I just bought one of these (yup, in 2020) and I love it. Thanks for your video, love the honesty and the accent (I have been to Scotland twice and dearly love it). Cheers!
My son gave me one of these for my birthday a couple of years ago, I like it a lot, I use it to practice, compose and record ideas. However, the clean sounds are a bit weak, the distorted ones are good but I use it with low gain and putting a distortion pedal in front, very satisfactory, responds very similar to a tube amp, the hall reverb is amazing!
My little amp fell from a high drawer and shattered all of its internal plastic joints... But I didn't give up and welded it back in one piece. Amazing little amp!
Nice review so thanks- a breath of fresh air when compared to the ubiquitous shred-fests. Your review tells me that it's basically no different from a MicroCube (other than a second loudspeaker and some dandy internal lamps!) I would still like one, but you've saved me some money!
As a person who happens to own a MicroCube for almost 12 years (it was gifted to me) I can say that`s the most horrible amp I`ve ever had and Yamaha is a gift from gods in comparision with it. Try it live, if you can. Get rid of a MicroCube...if you can as well. Noone wants to buy it
Anti Phase- I own about half a dozen amps and I guess I'll just have to count my blessings. Not much wrong with a Microcube in my view. I'll tell you what is junk: the Yamaha AA5. Fair enough it was intended to be used with their Silent Guitar range, but it's still junk (again; in my view, YMMV etc.) I have three of those (not included in the half dozen). They're well constructed junk. Is all. I'm pleased you are happy with the THR5. If'n I had the spare folding green beer tokens, I'd give one a go, but I don't.
Dippy Hippy i didn't say i'm happy with it. I just literally don't understand how it can sound on the same level as microcube for someone. Out of curiousity , what kind of other amps do you have?
Anti Phase; Hi again: I have two Yamaha G100-112 (series 2), the three AA5 amps. A Session 15-30 valve/tube amp, A Sessionette 75watts (first series), a Session Rockette (20watts) a Tech21 Trademark 10 (10 watts) and a Hiwatt B20 solid state bass amp (20 watts) I used to own a 1960s Vox AC30 and a Wem Dominator bass 15 watts, both very sadly missed. I think that's everything. What do you own?
Anti Phase; a decent backline there... The two Yamaha G100-112s have a good reputation amongst those in the know. Others deprecate them for poor distortion. I set up a Tubescreamer TS808 on rhe clean channel and set the distortion channel to match. Result- no difference at all. Says it all really. I think they were amongst the very earliest mos-fet guitar amps. The Sessionette was a very famous amp, restricted only by cabinet volume- it really showed what transistors can do in the hands of a skilled engineer as opposed to accountant ruled box shifters. The Session 15-30 valve amp was in effect one of the earliest "boutique" amps, abandoned to concentrate on the Sessionette. Only 400-ish 15-30s were made. I traded my AC30 for that, and as good as it is, I've always regretted the deal. A shop in Camden, north London gave me £90 for it in part exchange. Hmmm... Best we don't start on guitars!!!
I tried a THR10. Very impressive sound. This sounds very similar, if a little quieter. I think the gain was a bit more hasty on the 10, overdriving the sound a little earlier. However, I think the Blackstar ID:Core 10 and 20 (the latter which I ended up buying) has slightly better effects and the addition of what they call "super wide stereo" and so is slightly better value. Though I wouldn't refuse one of these if offered. I do like the sound of your Epiphone. I may invest in some flatwound strings myself in the near future. Thank you for, as usual, a very informative and balanced review.
But the thr5a.is.for.acoustic. Should.be.netter for.classical, acoistic and.resonator than the thr10 and blackstar, no? Thanks.anyone for input, I'm looking for this kind.of.amp.for.home.studio.
I tend to play classical finger style using my thumb as the bass player and the roughness of round wound strings gets uncomfortable after half an hour or so.
Many thank for this great review! Could you tell me, could I use it for monitoring too? I see, using the speaker ( as monitoring) and the phone output in same time?
Hi John, Your video is so helpful. I have learned online that the Yamaha THR10 is a terrific amp for home use too. I am only going to be playing at home. Do you think the Yamaha THR5 is powerful enough compared to the THR10? I like the cheaper price of the smaller one. I’ve also learned that the Vox adio air gt is also very good in the home. It’s more money again. It’s 50w compared to 10w in the Yamaha THR5. I have a Vox pathfinder15 now and a MIM Fender Strat guitar. They don’t sound good at all so with all that in mind what do you think? I noticed you answer people that post. That’s awesome!! Sincerely, Dawn
Hello Dawn, I have never had to push the Yamaha above half volume so unless the THR10 has a feature that you value I would advise you to go for the 5. As for your overall sound quality, I have found that the amp is 60% and the guitar only 40%. Hope that helps.
Hi John - how is this for an acoustic? I'm thinking of this for electric and acoustic, rather than getting the 5A amp which is designed specifically for acoustic. Thanks, Giles (from Glasgow!)
Hi again John (have just been cruising your channel and spotted this upload which I'd not seen before). I've just ordered a THR5A amp - in fact it will arrive today. As the 'A' suggests, it's designed specifically for acoustic instruments. Although not quite as good as the usual demo uploads from PMT (rather too much unnecessary fiddling with visuals), this demo does clearly show how all but one of the mic-model settings sounds. There is an additional setting for clean electric, but that isn't demo'd here. ruclips.net/video/dE-u4JmoVwo/видео.html
Hi I bought a used thr10x last week and im thinking it may have too much gain for me. I've been looking at the thr10 or thr10ii. What's the difference between the Thr5 and the thr10 is it only the separate aux volume knob? Thank you
Yeah that’s true...the thr10 is difficult to get new, at least I can’t find one in the uk, used ones are at least £150..the thr10ii is on bax at £259..but no batteries, plastic casing....but then you get every amp sound, but do I need that? I wanted the thr10 over the thr5 because of the separate volume knob for aux, but then I can use my iPod/phone volume button...the flat, aco and bass option are on the thr10 ..would I even use that?
Hi! I'm a beginner/average player and I just bought my first electric guitar. I'm looking for a decent bedroom amp with some built-in effects in it to play around. Would THR5 do the job? Or should I look for something like Boss Katana 50? I don't want the amp to be too loud since I'm playing pretty much only at home. Nevertheless it would be nice if it was capable to produce decent volumes when needed. Suggestions? :/
For the house the Yamaha is perfect but if you want to play in a public room such as a cafe or church hall then 40 Watts + is required. Should you be so foolish as to want to play with a drummer then double that. I would avoid Marshall and Roland amps as both can be plagued with unwanted noise and clicks. Peavey are good.
Low production quality and well spoken. Now this is a review I can trust.
Instablaster...
Although I do not need one of these, I have been looking for a reason to buy one.
After your demo i'm gonna get it!
Thanks John
I love this guys accent!! As well as his guitar playing of course...
Clapton's cousin
I just bought one of these (yup, in 2020) and I love it. Thanks for your video, love the honesty and the accent (I have been to Scotland twice and dearly love it). Cheers!
Glad it was helpful!
My son gave me one of these for my birthday a couple of years ago, I like it a lot, I use it to practice, compose and record ideas. However, the clean sounds are a bit weak, the distorted ones are good but I use it with low gain and putting a distortion pedal in front, very satisfactory, responds very similar to a tube amp, the hall reverb is amazing!
SO useful, thank you. First amp I’ve ever owned and I hadn’t been making the most of it.
My little amp fell from a high drawer and shattered all of its internal plastic joints... But I didn't give up and welded it back in one piece. Amazing little amp!
That is reassuring.
Nice review so thanks- a breath of fresh air when compared to the ubiquitous shred-fests. Your review tells me that it's basically no different from a MicroCube (other than a second loudspeaker and some dandy internal lamps!) I would still like one, but you've saved me some money!
As a person who happens to own a MicroCube for almost 12 years (it was gifted to me) I can say that`s the most horrible amp I`ve ever had and Yamaha is a gift from gods in comparision with it. Try it live, if you can. Get rid of a MicroCube...if you can as well. Noone wants to buy it
Anti Phase- I own about half a dozen amps and I guess I'll just have to count my blessings. Not much wrong with a Microcube in my view. I'll tell you what is junk: the Yamaha AA5. Fair enough it was intended to be used with their Silent Guitar range, but it's still junk (again; in my view, YMMV etc.) I have three of those (not included in the half dozen). They're well constructed junk. Is all. I'm pleased you are happy with the THR5. If'n I had the spare folding green beer tokens, I'd give one a go, but I don't.
Dippy Hippy i didn't say i'm happy with it. I just literally don't understand how it can sound on the same level as microcube for someone. Out of curiousity , what kind of other amps do you have?
Anti Phase; Hi again: I have two Yamaha G100-112 (series 2), the three AA5 amps. A Session 15-30 valve/tube amp, A Sessionette 75watts (first series), a Session Rockette (20watts) a Tech21 Trademark 10 (10 watts) and a Hiwatt B20 solid state bass amp (20 watts) I used to own a 1960s Vox AC30 and a Wem Dominator bass 15 watts, both very sadly missed. I think that's everything. What do you own?
Anti Phase; a decent backline there... The two Yamaha G100-112s have a good reputation amongst those in the know. Others deprecate them for poor distortion. I set up a Tubescreamer TS808 on rhe clean channel and set the distortion channel to match. Result- no difference at all. Says it all really. I think they were amongst the very earliest mos-fet guitar amps. The Sessionette was a very famous amp, restricted only by cabinet volume- it really showed what transistors can do in the hands of a skilled engineer as opposed to accountant ruled box shifters. The Session 15-30 valve amp was in effect one of the earliest "boutique" amps, abandoned to concentrate on the Sessionette. Only 400-ish 15-30s were made. I traded my AC30 for that, and as good as it is, I've always regretted the deal. A shop in Camden, north London gave me £90 for it in part exchange. Hmmm...
Best we don't start on guitars!!!
Very nice review, thanks John
You made me want one! As always great review. Thanks!
Yamaha really nail it.and excelent demonstration
I tried a THR10. Very impressive sound. This sounds very similar, if a little quieter. I think the gain was a bit more hasty on the 10, overdriving the sound a little earlier. However, I think the Blackstar ID:Core 10 and 20 (the latter which I ended up buying) has slightly better effects and the addition of what they call "super wide stereo" and so is slightly better value. Though I wouldn't refuse one of these if offered.
I do like the sound of your Epiphone. I may invest in some flatwound strings myself in the near future.
Thank you for, as usual, a very informative and balanced review.
But the thr5a.is.for.acoustic. Should.be.netter for.classical, acoistic and.resonator than the thr10 and blackstar, no? Thanks.anyone for input, I'm looking for this kind.of.amp.for.home.studio.
That is a nice sounding amp! Thanks for taking the time to demo it! Quick question, do you prefer flat strings over round? And why? Thanks again!
I tend to play classical finger style using my thumb as the bass player and the roughness of round wound strings gets uncomfortable after half an hour or so.
Great review, I love mine.
The 5w version is definitely loud enough to play in a small cafe - seriously.
Thanks. I just ordered mine.
Many thank for this great review! Could you tell me, could I use it for monitoring too? I see, using the speaker ( as monitoring) and the phone output in same time?
I cannot see any reason why it would not work.
@@JohnCouplandguitar many thanks!
That's quite nice, however I keep wondering: why demo this with the Tone knob at the very minimum?
I tend to forget it is there because it does not make any appreciable difference.
can pedals be plugged into this amp--pedals like strymon big sky and strymon cloudburst?
Yes, just a simple guitar to peddle, peddle to amp.
okay thnx!
Hi John, Your video is so helpful. I have learned online that the Yamaha THR10 is a terrific amp for home use too. I am only going to be playing at home. Do you think the Yamaha THR5 is powerful enough compared to the THR10? I like the cheaper price of the smaller one. I’ve also learned that the Vox adio air gt is also very good in the home. It’s more money again. It’s 50w compared to 10w in the Yamaha THR5. I have a Vox pathfinder15 now and a MIM Fender Strat guitar. They don’t sound good at all so with all that in mind what do you think? I noticed you answer people that post. That’s awesome!! Sincerely, Dawn
Hello Dawn, I have never had to push the Yamaha above half volume so unless the THR10 has a feature that you value I would advise you to go for the 5. As for your overall sound quality, I have found that the amp is 60% and the guitar only 40%. Hope that helps.
John Coupland Hi John, I’m going to buy it today! Problem solved. Thank you soooo much!!! I’m so happy I found you!
Hi John - how is this for an acoustic? I'm thinking of this for electric and acoustic, rather than getting the 5A amp which is designed specifically for acoustic. Thanks, Giles (from Glasgow!)
It works well with a classical and pretty good with an acoustic.
@@JohnCouplandguitar thanks for that
John what do you think of a Black star bass amp vs a ibanez bass amp which is better?
Sorry Julia but I have not tried either of them.
Hi John, smashing reviewing as always!
I was wondering what it sounds like through headphones? Quite often the headphone out sound is awful!
The HP sound is very good. In fact quite hypnotic with a ton of reverb and some chorus.
John Coupland marvellous....i better start saving the pennies!
Okay, so taken me a while, but have one now, and I love it. Remarkable amp in such a tiny shell.
Once again, thanks so much for the brill review
10 watts John. 5 per channel.
Is it not 10 watt?
Perhaps on paper but not to my ears.
Does it work with mutlifx processor?
I cannot see any reason why not.
@@JohnCouplandguitar so you play on clean channel since thr5 doesnt have flat mode?
Whatever amp you use will colour the sound of your guitar. In fact in many ways the amp is more important than the guitar itself.
How well does it takes pedals?
No problems with the one pedal I possess, an Ashton Tube amp simulator overdrive pedal.
Thank you!
Hi again John (have just been cruising your channel and spotted this upload which I'd not seen before). I've just ordered a THR5A amp - in fact it will arrive today. As the 'A' suggests, it's designed specifically for acoustic instruments.
Although not quite as good as the usual demo uploads from PMT (rather too much unnecessary fiddling with visuals), this demo does clearly show how all but one of the mic-model settings sounds. There is an additional setting for clean electric, but that isn't demo'd here.
ruclips.net/video/dE-u4JmoVwo/видео.html
Hi I bought a used thr10x last week and im thinking it may have too much gain for me. I've been looking at the thr10 or thr10ii. What's the difference between the Thr5 and the thr10 is it only the separate aux volume knob? Thank you
Hi Julie, The new THR10ii handles acoustic guitar and bass plus you can store your own presets.
Thanks.. Is the thr10 a better buy over the Thr5?
@@julierobson2569 Yes but only if your bank balance agrees.
Yeah that’s true...the thr10 is difficult to get new, at least I can’t find one in the uk, used ones are at least £150..the thr10ii is on bax at £259..but no batteries, plastic casing....but then you get every amp sound, but do I need that? I wanted the thr10 over the thr5 because of the separate volume knob for aux, but then I can use my iPod/phone volume button...the flat, aco and bass option are on the thr10 ..would I even use that?
Hi! I'm a beginner/average player and I just bought my first electric guitar. I'm looking for a decent bedroom amp with some built-in effects in it to play around. Would THR5 do the job? Or should I look for something like Boss Katana 50? I don't want the amp to be too loud since I'm playing pretty much only at home. Nevertheless it would be nice if it was capable to produce decent volumes when needed. Suggestions? :/
For the house the Yamaha is perfect but if you want to play in a public room such as a cafe or church hall then 40 Watts + is required. Should you be so foolish as to want to play with a drummer then double that. I would avoid Marshall and Roland amps as both can be plagued with unwanted noise and clicks. Peavey are good.
Is there a preamp line out?
No, just the headphone socket.
Can probably find a original micro Cube for 30 quid
Congratulations.
*Plays "Rock out emote"*
Shreck?
Shush. Don't tell.
sounds like billy connaly
Same city!
who knew Billy Connelly was doing stuff for yamaha - - -hah !
Same town!