WOULD I BUY MY PRS MT15 IN 2022?! (WITH AUDIO EXAMPLES)

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Phew, this one took ages to finish! 17 minutes of edited footage compared with just over 5 minutes in my previous PRS MT15 review. Just wanted to thank everyone for still being subscribed to my channel after such a long absence 😊 I appreciate you sticking around after all this time. Any feedback is welcome as always! I'm hoping to continue improving the quality of my content in the future.

[@lukelinney6166]

Great video man. I have a question about this amp! I’ve heard that recently PRS have chosen to change from the 6L6 tubes and install 5881 tubes. Do you think this is a downgrade for the amp or is it still as great as it was with the 6L6’s in? Thanks for your help.

[@markolivares6943]

I just bought and I love. Always going back and forth between my MT15 and my Mesa boogie Badlander

[@kingarthur1776]

Will it play at a reasonable bedroom level? Really want this amp..

[@kingarthur1776]

@@cegant 👍

[@rjeff753]

I find myself bouncing back and forth between it and my Mesa Stiletto Deuce. But I am beginning to like it better than the Mesa. Much better pedal platform

[@Slayd2Pieces]

This was a great video. I'm thinking of buying this as my first tube amp. I'm not too worried about no reverb or delay saying that i am picking up some pedals as well (mxr carbon delay/reverb and a fortin blade). This thing is pretty chonky, compared to other amps that are on el84's this ones a beast. I think it'll do my Slipknot and Whitechapel needs. If you know of any other amps i should check out let me know. Looking for some that kinda have a bit more of a scooped mids kinda sound while having a nice tight and responsive low end. Because it was originally between this and the Marshall Dsl20hr and this thing just has more of the sound im looking for.

[@xRaid3n]

Fantastic video!! Love the transparency as well and you know the amp super well. I've had this amp for like 4 years and I'm still learning lol! Cheers

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Thanks for the feedback and kind words! Much appreciated.

[@NateTheGreat440]

My MT15 is on order with a few months to go until delivery. This is such a great video to hold me over, so many amazing tones. I'm looking at everything from John Mayer to Dream Theater tone wise, and I'm betting I can do a good imitation of both with this amp and my JHS Bonsai.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Great man! Thanks for the comment. This amp is a great pedal platform so you will have fun combining it with the JHS Bonsai! Nothing better than a tube screamer type pedal, the clean channel of this amp and some external delay/reverb!

[@peterjackson1212]

Are you still happy with the amp? I'm torn, I love the slow blues too, and a bit of Yngwie etc. Was considering it pointless looking an amp for both until you mentioned John Mayer through this

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

I would never think about this amp as bright by any means, even from demos it sounds very smooth.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Maybe it’s just bright to my ears, as I’m never really happy with my guitar tones when playing lead usually. It’s definitely bright when using my Zilla 2x12 cabinet with vintage 30’s.

[@mutt4537]

@@SeanBennettGuitar I'd say give it a try with the Cali edition from GGD if you like their IR's, very different voicings. If that doesn't suit your fancy, York or Ownhammer have great options as well. My experience with the Zilla suite was very boomy in the lows, even with a good cut for a mix. Also give impedance curves b4 your cab sim a try as you won't be getting that impedance translation through a loadbox. Two notes has 4 built in with their plugin and there's also the option of loading in your own with something like nadIR b4 ur cabsim

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

@@mutt4537 Thanks for the tips! Been meaning to try out the GGD Cali suite and will be interested to hear how those cabs sound in comparison 😎

[@dust17111]

It's all on what you've played as well though , I had been playing my joyo zombie amp through a orange and peavy speaker and both sounded muddy , I took my guitar to guitar center and played it through the mt15 and it sounded way brighter more punch all in a good way ,I recently bought the mt 60 watt cab and put my joyo on it and sounds brighter and better for sure , not as good as the mt15 but still pretty good for 180$ to me it's all about balance I want a amp that chugs on the low end but screams on the high end for leads , the goldy lock zone is no joke

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

@@dust17111 That’s definitely one gripe I have with lunchbox amps that only have one channel for overdrive/gain. By the time you dial a decent rhythm tone it’s too shrilly for leads, and vice versa - you dial a nice, mid-heavy, fat sounding lead tone, but the EQ settings are then too dark for rhythm. It then means you need to either use a separate EQ pedal for leads, when it comes to it, or use a dedicated overdrive pedal for leads on a clean channel on the amp.

[@JamieToddBand]

The lead channel played at the low gain setting does a great 70's crunch, especially with a humbucker, or P-90. Too easy to push the gain knob up , and get that fizzy, fake preamp sound. This does the great Boogie mark 5:25 Crunch at half the price. That sold me.

[@JamieToddBand]

@@cegant The clean channel of the MT15 is powerful Twin Reverb clean, and might be the only reason to buy it if you already have the Boogie.

[@paisteplayer1040]

Love mine.. I can cover from AC/DC to MAIDEN to Megadeth, simple drop of the volume on the guitar.. This amp is far more versatile than many think. Did I mention it has a fantastic lean channel that takes pedals well. Do yourself a favor put an mxr 6 band in the loop, it does wonders for both channels.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Clean channel is the best - takes pedals beautifully.

[@salifm6919]

Your playing is really good! It showcases this amp perfectly! Thinking about getting this,mainly for recording,apartment use What amp you generally go for in a lead tone?

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Thanks! Not using any amps for lead tones at the minute - just the JHS AT+ pedal into a clean platform.

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

I live in a one bdrm Apt above a restaurant even at 7.5 watts it's pretty freaking loud! I'm still running a Two notes captor x attenuator at medium range on the captor x and it's manageable while getting you to that sweet spot that would otherwise be blowing your ears out @ earbleed volumes at a manageable bedroom levels on the MT15.

[@cosmicbro1973]

For a 15 watt amp this this blew me away. even on the half power setting which should only be 7.5 watts the thing was insanely loud barely turned up. Sounds great and the clean is perfect for running your own distortion or pedals

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

It’s extremely loud when paired up with my Zilla Super Fatboy 2x12! No issues whatsoever being heard in a band environment. Agreed, the clean channel is a brilliant pedal platform. It’s a great amp for the price 👍🏻

[@yowild9629]

2 x 6l6 / 6550 / EL34 Tubes mostly are for 50w or 40w amps. so to speak they downgraded the operating voltage. You can bring that amp to technician & change that to higher 2x the volume. Maybe that could change to something new

[@hayabusa1300100]

I agree with Jason Moore I have 2 Ibanez with those Mahogany necks these guitars out bright no matter what you do clean or lead on this amp but all my other guitars shine Les Paul’s Hardtail Strats no one thinks strings make a difference but they do Try a premium hard tail Strat I think you will find it will do what your looking for .. Love this amp and I also have the EVH5150 6L6 III this PRS MT-15 is my go to amp with Just a 1X12 cab just for quick grab and go it’s a beast love my 6L6 amps rock on bro’s 🤘

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

They are definitely brighter with less midrange than my Schecter Nick Johnston. Swapped out the bridge pickup in my Ibanez PGM301 and got more mids back through the pickup or the pickup height - not sure if it’s the pickup or a combination of both. It annoys me that I prefer the sound of my Schecter Nick Johnston than my Ibanez’s for metal 😂

[@elfieborimera3178]

Good to here some one is honest. Thank you great video

[@dust17111]

To each their own has a great thrashy hair metal solo tone imo

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Definitely if that's what you're after!

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

Amp snobbery! Oh my😮.I run my stomp in 4cm through the fx loop it sounds great for lead guitar but you do need to have the right overdrives/boost, to get you there. I'm running into a Two notes Captor-x attenuator and stereo cab sims out to FOH makes this set up a powerhouse of tone!

[@jimmysavage258]

You’re lucky you got a quiet one. I hear a lot of complaints about noise issues with this amp

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Yeah it looks that way! Wasn't aware there were issues with the noise before I bought it.

[@zool84]

You should probably try it with an eminence cannabis Rex, even if I have to say I don’t find it so trebly.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

I ended up selling the MT15 at the end of last year. Just couldn't get along with the lead tone.

[@yiannis_chartzoulakis]

I got this amp before 1 month and i have exactly the same opinion with you. The lead channel is good for rhythm, but for leads it lacks the mids, its not cuting good, and its not inspirable. Agree also that the clean channel is great for pedals. Btw you said that for leads you are using Jhs AT+ pedal, however do you know any amp that has a good distortion channel for leads? (Struggling to find one🙂)

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Ideally the MT15 needs a third separate channel to have the best of both worlds between rhythm and lead. It terms of other amps, it depends what lead tone you're after. I can't really recommend other tube amps for leads as I've only owned the Victory V30 and the PRS MT15. I think the issue trying to get a great rhythm and lead tone is the shared EQ - which is why I probably wouldn't buy a lunchbox head again. I think there needs to be a separate EQ for rhythm and a separate EQ for lead to really dial them in correct. If I still had the PRS MT15, I would probably buy the Boss GE-7 Equaliser to setup a lead tone for solos. I would boost the mids and cut back on the treble on the pedal - while booting the volume ever so slightly.

[@hollywoodactress]

@@SeanBennettGuitargood info, thanks What did you buy instead when you let go of the MT15?

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

@@hollywoodactress No probs! I've not replaced the amp yet as I'm using an ampless setup for gigs currently. Will definitely get another amp at some point - ideally one with a better heavy tone.

[@hollywoodactress]

@@SeanBennettGuitar what’s your ampless setup for gigs? Laptop? Or modeller ?

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

@@hollywoodactress UA Dream 65 with pedals. I use in-ear monitors and the setup works pretty well. It's not as inspiring as playing through a real amp, but it's convenient and works.

[@Borgyboy09]

Do you find the volume manageable? I’ve not been able to find one that I can test out in person but a lot of people online seem to complain that this particular amp basically goes from 0-100 the second you raise volume from the point of silent to actually being audible. Really want to pull the trigger on this but also don’t want all my neighbours to throw hands

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

This amp is pretty loud very quick. I wouldn’t be playing it where I live without my Suhr Reactive Load IR. It’s definitely not a bedroom level amp that’s for sure - even in half-power mode. The most I’ve ever turned it up through my actual cab, without the Suhr reactive load, is a quarter of the way up (9 ‘O’ clock) with a full on rock band. The two notes captor which is much cheaper than my reactive load would help reduce the volume.

[@elfiemontague3936]

I buy one.& They sound nothing like a real valve amp at all. & The distortion is completely understandable

[@tomsnowden6201]

I like my mt I use a diesel distortion and it’s awesome.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Great to hear!

[@workdays8280]

Bit of a let down no reverb . would it of broke the balance put reverb in

[@stevenarseneault1972]

I can attest that the clean channel with the treble boost on is where this amp shines. At a measured approx. 23watts this amp sounds so beautifull on the clean channel. This amp can be made to push 50watts by changing the output transformer and such. PRS is coming out with a 100 watt head. If you buy the MT model to record clean tones in your studio or you are a guitarist that rarely play the lean channel in your band and such this amp is amazing. If it was $500 I would consider buying it just for that but I mostly play leads and some melodic cleans. The lead channel reminds me of an older amp from the 70's and therefore am getting a 70's groove while trying t play metal and it just doesn't work.

[@paisteplayer1040]

I had it side by side with my Mesa mark V 35.. The mark was not one bit louder, and the mt15 sounded fuller.. Same guitar same exact cabs.

[@stevenarseneault1972]

@@paisteplayer1040 Mark 5 is not for me. I prefer a dual rectifier more specifically a Trem-o-verb. I prefer more rasp and high end. That may be why I shy away for the MT15. Actually, I would like to try a Hermansson dual rectifier in person. Super tight but perhaps lose the original tone. He modded a rectifier for Mark Tremonti also. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHjcoZRsgJ10mrs

[@paisteplayer1040]

@@stevenarseneault1972 I sold the mark V 35 and happily kept the MT15

[@paisteplayer1040]

@@stevenarseneault1972 I had both the 90 watt mark v and the 35 watt.. Never could get either to sound right to me.

[@marshallohio5512]

OMG, use an EQ Pedal and taylor the amp's sound ! I have an EQ pedal for each one of my amps ! This amp is well worth the price, but you have to know how to use it properly. Remember, if your tone sucks, then it's in the mirror not the gear !!!

[@jeremiahlee9703]

What amp do you use for lead?

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

I use the JHS AT+ pedal for rock/shred/metal leads. Really allows me to control and dial in the high end so it’s not fizzy or harsh. I use the MT15 clean channel when engaging the pedal for lead work.

[@jeremiahlee9703]

@@SeanBennettGuitar great thank you so much! Just wanted to make sure the clean channel held up over the years! Great, well-done video and very informative. Appreciate it greatly

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

@@jeremiahlee9703 No problem, appreciate the feedback! The clean channel is the best part of this amp I think. Finding myself using the lead channel less and less.

[@dust17111]

Not a fan of reverb or delay , why do you need it ?

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

It just comes down to personal preference I suppose. Some people prefer using time based effects as it adds another dimension to their lead playing . I'm a big fan of adding ambience to my lead tones because that's just my preference. Delay and reverb add depth to the mix and create a sense of space from other instruments and sounds. I don't add any reverb or delay to my rhythm sounds and basically do the complete opposite. Reverb and Delay, along with more midrange, when applied to a lead tone help to separate the lead sound in a mix from the rhythm tone. This then means less EQ processing at the mixing stage.

[@whhitestallion]

Damn that lead sounded killer!

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Thanks man! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@wolfhorsky]

On my real cab I set treble 1-3 o'clock and presence 3-5 o'clock. This amp is pretty dark and boomy.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Interesting that it’s dark and boomy for you! Definitely the opposite for me 😂 through my Zilla Super Fatboy 2x12 it’s fairly bright sounding with vintage 30’s.

[@wolfhorsky]

@@SeanBennettGuitar I use Suhr 1x12" with bass reflex and V30. Dunno.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

To be fair I need to hear this amp with my real cab again - its been a while

[@howardgillingham4763]

You need a1/12 mesa recto cab to bring it to life

[@BrianMiller-mj4xb]

Got no XLR outs

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

True!

[@StompboxMods]

Keep in mind here that the guitar you’re using has a ton to do with the midrange, and brightness of the amp. A Les Paul with high output pickups, Celestion Vintage 30s and you get a huge sound out of the lead tones. No bright nasally tones at all from my experience with the amp. Your Ibanez guitars have maple bolt on necks, and a strat style body with a Floyd rose style trem. Those guitars are typically brighter in tone as opposed to Les Paul, with mahogany body, rosewood fretboard, plus the added density/weight of the guitar. I set mine up for heavy rhythm and use a modified Boss EQ pedal to bump up the treble mids for leads and it absolutely crushes. Also, I do prefer the MT-15 with 6L6s as opposed to the 5881s for metal because the 5881s have more mids and less bass to the tone, but the 5881s do improve the clean channel imho.

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Yeah I was thinking about that. I would love to try a Les Paul, or even a tele through this amp and see how the amp responds. I used to have a Boss EQ pedal which was really good for modifying tones. Maybe the stock tubes are the reason then for my preference for the clean channel! Thanks for the info

[@BB-xn1rw]

So they not come with 6l6s anymore?

[@StompboxMods]

@@BB-xn1rwIf I remember correctly they changed to 5881 power tubes a few years back and haven’t switched back over to the 6L6. The 5881 is a variant of a 6L6, however tonally they do sound a bit different particularly in the midrange and low bass frequencies. 5881s have a stiffer feel, along with a forward midrange. If you’re wanting a bigger low bass and a softer, scooped midrange definitely go for the 6L6s!

[@StompboxMods]

@@SeanBennettGuitaranytime man! Great demo by the way. Very much enjoyed it! 🤘🤘

[@BB-xn1rw]

@@StompboxMods currently playing a 2024 Les Paul with burst bucker pros. Cab I would use is the Marshall sv2x12 g12 v type…. Back in the 90’s I had a 95 dual recto, 4x12v30 slant cab playing a Les Paul with 498t pickup. Best tone I ever had. This mt15 sounds closer to the old dual recto than the mini recto does. Anway, with my current pickups and cab, which tube set do you think would work best for me? I tried a Marshall dsl20hr. Mediocre head at best. Ice pick high end, can’t take it… bad purchase.

[@HesheR82]

It's been another year lol you still have the amp ? Lol

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

😂😂😂 yes, I still have the amp!

[@vonclod123]

I just started using my effects loop, and for some reason, I;m getting very low volume, running clean channel pegged and not loud at all, running 2 Strymon pedals, neither has a level/volume, should be line level, one a delay, followed by reverb. Any idea's?

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Hi! This has only happened for me when I've connected the cables to the send and return the wrong way round. I'd try switching cables between the send and return just to check. Only other thing I can think of is if the cables are a bit dodgy or broken. Hope this helps!

[@vonclod123]

@@SeanBennettGuitar Hey! thanks for the reply and you are correct, the simplest things 1st. I feel like a bonehead..lol. I had the wrong input on one pedal, it sort of worked, they are stereo pedals, and I just used the the wrong input on one for running mono. I was going to come back and delete my question. I have had the amp for awhile, just never tried the loop..good amp! Cheers

[@SeanBennettGuitar]

Glad you managed to get it fixed 👍🏻 I’ve made that mistake way more than once!

[@elfieborimera3178]

Doze any one no if this amp has real valves or just imitation.cos only sound like a transistor amp speally owning a fender twin Black face .threw cmods brownie dis blow 3 of these amps off stage.all they can do is dtune pathetic

[@TheHeroJourneys]

All tube. Five gain stages

[@bluntforc3studios198]

Real mate