Best Small Guitar Amps: Pros, Cons, And Must-haves!

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  • Опубликовано: 27 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 148

  • @jesuspologuitar
    @jesuspologuitar Месяц назад +8

    I love your phrasing, style and approach to the guitar. Amazing and cool. Thanks a lot for sharing all your knowledge

  • @alanschwartz4047
    @alanschwartz4047 Месяц назад +6

    Shane-I'm Alan, an nyc session guitarist-hey man, everything I need to know about ya is in that solo at the front of this video. That was the best guitar playing I've heard on RUclips, Just beautiful man... I recently got a 65 non-reverb deluxe. More headroom, & lighter weight than a DR. I subscribed...

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      wow thanks Alan I really appreciate that!

    • @alanschwartz4047
      @alanschwartz4047 Месяц назад

      You inspired me to dust off the old R&B chops! Thanks bro-That SG LP-Is it repro?

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      @@alanschwartz4047 it's a '91

    • @dwise3651
      @dwise3651 Месяц назад

      Tasteful intro

  • @Michel-r6m
    @Michel-r6m Месяц назад +3

    Once talked to a shop owner and told him I like smaller amps and 10" quality speaker is what I prefer over anything else. He laughed at me and told me there was nothing beating 112, 212 and 412. The shop is now closing, for good. He didn't even ask me why I liked what I like...

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      wow that's crazy. 10's are nice but I do like 12's myself. Vibrolux with 2x10 doesn't really punch the same way as 12's but both have their place. Live it's all about more watts and 12's for me though. i use a 2x12 live.

  • @SC515
    @SC515 Месяц назад +2

    Sounds wonderful. And a lot lighter than that fender super twin reverb you played over here. That amp is a keeper you’ve got there. Enjoyed the video. Thanks for posting.

  • @thatampguy
    @thatampguy Месяц назад +3

    Dude I’m related to the Theriots down in Louisiana. I moved to Los Angeles after Katrina and haven’t moved back home (yet!). Glad I found your channel. Smooth chops man.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      where in La are you from? So you went from La. to LA.

  • @Jonobueno
    @Jonobueno Месяц назад +6

    When i used to play live back in the 80s 90s I used JCM800s 100w heads and greenback quads.
    I also used Mesa Boogie MkIIc 100w head, ( killer amp but tweaky ) and the last big amp i owned was 79 JMP 100 master Lead. Fucking BEAST of an amp.
    And i never once got told i was too loud. Because i knew how to use them and how to use the volume knob on my guitar.
    I saw Rod Stewart and Cindy Lauper recently and the guitarists in both bands were running digital systems that sounded like shit. The support band guitarist had 2x Marshall half stacks and a Les Paul and his tone shit all over the digital stuff.
    Made me miss my old amps.
    I built 2 'Tweed Deluxe 5e3 amps and modded them to get more headroom. They sound great, but there's nothin like standing in front of a pushed half stack or two. I miss that shit.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      i have a Marshall Super Lead modded by Martin Golub that has a master- it still sounds amazing. Only way to tame that beast!

  • @SandyD-m6k
    @SandyD-m6k Месяц назад +4

    I just love hearing you play!

  • @davidsummerville351
    @davidsummerville351 Месяц назад +3

    I bought a 1973 silver face Champ in 1974 for 50 dollars. Your right, great amp.

  • @dwstoeckel4740
    @dwstoeckel4740 Месяц назад +1

    Love hearing the pros talk .... thank you Shane! Really love your channel!!

  • @italiancountrygal
    @italiancountrygal Месяц назад +2

    These videos are great - you're fun to watch .... 😄and BTW - my initials are "AMP" !!!

  • @MatthewJBell
    @MatthewJBell Месяц назад +2

    Definitely enjoy hearing your thoughts about about all this and holy crap, Shane - what fantastic playing there at the top of the video. Really appreciate your touch and wonderful musicianship.

  • @ignacedelyon9988
    @ignacedelyon9988 Месяц назад +1

    Bonjour from France,
    You have THE sound !

  • @paulkasputis5978
    @paulkasputis5978 23 часа назад

    Shane, great playing. I have a silver face champ that I use for practice.

  • @mariacruikshank5150
    @mariacruikshank5150 Месяц назад +1

    Sounds killer! Love the vibe of this amp & your stellar chops!

  • @zenncatt
    @zenncatt Месяц назад +1

    I'm with you: need the headroom. Played small amps that sound great, get to rehearsal, and or gig, and they get lost in the mix. Thank you Shane, you're awesome.

  • @davemassie3726
    @davemassie3726 21 день назад

    Hey Shane. Love your tasty soulful playing! I'm with you, I have a 72 Champ & a 73 Vibro Champ I use for small bar's and restaurant's. People always tell me how sweet the tone is! I've seen you with Hall and Oates at Riverbend here in Cincinnati. Thanks for sharing. Peace

  • @artvillarreal8849
    @artvillarreal8849 10 дней назад

    Love my Deluxe Reverb, and my Princeton Reverb, but totally agree about using the larger ones for live settings. Yea, that "let the p.a. do it" thing is a bit overplayed at times.

  • @LucasHaneman
    @LucasHaneman Месяц назад +1

    Hey Shane, I’ve been waiting for this RUclips channel to Blossom for a long time. I’ve always loved your playing.. so great that you’re getting this going in such a big way. If you’re ever up for it, I’d love to see a video about your Melancon guitars and your history with Gerard, as I know that you knew him. I purchased a used Strat style that he built from a student of mine in 2017, and it quickly became my number one. I managed to get a telecaster style from him in 2019 as well right before he passed away. I never met the man myself, but from all accounts, he was a super good dude. Was lucky enough to get the artist deal with that last guitar, and it is super in every way. From what I can see it was one of the last 10 guitars he built.. There’s some magic to those instruments. Thanks again for the great content, man!

  • @thomasreilly-Guitar
    @thomasreilly-Guitar Месяц назад +1

    I was contemplating getting a smaller amp for gigs mainly because Im getting older and I hate humphing my amp about but i think I will stick with it. That champ sounds bloody amazing.

  • @tonyhills2112
    @tonyhills2112 Месяц назад

    Super tasty solo, great amps, loving your channel! 🎸

  • @paulrhodesquinn
    @paulrhodesquinn Месяц назад

    Session keys player here from the UK. I'm loving your channel, it just popped up on my feed today, as I'm brushing up on my guitar chops at the moment for doubling live work. That was some seriously tasty playing at the start. I specialise in Hammond, particularly Soul, Funk, Jazz and Blues and would love to comp behind what you were doing. Subscibed. Love your work with the Neville Brothers.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      Welcome aboard! thank you! Comp away!

  • @Mrlz56
    @Mrlz56 Месяц назад +1

    I thought you were going to speak on new modern small amps lol! I couldn't disagree with anything you said. Small tube amps like a vintage Champ, Kalamazoo model 1 etc. + NOS tubes for a bedroom amp or for studio works. Bigger amp are needed in those big rooms to get the same sound / effect as the Champ does in the bedroom. As far as the Soundman goes,
    if he doesn't give the band what it wants he ain't working for us and we dam sure don't work for him or them. I did live sound gigs for two years so i understand mixing clubs and out door events. Don't hand me IEM's either. I want to feel the band and the people FOH . My favorite gigging amp is a switchable 20/40 watt Tone King Meteor II 740 from 2008 awesome blackfaced tones with enough iron to keep it all together even with boost pedals.
    BTW that was some smooth playing

  • @jayumble8390
    @jayumble8390 Месяц назад

    Well I don't know about the amp but man you're a killer player!! Fantastic!

  • @christiantaylor4027
    @christiantaylor4027 Месяц назад

    I like that jam. I luv small amps too. They need luv. And they're easy on ur back. Rock on!

  • @Rusty_Chops
    @Rusty_Chops Месяц назад +1

    Shane, sweet playing and nice tones from the Champ! Have you ever considered trying a Fender Deluxe Reverb, Tone Master series? True, it’s uses modeling technology instead of tubes but it produces unbelievably amazing response and for gigging it weighs a fraction of the tube version! Literally, saves your back! It might be an idea for a future video, original guitar amp (tubes) vs next generation gig friendly amps. The Blonde Deluxe Reverb is very popular!!! Great Video, thanks!

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      thanks - you know the only experience i have with the Tone masters is when John Oates got one of the Twin Reverbs delivered to a gig. He was raving about how light it was and it sounded great at soundcheck. It didn't even make it through half of the show and it just shut down. Something inside of it fried. He ended up plugging into my backup twin to do the show! But yeah maybe it was just a weird one off thing.

    • @Rusty_Chops
      @Rusty_Chops Месяц назад +1

      Thanks for that great story! It’s true, Gigging players need a reliable tools! So far in a one year, my Tone Master is a little bruised, used and cruised and still works like new!

  • @johnreilly9748
    @johnreilly9748 Месяц назад

    The Champ is great I used to have one of that vintage and a 50s too. For awhile now I have been using Super Champ XDs with amp modeling effects two channel with footswitch, one with a 10 and one with 12 in speakers. I run them together or with an older DeanMarkley solid state amp. So far they have held up in most mixes. But I get the bigger stuff when you need it! Great playing on your Demos too, Thanks as always!

  • @basoud9096
    @basoud9096 Месяц назад

    So right you are! A lot of vids are about 100W two rocks with 212. You can’t use them at home. I use a Milkman Creamer in conjunction with a Tone King imp mk2. The Milkman is perfect and mk2 van be thamed but already a bit much for at home but ideal for small gig. The sound together is awesome! 😊. Thanks!

  • @thatkajunguy8029
    @thatkajunguy8029 Месяц назад

    I just found your channel so of course I subscribed.
    Congratulations on being Inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
    I know a Shane Theriot from Raceland, La., that plays guitar and sings, imagine my surprise to find there are 2 of you ...
    Again, congratulations Shane.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      yes I think he is a country singer

    • @thatkajunguy8029
      @thatkajunguy8029 Месяц назад

      ​@@TheRiotguitar
      Yeah mostly, he lived across the street from me for a few years and he'd have these all night jam sessions and he'll cover almost anyone in southern rock as well...

  • @youtubecommentor4480
    @youtubecommentor4480 Месяц назад

    Hi Shane, thanks for posting this video. You mentioned everything I was always puzzled about. Three questions please:
    1. I own a ‘67 Blackface Fender Twin Reverb. Works great! Would you rank this as a must-keep amp for larger outdoor gigs (and extra headroom) versus selling it for a 22 watt such as a Fender Deluxe Reverb?
    2. If I decide to keep the Fender Twin Reverb, what would you recommend as a second amp for ‘smaller’ indoor/outdoor gigs?
    3. What lower wattage amp would you recommend as a recording amp (any other suggestions besides the Fender Champ)?
    BTW, that jazz solo at the beginning was spectacular and I sure am picky when it comes to this stuff. Rock on …

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      thanks! well i happen to own a Blackface Twin 67 as well....it's just to the right of me in the video. I think this is pretty much a masterpiece of an amplifier. You just gotta turn the mids up to around 7-8 and treble down. I would keep for sure. Everyone loves to sh&t on the twins and say "too heavy too loud" but it sounds amazing at low volume and mine is no more awkward to handle than a Super reverb, although a bit heavier at 64 pounds. All I can recommend is what I know- the smallest amps I have are Champs followed by Tweed deluxe. I don't have any experience with a Deluxe reverb but that seems to be what everone uses. I have a Vibrolux that is nice but honestly I like my working man's Blues deluxe with Celestion 30 just fine.

    • @youtubecommentor4480
      @youtubecommentor4480 Месяц назад

      @@TheRiotguitar Hey man, thank you for that bit of information. Appreciate the suggestion on turning the mids up and the treble down. I give that a try. Can you please tell me what you typically turn the highs down to?

  • @RNC_GSP_1969
    @RNC_GSP_1969 Месяц назад +1

    Dude! Love the t-shirt. lol! Oh, guitar playing is awesome. Thank you.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      i got it at the last Blockbuster that is still open in Bend, Oregon.

  • @elizabethdunn1668
    @elizabethdunn1668 Месяц назад

    What you played is beautiful! Interesting tutorial on these amps. I remember that b/w photo.

  • @Hetti-g2c
    @Hetti-g2c Месяц назад

    Another great video. I’m trying and learning. Your knowledge is so appreciated. Beginning sound was sweet.

  • @DaHill1998
    @DaHill1998 Месяц назад

    Nice vid production and the playing was terrific! Thanks for the pro tips and stories.

  • @tubytele
    @tubytele Месяц назад

    Cool Shane. You always sound great. So I used to have a stack of 4 Princeton's in the late 80's. One of them just for the ext speaker. All 3 were BF but different. Stock, modded, etc.. I had pedals and curly cables all over the place. Delay pedal through one of them, chorus through another. The cleanest one with a verb pedal into the 3rd w/ the ext sp. OD pedals up front. A real cob job! LA guitar tone on a low budget. Players would look and shake their heads.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      i should try a champ through a bigger cab

  • @michaelperrier7962
    @michaelperrier7962 Месяц назад

    great video, very instructive, small amp for recording or bedroom playing and big amps for live stage, I totally agree ;-))

  • @h.sinclair
    @h.sinclair Месяц назад

    hey yeah Shane great video man, I have 3 of those silverface champs all 1973, and one Vibro Champ silverface which is off the charts 🔥 Uncle Doug is the dude that knows how to fix those cheers mate

    • @greyguy69
      @greyguy69 Месяц назад +1

      I have 30 of them 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

    • @h.sinclair
      @h.sinclair Месяц назад +1

      @@greyguy69 daisy chain them to get a 2400W wall of funk

  • @guitmickify
    @guitmickify Месяц назад

    🤓 Yeah man... I can dig it, I have a '75 Vibro-Champ, it's great for rock'n around the house.

  • @timedwards5600
    @timedwards5600 Месяц назад

    Thnx for your reviews

  • @_avia_
    @_avia_ Месяц назад

    Great video as always, Shane :)
    When I see amp demos on YT it makes me wonder how close the sound is to the sound you actually hear in the room...

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      it's pretty close, I used a Beyer M160 which is good mic for not getting outside noise, just a tad of reverb from a plug in but that's the sound.

  • @jaguarsunburst1570
    @jaguarsunburst1570 Месяц назад

    Great Video, Thankyou 🎸

  • @MsFire4hire
    @MsFire4hire Месяц назад

    Good stuff! I agree. You need a Headroom for dynamics and feel.

  • @borowland5744
    @borowland5744 Месяц назад

    I just got one of those little Headstrong Santa Cruz amps. It is really nice.

  • @AnonYmous-jp8uu
    @AnonYmous-jp8uu Месяц назад

    i used a 20 watt class a 1 10 inch speaker for the original dirty power cd in gillsburg. cool video brah

  • @seamusjr
    @seamusjr Месяц назад

    Saw you last year with Daryl in Atlantic city, great show! My main amp is a small Champ II. Same size as the Champ but 18watts and with a Master Volume, designed by Paul Rivera. Worth a try if you can find one.

  • @fleadoggreen9062
    @fleadoggreen9062 Месяц назад

    Nice playing

  • @JeffMcErlain
    @JeffMcErlain Месяц назад

    Great stuff as always man.

  • @JamesMcCutcheon
    @JamesMcCutcheon Месяц назад +1

    I love the Champ, the Musicmaster bass amp. simple and great, will last forever.

  • @erik2446
    @erik2446 Месяц назад

    Love it! Thanks! 🔥

  • @alanschwartz4047
    @alanschwartz4047 Месяц назад

    Hey Shane-Santos is one of my dearest friends. Really nice to meet ya!

  • @lancemorgan644
    @lancemorgan644 Месяц назад

    Cool vid again, Shane.
    That looks like a ‘61 that’s been repainted, and tremolo etc redone.
    Or is it a modern version?

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      hmm pretty sure it's a 65 or 66. never been repainted that's for sure.

  • @Terry_Aki
    @Terry_Aki Месяц назад

    Crema Wheat is awesome! I bought one 12 years ago!

  • @cpizani
    @cpizani Месяц назад

    Got to have an amp on stage! Agreed.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      i gotta have minimum 40 watts on stage. Unless it's a very, very small place.

  • @fxbrown8921
    @fxbrown8921 Месяц назад

    Thanks Shane, fender 68 what a sound!
    O master of time, If some day you could tell us about playing laid back, and how to improve such skill

  • @SweetSpotSC
    @SweetSpotSC Месяц назад +2

    I love your dirty power album, and have been listening to it on repeat for weeks now. So cool to hear you used that little amp for tones on that record! If you’re ever looking for video ideas, and are willing to share, it would be really neat to hear what guitars, pedals and amps you used on different tracks on your records.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +2

      that's great! Thanks so much for telling me that. Good idea on an idea for future vids too!

  • @ptklip
    @ptklip Месяц назад

    Cool channel, man.

  • @midnighthour4299
    @midnighthour4299 Месяц назад +1

    The trick that transforms a deluxe reverb and eliminates the farting low end is to get them converted to use 6l6s from 6v6s. They were designed to use them. All you need to do is a quick tube swap and rebias, the transformers are matched.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      thanks for the tips don't have a deluxe reverb though, it's a tweed deluxe. 12 watts. I have a Vibrolux that i use in place of a deluxe or even my Blues deluxe with an upgraded speaker is a smoking amp, had it for years.

    • @midnighthour4299
      @midnighthour4299 Месяц назад

      @@TheRiotguitar This easy mod makes it a great gigging amp, but you have it covered.

  • @tito.tarantula
    @tito.tarantula Месяц назад +1

    Hey Shane, I’m working on my solo playing with zero accompaniment and was just wondering, would you have felt that rhythm beat/groove internally without the drum track? Sometimes I do but I mostly don’t 😅 Is it just a lot of practice before one does? I’m a few years in to my guitar journey and striving to up my rhythm game.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      it's always more fun to play with a backing track. Best is to play with other musicians, but if you can't backing tracks are great. I have a few on my website that are good or probably a lot on youtube. It helps with your timing for sure. But yeah I think i have a pretty good internal "clock" at this point but it wouldn't be that fun to listen to without chords.

    • @tito.tarantula
      @tito.tarantula Месяц назад

      @@TheRiotguitar Thanks so much for the feedback, Shane. That's very kind and much appreciated 👍

  • @GmanMusicProductions
    @GmanMusicProductions Месяц назад

    What's better than a small amp...Two small amps in stereo. LOL! Love the sound of your champ, Shane. They sound great and easy on the back too. Do you have a speaker preference? That might be a cool video. Thanks again for your sharing your knowledge!!

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад +1

      i don't really know much about speakers and that kind of stuff....so probably wouldn't be a long video haha - I never changed it it has a replacement Jensen. But yeah stereo is great

  • @thomasnemet7897
    @thomasnemet7897 12 дней назад

    Shane, i’ve been listening to Daryl Hall since 70s to Daryl’s house. Really appreciate your style Music. Currently looking at the fender champion 600 amp used of course. It’s a blonde amp two inputs, low/high. One volume knob. Is this the amp that you’re talking about? It looks old.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  12 дней назад

      hmm no i'm not familar with that one. I have a tweed deluxe w 1x 12 speaker that isn't in the video and that rounds out my small amp collection.

    • @thomasnemet7897
      @thomasnemet7897 12 дней назад

      Is there a way that I can send a picture ?

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  12 дней назад

      @@thomasnemet7897 look up 57 Fender custom tweed deluxe that's the one I have. The one you are talking about is a smaller amp. Maybe good for your purposes I'm not sure what you are doing with it. I also like the Champs like in the video. Fender Vibro Champ with 8 inch speaker.

  • @JasonB5232
    @JasonB5232 Месяц назад +1

    Would love to see how you use the SLO, as I didn't expect that one.

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      at some point when I'm back on tour. Those amps live on the east coast. I've found that the SLO can do anything, has a nice clean sound.

    • @JasonB5232
      @JasonB5232 Месяц назад

      @@TheRiotguitar Thanks! Which channel do you use and do you ride your guitar volume?

  • @dwightrobertson275
    @dwightrobertson275 Месяц назад

    Judging by the logo,it's a late 70's Champ amp,a 1968,would be a "BlackLine" with Drip edge.Hope this helps.D

  • @TheRange7
    @TheRange7 Месяц назад

    Shane, why the he&& did I learn this only after I spent the last 50 years buying twenty 50 to 120 watt valve amps? LOLOLOL You are on point man. Eric Clapton comes to mind

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      well like i said towards the end of the video- I love my small amps but not so much for gigging- for that I want at least 40 watts.

    • @TheRange7
      @TheRange7 Месяц назад

      @@TheRiotguitar I'll tell you honestly, with mic's and PA's in venues being so good today, it's much easier to get by with a 1x12. The part that's missing is all that air moving from the big dawg amps. To me that adds some really cool nuance and the like. Have a great rest of the weekend.Cheers

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      @@TheRange7 i just don't like the sound of my amp out of monitor wedges. It sounds terrible and creates a weird phasing thing. Yeah air is where it's at

  • @steelbreezekm
    @steelbreezekm Месяц назад

    Coupled with a tube screamer ..then it rocks

  • @dougrmoe
    @dougrmoe Месяц назад

    Tasty tasty !

  • @eeelevator
    @eeelevator Месяц назад

    What is the backing for the performance?

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      it's a track that I wrote and recorded. I'm compiling a bunch of them for a lesson course I'm working on. Stay tuned!

  • @JimmyGallowayGuitar
    @JimmyGallowayGuitar Месяц назад +1

    Dynamic players need headroom: 100%

  • @TanyaNeedham-z1e
    @TanyaNeedham-z1e 29 дней назад

    What album is Tell me a lie on?

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  29 дней назад

      hi Tanya it's not on any album i never really "released" it

  • @kimlombardy3393
    @kimlombardy3393 Месяц назад

    A lot of the players who hung around big 4x12 stacks in the 60’s and 70’s are mostly deaf right now or have unrelenting tinnitus 😵

    • @TheRiotguitar
      @TheRiotguitar  Месяц назад

      nothing sounds like a 4x12 though! Even at lower volumes it's got a great punch.

  • @kurtgodel463
    @kurtgodel463 Месяц назад

    Now I need a champ!
    Dirty Power is such a great album. I really dig the tune 'Mr. Ed.' You are such an inspiring and creative musician. Thanks for making these videos!

  • @rockdanger
    @rockdanger Месяц назад

    Finally, somebody tells the truth, no BS! All the beta cucks saying they are gonna mic their 15w amp and run it thru the PA. Reality come solo time, the "soundman" is out back smoking a joint and nobody in the bar can hear you play. Take charge of your own sound! 2 x 6L6 is the way to go.

  • @jojacool
    @jojacool Месяц назад +1

    When the bass player is too loud, no matter what amp you use, your guitar sound is gone.