Top 10 Best Sounding Clean Amps EVER!

Top 10 Best Sounding Clean Amps EVER!
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Ampeg SVT Classic:
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Randall RD20H Diavlo Series:
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Wampler Bravado:
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Mesa-Boogie Lone Star:
www.mesaboogie.com/amplifiers/electric/lone-star-series/index.html
Amazon: amzn.to/2H3EE01
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Hiwatt DR-103 Custom 100:
legendarytones.com/hiwatt-cus...
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1966 Marshall "Black Flag" JTM50:
Vox AC15C1:
www.voxamps.com/ac15c1
Amazon: amzn.to/2GK8bhe
Amazon U.K.: amzn.to/2J8QbeP
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Vox AC30C2:
www.voxamps.com/ac30c2
Amazon: amzn.to/2uBgaID
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Fender '65 Reissue Twin Reverb:
shop.fender.com/en-US/guitar-...
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Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/RobertJackson7289
Fender '65 Reissue Deluxe Reverb:
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Amazon U.K.: amzn.to/2GZCnCL
Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/RobertJackson9346
Fender '65 Reissue Princeton Reverb:
shop.fender.com/en-US/guitar-...
Amazon: amzn.to/2E87wRx
Amazon U.K.: amzn.to/2Jao2nJ
Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/RobertJackson9436
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus:
www.roland.com/us/products/jc...
Amazon: amzn.to/2GKrVRZ
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Tascam DR-60DMKII Portable Audio Recorder:
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[@tapfishchallenge]

300watts : perfect amp for clean tones and blowing out all the windows in your house.

[@DoglessEndeavor]

How to turn an indoor gig into an outdoor gig in one chord.

[@benmcdowell1784]

I laughed

[@Magnusk8club666]

😂 your neigheir face

[@Bhangshot]

@@DoglessEndeavor lmaoo

[@jdb2722]

Oh look at me I have windows in my house pft

[@christuxford4462]

The Fender Princeton Reverb clean is stunning. The 6V6 tubes are the key ingredient. Incredibly rich and clear with a lovely lower mids to bass.

[@samboggs3499]

Totally agree, I own one and 6v6 tubes are my favorite.

[@jodysanders1111]

I played on a Roland like that many years ago in a music store. I still talk about the sound of that amp. Cool that it made the list.

[@phildale8451]

Great to see someone focusing on cleans for a change. Really nice demo and totally agree with your No.1.

[@JamesEPowell]

Best clean tone I ever got with my Telecaster was through a Legend A60. Clear, full, and loud. Excellent with all the pedals I used. It's on my Why did I sell that? list, the same list that every guitar player has.

[@mattyjmusic4210]

Had the chance to perform with the roland jazz chorus last week. Amazing amp. Unreal chorus and clean tone.

[@nylonandleather]

Great video! Thanks again.

[@mikesbadopinions9671]

I agree 100 percent with your top 2. Twin reverb and Jazz chorus are the best of the best

[@josephstrolin7612]

I've been playing a 1983 jc120 since then, love it, cleanest sound. Thank God for the wheels.

[@1969MARKETING]

The Mesa Boogie Mark V clean tone is pretty amazing as well. It just gets overshadowed by it's high gain tones.

[@joeblack007forever]

Always love your reviews! Thanks a lot for this one :)

[@RobertWJackson]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mwmcbroom]

Here's one that flew below the "clean sounding" radar back in its day: the Peavey Session. The Session was designed as a keyboardists and pedal steel guitarist's amp. It has 200 watts of clean RMS power. It is LOUD and won't break up at all. As a guitarist, I used a Session head in bands I played in back in the 80s. Since it wouldn't overdrive at all, I had a decent pedal for that purpose. As a clean amp it had a lot of body to its sound, and really did sound nice with my guitars.

[@davidhovey5152]

Like the "share the music"! So true too! Most of us have items kicking around we find old or ordinary that kids would pee themselves for... great idea!

[@RobertWJackson]

Not my idea, I just support them. They’re a fantastic organization. ;)

[@tjnugent62]

I agree.. The Loanstar amps sound beautiful and very musical.

[@bassfishingwiththeantichri2921]

TJ Nugent - Loan star because you'll need a loan to get it.

[@dbo4506]

Bass Fishing with the Antichrist hahahah so true!!!

[@cornstar1253]

Mesa nomad series cleans are amazing as well. I like the clean channel with a drive pedal.

[@robertdemartino2572]

I've had the AC 15 and Roland jc 120 and loved both. One that I use in the house now is the Yamaha THR1011 which also sounds great.

[@jamesmyl3061]

Right on Robert. Thank you once again!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Always enjoy these lists. I would probably add (3) Mesa Rectoverb 1 x12 combo, (which is also a fire-breathing Dragon), the Laney Cub & the Quilter 101 ( all Fender Princeton-like pristine Clean's ) - but all of your choices were spot-on. Great information here. oNe LovE from NYC

[@withcranes]

Thank you, Robert. Recently been watching JC120 reviews. Too big for my apt. but I agree with your choice after hearing it. I don't like 'chorus' very much but the JC is not average sounding chorus.

[@kevinpaul1719]

Perfect again! I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and love the thing. I almost said my Vox two watt Night Train but in the nick of time I remembered that it is gain monster.

[@BlackDotOne]

Nice video. I own an AC-15 which I bought for that "jangly" clean tone, although it breaks up nicely, too. I was surprised that no Acoustic amps made the list. Never owned one, but a couple of friends did and as I recall they had a really clear, crisp tone.

[@paulreedsmith]

I read the title and instantly thought Mesa Lonestar and Fender Deluxe Reverb! Excellent list!

[@RobertWJackson]

Thank you sir!

[@Blimpus]

I watch, I learn. Thanks Robert.

[@RobertWJackson]

My pleasure!

[@DreidMusicalX]

I have noticed with amps I have owned over the years that its not just the amp. Its also the pickups and guitars used to get nice clean tones. Not only that, a nice cabinet that has the right matching speaker setup to match the amp and guitars.

[@williamalden5075]

Thank you for coming up with this list, this is very helpful. Gotta try the Ampeg and also I am very curious about the Panama. I tried the JC at a local store and it is really impressive. Cheers from Costa Rica!

[@davecooper360]

Also worth looking into is the Peavey Bandit 65 and the Peavey Backstage Chorus 208. Sweet clear clean tones that sound almost acoustic with single coil guitars.

[@robinhansen292]

The Roland JC120 is definatly THE best clean amp ever made! I haven`t been able to play one yet, but hearing it on Metallica`s concert in Seattle 1989, and other places, it is the next amp on my list for sure !

[@RobertWJackson]

That’s been the base of both James’ and Kirk’s clean tone for pretty much their entire career.

[@mfrady04]

I have the Roland JC-77.. I use it just for pedals and the reverb.. The reverb almost sounds mechanical but I don't go to deep with it.. Would the JC-77 be considered as clean as the JC-120?

[@jackoshaw]

Enjoyed it. Good info!

[@late4suppa1]

Recently bought a Roland Jazz 40. After having a Vox AC 15, Fender Twin Reverb, Vibrolux, ect. If you want that glassy Fender sound just engage the clean about 1/4 of the way. The new distortion is nice. And you can also add sound, you can't add clean. It's either there or it isn't. Tired of the tube amps. You have to turn them up so loud to get tone you want that they just aren't practical. With the right solid state amp you can keep the volume down and still get a great tone.

[@BulletSpoung]

The older Fender black and silver faced twins are some of the best amps ever made. I'm also a fan of the silver and red striped Peavey Bandits, very loud and clean sound.

[@RobertWJackson]

Four years ago, I couldn’t give away an old Peavey Bandit for anything less than about $80. All of a sudden people started RAVING about them to the point Peavey reissued the damn things. LOL

[@alanscharrer5255]

I love your cuts/edits. It gives you that classic Max Headroom presentation

[@RobertWJackson]

LOL Thanks man. Other viewers give me guff about it all the time, unfortunately.

[@zerep11]

Another great video ... Thank you! Once upon a time back in the mid-Eighties I owned a '65 Fender Twin Reverb with Utah speakers, but wound up selling it because it was just gathering dust (Yes, sacrilegious indeed!). However, in 2008 I wanted another 2x12" Combo to practice with and use for small gigs, but did not want to spend a lot much money. So, I bought a new Fender Frontman 212R from Musician's Friend (MF) with a Tank Reverb. It's a nice combo amp that possesses 100 Watts. The problem was that the "Fender Designed" speakers lacked character, clarity, definition, muddy when the distortion channels were engaged, along with not being able to handle the amp's power. Hence, taking from the lesson-learned in outfitting my Carvin MTS 3200 Half-Stack with the Warehouse Guitar Speaker (WGS) ET-65's and Retro 30's (which I shared with you on a previous post), I did the same to the Fender Frontman 212R, which I only paid $54 for each speaker (One ET-65 / One Retro 30) about three years ago from MF before the WGS price increases. End result? A totally different combo that is supremely better in every way; clarity, headroom, definition, the ease of handling pedals (which I seldom use), impressive distortion, and the speakers' effortless handing of the amp's brute power, I kid you not. On its clean channel I can turn the volume to '4' and its loudness is incredibly ear splitting, yet pristine clean. Moreover, I never used the amp to gig before the new WGS Speakers, but now I do. Plus, the speakers are so efficient I do not need to crank it as much as before either when just practicing. Take a look - wgsusa.com/et65 / wgsusa.com/retro30 . *PS:* I am in no way affiliated with WGS. I just love their speakers and wanted to share.

[@frankiethefish73]

I have a Twin Reverb RI and Roland JC120 which are both great clean, but the best clean sound I've heard is from a friend's Bassman '59 reissue manufactured around 1996.

[@benrosumny6037]

Amen -the JC120 is the absolute "Clean" beast - cleanest amp I have ever played - he didn't mention it is a stereo amp too - Unfortunately I can't afford a Kilobuck for one so I got a Randall RG200 - 200 watts and it's clean channel is to die for - like the 120, the dual stage distortion channel is ok, but it sounds better running your pedals through the clean channel and letting the pedals add the flavor.

[@davidratliff807]

Great review!!! Matchless are extremely clean, I use them with Fender tube amps, which all sound pretty close to each other.

[@davidedmunds7950]

I agree. I recently purchase a used tweed hotrod deluxe and does have nice clean tones. However I stumble upon a JC - 40 a few weeks later and almost took the deluxe back.LOL. The clean is amazing. I certainly look to pick one up in the future.

[@1956chip]

Great video. I tried a Princeton Reverb at a music store and was blown away by the great clean sound coming from such a small amp but too expensive for me at the time. I had a great Twin Reverb about 50 years ago but you'd almost need a forklift to hoist it (so heavy). Today I get a decent clean sound from a Blues Jr iii by adjusting the volume lower and master volume higher. I also have a Peavey Envoy (solid state) that is surprisingly great at cleans too.

[@RobertWJackson]

The Blues Jr.’s have a great clean sound! All of the Fender Hot Rod Series amps do, actually. They just came out with the fourth generation of these and I’m excited to hear them.

[@forester057]

1956chip I second the Princeton Reverb. I own it and it sounds like a Deluxe Reverb that doesn’t blow my ears out. At 15 watts its similar volume to Blues Jr but with far superior clean and overdriven sound even after mods on the BJr.

[@1956chip]

Agree. I am still wanting a Princeton Reverb Reissue and am wondering, 1) is yours a blackface or silverface? 2) at what volume approximately is the breakup? I am assuming that the breakup volume would be slightly lower on the silverface (but could be wrong), thanks.

[@forester057]

1956chip Mine is a blackface 65 reissue and has the spec ed 12” speaker so it may stay clean longer than the standard 10”. The sweet spot for me is 4-5. It start breaking up about 5 but can be clean if you play softer. Thats with a strat with very low output (5k neck) single coils so humbuckers or hotter pickups would distort it earlier. 5 is very loud and would be unwise though play at that level much. Comfortable but still nicely loud level is 3.5-4 and its still very close to breakup and will if you really hit hard. Lovepedal Amp 11 pairs nicely for a little lower volume sweet breakup. Sounds great with Tubescreamers but only when at that high vol breakup level. I think thats most fender amps though. I’m very happy with the stock sound.

[@1956chip]

Thanks David D. Very helpful reply for me. Beyond 3 would more than awesome volume/power for my purpose. Stock sound is amazing to me.

[@TheLexluthier]

Yamaha G100mk2 and Lab L5 are great sounding solid state clean amps used by lots of players.

[@douglasgoodall3612]

My first amp was a princeton reverb, and my next one (in the mid 70's) was the JC-120, both for the clean tone and the amazing chorus it has built in. I really love clean, but I also love tubes, that's why I play with a UK valve marshall and a fender SuperSonic.

[@jameshenderson4932]

Have you ever tried a Carvin AG-100 amp. It’s a combo with push button for acoustic. I’ve had mine for 15 yeas and I still love it. Just curious if you have any thoughts.

[@enwolf6696]

The JC 120 is just awesome!

[@eddygarcia348]

One video of the beat clean of amps for practice in the home please! 🙏

[@bluelane]

He gave you the answer in the video- low watt amps (5-15) like the Princeton and AC15

[@geespar1]

Blue Lane Frontier the AC15 is incredibly loud, not really a bedroom amp

[@p.p.b.businessstrategies6333]

Do you know if Black Sabbath song warning that the bass part could be played with a Ampeg SVT Vintage Black Line 300-watt could you give me your opinion thank you

[@travisguide4516]

Great video I wondered this I'm a clean sound lover

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks man!

[@skinnykarlos710]

I would be hard put to better that list. The no's 01 & 02 are just stellar pics in my opinion. Just spot on m8, spot on !!

[@crazeyjoe]

As far as Fender is concerned, a lot of their inexpensive transistor amps have really nice clean tones as well. Even some Fender amps have, gasp, surprisingly really good high gain sounds. Of course that is a conversation for another day! ;)

[@skinnykarlos710]

@@crazeyjoe I must admit to being rather a poor knowledge on the subject. Which SS amps of the big F have good loud clean sounds and for that matter good gain?

[@skinnykarlos710]

Joe Dazey I thought it a question for today. i wasn't being picky or a shit. I just really wanted to know as I really was looking for an inexpensive solid state amp (aren't we all and I'm Australian so I'm really cheap with $$) with great clean and dirty sounds. The Holy Grail of guitarists everywhere.I really like jazz, blues and 80's hard rock so if anyone can help me I'd be immensely grateful. :-)

[@crazeyjoe]

@@skinnykarlos710 Absolutely! The Fender Roc Pro 1000 head (100 watts), Rock Pro 700 combo (70 watts), Fender Performer 1000 head or combo (100 watts) are "hybrid" amps. They are 100% solid state powered amplifiers. They both have a single 12AX7 (ECC83) preamp tube in the gain section of the "drive channel. Nice cleans and pretty good "smooth," not buzz saw sounding distortion on the drive channel. There are others, however, these are the first 2 that come to mind. They can be found on the used market for under $275.00 Australian Dollars. Here are some links... reverb.com/item/30268961-fender-performer-1000 reverb.com/item/29630153-fender-roc-pro-1000-head reverb.com/item/18728348-fender-roc-pro-700-guitar-amplifier This is a link to purchase a foot switch for these amps reverb.com/item/29216575-fender-fender-2-button-channel-reverb-footswitch-with-cable-0994056000

[@skinnykarlos710]

@@crazeyjoe Thanks Joe. Cheers heaps M8.

[@mwhcherokee1]

Try the Carvin Belair 212 Vintage Series. I own 2. It is one of the best clean amplifiers out there. IMHO

[@joycecastona5327]

Love your reviews

[@RobertWJackson]

Thank you so much!

[@mijit.859]

Love ❤️ the lead solo at the end of this video !! 👍🏻

[@forester057]

Princeton Reverb limited ed with a stock 12” speaker is the best small amp I’ve ever heard. Big sound. I had a blue jr with mods and new speaker and the Pr Reverb blows it away.

[@bpabustan]

Without a doubt the Roland Jazz Chorus is THE clean amp to gig with.

[@RobertWJackson]

Agreed!

[@RobertWJackson]

@ Ian Sheridan You must be new here. LOL

[@michaelcorrieri6117]

I bought a JC120 in 1979. Fantastic amp, and I used it all through the 80s with pedals. Also, it has a twin power amps - so it does a true chorus, and you can connect remote cabinets. As for the marshall story, you got it correct except for the transformers - they were radio spares, not mercury magnetics.

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

Err....no

[@robertgiannini8062]

I'm looking at buying either a Marshall MG100DFX or DSL40C....opinion?

[@LifeProducersofNewJerseyLLC]

Great video. Thanks. I would like to just add my two cents and say that the Fender Champion, a solid state 100 watt version 212, is extremely clean sounding. Recently, I am really curious about the Marshall Origin serious. Marshall designed it to not have the highs and lows taken out like many Marshalls of today are engineered, so with the Origin there is a natural wide spectrum of sounds available. People say that the Origin sounds a little bit like a Fender.

[@1956chip]

I too, like the Champion 100. Very affordable, sounds good, not too heavy to lug around and way easier to use than the Mustang series. The only modeling amp I would ever buy but of course I haven't seen all of them.

[@JackTheSkunk]

Magnatone Twilighter and Fuchs Clean Machine and Jazz Classic II. Henriksen solid state amps for jazz guys.

[@muhammadsteinberg]

I own twin, deluxe and super...all reissues. Twin without a doubt is a clean tone monster. Volume maxed clean. My deluxe and super start breaking at 6-7. Clean is kind of a personal opinion. How much volume can you get away before breakup or if miked thru the house.

[@MikeCindyWhite]

Great list man! If I had to make the same list it would be just about the same, Thanks for the video and links 🎸🎸👍

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks man!

[@chrisgentry7242]

Hey bub when you get the chance and come across a Carvin x100b.

[@brandonpaavola5634]

I had the chance to buy a carvin x100b from my guitar teacher when i started playing ..... i didn't. That is a mistake that will haunt me on my deathbed

[@FatBoy7.3Powerstroke]

Thought I'd post a few details in a comment about this review, Cuz I have 76' Fender Twin Reverb and I just got a 93' Hiwatt DR103 this past week. The DR actually stands for Dave Reeves (No Big Deal, I like this Guys Channel and watch it quite often cuz it's Very Helpful in Many Ways) So the DR103 Custom Hiwatt 100 is of the Hiwatt Biacrown UK, 51 Hallgate Doncaster Made in England era. It's the version with the dual Normal Channel and dual Bright Channel inputs that can be bridged and used at the same time. I ran that into the 2 OS Rectifier Straight Bottom Mesa Boogie 4x12's Cab that I use for jamming with my drummer. I gotta tell ya, I've been utilizing a Dual Rec 100 watt head for Rig 1 and a Triple Rec 150 watt head for Rig 2, So them Cabs get plenty of juice, but Somehow that Hiwatt head puts out So Much More Power than both of those Mesa Boogie Heads put together! I think it could Blow All 8 of them 12's right outta the Cabinets without even being turned up Half Way. By that, I mean having the Normal Channel at around 1 o'clock so it gives it a Complete warm and full bottom end, with the Bright Channel at around noon to give it a Crystal Clear high end. At those settings, It's getting plenty of the Pre-Amp Tubes working, But only had to turn the Master Volume up to maybe close to the 10 o'clock position and That Was Pretty Violent, To say the least, lol... It could've kept right on going up, but I've Never Ever heard them 2 Cabs have that 'Please Don't Kill Me' sound like that before. That type of Clarity at Such a High Volume is Absolutely Amazing! Them OS Rectifier Straight Bottom Cabinets are some Seriously Tough Cabinets but they are No Match for the Headroom of that Hiwatt. The Hiwatt head does not have Distortion or Reverb, So It's All About Crystal Clear Power, and The Fact that It takes Pedals like a Champ, Is a Tremendous Bonus, So Without a Doubt, It's The Best Musical Investment I've Made Yet, Hands Down. I only paid a lil over $1800 for it with shipping included, So I got into the 'Hiwatt Club' without losing a limb. The 76' Fender Twin Reverb I have, I picked up for only $200 on Let Go. Them Tubes are kinda Beat Up, and the Pots are a lil Scratchy and Dusty, but the Screen is Tear Free, So I'll say it's still in Pretty Good shape considering it's a 42 year old amp. I will also be Inclined to Agree, That Infamous World Renowned Instantly Recognizable Reverb is purely a Gift from God Himself to the Music World, and has Definitely earned it's way into being 1 of The Top Best Sounding Amplifiers of All Time. It weights around 85 lbs, So it spends it's time in the Corner of My room, Nice and Cozy. It don't see No Travel or Gig time, Only Playing and Recording time, and it is Perfect for both, IMO. I hope y'all enjoyed a few extra details about a couple Historical Amps from a neutral persons Point of View. Have a Great Day - Jay

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks Jason! That’s some great insight!

[@checkpointcovid8021]

Big fan of the Peavey Classic series cleans. I have a Classic 50 212 and a Delta Blues 115. Both great amps.

[@Cluless02]

Cool vid as always!! Great amps on that list - Ampeg SVT, Vox AC-30, Mesa LS, Fender Twin, HIWATT - I'd favor the CP over the DR but that's my particular. A few I'd probably mention - Matchless, Morgan, Milkman, Reeves, etc. . . .

[@reverendg5937]

The Ampeg VT 22. Ampeg's Version of the Fender Twin. Incredibly Clean with Enormous Headroom. Weights as much as an Anchor to the Titanic.

[@brentlutz9710]

Yeap, I've got one and was surprised he went with the SVT over a V4/VT22 guitar amps. Ironically the SVT preamp is based on the V4B head, just with 6550's instead of 7027A tubes, and more power tubes.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

Rivera s120 or Rivera knucklehead are amazing clean amps. Swart amps are great for clean. Of course Fender.

[@magicdaveable]

My 100 watt Heathkit stereo amp that I built in 1966 while in high school. In the late 1960's I had a Plush 100 watt Bass Amp head. It was designed by Carl Marantz and it was a spectacular amp.

[@mikegreen1095]

My number two is an old Alamo amp( tube practice amp form the seventies). With a Montclair reverb. Awesome sounds

[@Ibaneddie76]

Yeah those old jazz chorus's are amazing I used 2 of them on stage, 1 for my cleans and one as my chorus through my Dumble. Iv'e moved on to Fenders for my cleans but still love those Rolands.

[@Glicksman1]

I know that you could not possibly know of every great clean amp, but there is one you ought to know about, 1949-51 Gibson GA-50 and GA-50T with tremolo. At approximately 30 watts from 2 coke-bottle 6L6s it has one 12” and one 8” speaker. It’s brown and looks like an old suitcase. I have one and also a ‘65 Deluxe Reverb, a ‘64 AC-30, a 1999 Komet Fischer Trainwreck 60 and many more of those kinds of amps. The GA-50 simply kills every other clean amp I have ever heard. The great Jim Hall used one for a time and said that it gave him the absolutely the best tone he ever had. It takes pedals like a dream even though it was designed and built a decade and a half before pedals were invented. It can play quite loudly with lots of headroom and if turned way up will produce a creamy and powerfully harmonic overdrive. However, that is not the best way to use it. Set at a low level with pedals is the key. Not only does this preserve your hearing and your lease, it preserves the amp as well. Those late’40s speakers are incredibly good sounding and are very hard to impossible to replace or to repair. You must treat them gently. Check one out, they occasionally show up on Ebay and Reverb and there are KZbin vids (for better or worse) of them as well.

[@Dremeli]

I don't have very much experience of guitar amps, but the best sounding clean amp I ever had was a Laney TF100. Of course it had great distortion sounds, but I loved it because its clean tones. Back then I played mostly The Shadows and The Ventures songs, and that amp fulfilled my needs perfectly.

[@sboistan]

Anybody know how the wampler bravado sounds at low volume levels? Obviously you won't get much breakup..

[@johnnymegabyte]

I have the *Roland JC-77* 80 watts 2x10. Half the weight of JC-120. Rarely needs to go past 2, it's that loud and Clean. Takes pedals and all-in-one processors very well. *Traynor YCV* series is a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe style 2 channel 1x12. I have the YCV40. Takes pedals well, and loud enough on 2 to play bars un-mic'd. I run the amp clean and have 3 dirt pedals in front, depending on the tone I'm after Mojo Mojo Overdrive, Boss Combo Drive (AC30) and Radial Tonebone Hot British. There are many Marshall 2 or more channel amps with amazing clean that I played. JVM100 combo (friend owns) and JMD501 combo (I own)

[@leegenix]

What are your views on the Vox AD 30 VT ? I'm starting to play guitar again after an injury that caused a partial amputation to my right and dominant hand. It's been a struggle learning how to use my hand again and playing guitar. When I saw the injury to my hand, my first thought was, "My God, I can't play". I Liked and Subscribed, Robert. Cheers.

[@RobertWJackson]

Sorry to hear about your injury, but I’m glad to hear you’re recovery seems to be trending back in the right direction. The AD Valvefronix were the all solid-state version of the Valvetronix amps. Not great, but not horrible. But the VT models with the tube preamps were quite a big difference in tone.

[@Wardell43]

I just bought a used Peavey VK 112 that I've been running through a Fender Tone Master 412 . The Clean Channel sounds Awesome. I'm going to turn my VK into a 50 watt head. The open back combo cabinet does a disservice to this amp. My Laney VC-50's Clean Channel rivals Fender Clean My Fender Red Knob "The Twin" has an awesome Clean Channel. Previous amps that I've owned, like the 100 watt Crate Blue Voodoo and the Crate VC 50 are incredibly clean amps. Generally any commercial amp can produce clean if you use the right tubes, speakers and sometimes upgrading the Caps.. Cheap Tubes equals cheap sound. Off the shelf stock amps are cheap to get out the door, but need upgrades.

[@gabrielmesquita]

Great video !

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks!

[@wrayven]

Cool list with a few amps I don't know. I agree with your choice of the JC-120 as your favorite clean amp. They aren't really my thing, but they provide a great clean sound with an excellent platform to use for pedals. Though I no longer own one, the 72 DR-103 I used to own is one of my all time favorite amps for getting clean sounds. I still own a 79 SA-112 50 watt combo and a 71 DR-112 which is a 6 channel PA head with a DR-103 power section, so I can still get the Hiwatt clarity if need be. I got the PA head as a way to mod a Hiwatt. A tech has been incrementally modding it and it now has an awesome sounding clean channel plus a JP-103 "Jimmy Page" style Hiwatt that he used throughout 1970. I got the PA for next to nothing a decade ago before the Hiwatt craze really kicked in. A wide open Hiwatt is a hard amp to beat if you love things loud & clear. If you are a technically challenged player, the Hiwatt is not a forgiving amp so it will expose all of your technical flaws. Their inherent clarity is also why they are such an excellent choice for clean guitar tones. No saggy or mushy sounds ever emanate from a well tuned Hiwatt. The most usable tone stack for amplifying guitar that has ever been devised. As a former owner of a 67 Marshall plexi 50 from a bit past the "Black Flag' era, I absolutely agree that they are an awesome clean amp. I owned that amp for a good period and used it a bunch for clean guitar sounds in the studio. One time a client left a 67 Traynor YBA-1 and it simply smoked the 67 Plexi. I then discovered that the early small box Traynor YBA-1 and early plexi Marshalls are based on the same Fender Tweed Bassman 5F-6A amp. I knew this about the Marshall, but never knew that the YBA-1 was based on it. Pete Traynor being a bass player even made the amp more clear as he was modding a 5F-6A to be an actual bass amp. You can also still find the early YBA-1 heads for well under $1,000 whereas you won't find a "Black Flag" Marshall for anything less than $5K(more like $8-10K or more). If you are an adventurous type, look for an early 4 channel Traynor YVM-1 PA amp. One sold on eBay last week for a bit over $300. Those have a multitap output transformer so you can easily run a stock 16 ohm 4X12 Marshall cab. You can mod those to have a clean & dirty channels as there are enough tubes. A friend modded mine to have an EF86 Vox type preamp which gives some unique sounds. Though people know about them, the Traynor amps from 65-73 are still an incredible value and simply sound gorgeous. I think you are missing the mark on the Princeton Reverb. In my experience, my favorite Fender clean tones come from the 60-63 6G "Brownface" amps. For sure I would reach for my 62 Princeton before my 67 Deluxe Reverb for a clean sound. When I used to actively record, I can't tell you how many times I would use a 6G-9A Tremolux for clean tones. To me that is about the best overall amplifier that ever came out of Fullerton. The blonde Tremolux just makes any guitar sound great. They stay clear until about 6 and then they get a sumptuous overdrive at 7 that the higher powered 6G amps just don't quite attain. The power section uses a pair of 6L6GC with an output of 35 Watts RMS. The 6G-11A Vibrolux is the same amp, but as a 1x12 combo. Those sound phenomenal as well.I love the AB763 type circuit, but that circuit lacks the midrange that the early Tolex amps have. An 85 watt Twin Reverb with JBL speakers is a monument of clean guitar tone, but I will always pick a 6G era Fender first(especially my Tremolux, but honestly all of them have a great clean sound-try a Pro or Vibrosonic with its 15 inch speaker and you will achieve some awesome clean sounds)

[@goddessintriptych7046]

Morgan PR12 combo (maybe the best I've ever heard) Swart Atomic AST Pro head Swart Atomic Jr head Laney IronHeart 120 Orange Crush Pro (surprisingly good)

[@TheBobrossmusic]

Thank for the list! One I highly recommend is Henriksen. I’ve been using the 110 and 112 for the last 10yrs. Think modern day Polytone.

[@RobertWJackson]

Not familiar with Henriksen amps, but I’ll have to check them out!

[@brentlutz9710]

I just have to ask how much time you have spent with a Hiwatt Custom 100? I have a 4xEL34 Hiwatt Custom Shop DR103, as well as a 4xEL34 Reeves DR504, and while they have the undisputed gorgeous loud cleans you speak of, both amps are capable of EPIC classic rock crunch with the Normal and Brilliant channels bridged. Once you get up around halfway on the master volume this morphs into gut punching roar that will make give any JMP a run for its money, but with more punch and teeth. My two Custom 100's will make even my Matamp GT150 green with envy in terms of huge sounding authority for punishing chunky Doom tones.

[@terryturner4071]

The top 3 were spot on...no argument here, dude

[@JSGuitar80]

I have an AC30 Top Boost with greenbacks. The first time I ever played an AC30 I was sold and it took me about four years to save up for it. Whenever I describe the clean tone to people I also use the adjective jangly but "glassy", too. It's just so responsive to the touch. I will never, ever again use another amplifier as my main amp. I'm actually curious as to how on earth George Harrison managed to get such an awful tone out of these babies. lol It's almost impressive.

[@BeatlesHeadsFC]

They were plugged into PA systems back in the day which are essentially megaphones so the full tone isn't present during their concerts.

[@capitanvonchickenpants8492]

It's got shing

[@adam614ce]

I bought a old mint JC-120 in 2003 for $300. The guitar player for Al Green used it on tour a few times. Man I miss that amp. Something about running a Overdrive pedal through a JC120 for the first time make you realize how a clean high headroom amp is really a pedal players delight.

[@davidhicks9215]

Glad I found this post! Do you have thoughts on the Randall RC-235 Stereo Chorus? There aren't many out there (it seems) but just a couple used ones.

[@larryfranklin4547]

A Fender Champion 100 has recently become my favorite amp.

[@blakeburdette7171]

Love the AC30CC2, feels like the tone is going through my hand into the neck of the guitar. Glassy tone is how I would describe it.

[@imannonymous7707]

Ya good amps but a nightmare to drag around

[@johnpick8336]

Right on ! Thanks

[@RobertWJackson]

My pleasure!

[@drpenguin5410]

Your channel deserves more attention 🤘

[@ClintGilbert5]

most of rirvera but to be fair he used to work for fender.

[@jumpingman8160]

JC120 is a killer amp. The Chorus on it is superb. The newer recent versions tackled the overdrive on it and it's somewhat better. Waiting to get a newer version 2nd hand.

[@jumpingman8160]

Said the following musicians... never: James Hetfield Kirk Hammett Robert Fripp Wes Borland Albert King, Andy Summers (The Police), Robert Smith (of The Cure) Billy Duffy (The Cult, Siouxsie and the Banshees) Pat Metheny. Jeff Buckley Steve Levine [producer of bands such as Culture Club, The Beach Boys and The Clash and a lot of others The amp is a standard in any major studio, btw

[@jumpingman8160]

so basically you - a random nobody on the internet with... how many platinum awards did you say you have? - are complaining about "tone"? kid, grow up. And btw, both James and Kirk use the head version live, since the 80's. :)

[@RobertWJackson]

Couldn’t agree more David! I’ve been a die-hard Metallica fan my whole life, and James Hetfield is the reason I learned to play guitar back in the mid-80’s in the first place. I follow them closely, including their gear. They’ve BOTH had Roland JC-120 heads in their rigs for decades now.

[@jumpingman8160]

Robert - these kids nowadays...

[@RobertWJackson]

Says the TROLL who is absolutely hellbent on proving to everybody that he’s right and we’re all wrong. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@xmillion1704]

My amp made #2 on the list!! Bought a '65 DRRI earlier this year before the introduction of the Tone King versions. I don't know why it took me so long to subscribe here. I've long been fond your interesting, informative videos presented in your inimitably humble fashion, from your well-lit dungeon. lol

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks man! Glad you’re enjoying my channel. Welcome to the family!

[@MrNitrocat]

Just curious what you think about the PRS Archon 25/13 combo. I know this is known as a high gain amp but have heard it has a pristine clean channel, that takes pedals extremely well. I haven't had a chance to play one which is why I'm asking your opinion on this. Being a fairly expensive amp I don't want to just take a chance and order one as my local store doesn't have any in stock. Any opinion on this amp?

[@RobertWJackson]

I actually haven’t had a chance to play through one either, but all of the demos definitely have me intrigued. They seem pretty awesome.

[@notpub]

Awesome list. Thank you!!! Why wasn't Orange included? 😕

[@RobertWJackson]

Orange amps aren’t really known for their clean tones.

[@paulojrg]

The Polytone Mini brute, some Carvins...but I prefer the Twin Reverb.

[@lazylester1]

I have a Traynor Guitar Mate, very satisfying clean tone, just slightly darker than a deluxe reverb.

[@jacintognomo2459]

I want a pedal platform amp. Wampler Bravado / Suhr Bella / Supro 1970 Keeley. Which of those do you think is better or which are the difference. I like to play different styles like John Mayer to Mark Tremonti

[@RobertWJackson]

I’ve never heard the Suhr or the Supro, but the Wampler Bravado is awesome. If you can afford it, I’d go that route. Brian Wampler is a genius.

[@jacintognomo2459]

Thank you

[@Bliggick]

The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 from the 80's is nothin' to sneeze at either.

[@RobertWJackson]

God, I’d forgotten all about those amps. I haven’t seen one in years!

[@wmfthe5th376]

I had one of those. Incredibly loud, nice chorus and vibrato, but the EQ wasn't very forgiving, and I had to change it all the time when I switched guitars. I replaced it with a Peavey Classic 50 and didn't miss it at all, especially the Scorpion speakers. After that I started building my own tube guitar amps, and I haven't felt the need to buy a ready-made amp since.

[@billbroyles2683]

I was coming here to brag about my Peavey Austin 400 from the 80s! It sounds amazing.

[@jamesdavis7306]

I had a peavey renown 400 in 86 that was stellar sounding on the clean channel!!.. the volume seemed to be endless as well... I should have never sold it... smh...

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

Evans amps are great for clean sounds. Many jazz guitarists use them... and they learned about them from pedal steel players, and you know they prefer a clean, clear tone. Really worth checking them out.

[@pafnoocy]

Carvin Legacy VL100. An absolute underrated gem amp. Pun intended.

[@elvyfoster7455]

Your channel deserves to be at least 500 times as big as it is. I always enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks man! Perhaps we’ll get there one day. In the meantime, we still have each other, right??? 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@northernthrifter8817]

great vid thanks i have a laney cub 8 does a lovely clean tone more vox than fender but with its own character.

[@notpennysboat4809]

I've found that a lot of the Orange Amps, even the solid-states have a a great clean sound. Nice sorta jazzy sounds. The Rockerverbs and the Crush series are good with pedals too.

[@RobertWJackson]

I couldn’t stand a single-tone that I got out of the Crush series amps. (I admit I have not heard the Crush Pro Series yet.) The Rockerverb’s got so much gain in it that the clean tone for me was ALMOST non-existent. Then I tried a Thunderverb, which has EVEN MORE gain, and it DEFINITELY didn’t have a clean sound. That said, those two amps - especially the Thunderverb - are two of the coolest metal tones I’ve heard. I’d love to have a Thunderverb, but they ain’t cheap.

[@stroopwafel6141]

I totally disagree here. I have the Rockerverb 50 MKI 6V6 with a 2x12 cab with WGS-speakers. I did a lot of preamptube swapping. The clean channel is fantastic and takes pedals really well. I play a lot of funky stuff on this channel and got many compliments on the clean sounds. Also, this channel sounds very nice with an EP-booster in front. And you know what, the drivechannel goes from almost clean!!! to an outrageous overdrive and everything in between. It has four gainstages in one driveknob and it also cleans up very well. You have to know how to use this amp and you have to spend money on quality preamptubes and powertubes. If you say the clean tone is almost non-existent you never spend serious time with this amp. A Roland Jazz Chorus sounds flat and bland in comparison to the RV MKI. My Diezel Schmidt's clean channel sounds ten times better than this solid state crap from Roland. Man, I know, I had them all.

[@RobertWJackson]

The Jazz Chorus isn’t solid-state crap, it’s one of the most respected solid-state amps out there specifically because of its clean tone. I’ve spent plenty of time with the Rockerverbs. I spent many years working at a store that carried them and I sold them for a living. I don’t have anything bad to say about them at all, I think they’re great amps. I just don’t care for the clean tone. Couldn’t get any headroom out of it without plugging a Tele into it. Play a Schecter with Duncans in it and just wouldn’t stay clean enough loud enough for my purposes.

[@euclidesanatolly6175]

Rolland JC is the best for shure \m/

[@jwguitar]

Bugera V5 Infinium is my favorite clean tone amp. I use it to record and live playing.

[@artprince9163]

Agree with the Fenders. I have owned at one time or another the following vintage Fender amps: Vibro Champ, Princeton Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, Vibrolux Reverb, and Vibroking. All have a good clean tone. I still have a PR and a VC. PR is my basic go to amp. Goodsell Amps also have a good clean tone, at least the Super 17 style amps do.