Yamaha THR100HD Head Demo

Reviewed in Guitarist issue 399
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[@quantametric]

The camera angle on Micks face makes me feel like I'm invading his personal space.

[@jonoftheford]

Camera operator rule #326: If you can see the presenter’s ear hair, then you’re probably too close.

[@rolux4853]

Jonathan Ford goshdangittoheck now I have the urge to grab a pair of tweezers and remove these hairs..

[@KillBill2114]

you are...back off mate!

[@Hexspa]

It's not only the angle but the focal length. Looks to be about 60-70mm which is not right if this is a small space.

[@keithpotton7840]

I have a Mesa mk5:25 head and one of these and I have to say that the clean channel easily holds its own against the valve amp. As a pedal platform it’s excellent and the line out is superb too, highly recommended.

[@derekfairley]

I am a happy owner of this amp (and the matching Yamaha 212 cabinet). For me, the Fender-like clean is the most useful channel. I tend towards a rather clean platform and then front-end all of my effects. It's sound so good and Yamaha has done a great job of re-creating the tube compression and sag that we all love from some of our favourite amps. Very response to pick dynamics as well. I tend to run the top amp very clean and then the bottom amp a "little" dirtier...giving me the option of either combining them or just switching between two amps depending on the whether I want to please rhythm parts or lead parts. I find that combining them is the best. The matching cabinet is great as well with 2 very nice sounding Eminence drivers...which can be used independently or combined....as a single guitar player or having two players plugged into each of the instrument inputs. I currently have the head on my desk and run my guitar and effects through it...then running the DI out to a Roland Rubix interface...and then that into Ableton Live 10 Standard. And finally, there are impulse response (IR) files/libraries that I can load into it to simulate various cabinet/mic combinations. I took advantage of the free Own Hammer Mesa Boogie IR download that was offered to owners. Great tones there as well. This is my 3rd Yamaha amp and even though I have a few tube combos...Yamaha products like this will always be in collection. Easy to use, fantastic sounding, and above all...an amazing source of tonal and music creation/inspiration. All of my song creation work on guitar begins with Yamaha amps. Highly recommend them and this model especially.

[@patrickvanvlooten]

I'm just gonna go out and say it, I already knew the amp sounds great but I didn't expect this review to sound any better than the official Yamaha reviews. Great job!

[@Spidouz]

Man, I love the sound of this Strat...

[@chefallen520]

Mick, you definitely have that " As long as I have my guitar, I'm never alone, tone" Good on you mate..

[@TheBoondoggler]

Personally I wish Yamaha had just made a 100-watt 2x12 combo on casters with exactly the same features as the THR10 witha footswitch, line out, fx loop. Done.

[@aristocaster]

that is because Yamaha did that already in 1997, they are called DG amps ( they had 60w, 80 w and 100w versions) , and they are still the best modelling amp of all, with their motorised potentiometers and stuff. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZKzZZtsaJl4gbM

[@Pete_Harris]

Aristoteles Doukas I have the DG212 100 watt combo and it still sounds as good as anything out there now in my opinion. Very versatile but its strongest point is the fabulous base tones. It's hard to make the amp sound bad!

[@gabriel_abe]

Aristoteles Doukas wow, they were way ahead already...

[@sosmooth7]

Thank you! This was a great and really helpful review. You took us through all of the amp can do and demonstrated some of its sound characteristics. This review is truly what a good review should be. Great work to the guitarist. This amp really sounds great to.

[@JasonCunliffe]

Helpful review I wish there be follow-up addressing XLR outs and the things he did not discuss

[@MikeS63301]

If your band is using in ear monitors this amp is perfect. Use one channel and one side of the cabinet for your in ears, and the other for front of house mix.

[@davidharrismusician]

This thing sounds pretty magnificent for a modeling amp!

[@DMSProduktions]

Sounds really good. Be a GREAT recording tool. The stereo 2 different amp settings sounded really good!

[@DMSProduktions]

aleh baba Err TRY listening again!

[@Dream-Academy]

You didn't mention how it sounded in the room. Listening on Event Opal mastering monitors it didn't really sound like boutique tube amp.

[@frankie4321]

Damn that sound good

[@BorgoDrums]

I would have liked to hear the emulated line out actually

[@MrBrian-fq4lr]

+Luca Borgonovo I'm glad we got to hear it from the Yamaha cabinet designed to pair with this thing, but I agree, I would have also liked to hear what the emulated out sounds like in addition to this. I feel like a lot of people will be using that feature with this amp head. I think it's worth noting to those who might be interested though, that the emulated output on this thing is limited to the XLR outputs. The USB port on the amp is _not_ a line out. It's only used to connect to a computer so you can run the software for dialing in amp settings, and also for downloading firmware updates to the amp. So if you want to run this thing direct into your computer for recording, you need something with XLR inputs, which most interfaces have, but it's still something worth noting to those who might have expected to do it through USB like you can with the smaller THR10.

[@Tolbiny]

+Brian Larson Is that correct? It seems strange that Yamaha would delete the USB recording capability of the THR series.

[@MrBrian-fq4lr]

Tim Stevens I'm not sure why the decision was made, but that is indeed the case.

[@GreatGreenRiver]

I saw somewhere that Yamaha are convinced that people who will buy this product are the type of person who already have a dedicated sound card with XLR inputs and they don't need the USB port to record.

[@MrBrian-fq4lr]

***** No one said there isn't a USB port. There is one to connect the amp to a computer so you can use the software, like the booster and reverb settings,download firmware updates to the amp, and so on. However, the USB is not an emulated line out/not an audio output to record direct from.

[@NoyzyBoyZ3]

Hey Mick!! I just saw this today,I apologize,but I didn't know you did these! See you back on the Pedal Show! I enjoyed this video by the way!

[@jhep1]

Sounds amazing. I have a THR5 and an Axe Fx and this would stand up against anything Im sure

[@cgullcharlie]

Can I play it also at low volumes at home for practice or is it always loud like a valve amp?

[@joerobinson6199]

Bobs Cats yes.

[@tartaruga42]

Yeah, I do that and think it sounds great

[@EhsanVahidinia]

YES

[@greatvanzini]

Sounds better than I thought it might. I love my little THR. Does this have some sort of memory? I mean I tend to go from fairly clean with a pinch of reverb up to pretty fuzzy & OD'd Jim style. Can I go back & forth & will it remember my original settings?

[@coffeewaldo]

If u get the hd it's 2 amps in one box. U set it up and go back and forth with the footswitch. One maybe clean one high gain. Plus it takes distortion pedals on the cleaner setting. Lots of options. Sounds great feels great a bit too much $$$. The best setting is setting up 2 high gain settings at once double Marshall's. Love it with a boost.

[@mugginsdot]

Very cool demo! Great playing and tons of tongue pops to boot! 😉

[@larrytate1657]

Can this make for a good studio amp or is it a tube amp the way to go for that? The cleans and reverb sound amazing!

[@curtisjeffs6731]

That's exactly what I want to know, also wanting to hear what the speaker emulation is like!

[@MacDaddyO0]

Pink Tea it's very good. you can load up custom ir's.

[@alibo_]

Great review Mick, thank you. How does the amp take pedals? Any chance of checking it out?

[@rsaathoff]

I think this is a great alternative for gigging.

[@markclinebell7671]

Great demo! Personally, I like the single amp tones as I am able to hear more clearly what is "going on" tone wise. Maybe in a band setting, the dual amps would cut through better? Both single and dual are dialed in very well. Thanks for posting.

[@tjnugent62]

This demo was a tough one for Mick. There is a lot to cover and being organized to fit it in this format takes some brain ciphering. For sure.

[@GlauberJoe]

The manual says the line outs and phones are stereo, can I pan channel 1 to L and Channel to R of my phones or do they mix in the center only?

[@tonyhao9344]

Is it two 100 watt amps? or two 50 Watt? Just got the THR10x wicked little unit so interested in this now.. Wish they had a 100 watt THR100x or better THR200 = 100 x 100 ;)

[@joerobinson6199]

Tony Hao this is better.

[@sjftech]

Amber drive is the Fulltone OCD.

[@Jonathan-L]

Room reverb sounds nice. And the spring reverb sounds quite authentic (very Dick Dale capable).

[@AndreTenenbaum1972]

Hi Mike or Guitarist Editor, can I hook on of this with my Blues Junior Cab? I want to have a second Amp but would love to be able to use the same CAB. My Blues Junior has a normal input jack that I could disconnect from the Blues Junior Amp and plug this instead. I would work? Cheers

[@EuropeSomewhere]

Mick, I guess this isn’t your thing but for someone who only plays fairly quiet at home but loves wet / dry and has a pedalboard with boosts etc, is this a good platform?

[@alftupper9359]

So, I'm listening to all the vid's of the little THR10X and I'm so impressed I'm on the point of ordering; then up pops this set-up and hmmmm? Can anyone confirm that this can do all those marvellous tones from clean to insane, that its smaller brother can?

[@joerobinson6199]

Alf Tupper yes it’s great. I can’t say it enough. Sounds and feels better than my kemper and Helix. I love it.

[@JInfinity7]

Digital has caught up to valves a century into the game.

[@wpz3256]

How does it compared with an all-tube amp,such as Marshall ?

[@paulbrown7775]

Can loaded presets & patches be selected with a foot switch?

[@Alanoffer]

That amp sounds good ,

[@w.c.orielly9059]

So the booster is just variations on gain? No volume boost? Cuz when ur in a garage/club band type of live situation ya really need to have a volume jump for solos if the booster only adds gain it's pretty worthless.. you can do that with the volume knob on your guitar... especially when your running your own sound gear... wich most bar bands do... and even if you have a sound guy usually they do the old set it and forget it with some minor adjustments to combat feedback... not alot of club sound guys will be dependable enough to trust with the responsibility of knowing when and where to boost your solos above the band and pull it back ass needed... that's what volume boosts are for.... I think it sounds great... but maybe not as versatile as they'd like you to believe... IMHO

[@pauldaddario9343]

Sounds fantastic but is it loud enough for a loud band

[@samfosdick9874]

I'm ordering mine right now!

[@joerobinson6199]

Sam Fosdick it sounds and feels great. I like it better than the kemper and the Helix. Very simple but great. But lots of options regarding what tubes u want etc. very cool and overlooked.

[@samfosdick9874]

@@joerobinson6199 you said it brother!

[@REBELSCL]

This review helped me (after 6 months of research) finally decide that this is the amp for me. I have both humbucking guitars as well as a Strat... I would have liked to see more detail on the footswitch. Do you think that this would pair with a Pod Go well?

[@worldwide_will]

My HX Effects works great with this both, through the amp’s loop or 4CM.

[@PartyChicken407]

Have you had a chance to play it or buy it since your post 6 months ago?

[@REBELSCL]

@@PartyChicken407 I ended up going in a different direction. I bought a Laney IRT-SLS and pedals

[@hanselmers]

It looks and sounds fine to me, but there are a few setbacks for my personal taste. I wouldn't want to have to hook up a computer to change my reverb or booster ... why can't this be switchable on the back too ... Furthermore I would love a lightweight cabinet with a lightweight amp ... why not investigate in neodym speakers ?? .. There's also not an option to change the cabs in open back versions (a lot of us do like ...) Maybe a comboversion is even more a nice option for a setup on the grab ?? I do hope they will listen to the idea's of us guitarists, 'cause when they adapt some of these things I would be very tempted to buy ...

[@xmandlt]

Just buy the head and get your own cab(s).

[@xmandlt]

Just noticed you were referring specifically to Yamaha coming up with a combo with neos. I think the only company that makes combos with neos is DV Mark. It's more of a hassle having to buy an unloaded cab then buying and installing a good neo speaker but it's worth the hassle (and money).

[@CodyCoates]

I can attest... the 212 cabinet is very light.

[@BrianDonnelly68]

The red booster is modeled on the OCD

[@TheScottCard]

sounds way better than i thought! what did feel like? like a tube amp? great demo. sweet playing as usual Mick. you and Daniel should review this and a/b with some real tube amps on a future that pedal show!

[@coffeewaldo]

Scott Card yes I got rid of my kemper for it.

[@Alex-dr6or]

@@coffeewaldo don't exaggerate. The kemper is the ultimate rig. As good as this is, nothing beats the kemper.

[@HelmetVanga]

I missed something, is the Laptop required? or it was just used to show the pics of the booster and rever

[@crummockiphail9720]

So there is some software that goes with the amp. The software is used to select which overdrive/boost, reverb, etc the amp is running at any given time. Without the software, you can't switch between them, because there are no controls on the amp itself to do this. So in a way, yes a computer is required, because you can't select which reverb or overdrive to use without it. You'd just be stuck using whatever the default settings are. However, that's the only limiting factor. You can still use it like any regular amp whenever you want. You don't need a computer plugged into the amp to use it.

[@focalfusion]

How do you play backing tracks easily

[@leonardcrainie9928]

Do I need the computer program to change the reverb and boost types ? Is there an onboard switch?

[@EhsanVahidinia]

You need computers. everything you change there, will be stored in the unit

[@nylonsteel]

Wonder how it sounds plugged into 2x12 with Greenbacks or Vin 30s?

[@MikeJohnson-vb4uf]

I've tried that with both, in the studio.... Sounds amazing! When I listen back, I can't tell which tracks were the Yamaha or the real amps.

[@nylonsteel]

@@MikeJohnson-vb4uf good to know,have this amp on the way

[@CarlitoM77]

@@nylonsteel do you like it?

[@cgullcharlie]

Can I program it using iPad if I don’t have mac

[@conradsenior5843]

Good Presentation. Thank you very much.

[@christianboddum8783]

Is it possible to make a 10ms. delay (no dry signal) on one amp-side in the software, for a spread?

[@estebueno9693]

it will still sound like unison, if you're going for the dual guitar thing it has to be the real deal

[@rulkeyalkara900]

There are delay / chorus pedals that will do it, they modulate the sound to make it sound slightly different from the original signal and fluctuate the delay time so it's not always 10ms behind you, could be 8ms or 15ms (for example) .

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

Good comment..I got to say the TC Gmajor and/or any other TC FX product really blows the doors of most FX sections on units like this and also beats the mighty Kemper's FX sections which in itself costs a bomb. The transparency of the TC 2290 and G major is as good as it gets also with the built in Matrix system which can set up your effects in series, parallel or anything in-between. After using the TC Gmajor for a long time now when I am considering a new unit like this one I often pass them by because the delays and reverbs sound lifeless and dull no matter how long I try tweeking the parameters.

[@hkonmoen]

WOOOOW! I'm sold!

[@robertrogers7939]

Really great review.

[@bloozman666]

Hey man great video. I just got mine and have to say I am disappointed but I'm not if there is a problem with mine or this is normal. I get this high-frequency overtones fizzle behind any loud or distorted. It's like I cam hear the main distortion sound but then I get this annoying overtone. I tried with another cabinet and I thinks it's gone. Do you have this issue? Is it supposed to be there?

[@theboofin]

Using a Strat? That's how low Strat strings sound to me.

[@johnmccann813]

What pickups in that sweet strat, sounds massive ?

[@phillipclarke8871]

Really good video - gr8 product

[@ahmedsherbiny8952]

Does it have a pedal switch to move between the 5 amp models?

[@joerobinson6199]

Ahmed Sherbiny it has a foot switch for having either one amp on or both on at the same time if u get the double model. And it has a boost and I think reverb abc I’m not sure but auxiliary. I don’t use reverb a lot. But if u hook up to a computer u can choose between amber, white and green for ur choices. I use what it came with which was white. I think it’s the micro boost. So I live putting both high gain Marshall settings going at the same time with a boost it’s great. But u can choose whatever you want for each channel.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Outstanding

[@HelmetVanga]

User Proco from The Gear Page asks the following: The way I understand it seems like, with the help of the PC software the user can set a custom IR for the direct out? Or am I missing something? Looks cool and promising, although I'd rather they kept the on board effects.

[@maham593]

sounds great!

[@craig4fsu]

What strat, Mick?

[@joeylodes]

Fantastic

[@realStefanLowe]

Do you need to plug in to input 2 in order to use Amp II???

[@bonesrivers7439]

No, when you plug into input 1 you can switch between or activate both amps at once.

[@andrewt248]

So... what does tonker mean in the UK?

[@Alanoffer]

It's a heavy duty kids toy called a Tonka truck ,I think it was from the 7os ,

[@andrewt248]

+reffoelcnu alouncelal Thanks. I'm from the 70's too! I know what a Tonka truck is because I had one. They made it sound like it was something more salacious.

[@Herfinnur]

+andrewt248 tonker means penis

[@buggzo]

Can you use it as a recording interface via the usb?

[@tatougiraglia935]

i think yes, almost sure

[@motokev]

dam sam, dat sounds GOOD, HOW ARE YOU RECORDING this VIDEO ????? whats the secret

[@veerchasm1]

I’m buying a used one. Where do I get the software from?

[@EhsanVahidinia]

Yamaha website.

[@mrshiney2]

I am wondering how this amp would work with a HELIX.

[@worldwide_will]

I use the THR100HD+THRC212 with an HX Effects and it works wonderfully.

[@redash6294]

Solid mode more like tube to me.

[@MrFidelcaster]

+RED ASH Supposedly it's solid state preamp with tube power amp (like Standel hybrid amps, for example).

[@iggygriva3622]

Please can someone tell me IT sound good at home practice levels

[@EhsanVahidinia]

I have a THR100H, The single channel one. Paired with a THRC 112. Usually play in home volumes and it sounds really really good. I know that sound and tone are subjective, but for sure you can get what you want. Recommended.

[@GrahamPrior]

Isn't the Crunch setting meant to be Voxy?

[@NuZTheRockerOFFICIAL]

Yeah, I guess an ac30

[@Driftuner]

+Graham Prior yes..he said "mashlly" but it isnt, the crunch mode is a Vox AC tone

[@Chirn70]

I know that guitar! I wish you'd break away to do your own channel and tell us how you got it?!! :)

[@jonoftheford]

Great review as always. I don’t love the chassis design, and I can live with the Class and Tube type switches on the back but the omission of booster, Reverb, loop and noise gate physical controls is an oversight. I’m a big fan of WYSIWHG design and for this price tag I think Yamaha missed that mark. Having said that, I’m pleased to find that the tones are legit and the cab looks great so I’ll continue keeping my eyes open for a deal on a used one.

[@bryanherward4679]

I've got the 100HD and the 2x12...I think you'll find that you set and forget most of the features...some classics just work, like Tubescreamers with fender tones, and the micro amp with marshalls...etc...you'll figure out what reverb you like and how you want to use the loop and footswitch...I think the beauty lies in the blank canvas allowing you to create your own sonic palette and use what a 2 amp rig can do for you--(A/B, A+B, stereo, wet dry, dual mono)...my rig for example is more of a Gilmour inspired clean pedal platform rig...dual mono with 2 cleans...a 6L6 and EL34 split to each speaker...wet and dry....later I plan to get another one to use as a stereo wet side for wet/dry/wet.....if you've got 2 amps already..even crappy ones, get an AB box like a Radial (need phase shift and ground lift) and just try out the concept and see if you like what you hear...I was running a Blues JR. and a DSL15 dual mono that lead me to the THR100HD....

[@hunghsinliang824]

WHAT GUITAR IS THAT

[@lurtz8656]

Oh, Loved One! Don't talk to me that way.

[@djizzah]

perhaps okay for practice in the bedroom or recording but just get a 100 watt class A marshall head and a quad box you dont need anything else.ask jeff beck hendrix blackmore kossof young and most everybody they will tell you thats all you need

[@Chris741113]

Class A? All the classic Marshalls are AB class

[@djizzah]

@@Chris741113 ur right AB, some british amps class A. Vox i think..anyway a good 100 watt plexi head marshall and quad box gets eveything u need if you know how to play a guitsr properly.perhaps thats the secret

[@landon.cunningham]

Wait, where's Dan? LOL.

[@n_phaneuf]

I hate to be this guy but, it sounds pretty harsh to me. I'm not anti modeling (I've made whole records with Native Instruments plugins.)

[@ТотСамый-о9н]

это человек песок ? из фильма человека паука XD

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

NO DJENT? FALE

[@MrTorriann]

Plastic sound, piece of shit. Not bad for beginers.

[@NuZTheRockerOFFICIAL]

+MrTorriann I couldn't disagree more. Did you listen to the audio through the laptop' speakers?

[@MrTorriann]

+NuZ Annunziata it's my thinks about this device, because I have it...

[@NuZTheRockerOFFICIAL]

+MrTorriann omg, I'm reading about lots of people who actually love this amp more day by day.. you're the first one on the other side, in my experience. what do you think? please explain, I'll be grateful if you do. I'm considering about buying this

[@MrTorriann]

+NuZ Annunziata All digital devces have same sound type, basicly overdrive. its just a simulator. believe me, if you want digital solution, you can find best amp, cab and other digital simulation from ik multimedia, native instruments and other digital gigants. Never buy this type device. its will be wasted money.

[@MrTorriann]

+NuZ Annunziata he plays PRS, Fender.... and use this digital Yamaha???? ha ha. do you believe him? its marketing for e-waste...