I think every guitar/music store should have a blind testing room where the customers can go A-B 2 or more products blindfolded. I think a lot of us guitar players buy lots of gear based on premade assumptions. For example if one amp is 1k£ and another one 500£, lot's of people's brains will unknowingly sort of tell them "this amp is more expensive and therefore i should like it better". Could Andertons be the first blindfolded test store in the universe? Great vid guys!
Because you are Andertons, and you grew so well because your first goal was to so completely satisfy the customer that they ended up buying ALL their gear through you? I am definitely loyal to my mom and pop shop that has time to listen and suggest based on what I want. I hate some big chains because they suck at serving my needs. They don't care what I want. They push things. They can't answer simple or complicated questions. An A-B room would go a long way in determining from which store I purchased from.
Might have some health & safety issues setting up a room where you have to be blind folded before you can go in!! Ha Ha - however, you're always welcome to come to Andertons - we have 5 demo rooms & there is nothing in the rule book that says you can't just shut your eyes & get a friend to plug some amps in for you!
We have an overdriven version of this video coming soon - 3 different amps, but same concept. One modelling amp, one solid state amp & one valve amp. You should see that in Feb some time.
These are your best videos. Enjoy them so much. It is a proof of how honest you guys are with your preferences and reviews. Keep with the blindfold videos forever!
I can tell you one interesting story from my childhood-teen age. Once I had a very old bulky heavy tube amp, not a guitar amp, but simple tube amp where I hooked up a vinyl turntable and very large speakers in the end. I was enjoying it so much that I couldn't stop listening, I was on it almost 24/7 like on drugs, listening to the Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Cream..., it sounded so great and alive. But there was a problem, it was blowing up once in a month accompanied by a dark nasty smoke)). So, my father's friend who was radioguru, he was fixing it each time. But after one of those fixes I noticed that amp became like few times less heavy than it was before. So, that guy just swapped internals to a transistors, cut out the unrequired parts and left tubes in it just for appearance. Probably he was pissed off, which I can understand, but really I didn't pay too much attention to it, no big deal or even better, no blow up's anymore, not so heavy anymore. But when I hooked it up as I used to do, I was surprised how it changed in a sound, it wasn't alive anymore, it was flat, it was not punching me into a chest. I was so disappointed that I almost cried, I though that my childhood just got ruined. Well of course that was probably 15 years ago, the progress made available a very good solid state amps out there. But hey that's how I learned the difference between tubes and solid state amps.
C'mon guys, you two are very good at what you do and there is NO doubt that when you first sat down and heard that valve hiss in the room, you knew exactly where the valve amp was located. lol. Then when you hear the reverb while playing, it only confirms 100% what the line up was turning out to be. This in my opinion was the easiest test they've faced so far. Guitars on the other hand are a totally different story. Those tests are a lot of fun. But anyway, I need that damn STAX MASTER!
Agree! Just discovered all these guys online (Andertons) from America looking for amp reviews about a week or so ago.... been completely obsessed and fully entertained by them all so far, the best I've ever seen! Cheers!
Every single thing Scott Grove has EVER said in any of his videos has ended up being completely true, and I have verified it myself. I think he definitely is one if not the most knowledgable guitar geek and collector in UA-cam and I have nothing but the greatest respect for him.
I have a request: Please do a blindfold test with an HR Deluxe (1x12), a reissue Deluxe, and the hand wired and tube rectified EC Vibroluxe. That is a sub-$1000 everyday, extra-$1000 pro, and $2000 (I think) hand wired botique Fender of similar design. Is the money worth it? Do hand wired vintage components make a big difference? Also do a high gain version of the test described here. But I can't suggest which ones to compare. Long live the blindfold test.
That is totally not my understanding. I think the corre t name is EC Trrmoluxe, which is based on the 5E3 cuircuit, which is by definition a Deluxe. Anyway, I think you mean early Marshalls are similar to Fenders except for the tone stack.
You are correct that it is by definition a deluxe. but a tweed deluxe is completely different than a silverface or blackface deluxe. silverface and blackfaces are hailed for their clean tones, and while they have decent overdrive sounds they are brighter and more brittle. tweed amps break up at much lower volumes, and the tweed deluxe is renowned mostly more is natural, compressed overdrive tones (think neil young).
So, I am wrong. The EC Tremoluxe is based on a 5E3, Tweed Deluxe from the 50s. The '65 and '68 Deluxe Reverb Reissues are based on Blackface amps from the 60s. And of course the HR Deluxe circuit has nothing to do with either. You are correct. I don't care. I still want a blindfold comparison. Three similar but not the same amps at three different price points and three different perceptions of quality. How do they compare, and can we pick out the quality in a blindfold test?
I don't own a Mustang, but I've heard enough of them to know they're capable of sounding WAAYYYY better than this. It sounds like they went out of their way to find the worst settings possible with it.
The Mustang is a good solid state. But in my opinion. A 300 dollar solid State sound way better that a 300 tube. But once you step into the 1000 mark especially on tube heads tube all the way
Charlie , I think that too, I now own a mustang. My previous amp was a Boogie. I can manipulate the Mustang to sound really good. It weighs a fraction of the boogie. And I stuck £500 in the bank. It’s not got the power but stick a mic in front of it and away ye go.
I did the blind version, so I had the window minimized. I had the modeled sound, then solid state, then the valve, looks like your video's audio was able to relay it, great post guys.
I've heard of comedians using "sight gags", but these guys "sightless" are hysterical! Over UTube the difference in amps is a no brainer. I have followed these two for three years, and hats off to the Captain for developing a smooth bluesy style that I will aspire to ( when I can get a MIA strat). Not to make excuses for Robb, but did you notice his blindfold covered his EARS!!!!!
My favorite part was watching you guys pass the cable back and forth and trying to plug in your guitars while blind folded. Pure comedy, mates! Good clean fun. I didn't really like any of the amps sounds, but I still always love watching your blindfolded comparison vids. Keep rockin!
That was an awesome episode, made me laugh. Addendum: Jeff Healey is my step-mother's cousin. An awesome person greatly missed by our family. That man knew more than just guitar. ;)
Thanks for a great video. This is certainly entertaining. Having grown up in the SF CA Bay Area and playing Lead in a band in the 60's, I played mostly through a Bassman, I modified with a 12 inch horn for a higher freq. response, and projection. I also borrowed my Uncles 65 Twin. I rented several others, mainly Fender. My favorite was always Uncles Twin. We argued in those days that the reason the Twin sounded better could have been due to the soldering job, and capacitors. They were all tubes, but the 'crunch' at the high end always projected better through the Twin. My favorite transistor amp is my old Peavey 15 watt (yes 15 watt!) Champion battery powered. It is bright, clear, and has a great low end .To me it mimicked the sound of a valve Basemann, better than any including a (1979?) Musicman 112RP, tube amp. Remember though, I have certainly 'burned out' my ears over the years. Thanks again.
I did the test blindfolded and I got them all right!! That means you did a great job with the mics. I am sure you will hear more differences on the video!
Love u guys, after looking at many of your videos, It almost feels like i know u by now. Must say i really appreciate the work u guys do im a huge fan! It's just so fun experimenting with diff sounds, and ur both really got som soul put into ur work. And down to earth, couldn´t think guitar heroes were mortals. May the force be with you. Big cheers from SWE
Hi guys, it was a brilliant idea to 'listen along' first time Cap, right up to when you said, on the third amp that you could hear it right behind you! For those of us who obviously watched the first couple of minutes and therefore saw where the amps physically were. I was really enjoying it though... I do think that this same test, with a Marshall, Blackstar and my personal fav, Orange would be really great... Just please don't accidently give away which amp is which! Nice one and keep up the great great vids, please do more of this and more of the challenges... They are by far the best ones for me. Whilst they are a bit 'top gear'. There is a reason that show does that kind of thing rather than just testing cars... Its because pretty much all new cars are perfectly good products. I think you could say the same about amps and guitars... Very rarely is a product not very good these days... In fact the cab clone is the only one I cab really think of that wasn't what we were expecting, i.e. a product turning out to be surprisingly rubbish!
Nice vid, thanks! To me the Blues Cube sounded a lot better than the Mustang and it did sound best with the StaxMaster. Clean? Well Fender tube clean is just what it is ... lovely, but the Roland clean was very open and lively too. Clean winner: Blues Deluxe Pedal winner: Blues Cube
this is certainly one of my favorite vids that you chaps have done. I was surprised at how nice the Blues Cube sounded! I've had a Hot Rod Deluxe for several years. I may have to nab me a BC. This demonstrated something that I've firmly believed for years...and that's this; a solid state amp can sound "bad"...or it can sound "good". I've also played tube amps that did NOT sound good. Sooooo....tubes/valves are NOT a guarantee of a good sound...and solid state is not a guarantee of a bad sound. The Stax Master was the biggest "give away" when the HRD was being played by Chappers. How the valves took being hit by the increased gain...was audible...even through UA-cam.
cmonsterz I’ll agree with you on that one brought a lot of tube amps and realised that they don’t all sound amazing. And it’s the same with solid state there’s some amps that are cheap but have a lot of hype around them but are pretty flat and generic sounding with lots of effects and there’s simple ss amps that sound amazing.
Also, Rob really seemed prejudiced against the BluesCube because the instant he heard a substandard tone he became certain it was the BC. That kind of contradicts your first BC review where Rob claimed to be reasonably impressed by the tone.
That was great! Really fun to close my eyes and listen along. I guessed the same. The spring reverb was the dead giveaway for the deluxe. Great video guys!!!
Mustangs are pretty great for the value, it has so many options and built in effects, its just incredible. You can play the intro to The Spirit of Radio or the Intro to Purple Haze just with the built in effects. It's really nice; I myself have a Mustang IV 2x12
Great video guys. I got the mustang straight away. It sounded very digital to me and the way it clipped sounded ratty. The other two had me very confused and although i guessed right in the end it was just a guess and i could have easily got that one wrong. I think the blues cube has a bit more of a mid focus like a tweed deluxe, while the HR has a little more of a mid scoop. I actually preferred the blues cube, and i'm a comitted valve amp guy. I could be talking crap of course, but that's how it sounded to me.
This was one of the best and most entertaining videos you guys ever made! I just have to say that BluesCube sounded best to me, closely followed by Hot Rod, which amazes me considering that BC is not a valve amp. In addition, I recently bought used Roland Cube 30X which I like better than my Ibanez Valbee 5W which is a valve practice amp in the same price range. Generally speaking, I think I'm becoming a real Roland fan and that they are doing an amazing job with their latest amps. Anyway, great job guys, I really had fun, thanks.
This could have been so good if they had volume matched them. Having the Hot Rod Deluxe set up much louder than the others invalidates the results. The players will usually prefer the louder amp.
Nailed it. Wasn't hard at all, but Captain is right - the difference in first and second is not about vale/solid state, its about price point. First sound is worse than second, thats all. While, of course, when you hear a true valve amp you immediately recognize it, i was like - oh, here we are, everything is clear now. And i absolutely agree that blues cube sounds so damn good its holds up great against classic fender. When you work a lot carrying a 20kg head + 12*1 inch half closed could be demoralizing. This thing looks great, i should consider buying it even. And I have Cornford as a to go amp. Great review, guys, thanks for giving the idea of joining the blind test with you.
I blindfolded myself and could tell a mile away the HRD as a valve, then again, I own and always plug into a HRD or JCM2000. The mustang is one I don't care for anyway so I guessed that was first, seeing as the blues cube had such a great review from you guys. The only thing about the blues cube was I couldn't tell if it was a *cheap* or *inferior* valve amp or a modelling one. For all purposes here, process of elimination. In real life applications, not so much. Great video!
I love my super champ xd. Have to admit though that I didn't till the tube/ speaker swap... That changed everything. A speaker swap in these cheap amps are probably going to make a difference also. Great video guys thanks.
Last words said it all: "It doesn 't really matter if you love the sound". I do love valve amps, and especially the Fender Deluxe series... but I think it will be even more difficult to tell which is which within a full, busy mix.
Don't mean to be "that guy", but what settings was the Mustang on? Every one I've ever heard/played in shops was much more vibrant, I can't help but feel like either it was on one of the crappier presets, or someone bumped one of the knobs.
I have a Mustang IV (V.1) and let me tell you, the value you get for this stereo amp can't be beat. Half the weight of a Fender Twin and more benefits plus Celestions. Another benefit is, plug in another modeler like the Pod HD 500 or Eleven Rack to the Mustangs effects loop and you defeat the Fender modeling and just a great stereo amp. Valve amps are great but can be costly to maintain. For me the main difference is in a loud stage situation where you crank it and the tubes will obviously ring a lot differently then modeled which can be great or terrible depending on what you like. Love the idea of blind tests like this - keep it up gents and come visit me in Portland, Oregon!
Thanks guys for doing these kind of reviews, as strips back the favoritism towards brands. I play through a Vox VT80+ and sounds greats on UK rock setting with pedals. Sold my tube amps, but I think I will get another tube amp soon but I now trying to find a non famous brand tube amp. As the competition among digital vs analog and brand vs brand is not only exciting but great for buyers too. Keep up the great work.
As I've got two BluesCube Artist amps on order from Andertons specifically to facilitate a stereo amp option for my Strymon based fx board (with no reliability considerations) then this was a VERY interesting watch. Thanks gentlemen. It's worth considering that anyone using a Strymon pedal with a valve amp IS playing a modelling hybrid because the Strymon will digitally process the signal. I'd prefer to use two valve amps BUT I need instant on capability and short usage on/off too. That's a valve killer. My Mesa Mark V is available when I need pure valve sound (also from Andertons).
I think it was unfortunate that you had the reverb on the Hotrod... until that point you were both struggling and the spring reverb gave it away! Of course, the test was null and void, as you should have played each amp through the same speaker and cabinet as it's more than just the electronics you are listening to. Guitar speakers are wildly different in how they respond to signals and alone could account for all the differences you noticed. Lee, I can bring you a transistor Blues Junior clone with the same speaker and in the same cabinet for you to test... let's see how close you are then! Stewart
I recognized that Hot Rod straight away. I've used a strat through a Hot Rod three nights a week for about four years now. I hear that wonderful tone in my sleep.
Fun, because my old firefox at work is so ol that it cannot play youtube video, and only play the sound. So it was a great test for me as well. Thank you!
Awesome video. Tough choice between the Hot Rod Deluxe and the Blue Cube. I could definitely see a gigging musician going Roland given the durability of solid state v. tube.
There are actually such pedals as requested at roughly 14 minutes in. The Palmer Triage for example is a sort of deluxe variant, allowing you to play any combination of one up to three amps at a time.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm a guitar/gear snob and stay away from digital/solid-state/modeling/etc as much as I can, but the Blues Cube really surprised me. I knew the last one was the HRD, but wow...
Please do more videos like this with other amplifiers!!! This was great and I hope to see many more amps so that I can get a better understanding of sounds.
Bought me a Mustang IV, i mounted a eq, super overdrive, and a blues driver pedal into the effects loop, played with a les paul it sounds very valve like, especially good for classic rock/ hard rock/ bluesrock.
This vid inspired me to do some blind testing, through the same amp, blindfolded and checking guitar pickups. Had a guitar with EMG 81 and 85, EVH Wolfgang pickups, Dimarizio Super Distortion, a Het Set, a Crunch Lab and Liquifire, and a 707. A touch sad there weren't any blackouts in stock, but the Het Set ended up having a fantastic sound to it, for metal rhythm, which was what I was focusing on. Very clear, very responsive. Getting my current guitar loaded with 'em now. And to think I thought passive pickups were my preference before. The eyes lie, the ears don't.
Fun video, and also informative. I think you guys should do one where you test heads and run them all into the same cab. That way you'll eliminate any differences introduced by the quality of the speakers. You'll also have the sound coming from the same position each time.
Great video guys, I really enjoy those blindfolded tests as it really shows the sound quality of the gears you are testing. A suggestion for a future test: cheaper guitar on expensive amp vs expensive guitar on cheaper amp...for ex a blues cube with a fender custom shop vs a hotrod with a squier, same test with a Les Paul and a Marshall-esque amp.
I think you could have used a much better patch on the Mustang. Try downloading one of the "In the Blues" patches. His comparison with the Fender tube amps are unreal.
Yep. The Blues Deluxe preset does a nice job, as well as the SRV. They're all better than what I heard on the video. Not that I'm expecting the Mustang III to sound better than the Roland or the Fender Hot Rod, but I know it can sound better than what it did during their testing. Still, props to Rob, Lee, and Rabea for their efforts.
Great video guys loved it! For me once the valve amp came on I knew, the other 2 not a clue. Only ever played through valve amps. More of these kind of videos please.
Kudos for a fun, yet informative test. Perhaps lucky, but selected the amps correctly, even with headphones, UA-cam audio and thousands of miles separation (the "other" Birmingham, USA). Overtones and harmonic complexity help to distinguish the valve amp (or at least Fender's rendition). I must confess that my sons and I build amps (both SS and Tube) and that all valve amps are definitely not created equally - many do not deliver the organic complexity of the chain from pickup to speaker. Keep up the good work - we love that British humor!
Solid State/Modeling Amps technology for the past 22 years is remarkable..i haven't used a Tube Amps since 2009 i played through a Marshall MG FX100 just released in 2009 and i never looked back..the Solid State/Modeling Amps are fantastic..no need anymore for just Tube Amps..the Solid State Amp does it all just as good and much more reliable..
I think every guitar/music store should have a blind testing room where the customers can go A-B 2 or more products blindfolded. I think a lot of us guitar players buy lots of gear based on premade assumptions. For example if one amp is 1k£ and another one 500£, lot's of people's brains will unknowingly sort of tell them "this amp is more expensive and therefore i should like it better". Could Andertons be the first blindfolded test store in the universe? Great vid guys!
Yes. This. I was thinking I would appreciate that next time I need a new amp.
***** yeah, I definitely have brand loyalty, but I'd like an objective way to evaluate my predilections.
Why risk that someone willing to buy a £1k amp would buy a £500 amp?
Because you are Andertons, and you grew so well because your first goal was to so completely satisfy the customer that they ended up buying ALL their gear through you? I am definitely loyal to my mom and pop shop that has time to listen and suggest based on what I want. I hate some big chains because they suck at serving my needs. They don't care what I want. They push things. They can't answer simple or complicated questions. An A-B room would go a long way in determining from which store I purchased from.
Might have some health & safety issues setting up a room where you have to be blind folded before you can go in!! Ha Ha - however, you're always welcome to come to Andertons - we have 5 demo rooms & there is nothing in the rule book that says you can't just shut your eyes & get a friend to plug some amps in for you!
We have an overdriven version of this video coming soon - 3 different amps, but same concept. One modelling amp, one solid state amp & one valve amp. You should see that in Feb some time.
Psst! Do it with Orange! Crush, Cr 120,and RV please! :D
myewgul I approve of Crush. Real solid state amp out there!
Try a crate flexwave. you might be pleasantly surprised
I guess there would be a Roland Cube involved?
Orange 35ldx is a solid state sleeper. Like to see it get some air time
I'm glad they got it wrong. It just attests how good the Blues Cube does at emulating a tube tone
The Mustang was really not good sounding to my ears (and speakers, etc.).
These are your best videos. Enjoy them so much. It is a proof of how honest you guys are with your preferences and reviews. Keep with the blindfold videos forever!
Honestly, I thought the Blues Cube sounded the best.
I can tell you one interesting story from my childhood-teen age. Once I had a very old bulky heavy tube amp, not a guitar amp, but simple tube amp where I hooked up a vinyl turntable and very large speakers in the end. I was enjoying it so much that I couldn't stop listening, I was on it almost 24/7 like on drugs, listening to the Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Cream..., it sounded so great and alive. But there was a problem, it was blowing up once in a month accompanied by a dark nasty smoke)). So, my father's friend who was radioguru, he was fixing it each time. But after one of those fixes I noticed that amp became like few times less heavy than it was before. So, that guy just swapped internals to a transistors, cut out the unrequired parts and left tubes in it just for appearance. Probably he was pissed off, which I can understand, but really I didn't pay too much attention to it, no big deal or even better, no blow up's anymore, not so heavy anymore. But when I hooked it up as I used to do, I was surprised how it changed in a sound, it wasn't alive anymore, it was flat, it was not punching me into a chest. I was so disappointed that I almost cried, I though that my childhood just got ruined. Well of course that was probably 15 years ago, the progress made available a very good solid state amps out there. But hey that's how I learned the difference between tubes and solid state amps.
C'mon guys, you two are very good at what you do and there is NO doubt that when you first sat down and heard that valve hiss in the room, you knew exactly where the valve amp was located. lol. Then when you hear the reverb while playing, it only confirms 100% what the line up was turning out to be. This in my opinion was the easiest test they've faced so far. Guitars on the other hand are a totally different story. Those tests are a lot of fun. But anyway, I need that damn STAX MASTER!
I've never been so excited to watch a video based on its title in my entire life
Agree! Just discovered all these guys online (Andertons) from America looking for amp reviews about a week or so ago.... been completely obsessed and fully entertained by them all so far, the best I've ever seen! Cheers!
I guessed 1. Kentucky, 2 Marlboro, 3. Pepsi.
3: Chrysler Valiant
4. Darude - Sandstorm
Every single thing Scott Grove has EVER said in any of his videos has ended up being completely true, and I have verified it myself. I think he definitely is one if not the most knowledgable guitar geek and collector in UA-cam and I have nothing but the greatest respect for him.
Love these blindfold episodes :)
I have a request:
Please do a blindfold test with an HR Deluxe (1x12), a reissue Deluxe, and the hand wired and tube rectified EC Vibroluxe. That is a sub-$1000 everyday, extra-$1000 pro, and $2000 (I think) hand wired botique Fender of similar design. Is the money worth it? Do hand wired vintage components make a big difference?
Also do a high gain version of the test described here. But I can't suggest which ones to compare.
Long live the blindfold test.
Maybe a set of Marshalls?
The EC Vibroluxe is a completely different circuit, tweed fenders are more similar to early marshalls than they are to blackface era fenders
That is totally not my understanding. I think the corre t name is EC Trrmoluxe, which is based on the 5E3 cuircuit, which is by definition a Deluxe. Anyway, I think you mean early Marshalls are similar to Fenders except for the tone stack.
You are correct that it is by definition a deluxe. but a tweed deluxe is completely different than a silverface or blackface deluxe. silverface and blackfaces are hailed for their clean tones, and while they have decent overdrive sounds they are brighter and more brittle. tweed amps break up at much lower volumes, and the tweed deluxe is renowned mostly more is natural, compressed overdrive tones (think neil young).
So, I am wrong. The EC Tremoluxe is based on a 5E3, Tweed Deluxe from the 50s. The '65 and '68 Deluxe Reverb Reissues are based on Blackface amps from the 60s. And of course the HR Deluxe circuit has nothing to do with either. You are correct.
I don't care. I still want a blindfold comparison. Three similar but not the same amps at three different price points and three different perceptions of quality. How do they compare, and can we pick out the quality in a blindfold test?
man this was a good one. that blues cube really does sound great!
IntheBlues does some Mustang comparisons that make it sound much closer to the tube amp the Mustang is trying to emulate.
nothing beats these blindfold videos. extremely entertaining.
I wasn't looking while you played. I am actually blown away by the Blues Cube tone.
The fact that they were so uncertain about which amp was which just goes to show how far modelling and SS amps have come!
I don't own a Mustang, but I've heard enough of them to know they're capable of sounding WAAYYYY better than this. It sounds like they went out of their way to find the worst settings possible with it.
The Mustang is a good solid state. But in my opinion. A 300 dollar solid State sound way better that a 300 tube. But once you step into the 1000 mark especially on tube heads tube all the way
+Charles Seper My thoughts also
If you like tube driven overdrive or crunch then tube/valves is it. If not SS will do the do.
Charlie , I think that too, I now own a mustang. My previous amp was a Boogie. I can manipulate the Mustang to sound really good. It weighs a fraction of the boogie. And I stuck £500 in the bank. It’s not got the power but stick a mic in front of it and away ye go.
Thank you! The video a lot of people have been waiting for! Great as always fellas, keep it up.
Any blind fold test videos are always great from Chappers and Captain!
I did the blind version, so I had the window minimized. I had the modeled sound, then solid state, then the valve, looks like your video's audio was able to relay it, great post guys.
Through my ears, the Cubes all have this really recognisable overdriven base tone, that really gave it away to me.
totally blew it for me when lee said, the next amp is directly behind me!!! id already seen that was the hot rod. great fun though, good vid guys
I've heard of comedians using "sight gags", but these guys "sightless" are hysterical! Over UTube the difference in amps is a no brainer. I have followed these two for three years, and hats off to the Captain for developing a smooth bluesy style that I will aspire to ( when I can get a MIA strat). Not to make excuses for Robb, but did you notice his blindfold covered his EARS!!!!!
My favorite part was watching you guys pass the cable back and forth and trying to plug in your guitars while blind folded. Pure comedy, mates! Good clean fun. I didn't really like any of the amps sounds, but I still always love watching your blindfolded comparison vids. Keep rockin!
These videos always put a smile on my face. Thanks.
So I think this video has made me want a Hot Rod Deluxe more than the Rockverb I've been lusting over! Cheers fellas, you just saved me two grand!
That was an awesome episode, made me laugh.
Addendum: Jeff Healey is my step-mother's cousin. An awesome person greatly missed by our family. That man knew more than just guitar. ;)
absolutely loving these blindtests lads, keep it up plz !!!
Brilliant video chaps! Nice to see people enjoying themselves! Made me smile!
Thanks for a great video. This is certainly entertaining. Having grown up in the SF CA Bay Area and playing Lead in a band in the 60's, I played mostly through a Bassman, I modified with a 12 inch horn for a higher freq. response, and projection. I also borrowed my Uncles 65 Twin. I rented several others, mainly Fender. My favorite was always Uncles Twin. We argued in those days that the reason the Twin sounded better could have been due to the soldering job, and capacitors. They were all tubes, but the 'crunch' at the high end always projected better through the Twin. My favorite transistor amp is my old Peavey 15 watt (yes 15 watt!) Champion battery powered. It is bright, clear, and has a great low end .To me it mimicked the sound of a valve Basemann, better than any including a (1979?) Musicman 112RP, tube amp. Remember though, I have certainly 'burned out' my ears over the years. Thanks again.
Studios are my favorite Les Pauls, and that is the best looking Studio I've ever seen.
Well in the end it shows that with the newest modelisation amps, it's very hard to tell the difference between solide state and tube
I did the test blindfolded and I got them all right!! That means you did a great job with the mics. I am sure you will hear more differences on the video!
I LOVE these blind tests. Please do more! MORE!
Love u guys, after looking at many of your videos, It almost feels like i know u by now.
Must say i really appreciate the work u guys do im a huge fan!
It's just so fun experimenting with diff sounds, and ur both really got som soul put into ur work.
And down to earth, couldn´t think guitar heroes were mortals.
May the force be with you.
Big cheers from SWE
Hi guys, it was a brilliant idea to 'listen along' first time Cap, right up to when you said, on the third amp that you could hear it right behind you!
For those of us who obviously watched the first couple of minutes and therefore saw where the amps physically were.
I was really enjoying it though...
I do think that this same test, with a Marshall, Blackstar and my personal fav, Orange would be really great... Just please don't accidently give away which amp is which!
Nice one and keep up the great great vids, please do more of this and more of the challenges... They are by far the best ones for me.
Whilst they are a bit 'top gear'. There is a reason that show does that kind of thing rather than just testing cars... Its because pretty much all new cars are perfectly good products.
I think you could say the same about amps and guitars... Very rarely is a product not very good these days... In fact the cab clone is the only one I cab really think of that wasn't what we were expecting, i.e. a product turning out to be surprisingly rubbish!
These are my favorite videos to watch from your guys man! Always a lot of fun and educational thx again guys !!
Nice vid, thanks!
To me the Blues Cube sounded a lot better than the Mustang and it did sound best with the StaxMaster. Clean? Well Fender tube clean is just what it is ... lovely, but the Roland clean was very open and lively too.
Clean winner: Blues Deluxe
Pedal winner: Blues Cube
this is certainly one of my favorite vids that you chaps have done. I was surprised at how nice the Blues Cube sounded! I've had a Hot Rod Deluxe for several years. I may have to nab me a BC. This demonstrated something that I've firmly believed for years...and that's this; a solid state amp can sound "bad"...or it can sound "good". I've also played tube amps that did NOT sound good. Sooooo....tubes/valves are NOT a guarantee of a good sound...and solid state is not a guarantee of a bad sound. The Stax Master was the biggest "give away" when the HRD was being played by Chappers. How the valves took being hit by the increased gain...was audible...even through UA-cam.
cmonsterz I’ll agree with you on that one brought a lot of tube amps and realised that they don’t all sound amazing. And it’s the same with solid state there’s some amps that are cheap but have a lot of hype around them but are pretty flat and generic sounding with lots of effects and there’s simple ss amps that sound amazing.
Also, Rob really seemed prejudiced against the BluesCube because the instant he heard a substandard tone he became certain it was the BC. That kind of contradicts your first BC review where Rob claimed to be reasonably impressed by the tone.
Good stuff, gentlemen! That was a lot of fun.
That was great! Really fun to close my eyes and listen along. I guessed the same. The spring reverb was the dead giveaway for the deluxe. Great video guys!!!
These videos never get old!
Personally i think the blues cube sounds the best by far
Lukestersim :3 Roland Cleans have always been the best cleans to me.
They make incredible amps
Mustangs are pretty great for the value, it has so many options and built in effects, its just incredible. You can play the intro to The Spirit of Radio or the Intro to Purple Haze just with the built in effects. It's really nice; I myself have a Mustang IV 2x12
Well that Blues cube definitely sounds bloody awesome! I'm getting one for sure!
Great video guys. I got the mustang straight away. It sounded very digital to me and the way it clipped sounded ratty. The other two had me very confused and although i guessed right in the end it was just a guess and i could have easily got that one wrong. I think the blues cube has a bit more of a mid focus like a tweed deluxe, while the HR has a little more of a mid scoop. I actually preferred the blues cube, and i'm a comitted valve amp guy. I could be talking crap of course, but that's how it sounded to me.
This was one of the best and most entertaining videos you guys ever made! I just have to say that BluesCube sounded best to me, closely followed by Hot Rod, which amazes me considering that BC is not a valve amp. In addition, I recently bought used Roland Cube 30X which I like better than my Ibanez Valbee 5W which is a valve practice amp in the same price range. Generally speaking, I think I'm becoming a real Roland fan and that they are doing an amazing job with their latest amps. Anyway, great job guys, I really had fun, thanks.
Love these blindfold tests. So much fun! Thanks!
thanks I just thought I would get the blues cube but was in doubt about valve vs tubes. now I'm definitely set on the cube.
these guys never fail to make me chuckle, and they know thier shit too!
This could have been so good if they had volume matched them. Having the Hot Rod Deluxe set up much louder than the others invalidates the results. The players will usually prefer the louder amp.
Nailed it. Wasn't hard at all, but Captain is right - the difference in first and second is not about vale/solid state, its about price point. First sound is worse than second, thats all. While, of course, when you hear a true valve amp you immediately recognize it, i was like - oh, here we are, everything is clear now. And i absolutely agree that blues cube sounds so damn good its holds up great against classic fender. When you work a lot carrying a 20kg head + 12*1 inch half closed could be demoralizing. This thing looks great, i should consider buying it even. And I have Cornford as a to go amp. Great review, guys, thanks for giving the idea of joining the blind test with you.
Listened to this video and surprisingly preferred the sound of the Blues Cube.
I blindfolded myself and could tell a mile away the HRD as a valve, then again, I own and always plug into a HRD or JCM2000. The mustang is one I don't care for anyway so I guessed that was first, seeing as the blues cube had such a great review from you guys. The only thing about the blues cube was I couldn't tell if it was a *cheap* or *inferior* valve amp or a modelling one. For all purposes here, process of elimination. In real life applications, not so much. Great video!
I love my super champ xd. Have to admit though that I didn't till the tube/ speaker swap... That changed everything. A speaker swap in these cheap amps are probably going to make a difference also. Great video guys thanks.
A great video lads, another of your best. 19'39 Lee called it correctly!
I got them right!! Happy with that. please make more of these what about amp distortion vs pedal distortion.
That's one of the better looking studios I've seen.
I guessed it right! Great video guys! Keep'em coming!
love your videos, always good to see a bit of humor and the guitar skills into the mix!
You guys are a load of fun watching like your channel keep it up
Last words said it all: "It doesn 't really matter if you love the sound".
I do love valve amps, and especially the Fender Deluxe series... but I think it will be even more difficult to tell which is which within a full, busy mix.
The fact they are even having this type of test says something about the state of guitar amp design now.
What does it say
As always, you guys are great fun!
I really like the sound off that Blues Cube. I have the Fender Mustang IV and its a great amp too. Great vid guys!
Don't mean to be "that guy", but what settings was the Mustang on? Every one I've ever heard/played in shops was much more vibrant, I can't help but feel like either it was on one of the crappier presets, or someone bumped one of the knobs.
mentionning jeff healey in the video . that's the best thing you did captain , thanks to you ,i discovered this genius oO
I have a Mustang IV (V.1) and let me tell you, the value you get for this stereo amp can't be beat. Half the weight of a Fender Twin and more benefits plus Celestions. Another benefit is, plug in another modeler like the Pod HD 500 or Eleven Rack to the Mustangs effects loop and you defeat the Fender modeling and just a great stereo amp. Valve amps are great but can be costly to maintain. For me the main difference is in a loud stage situation where you crank it and the tubes will obviously ring a lot differently then modeled which can be great or terrible depending on what you like. Love the idea of blind tests like this - keep it up gents and come visit me in Portland, Oregon!
Thanks guys for doing these kind of reviews, as strips back the favoritism towards brands. I play through a Vox VT80+ and sounds greats on UK rock setting with pedals. Sold my tube amps, but I think I will get another tube amp soon but I now trying to find a non famous brand tube amp. As the competition among digital vs analog and brand vs brand is not only exciting but great for buyers too. Keep up the great work.
As I've got two BluesCube Artist amps on order from Andertons specifically to facilitate a stereo amp option for my Strymon based fx board (with no reliability considerations) then this was a VERY interesting watch. Thanks gentlemen. It's worth considering that anyone using a Strymon pedal with a valve amp IS playing a modelling hybrid because the Strymon will digitally process the signal. I'd prefer to use two valve amps BUT I need instant on capability and short usage on/off too. That's a valve killer. My Mesa Mark V is available when I need pure valve sound (also from Andertons).
I think it was unfortunate that you had the reverb on the Hotrod... until that point you were both struggling and the spring reverb gave it away! Of course, the test was null and void, as you should have played each amp through the same speaker and cabinet as it's more than just the electronics you are listening to. Guitar speakers are wildly different in how they respond to signals and alone could account for all the differences you noticed.
Lee, I can bring you a transistor Blues Junior clone with the same speaker and in the same cabinet for you to test... let's see how close you are then! Stewart
I recognized that Hot Rod straight away. I've used a strat through a Hot Rod three nights a week for about four years now.
I hear that wonderful tone in my sleep.
I'm not surprised the Cube sounded so good. I have a regular Cube and all the models sound great.
Zen Guitar.... the art of seeing your playing without seeing your playing.
for accuracy I should point out, you's should have killed the reverb on all units.
Then all crap would slip in to our ears and nobody wants to advertise crap ;)
Fun, because my old firefox at work is so ol that it cannot play youtube video, and only play the sound. So it was a great test for me as well. Thank you!
Interesting and lots of fun! Thanks, guys.
I LOVE the Cap! Both of you really are so jolly! :D
Damn that Blues Cube Sounds Great! 😮
Damnit, Now I'm liking the HotRod Deluxe! 🙈
Awesome video. Tough choice between the Hot Rod Deluxe and the Blue Cube. I could definitely see a gigging musician going Roland given the durability of solid state v. tube.
There are actually such pedals as requested at roughly 14 minutes in. The Palmer Triage for example is a sort of deluxe variant, allowing you to play any combination of one up to three amps at a time.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm a guitar/gear snob and stay away from digital/solid-state/modeling/etc as much as I can, but the Blues Cube really surprised me. I knew the last one was the HRD, but wow...
Please do more videos like this with other amplifiers!!! This was great and I hope to see many more amps so that I can get a better understanding of sounds.
Bought me a Mustang IV, i mounted a eq, super overdrive, and a blues driver pedal into the effects loop, played with a les paul it sounds very valve like, especially good for classic rock/ hard rock/ bluesrock.
This vid inspired me to do some blind testing, through the same amp, blindfolded and checking guitar pickups. Had a guitar with EMG 81 and 85, EVH Wolfgang pickups, Dimarizio Super Distortion, a Het Set, a Crunch Lab and Liquifire, and a 707. A touch sad there weren't any blackouts in stock, but the Het Set ended up having a fantastic sound to it, for metal rhythm, which was what I was focusing on. Very clear, very responsive. Getting my current guitar loaded with 'em now. And to think I thought passive pickups were my preference before. The eyes lie, the ears don't.
Pride in ownership (brand loyalty and ££££) is a big deal!!! All purchases should be made blindfolded!!! Top draw video as always.
Fun video, and also informative. I think you guys should do one where you test heads and run them all into the same cab. That way you'll eliminate any differences introduced by the quality of the speakers. You'll also have the sound coming from the same position each time.
Great video guys, I really enjoy those blindfolded tests as it really shows the sound quality of the gears you are testing. A suggestion for a future test: cheaper guitar on expensive amp vs expensive guitar on cheaper amp...for ex a blues cube with a fender custom shop vs a hotrod with a squier, same test with a Les Paul and a Marshall-esque amp.
I think you could have used a much better patch on the Mustang. Try downloading one of the "In the Blues" patches. His comparison with the Fender tube amps are unreal.
Yep. The Blues Deluxe preset does a nice job, as well as the SRV. They're all better than what I heard on the video. Not that I'm expecting the Mustang III to sound better than the Roland or the Fender Hot Rod, but I know it can sound better than what it did during their testing. Still, props to Rob, Lee, and Rabea for their efforts.
Great video guys loved it! For me once the valve amp came on I knew, the other 2 not a clue. Only ever played through valve amps. More of these kind of videos please.
Kudos for a fun, yet informative test. Perhaps lucky, but selected the amps correctly, even with headphones, UA-cam audio and thousands of miles separation (the "other" Birmingham, USA). Overtones and harmonic complexity help to distinguish the valve amp (or at least Fender's rendition). I must confess that my sons and I build amps (both SS and Tube) and that all valve amps are definitely not created equally - many do not deliver the organic complexity of the chain from pickup to speaker. Keep up the good work - we love that British humor!
Very well done and fun test!
Where is the making of the squire bonus footage?
CARTOON FOOD blues vs shred challange
Jonah Husak cheers duder
Oh by the Rob, that Hitchhiker's Guide reference is most definitely about tea. Arthur Dent would never drink coffee.
Solid State/Modeling Amps technology for the past 22 years is remarkable..i haven't used a Tube Amps since 2009 i played through a Marshall MG FX100 just released in 2009 and i never looked back..the Solid State/Modeling Amps are fantastic..no need anymore for just Tube Amps..the Solid State Amp does it all just as good and much more reliable..
You guys should do a blackstar one, HT, Series One and Artisan!
You should do a podcast series with the blind folds so we can join in easily, it'd be great
I closed my eyes and got the Blues Cube and HRD mixed up, that Roland sounds epic!