8 GREAT Cheap Amps (And 3 To Avoid) - Part 2
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- 8 (More) GREAT Cheap Amps (And 3 To Avoid)
Today it's part two of 8 great cheap amps. I have 8 very different guitar amps to recommend, and 3 that I really don't recommend.
Hope you enjoy!
0:00 Intro
0:21 Amp 1
3:00 Amp 2
7:16 Avoid 1
9:42 Amp 3
12:34 Amp 4
15:51 Avoid 2
19:30 Amp 5
23:08 Amp 6
25:23 Amp 7
27:46 Avoid 3
29:52 Amp 8
Mika Tyyskä's channel: / @mikafastfinger
The amps featured in the video are: Blackstar Fly 3, Harley Benton HB-20R, Orange Crush 20RT, Roland Cube 10GX, Harley Benton Mighty 15TH, Peavey Vypyr X1, Bugera V5 Infinium, Orange Terror Stamp, Hughes & Kettner Spirit of Vintage, Behringer HA-10G, and Positive Grid Spark Mini.
Links:
Blackstar Fly: • Blackstar Fly - Any Good?
Harley Benton HB-20R: • Harley Benton HB-20R (...
Orange Crush 20RT: • Orange Crush 20RT (A G...
Roland Cube 10GX: • Roland Cube 10GX (GREA...
Harley Benton Mighty 15TH: • Harley Benton Mighty 1...
Peavey Vypyr X1: • Peavey Vypyr X1 (Cheap...
Bugera V5 Infinium: • Bugera V5 Infinium (Go...
Orange Terror Stamp: • Orange Terror Stamp (A...
Hughes & Kettner Spirit of Vintage: • Hughes & Kettner Nano ...
Behringer HA-10G: • Behringer HA-10G (One ...
Positive Grid Spark Mini: • Positive Grid Spark Mi...
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For official website (and lessons), visit elmojk.com
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The gear I most often use (the links are affiliate links): redir.love/thocf/r8ctceq3i1
Budget gear I recommend: redir.love/thocf/r9mtambedi
(Not so) budget gear I recommend: redir.love/thocf/cib9pttb93 - Hudba
Check out part 1 of this with the first 8 great amps: czcams.com/video/r92cswgqOgw/video.html
Can you review Cort CMV15 valve amp?
@@zaporoshti3392 Maybe at some point.
As for the Behringer HA-10G, that indeed sounds awful on the OD channel, but I think you have the same effect with the Harley Benton HB-10G because I think the 2 brands are made in the Behringer factory in China, take a look at the Harley Benton MA-5 mini amp, that's like a shrunken Behringer. I myself have a Behringer HA-20R and the appearance is a little bit different and the speaker has a Bugera Sticker on it, but the Harley Benton may have the same speaker but without the sticker. The specifications of both amplifiers are also the same and the sound of my amplifier is the same as the Harley Benton and if you want a slightly better sound on the OD channel, you are better off with the 40W version of the brands. The Harley Benton is slightly lower in price
That little blackstar sounds pretty good for so tiny. Amazing
I've been playing guitar for 40 years and I can honestly say that this channel is one of the best guitar channels on CZcams. Great stuff as always mate. Carlo 👍🏼🎸
Thanks Carlo!
Agreed
Elmo also reviews gear that MOST people WOULD actually buy because he focuses on AFFORDABLE equipment too and he's NOT an undercover shill either. Plus, Elmo does not neglect gear options that are currently out of production either.
I started with a Blackstar debut 15e. It had a nice clean tone. Got a Roland Cube 30x used for $125 CAD a couple of months ago and am loving it.
I've had my Bugera V5 Infinium for 7 or 8 years. I've had NO technical problems since I got it. Great for early Clapton riffs.
I really appreciate you making these amp comparison videos, as I'm getting ready to purchase my first guitar amp and and am not exactly wealthy. Great playing! Very inspiring. From Via to Eric Johnson to Ted Nugent! And really dig the neo-classical riffs! Keep up the videos, please! Cheers
Cheers!
Awesome video and demonstration ‼️😎🔥🎸
Glad you liked it!
I'm old enough to remember when Peavey made good quality reasonably priced reliable amplifiers in Mississippi.
Those were the days when Radio Shacks still thrived throughout the land. While I was working out of town, I visited a dying Radio Shack. After some haggling they sold me a Burswood G-10 guitar amp for about $10. It was the amp or a sandwich. It was worth a hungry afternoon.
Love that little piece you did at 25:15 to 25:20! Nice!
Thanks!
I have two Harald Bengtsson amplifiers, one for guitar and one for bass. Both are serving me well and has acceptable sound. It is because of your reviews I got the guts to try them out😊
Cool :)
I am super impressed with the Hughes and Kettner Stompman!! For something so inexpensive, it totally kills!!
Love the video. Your playing kicks ass like always. I really love the Blackstar Fly. That's pretty impressive out of such a small amp. I love Blackstar though so I'm a bit biased. I was actually most impressed with the Harley Benton and the Bugera. Again I'm a little biased with Bugera. I have a Bugera tube head and a Blackstar tube head, but I really liked the tones with the Harley Benton. I might have to pick one up the next time I order from Thomann. The Harley Benton CST24T PRS copy you reviewed has been calling my name for a while, though I like the cherry finish over the paradise flame. 😀 All personal preference and I love Harley Benton guitars. Maybe I'll get the bundle with the amp. Cheers buddy!
Cheers 😊
Very interesting !!!
You're definitely the cool teacher 🤟
Thanks for the reviews .
I appreciate that!
I have to agree with you on the Spark mini being the favourite. A little surprised you didn't include the Boss Katana mini which I like very much, but I'm likely to replace it in my teaching studio with the Spark mini after watching this. Great video!
I think I had that in part 1.
i like your guitar.. ilike your licks .. and the way you speak :) nice job! :)
Thanks 😊
That Harley Benton blew me away w/it’s clean tone, plus the o-drive!
Great review of these amps! However, I prefer the Bugera for the clean tones. It's warm, sweet! If I want to increase the gain, I use a Simble Predrive. One can use it for rehearsals, even with a drummer, at 5W and it can be easily brought home for practicing at 1W and even 0.1W for small apartment rooms. Of course, the lack of an FX loop is a great minus! I have the head and use it with a Marshall 12" cab. I have other amps as well, but the Infinium is my "weapon of choice" for blues.
Cheers!
i absolutely love that orange distortion tone tbh
Informative as usual, I understand now why you at times play the same lines? It’s because you get to hear and see what’s your playing, It makes sense to me . I’ve seen you live and you can play Brother. Take care
Thanks! 😊
I think you’re right about the Crush. The overdrive sounds really overstuffed and sludgy. But that Harley Benton was really surprising! I wonder if it has a Celestion speaker like its tube-driven counterpart, also from HB.
Surprisingly good, yeah.
Excellent choice Elmo. 👍
I already had the Spark 40, then the Mini came out.
Sits by the bed for late night noodling ... sometimes even practising as well 😜
only thing that this amp does well are cleans, when you either cut the bass or put in somewhere where the bass doesnt resonate with that annoying sound. anything real meal like death or black is simply meh.
@@zbigniewiksinski "anything real meal like death or black is simply meh" I agree. 😜
The bass excess certainly did need to be managed.
Not so much since latest firmware though.
Elmo, thank you for your comparisons. Mad playing. I have one request though, could you startsing the actual model name in description and annotations instead of number 1, avoid 3 etc. As it is now, it makes it really hard to find if the movie covers models I’m intested in, or quickly finding models competing.
Thanks! They're all listed with names, in order, in the description, with links to the original reviews.
For one thing those single coil pickups aren't usually great for heavy overdrive, Like Slayer. A great distortion humbucker is needed or a well constructed hot rail pickup. With that said and considered, The Peavey Vyper had perfect, classic rock tone for ACD/DC, Ted Nugent and other 70's rock tones. It also lends itself well to most 80's Metal. Clean tones sounded great. For under $300.00 it's a decent deal. How user friendly it was though is something that I have no clue on. I believe you may have liked that amp more with a different guitar. However you Strat sounds great. I just could never get used to playing with a neck like that. But many shredders love them. You're one cool dude. I'll have to checkout some of your originals. I hope things are going good for you. Peace.. Joe
I have a Blackstar Fly 3W and used it for a couple of years and got the ID Core V3 20W version. The latter is also pretty excellent as a practice amp - the reverb and other effects in "stereo" are pretty good. The best part is, it works as an audio interface to record the guitar. And the software is also pretty good with the cab simuations and the patches that can be saved into the amp. It is a good amp for practice. The only downside I felt is that it makes all guitars kind of sound the same with that darkish overdrive.
During your soloing runs, my eyebrows shot up, over and over, Elmo! Well done! By the way, HB products have a shipping cost that kills much of their attractiveness here in Texas. For any HB Guitar model coming to Austin, the shipping starts at around $80. Cheers!
Thanks! Yeah, I've heard shipping to the US adds quite a bit to the price.
Dude, you just got me wanting some “Bee Gee’s”, and you leave it! 😆
Some months ago I got a used Fender frontman 10G, knowing I would only use its clean channel.
And it's quite good for a 50€ amp if you put a good multieffect or even an iPad with an app in front of it.
The "dirty" channel... it's there for show, it is quite abysmal 🤢
That small Blackstar Fly really surprised me! 🤘🎸
Thank you Elmo 💗🙏
And thank you 😊
Just watched this video. Could you please tell me what the ambient tone setting was on the Spark Mini. I don’t think it’s one of the factory presets. I’d like to try it. Thx.
Got the bugera v5's bigger brother the v55 with 6l6 tubes and it is awsome. I live in a block of flats but i guess im not a good neighbor 😂
Aside from the bad amps your playing is stellar as always 👍👍
Thanks! :)
Definitely check out Mika if ya haven’t.
Great list Elmo 🤘🏽. I’m all about the affordable amps.
Which is why typically buy used 🤘🏽
He's good :)
I like your amp comparison videos and wonder if you would do one with amps costing between 500 euros and 1000 euros?
Maybe at some point. Problem is they cost a bit more, and I buy the gear I review.
Just got the sv20h and i absolutely love it! I dont like pedals that much and the tube distortion sounds amazing atleast to me!
Cool!
Two comments: 1) Maybe its just my computer speakers, etc., but the Orange didn't sound too bad to me. 2) I much prefer the Spark 40 to the Mini. The bigger box and the two speakers make it more pleasing (to me), and the stereo effects are fantastic. My only beef with it is that you have to use the headphone out to put it through a cabinet.
Fair enough.
Please update Mr, Fastfinger link. Great video. Surprised with the Spark Mini. Question, how quiet can it get. Our apartment is 42 meters squared and two rooms. When wife is doing her online class or work meetings in one room I am in the other and practice with a Roland Cube (original) or a little Fender mini tweed 57 amp so to be quiet and not disturb. Can that Spark get like regular talking level (or less) and still sound good?
I still keep my Orange 35RT because of the looks ha. I can make it rehearsable with an EQ pedal or running my old Boss ME-70 into the FX Loop.
lot of options to choose from. Interesting to see how your original view on HB amps changed, would that be based off of newer product being worse then you'd hoped, or just too much expectation at the time of the original review?
Not sure tbh.
Do you habd a best metal sound amp review?
I own the Black Star Fly and I love it to death. I use it alot as a practice amp and the battery life lasts a long time. I like alot of black Star amps as there products seem fairly consistent. I'd recommend the black Star Fly to anyone who wants a great desktop amp.
Cool bananas :)
Thank you for your feedback, looking to replace my beginner cheap angy bee sounding 10w amp.
Really helpful and insightful video, as always. Was hoping to see Vox Cambridge 50 in this video, because you reviewed it earlier, so what do you think about it - buy or avoid?
Thanks! Neither really. It's not bad, but it's not great either.
Vox vt30 33:45 33:45
Vox
Small valve amp wise, see if you can get an Epiphone Valve Junior and get into modding - i love mine with it's very minor mods but they seem to be around and quite cheap.
Surprised to hear the Spark Mini is your current favourite practice amp, good to know ($260CAD). Now for practice we also have the the Nu-X Mighty Space as a competitor to the original Spark and THR30ii, notable for having a speaker out (4ohms), also has rhythm and looper, bluetooth with backing and jam tracks, comes with footswitch and wireless system, but very pricey ($580CAD) and in a cheap plastic case.
Yeah, it's very good.
Hey Elmo would you reccomend boss katana over the joyo bantamp amp heads? I play thrash,black and stoner doom metal. What is better between these?
I don't really like the Katana too much. Haven't tried it with a cab though, so not sure.
The Spark even had u playing better! It truly sounded better than the rest. Thanks for the review!
No problem!
Can you please review the Cort CMV112 . This is the most accesible amp in my place. I would really appreciate if youll share your experiences with it. Thank uou
Thanks in advance Elmo! Rock on
what kind of pickup is that on the bridge position?
That HB-20 really surprised me. Not bad at all for 70 euros.
Surprisingly good.
Would you consider doing a live gig with one of these with a mic in front of it plugged into the sound board? For example if you had to travel by bus to the gig so hauling the Marshall amp and cabinet wasn't an option
Sure. The H&K is used that way by Mika Tyyskä.
More of this video series please
Might be a while.
The part that you play at 5:55 sounded very familiar. Have you played Sonic Heroes? Because it sounds like the lead guitar from one of the first levels of the game. So nostalgic
It was "Summer Song" by Joe Satriani.
How about harley benton 15gxd jambox? Could it be alternative for microcube?
Haven't tried it.
May I ask, why would you prefer the old Roland micro cube used to the new one, apart from price?
The Classic Stack sounds better imo
A lot of it is personal taste and usually I dont like H&K amps - mostly because of their looks :) but in this vid the little H&K sounded the best as far as i could hear.
hello :) test blakstar studio 10 el34 amplifiers, orange super crush 100, Roland Blues Cube Hot, Marshall MG50GFX
Maybe at some point.
@@MrPolevaulter :):):):):):)
Take it easy on that Peavey there Nuno!
I was incredibly disappointed in the Spark 40 so when you raved about the Mini- I was skeptical. But I said, I'll buy it and if it's trash I'll never watch another Elmo review.
Well, here I am watching another Elmo review and loving my Spark Mini. Thanks brotha!
Glad you like it 😊
Why were you disappointed with the Spark 40 if it is (if I understand correctly) the same as the mini, only with better speakers?
I will repeat myself (as you said Nice words about HB-20R): I challenge you to try HB-80R :)
I have the orange 20rt and you right about it, doesent matter how i try to equalize him, it sounds bad and its not pedal friendly...
Hey Dude 👋 I've just a question . Anyway thank you for very helpful video about these amplifiers . So now the question is If I can use the Hudges Kettner mini head in the apartment? Is it the neighborhood friendly amplifier? I know the unit has 50 watts with the Master volume. Does the Master volume affect the overall sound?
Thank you Elmo take care bud 🤟Metal🤟
One thing you can do that will help a lot regardless of your choice of amp, is to use a preamp pedal. This will give you gain and volume controls on the amp and the pedal, and you can use that to your advantage. When it comes to distorting or overdriving the signal, you can only do that with gain. A volume control can't alter the signal. So, you start with the gain and volume controls on your amp to get the sound you want. You then put the preamp pedal in the signal chain and increase the gain to the lowest possible setting where the signal stays clean (from the pedal) and allows the volume control on the pedal to give you a useable range you can live with. You do this to isolate the gain controls on your amp and pedal. Once set, leave them alone and just use the volume control on the preamp pedal. Since a volume control can't alter the signal, using the volume on the preamp pedal will allow you to keep a consistent amount of gain when changing the volume. You're looking for high gain at low volumes, and adding a preamp pedal is one way to do that.
@@AT-wl9yq Thanks a lot 🤟
Yes you can.
I avoid anything with more than a few simple knobs to twist (I have a Line 6 75 watt Spider IV unused because it takes forever to set up unless you use presets . Hint different rooms/halls need different settings !). Anything else you can use a pedal or two for. Never found anything better than Marshall for what I want.
Easy is good.
I've got one of those! I bring it out for party's, because it's fun, people love playing with the presets, loud af, and can get some decent cover music sounds with its modeling. The only thing I don't like about it, there's always something wrong with mine, I've had to track down bad soldering twice over the last 10 years, and the LED's had some issues too. I replaced it with a VOX AD50VT, but still use it for get togethers, fun amp imo.
If the Fly 3 were my only amp in my (casual hobby basis) "home studio", I'd be pretty okay.
my harley benton hb20r is something like scratching when i don't tounch the strings, is it the same for y'all
Not me.
I found the orange not bad at all!
Wow. That behringer does indeed sound exactly like the crappy 15w practice amp I started out on over three decades ago. Even the distortion sounded so identical it may have triggered some underlying childhood musical trauma.
I mean... It's impressive, in a way, that they've gone to the trouble of replicating that sound, but I really haven't a clue WHY. 🤣
The Behringer Ha 40 is quite a nice amp. A think its only twice the price.
I always like your way of commenting
Thanks 😊
Any thoughts on the Cort CM15R?
No. Haven't tried it.
I forgot if I ever asked you this, but what do you think about Blackstar Lt echo 10 or Debut 10e? Need your opinion for real 🤔💬
Haven't tried those.
Super surprised you didn’t include the nux mighty lite bt.There is nothing about this amp that I don’t like.It’s just an awesome portable amp.
Strange, but I've not heard any negative reviews about the Orange Crush 20, and I've seen lots 😊😊😊
As usual I agree 100% in your assessment of these amplifiers. Almost anything is better than a Behringer amplifier. You can luck out with thier microphones or thier pedals maybe but thier amplifiers are poop.
The orange crush sounds better when it’s slightly overdriven or clean with an overdrive pedal
How would you rate Boss GT-1 in this context? (even though it’s technically maybe not an amplifier)
I remember trying it and not liking it. But that was ages ago.
@@MrPolevaulter Actually I bought it, tried, disliked it, and sold it :) So I'm with you!
My favorite budget combo, by a lot, is the VOX Valvetronix(AD50VT specifically).
Agree ;) I remember having a Valvetronix 50VT-XL over 12 years ago. That was great amp, too bad, I didn't know more about setting tone etc at that time ;)
I'm going to throw my two cents, but real quick: What is that GORGEOUS Natural Strat you were playing with the scalloped frets? Headstock said "Welme" as far as I could tell, but I'm at a loss looking for a builder with that name.
Okay, with that out of the way, I see everyone has their personal favorites based on tones, prices, form factor, additional features, Tube vs. SS, Distortion, etc. (Tone) Beauty is in the ear of the beholder, but as someone who very recently moved across the country to start a new job and landed in a 1/1 apartment. I couldn't really play at the levels I wanted to anymore and I'd rather just plug into my Scarlett Solo and only use Amplitube 5 forever if it's that or not playing. Luckily I found a B-52 AT-112 Combo Amp. I mean, obviously check out the 3 videos on YT of someone playing one to see if you like it, but I got mine for about $300 and it is my favorite amp as far as tone goes. Only downside is that B-52 is known for their Bass saturation (also for being a pain to work on, if the forums are to be believed), so I turn the bass wayyyy down.
The Strat is a custom built mahogany Strat. czcams.com/video/P_E8p2DoZoY/video.html
28:54 that snort and when i heard that awfull sound and thinking the same got me laughing haha
:D
I was sending a much too long comment about these amps in this video and then I deleted it again because to me there’s no good and no bad amp in this video…it’s just a matter of taste I guess and I don’t need to have any practice amp at all…good video, nice playing…peace and happiness and keep on rocking the house
True. It's all subjective.
Elmo i agree the Spark amp sounded the best to me!I am surprised that the Peavey Vypyr was not good,i have the original Peavey Vypyr 30 and 75w combos and for metal tones they sound great even compared to modern modeling amps,i did put in my own beam blocker i made out of a CD to block out some of the harsher high frequencies!
Cheers!
hey elmo ! came back to remember which one i liked here and was wondering if 27:02 was from a song ? 0=
Tarto Woman by Rainbow :)
@@MrPolevaulter thankies ✌️
The Blackstar Fly 3 sound better with the Fly3 extension cab , the power goes from 3w to 6w. The Nux MightyLite BT is not bad too, more possibilities but the blackstar is above realism and in overdrive is more alive. Boss Katana Minisounds good, it's different from the blackstar, it's more a matter of taste.
Indeed.
I liked the vypyr. Yours had a defect.
I’ll take the Hughes and kettner. Actually it’s a tie between that and Joyo
Cool 😊
To my ears the Orange Crush sounded like a cat being strangled by another cat.
🤣
You're right it sounds awesome.
More proof that even a venerable brand can make missteps and or trash once in a while. Orange has done better. This is sadly not one of them.
Is that a Burman combo underneath the Boogie?
Yeah. Although it's not mine.
32:05 what piece is this?
I'll See the Light Tonight by Yngwie Malmsteen.
Here in the US of A, the Blackstar Fly sells for $110.
Cheers!
Blackstar fly 3 sells for $75 not 110. Some vendors like musicians friend have them for $65 right now. Maybe you are including the extension speaker in your price.
It's probably because I was born 8 million years ago, lol, but the ratty-around-the-edges "Brit" sound of Oranges, Marshalls, etc sound good to me. I think younger players are mostly more used to the tighter kinds of sounds of later amps. I "get" that; either opinion is valid and both views make total sense.
what do you think is the best fender amp under 400 euros?
The solid state champion line, the clean channels are great, don't use the other channel, just use a pedal that will add life like a big muff pi and laugh at the people wasting money on tubes and breaking their back lifting tube amps around.
Of the ones I've tried, probably the LT25.
Is the Yamaha thr better than the spark mini ?
Not even close imo.
You need to check out the MOOER SD30.
Coming next week 😀
Sorry, next week, not today.
I’m honestly confused on how you have so much control and dexterity with your pinky. Mine is like a newborn baby!
I can tell the amps you like add energy to your playing.
They tend to do that :)
Can't get the Fender Pro Jr. IV SE out of my head...
There are many great amps but that little Fender...
It really is so good
Mitkä mikit sulla on tossa kermaisessa stratossa? Mahtavaa nuudlailua, ilo korvalle😎
Seymour Duncan Little 59 tallassa, DiMarzio HS-3 kaulassa. Keskellä joku Seymour Duncanin perus single.
Your video is really amazing. i really like your video. Can i talk with you elmo?
What do you want to talk about?
@@MrPolevaulter about your channel
How many watts sir??
Which one?
Amp number 2, Harley Benton 20R does indeed sound near excellent for 70 odd euros.
Hard to pronounce name ? Maybe not. Is your name, if said slowly, pronounced ...
Elmo Carry - a -line - an.
??
Thereabouts :)
The Fly is about $100 in the US.
Cheers!