Best Tube Amps Of 2021 Part 1 |
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Nov 26 2021, 09:38 PM
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Before we run out of year, let’s take a look at some of the best TUBE AMPS of the year that was, 2021. The basic technology of tube amps dates back quite a ways. In some ways, these amps are very similar to what was built many decades ago. Thankfully, advances in materials and such have been made in recent years so that these amps are dependable and travel well. There are many folks who have abandoned tube amps for a processor. Still there are some folks who insist on a traditional tube amp. To wit!
1.)FENDER 64 CUSTOM PRINCETON REVERB ($2,300) After you recover from the initial sticker shock, or not, you have before you the Fender 64 Custom Princeton Reverb. This amp is somewhat legendary for it’s responsiveness and full bodied chimney tone. It does claens in a way that just impresses. When pushed to overdrive, it’s warm and smooth. It features a traditional spring reverb that harkens back to earlier days and still provides great results. The output on this amp is 12 watts. This is more than enough for great gain at home and can be used for gigging as well. Of course, it’s a lower power amp so a mic in front may be called for. Some folks may balk at more than $2k for a 12 watt amp. However, folks who know what this amp can do will be well satisfied.  Preamp: 1 x 12AT7, 3 x 12AX7 Power: 2 X 6V6, 1 x 5AR4 rectifier Speaker: 10 Inch jensen Alnico P10r Output : 12 W Weight: 32 lbs 2.)BLACKSTAR HT-1R MKII COMBO ($320) Some folks just HATE Blackstar amps. If you are one of those guys, just skip this one and move on to the next one. This is a great deal on a real tube. This guys is built for home use. It’s a practice amp. Thus the output is only 1 watt. It’s not a gigging amp. But if you want tube tone for your practice space, this is a great value. The only real downside is that the speaker is only 8 inches and thus can sound a pinch boxy However, at lower volumes, it’s just fine. It also has a USB recording output so you can connect it to your computer to record your sessions Overall it’s a great value for a real tube amp.  Preamp: 1 X 12AX7 Power: 1 X 12UA7 Speaker: 8 Inch house brand Output : 1w Weight: 12 lbls 3.)PRS MT 15 MARK TREMOTI ($750) This one has been in my roundups before. It’s a little monster of a tube head. It sounds HUGE. Of course, it’s just a head so it needs a speaker cab to go with it. If you have a speaker cab, of any size/type, this will drive it. Even though it’s only rated at 15 watts, it’s loud AF and will push your 4x12 loud enough to gig with. This is, of course, the signature amp for Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge. It’s a high gain monster. It looks small but it punches well above it’s weight. It’s a two channel amp so it’s flexible as well. It’s not a single channel one trick pony. You can trim the power back to 7w if you are practicing at home. 15 watts on this is actually too much for most home uses. This is a best of a little lunch box amp and it’s ready to practice, ready to gig, ready to record.  Preamp: 6 x JJEC835 Power: 2 x JJ 6L6GCMS Speaker: NA Output : 15W Weight: 17lbs *Get your gain on and try these 70s riffs! https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/70s-Ha...k-Riff-Bending/ |
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Dec 2 2021, 09:10 PM
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Is there a line out with speaker sim?
QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Dec 1 2021, 01:26 AM)  This is the one I have, version 1  And here's the newer version of the same amp  |
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Dec 3 2021, 12:10 AM
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QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Dec 2 2021, 10:10 PM) Is there a line out with speaker sim? I'm not entirely sure what you mean. I don't think I've seen . There's no line out - the picture is of all the outputs that are available on the amp. There's obviously a connection for a cable to the speakers, but those are just your standard speaker cables for 4/8/16 ohms. Nothing that says "out" anyway. On the second revision of the head the "D.I." section on the back (picture 2 I posted) does what I think you're talking about, but they didn't include this for the first release and for all I've heard there's no option but to mic it up  I don't think they mentioned anywhere that they changed it for later releases of the same amp. I stumbled on it by accident when I saw a picture of a newer IRT60H and noticed it looked different than mine. "The XLR-DI out allows you to connect your amplifier to a PA system or recording interface, without the need for micing. It is fully balanced and features a level switch for -30dB (PA/Desk level) or +4dB (Line level) for driving powered cabinets directly. The XLR-DI out also features a ground lift switch is also provided for lowest noise performance. Unlike most other XLR-DI out, the Laney fitted XLR-DI out is post the output section of the amp." https://www.laney.co.uk/amps/guitar/ironheart/irt60h There's no headphones out or anything like that either, by the way. Here are some pics of the front and back   Click to see larger version HERE This post has been edited by Caelumamittendum: Dec 3 2021, 12:11 AM |
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Dec 7 2021, 03:58 AM
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Yeah! The XLR DI is what I was looking for
Have you recorded with that directly to your interface?QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Dec 2 2021, 07:10 PM) I'm not entirely sure what you mean. I don't think I've seen . There's no line out - the picture is of all the outputs that are Here are some pics of the front and back Click to see larger version HERE |
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