Amp Shootout

[wbm68]

I did a shootout after hearing so much about the following amps. I could not find any YouTube clips that came close to anything that I heard trying the amps out myself.

Reason Bambino, SM 20, SM 50
Dr. Z Remedy
Savage Blitz50
Egnator Tweaker
Cornford Roadhouse
Blackstar HT-5
Jet City JCH20H (Soldano)

Warning!!! The following is completely subjective based on my taste only!!!

Dr. Z Remedy:
This is supposedly a take on a Marshall.
I am not sure what kind of Marshall this is supposed to be inspired by, but it must have been a very bright and harsh sounding Marshall. I do not say the amp is bad, but I did not like the amp at all. If you're after a Marshall type of sound, this is not it. The best way to describe it was overly bright and very harsh and very unpleasant crunch. I played it with a Strat and 65Amps cab.

Reason:
SM50: not sure what the target audience is supposed to be, but it is insanely loud and only breaks up at ear bleeding levels. The tone is very direct and in the face, no sponginess at all. I think it would take a lot of careful dialing in to make the switching between each channel and stack mode work. Each channel in itself sounded ok, but stack mode was raspy.
Also not my cup of tea, even though the "clean" tones were pretty good.
SM20: a much brighter sounding version of the SM50, and the SM50 is a bright amp already.
Bambino: for the money there is much better stuff out there. Again, it is not bad on each individual channel, but the stack mode is very harsh sounding. Also a very bright amp. The good, for 8 Watts it's very loud and switching to 2 Watt did not change the sound much, but also did not make it very much quieter.
I think if you gas for the Bambino, you should definitely check out the Egnater Tweaker.

Savage Blitz50:
way too expensive but that's what a (vintage) Marshall should sound like. Nice full clean tones, beautiful breakup and no harshness. Great Master Volume too. It just happened to be sitting next to the Reason amps.

Cornford Roadhouse 30:
Surprisingly good too, but probably more modern sounding. If you like Richie Kotzen and Guthrie Govan you'll probably like this amp. Nice cleans and good distortion but also expensive.

Egnater Tweaker:
I do not like Egnater amps, too many knobs, buttons and not enough tone. If I want a lot of controls like that, I'd stick with a Boogie instead. The Tweaker is an exception though, and only the smaller 15 Watt version. The bigger brother sounds completely different and is not a louder version of the Tweaker at all. Completely different sound due to the usage of different tubes.
It definitely can do everything the Reason Bambino can sound wise and in my opinion offers much better tone.

Blackstar HT-5:
It actually reminded me of my first amp a solid state Peavey Bandit.
The clean sounds solid state and even fully cranked it hardly breaks up with a Strat. The gain channel is good if you like high gain. It definitely does high gain better than medium crunch.

Jet City JCH20H:
that thing actually floored me. New for $300 used for ~$200. I'd say this is the closest thing that I have heard to an old JCM 800 Marshall, and the EQ (unlike on a Marshall) actually does things. It does nice cleans, great crunch and great high gain.

I went shopping for a Bambino or Tweaker, and ended up getting the Jet City. What a surprise. Considering that I can get 3 Jet City heads, or 1 new Jet City AND one new Tweaker AND one used Jet City for the price of a Bambino, it's a pretty easy choice.

I already have expensive high end amps, cheap has come a long way.

If you cannot try them out here is how I'd look at it.
Reason Bambino is similar to the small Orange and Vox lunch box heads.
Blackstar HT-5 is probably not needed as one can get a Tweaker.
The Tweaker is a must try head if you are looking for a low watt tube head.
The Jet City is a very versatile Marshall. I'd say between the Tweaker and the Jet City, you pretty much cover most tonal grounds at very reasonable prices and great tone.


Again:
Warning!!! This was all completely subjective based on my taste only!!!

[Blix]

I really want to try one of those Dave Friedman modded Jet City JCH20H's.

Sounds like you had fun trying out a bunch of amps. :)

[diagrammatiks]

i'd agree with all of that except the reason.

The reason I had ran tad preamp tubes and I think a tonespotter?

Changing the preamp tubes to nos rcas and swapping the speaker out for Weber 12a150 darkened the tone a bunch. It was a bright speaker when I got it though...although all the little amps I've ever had I thought were bright.

Didn't like the Z too much.

I'm definitely a Soldano fan though.

I think the edge the Bambino has on the tweaker is power tube distortion. The 2 watt mode is really usable for that. Can't really get that with the tweaker.

[hooch1]

I agree with this post.

I had the HT-5, Tweaker combo and the JCA combo, and still have the Tweaker.

I chose the Tweaker because of the tonal variety, effects loop and sounded good with single coils and HB. I thought the JCA lacked a little thickness with single coils but thats my opinion only. Otherwise the JCA is a great amp.

[stratzrus]

Great post.

I can't confirm or refute any of your results, but I really liked your short and to the point subjective reflections on each amp.

I wouldn't buy one (or not buy one) based on this, but I might go out and try one if what you said resonated with what I was looking for.

We need more of these. :aok

[JoeB63]

Appreciate the honest, critical reviews. Though the one time I tried a Jet City at GC, it was really awful sounding. Perhaps something was wrong with it, but it was truly terrible sounding.

[michael.e]

Intersting thoughts on the Blitz 50. Mine never sounded like a Marshall. Not by a longshot. What Marshalls are you referring to?

[Reason]

Amigo,

Hey, I know you have the "subjective" disclaimer at the end of your post, but there is a lot of indications here that these were superficial trials at best. Since I'm most familiar with my own product, I'll give just one example:


SM20: a much brighter sounding version of the SM50, and the SM50 is a bright amp already.


The SM50 and SM20 have just about zero in common. Aside from the obvious panel differences, one is a fixied biased EL34 amp, the other is a cathode biased EL84 platform. Like em or hate em, they are apples and oranges.

I may get lit on fire here, but you're painting with broad brush strokes here and I just don't see evidence of having done the homework for such assesments.

[dakotajones]

Yikes. I get the personal taste thing, but man...i gotta disagree on a few things. No disrepect, but grab a few q-tips - clean your ears out - and try again. =)

I've tried most of these amps myself...i actually own a few Reason amps...and not to be bias (and share my own personal opinions), but they are a lot more versatile than you are giving them credit. They might require a little more tweaking, but that's because those amps have so much versatility...especially in Stackmode. I own an SM50 and, boy that amp is incredible...i've listened to it live at a few Black Crowes shows too...not raspy at all. That amp sings. From super clean, to nice and warm...it can get loud, but when you switch to stack, you can dial it down and get a nice vintage crunch at lower volumes...from classic rock to even modern stuff...if you want extra bright...use the bright pull switch on the normal channel. if you want more mid and low end, try the pull thick switch on the bright channel...lots of options.

i also have a bambino...you really can't find many lunchbox amps out there that compete.

About the only thing i can agree on is the dislike for Egnater...including the Tweaker. Personal opinion again (like everyone else) - it just has no soul. it's lifeless. you can get some decent tones, but it just doesn't have a wow factor.

same with Jet City. if you are sitting in a Guitar Center listening to that amp...i can't help but lose respect..first for being in GC (haha)...second for comparing it to a Marshall JCM800...

anywho...thanks for sharing your opinions...not everyone can agree...i just thought i would chime in and share my thoughts as well.

Everyone needs to listen to these amps themselves and make their own personal judgements. I can almost guarantee, everyone's ears and tonal likes and dislikes are different.

[diagrammatiks]

Amigo,

Hey, I know you have the "subjective" disclaimer at the end of your post, but there is a lot of indications here that these were superficial trials at best. Since I'm most familiar with my own product, I'll give just one example:



The SM50 and SM20 have just about zero in common. Aside from the obvious panel differences, one is a fixied biased EL34 amp, the other is a cathode biased EL84 platform. Like em or hate em, they are apples and oranges.

I may get lit on fire here, but you're painting with broad brush strokes here and I just don't see evidence of having done the homework for such assesments.

el84s are brighter then el34s aren't they?

[Reason]

el84s are brighter then el34s aren't they?

The character of the EL84 is unique among tubes. Part of that is just "in the glass", so to speak, but also in part to the phase inverter that is commonly employed in EL84 circuits. It sends EL84s into crossover notch distortion. Some guys love it- Billy Gibbons calles it "swirl." Some guys hate it and call it "fuzzy." Either way, it's pretty tough to compare EL84's to any non EL84 amp...especially when one is fixed and the other is cathode biased.

Incedentally, the SM20 referenced above has a "Harmonics" switch which reconfigures the Phase Inverter to either allow or prevent that characteristic crossover notch. In so doing either even order or odd order harmonics are accentuated...thus the label "Harmonics" on the panel. [one of the glaring differences between the SM20 and SM50, by the way.]

As for the fundamentals of one tube being brighter than another...I dunno. There is a lot that goes into voicing an amp. Either way, if an amp is too bright....turn the freakin tone knob down. Every "bright amp" above (including ours) are capable of getting down right dark.


And at the risk of appearing to be on a rant, let me answer the following:


Reason:
SM50: not sure what the target audience is supposed to be


Guys like Doyle Bramhall II, Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford, Stevie D (Buckcherry) Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow) and quite a few session players and producers have all paid cash money for one (or two or four;-))

To the OP and all else, I'm not pissed. But do you really think that Dr. Z, Bruce Egnater, the guys at Blackstar (and yes, Reason)...released amps with such glaring flaws in their designs? I'm sorry, the above just doesn't ring valid to me.

[diagrammatiks]

The character of the EL84 is unique among tubes. Part of that is just "in the glass", so to speak, but also in part to the phase inverter that is commonly employed in EL84 circuits. It sends EL84s into crossover notch distortion. Some guys love it- Billy Gibbons calles it "swirl." Some guys hate it and call it "fuzzy." Either way, it's pretty tough to compare EL84's to any non EL84 amp...especially when one is fixed and the other is cathode biased.

Incedentally, the SM20 referenced above has a "Harmonics" switch which reconfigures the Phase Inverter to either allow or prevent that characteristic crossover notch. In so doing either even order or odd order harmonics are accentuated...thus the label "Harmonics" on the panel. [one of the glaring differences between the SM20 and SM50, by the way.]

As for the fundamentals of one tube being brighter than another...I dunno. There is a lot that goes into voicing an amp. Either way, if an amp is too bright....turn the freakin tone knob down. Every "bright amp" above (including ours) are capable of getting down right dark.


And at the risk of appearing to be on a rant, let me answer the following:



Guys like Doyle Bramhall II, Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford, Stevie D (Buckcherry) Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow) and quite a few session players and producers have all paid cash money for one (or two or four;-))

To the OP and all else, I'm not pissed. But do you really think that Dr. Z, Bruce Egnater, the guys at Blackstar (and yes, Reason)...released amps with such glaring flaws in their designs? I'm sorry, the above just doesn't ring valid to me.

i'd say flaws are relative. None of those amps cost that much money. they'd be good at some things and bad at others.

Except the BStar. which is just a flaw.

[cugel]

"Guys like Doyle Bramhall II, Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford, Stevie D (Buckcherry) Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow) and quite a few session players and producers have all paid cash money for one (or two or four;-))"

let me pick up those names you just dropped

[Reason]

i'd say flaws are relative. None of those amps cost that much money. they'd be good at some things and bad at others.



Well said.

Peace and good tone,

[Reason]

let me pick up those names you just dropped

Apologies....just didn't want to make it my word against his word.

[guitarvc]

Just goes to show you everybody's tastes are different. I too like the originator of this thread own and have owned many great high end and vintage amps. Have had to thin the heard as a result of some financial problems.

Of all the low power amps, I like the Orange Tiny and Dual Terror amps. They just sound more organic and open with great classic rock tones at low volume.

He mentioned he didnt like most Egnater products...neither do I...at least the offshore stuff. The domestic amps have been outstanding for me...versatility and excellent clean and overdrive tones on tap. I have a Mod 50 and it is every bit as good as the Bogners and better than the Boogies I have had.

My favorite lead tone is the Soldano SLO still, but 100 watts in small clubs is just problematic.

I was not impressed with the Jet City amp I have played through, maybe with a better cab it would sound better...it just didnt have that Soldano punch.

Again, all is subjective

[wbm68]

"Guys like Doyle Bramhall II, Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford, Stevie D (Buckcherry) Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow) and quite a few session players and producers have all paid cash money for one (or two or four;-))"

let me pick up those names you just dropped

Hi, thanks for chiming in.
Doyle and Chris Bruce were actually the reason why I was interested in the Reason amps.
Unfortunately I don't play much in arenas. I do agree that the amp fits Chris Bruce very well, a loud, clean amp.
I think from what I have seen that Doyle favors the old school Marshalls though as they seem to better fit his style.

So if the target audience is huge stages and loud and clean, then the Reason SM 50 is great.

I generally do not light bright amps, just a matter of taste. The SM 20 (combo) was much much brighter than the SM 50.

The Bambino did not do it for me. For my taste, I can spend a lot less to get a good low Watt amp that fits my taste. It will probably be a much better fit for someone who plays humbuckers.

I would like to add though, that when I play out with the band I use either my old 50 Watt Boogie, or my custom made hand wired '59 Bassman clone.
So in my situation I have no need for any other amp, but of course I still would want many more.
If I can get a great sounding amp for cheap I can justify to get it, and $300 - $400 is already pushing it for an impulse buy.
Everyone's taste is different, and my goal was really only to give my impressions in the context of using a Strat, which is already a bright guitar, and various amps. As we can see from all the back and forth here, I would really recommend you try amps out before you buy. It is one thing to order a "cheap" Jet City or Tweaker online without trying it, but if you drop $800 on an amp, I'd try it out first. You cannot ever trust YouTube sound clips or any opinions expressed here, including mine of course.

[diagrammatiks]

this was probably the most well informed, not overly caustic run down of a few amps I've ever read here.

Bright amps are bright. Some people really like them or need them.

The offshore egnater stuff is not as good as the mod100.

I liked the bambino though. Nice for power tube distortion. Still need my big iron for preamp distortion.

[Washburnmemphis]

"Guys like Doyle Bramhall II, Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford, Stevie D (Buckcherry) Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow) and quite a few session players and producers have all paid cash money for one (or two or four;-))"

let me pick up those names you just dropped

Hardly name dropping, if he is responding to a statement made by the OP.

[Ekluksdahl]

I have owned all kinds of amps from vintage to modern and nothing has gotten as great of compliments as the Reason Amps. Not to mention the build quality, versatility, portability.... Takes pedals well.... On top of that the customer service is top notch, Reason Amps staff goes out of their way to make sure you are happy with the amps..... I've never been so happy with my tone....

To the gentleman that stated these amps are only voiced clean... I suggest learning more how the stack mode works... I get more than enough saturation and gain even out of single coils or P-90's, not just Humbuckers......sustain and tone for days.... I usually leave it on stack and work the volume knob...

[wbm68]

I have owned all kinds of amps from vintage to modern and nothing has gotten as great of compliments as the Reason Amps. Not to mention the build quality, versatility, portability.... Takes pedals well.... On top of that the customer service is top notch, Reason Amps staff goes out of their way to make sure you are happy with the amps..... I've never been so happy with my tone....

To the gentleman that stated these amps are only voiced clean... I suggest learning more how the stack mode works... I get more than enough saturation and gain even out of single coils or P-90's, not just Humbuckers......sustain and tone for days.... I usually leave it on stack and work the volume knob...

Hmm, I am not sure who you are responding to or what you read.
If you are responding to my posts though, I only said that I DID think the cleans where good and that I DID NOT like the stack mode. I did NOT say the amps are voiced clean. I did NOT say that I did not get enough saturation or sustain. I DID say that I did not like the type of distortion from Stack mode. But that is a matter of taste.
I am sure they are fine amps, but not for my taste. There are a bunch of great amps out there that I simply do not like. E.g. every time I go to the amp show I can strike a bunch of expensive high end amps from my gas list, simply because they are not my taste. That also does not mean they are bad amps, I just like a certain type of tone those amps do not have.

[Ekluksdahl]

Hmm, I am not sure who you are responding to or what you read.
If you are responding to my posts though, I only said that I DID think the cleans where good and that I DID NOT like the stack mode. I did NOT say the amps are voiced clean. I did NOT say that I did not get enough saturation or sustain. I DID say that I did not like the type of distortion from Stack mode. But that is a matter of taste.
I am sure they are fine amps, but not for my taste. There are a bunch of great amps out there that I simply do not like. E.g. every time I go to the amp show I can strike a bunch of expensive high end amps from my gas list, simply because they are not my taste. That also does not mean they are bad amps, I just like a certain type of tone those amps do not have.

I think I took this statement "So if the target audience is huge stages and loud and clean, then the Reason SM 50 is great." as a way of saying that these amps are only voiced clean, or maybe only sound good clean.....apologies....there is a more wide range of tone under the hood of those Reason amps than just "loud and clean" tho.....it can even be achieved at bedroom levels if needed.....

You really need to take another look at those amps again and spend some quality time to find all the tones.....also, what cabs were you using with these amps? Cabs/speakers, heck even the room can make a difference in sound.
I know for a fact I can make ANY tone I want or need to come out of the 2 Bambinos. Jazz with a Hollow body, or marshallesque roar with a strat or les Paul, and everything in between can be dialed in with them....

But yes, this is all a matter of taste and preference, every player has a set of different ears.....but again I have to say that Every Time I play i get compliments on my tone, and people are blown away when they see a small Bambino amp driving a small 1x12 or even a 2x12 or 4x12!!! and I get called back as a result ;)

[macmax77]

The character of the EL84 is unique among tubes. Part of that is just "in the glass", so to speak, but also in part to the phase inverter that is commonly employed in EL84 circuits. It sends EL84s into crossover notch distortion. Some guys love it- Billy Gibbons calles it "swirl." Some guys hate it and call it "fuzzy." Either way, it's pretty tough to compare EL84's to any non EL84 amp...especially when one is fixed and the other is cathode biased.

Incedentally, the SM20 referenced above has a "Harmonics" switch which reconfigures the Phase Inverter to either allow or prevent that characteristic crossover notch. In so doing either even order or odd order harmonics are accentuated...thus the label "Harmonics" on the panel. [one of the glaring differences between the SM20 and SM50, by the way.]

As for the fundamentals of one tube being brighter than another...I dunno. There is a lot that goes into voicing an amp. Either way, if an amp is too bright....turn the freakin tone knob down. Every "bright amp" above (including ours) are capable of getting down right dark.


And at the risk of appearing to be on a rant, let me answer the following:



Guys like Doyle Bramhall II, Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford, Stevie D (Buckcherry) Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow) and quite a few session players and producers have all paid cash money for one (or two or four;-))

To the OP and all else, I'm not pissed. But do you really think that Dr. Z, Bruce Egnater, the guys at Blackstar (and yes, Reason)...released amps with such glaring flaws in their designs? I'm sorry, the above just doesn't ring valid to me.

i think he meant it was his opinion.
I won't play amps (except for a Matchless) that doesn't have 6L6's in it.

It doesn't mean i don't like how other people playing other amps sound, but i prefer 6l6 amps.

Maybe the amps were bright for him as a player.

[wbm68]

I think I took this statement "So if the target audience is huge stages and loud and clean, then the Reason SM 50 is great." as a way of saying that these amps are only voiced clean, or maybe only sound good clean.....apologies....there is a more wide range of tone under the hood of those Reason amps than just "loud and clean" tho.....it can even be achieved at bedroom levels if needed.....

You really need to take another look at those amps again and spend some quality time to find all the tones.....also, what cabs were you using with these amps? Cabs/speakers, heck even the room can make a difference in sound.
I know for a fact I can make ANY tone I want or need to come out of the 2 Bambinos. Jazz with a Hollow body, or marshallesque roar with a strat or les Paul, and everything in between can be dialed in with them....

But yes, this is all a matter of taste and preference, every player has a set of different ears.....but again I have to say that Every Time I play i get compliments on my tone, and people are blown away when they see a small Bambino amp driving a small 1x12 or even a 2x12 or 4x12!!! and I get called back as a result ;)

I used Reason cabs with the Reason heads, a 4x12 for the SM50 and a 1x12 for the Bambino. The SM20 was a combo.
I'll probably look into the SM50 in the future again. Keep in mind, I was looking for/at low Watt and cheap at that time. I spend a good half hour to 45 minutes with the Bambino and maybe 15 minutes on the SM20 and SM50.

I give you an other example. I have been playing (among other amps) Boogie amps for the last 20 years and periodically walk into the Boogie store in Hollywood to check out the new stuff. So far they have not come out with anything that is vastly better than what I already have been using for 20 years, that would justify a costly "upgrade".
But, I plug into e.g. a Mark IV and generally like the tone, I plug into a Rectifier and generally do not like the tone. I plug into a Lonestar (that I really wanted to like) and do not like the general tone. I plug into the Stiletto and was surprised that I did like it. Me not liking some of their amps does in no way mean that MesaBoogie amps are crap. Different amps for different people.

Lastly, you said "I know for a fact I can make ANY tone I want or need to come out of the 2 Bambinos".
I don't doubt that at all, but what you want to hear is probably different than what I want to hear or what the next guy wants to hear, and none of this means, one is necessarily better than the other.

[markbosko]

Why would you call this an amp shootout? It's simply a few miscellaneous comments about some amps the OP played recently.

[wbm68]

Why would you call this an amp shootout? It's simply a few miscellaneous comments about some amps the OP played recently.

I figured if Guitar magazines can call advertisements a review and a bunch of nice amp pics a shootout, then I can in good conscience, call trying out some amps myself a shootout too ;)

[illini]

I have also had the joy of playing all the amps on your list, and disagree with much of your assessments, minus the Savage. I wish the Savage Blitz 50 weren't out of my price range, or I may have owned one years ago. If you have every played a Naylor, to me the Blitz 50 has the creamy mid range of the Naylor combined with the chime of a Fender. Beautiful clean amp that sounds amazing with overdrive pedals.

[57special]

wbm68,
thanks for the review(s).
Fair, but are certainly not blowing smoke up anyone's butt.

[DV52]

Yikes. I get the personal taste thing, but man...i gotta disagree on a few things. No disrepect, but grab a few q-tips - clean your ears out - and try again. =)

I've tried most of these amps myself...i actually own a few Reason amps...and not to be bias (and share my own personal opinions), but they are a lot more versatile than you are giving them credit. They might require a little more tweaking, but that's because those amps have so much versatility...especially in Stackmode. I own an SM50 and, boy that amp is incredible...i've listened to it live at a few Black Crowes shows too...not raspy at all. That amp sings. From super clean, to nice and warm...it can get loud, but when you switch to stack, you can dial it down and get a nice vintage crunch at lower volumes...from classic rock to even modern stuff...if you want extra bright...use the bright pull switch on the normal channel. if you want more mid and low end, try the pull thick switch on the bright channel...lots of options.

i also have a bambino...you really can't find many lunchbox amps out there that compete.

About the only thing i can agree on is the dislike for Egnater...including the Tweaker. Personal opinion again (like everyone else) - it just has no soul. it's lifeless. you can get some decent tones, but it just doesn't have a wow factor.

same with Jet City. if you are sitting in a Guitar Center listening to that amp...i can't help but lose respect..first for being in GC (haha)...second for comparing it to a Marshall JCM800...

anywho...thanks for sharing your opinions...not everyone can agree...i just thought i would chime in and share my thoughts as well.

Everyone needs to listen to these amps themselves and make their own personal judgements. I can almost guarantee, everyone's ears and tonal likes and dislikes are different.
If he does't live near Fatsaounds or other highend places just where is he to go to look at amps???????

[JimRac]

If he does't live near Fatsaounds or other highend places just where is he to go to look at amps???????

I get your point, but I suspect the OP wasn't trying these amps in GC.

He's in Los Angeles, my guess is the shootout was at True Tone Music in Santa Monica. I was there a few weeks ago - (and bought a Bambino!) -they carry Reason, Dr. Z, and a lot of other cool high end stuff.

Jim

[DV52]

I get your point, but I suspect the OP wasn't trying these amps in GC.

He's in Los Angeles, my guess is the shootout was at True Tone Music in Santa Monica. I was there a few weeks ago - (and bought a Bambino!) -they carry Reason, Dr. Z, and a lot of other cool high end stuff.

Jim
Well I should have looked at his profile.And Dakotajones as well .congrats on your new amp,enjoy.

[wbm68]

I am not sure what difference it makes where one tries out an amp. E.g. the Tweaker sounded better in the huge sales room at Guitar Center than in the small guest room at the Van Nuys amp show.
Some Guitar Centers also have their own "boutique" room where they put e.g. their PRS amps and consignment stuff. Amps sound pretty good in there as one can really turn all the way up and the rooms are large with a good room tone.

The Dr. Z, Reason and Savage amps I did try out at Truetone.
Only the Dr. Z was in their tiny "sound room", the rest was in their regular sales room. Luckily I went during off time on a weekday in the morning and could probably get away with a lot more time and volume than on a weekend.

But there are a bunch of places all over LA where one could - and I did - try out all kinds of amps like Mojave, Carr, Divided by 13, Friedman, Bogner, Soldano, etc. etc.
I try to make a round at least every 2 month to keep up with new stuff. Besides, my taste does change too over time.

[DV52]

Enjoy your quest for tone .Thats half the fun.I agree that where you look is not the point enjoy the search.

[JimRac]

I am not sure what difference it makes where one tries out an amp.

Agreed.

I try to make a round at least every 2 month to keep up with new stuff.

Sounds like fun! ;)

[Ekluksdahl]

True, by your comments we do have different ears. But again, I go back to saying that these Reason Amps have gotten great comments and reviews by producers, and pro players.

As a full time working guitarist, my tone is crucial for the job, whether it be in the studio recording for someone, or playing live with other people. After playing through Matchless, Bad Cats, MESA, Fender, and Marshalls, these amps are the best for tonal versatility for what I do, which can range from high gain sounds to warm bluesy sounds, to country sounds.... With all kinds of guitars. I've had nothing but compliments.... That to me says that it's not just "my ears" that are enjoying the sounds.

I just got word that Peter Stroud, the owner of 65 Amps loves these Reason Amps, and Brad Whitford is now endorsing these amps too.

Which 1x12 cab were you running with the Bambinos? The Grande 1x12 cab sounds a lot better than the small bambino Cab...also, as I said these amps will push a 4x12 and sound even bigger....

I wish you luck on your quest for the tone you are looking for. Out of curiosity, what kin of sounds are you looking for??




I used Reason cabs with the Reason heads, a 4x12 for the SM50 and a 1x12 for the Bambino. The SM20 was a combo.
I'll probably look into the SM50 in the future again. Keep in mind, I was looking for/at low Watt and cheap at that time. I spend a good half hour to 45 minutes with the Bambino and maybe 15 minutes on the SM20 and SM50.

I give you an other example. I have been playing (among other amps) Boogie amps for the last 20 years and periodically walk into the Boogie store in Hollywood to check out the new stuff. So far they have not come out with anything that is vastly better than what I already have been using for 20 years, that would justify a costly "upgrade".
But, I plug into e.g. a Mark IV and generally like the tone, I plug into a Rectifier and generally do not like the tone. I plug into a Lonestar (that I really wanted to like) and do not like the general tone. I plug into the Stiletto and was surprised that I did like it. Me not liking some of their amps does in no way mean that MesaBoogie amps are crap. Different amps for different people.

Lastly, you said "I know for a fact I can make ANY tone I want or need to come out of the 2 Bambinos".
I don't doubt that at all, but what you want to hear is probably different than what I want to hear or what the next guy wants to hear, and none of this means, one is necessarily better than the other.

[wbm68]

True, by your comments we do have different ears. But again, I go back to saying that these Reason Amps have gotten great comments and reviews by producers, and pro players.

As a full time working guitarist, my tone is crucial for the job, whether it be in the studio recording for someone, or playing live with other people. After playing through Matchless, Bad Cats, MESA, Fender, and Marshalls, these amps are the best for tonal versatility for what I do, which can range from high gain sounds to warm bluesy sounds, to country sounds.... With all kinds of guitars. I've had nothing but compliments.... That to me says that it's not just "my ears" that are enjoying the sounds.

I just got word that Peter Stroud, the owner of 65 Amps loves these Reason Amps, and Brad Whitford is now endorsing these amps too.

Which 1x12 cab were you running with the Bambinos? The Grande 1x12 cab sounds a lot better than the small bambino Cab...also, as I said these amps will push a 4x12 and sound even bigger....

I wish you luck on your quest for the tone you are looking for. Out of curiosity, what kin of sounds are you looking for??

Hi, endorsements by other people mean nothing to me. I am not them and who knows why they have those endorsements and what they really play/drink/wear. I mean that generally speaking, not limited to musical equipment. Look at Nike and Pepsi etc.

I went to GIT Hollywood in 1989 and the one thing that stuck out to me most was, that tone is 90% in the hands. I was sitting every week for a few hours with Bruce Bouillet from Racer X, and no matter what amp or guitar he played, his tone was amazing and he sounded like Bruce Bouillet.
Same with Paul Gilbert, Scott Henderson, Paul Hanson, Steve Trovato etc.
All of them had not good, but great tone through cheap solid state piece of crap Peavey amps.

So what am I looking for? Something that reacts to pick attack, cleans up well, works with Fuzz pedals and is not bright. I have what I need already, for me it's about nuances. My 59 Bassman covers the Blues stuff and my Boogie the rock/metal stuff. Now the Jet City covers my easy to carry around and it won't kill me if it breaks need.

[solitaire]

Call me daft but something tells me the speakers are equally important factors to why one would like or dislike an amplifier. What speakers did you use with these amps?

[wbm68]

Call me daft but something tells me the speakers are equally important factors to why one would like or dislike an amplifier. What speakers did you use with these amps?

If you read the thread you'll know ;)

[solitaire]

If you read the thread you'll know ;)
Hm... may have missed that somewhere in the subjectivity debate, I guess. :)

Edit: Nope, can't find it. Must be in my blind spot. ;) You do mention the cab here and there, but not the drivers from what I can see.

[wbm68]

Hm... may have missed that somewhere in the subjectivity debate, I guess. :)

Edit: Nope, can't find it. Must be in my blind spot. ;) You do mention the cab here and there, but not the drivers from what I can see.

First post etc:
I played it with a Strat and 65Amps cab. Dr. Z
Reason was as 4x12 Reason cab for SM50
The SM20 was a combo
The Bambino with the Bambino cab (1x12)
Cornford Combo
Savage Combo
Egnater with Egnater 1x12 cab at GC and 4x12 cabs at amp show
Blackstar with the Blackstar cabs that make the mini stack
Jet City with a 2x12 JetCity cab

But I do agree that a lot plays into it to get the last 10% right.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Hmm the only thing I can comment on it I thought the Dr. Z Remedy sounded really good. It took about 2 seconds to blend the two master volumes to arrive at a balanced warm tone. Maybe the OP had some crappy tubes in it. :)

[illini]

Part of the issue seems to be the OP was looking for a small amp that will sound dark with a strat. Lincoln Brewster has one of the warmest strat tones I know of, and he needs to keep his tone knob at 6 to accomplish it.

[Ekluksdahl]

we can go back and forth all day long....obviously what sounds good to you may not sound good to me and vice versa that's A OK.....

I too went to GIT in 2002 and I completely agree about the hands statement....while the instructors sounded great with the little solid state Fenders in the practice rooms, they sounded SUPERB with their real amps when they did the teacher jams and master classes.....you can't deny that...and yes, every one of them had different amps, and therefore different tastes. But all sounded great....

In the end of this, I am still a proud member of the Reason family and will continue to look forward to playing their amps each and every day....

Hi, endorsements by other people mean nothing to me. I am not them and who knows why they have those endorsements and what they really play/drink/wear. I mean that generally speaking, not limited to musical equipment. Look at Nike and Pepsi etc.

I went to GIT Hollywood in 1989 and the one thing that stuck out to me most was, that tone is 90% in the hands. I was sitting every week for a few hours with Bruce Bouillet from Racer X, and no matter what amp or guitar he played, his tone was amazing and he sounded like Bruce Bouillet.
Same with Paul Gilbert, Scott Henderson, Paul Hanson, Steve Trovato etc.
All of them had not good, but great tone through cheap solid state piece of crap Peavey amps.

So what am I looking for? Something that reacts to pick attack, cleans up well, works with Fuzz pedals and is not bright. I have what I need already, for me it's about nuances. My 59 Bassman covers the Blues stuff and my Boogie the rock/metal stuff. Now the Jet City covers my easy to carry around and it won't kill me if it breaks need.

[RRClassic]

I have also had the joy of playing all the amps on your list, and disagree with much of your assessments, minus the Savage. I wish the Savage Blitz 50 weren't out of my price range, or I may have owned one years ago. If you have every played a Naylor, to me the Blitz 50 has the creamy mid range of the Naylor combined with the chime of a Fender. Beautiful clean amp that sounds amazing with overdrive pedals.


It might be stated somewhere else in this post but he who designed the Naylor SD is Danny Russell of Blitz amps. I give you props for consistent taste. There is not a better amp than the Naylors for Rock....I am sure the Blitz amps are as good!!

[myaudiodna]

Part of the issue seems to be the OP was looking for a small amp that will sound dark with a strat. Lincoln Brewster has one of the warmest strat tones I know of, and he needs to keep his tone knob at 6 to accomplish it.

Not to mention Lincoln uses a pod x3 for his live sound. Best pod tone I've ever heard.

[illini]

Not to mention Lincoln uses a pod x3 for his live sound. Best pod tone I've ever heard.

It really is jaw dropping. (Someone needs to find a good jaw dropping face to add to the "Smilies" list :D)

[MRscratch]

Hmm the only thing I can comment on it I thought the Dr. Z Remedy sounded really good. It took about 2 seconds to blend the two master volumes to arrive at a balanced warm tone. Maybe the OP had some crappy tubes in it. :)i agree. i had a remedy for a while, and nothing bright about it! it sounded amazing to me. a plexi ish circuit with 6v6. amazing amp.

[Alex Law]

My Remedy can be dialed in to be bright, dark, and anything in between. You said it was the only amp you played in a small room, maybe that was a contributing factor. It's a very loud amp. If I have it in my living room it's a joy to play. If in a smaller room, yeah I find it harsh! :) I think it's the punch and the clarity bouncing off the walls making my brain rattle.

Speakers obviously make a difference, too. I far prefer the Remedy with the Z-Best/Heritage Greenbacks I ended up with rather than the Z 1x12 w/V30s I tried for a couple of days.

[Bucktone]

I'll probably look into the SM50 in the future again. Keep in mind, I was looking for/at low Watt and cheap at that time. I spend a good half hour to 45 minutes with the Bambino and maybe 15 minutes on the SM20 and SM50.



Not trying to argue here, just making a needed statement. I have owned my reason sm25 for over a year I feel like I am finding new tones each time I play the amp. The bright and normal channels are pretty straight forward, but stackmode really takes time to understand how each section contributes to the overall tone of the amp.

15 minutes between the sm20 and sm50 (I have played them all) is not enough time to evaluate the normal and bright channels, not to mention the seemingly infinite tones on stackmode. I would urge you to spend a good hour playing with stackmode. It also helps if there is a salesman in store that is very familiar with the amps and can share his knowledge

[Mattbedrock]

A shootout isn't a shootout without clips.

:clips

Just saying ...

[wedewer]

I used to have a Remedy and it far from a dark amp. Like a lot of plexis, you need to turn the bass down. I used to run the bass about 9 o clock. Then turn the mids up to around 1 oclock. That amp was thick and woody. I actually regret selling it, big time.

What kind of speakers were you running it through?

[soulcactus]

Tone is all subjective:) Everyone hears things differently, it's all good. Not everyone has to hear or feel it the same way, this is America right? Land of freewill and all of that good nonsense:)
Does anyone know if the Bambino or Bambino Grande is Fixed Bias? Or does it need to be rebiased when replacing tubes....does not say on Reasons Website. Any help would be hot.
Thank you.
Soulcactus Larry