PRS MT 100 Did The Hype Die?

[@chrisquesenberry9460]

Hey I was the dude playing the amp when you walked in to take it for a demo. I appreciate you being patient with me. Killer amp!

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

My pleasure! It was nice meeting you

[@DeliRevv]

I pulled the trigger on the MT100 the very day it was released to the public. I was so excited to dig in to this amp but 4 mins after powering it up and playing, the first thing I noticed was a large amount of hum on the clean channel which was baffling. The 2nd channel (crunch) was meh, didn't exactly sound like the Dumble they were trying to emulate but whatever. And then we get to the lead channel. Sounded great for two minutes before the volume got cut in half for no reason and made a ton of excess noise. Thinking that maybe the tubes got knocked loose, I powered down, unscrewed the back plate and made sure no tubes were blown and secured in their sockets, nothing loose or burnt out there. Powered it back up and the lead channel started playing at full volume again but died again after a minute. Needless to say, I boxed this lemon up immediately and sent it back to Sweetwater and applied the credit to a Revv Generator 120 Mk.III. which I am still jamming on today and loving the hell out of it. I wanted to like the MT100 because the MT15 was so awesome (still is) but the QC department in Indonesia really screwed the pooch on this one. Turns out that I wasn't the only one that had similar issues with the amp, either. Very disappointed to say the least.

[@jrlee243]

Just about any revv amp is so killer. I had the mkii then got a mkiii 120. It's a killer amp.

[@LateNightYinzer]

Personally it just never made much sense to me that PRS, such a high end, well regarded, premium brand that built their entire namesake off American made, world class quality guitars, decided their foray into the amplifier world was best done making cheap heads with cheap components overseas. It just doesn't make sense to me personally. I'm not saying their amps are bad. It just doesn't seem to fit in the ethos of what PRS has always meant to me. And for the record, I've never owned a PRS anything..I'm a Gibson and old school Marshall guy. But PRS customers obviously have money. Why not give them a high end amp that would compete with Mesa/Friedman/Diezel/Wizard/etc/etc/etc The real deal, balls out kind of amplifier their awesome guitars deserve?

[@justinroark6534]

Totally agree with you. The Hype was beyond what reality could deliver. I think its an awesome amp! Great Demo of it! I can't wait to hear one in person.

[@jasonapmarshallful]

I own this amp along with many others. In my personal opinion the red channel brings the cheese whiz. It rips, just like you said the grind on the lower notes sound amazing and the top end is a little darker so you do have to run the treble a little higher, the feel is awesome as well. For me this makes the amp really fun to play. PRS has been great and they now have come out with a factory mod for the effects loop of the amp to bring the noise even lower that they fully cover and all newly built amps will have this mod. PRS also has sent me new power and pre tubes as I’ve had them go bad that are covered under warranty at no cost to me. A company that stands behind their product - even if it’s a wear item and is easy to get ahold of is incredible if you ask me.

[@jrlee243]

I had a chance to play one for about a month. I was filling in for a band that their guitar player had things going on, so i step in. I flew out, and this was the amp he was using. It sounds really good. i liked it. Maybe it's just me, but when i plugged in, instantly, i knew that sound. I own plenty of amps, and this one sounds very familiar to some of the amps i own. The same thing happened when i bought an engl Inferno. It sounded like other amps i owned. So, if you want a great heavy tone that you don't already have, it is great. I try to buy amps that have their own sound. For example, egnater Armageddon, pittbull super lead, bad cat lynx, mark 5 c+, or a framus cobra. To me, they have a unique sound. The MT 100 sounds awesome but not unique to me. I would still give it a thumbs up.

[@mjbdough7920]

They fixed the fx loop with the American made archon and now it’s amazing! So are all MT100’s FX loops fixed when you purchase them new?

[@jrlee243]

@mjbdough7920 the one I used, I ran a fortine zuul gate that runs in the fx loop, so I really don't know. I always had it on.so I couldn't say.

[@AaronLucasandCo]

Great vid as always. Maybe I'm being a lil off here, but I was interested in the amp when it came out. However I think I m on a lil PRS overload, lol. They seem to release something every couple of months, and its always the best thing ever, lol. Also, when I looked into this amp prior to release, Mark Tremonti pushed it as an amp where he could do all he needed to, and wouldn't need another amp. Fast forward to a recent rig rundown on the current Creed tour, Tremonti is pairing the MT 100 with a Soldano synergy rig module, and for cleans, the MT 100 with a Fender Twin synergy module. To me, that right there shows the amp ended up not being enough for Mark. Nothing wrong with pairing amps. However, when its pitched as a be all to end all amp, then its not, is kind of a turn off. Lets be honest Tremonti is going to sound good no matter what he's using. However its kinda tough to be excited about a Signature amp, when the name sake, has to look for other options.

[@aaronmeyer7647]

Yeah but not really, mark said at the beginning when the amp was released he’d always run two amps as he always believes that no matter how good an amp is there is always another amp that can fill other frequencies. He ran only the mt100 for his last tremonti tour and most recent alterbridge tour and sounded massive. All the hype surrounding this amp was all created by us the consumer. PRS and mark never once marketed this amp as the end all be all amp. It was only touted as a 100 watt version of the mt15 which is literally what it is. I have both. Admittedly I don’t like the 2nd channel at all but the amp is exactly what I expected and nothing more.

[@aaronlucas5994]

His vid put out by PRS was what I was referring to. Of course the narrative is different outside a PRS sponsored vid. I do agree though that hype was consumer fueled. Us PRS users are a loyal and excited fan base. However, after how great the MT15 was, it’s understandable the heightened excitement for a follow up. To me, and this is just my opinion, the MT100 shows that not all signature products are for the masses, while it meets the needs of the artist, it may not meet the needs of anyone else. Any who, I know PRS retooled the Archon maybe the MT100 will get some tweaking and updating. Thanks for the back n forth. Keep playing!!

[@RobertGarcia-tt8sq]

He always runs 2 different amps. Always

[@artytoney2057]

Well, couldn't be a better place to get a true review and a balanced. Information run down you're one of the best on youtube at doing that, thank you for all the info

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I really appreciate the compliment!!

[@Senium1]

This amp has grown on me big time! It plays like butter and sounds absolutely brutal in Drop B. Records well too better than I thought it would.

[@KyleBarker-m7d]

I would really honestly save up get the EVH stealth or a mesa.

[@f33fifofum]

Sounds a little too sanitized for me but was an excellent review. Thank you for the video.

[@Bognerman14]

Thanks for doing this. I had the Archon 100 but had too many issues and I missed not having a crunch channel. I do wish the MT100 was made in US. I am just a made in US amp guy but I totally get why some amps are made overseas and it makes a difference for affordability. That's a personal thing of my own that I struggle to get past. I should give it a try. I agree on the Dumble channel. I'd prefer a Marshall style crunch. But, I know Mark Tremonti loves Dumbles. My US Archon 100 had a lot of hum and loop noise. I had some volume issues with the loop too and mine was a later revision. I know a lot of guys love it though. PRS does make good clean channels. I wish my Revv had a clean like this but I absolutely love the gain on my Revv. Thanks for doing this. You are the man. Appreciate your honest assessments. Hey, based on your comments they should make a Crying Karen Boost.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thanks for commenting. I totally love my Revv as well. I have the Mark 3 and I think the gain structure is near perfect. I wish the mt100 was made in America as well. If it was, it would probably be better, but it would cost at least twice as much. I'll be coming up with some boost Karen Merch very soon.

[@Bognerman14]

@@TONEWARSgearshow I really do go a lot by your recommendations because I think we both have a similar way we like to interact with amps and amp gain. Within the next year or two I want to get another head like the EVH 5150 Stealth III or Splawn Nitro. I'm a big Bogner guy too and could see looking at the Ecstacy 3534 50 watt or even a Orange Rockerverb. That Mesa TC-100 is also tempting. I'd like to stay around $2000, maybe a bit more or less, maybe pre-owned. Curious which one you find is most supportive and gives you confidence between the Splawn and EVH? I like the Engl to and the Diezel D Mol seems killer. KRS Juno is another. What's your voice of Splawn and EVH for clean, crunch and heavy gain? Any of these I'd love to try. You have me leaning toward the Nitro with your thick, chewy, easier to play type of amp comments. I don't go for amps that are just metal like my Archon. I need a crunch channel because I don't roll back my volume on gain like some guys. I like when guys say we can't play or don't know how to use an amp and guitar because we do t till back volume. Not true at all. We know we prefer a dedicated crunch channel like the Revv green. EVH? Spawn? Another?

[@dannyhoke5563]

Love mine!!! Almost zero hum on mine. This amp just does the job.

[@markwaldron7string]

That amp sounds sick! Do you think you'll ever do a review of the Engl Powerball II? I've been debating getting that or the newer Engl SEFE, but the SEFE is just so expensive (and complex). Love your videos!

[@brandonbryson3317]

As a former powerball owner…just get a Fireball 100 or Savage. Much more aggressive and raw and both cut in a mix better. Powerball II is a good and versatile amp, but a little too lacking in cHracter and mid content. Avoid the powerball 1 at all costs. Super compressed and synthetic sounding and no cut whatsoever. The fireball is actually my favorite Engl, despite being the cheapest one. I dig the simplicity and it’s the meanest sounding imo. The savage is tighter and way more versatile, but it also is lacking some of the character and low end punch you get with the FB100.

[@johnfinlay4963]

Yeah , I got the Powerball 25 and sent it back . Didnt really have the tone I wanted , a little lacking in the gain. IMO.

[@markwaldron7string]

@@brandonbryson3317 the Fireball looks super sick as well. But I play in a prog band and my sounds are all over the place - I would like to have an amp that has multiple channels for clean, edge of breakup, heavy crunch, and lead. So that's why the Powerball and SEFE are appealing, but I do love that aggression the Fireball has. In the comparison videos I've seen it didn't seem like there's that much tonal difference between the Fireball and the Powerball II.

[@brandonbryson3317]

@@markwaldron7string in my experience, the fireball has a bigger low end and a lot more mid range(you have to turn the dial high tho)

[@noslliwleinad]

Great amp. Love mine. PRS will improve the effects loop issue if you have a receipt free of charge or shipping cost.

[@RezqRabbitVT]

I love the mt100, one of the best modern high gain amplifiers imo. I sadly returned mine because the buzz was so bad it was going through the noise gate and it wasn't quiet. Recording with it was pretty rough. I still am sad that I had to return it

[@larrysmusic7812]

Awesome man, I think it sounds amazing. I like it without the boost but it’s killer! Might be the utube compression though… love ur channel bro

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Thank you!

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Great amp - with the Precision Drive in front it almost sounds like a EVH100 Stealth to me 💪

[@lucwilson1]

Sounds killer man! Do Sunday Live with it! 🤘

[@ReturnToCoda]

Got this amp day one, still have it in my collection and think it will stay. Clean and Lead are killer channels. Think the crunch channel was overhyped however. Given the price point, think it is a great capable amp. My biggest issue with it is the proprietary foot switch with no midi or TRS jack option, especially that this is just a straight forward amp with an always on loop so you only need channel switching. Could have been easily done with TRS jacks in my opinion.

[@brandonbryson3317]

Just seemed like an update on the archon to me. Also, stay metal ray’s video comparing it to his Marshall JVM 50 watt was night and day. The Marshall sounded so much more raw and cutting. It sounds like a great studio amp and maybe a live amp for a single guitar band. But I won’t buy anything that isn’t a little raw, wild and even a little nasty sounding….because that is what translates into a killer live tone. That’s why my main amps are a Splawn Quickrod, a Peavey 6505, and a hot rodded JcM800 clone. I’ve had tons of 4K range amps and I always end up coming back to these 3.

[@guitarlair]

I have the Archon and this sounds nothing like the Archon, the Archon mids are voiced completely different and the gain structure is different too.

[@brandonbryson3317]

@@guitarlair I had a USA archon 100 for about 5 years. I def hear some similarities, but until I hear them side by side I can’t really make a call on it. Both are darker amps.

[@guitarlair]

@@brandonbryson3317 I had the MT15 and I don't think the MT15/100 are dark at all, I think they're weird amps, they have way too much gain, noisy af and can get out of control if you don't tame some frequencies.. the Archon is def dark voiced and more balanced..

[@guitarlair]

@@brandonbryson3317 dude, you know what the MT100 sounds like to me honestly? it sounds like a plugin.

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

I just last weekend tested that amp on my ibanez TB412A at motor city guitar. Man that high gain channel is insane. So crisp and tight. But to much hum on cleans. I just wonder if a noise gate on the pedal loop will clean up the hum. Its that amp or a EVH 5150iii

[@thehoppo]

I got one, they were on a good deal in the UK, do I think it's an amazing amp? No, it falls somewhere between good and very good. I like it quite a bit more than the MT15 I used to have. The crunch channel, is interesting, it annoys me they spent so much time on it, only for the eq knobs on that channel to do almost nothing, however having said that I ran a treble boost type pedal into that channel and you can get amazing Black Sabbath tones out of it, it sustains and feeds back (in a good way) and is a lot of fun. Otherwise I too wouldn't really use that channel much. Also, again, considering the mT15 had quite a few hum issues, it's disappointing that it seems like a lot of the MT100's also have some hum problems, you would have hoped they could have addressed that given how much time they spent on R&D for it. Thanks for revesting it Jarrod AKA Boost Lord

[@MotoRiff77]

I really want one but that hum. That is problem if it's on the clean channel. I wonder if they were made in the USA would the quality be better. We all know the $$$ would be up there but would it be worth it?

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

I just love the concept behind the amp because it’s so unique. First it’s priced reasonably, but a Dumble channel and a Recto/Uberschall channel?! Come on! Who shouldn’t buy one?

[@9th_note]

not really sure why all the hype, nothing groundbreaking with this thing. definitely doesn’t scream versatility or innovation. Great video brother man.

[@brianpark492]

I plug into my MT 15 with a tube screamer for rhythm. Then I also run out of the loop return into a tank g....yes a tank g for clean tones and a Revv g3 pedal for solos. I'm running both lines into an ABY pedal and just switch back and forth.

[@brianpark492]

Forgot to mention I have a Marshall 4x12 Silver Jubilee cab and I turn off the cab simulation on the tank.

[@rockmovieswithtyler1989]

Hearing some Crowbar riffs 😎🤘🏻🎸

[@martinhensley2377]

I myself, have a second look and it's a good amp, but it needs a boost pedal would make it better.

[@WJHemenway]

I've had it since day one and honestly channel 2 is my favorite.

[@poppaslapnuts]

I had one of these for a couple months and sold it. Good amp for the money; but it had this top end fizz that didn't sound good to me. Kinda sounds like bad digital clipping in the worst way.

[@justsomerandomguyman]

The Archon 50 is the play. Tighter, brighter, more aggressive.

[@guitarlair]

exactly, I had an MT15 and I returned it and got the Archon, way better amp... more polished, mids are voiced differently and the gain is very balanced...

[@167rockstar]

Hows that MT100 sound with the Pepers Dirty Tree Boost ?

[@JimsMusicJourney]

This thing was over-hyped from day 1. What we need to remember is that Mark Tremonti likes to blend amps. He is currently using this amp with the blend of some Synergy modules. So maybe what is good for him is not necessarily good for other people. I have heard a lot of people play this amp and every time I hear it I feel its lacking something.

[@AlanScottBand]

I seem to recall you mentioning buzz in the effect loop in your first MT100 video. I also didn’t hear post distortion delays or reverbs in this video, which would make the hum you mentioned more intense. Did the hum go away that bummed you out in the previous video, or is this less of an issue now that you’ve revisited the amp?

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

I had it plugged into my hum X adapter maybe that helped with the hum issue

[@mikeparler]

Any issues with the effects loop? That's my main concern with the amp...heard it was noisy.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

So far, I haven't experienced any issues with the effects Loop

[@jason2841]

I'm new to this channel so forgive the ignorance, but do people not like boost pedals?

[@blackcroworchestra8824]

Whats your favorit amp?

[@notsure1135]

I miss my Hughes and Kettner.

[@BillyRiffinDaTube]

I went through 3 in two months and every one was faulty and returned. One crackled, another had a faulty power cable input, and the last had knobs coming off. Then I finally got a fourth that worked and the hum on the clean was ridiculous. It's insane Tremonti decided to let them produce this outside the country, the electronic issues are directly related to that. It's really not that great of an amp. Channel two sucks ass lol and def isnt dumble sounding. Gotta disagree with Mark on that. It also isn't a terrible amp though. If it was priced at 1000USD It would make more sense. It's reliability worries me gigging a lot. I AB'd it with an EVH iii el34 and my badlander 100, and it just felt like a cheap representation of a high gain amp verse those two. For the record, MArk Tremonti is the reason I started playing guitar and PRS is all I use, so I was biased towards it kicking ass going in. Mark's sound was better with the Mesa rec. I do look forward to PRS fixing the reliability issues though as they are a fantastic company that usually does us all right in the end.

[@josephbutler148]

I got one for a score brand new when they first came out and even though it owed me bugger all and there was nothing wrong with it I just couldn't do it. Channel 1 and 2 were some of the worst cleans and crunches I have heard and channel 3 was so kinda dark, muffled and lacking bite and depth I couldnt see anyone liking it at all but if you do that's great but maybe check out some other amps to be sure...

[@jeffhirshberg5171]

He's using Synergy modules live. So there's that. I worry the Blu amp will suffer the same fate. Sure hope not, as I'm very much looking fwd to its release.

[@idanramos1942]

He plays dual amps he just loves how the synergy+ prs amps get along, no phase issues when playing them at the same time

[@jeffhirshberg5171]

@@idanramos1942 OK. Thanks for the info. I recently read he was using several Synergy modules as his live rig, with no PRS in sight. Again, thanks for the clarification.

[@Mr_Woodchuck]

​@@jeffhirshberg5171 yeah I just got to go on stage with his rig 2 weeks ago and he has his MT100 red channel blended in mono with a synergy SLO II module.

[@nicopoppe4838]

crank the presence just like in a archon... I woud guess XD

[@HamsterSpanks]

Boost Babies?!....so good!! LoL!😅

[@5150forevermore]

I feel like the best amps have already been made. All they can do now is modernize them. Like the Mark VII and JP2C. But then there's a point of diminishing return. You start sacrificing tone by adding so much crap in the signal path.

[@andrewbecker3700]

With the controls on the amp at noon he says it's a bit wooly. Maybe turn the pedal you insist makes you superior, off? Then it might give you a better baseline? Maybe? Gotta get moving on. Seen enough already.

[@benburnett8109]

Yeah, As soon as I saw the boost pedal I was out. I would never use a boost. I use a "REAL" Tube screamer from the 80s in front of my amp. Level all the way up; gain all the way down, That way I KNOW I am not "Boosting" my amp.

[@mattvdh]

It is killer for sure

[@patriknessboLemoran]

is it worth trading my roadfster for it?

[@mattvdh]

Yeah I would

[@b1gnutt]

Absolutely not.

[@brandonwhitehawk5104]

I own both the MT100 and a Mesa Boogie Road King II. Don’t trade your Roadster!

[@BradRocker]

Its more than passable for an affordable amp like that.

[@ThyFinalPain]

What Hype?

[@JRs-guitars]

PRS has so many issues with build quality in their amps. But I will say the updated MT15 is a great amp. I just recorded with mine last week.

[@DROPTUNED]

Not impressive but usable... better than other amps in the market but not at the price point that it's targeted

[@matteomidas638]

This amp is very disappointing. No midi, the Crunch channel has nothing to do with a Dumble amp and the overall sound is too much "Tremonti" oriented. The Archon is way more classy sounding and aggressive. The MT100 is more into "I want Tremonti sound" and that's it.

[@johnnyjohnson6815]

The 2nd channel is fantastic if you know how to play guitar. If you play like the guy in the video, channel 2 will be beyond your capabilities.

[@matteomidas638]

@@johnnyjohnson6815 I have tried this amp. The 2nd channel for me is not good at all. I can play the guitar pretty well.

[@Oogiesgarage]

Don’t buy the mt100 save $1100 and buy a Bugera 6262

[@guitarlair]

This amp sounds like they mixed a Rectifier and a 5150 and dipped it in a pool of wet fart.

[@johnnyjohnson6815]

No that’s this guy’s playing.

[@benburnett8109]

Actually, it is a dry fart pool. And it was not dipped. THe Dry fart was poured over it. And they Mixed a 5150 and a DIamond Purple Heat 150 watt amp.

[@LukeTurner-dg5zi]

Dude, the reason people don’t want a pedal in front of an amp, is because they want to hear how good the distortion is just from the amp. Not everyone uses pedals; also if you’re going to dial in an amp, turn the mid’s back the bass up and the treble up.

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

@@LukeTurner-dg5zi we all like different things

[@benburnett8109]

For real. I tell Jarrod all the time: REAL tube guys NEVER use a pedal in front of an amp. Too me, If you use a pedal in front of an amp you are covering some deficiency in your playing. Just like Kirk Hammett hides behind the wah, Tube Amp Guys who use boost pedals are hiding from the true soul of the amp. It's like they don't want the amp to "expose" them and all their "playing fallacies" and "failures" I use a pure tube Line 6 Helix with a pure tube power amp. I run straight into the Helix, no pedals in front. Here is my chain: Guitar into Helix. Helix into Mixer. Mixer into computer. Computer back out to mixer on AUX channel 19 and 20. I then run out of The mixer into a 90s DBX stereo compressor/ limiter; then out of the limiter into a TC electronics 2290 with a stereo width program running. I run out of the 2290 into a Rocktron stereo Hush IIc into a Kettner 200x2 EL84 rack tube power section out to Twin 15 EV stadium reinforcement side fill monitors. So you can see, I run a very pure signal, and I hide behind nothing.

[@Eliphas_Elric]

Bro what? Why would you suggest scooping the mids in the year of our lord 2024

[@davem7632]

It was DOA; an amp with no personality whatsoever

[@JohnWiku]

It has the personality of their creators, they aren't strong enough for you 😂😂

[@ESPspiderXIII]

Trump 2024.

[@b1gnutt]

CLOWN this is an amp review. Got some cheetos around your lips

[@maddoxmay611]

I’m conservative myself but I don’t really feel like this is the time or place for that

[@kylebenjamin8772]

Overpriced made in China amp. You can get the same sound without having to drop $2000 plus. Unless you are playing huge venues, you will never be able to put the volume above 2 on a club gig. Dumble channel? When I think Alter Bridge, Dumble is what comes to mind.