a bit of a sexual intellectual if you know what I mean, I 'll let you figure it out. Good video if you can make it through it.

[@joeltunnah]

Because he's comparing everything to hand-wired original 1950s and boutique amps... and has no concept of hitting a consumer price point. He's also a repair guy, so he sees the ones that fail, and not the literally tens of thousands of units that didn't fail - so he has severe limited sample size bias.

[@elwrongo]

A new contender in the digital modelling sphere that looks very interesting (at least to me) is the Universal Audio Dream 65 (also the Ruby and Woodrow). Like to hear more about the Vox NightTrain - got one that blew a power transformer and have never been able to get it fixed.

[@RirtyDascal]

Got the DSL40CR but I'm only getting scratchy staticy type noises. Anybody know what could be wrong? I'm afraid I may have to return this one already, which is a pain because it was shipped.

[@PsionicAudio]

Don’t return the amp. It’s probably just a preamp tube.

[@RirtyDascal]

@@PsionicAudio thanks for the quick reply brotherman. I'll check that and let's hope that's all it is. In the meantime, I grabbed to Waza Air headphones so I can at least get started on my guitar journey. I appreciate your help brother. Thanks for what you do.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Wow, I never knew MESA sucked that bad. I heard horror stories, but I still couldn't believe they are that bad, for how much they cost. What a total ripoff. I was hoping the next installment video would include an ENGL Fireball 100. I would also like to know what you think of the Kemper and the AxeFX-III. Different price-points, but I see a lot of pro's using Kemper and AxeFX-III. The Fractal stuff seems to nail that "tube tone" and they have so many features, you can get ANY sound you could ever think of. Huge learning-curve tho. I have a boss Katana head plugged into an old Peavey 412M cab with Celestion G12K-85's in it. It sounds great, and has lots of flexibility. Best $350 I ever spent on an amp head. It's not tube, but it also doesn't have all the problems and expense of a tube amp.

[@PsionicAudio]

Unless I get an ENGL Fireball on the bench, I won’t offer opinions on it. Similarly, unless I had both the Fractal and the Kemmer to use and compare, I would have no opinion of them. There are a lot of “gear review” channels that seemingly get their hands on everything. And then almost everything gets the bestest of best reviews. I only discuss what I know, and I’m not beholden to the companies that send out stuff for review. So I may never do a Kemper or Fractal on here. Unless a client sends one to me. But as I do repair, and they are essentially computers, that’s not very likely.

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@PsionicAudio I understand. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the videos!

[@qbertrtrtg]

@@PsionicAudio all those gear review channels do is play it for a week and say "wow sounds amazing" then send it back to the manufacturer. They don't do any tear downs or longtime ownernship reviews

[@xpump876]

Great amp vid again! Really lQQking forward to your eventual "over 1k amps.." vid, ..the Marshal, Soldano, Bogner, etc...(too many to mention ) .. I laughed about Mesa's use of tantalum caps for bypass as when they fail they generally short out (vs a electrolytic which fails to and open circuit ... mostly ) - talk about pinching pennies at the cost of the consumer

[@stevelark9840]

I've serviced many Traynor amps, and you're right, they're the best bang for your buck for an actual vintage, serviceable amp. I will say that the YGM-3 is up there as one of the better choices though, so I was surprised that you isolated that model as one to avoid. The earlier, late 60s models were best , and, like all other brands, quality went to hell by the late 70s, but still... YGM-3 is a killer choice and one of Traynor smaller offerings. 2 el84 in PP, with true tube driven reverb, solid cab and hammond iron, 1-12" speaker, and fiber board hand wired construction. Some even say its even a deluxe reverb killer

[@dontthroworanges]

Came here to say exactly this. The Traynor YGM-3 is a fantastic amp for modern players. Low wattage, robustly built, relatively light compared to other combos. Not to mention its great sound and easy mod-able to suit the player. You can typically find these amps around $500.

[@PsionicAudio]

My experience of the YGM-3 was that it had so many design flaws that by the time everything was corrected the repair cost more than the amp. Wrong tapers on all the pots, terrible tone circuit, bad grounds everywhere, stupid circuit breaker, etc. Crappy car-radio quality speaker. Maybe it was a later production version. It went out the door as a great sounding 5E3. But then the owner refused to pay for the work he’d agreed to and approved before I did anything. Maybe that experience colored my view of the model.

[@harrisfrankou2368]

I've got a YCV 80 I love it but the Loop was parallel and sucked the tone out of the tape echo. I had it gutted into series and the guy... he left the pots, which seem powered, it still blows out DSP delays, and verbs with low headroom.

[@harrisfrankou2368]

@@PsionicAudio I've got a YCV 80 I love it... but the Effects Loop was parallel and sucked the tone out of the tape echo. I had it gutted into a Series Loop and the guy... he left the loop trim pots, which seem powered? It still blows out DSP delays into the red especially my Space Echo RE20, and any digital verbs with low headroom. It's blown out atm what would you recommend on the service? I gotta get it going, get the loop like my 20 watt with no pots... But would value your opinion on how far to go? In listening to you and learning bit... it might seem wise to go "all the way"... I love this amp and just gets the best dirty boost tone I've ever had. It gave me 4 years of trouble free awesome tone. Great channel btw.

[@denisroy7276]

I actually have quite a collection of Traynor Amps - Basically every tube model they made from several YBA's four different YGM-3's.. And, they are all great amps.. In fact, the ONLY one with such a circuit breaker design was a 1977 YGM-3 where quality had begun to fade as Steve Lark mentioned above.. But, yes, like almost every amplifier sold in Canada and England at the time whether Fender or anything else, certain post WW2 trade barriers existed and good speakers were very hard to come by. Otherwise, log tapers on the volume pots were just one of Peter Traynor's ways of getting around certain pre-existing design rights - Kinda like labeling "Midrange" and "Presence" pots typically found on a Plexi as "Range Expanders" so as not being too overly obvious

[@dtotheatothevtothee]

What amps do you actually own?

[@aaronroberts3848]

This is why I just build my own amps . He is spot on as far as repairs and brands . I have seen many across my bench . As far a modeling I'm sick of everyone comparing the sound . It's not just about the sound ! I play tube amps bc the respond in a very open way ! No modeling amp will do that . Touch sensitivity, pick attack, note definition changes due to all of the above . Sorry modeling amps just can't do it . Ya the tones are getting closer and anyone who dosent play instruments will most likely not hear the difference but most who play proper tube amps will FEEL the difference and hence it's not just about the way it sounds . When a musician/ artist is hindered bc thier equipment just isn't cutting it the master piece will not be as great as I could have been and the over all experience of the listener/viewers will notice . Save old tube amps they have lasted this long for a reason !

[@rjw7032]

I just really love my Traynor YBA 1’s. I would also add the early 70’s YGL3 Mark 3 head and combo. I like the heads. Lighter to carry. Attenuators for both are a must as they are brutally loud. Just four bolts, pop off the lid and everything is right there to service. Even have the schematic on the lid. Up here in Canada still well under $1K CDN.

[@harrisfrankou2368]

I got a YCV80 phenomenal dirt channel has a master as well as gain... Phenomenal gain at and volume.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

The Deluxe Reverb RI is now $1600.00 new as of 2024. A set of decent tubes for that is $450. And the future availability of tubes is questionable. I love the sound, but the cost has gotten prohibitive, especially with the problems they have from the factory and the questionable availability of parts in the future.

[@MichaelRoxalot]

Just adding a comment to let you know we're still interested in the next installment of the series!! We know you're busy, but we look forward to learning about the $1,500-$2k mark!

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

No Roland JC amps????

[@macanoodough]

I'm so upset Bugera didn't make your list :( I do admit that it doesn't beat most of what you picked, it certainly beats a couple. And when blended with a Marshall DSL the tones are amazing. I haven't found one amp that does everything, so I started using two. When I did that I found it's almost impossible to get a bad tone. You can do wet dry or any combo you like to get your tone, but between the two I've spent under $1000. And I've had the Bugera for 2 years and play it often. It's holding up pretty well and after switching out the speaker, I'd compare it to the Marshall DSL. They are super close to each other sound-wise. I don't know about the build though, that's why I'm so very sad you didn't dish the dirt...

[@andresvillacis7769]

I just bought a brand new AC15C1X after watching this video and cannot be happier. Thanks for your effort!

[@Papergami45]

I'm very curious to see info in the coming months/years on the build quality of those 5150 Iconics. I know the circuit is rather different to the OGs, despite the name, and it seems some care was put in (in general), so I'm hoping they turn out to be well built. If they are, the versatility of those seem off the charts.

[@johnnathancordy]

What a treasure trove this channel is!!! (Sweeps Mesas under the rug)

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

FIRST COMMENT YO!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

What are you commenting about? I didn’t read a subject, but I did read your declaration. Thanks and have a wonderful day.

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

@@sgt.grinch3299 Just that I was first to comment. It's a running gag.

[@robthebear2850]

I've had a number of amps in this list (AC15, Deluxe Reverb reissue, Orange OR15, Marshall DSL, Marshall JCM900 4100, Mesa Boogie, Traynor, EVH 5150iii) and have seen many of the things you note - especially the Mesa channel pop, the JCM900 eating tubes because the bias components kept going south, the cheap components on an EVH where the knobs would crack in half and fall off (apparently an issue on the early ones). I think you have convinced me to buy a Friedman.

[@yanicklajoie6237]

Wow! As a 50 old guy. I learned a lot and got confirmation about years of observation. Thanks for taking time and sharing such expertise. Merci Beaucoup !!

[@luisangelmedia4459]

Thank you for making this video. I loved your $500 video and this one as well. I wish I would have seen them first before purchasing my Marshall Origin 50. I'm overall happy, but I think I would have been happier with a DSL or Vox. I bought it used so, I should be able to recoup my money and save up for your next video, Amps under $2,000?

[@AbstractZombie-ed8fj]

Meh, tube amps are a thing of the past,they're heavy, expensive to maintain and really don't offer anything that new breed SS don't.. I can buy a 2x12 modeling ss amp and play anywhere! I have on board effects that don't run through the front of the preamp and if it breaks I can easily get another cheaper than one tube amp visit for maintenance... Yeah, old tube amps and big ole stacks are obsolete in 2024...

[@WilliamHall-lf9ee]

You mention “amps which use diode clipping”, which amps are you referring to here? Thanks for this very informative video!

[@MrGibsn1960]

Man, I kick myself thinking of prices I was buying stuff at in the early 2000s. Hiwatt DR103 at 1200 Soldano slo at 2000 Fender showman at 350 Marshall jmp 2205 at 500 Fender 65 pro reverb at 500

[@theallmightyham]

I own a Peavey 5150 and YBA-1 both have been pretty great. That being said I did have problems with the 5150 and it was painful on the wallet.

[@boris9585]

Regarding 5E3 clones… have any opinion on Monotone’s blackout tweed deluxe?

[@chr15tree]

Would love to know if you've ever had any Cornfords on your bench. Some of the combos are frequently available for sale in this price bracket. UK hand built, point to point wiring, uk vintage 30. IT sounds too good to be true on paper.

[@Toquelibre]

Hey There, I'm in the market for a 100watt Head. Preferably Marshall. I'm not very familiar with the newer Marshalls. Any recommendations? I'm looking for reliability and also something that will hold it's value in the price range of $1000 to $3000. I'm also open for suggestions on other brands that you recommend. Thank you!

[@gustavoloebel]

Wow! Amazing video! I just subscribed to your chanell! I wonder, do the Carvin V3M has a solid design? ❤

[@warmothgmc]

I wish I had a Freidman. I’m kinda wanting a Twin Sister. I could sell 2 of the tube amps I have and get about half way there; but, I’m sure they’re worth it. Dave makes some great gear.

[@Tankerbell21]

I just wanted to say thank you for this perspective. I was friends with a tech for a long time and it was a breath of fresh air given the lack of objectivity and prone to bias the market is. I know this took time to make and I really hope more videos come out. It reminds me of mechanic videos who say “consider this” due to years of experience with models that have their problems. It always helped me make an informed decision. ❤

[@MrDlt123]

Phew. Just bought a Marshall DSL40CR, and I'm happy it didnt have any gotchas. 😊

[@LSturboguy]

I normally buy a 50watt modeling amp for bedroom and goofing around I'm a fan of fender modeling Amps loved the Mustangs the GTX50 was my latest and in my lounge I had DSL20 with a 2x12 cab and a multi effects on it, I sold everything 18 months ago due to health issues, I'm now all Good so I'm looking for new gear, bedroom I don't see anything that beats the GTX50 on the market have looked at a Blackstar debut 50watt because its cheap sound ok great with multi effects and lounge I want a small head 20watt so far I don't see anything better than a Marshall, guitar wise I will buy a Telly, a Strat, a super Strat probably ibanez, and a les Pual for me Fender and Marshall I usually stick with but I've had a couple of Blackstars I would never buy a Peavey, Line 6, Vox, or Orange they just don't float my boat don't care how Good or bad they are, things I wish for is a marshall TSL60 in my younger days I had DSL100 2x412 cabs and TSL100 2x412 everything has a life

[@Stephen-zx4uf]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Just learning here and bought 3 tube amps and not crazy about any of them. Most experience is with solid state for acoustic applications. Yet recently an urge to go back and restudy learn to play jazz blues and looking for pristine clean.. blackstar ht20 was far too much mud in clean.. ordered online so return shipping would have been a 90% loss… next, peavy delta blue was phenomenal with 15” speaker, but there were electrical issues and the store said their tech didn’t notice a problem.. so returned it.. the last tube is hot rod deluxe iv and it’s ok but nothing special. Nervous about trying to buy another one and still be left with nothing I love. JC40.. liking it though wish I could mitigate the hiss hum. Maybe one of your other videos will address that. Thanks again!

[@sim0n17]

these days Traynor YBA-1 amps going for around $600-$700 for a head - not bad

[@whatmusiciwant]

Laney just released an amp that doesn't use modeling technology to emulate their Iron Heart series of tube amps, jut bought one. I hope it's amazing!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

I can see this being a serious quandary... the tone you love versus reliability!?!? Hmm...

[@craigrome]

It would be good to see you evaluate an ac30CC1 custom classic. I have one and I think it’s terrific. It doesn’t have the fx loop issue as some of them have.

[@AntmanFelix]

Great video. I need to see what the whole thing about blue back speakers because I love my Vox AC15 with a Greenback in it. Maybe I'll make the swap some day

[@ToughtWave]

Is it too much trouble to share your views on best 6L6 amps under $500 or $1000 compared to EVH 5150 sound, features, reliability . . . etc.? Also, thank you for the “gainfully employed” comment at the end of this video: Ethics are rare but always universally deeply appreciated!

[@julianrodolfo]

I’m not going to say brand names because I’m just saying , but I have found other brands way more dependable and made then any of this headaches, I own several =&-&&& and there’s always something wrong, not in sound because this company is consistent, but o well there are more options out there that’s all.

[@cbrindle91]

5150/6505's are the reason modern metal sucks ass. 😂😂 They're one trick ponies; you can get the same performance out of a Marshall, and then some. Or better yet, get a Freidman or Soldano. Everyone else will tell you they are the bee's knees: "Oh they sound so brütal, HURR DER DERR." Utter trash...

[@walterdeiulis2324]

Thanks a lot, very useful and onest. Ok for Marshall DSL40cr, but all the new serie DSL is good builded? What about just head 20 or 100?

[@hock4540]

Amazing. This video is like giving people money. Thanks for taking the time to inform the community.

[@slicksalmon6948]

You recommended the Marshall DSL40CR. Do you feel the same way about the DSL20HR head? The only difference I see, other than the number of pre-amp tubes, is that the CR has adjustable fixed bias whereas the HR is cathode biased. If not, how far do you have to go up the Marshall food chain before you get quality and British 60s/70s" tone?

[@jhvuvnik65s24]

My two cents after watching this. While, I feel the Messa amps I've played had incredible tone, I'll never own one after watching this. Same goes for EVH. Pipular amps that I wish you would touch on include the Roland JC-40 and both the original and reissue little Fender Champs. What an incredible tone they have for recording, playing at home, or low volume performance.

[@alexholz2510]

This series is the single best Consumer Reports style analysis of guitar amps. Thank you for it! Can't wait to see the rest.

[@williambarabanitz3858]

Any and ALL comments welcome. Acoustic guitarist getting into electric. I was given a tonemaster Princeton by my cousin. For the British sound I was thinking of a Laney Lionheart 5 watt 1x12 with pedals giving me Hiwatt and Marshall flavors. Would a low watt Vox combo be a better platform or are there other options that I'm overlooking. Budget for amp is $1000-1200. Thank you so much.

[@framusburns-hagstromiii808]

Agree with you on mesa boogie.....design for most is just stupid.....insanely difficult to service......overpriced and over-hyped .they made their bones in the 70's and early 80's and turned out crap ever since...

[@kilgoretrout321]

What about Supro? In looking for an affordable tube amp with an effects loop, I noticed the Supro Custom 10 and 12 amps, which Robert Keeley collaborated on and integrated an effects loop into. I like the videos I've seen, but have you any experience with their reliability and guts? I feel like they could be less fussy considering they don't have tremolo or reverb circuits.

[@davidwendland5696]

Great video...would you say that the MOJOTONE stuff was a viable option provided the buyer has the skill to put them together well?

[@justinhayes3434]

So, the Marshall Origin amps are no good?

[@justinhayes3434]

Thoughts on EHX Mig50?

[@markproctor3100]

Are the Marshall DSL heads as good as the combo? Thinking of getting a DSL although my little Blackstar HT5 MK2 has done excellent for me until now🤘

[@whatcher8151]

it was Scotty you did/tried not Kirk. The dilithium crystals, they're over heating, they won't last long like this. Man even the WARP technology had failure rates. Poof, there went the bridge in smoke, damn Klingon's & Vulcan's.

[@BrandonTheBoyWonder]

Awesome content! What’s your thought on the Carvin Belair 212? I’ve got the updated one with the vintage 30speakers. Amp has great power

[@onewiththings]

I had that same Gorilla. It was a huge upgrade to the .5 watt with a 4 inch speaker, free plastic amp that I got with my Kramer.

[@ibnzboy2009]

Best amp advice on KZbin with a lovely radio voice to boot!

[@davecooper360]

This is so fun to listen to! I have a question: why do so many amps have hanging tubes overheating the components above?

[@tryten9]

Ill take an Origin over a DSL any day. Far less harsh of a tone out of the box. Does metal well, but crunch and cleans were better in the Origin. But I have to say, i wouldnt say has a lot of gain.

[@johnjoyce]

I do wonder was the Roland Blues Cube out when you made this? ( I chose the Marshall DSL40CR over it but may get a Blues Cube any way as a smaller friend. I will say the Marshall ships with a dumbed down 2 button foot switch and terrible almost nothing owner’s manual. I splurged for the Marshall 6 button foot switch and it unlocks all the switching the amp does at your feet. I think it still stays in the category at that price. Oh and their packing was phenomenally good. ) the thing that made me choose it over the Blues Cube line was actually that Roland bundles NO foot switch at all. Well, Marshall might as well have done that.