Vox AC15 vs Mesa/Boogie Express vs Blackstar HT Club 40
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- Опубліковано 22 вер 2011
- Three of the most popular amplifiers we sell are the Vox AC15, Mesa/Boogie Express 5:50 and the Blackstar HT Club 40. All three of these are excellent amplifiers that excel at different tones. If you haven't had a chance to sit down with all three of these amplifiers, we hope this video helps you decide which amplifier would best fit your tonal needs.
Please feel free to comment with any questions! For more information, please visit our web site at www.haggertysmusic.com
Most of you are missing the point of this video. It supposed to help YOU decide which amp is right for YOU. Not to see which amp "wins". Having said that, I like the Blackstar for my music choices. I don't need to add any pedals or change out any tubes But the same could be said for the amp that YOU like. Then there is always the player that has to start with a production amp and keep tweeking it with pedals and mods. That's perfect for them too. The more choices, the more we all "win". Happy playing everybody!
Blackstar for me all day.
Vox sounds absolutely amazing with a OD/Boost pedal on the normal channel. It's the way to go in my opinion
For me, vox is the best!
Vox all the way. Slap an OD pedal and you have all the gain you need and unrivaled clean.
Really nice video editing. Thats one of the best comparison demos i've seen on youtube. I like how the licks ran together between amps, awesome.
Thank you for the best shootout format I have ever seen. Very helpful.
The Vox has a bright, vintage-y sound to it, the Mesa a crisp, pleasant, mid to lower-mid heavy sound, and the Blackstar is similar but more of a mid-scooped sound, less crisp but more versatile.
Don, you're just awesome. Thanks for another great review!
I have that blackstar but I'm digging that Vox right now
Don't do it. You have a much better amplifier believe me.
Yeah after playing with it some more then playing the ac15 again I realized I liked the Blackstar better
Clayton Murray I'm glad you had that chance :) People tend to elude themselves watching videos like these that are simply uncapable of give you the real idea of the whole thing and buy stuff in a blind way. Look always to try your stuff first avoiding bad decisions. Cheers
Wow, wow and wow. Great demo for a UA-cam presentation. one thing I liked about this demo is that you show the settings. Depending on the style of music you like, you can't go wrong with either 3. I was impressed with Blackstar. The only negative thing I can say is that the price of the MESA Boogie is bit high. Nonetheless, a good quality amp. Most of all, I was amazed by the crunch/overdrive out of the VOX! It is not known as a metal amp, yet the VOX does have a bite in that regard. I like the cleans on the VOX too. Thanks for your time and sharing your demo.
Love your videos, very helpful.
All rock. I've used blackstar for a couple of years and people always loved my sound. it's been my preference. plus it takes pedals very nicely
Blackstar cleans the table! Tone, looks and versatility. The Vox sounded ok too but I despise the look of it.The Mesa Boogie sounded like a fart in a tunnel.
HAHAHAHA FART I A TUNNEL HAHAHAHA
Well, at least you amused the mouth-breathers.
I have to agree with you...at those settings and volume the Boogie sounded limp and thin.
@@SpadaFer😂 This is gonna be the name of my next band.
i was most impressed by the Mesa boogie
great demo man!!!! keep it coming!!
Great comparison. I liked the Blackstar the best for fullness and clarity. The Mesa kinda sounded artificial to me. It just didn't jump out at me
The Mesa wins by a clear mile! The drive and clean sounds are fuller, and the midrange is so beautifully musical, and compliments the PRS pickups beautifully. The Blackstar is good, but too scooped for my liking. The Vox doesn't compete at all relative to the other two, though.
I really appreciated the way this amp comparison demo was done. Why do others make it so complicated? Thanks! I'm actually surprised how much I'm considering looking deeper into the Blackstar now.
How have not discovered you guys before? Awesome stuff!
I own an Express 5:25 and it's one of the best ones out there. It's insanely good.
Good video! I am actually very impressed by the blackstar. As a die hard Mesa Boogie (blues sounds) fan I have to say: the blackstar sounded better in my ears. Thank you!
Great demo!
THIS MAKE ME WANT TO BUY A AC30 AND A BLACKSTAR AND PUT IT TOGETHER
Like amp porn? 😂
I own a Mesa lone star classic, but I must admit that 15 watt Vox has some interesting things going on there with the higher tones, cant fault the other two amps they seem to have more bass and midrange , good video .
Blackstar sounds really good on the web, but I personally tried one out the other day and I thought it sounded like an 80's solid state amp. It sounded pretty good but was just missing something.
It's sounded the warmest to me. I'm planning on getting that amp.
There is something about that VOX ... something like "I got a feeling" ohh yeah that amp sounds authentic!
+Dave Rdz which is funny because that song was recorded with fender amps :P
D:
That Blackstar sounds pretty full to me in this comparison. Now I'd rather own the Mesa overall, but for the price of them Blackstar's you can't beet em. I'v played all these amps too. Thinking about getting the Blackstar as a practice amp.
And Don, I LOVE all your reviews on youtube!!! Even gear I dont like or have, its awesome to hear the tones you get outta everything you play. The Mark V reviews are AMAZING!!
Ok well this just proves how tone can be percieved differently by everyone's different ear. For me personally, I love the tone of my Mesa Express 5:50. And the quality and build of the amp is top notch. When I am playing with a band it cuts right through the whole mix and maintains a level of clarity I have not heard in another 50 watt amp before. It's to bad you haven't liked any of the newer model Mesas! Goodluck in your quest for tone (something we are all on ourselves)!
Best gear review channel ever.
Is this guitar a PRS or a Carvin?it seems to be written Carvin in the Truss Rod...or am i wrong?good video! i like both Mesa and Blackstar ;)
Torn between the Mesa and the Vox. I love the Vox's cutting crunch, whilst that nice and thick smooth tone coming from the Mesa when clean sounds awesome.
Might have to find a guitar store that stocks them and try 'em out in-store...
Thanks very much for all the great videos! Shame I can't buy from you guys as I'm not in the US :(
I have the Blackstar ht-40. Personally, i found vox's clean tone to be a little too bright. Messa boogie was a little middy (even though most producers turn up the mids to cut through the mix) but the blackstar has this nice balance of the two. The distortion isnt as heavy as it sounds in the demo but i use a boss ds-1 distortion (which i intend to replace with a electro harmonix distortion) along with the big muff and I have to say, for pedals, ht - 40 is wonderful for pedals. It has a nice balanced clean tone that I just love!
thanks man. this video gave me choose.
Like that blackstar!
Mesa best for clean.
Vox best for overdrive.
Blackstar is fairy balanced but not best at any.
@777MADJ
Oh man, thanks, I needed! But, what models exactly you recommend me, because, no only is Mesa Boogie a great brand, other brands or models must exist that they are good also! If the inconvenience is not great, what options of amplifiers you give me that are good for what I need (only the best options). Thanks for replying!
Haggerty,
In your opinion, which is the better amp: Mesa Express or the Blackstar?
@ryszardczernecki :-) Glad you enjoyed the Syd reference!
Old thread, I know, but odd to see the 5:50 in 5 watt mode with contour cranked as representative, at least with regard to how I interact with mine. To each their own I suppose. Sweet little Vox for sure.
Hey man, in this video I like the blackstar. Know? I have this guitar, the Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 25th Anniversary made in USA, but, I'm looking for a versatile amp that can play all kinds of genres, I like a good clean channel and a good distortion, all balanced with a budget of 2000$ USD. What amplifier can offer me or to recommend for play with my PRS?
I agree. At least based on this video, I think the Blackstar sounds unbelievably good! Even the clean tone vs. the Vox. I've been itching to get an AC15 and now I'm reconsidering.
I tried a mesa and a blackstar next to each other and I went with the mesa in the end, there is a certain sound I was after that turns out to be the 'Mesa' sound, that thick sound you can nearly chew on when you crank the mid range,
Wow AC15 is clean the best! Mesa just sounds good in highgain here. I think i buy the Blackstar. I got the HT1r and the HT5 and i love them so the HT40 fits in there^^
Absolutely Blackstar. Perfect balance
Blackstar!
The Blackstar has the balls and the bright.
@unfairrocks It's a PRS.. Custom 24, I believe. It says "Custom" on the truss rod cover.
I have a VOX but dno what make, it has lots of effects built in and like a pre-set and manual button? also a bypass and TAP button... It's a fair size like this one, but the sound quality is epic
Vox all the way.. Its the sweetest sounding amp in person
Can you do The Vox AC30 Handwired VS The Mesa Boogie Transatlantic TA30?
My apologies :) I see that now. Call me a proud owner but I watched this vid several times to compare. Every time I watch it the Mesa just sounds sweeter to me. Then again I own it and listen to it in person. People out there, beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Go with what suits your style not with what advertisings tells you. I like this vid. He doesn't try to give his opinion and try to sell it to you either. Thanks!
Blackstar 1st.
Listen to video...no eyes. Then listen and look. Yeah that sound you liked best came from Blackstar 😊
The Blackstar is the most balanced of the three, and is the best and most respected guitar with which you choose to play.
Ive played these side by side and IMO the Mesa was the best. This video did a good job of making the Mesa not sound good
I have the AC15C1 and I had the Blackstar HT-40, so I feel quite confident to speak about those. First of all, the AC15 isn't that bassless as shown in this video, although it's obviously the brightest amp of those three. When turned on loud, it has a nice low end. I got rid of the Blackstar because it didn't react on the guitar's volume knob well, the overdrive channel was too compressed and undynamic, the clean channel was too "clean" and chemical. I use a fat strat and play blues and rock.
@777MADJ In my opinion, the mesa will suit your need very well. It takes pedals well (especially analog) and the construction is wonderful. The PRS & Mesa combo is a force to be reconed with. The single coil tap mixed with the mesa cleans will be bright and punchy, the standard distortion with the 5708 pups is powerful, but refined. Its a wonderful smooth sound that crosses many generas. I might add that jazz is easy, just roll of the volume and tone on the guitar a bit and presto, jazz. Cheers!
Blackstar comes out on top... Again!
I have to say... I love their products.
Why have you turned the Treble down on all the Mesa clips?
I agree, but the AC30 is famous for coming alive at full volume.
Why not the same eq for all amps?
thank you! In opinion the Vox Ac15 sounds best!
Blackstar sounds the best and is an extremely versatile amp.
Blackstar seems like a nice mix of the other two,
is that a 25th anniversary custom 24 ? :D
@777MADJ hey man, i actually play the prs 25th sc245 pups in it and i own both the blackstar ht-5, have gigged on the 40 and have extensive experience with the mesa express. All of which are fine amps. you have an advantage with the budget you are talking about, but need to ask yourself what sound you are going for. the backstair is great, bang for buck and doesn't sacrifice. the mesa is a little more refined, but with E Q tweaking anything is possible. PS, ht5 is my fav recording amp to date.
I liked the vox and the mesA
Was that octopus by syd barret??
Just a question, have you owned a mesa?
the boogie had the Bass on Middle turned down and treble up? cant compare them like this
I forgot to add that you should do a Marshall Vintage/Modern compared to a Marshall JCM-800 Head shootout.
The Mesa was not dialed end, especially for having a PRS. Notice how the EQ on the Mesa is backed way off on the bass, middle, and treble. Not a fair comparison. If I had to choose, the vox would win, even though I play a Mesa and PRS.
The Vox for sure. The other two sound tinny.
Great video Don, you don't like the Beatles much do you? LOL Great playing. I have owned a Blackstar Stage 100 Head and it is a killer amp for the money. I now own a Mesa Roadster Head and my Mesa sounds nothing like the Mesa 5:50. Of course the Beatle tunes sound great on the Vox, since that's what they were played on by the band, but the Vox has a thin sounding tone that isn't for me. Different taste for every person. Keep the vids coming.
Blackstar is the big winner for me
I like the Mesa sound. Clear and rich sound.
Blackstar sound is almost as good as Mesa thou something is still missing.
Vox sound is quite different of those three. Thin and bright = I dont like but some situations it might be good :)
So boogie wins again!
I love my Mesa Express but I am interested in Blackstar. To me blackstar is more like a Modern (more like a marshall jcm 800) that is set up more vintage. Mesa is very modern that can do some vintage. I use the mesa for dimarzio fueled Dream Theater type tones and have used a blackstar for more classic high gain (Crazy Train on steroids) type tones. To my ears EMG's pair the better with BlackStar.
I also agree with the comments about actually turning it up. The mesa's LOUD.
I think that the settings on the shoot out could be adjusted to each amp a little closer. They are different to be sure , but this is just. weird.
gonna get the ac15 and the blackstar ht-40 for a stereo rig
This is how you fuck up a comparison demo
The Vox can possibly outdo them in some areas. Obviously this video doesn't go to the lengths it should have (like dialling in similar tones). But I am in the process of doing a number of mods to my AC15C1 that'll bring my amp into boutique amp territory, such as a tube swap, bright cap mod, driver replacement, and hopefully an upgrade on the transformer and choke.
I just picked up my AC15C1, any chance you can link me to where I can find more info on these mods?
Danny Kamerman Hey, here's a link to where I found out where to do that stuff: tonesmiths.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/5-steps-to-make-your-vox-ac15c1-or-ac15cc-sound-amazing/
Nate Smit I also have that amp. Pretty good info you put on here. Thanks man!
Great video, however I think the Mesa sound doesn't speak up to itself. Iäve compared it with my AC15, and to my ears it was way better. Maybe it has to do with the mids on the mesa.
1 more thing for people researching, I own the 2x12 combo I can't tell if this is the 1x12 combo. Don't know if it matters but to me more speakers always sound better in a combo :) ROCK ON LITTLE DUDES! \m/
A recommendation, to the next comparisons, you do with all knobs at 12 o'clock, because, you modifies the natural sound of the amplifier. I recommend you that for the others comparisons you do with a flat EQ or at 12 o'clock all knobs, less gain, this if change to see the all states of gain . Greetings.
I own the Mesa B and I must point out these amps were not evenly compared. If you look at the settings on the Mesa, he has it set to 5 Watt not 50 Watt. That makes a huge difference. The Mesa was on its lowest power setting. The Mesa is a killer versatile amp. Hands down!
I've Got A Feeling! 👍
+StratoZep 18 A feeling deep insidee ohh yeaaa!! ohhhh yeaaahh!!
Call the number and ask him to put ALL the amp EQ settings at 12:00 o'clock. Then you'llmhave a fair comparison. The Vox was given the most advantage here and the boogiebthe least. I'd buy the Mesa Boogie before either the Blackstar or Vox.
Why does the Mesa sound so muffled? I don’t think that’s right.
The Vox has nice cleaner/edgy tone but the the crunch setting really requires you keep that treble setting on the lower side...it is very sensitive around/after 5.
Setting it on 6.5 is far too much,it will sound more similar to the other amps' tone if it were set at say 4.It really snarls warmly when set like that.
I agree with Matt, the settings were terrible. this isn't a best amp challenge because all 3 are totally different. my next amp is the ac 15 to add to my mesa rec. Blackstar is awesome for practice and studio, but lacks on stage.
Blackstar all day long amazing amp.
Vox for clean
Boogie for overdrive
Blackstar sounds a bit dull, but this is not way to judge an amp
How can you screw up a VOX AC15?
@Rader147 Samee
Syd Barrett. Nice...
i personally didn't like any of the clean channels but when it came to distortion. I liked the blackstar the best.
I'm so torn between a Vox AC30c2 and Blackstar!!! I love the bite that the Vox seems to have, but the Blackstar seems more versatile and "creamy".
Ugh...
The vox sounds great wish it had a little more gain but for rock it is the winner