Keep or Sell: Two Rock Classic Reverb Signature
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- As I am going to be selling a few bits of gear - in this series I want to talk about why, and what might replace them? Some of the bits - like this one - are amazing but maybe not quite the style and sound I am looking for.
This should be a fun series, exploring the whys and whats of guitar gear!
thanks for watching
Follow me on Insta @james_on_guitar - Розваги
Hey all - thanks for watching! I really appreciate any thumbs ups and comments - it’ll help me get to the giveaway soon 🤟🏼 sub and comment to be in the Kingtone Duellist when I hit 6000 subs 👌🏽
I owned a Dumble 002 clone and then a Two Rock SSS....... I discovered that the dumbleque clean tone is just not me....... Both amps had legendary tone, but when I played, it wasn't the tone in my head.
New to the channel, and diving back through the videos. Fascinating stuff, and hugely enjoyable.Very glad to be along for the ride.
You have sweeter amps than the CRS to my ear, but your ear is the one that counts. Your never ending journey through the world of high end guitar gear has made for some great content, long may it continue.
I’ve got to say when you played through the vibroverb it just had a honesty about it! Maybe it’s what I’m use to hearing! But for my ears it was in the pocket 🤛😎🤙🏿
Hey James. You playing has really come along way since I found your channel a year-ish ago. Well done!
Thank you! I am working pretty hard on it, so that means a lot 👍🏼
James that’s all I can say is it’s what you feel! I love my CRS. I think your playing on it sounds unbelievable and you have awesome tone with it. You have some great amps but it comes down to what you want.💥💪🏻💪🏻
Cheers man! Yeah, i have to go by feel! 🤟🏼
I feel you on this one. These are not decisions to be taken lightly. The CRS is the quintessential blank canvas, pillowed just enough to let the tone of your guitar or whatever pedal you might be demoing shine its own light. For youtubers, it might be invaluable. But it all comes down to priorities for YOU as a player. If you find yourself connecting with character amps, the clinical perfection of the TR is going to fall short. Upside of selling the TR is freeing up equity to chase down your ideal amps in both the American and British camps. Downside is this can be a long, expensive and time consuming journey. Vintage amps can come with a lot of warts and question marks, not to mention the trial and error of finding the sound you connect with. If you have a relatively clear vision of the tone you're after, I say go for it. Investigate the records that inspire you the most and chase the dragon! Just keep in mind that it will likely be more expensive to get back into a CSR down the road, and it will probably come loaded with JJ's on the next go around. All food for thought. Good luck on your journey!
Two Rock has largely flown under my radar. I have a Tone King Imperial MKII that I adore, but your videos make me wonder if I should give a Two Rock a try… What a stupid, expensive hobby 😂
haha expensive but so fulfilling!!
@@JamesOnGuitar you’re not helping! 😂 Between the Classic Reverb and the Bloomfield, which one performs better at bedroom volumes? I very rarely get a chance to crank my amps and typically keep my Tone King attenuated pretty low. Is it foolish to be looking at 100 watt beasts for goofing around at home?
HAte to say it but out of the amps in THIS video the Vibroverb sounded tops above the others. There’s something there the others didn’t tap into
I can imagine that’s a hard amp to part with, but moving on to things better suited for you is always worth it. Good luck.
Take a look at Lazy J amps, I think you will love them!
If you gravitate towards the British sound then perhaps you could try the Two-Rock into a British style cab and see if that makes it better for you? Even through the Rift’s cab - would be interesting to compare the 2 using the same speaker configuration. Loving the content, keep it up!
Two Rock: Surgically clean. Sell it. Keep the Matchless for it's pure cleans that will warm your heart without cutting it out first.
Thought about selling my Two Rock Studio Signature. Then I saw the new prices! Nearly $1000 more than I paid for it new. Maybe a better investment to just keep it now 😂
James- High powered Tweed twin⚡️⚡️
I’d love to try one and was considering, before the Bartel but not sure i need it now 🤔 would still love to try one
You should try the TR traditional clean. That amp does take your dirt pedals on a another lvl without having any harsh tone. It’s a more defined modern tone but „dumbely“. Cheers
Sounds way better than that other Two Rock to my ear
If you sell your Two-Rock, you will regret it. I had a Two-Rock Studio Pro 35 Plus, and I loved it. But for some reason, at some point I was bored and I wanted to try something else, something more Marshall-y, so I sold my Two-Rock. Not even a week later, I was already regretting my decision. I tried couple of amps to replace it but I was never satisfy. So guess what? I bought a Two-Rock Studio Signature and I’m a happy guy again… and I won’t resell it for anything in the world. I’ve learned my lesson. Now it doesn’t mean I won’t add more amps to the collection, I actually have a wishlist of 8 more amps I would like to own to cover pretty much all kind of tones I would need:
- Mesa Boogie Mark V:35
- Hook Wizard
- RedPlate Blues Machine
- Dr Z EMS
- Tone King Imperial Mk2
- Mesa Boogie California Tweed
- Matchless HC30
- Soldano SLO30
By doing so, I should have tones from super clean, to fender-y tweed, blackface, then Marshall-y from 50s JTM, to ‘60s Plexi and later JCM, as well as Vox and high-gain amps. I’m more a clean to edge of break up kind of guy, so that’s why I have more amps in that kind of category. The main reason for this kind of list, is to know what I would need with an unlimited budget, but also not to end up with 50 amps list… to take it down to 10 or a dozen max. By doing so, it helps to really evaluate what we really need and therefore figure out what would be the next piece of gear to purchase. We don’t need more than 5 or 10 amps, regardless what we do. If you believe otherwise, you need to redefine your needs more.
By doing a “Maximalist” wishlist, you can then shrink it down to a “Minimalist” by fixing limits. I know what amps I would keep if I could only have 3, that would be my Two-Rock Studio Signature, the Mesa Boogie Mark V:35 and the Hook Wizard. Doing this kind of lists have been the best way for me to really decide what kind of gear to purchase and not just “fall” for the next hyped gear, or the next emotional feeling I will get while trying something… because this feeling can pass quickly once the honeymoon is over. So another rule I have, if I want something, I won’t purchase it immediately, I will wait at least 6 to 12 months before to purchase it. If I still want it by then, it means I really need it. If I’m hesitant by then, it means it was just a temporary hyped thing. I hope it could help you to decide…
The Dumble style amps have several different voiceings like the HRM is like a Dumble meets Marshall the standard Overdrive special is the Robben Ford Larry Carlton sound based off the old Fenders but with amazing Overdrive and tonal shaping like the two rocks there's also the Steel String Singer for the big Fender SRV sound and so many other Dumble style Voiceings.
A few months ago I tried A Two Rock CRS 100 . I just did not bond with it. It got really good sounds on some music and pedals, but not on other music and pedals. My thoughts are , if you want to sound Like John Mayer , get a Two Rock . . . . For everything else, almost any other amp will do. . My Main Amp for 22 years was Matchless C30 . Now I have a Todd Sharp which replaced the Matchless and a Suhr Bella that replaced a Fender Deluxe RI.
Tone in in your fingers … i think the amp just frames it to an extent
You have got good gear and use it well and you get nice results keep going 👍
Thanks man! Although that is a huge debate isn’t it, because amps really do sound different, but for non-guitar-lover audience it doesn’t matter much anyway as long as you are happy with what you play 👌🏽
The 100 watt is really different in my experience. It just sounds massive and punchy through that 2x12 cabinet but it likes to be turned up. If you have the 40, I'd upgrade to the 100 and keep it 😉😎
Wait for the next video 😃 the summary if which is, i prefer the 100 but it still isn’t the amp i need 👍🏼
@@JamesOnGuitar yeah fair enough, if I'm being honest I have always thought the two-rocks were voiced slightly better for strats and tele's. Bartel looks and sounds fantastic and that rift is great. Sounds like the Bartel has the black face side almost covered too?
Yeah, almost! And overall the bartel has a ‘less perfect’ vibe and more edges to it if that makes sense 🤟🏼
@@JamesOnGuitar Makes sense for sure! I remember playing the two rock, both models 100 watt. and it is to me a very refined, vintage fender style amp but with a hell of a lot more balls and quickness, plus works amazingly well with pedals. Very professional amps. I still feel like there is something nice and organic though about that bright in your face vintage blackface sound, like if you could imagine the best vintage fender style amp in the world today and be able to rebuild that successfully, I'm guessing a Bartel or a Rift is more that style of amp, and I find humbucker guitars tend to work better into those sort of amps than the two-rocks. vein,
I don't know man. That sound amazing in a mix!
You have a lot of beautiful Amps, especially the Bartel. If the two rock is really only there because of the name then maybe best to sell and free up a tonne of cash you can use towards your channel. You could use that money to explore other amps and sounds, even on cheaper boutique amos as mentioned below you could try the victory range, benson, Swarts, milkman’s.
Keep it! Seller’s remorse on sight
I had both Bloomfield Drive and CRS. I dont miss them… too much cash in those. I bought two clean blackfaces and a Morgan AC40 Deluxe. Still had $$left over
One of my amps is the Morgan AC D20 love it and great value.
I know Morgan amps get some grief, deservedly so, with regards to some design and component choices as I've seen on forums and UA-cam, but I absolutely love my MVP23 combo. I've played Fender amps for 30+ years, tried Marshalls, a hand wired AC15, Supro amps, a modern AC15C1 and I'll never part with my Morgan. If a component fails I'll deal with it, but the sound and the control set do exactly what I want. The ability to drive the preamp or the power section combined with the power scaling just does it for me. No amp is perfect but it sounds great, is dead quiet, and hasn't given me an ounce of trouble in the 13 months I've owned it.
When it comes to appraising amps, there's always going to be a very significant subjective element. That said, I spent a month in the studio with a Two Rock Classic Reverb Signature and was EXTREMELY underwhelmed.
What were the issues?
well, I found the cleans clinical and made playing tedious. Worse, I found the overdriven sounds (frankly) pretty nasty.
They have, to my ears, a biting, grating square wave type attack. Some people may like that character, but I'm definitely not one of them.
Now of course, when you actively dislike an amp with a big reputation, the thoughts "Maybe this is just a bad one", or "Maybe I'm misunderstanding something somewhere." inevitably arise. However, two other professional guitarists friends of mine have (quite independently) reached precisely the same conclusions.
My sentiment Exactly,Two Rock amps are to sterile,have no character IMHO.but wait,watch the hate mail I get because CERTAIN People,CRT people can’t stand the opinions of others,there just not tolerated
I think you would get on well with more of a Dumble style amp like the Fuchs ODS 2 or another Dumble style amp all though the Two Rock has a bit of the Dumble flavor it's more of a Fender style amp Ceriatone makes some great stuff as well as Mark Kane and some other builders you can have a D style amp tuned to your Playing I have a Fuchs and I love it
Two Rock doesn't make a bad amp at all. The CR and the bloomfield drive are incredible amplifiers and I have had the luxury of playing a few of them. Ultimately, the Two Rock I have decided to go with is the Traditional Clean. It doesn't have as many options as a CR or Bloomfield Drive, but it does what it does unbelievably well and it's just a big wall of sound that pairs incredibly well with other amplifiers next to it as well(It's a direct evolution of the John Mayer signature TR, which he till this day uses right next to his Dumble SSS. I saw him live at madison square garden this year, I can confirm just how incredible those two amplifiers sound next to each other). Sometimes less is better.
Oh yes, they make a brilliant amp!! It is just not quite right for me at the moment. Huge sounding and amazing cleans. 👍🏼
@@JamesOnGuitar Ultimately, you have to go with what inspires you to play the most. I play blues, R&B, jazz, and country so big cleans and headroom are what I am after. If you're going for british grit, I would also give the silver jubilee or a 100 watt plexi or plexi style amp a test run, trust me.
I need reverb in my amps and tbh for marshall sounds i am yet to find better - for me - than the rift amp i have. Would still be interesting to find an old marshall and give it a go in a pair with something else 🤟🏼
@@JamesOnGuitar I have heard amazing things about the Rift!
That Rift amp is spectacular sounding. Seems like you would gel best with a Two Rock TS1 instead of their ultra clean options.
I have a princetone brownface clone with creamback speaker (sorry I don't like Jensen-ish speakers). I think brownface amps are the best for edge of breakup tones. I saw a video of Aynsley Lister playing a brownface vibroverb that sounded amazing.
Hey James, I’m keen to hear your thoughts on the CRS100w version vs your 40/20 considering I’m on the wait list for one, along with the TS1
My take is that, generally speaking, modern amps have less variance (within the same models) than guitars. So if you get a 'good' one, chances are you can find another that's almost identical if you ever change your mind. So I'd vote go for the sell if you're out of the honeymoon and search for a new flame!
Perhaps sell it… clearing up the space for new gear would probably be a channel boost. Also, as great as 2R amps are, I think they are very hyped at the moment … does everyone need a super clean amp (and could you even tell in a mix)? … IMO, your Vibroverb had TONS of character the 2R doesn’t really have. For me, some gear is often about checking a box to say “I tried it” … but only a few pieces go beyond that to keeper status. Most times a “keeper” is one you can’t sell because it’s worth way more to you than anyone else.
Yeah i reckon so!
The best you sounded was by far with the two rock. The Matchless sounded very basic, really not special at all. At least in this video. The others were also just ok. Just my opinion. Obviously no one can tell you what you want. But I can tell you the CRS sounded best and it’s not even close. Your playing was also at its best with the CRS. Enjoy the Journey. Don’t worry about people coming at you about buying new gear. I’ve followed the channel for a while and I can tell your playing has improved over time. So obviously the gear search is serving its purpose in terms of improving as a guitar player. And seems to inspire you to play. Really enjoy the channel!
I sold mine because I needed dough, and bought it again at a markup. It was something I missed dearly in my life. I for one would be in the keep side because I'm biased! But if it's not doing the "thing" you need why keep it?
What happened to the tonemaster? That one was so crisp. Also, I think the Two Rock sound different and both are amazing. Yes you are leaning the British amp style, but that Two Rock just has that darker grit is just so milky smooth. Tough choices because when it comes to blues.
Right now, your ears are tending towards something a bit more overdriven. And that's part of the journey. If you think that you might trend more towards something cleaner (jazzy style emerging?) in the future and can afford to keep it, then it's worth keeping (as it is a benchmark).
You sound so at-home with that Rift, though. It's really killer.
I have so many blackface Fenders I lost track. They are good but overrated in my opinion. I think only 2 were truly great and the others just good. I sold every one of them though. I was never totally satisfied with any of them. The Two Rock sounds better in my opinion and was the best sounding amp to my ears on this video. I think you will regret selling it. The only reason I understand why you would sell it is that it's worth so much money. I don't think any amp should cost that much unless it's a rare collectable vintage amp. The Two Rock sounds beautiful. But if it frees up money for guitars or other amps that inspire you more then there is your answer. Go with what inspires you to play more and write songs. I don't have any Fender amps at all right now but I do miss having one for soul/r&b, blues, and country. I play mostly rock so I use an old Marshall and Vox. But I do miss having a Fender blackface for around the house. Might grab a Princeton reverb soon or a 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb which sounds fine. Sure the older ones are a bit sweeter but I don't feel they are so good they are worthy of the price they go for these days. No way they are worth those prices to my ears. Hype along with doctors and lawyers and everyone thinking they have to have one drove the prices. I blame UA-cam and Reverb.com. The prices don't make sense anymore. Buy something else unless you get a great deal.
My not so vast experience has shown me that, if it's for functional sake depends on the amount of headroom you need in a live situation, or would you clean your signal through the guitar volume or... whatever you need. In this case you'd better stick to what you really need. If the election is based on metaphisical reasons, you've been trapped into a massive black hole. Anyway James, the rotation of gear is a good policy for your channel growth ( not to mention on your understanding of the nuances of tone). Cheers!!!
The Two Rock is awesome. I would recommend selling, and purchasing a Victory V40D (or a V140) and/or a Copper. My Grandpa has the V40D head & cab, and its the best amp I have heard and played.
Ok interesting comment cause i have a v40d and I'm thinking of buying a two rock at some point. Never selling thia victory combo though it's awesome
I've got both Victory amps, would say the Two Rock is a little different again. The V40D is easily the best clean amp I've ever owned but have never heard it quite like that Two Rock with the Les Paul - that was killer. Good recommendation though.
Tell you what man, you gotta try a wizard amp- seriously outta this world. You would really appreciate the complex harmonics even with breakup it retains a sounds that hits every frequency. Don’t have reverb but pedals now make that a non issue at least for me- especially the golden by UA, never heard a more accurate spring sound
Cheers man, yeah i’ve looked at those amps. I honestly wondered why paul davids moved from the wizard to the matchless and so i assume that i might still prefer the amps i have? Always worth a try though! I do find i prefer amp reverb still even with the great reverb pedals out there, they don’t seem to react with my fingers as well 🤔
@@JamesOnGuitar I think Paul was actually using a different amp than the one I’m talking about, check out a amp called the wizard modern classic, tim does a good demo of it, also the wizard vintage classic, and hybrid
They all have a hiwatt/Marshall vibe
Unfortunately not many demos out there of them but I can tell you from first hand experience- I have the hybrid and vintage classic on the way but the hybrids clean channel rivals the cleans I’m getting from the two rock silver sterling- if you haven’t tried the spring on the golden, give it a shot, it changed my mind about spring sounds from a pedal
I think selling gear because you’re pursuing something different artistically differs fundamentally from selling due to financial reasons. Most of us have done both, but only one generally comes with future regret.
You can always look back on any piece of gear and regret selling. My attitude is always that this is a journey and you may end up back where you were, but I think each piece of gear teaches you something and then (sometimes) you move on.
Thanks David - you articulated my thoughts exactly!
If you haven't tried a 5E3 (tweed deluxe type amp) with an awesome resonant cab (actual 5E3 clone/reissue or vintage, not a 5E3 channel in a multipurpose amp), you're missing out!
Yeah i’ve played some Lazy J amps which are great - i am not sure if 5e3 - and the bartel roseland is pretty much a tweed amp on steroids. It isn’t channel switching, rather it has clever eq that allows you to change the character of the sound
@@JamesOnGuitar great; I've never had the privilege to play a bartel. That being said, a 57 deluxe reissure by Fender (not boutique, but it's a custom shop amp), with vintage correct yellow capacitor and pine cab is a unique and wonderful sound; never heard such a cascade of harmonics from an amp
I have a 66 Vibrolux and it's one of the best amps I've ever played. But the Two Rock is a different beast. Question is, do you NEED not want both. Good luck brother.
Food for though eh 🤟🏼
TR sounds awesome...
Keep it man !!!!
I’d love to see a two rock blindfold test. Can anyone really tell between a blackface or a boutique.. I’ll bet they can’t
Sell....but to me......for really cheap😂😂😂
Good luck with it...keep up the great videos...
🤣
the quest for tone continues... 🎵 r0ck0n 🎵
Ever try a Friedman amp? That might be a good one for you.
Yeah i had a dirty shirley and didnt get on with it. The matchless and rift have much more of the feel and dynamic i’d associate with a fender style amp which i didn’t find with the friedman 🤔 i gave it a try though 🤟🏼
And here's my second sprinkle of negativity in this thread. I had a BE 100 Deluxe for just over a year. I purchased it after a lot of research, both online and asking people in the business etc. I really tried with that amp. In the end, I gave up and sold it on. Once again, subjectivity is king, but objectively the eq on the BE 100 Deluxe might as well not be there; it does almost nothing.
The amp is very fizzy and very thin. The clean 'Plexi' channel is really not to my taste at all.
Interestingly, the guy I sold it to, a very experienced studio guitarist, sold it on after a month.
This is my dream amp! I think that a two amps set with matchless and two rock is ridiculous, if I were you I would keep it! Anyway, if you want to sell it, and accept payments in installments, you could consider me xD (I just bought a martin 00028 and I’m broke ahahah)
Haha good idea! I’m sure you are loving that Martin though!
@@JamesOnGuitar absolutely! However I really enjoy your videos so I take this opportunity to compliment you
Thanks 🙏
Interesting !! The 100 Watt CRS is what I have and that is definitely not going .. I did put it on the market last year during a mental aberration but it didnt get musch interest and people want to steal it from me and I couldnt get above £4K including the cab ( 4*10) . The only Amp I would part with now is my Fuchs ODS 2 which doesnt get much use ..I also am now using fro recording purposes an Axe Fx which now means most times I don't even need an amp as I can go to gigs with a set of in ears and the FM3 and it does everything . Get the CRS 100 as is much better with way more headroom and buy another guitar . The Bartel you will tire of in about another week . Overpriced, just like the Tone KIngs ...I know you fancy a Super , but you will need an attenuator unless you are already deaf .. Go buy an original Marsahll and have some fun !!
Hi Clive! Not sure why you say that about the Bartel??
@@JamesOnGuitar Had one and got bored with it due to the fact that it tried to be a Jack of all trades and failed . Time will tell but the next CRS will cost a load more ...Try a TS-1 Two Rock then you will really be in the park !!
no reverb in the ts1 puts me off - i’ve learned my lesson about that. The bartel doesn’t need to be used in all possible ways - has the best big tweed tone i’ve heard which is what i was after and huge reverb and touch response that is exceptional
@@JamesOnGuitar Buy a 4*10 Bassman !! Loved that !!
@@cliverkay haha so Super Reverb - too loud! 4x10 Bassman - not too loud?!
KEEP!!!!
😃 i’d keep it all if i had space!
Run both this and the bartel at the same time.
Metropoulos superplex my friend. Sell the two rock and commit to the tone!
You better have a good amp tech because the vintage fenders will need some help at some point!! Your buying history but the cost and head ache of fixing them ,well, suck!! I have a 65 Fendr Twin with Jbls but just went down and in tears!!! best sound, ever!! Uncle Doug or Guitoligist, if u want to learn how to do it yourself!!!
If you have only one Two Rock amp, KEEP IT
Haha i like your thinking! But there is so much else to explore 🤟🏼
Sell IT! Two Rock to sterile sounding for me,too many knobs.
agreed
Tell that to Alexander Dumble. And no they not the same just saying cuz of the knobs comment lol
@@CatchMeOutside361 who cares about Dumbell and his friggin grossly overpriced amps. No amp,NO AMP
Is worth $50,000-$120,000.reminds me of the story “The Emperors New Clothes”. The more knobs interferes with tone.Marshall,Fender,Vox and todays boutique have already nailed the best tones you will ever hear.Dumble Amps= A fool and his money are soon parted
@@josephfemoyer7218 I agree with you on price but the “best tones” is a highly subjective phrase my friend. Obviously neither of the big 3 can do “Dumble tones.” They sound like themselves. But there are other boutique companies like Amplified Nation who nail them pretty closely. Close enough to avoid the insane resale value on a Dumble 👍
I think the amp sounds lovely but you sound like you want something else. I say sell it.
Sell it and get a 100w plexi
sell the Bartel keep the other two
I’d also sell the Bartel first
Get a hiwatt
It's become a boring cliche + boy does it impose its own sound so you play to the Two Rock tone than develop you're own...unless you want to be John Mayer et al move on
Ill buy it
Keep it…. There will come a time when you will miss the Two Rock. Of course, there are many good amps... but the Two Rocks are among the best in the world.
Yeah they are, for high headroom cleans - probably the best for that. I think it is the character that isn’t quite right for what i want tbh. But i can always buy back a two rock 👍🏼
Honestly you are somewhat click bait, which is a bit annoying. You are doing this for channel views and subs. Keep the gear or sell it; it’s up to you, but don’t bore us with the details. Most people would kill for any of the amps you play on this channel. Most can’t afford any of that gear… so be mindful.
You are a great player but a bit of growing to do. Dial back on this style of video. It’s not entertaining watching someone whom can’t make decisions and then videos himself to gain acceptance.
This is a gear channel. It’s about GAS and it’s about his journey! Nobody needs to watch it. A lot of people love trying different flavors. The majority of people never will sell out an arena or whatever… just let them have fun!
@@neve4020 I had already unsubscribed and stopped watching. It’s a bit too pretentious for my taste. I get the GAS aspect as I have it as well. But I realize it’s this guys style and how he feels he should do his channel, more power to him and I wish him the best. Cheers and thanks for the reply.