Post by newey on Jul 23, 2008 22:17:46 GMT -5
Just got this little travel amp today, to go along with the still-in-the-works travel guitar:
So here's the hands-on review:
Naturally, with 3 watts and a 4" speaker, I wasn't expecting this thing to sound like a Twin Reverb, but I am not thrilled with the sound. As the ad copy suggests, the tone control is really more of a gain/tone combo. The only semi-clean sounds to be had are with this control rolled all the way down, leaving a somewhat muddy bass tone.
It is not at all loud, you're not going to get kicked out of any hotel rooms even with it cranked. (Which is, I think, the point)
The OD button gives tons of sustain but it is so noisy as to be practically useless. There's plenty of distortion even with it off.
If one was strictly a shredder type, this might just be the ticket for on-the-road practice. But not if you're Mr. Clean.
On the positive side, the unit appears very solidly built, no plastic to be seen. The back is metal, the cabinet feels sturdy, the controls have a good feel to them.
The onboard tuner is functional, it just has the 3 LEDs red-/green/red+ so it's hard to be terribly precise cents-wise, but handy to have. It has a headphone out, but of the mini-jack variety.
And it is very small- 5"X5"X3.5" approx. Fits into the pocket of my gigbag (just barely). Looks sharp, with the orange Tolex and wheat-straw grillecloth.
The only other of these mini amps I have used to compare it to is the Pignose, which is $20 more but sounds a lot better IMO. This is, however, about 1/2 the size of the Pignose. I haven't tried any of the mini Fender or Marshall ones. I bought this mainly because of the tuner, and the fact that it had a 4" speaker, bigger than some of the others.
While I'm underwhelmed by the sound, it is what it is for $55. I'll keep it and use it as planned for travel. Although I have the feeling this won't be the last portable amp I buy.
BTW, I ordered this from Geartree, first time I've orderd anything from them and no problems. When I ordered this in June, the website disclosed that the item wouldn't ship until July 23 due to a backorder. It actually arrived today, on the 23rd. So, it's only one transaction with these folks, but seamless.
So here's the hands-on review:
Naturally, with 3 watts and a 4" speaker, I wasn't expecting this thing to sound like a Twin Reverb, but I am not thrilled with the sound. As the ad copy suggests, the tone control is really more of a gain/tone combo. The only semi-clean sounds to be had are with this control rolled all the way down, leaving a somewhat muddy bass tone.
It is not at all loud, you're not going to get kicked out of any hotel rooms even with it cranked. (Which is, I think, the point)
The OD button gives tons of sustain but it is so noisy as to be practically useless. There's plenty of distortion even with it off.
If one was strictly a shredder type, this might just be the ticket for on-the-road practice. But not if you're Mr. Clean.
On the positive side, the unit appears very solidly built, no plastic to be seen. The back is metal, the cabinet feels sturdy, the controls have a good feel to them.
The onboard tuner is functional, it just has the 3 LEDs red-/green/red+ so it's hard to be terribly precise cents-wise, but handy to have. It has a headphone out, but of the mini-jack variety.
And it is very small- 5"X5"X3.5" approx. Fits into the pocket of my gigbag (just barely). Looks sharp, with the orange Tolex and wheat-straw grillecloth.
The only other of these mini amps I have used to compare it to is the Pignose, which is $20 more but sounds a lot better IMO. This is, however, about 1/2 the size of the Pignose. I haven't tried any of the mini Fender or Marshall ones. I bought this mainly because of the tuner, and the fact that it had a 4" speaker, bigger than some of the others.
While I'm underwhelmed by the sound, it is what it is for $55. I'll keep it and use it as planned for travel. Although I have the feeling this won't be the last portable amp I buy.
BTW, I ordered this from Geartree, first time I've orderd anything from them and no problems. When I ordered this in June, the website disclosed that the item wouldn't ship until July 23 due to a backorder. It actually arrived today, on the 23rd. So, it's only one transaction with these folks, but seamless.
It's the only way to go!
