Where is the Suhr PT15 Amp!?!? Pete Thorn Signature 15W

[@bcm1621]

Good question, also came across a recent PT rig rundown and he is not using that amp anymore. Was thinking about trying one from GC myself.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Hmm… GC has literally sold (1) and Sweetwater (1) so they haven’t sold all that well. They are pricey but so are the soldanos, etc.

[@bcm1621]

@@oldguyjammin9732 Perhaps being in a recession and that many like me only buy used and save at least 500.00. BTW as a fellow old guy who turned 60 this year, I think your an excellent player.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

@@bcm1621 - well thanks man, we may not be able to rip like we once did but we sure enjoy ourselves, right? You’re right re today’s buying power, used prices have soared and disposable income has tanked. I myself rarely buy new anymore either. Rock on fellow “old guy” \m/

[@therealdealblues]

I think the main reason was price and that Suhr wasn't available in most stores. Sweetwater and Guitar Center just started carrying Suhr amps a few months ago so I expect they will see a little bump although unlike many of the brands on Sweetwater you don't see 48 month or 36 month financing which is also an issue for a lot of people. 99% of the musicians I know will wait until a 48 months no interest deal and then buy from Sweetwater. I've had a PT15IR for a couple years now. I got lucky and picked mine up used for around $1700. The matching 1x12 cab cost me another $600 though so it's definitely an investment, especially at full price although I've blown way more on amps in my life. In short for a review after my time with it, is it perfect and everything I could ever want? No, but I haven't found anything better to cover as much ground with as many features as well as the size and weight factor. I have a back issues so a head that is under 25lbs and a cab that is 30lbs allows me to keep the weight down when every pound matters. Size also makes it very easy to transport. I can hook straight to PA if needed with the IR which really does sound amazing. I am able to cover Pop, Funk, Jazz, Blues and Rock with the 3 channels easily. I usually include a tubescreamer on my board for a little lighter grit or if I need extra sustain goosing channel 3 but the more I've played and gotten the feel of the amp the more I've found I really don't need it unless I'm using a single coil guitar. The clean channel I can make sound 90% like the old Fenders I've had or more neutral like a good pedal platform clean amp (Laney Lionheart was one of my favorites). Channel 2 with gain at 4 with Humbuckers is every 70's Marshally rhythm classic rock sound for the most part. With a single coil strat it sounds like SRV (Tubescreamer/Fender combo). Channel 3 I have set to be louder with the gain around between 6 or 7 and adding a delay pedal it covers all of my leads. Another big thing for me, all the mini amps I have played (and I've played A LOT) sounded "smaller". They don't have the depth, girth and roaring sound of my larger 50-100w heads. This is the only smaller amp (under 20watts) that I have played that has that big amp sound and feel. So, what would I change? A nice built in Reverb would first because I need it for what I do and it's one less pedal needed. I actually prefer a footswtichable effects loop, but again that's something probably more specific to me and it's not a dealbreaker, or if the effects loop and channels could all be done by a standard midi cable I would take that option as well. Lastly I do wish the 3rd channel had a little different character where the harmonics just lept off the fretboard with a more liquid sustain that doesn't sound compressed or muddy, then it would probably be the end all perfect amp for me. My original Peavey 5150 amp was like that with the volume and gain at 6 on the lead channel. If it had that kind of feel and sound for leads it would probably be perfect for me personally. I have had a laundry list of probably over a hundred tube amps over the last two decades, most all of them the higher end stuff and vintage stuff. This amp is the most practical without compromising tone that I have found where I don't need a bunch of OD or Boost pedals. I did a bunch of direct comparisions when I bought it and have pretty much sold off everything else. For what I do, at this point in my life it's the best thing that I have been able to find.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Thanks for the informative post. I’ve been playing one now for about two weeks and am favoring the SLO30 - it’s just so simple. I can see why a person would really like the PT but for my style it’s the SLO. Maybe someday when I have an extra $1600 lying around, lol

[@morganjade777]

Mr Ewert urged so cool

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Hey hey hey, “what’s up brother?”

[@helixworld]

If I know Pete Thorn's tone, it is going to sound like a Marshall. I went to PT's demo show in December 2019, but I didn't play the amp. If you get this, I wonder how much difference would there be from your other amps?

[@oldguyjammin9732]

You nailed it - Marshall all the way, but there are a few different “Marshall tones” out there, so…? Know what I mean? Your other question is something I’ve been realizing for years, lol… all of this stuff pretty much does the same thing and yet different enough to inspire which is what we’re all after. What interests me about the PT is that it’s a legitimate 3 channel amp and made here in California. If it’s just “that much better than” something else I have, I’d happily sell two other guitars or amps that I don’t play as much to have it. Thanks for chiming in \m/

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Anyone else hear an old Kiss song in there?

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

Takin Care Of Business. I didn't buy the PT15 because of the price. I could literally buy 3 different amps for that amount, and that is exactly what I did - a Marshall SV20, a Suhr Badger 18 and a Bad Cat Cub.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

That’s a good use of funds for sure, but I keep trading up rather than collecting. Fewer but better is my goal as I get older. I have a JVM in the garage but really only like the three flavors on channel 1… what if there is a legit 3 channel amp out there where ALL 3 channels sound great and inspire… seems rare imo.

[@IsaacBond1234]

Hi Mr ewert I play the same guitar

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Well Right ON! How long have you had it? You gettin’ good? talent show next year?!!?

[@thelastscarecrow6701]

I can’t imagine being anything, but disappointed in a Pete Thorn signature anything. No matter how good it is, you’re not going to sound like Pete.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Well that’s for sure, but a legit 3 channel amp with a small footprint is always interesting. I’ve got a JVM in the garage and if the PT sounds as good, I’d certainly like it. Thorn’s an amazing player imo.

[@glenbolar6824]

Agreed, it hasn’t been on my radar. I’ll have to look it up.