miek1patt's Reviews

A two tube, low watt charmer.

The shape - that's what got everybody talking in 2012. What kept them talking was that this was an all-tube amp with a built-in speaker, an external speaker output, a line-level output, and an 1/8" stereo input.

Play back a song while you're learning it? Sure. Get actual tube distortion instead of a simulation? No problem. Easy tube swapping without needing to re-bias? You-betcha. Change a tube without going broke? This is your amp. Love the tone, but need more volume? Plug the line-out into any amp you want.

I love this amp so much I bought a second one. The first recommendation I make to everyone: leave the back off. There aren't any exposed components that you could accidentally touch, and the tone improves immediately. The second recommendation: swap out the two tubes (12AX7, 12AT7) right away - the ones it comes with are placeholders, save them as last-ditch spares.

An axe from Matsumoku's heyday - when Japan was the one to beat.

There was a time when American guitar manufacturers had a real fight on their hands... This is a solidly-built Jap-o-caster with smooth brass knobs & tremolo, a solid alder body, and clear, bright ceramic pickups.

A solid-state amp with something to prove.

This amp is a real "sneaky pete". Designed by Paul Rivera, this is one of the only amps with a parametric EQ, accutronics reverb can, and true channel switching. Heavy? The transformer's HUGE. Swap in your favorite 12" speaker or plug into an external cab and this becomes your new best buddy. Turn it up, and watch heads spin. Clean or dirty, the 50-watt 1x12 is as impressive and fun as its bigger brother the G100-212 II.

The single-single-single layout is a smart way to start.

Either a Fender Strat (SSS) or a Gibson Les Paul (H-H) becomes the core of your equipment list. This is the "vanilla ice cream" that goes in the bowl first. If you cheap-out here, you waste money later. No matter what amp, pedals, or what-not you have, it's no good if you're fighting your equipment. It doesn't have to have the Famous Label, but it has to be reliable and well made.