Yes We Do Like Transistor Amps #1: Boss & BluGuitar - That Pedal Show

Welcome to That Pedal Show! Please subscribe to our channel and visit our store www.thatpedalshowstore.com
'Interesting bits and go-to sections’ timings below.
In this video we revisit a contentious subject for TPS: transistor amps. Dan and I have never been fans, based on those we’ve owned and played to date. Before you accuse us of snobbery, it's a matter of pure personal opinion - clearly, loads of people LOVE them.
However, we’ve played a few things recently that have perked up the ears. Roland’s JC-40, the new Boss Nextone amps and also the Amp1 Mercury Edition by Thomas Blug in particular. So in this episode we compare the Nextone with an AC15 and a Hot Rod Deluxe, as well as having a listen to the Amp 1 with Thomas. (For the record The Amp1 uses a Nanotube in conjunction with the class D output stage, but it’s nothing like a traditional valve amp. At all.)
In part 2 (next Friday), we’ll add a Quilter 101 Reverb and more Blug Amp 1 and head into wet-dry territory.
We hope we can move the debate along. Just as there are valve amps we like a lot and not so much, so there are transistor amps likewise. We’d like to add a couple of our faves to the TPS arsenal and use them alongside everything else.
I will answer this here, so I don’t have to do it 18 thousand times in the comments (Mick here)…
Q: Why didn’t we explore the drive sounds in Nextone or Amp1?
A: Dan and I use cleaner, higher headroom amps for our rigs/boards/TPS in general, and we’re looking at the Boss and BluGuitar products in that context.
Enjoy!
Pedals & Amps in this episode…
• Schmidt Array SA525 Switcher Board
www.schmidtarray.com/sa525
• Boss TU-3S Tuner
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2nUhodT
USA: bit.ly/31U0q53
Australia: bit.ly/2Li9A0Y
• Analogman Sun Face BC183 Fuzz
www.buyanalogman.com/Analog_Ma...
• Fulltone Octafuzz
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2eG68c3
USA: imp.i114863.net/jdM1a
• J Rockett The Dude
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2MGhcsj
USA: bit.ly/3DXYxRM
Australia: bit.ly/2G7OeQN
• Thorpy FX Warthog
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2ELIE48
Australia: bit.ly/2GS31xb
USA: bit.ly/3qWCTK7
• Keeley D&M Drive
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2oTblU1
USA: bit.ly/3E6wsYN
Australia: bit.ly/2pUDUAE
• Analog Man / Maxon OD9/808 Mods Classic, With Bad Bob Booster
www.buyanalogman.com/Maxon_OD_...
• Tru-Fi Colordriver
tru-fi.com/tru-fi-pedal-colord...
• Klon Centaur
No longer made
• Boss DC-2w Dimension C
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2QITxIG
USA: bit.ly/3dPAyJX
Australia: bit.ly/2CQ9IhY
• Analog Man ARDX 20 Dual Analog Delay & Amazeo
www.buyanalogman.com/category...
• Free The Tone FT-2Y Flight Time Digital Delay
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2uCOem6
• Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe CB-3
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2RVldeS
USA: bit.ly/3dNvDcD
Australia: bit.ly/2Ovelqa
• Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe CS-MDV2 MKII
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2pKQOCY
Australia: bit.ly/2A3ZtGA
• Supro Tremolo
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2pZrAkZ
• Neo Instruments Mini Vent II
USA: imp.i114863.net/1AabB
• TheGigRig G2
www.thegigrig.com/g2
* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: www.thatpedalshow.com/partners
Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 0:00
- What are we doing? 1:30
- Tube snobs: 2:30
- When Thomas came to see us: 6:30
- Amp1 Mercury and Matchless King Cobra: 9:05
- …clean, Dan’s Tele: 10:45
- …D&M Drive & Macmull: 12:40
- What is Class D? 22:33
- Back to Nextone: 28:40
- Making the dB meter soooo much better: 30:20
- Boss Nextone Artist: 31:02
- Four ‘valve’ types: 32:00
- Mick’s gone Android: 35:25
- Comparing the AC15 and the Nextone: 37:00
- Tone cut control on the AC15: 40:00
- Four output stages in the Nextone: 42:45
- Nextone,AC15 and J Rockett The Dude: 44:40
- How loud is the Nextone? 52:00
- Nextone and Fender Hot Rod Deluxe? 53:45 (55:18)
- Hot Rod Deluxe knob settings: 58:40
- …Tube Screamer and a Sun Face: 1:03:00
- Settings for the last sounds: 1:09:25
- …and Dan’s Huber: 1:10:40
- What are your impressions? 1:13:33
Guitars and amps:
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster - Mick’s video at bit.ly/2cQv3yT
• Fender Custom Shop ’63 Telecaster - Dan’s video at bit.ly/2dlZJ6K
• PRS DGT - Mick’s video at bit.ly/2d8Xo2I
• Nik Huber Krautster - Dan’s video at bit.ly/2fKv0RU
• Boss Nextone Artist
• BluGuitar Amp1 Mercury Edition
• Vox AC15 C1 (Celestion Greenback speaker)
• Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III
• Matchless King Cobra
Buy a T-shirt to support our efforts?www.thatpedalshowstore.com
We are also on Patreon
/ thatpedalshow
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/2cRvIvt
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf
USA: That Pedal Shop www.thatpedalshop.com/

[@michaelmasin1996]

I love how thomas is open about what he does and shares the reasons behind every choice he made

[@danielswaim5566]

It sounds silly, but this show is great therapy for my anxiety issues

[@vexguine]

not silly. overthinking on "useless" knowledge is one of my technique too whenn dealing with my anxiety. You just unplug from "real" problems to "well... lets see if germanium is better than silicon". It kinda clears your mind. The only problem is that anxiety could lead to consumerism. And seeing too much videos about pedals can trigger some gear aquisition syndrome...

[@josephog835]

Totally agree

[@tobyzxcd]

I understand you completely- it’s helped me all throughout lockdown, just to “hang out” with people and immerse myself in things I love

[@joeurbanowski321]

Daniel…Me too..! It’s just like watching kids play with a bunch of toys that they dig… so they’re not bothering me..! LOL… just kidding… but TPS is definitely a feel-good show..✌🏼😎

[@jadielethan8023]

Instablaster

[@goldtop362]

I've had valve amps, hybrid amps with valve preamp and solid state power section, modeling amps... and my main amp now is a solid state 80 watt Roland Blues Cube Artist. I've had some killer amps and there's no doubt that a cranked valve amp will give you tone to die for...but usually only at unusable volume, unless you're gigging (and sometimes not even then!) The Blues Cube is a revelation! Four discreet power amps, brilliant tone at various volume levels... and takes pedals like a champ! Definitely up there as one of the best amps I've had, over the last 40+ years!

[@mtrooze]

I've been playing off and on for 42 years. After all that tone chasing, I am most pleased with my current amp: a Peavey Studio Pro 112, red stripe, designed and made in the USA, with the Blue Marvel speaker replaced with Celestion G12T Hot 100. I run the Tube Dynamics at 100%, and often run a Timmy clone in front of the amp. I am very, very happy with this setup. Changes in pedals have made it possible to get good tone in ways impossible in 1977. When I first started, Klons did not exist, and we all got that tone - and all our other favorites - through the amp's gain stages. I pushed my amp with an MXR Micro Amp pedal, a clean boost. Today, we can stack overdrives like crazy -- and unless we're using a Butler Tube Driver, we're doing it all with analog solid-state drive stages. So why not go the next obvious step and ditch the tubes, and all the problems they bring?

[@bennettskb555]

For me, it’s practicality. good solid state gear, is light, affordable, reliable, loud and sounds very good.....not many punters would know the difference in a live band mix. I’m approaching 65 years old now and have got my brain past the ‘valves are best mantra’....two years gigging with the Amp1 and more recently a Katana 50, both clean and loud.....all I need.......always love the show.....many thanks....Steve

[@kimmolingonheimo]

HI Steve, Im celebrating being 55 til the end of this October, abouts these trans amps of mine: Peavey Bandit 112, Laney TF300, Hughes &Kettner Vortex 80W, Kustom KG 100W, Crate 100w, and the Fender Stage 100........: theyre great! for home use I use Fender Frontman 10Gs..., OH: I have one tube in the Laney: how should/could I bias it?..Ha haa, health, wellth n happyness to you wishes Kimmo in Finland..... : )

[@alexbarto7]

Wich of both do You like they Best?

[@adamscottv]

You guys really put that Nextone through it's paces. Very thorough. Appreciate the deep content.

[@internetselling]

Part 1 of an hour show starting at 30 minutes in. Classic Dan and Mick TPS... love it ❤️!!! You be you Dan and Mick. You be you...

[@JonathanRZeko]

Thomas‘ explanation of the latency caused by digital signal processing is the most instructive thing I’ve heard to explain the difference between processing of an analog versus a digital system.

[@martynkentfrancis]

Mick “Tremendous amount of Gain in The Dude” Dan “YES” 🙏

[@jayguitar]

Absolutely totally adore my AMP1! 😊 such an amazing piece of kit! Been my main amp for a few of years now. It sounds amazing and is so so portable. Third year running, I took it over to NAMM from the UK and played it there - had my rig, my sound. And Thomas and I even jammed on the BluGuitar stage!!! New Mercury Edition is totally stunning too. Genius piece of gear 😊 have an amazing weekend Mick and Dan!

[@jayguitar]

sbjkd hey dude, usually while recording I go direct and use TwoNotes Wall of Sound with the Angl 60 cab for cab emulation (sometimes I use pwnhammer IRs). Most of the videos on my channel over the last couple of years were recorded that way. When I do use Cabs, I use various Celestion and Eminence speakers. I have a Genz Benz 4x12 with Eminence Private Jack speakers that I totally love! Really creamy and smooth especially in the top end. My 1x12 has a celestion neodymium speaker in it which sounds good. Love the sound of the Celestion Creamback and LynchBack as well, which are the style of speaker I gravitate towards. Hope that helps man 😊

[@fanofthewylde2933]

Hi Jay, this is a bit random and off topic, but I'm a fan of yours ever since you did the review on the Mr Scary pickup. I really appreciated that when you did it because the timing and the review itself was great. Helped me out as I was looking to purchase one. So cheers bro. :)

[@jayguitar]

@@fanofthewylde2933 hey dude, thanks so much! 😊 You're most welcome. So glad that video helped! Its such an amazing pickup and the video was a pleasure to do - great tone and has that GL vibe! 😊 I remember playing it for the first time and totally digging it! Have a great day man!!!

[@JonathanRZeko]

Among the qualities I like about you guys is that you are patently objective. As you are such good players, you do not need equipment to mask your inadequacies. Plus you are fair. You don’t have any agenda besides educating yourself and your audience. Good show again. Thank you very much.

[@hieronymus932]

The thing with the Amp 1 is not only does he get close but he’s been able to get it to sound close to a lot of different amplifiers.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Absolutely. It's an exceptional thing. Particularly that it's all analogue. Definitely going to try it in my wet dry rig. Mick here

[@CarstenGoeke]

It´s so interesting. And i like the part with Thomas very much. So much knowledge around here. So thanks for this guys! 🖖🏼

[@jnh73]

I've used solid state amps for years for their consistency and lighter weight. It's clear that many current and upcoming solid state amps are also now becoming grin-inducing tone generators in their own right. Great video, gents.

[@diwa2012]

A well balanced and fair comparison. Thanks guys. You did it extremely well.

[@baileyarango]

What timing, you tonal wizards! I made the switch to a Quilter a few weeks ago and am so, so excited for this - thank you!

[@JamieClark]

Thank you so much for coming back to transistors - I play an electric cello through a Roland Blues Cube, but have been really liking the sound of VOX AC amps lately, almost bought one last year, until I heard the Nextone comparison on the Anderton's channel. Didn't realize how many more possibilities there were out there for me (someone who can't afford the cost or weight or volume of an AC30!)

[@craigthomson3621]

A Roland Blues Cube with a New York Blues Tone Capsule will give you a good “Vox” sound.

[@recordatron]

A lot of mentions here already but the CR120 is an unbelievable solid state amp. You get the clean up when rolled off, string attack that reacts in the way you want it too, warmth for days. It's one of those amps you forget is a solid state and it just blends in with the other valve amps in live situations. Top stuff 👍

[@justingarcia7722]

I remember watching a video on Scott Henderson breaking down his wet dry rig and he showed how he used his Suhr amp as the “dry” amp and a garden variety hot rod Deville as a true “wet” amp. The advantage of his rig was being able to eq/control the wet effects on the fly via the Devilles preamp. He also used the Deville for no tone reasons outside the functionality of that eq. It dawned on me that this could be replaced by a good solid state platform which would also likely be more reliable, like Larry Carlton splitting to a mixer. This lead me to using a Quilter powerblock as my “wet” amp in conjunction with my valve amp. Thanks guys, there are so many uses for having a good transistor amp, great video!

[@dekleinebozewolf]

As always, very informative. Can't wait for part two.

[@Guitar_Ted]

Schwangrila! That needs to be your next t-shirt! Also- so much of this is awesome sounding. It really just comes down to preferences. I could live with much of what I've heard here.

[@fenderjeff]

I never thought I could miss another man’s guitar until I saw Thomas playing Dan’s LP. We need more of that guitar on TPS. Maybe it needs to get the Johnny Kinkead treatment for Dan to get it back in the rotation?

[@rileyioacura]

For me personally it was you guys and also Henning who converted me to valves because before I was using a boss me 80 pedal for everything but now I have a 60 watt Marshall head and 4x12 cab and couldn't be happier!! I have started hearing things about my playing that I couldn't hear in the pedal but you feel the interaction between you and the amp and it's strange to say but it's true!! You feel it just like it's apart of your hands so thank you so much again now all I need is pedals

[@LEgoiste]

Same revelation here too recently, I love my tube amps and experimenting with vintage tubes. My music listening is tube powered but recently out of curiosity from info online I bought a vintage 70’s Carlsbro Stingray Super on the bay. Pristine condition apart from some scratchy pots that were duly rectified and holy moly what a sound! I know it sounds crazy but it sounds tube like and reacts as if it’s tube driven. It even weighs a ton like a tube amp! I now will TRY to never pass judgement until I hear with my own ears. It’s not tube snobbery just preference. Great episode guys.

[@jtguitartv]

I think the Vox AC15 is truly one of the best amps ever made. They really nailed it the first time around!

[@chuckdriver8269]

💯 % agree.🎸🇺🇸

[@MrBossei]

Agree. World class amp but at a bargain price.

[@AlbusBand]

I think the big thing to takeaway (from this and all TPS shows) is there is no right or wrong, only what you like (and thereby, what you think sounds good). I mean, I’ve been playing on a Jazz-Chorus from the 80’s that we have in my shop and I’m seriously considering picking it up because it just sounds epic. I’d actually like to pair it with my Vox or Fender (or both) and see what magic happens. Great show as usual, hope NAMM was fun, glad you made it back safe. -Aaron

[@gilmarriner3011]

Watching this I’ve just realized that I have managed to buy and trade 4 amp within the last 4 years in the search for my sound. The first 3 were transistor modeling amps, Blackstar, Fender and Roland Bules Cube (close, but no cigar) but I finally settled on a tube amp and the difference for me was amazing for my ears. The H&K 40w was just what I needed for 1w practice and 20w for a gig. Your show is breaking my wallet! Nice show guys.....keep em coming.

[@Furtheronmusic]

Every time I see Thomas demo/explain the Amp1 the more impressed I am. The boss is impressive given the price as well. I'll look forward to hear you guys demo/Compare the Quilter

[@2Plus2isChicken2013]

I love my Quilter amps. I have a Tone Block 201 and an Interblock 45. It's great to be able to place them directly on my pedalboard. The Interblock is especially amazing because it has all the major features you need in a pedal platform amp and is the size of some pedals. You could even use it as a power amp for a preamp pedal since it has an effects loop.

[@WoodchuckJim]

One of my absolute favorite channels to watch! I love seeing you guys explore and experiment with the vast sea of gear out there. The enjoyment that comes through in your expressions is always genuine and brings many smiles. I'm just a bedroom player who sucks but am trying to learn and improve. I bought a Fender American Special strat, Boss Katana 100W 1x12 about a year ago after much deliberation, and few fun pedals: A Timmy, Tumnus, Love Pedal Super Six Stevie mod, and Wah and I just get lost in the amount of tweaking you can do with all of that, including the Boss Tone studio software which is immense. I think as long as you are getting a sound that makes you excited, you have chosen well. That's not to say we don't endlessly chase other sounds and want to find some magical unicorn of tone....which is where I live vicariously through you guys, lol. My list of dream gear continually grows watching this channel unfortunately. Thanks for bringing me motivation to play when I'm feeling defeated at learning this stringed contraption and all the laughs and enjoyment I get from watching you guys together. Cheers! ps: I'd love to see you guys explore the Katana and software one day, but I know its just a peasant solid state amp ;)

[@guitarsimon1]

I swear with every TPS episode Mick teaches me a new word or phrase, this show is educational in ways I never envisaged! (On the subject have to say I’m a long time fan Mr Taylor, loved your work in Guitarist and learnt a fair few licks from your demonstrations!)

[@ThatPedalShow]

Thank you sir!

[@magicdaveable]

Back in the early 1970's Sunn Amplifiers built a discrete point to point hand wired transistor amp that rivaled most 100 watt tube (valve) amps either 6L6 or EL34 powered. I have forgotten the model but borrowed one for a short 10 show tour. The amp performed spectacularly and offered excellent tubelike natural compression and tone.

[@eanroad]

Thanks for doing this fellas! I know Tubes are home. However, making a video of trying different kinds of products (solid state amps; maybe digital amps in the future) gives us a perspective on the different sounds and "feel" that TPS (The Posh Sound masters) can achieve. Cheers!

[@MrBossei]

Recently I took my Roland Blues Cube HOT (transistor, "Tube logic") to a friend with a Fender Super Reverb (original 1965). He´s a real amp-aficinado and tube snob. Only vintage handwired amps for him. But! We were both blown away by how good the Blues Cube HOT sounded. Actually he couldn´t believe his ears. Even though the HOT had a 1X12 and the Super Reverb 4X10 it sounded full and nearly as loud as the Super Reverb. The headroom and reaction to pedals (vintage MXR:s) was also as great as the Super Reverb. We tested with the amps side by side.

[@a.man_an.island]

Bosse Ignell That’s my main amp, and everyone who doesn’t understand the power of them is always blown away. It’s definitely not leaving my possession

[@MrBossei]

@@a.man_an.island Yes. It´s high time to leave the debate transistor vs valve. The question is: good or bad amp? Not the technology. I will keep my Blues cube HOT even if new amps get the hype for a while :-)

[@jamesmarciniec4787]

Love my Blues Cube Hot. Great sounding and takes pedals great.

[@antonr.2101]

I was VERY impressed with those amps when I worked in GC. Made a quite a few "all tube" believers buy that amp. Many came back and raved about its lightness, rugged construction and touch sensitivity. Also took pedals very well.

[@GuitarMav]

I still have mine. Many transistor and valve amps have come and gone but I still keep my blues cube hot.

[@clbazar]

Bwhahahahaha! Mick, you killed me again. That moment around 29:40 when you’re trying to get Dan to face the amp to the camera. This show constantly gives me the smiles - and yeah, drains my bank account. I never thought I could be so happy going broke. 😁

[@CaptPostmod]

I've gigged with a Quilter 101 for a few years now. Best amp I've ever owned in terms of usability. Just sits on my board and I never have to worry about backlines again. My favorite amp I've owned in terms of playability is also a solid-state-a Marshall Lead 100 Mosfet from the 80s. Johan Segeborn does amazing demos of the Marshall 80s solid-state stuff and those amps are fantastic!

[@johnmundt7834]

Looking forward to an episode of “That Multi Fx Show” Cool that you guys are willing to branch out, try different things

[@Pantalooj]

A great episode! I'm enjoying spending time with a Katana Artist at the moment, having had a few mid priced tube amps for the last couple of decades. Observations from this show ... Amp1 sounds amazing ... to my ears, the EL84 setting on the Nextone, despite the tweaking, had a "cocked wah" overtone, which I sometimes observe with my Katana ... the 6L6 tones that Mick was getting from the Nextone sounded stellar. I think I am going to have to try a Nextone some time soon ... that Fenderish vibe is just too appealing, and the Katana doesn't really get as close

[@LeighWesleyMusic]

I can't wait for the next part with the quilter! I am so keen for a quilter amp in my future.

[@mark7166]

Man, I love Thomas Blug. I was first introduced to him when he was doing Hughes & Kettner promotional videos, and I was just awed by his playing. I think the Amp1 is a fantastic device. I really need to try one out!

[@chrishepburn1503]

Guitar tone for me is all about uniqueness. Take for example Josh Homme. He uses cheap solid state amps ( Peavy, Gorilla) to get his unique tones in the studio. It might not work for everyone but how boring would it be if everyone used the same amps. I play tube amps myself but but like you guys I have recently enjoyed the transistor sound. I find it refreshing hearing something new that I have been missing out on. Great episode! Cheers

[@leftienigeblank4320]

I remember seeing the 1st incarnation of Thin Lizzy . On "Whiskey on the jar" the lead guitarist Eric Bell had a Strat thru a HH 100 watt ( all tranny )and it sounded GORGEOUS ! A few years later someone sold me a HH 100 watt combo , a single 15" speaker , built-in "fuzz" button on the front (on or off , no way to modify it ) I gigged thru it for 2 years , no complaints at all , until I had an offer of a swap for an old brown AC30 . Happy days !

[@russellraymer9679]

LOL. After a half hour into the video to say "part one of this video is going to be..." Love you guys.

[@marcusjones1082]

Wow, all of them are gig worthy. Very nice compare and contrast guys.

[@jamescull8047]

Plenty of classic rock guitar tones were recorded with solid state amps. That includes The Beatles, and notably Creedence Clearwater Revival.

[@paulstacey1938]

Beatles amps in the Revolver/Rubber Soul were actually hybrid - SS pre-amp, EL84 power amp.

[@katfishrick1600]

I bought a Boss Katana 50 last spring, and it's a damn good little amp imo.

[@starman6069]

You know it's been a long week when TPS puts you to sleep after 15 minutes. Now I've got a reason watch the episode again

[@Overworkt]

*30 minutes in* "Okay part 1 of this video." I love you guys 😅😅

[@Rolf_D]

There is no better or worse! Hear Dave Simpson, he gets great sounds out of an Orange CR120 Transistor Amp!!

[@fatherno5721]

Listen to Her Palace by Ty Tabor crushing orange crush tone!

[@calebtylershepherd21]

Rolf Dinter Exactly! There are amazing amps that are solid state and valve. Also bad ones of each category too. The difference is so minimal between a great solid state and a valve that it’s insane. It’s just sad they don’t make many true analogue solid states anymore. I’ve got two amps that are the best I’ve ever owned, and they’re both solid state. So much more reliable. Not to mention I’d put my Kustom Quad Jr. Special 100 watt head against any tube combo. That thing just is amazing for blues, and will scream for metal as well. It’s so loud it shakes the studio walls if I turn it up to 2 1/2. lol. They don’t really make em like they used to. They only really make valve, or digital stuff. Honestly, I don’t like digital at all. I just don’t feel they sound authentic like a true solid state. Though, they’ve gotten better overtime. You’re so right! The CR from Orange sounds just like the Rockerverb for like a fourth of the price. I love Mr. Dave Simpson btw! Such a great guy, and gives the most honest opinions on KZbin. He really is a gem though, and such an incredible player!!

[@colinmortimore218]

@@calebtylershepherd21 Bluguitar Amp1 is analogue. I'm fairy sure the Orange stuff is too.

[@cmck1777]

You know you've had an amp1 too long when you think at 18:30 " Hmm, turn down the boost amount and change the voice of the clean channel"... and that's what he does...

[@JulianDoe]

Wonderful! these amps sound amazing! glad you guys have done this episode and the best advice that comes through is that we must judge the sound with our hears. If it sounds good it's good!!!

[@cakesodomy4358]

Maybe for those on the receiving end--I have heard countless times over the years about how 99% of the audience wouldn't know the difference in a band setting, which may be true. For the player though--at least for me--the feel and response of the amp I'm playing is just as important as the tone. It actually affects the way that i approach playing--it's very hard for me to get into playing and writing music when my amp responds like a first time prison rapee--cold, sterile, and uptight (literally). Sort of like the difference between playing at conversation volume versus the way a speaker reacts when it's pushing air at a high volume. My bassist wanted to raw dog my dry guitar signal straight into the studio interface the other day and use software afterwards for the amp tone, and i almost had to drax them sklounsts.

[@cyrusfontaine2598]

Fascinating stuff! Nothing ever sounds bad on this show, but I was surprised at some of the Nextone sounds myself!

[@jamescull8047]

I would wonder how much the different speaker cabs and drivers affects the end tone. It would be very interesting to compare those combo amps by sharing the same speakers.

[@cmdrsocks]

I wish someone who does gear reviews would test amps using a standard speaker cab (so the speaker efficiency is the same for every test) a calibrated sound pressure level meter at 1m and a recording of a guitar played back at a fixed level for every amp (matched to the actual guitar signal level) - forget the Watts, just tell us how loud they all go when dimed. That way we will see which manufacturers rate their amps in RMS and which use BS instead.

[@domcole1859]

I'm only into the video 1 minute and that tone is incredible!!!!

[@ryuyamakawa4431]

you guys are just amazing great people! Thank you for this video! :)

[@shadowulf]

I had a go with the Nextone not long after getting my blues cube. For what and how I play, my cube does fine. Not enough of a difference to make the move over, but nice and useable. I'm very interested in the Quilter evaluation. Portability/space management has moved up my list of gear requirements.

[@ront8270]

The ac 15 is the bomb!!!!! In small venue to larg SOOOO I wonder if the boss could pull that off with that throaty sound

[@frankfionn]

I bought a blues cube hot this year mainly as my living room amp. I am quite happy with it, because I get eventually a proper sound with low volume.

[@Benji2N]

Holy crap, that's the best I've heard that PRS sound

[@Elevantband]

Now do one on vintage solid state amps, stuff with their own sound that isn't trying to emulate a specific valve amp or even a valve amp in particular. The Roland JC stuff is the most known, but stuff like HH, Randall and the Peavey Standard are all incredible.

[@SwirlyWhirlyXYZ]

This was great! Both were awesome, looking forward to Quilter. Of course I want to hear you play ZT Lunchbox & vintage Sunn too (because you have infinite time and resources). Boss tube amp expander vs other attenuators/DIs at some point? Can you make an hour long ambient album with just the horn, an echo chamber, delay, reverb, harmonizer, etc...

[@EDKguy]

Can't wait to hear the Quilter, soon. Have heard great things about them.

[@MrPodvig]

Thank you for relieving my feelings of guilt and stupidity for remembering my 197? Roland JC-60 so fondly. I recently came across some old recordings that made me realize what a great amp it was for what I was doing at the time. Thanks for all that I've learned from you blokes.

[@MrPodvig]

My signal chain consisted of Gibson ES-335 direct to amp. Perfect for the jazz, gospel, singer-songwriter shtick I was doing.

[@MrPodvig]

Now? I'd need some pedals to be happy. And DAMN I miss that 335.

[@michaelgrove3595]

I have always had tube amps until last year when I bought a Boss Katana. The Katana is my favorite amp now! I actually combine it w/ one of my smaller tube amps for a wet-dry thing. Thanks for doing this video guys!

[@Overworkt]

Dry into the tube I assume?

[@jasonbaker5430]

I have to admit that those vintage Fender amps sound incredible. I've spent the last 25 years playing through solid state amps, and where I feel at home is with my pedalboard plugged into the low gain input of my USA made Peavey Studio Pro 112. Not saying that it's better than anything else, but that's where I can get lost for hours

[@sid35gb]

Jason Baker nothing wrong with solid state amps when you’re happy with the sound. Sometimes I wonder if solid state amps came out before tubes and all the greats were recorded on solid state would people be turning their noses up at tube amps.

[@jasonbaker5430]

@@sid35gb Probably so. I'm happy with anything I can get a good sound out of. I picked up a little solidstate fender amp a while back. It's a Frontman 25r 25 watt 1x10 made in 2001. I had to replace the power switch and I swapped the factory speaker for a Celestion Ten 30. I'm absolutely loving that little amp.

[@sid35gb]

Jason Baker I don’t know what it is with the small fenders but they do seem to work well with a good quality 10” speaker. Have fun 👍

[@darenanderson4961]

Dan the Man, good grief brother-you sounded freaking amazing on that intro! Love the show, and your willingness to explore things that you guys didn’t find interesting in the past.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Cheers Daren, that’s very kind :)

[@LewisDavieMusic]

We're getting ever closer to 'The Kemper Episode' ;) Great work as always, gents! Some lovely tones from all amps.

[@ThatPedalShow]

Somebody send us one. We're not buying one. :0)

[@macleanclassics]

Dan and that Tele can make a tin can with a string sound good as an amplifier.

[@markevangelista3856]

Could you review the Katana Artist combo amp? Thanks and more power to you guys!

[@tomclissold]

"...just tube snobs. You're bias." That made me laugh more than it should!

[@samhainlimon]

BLU 1 is an amazing musician who also happens to be a genius when it comes to analog tech (which i love so much..) His overall guitar and TECHNOLOGY related knowledge is so vast and that is why his amp sounds so good

[@TheBigGuppy]

Where I like solid state is utility gigs where I'm covering multiple instruments. I have the Katana 100. I prefer my tube Mesas and Fenders for guitar but the strength of the Boss is covers does acoustic instruments and pedal steel really well. Its weak spot in my opinion is the electric guitar stuff. It doesn't like all pedals. It hates the Russian Muff but these are gigs where I would never use the muff. Before getting this solid state amp I was carrying three amps. Solid state seems great at being a jack of all trades. Versatility can be critical if you are a jobber. You see the Katana in Nashville on Broadway all the time now.

[@michaelbelloni2447]

You are 100% right. I have a katana 100 2x12 that I use for my country band and the other guitarist uses a vibrolux. It’s always funny because I can plug in and sound awesome but as soon as he turns the fender on it’s just beautiful. It’s probably mostly in the fingers if I’m honest, but still it sounds great. The two amps actually complement each other well though because he’ll sit a little higher in the mix (live) and I’ll have that open sounding thing going on because of the 2x12 and I’ll be sitting in the background of the mix. But back to your point I saw multiple bands on broadway in one night and it was one of a few things- a variation of helix (sounded great), boss katana (sounded great), or a back line amp like a hrdlx or an ac15. All sounded superb.

[@houldeyj72]

Sure I have said before, get Dave Simpson on with his orange cr120

[@ennobunger9286]

yes please!!

[@JemMusic.]

He loves his Katana too.

[@houldeyj72]

Jem Charles Music Lovin the brown sound myself!

[@JemMusic.]

@@houldeyj72 Yeah. Me too.

[@russellives6069]

I may be the exception, but while I love his playing and videos, I've never been a fan of his tones. It'd still be cool to have him on though!

[@niels__vdb]

The edited disco music was such a nice touch :D

[@kariabspoel2483]

Thomas has done his magic of matching tones of tube amps so many times that it is simply amazing... and pretty convincing as well. For home practise and as the second amp in a live setup, I can completely see it doing its job much more so than any modeling thingy. It has been on my ”to-be-tested” list for a while but getting your habds on one is not easy - unless you buy nline and trust the return policy works. So, thanks for showcasing it one more time - solid stuff :)

[@billrand4138]

not a back up ,,a board mounted amp that replaced many a full size tube amp head

[@kariabspoel2483]

Bill Rand I would not be too surprised to see that happen, honestly - and the second amp in my setup is not a backup (unless the other dies) but an equal sonic offender :) The pnly thing I am weary of is the reaction to different pedals I have grown to like a lot. But that I can only find out by trying the blugamp out. I would love to have the portability with all the tones of a back breaking tube amp!

[@saint-cetacean]

As the proud owner of a JC40, glad to hear that amp helped open you two's eyes (ears?). Truly a special piece of gear- all the magic of the vintage Jazz Choruses with all the modern trappings I could want in a portable and deceptively loud package 🙏🏼

[@saint-cetacean]

Plus for dirt I use a smallsound/bigsound Mini, which has a lot of "tubelike" qualities, imo. That, combined with the way I use comp and EQ makes for a pseudo-preamp at the front of my board, which means the flatter response of a transistor pre is actually a huge boon

[@subjectt.change6599]

I play a JC40 Wet/Dry with an EHX Dirt Road Special. I can get Drone Doom sounds with that combo (and a few choice pedals). Team JC!

[@neuk01642]

Surely Dan can work out some electric trickery so on a patch change on the G2 the disco lights come on??? Come on Dan, pull your finger out ;oD

[@cgmxtreme70]

As much as I want to crank a nice tube amp, I live in a small house. I use a Boss Katana 50 and I think it's pretty awesome with some nice pedals to run through it. Thanks for some other great options guys. Our ambassadors of tone !!!!🤟🤟

[@robbieredball]

he should pay you, it sounds amazing. I don't understand how it can be done in a large pedal size - side by side with the matchless id go for his blu amp. You lot are costing me a fortune!!! Keep up the good work, thank you!!!

[@nickwilson9210]

The vox patherfinder actually sound really good handles pedals really well and when miced feels like a tub amp it’s really remarkable. I play a vox ac30 and I had to get it fixed one weekend and last min I used the pathfinder and I was really shocked. Because I have used fender solid state amps and they were terrible. Anyways give it a try if you ever

[@philspill6854]

I have 2 and just picked up the 2x10 Pathfinder Smr😲

[@terryswanson3373]

I enjoyed this episode very much. I've been using a Tech 21 Trademark 60 for almost 15 years. Hope you include it, in part two. I've recently switched to the Roland Blue's Cube Hot. Not quite the Fender sound, like the 60 but smaller and lighter. Old age has it's requirements. Their's a great demo of the Quilter vs Trademark 60 on thearoom. Check it out

[@kevinjohnbetts]

Sadly my Trademark 60 broke down and getting it repaired wasn't economically viable. I really liked the clean/edge of break-up tone it had although the onboard distortion was pretty vile. Tech 21 make some nice gear.

[@RobBrownSTS]

Interestingly that first nextone sound made me think immediately of the bassbreaker 15 sounds you guys got in that 15watt amp comparison. Great video guys!

[@robertprice5039]

I friend brought over BluGuitar Amp to my house yesterday. I was impressed. It got a great Marshall Sound without fussing about that much. I tend to play with a bit less gain than him, so I will still be using my 65 Amps, but for the LA Hair Metal, that my friend’s band plays, the BluGuitar Amp is ideal. He stopped using his Marshall JCM 800 for gigs in favor of the BluGuitar Amp.

[@brianpateman2666]

I've been looking forward to this! Having spent a lot of time with amplifiers (design, build, repair and, of course use) I prefer simple amps and there are some very good solid state ones. The point about price cannot be understated. Good amps need good power supplies and they add to the build cost, even more so with valve circuits. I do however tend to avoid things with software!

[@drSwan77]

Tube snobs? Biased.....? Yes 32-34 mA in my case.

[@SCOREWIZARDSMUSIC]

I am tube biased myself

[@cesmcmyth]

@KC awesome. Now listen to a fine transistor tone in a mix. The difference gets reduced. Further, give your samples to the general audience. The difference gets even less noticeable. Transistor amps now sound gorgeous, and bring many advantages over tubes. Plus, fine transistor amps not cheap anymore. Value ways, that differences can actually be a great compromise over the difference in tone

[@cesmcmyth]

@KCI know nothing about science. You may think I deny it. But you, you deny life. And business! Why you think transistor amps exist? How you think companies which sell them continue to exist? Maybe because someone -a lot of "someones" - buy it? Furthermore, to be an educated person, with your MSc degrees and your journals-published papers, you behave pretty much like a big asshole. 👍👍

[@cesmcmyth]

@KC you did watch my videos? Haha... yeah, I don't get "carried out" because I play more acoustic and music is just for the absolute pleasure of having fun. -even if as a frustrated person you will tell me I couldn't do it for a living.- Just on thing, in you MSc you didn't learn about reference journals. What is the year of these life changing - world saving papers you cited? Lets start there you Gilmour.

[@Newnodrogbob]

KC citations, please. What journal, specifically? Who was the author and what was the page number? Also, for the record, there is literally nothing scientific about referring to frequencies as “objectionable.” Not only that, but taking your quotes at face value, they indicate that tube powered amplifiers may have an advantage when high stage volumes are the goal. For the most part, this is dumb. Most guitar amps are being mic’d through the House PA system anyway. You sir, are a walking example of “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” There are inherent difference between the way vacuum tubes and transistors work. This can produce audible differences in sound production. This is why engineers continue to invent new circuits and configurations. Unless you think every tube amp sounds identical to every other? Anyhow, the very idea is silly. You can’t scientifically prove something sounds “better.” That is a subjective judgement. Stop being a prat.

[@TheWhollymoly]

I had to wait until almost the end to hear "Belly Pock!" I agree with your assessments re: these newfangled transistor amps. They've come a long way, and the differences tonally are small. Nonetheless, I still love the sound and feel of a great tube (valve) amp. I hope you waved hello to Minnesota as you flew over it the other day! Cheers!

[@OttoBillstrom]

Highly anticipated :D Been tube free for nearly a year now when I sold my Bogner combo in favour of a Quilter head, and Im loving it! Recently picked up a lil Vox Pathfinder combo (the old combo version) which sounds like the cats pyjamas!

[@ChiefMiddleFinger]

It's hard to describe but I think players who stick with it, eventually experience what i call a "covergence". It's when you realize YOU are part of tone and no matter what, you sound like you and you come to accept it, and embrace it. Then all the gear you use thereafter is chosen to enhance your real guitar voice. A few of the great classic guitar gods discovered this early, some by pure accident, some because their talent required it. Think back to the 60's where technology had to catch up to some of these players. Now it seems we have players trying to catch up to the technology. I'm not refering to anyone in particular either. It's the modern age of endless choices with mass marketing pounding us over the head. Morale of the story: Don't give up on sounding like YOU, no matter what equipment you currently have. That being said, good equipment does make a difference, that and hours upon hours of just playing for the pure enjoyment of it. If it takes one day or just a lifetime, it's still all the same. Rock On !!!

[@ThatPedalShow]

It's something I realised many years ago Pat, but the realisation for me made me even more picky about my own personal gear. Interesting! Mick here.

[@WarrenPostma]

@@ThatPedalShow Ok so I have only been lucky enough to play through a big boy Guitar Amp once in my life. I am looking forward to the next time like Christmas. There's something you can't feel as a player until you stand in front of a big cab. I have never owned such an amp. SOME DAY.

[@ThaRealChuckD]

I'm not giving up my roland jc-120 dude.

[@lance134679]

I have four giggable amps, three of them traditional tube amps and the Roland Blues Cube, and the Blues Cube hold its own, especially for 'grittier' sounds, as the other three are non-master volume amps, and are very clean at the reasonable volumes I use (before stepping on a pedal, of course). The Nextone definitely intrigues me as it has a bit more versatility, and no messing around with the tone capsules. Looking forward to the Quilter episode. Thank you for the video.

[@1961jscofield]

All bow before your Class D masters!

[@mikeyjhn]

Great to see a Nextone sounding good. I have the 40W version and really like it. Try some external speakers like a V-Type, opens up the sound and detail a bit. Always a pleasure to watch you guys.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Thanks for the tip - I have a couple V-Type loaded cabs and am looking at a deal on a Nextone (probably gonna sell my Blackstar, it's too big and heavy), could be fun.

[@cowbellstudios6326]

it was actually quite nice wathcing a TPS episode that did not make me want to buy something.

[@fredtaylor9792]

Haha

[@BluesLicks101]

I felt the same way!

[@JoePerkinsMusic]

That BC183 Sun Face though....! :P

[@cowbellstudios6326]

Already on the board, :D

[@JoePerkinsMusic]

@@cowbellstudios6326 Haha! Yeah, my NKT Red Dot is stopping me GASsing for that one too bad also :P

[@n.m.5723]

Great video, thanks. One practical advantage of these types of amps versus tubes is that they can also do low volume better than majority of tube amps, which is handy around family. I run an HX Stomp into the effects return of a Katana, to get a vox clean, and better effects through it. I think the nexttone cleans sounded better than the Katana. I know there is an editor but it makes me not play, instead messing around on laptop, i find the stomp easier to use, more like a pedal, and less distracting.

[@gcvrsa]

I had to go back and watch the intro a second time just to hear that epic tone. :D My first amp was my 1990 Ampeg VH-140C stereo chorus 2x12 combo, quite similar in concept to a Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120, but with 70 W per channel into 8 Ohms (or 100 W per channel into 4 Ohms), and loaded with Celestion G12M-70 Modern Lead drivers. That amp has headroom for days. I still have it, but it has been replaced as my main amp by a 2002 Mesa/Boogie F-50 1x12 narrow chassis combo. I really didn't understand that the Nextone amps were not modelling amps, and now that I know they are not, I am very much more interested in them. The magic words are "discrete analogue".

[@hermannhannesson6144]

You forgot DV Mark. They make the best sounding transistor amps Ive ever heard!

[@JazzzRockFuzion]

True story... I'll go to the grave with my Micro 50 II. Looking at a used Evo 1 right now... Phenomenal solid state gear!

[@robertprice5039]

Love my Mark Bass Amp. It gets that old Acoustic 360 Bass Amp Sound without the weight and the hassle.

[@bububernd]

gotta love the Macmull

[@droliver]

That Macmillan strat is sharp. Not really worth the money for a bolt on strat copy to me personally , but sharp.

[@peterjessop1878]

Love the way you are trying to be objective about this guys.

[@TristanBarnettUK]

I own a Lab Series guitar amp, which was also BB King’s amp of choice on tour. His second choice amp was a Fender Twin. Amazing to think one of the kings of tone chose a transistor amp as his main ‘go-to’ amp.