Many people don't realise how loud half a watt actually is. It's definitely not loud enough to compete with a drummer, but it can get louder than most people play when they're playing at home by themselves.
@@d0nniebr00ke7 I've never been to a venue where the engineer hasn't asked me to turn it down. It's usually running at less than 12 o'clock on the master which is still plenty loud enough to be heard over the drummer on stage. The cab is miced so FOH volume is as loud as you want. If you're not micing the cab then it's not going to be loud enough for anything but the smallest venues.
I'd say for the price, it's still very hard to beat the PRS MT15. The clean channel is good, the boosted clean channel is great. The lead flavor is devastating. With a cheap Harley Benton G212plus Creamback loaded cab, it's nearly impossible to fuck it up. I do run an MXR Smartgate with the lead channel at all times. The thing I've enjoyed the most is the versatility. It does everything I need in a tube amp. Katana 212's do everything else.
The MT15 is a terrific amp. Both channels are very musical. I also love the Revv. I use a D25 combo myself and I’m thinking about picking up the G20, although I’m not much of a high gain guy
I have a Mark V 25 and I love it - four years into owning it and I’m still finding new tones. The EQ being channel assignable and individual reverb knobs are both incredible features
The Mesa Boogie Mark Five:25 runs $1599. The Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister Deluxe 40 runs $1479. I’d buy the Victory VX Kraken MKII 50 for $1549 or the Bogner Atma for $1889
I was looking at the MT15 or Rocker 15 a couple years ago and ended up getting the Rocker. The MT15 has a better distortion channel if you want a real high gain lead, while the Rocker 15 is more of that classic rock gain to me. With a decent pedal I can get into that territory though. I liked the clean channel on the Orange better and being an at home player any more, the volume on the distortion channel was much easier to control. The MT15 volume is very twitchy, which is typical for these lower wattage amps, but it just seemed to be much more hair trigger than the Rocker. If I was gigging still and couldn't mic the cabinet or go direct I wouldn't bother with any of these. Also note that the Orange doesn't come with a footswitch so you have to buy that extra.
I can't believe so many pros have slept on the Boogie 5:25 - I have had one for years and it is awesome and was why ahead of its time. The only downside for me is the Cab Clone as its just not up to standard of modern tech, but, that's the only downfall...
You take a 25 watt amp and try and keep up with a drummer and a rhythm section pushing 111dbs. Your not gonna have any head room. Everything will be on 11 and boosted....just get a 100 watter and an attenuator.....
For real 😮 those things sound terrible even at low volume for room practice cause they just don't have it. Even newbies don't keep them long before they actually get a real amp ! But you say these are great amps 😮 quote "great tones" I don't think so
Strongly disagree. I’ve had an MT15 and it’s been a dream to own for someone who is mostly a gearhead/bedroom guitarist. The MT15 was loud AF when I first got it so I bought a relatively cheap attenuator and now at low volume the tone is 98% as good as no attenuation. I wouldn’t dismiss these so quickly.
![Jared James Nichols Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour [2023]](/img/1.gif)
Shop the Amps:
PRS MT15 - sweetwater.sjv.io/JzG9kN
Hughes and Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 - sweetwater.sjv.io/zNEAz7
Orange Rocker 15 Terror - sweetwater.sjv.io/WqnZOn
Mesa/Boogie Mark Five: 25 Head - sweetwater.sjv.io/EKmL0n
Peavey Invective.MH Mini Head - sweetwater.sjv.io/zNEAyx
Revv G20 - sweetwater.sjv.io/bax6k6
Many people don't realise how loud half a watt actually is. It's definitely not loud enough to compete with a drummer, but it can get louder than most people play when they're playing at home by themselves.
Melt your ear wax pretty quick.
5 to 15 tube watts are gig Worthy with an average hitting drummer in a small club.. 30 to 50 watt solid state about equal volume
The MT15 is a monster of an amp, it’s more like 25 watts. I use this with a Marshall 4x12 cab. And it’s awesome…
🎸🤓🙏🗽🌎☮️🥓
You missed one. Orange OR15. I run mine through a 4x12. It’s huge. 🤘
I've had one for over 10 years and never needed anything bigger. Used it in 500-1000 cap venues.
@@d0nniebr00ke7 I've never been to a venue where the engineer hasn't asked me to turn it down. It's usually running at less than 12 o'clock on the master which is still plenty loud enough to be heard over the drummer on stage. The cab is miced so FOH volume is as loud as you want.
If you're not micing the cab then it's not going to be loud enough for anything but the smallest venues.
I used to have the Orange Rocker 15 Terror. Great little amp especially the clean channel as a pedal platform!👍🏾
I'd say for the price, it's still very hard to beat the PRS MT15. The clean channel is good, the boosted clean channel is great. The lead flavor is devastating. With a cheap Harley Benton G212plus Creamback loaded cab, it's nearly impossible to fuck it up. I do run an MXR Smartgate with the lead channel at all times. The thing I've enjoyed the most is the versatility. It does everything I need in a tube amp. Katana 212's do everything else.
The MT15 is a terrific amp. Both channels are very musical.
I also love the Revv. I use a D25 combo myself and I’m thinking about picking up the G20, although I’m not much of a high gain guy
Just got the Mesa Boogie Mark Five:25!!! Love it!!
I have a Mark V 25 and I love it - four years into owning it and I’m still finding new tones. The EQ being channel assignable and individual reverb knobs are both incredible features
The Mesa Boogie Mark Five:25 runs $1599. The Hughes & Kettner Grandmeister Deluxe 40 runs $1479.
I’d buy the Victory VX Kraken MKII 50 for $1549 or the Bogner Atma for $1889
I came for Butwin. Stayed for the amps!😊
I was looking at the MT15 or Rocker 15 a couple years ago and ended up getting the Rocker. The MT15 has a better distortion channel if you want a real high gain lead, while the Rocker 15 is more of that classic rock gain to me. With a decent pedal I can get into that territory though. I liked the clean channel on the Orange better and being an at home player any more, the volume on the distortion channel was much easier to control. The MT15 volume is very twitchy, which is typical for these lower wattage amps, but it just seemed to be much more hair trigger than the Rocker. If I was gigging still and couldn't mic the cabinet or go direct I wouldn't bother with any of these. Also note that the Orange doesn't come with a footswitch so you have to buy that extra.
Thanks for a great review!
I’ve had the GM 40. Great amp.
What about another category: Lunchbox Combo Amps (not practice amps). Examples: Vox VX50GTV, ZT Lunchbox Reverb.
I love the heft that the Mesa sound has
And the Marshall dsl20hr?
Cool review. I love these types of amps.
Missed one, 5150iii LBX-S very affordable used.
Great overview Tom. When did you hook up with Premier Guitar ? Congrats. Big fan if your channel as well.
MH = Mini Head
That was a funny moment 😅
The gain is NOT a volume knob.
@@haroldcory3587 dang it , I’ve been using it all wrong! 🍻
Look for a used Carvin V3m. Tons of tone in a small package, switchable from 50w/7w.
Sure wish a 'bucker equipped guitar had been used for sound clips as well as single coil
I can't believe so many pros have slept on the Boogie 5:25 - I have had one for years and it is awesome and was why ahead of its time. The only downside for me is the Cab Clone as its just not up to standard of modern tech, but, that's the only downfall...
I wish you had included the Vox MV50 AC.
You didn’t even play the lead channel of the invective mh 🤔
I paid $400 for a small Marshal with a headphone jack.
New.
Why do they all sound just fuzzy and muddy on the high gain modes?
EQ or volume. I have the MT15, and it does not sound fuzzy or muddy.
@@Alfgunnarp Because the demo’er for some strange reason, is using the neck pickup while using the high gain options. Beats me why…
High gain is a bit fiddly to me. The only high gain amp I’ve ever heard that is nearly foolproof is the SLO30
Dude I just noticed your last name. My apologies...
You take a 25 watt amp and try and keep up with a drummer and a rhythm section pushing 111dbs. Your not gonna have any head room. Everything will be on 11 and boosted....just get a 100 watter and an attenuator.....
That’s what mics and DI are for.
However, the Ironman II is tailor made for cranking the crud out of any amp.
First comment
Crappy amp.
For real 😮 those things sound terrible even at low volume for room practice cause they just don't have it. Even newbies don't keep them long before they actually get a real amp ! But you say these are great amps 😮 quote "great tones" I don't think so
Strongly disagree. I’ve had an MT15 and it’s been a dream to own for someone who is mostly a gearhead/bedroom guitarist. The MT15 was loud AF when I first got it so I bought a relatively cheap attenuator and now at low volume the tone is 98% as good as no attenuation. I wouldn’t dismiss these so quickly.
And real amp, please, MT15 has two 6l6 power tubes and 6 preamp tubes.