Yeah. Also, maybe makes sense. I mean, he owns the store, and probably understands that most customers buy entry-level gear for low volume usage. It's simply good business sense not slacking of these products. Also, the premise was an easy amp to use in an office. Seems like he understood the potential sales in this product category and Rob couldn't give two shits about it.
@Mark Lynch, pretty much all Rob does is shred, in every single video. Shred and shred and shred some more. I like the two other guys that wear the Hawaiian shirts, they actually play melodic and nuanced tunes, and often jam with each other. Sure, some shredding, but not Every.Single.Time.
@@lydmo8287 LMAO welcome to metal guitar. I enjoy some shredding when its warranted but my god, only playing shred licks would make me run out of inspirational steam very quickly.
Rob apparently unaware that apartments, roommates, family members, children, neighbors, and coworkers exist. No idea why he had such a hard time grasping the concept of this video. Made it almost unwatchable.
he is a bit of a ego trip. but he is right about the volume thing. playing quiet sucks. its nice being able to feel a sonic punch shake your organs.. that said, i understand their are people who could never do that and rob seems to not grasp it.. i cant imagine playing p90s quietly. those pickups need the volume to do their thing
I just found your comment after leaving mine (2 years after yours). I also almost found this video unwatchable. Rob was not quite combative, but his rigidity...on this video topic...was BEYOND annoying and unproductive. Such a rigid man who seems to have little to no empathy for others. Can you imagine having to work with someone that rigid?
I'm totally with Lee on this one.....99% of the time I play at home and need to keep the volume down, and I want to plug in and play rather than sit editing patches.
I think Lee understands what life is like for quite a few of us. I think Chappers is a spoilt kid and when things aren't going his way he doesn't want to play. I think Pete would have provided a whole lot of insight and entertainment with Lee.
It pisses me off to be honest because every guitar amp marketing department must be full of people like Chappers who think we should also be playing at 90db+……wake the eff up….!!! I would guess (based on a lot of responses to this video….that most of us are trying to grab half an hour to play after putting the kids to sleep after working 10-12 hours in the office. We want great tone but without causing a divorce or waking up the neighbors….its might not be exactly a ‘rock and rock’ attitude but its the truth for most of us ordinary humans. The first company that releases a 1w amp with the tone and features of Mesa Mk IV for less than a grand makes a fortune…
Are you f**king serious? Chap never did say or act like if "things aren't going his way he doesn't want to play" If Chapman prefers to play louder that is his damn right. If he prefers to just play a guitar acoustically rather than play at low volume, that is also his right. What it really sounds like is you are just jealous that you can't play loud so you want to spout off untruths about him in this video. You and some of the other replies to your comment come off as spoiled.
I agree. I don't play in a band and just at home. Most of the time I even play with headphones. When I purchased a new guitar the other day, I was able to play a little louder and boy, that was an amazing feeling! I was so touched that I got goosebumps from my own playing. Sounds stupid. But it showed me that the amp and all around it kind of is part of the "instrument". However, at home I just can't play loud, because my neighbors would kick me in the nuts.
If this were about cars, this would be an episode of old Top Gear. May: We're looking for the best solution for a small, budget friendly car for city driving. I brought a Mini. Hammond: I brought a Smart. Clarkson: I brought a La Ferrari
All three fail parameters: May’s choice might be reasonable for someone who has “rainy day money” to spend on repairs but at least it’s said to be fun and you do see them around Hammond has chosen a piece of junk that should be banned from all public roads Clarkson has jobbed in the most spectacular fashion
Rob apologized for hearing his guitar playing acoustically. But actually I think it was good, because it gave me an actual relative sense of how loud an amp is in relation to the guitar acoustically.
No need to apologise for it, for those of use who have to play at low volume's it's something we live with daily. Sadly this is another of those comments that show's he didn't understand the goal of the video. (This is sad because he picks up a lot of bad press (just look at the comments here); Lee looses out because he doesn't get to make what should have been a very useful video; and viewers loose out because we don't get good reviews of these low volume amps.)
So correct me if I'm wrong. But you make a video about what amp to get so you can play quietly in your room, and then you mic the amp, so we have no idea what it sounds like, in relation to the rest of the room. The audio I heard out of this, absolutely, sounded amazing. If your head was right next to the speaker. Just use the room mics, like you've done before, so we know what it sounds like sitting in the room at those volumes. I really hope this gets a revisit
Explaining ‘playing quiet’ to Rob is like the ‘yeh, but these go to 11’ scene in Spinal Tap, absolutely doesn’t get it... Everybody would love to play loud but almost everybody can’t.
NoiseFeedMusic No he isn’t, he’s saying there is no inspiration playing that quietly and suggests getting around it tone wise by buying a Kemper. The purpose of the video is to show customers and viewers what is available at Andertons if you are unable to play loud or need to play quietly....
NoiseFeedMusic I kinda get the comments. He’s not saying playing that quietly isn’t worth a tube amp, he’s saying that quietly isn’t worth it. Period. Even when they talked about the small amps that are meant to be quiet, he was faffing about volume. I can see both sides, but I think I’m think for the concept of this video, the complainers are right... especially since it’s meant to be small amps. Not big amps turned down.
I'm happy that at least the music industry realized a huge part of their customers want nice tones and need them at quiet volume and on a budget. If all people were like Rob like "No man, you gotta go for that 2k pound Kemper!" - then the electric guitar would really be dead. Students can't play a cranked tube amp in their bedrooms. And they can't afford a Fender Custom Shop Tele. And if they still suck on guitar it is not justified to spend hundreds of pound on boutique overdrive pedals.
I think this is just too quiet. I live in an apartment. I would play at this level at night. Not early morning night, but just in the evening. Normal playing can be twice or even 3 times that volume.
While Chappers' comments are pointless to the purpose of this video, I totally agree with him. If my option is to play with the amp volume so quiet the sound of the strings rings is as loud as the amp or to play with headphones I'd rather just play unplugged. It loses the point of amplifying the signal, you lose articulation and you loose the oomph of the speaker pushing air which *is* the joy of playing electric guitar in my opinion. It just makes you want to turn it up, not very enjoyable. When it comes to low volume play you pretty much need a modeling amp. Tube amps have to be driven to sound good. Anecdotally, I only play at home, and I often play louder than they are in the video. When no ones home I crank my Marshall as loud as my ears will tolerate. Quiet overdrive never sounds good.
I can see it's already been said by others, but I've gotta join in cause I want to reply to this content. Rob, try imagining you're living in a cheap flat with thin walls, or with housemates / neighbours that are in close proximity. That or living back with your parents again. You need to remember that a HUGE amount of your customers are living in those types of situations and cranking an amp is a sure fire way to piss people off and cause problems that are frankly not worth it for a bit of playing guitar in the evening after coming home from work. Lucky you for being able to always have your amps loud every time you want to pick up your guitar.
In that situation I'd have to say the headphones are the best bet. You remove the influence of the "pick attack" from the sound so you have a more realistic feedback and you can turn it up to fill your ears. I think the best bet is an amp that has the ability to output to a cab. They both exist and are affordable. I have a Hugh's and kettner tubemeister 18 combo that does both, and has a midi output. Great tone, low output, and comparability with software. Also if you need to be loud the venue can mic you up. ;)
GuitarGary they have hearing protection that is flat response (or close to it) up to 25 db, that I have seen. It makes it safer. And amps, especially tube amps, need volume to breathe within.
Lee: "Rob, I'm looking at getting a $100 bike to ride around the block." Rob: "Why not get a car? It's faster." Lee: "I don't want to spend thousands on a car, I just want an ok bike to ride around with and get some exercise." Rob: "Here's a nice Nissan for $23K that would be better!" Lee: "UGH....."
Agreed (with hind sight) Pete would have been a far better choice. It does sort of raise the question why issue it to the channel when the main artist doesn't understand what he's meant to be showing? Yes, it would have cost to re-shoot, but it would have been a far more useful video (although may have attracted less comments?)
I think Rob is there on purpose to provide the contrarian view: “but why not just play louder with a small tube amp?”. A lot of people want to play louder but simply can’t for logistical (and maybe legal) reasons.
Rob really doesn’t get it. Contrasting opinions are good, but only if both grasp the concept. Who would spend 2k on a Kemper just to practice in an office or bedroom? I love these videos but feel Rob is becoming increasingly out of touch.
Wagoo maybe Lee can afford one, but it’s not realistic for what is essentially a practice amp. I’m not a 13 yr old kid but wouldn’t dream of dropping 2k on a low volume bedroom amp. The video wasn’t about getting the perfect tone, it was about getting a decent tone on a low volume amp!
Yeah. That bit just seemed silly. The premise was "an amp for the office". I mean, just the extra space the Kemper and cab would take up would be reason enough to go with the smaller option, not to mention the price. It was for a rig where you have a noodle around every once in a while. I mean, come on Rob. Come on.
A lot of people are volume restricted over their whole dwelling, and want more than JUST a practice amp.. so why restrict them to cheap practice amps. You don't need a cab for the Kemper, you can just plug it into studio monitors (or headphones which Lee rejected). Yes it is a bit over the top for Lee's boss office, but to extrapolate it to the masses who need to either practice/play at unsociable hours, or with sensitive neighbours.. it works great. There's also the valve head into Two Notes route, or using an isocab..
they both insisted on their standpoint: Lee does not want headphones and Rob does not want to hear the acoustic sound of the strings. The solutions are thusly limited to a 2k Kemper and the little Vox purse amp. lol
It's alright for you rob youre a guitarist for a living, for the rest of us who live in apartments or completely unsoundproofed houses or at their parents houses we need the quiet amps
Robs perspective is coming from the professional musician and the 'Kemper' is not that frivolous as it can be used in the home, in the studio, on tour etc. Sound proofing would be his approach which is fair enough rather than buy a 'niche/novelty' amp. For beginners and low budget guitarists who also need 'quiet' amps for home use, the Amps like the Boss Katana is far more versatile as they can be turned down to 0.5w specifically for that purpose and they have FX Loops too. These are better than buying the amps like the Vox because you can also take them out for band practice and even gig with them - something the Vox can't do. The 'quiet amps' as you put it, are not the 'cheap' option as you will need a decent amp as well - unless the only playing you ever do is in your bedroom at your parents house. Certainly not good enough for band practice alongside drums etc. As such, these are nothing more than 'niche' or 'novelty' items. A professional may want one for taking on the tour bus, warming up in their dressing room or playing on in their motel room - something reasonably lightweight and portable but they will still have Kempers, sound-proofed rooms at home etc. Like I said, beginners and low budget guitarists are better off buying a multi-purpose amp like the Katana as you can turn the power down for home practice but also use it for band practice and gigging too. The Vox for example is nothing more than an additional and unnecessary expense with very limited use.
BAMozzy I wholeheartedly disagree. I have a 90s Peavey bandit. 1x12 combo and a blackStar fly amp, and I am forced to use my blackstar to avoid disturbing anybody. You wanna talk about budget, try a gigging rig for under 200 quid with my Peavey and a Harley Benton; 80 watts solid state isnt playable at my home, so I need the blackstar to practice with any sound at all and it works. But for rob to shun these small amps completely seems slightly naive - I know in his line of work he had the ability to crank a tube amp at home and at work to his hearts content but the small amps still have merit in every sense of the word. Boss katanas are 250, these small battery amps are 50-150 and are a blessing for a huge range of players
BAMozzy How is soundproofing a viable alternative to a £200 low volume amp?? Also the assumption that low volume amps are only useful to beginners is ridiculous. Most of us have neighbours, kids, housemates or flatmates to think of, and "just playing loud" is not an option. That's what these amps are for and Rob's 'opinion' that you should just play loud is completely useless and irrelevant in this situation.
Dude we get it, (Are you Rob Chapman?) It is a video about playing quite. Rob is too damn spoiled to understand and whined the whole time. So shut the fuck up.
Sound-proofing is a viable alternative to any professional or serious musician. It may not be an alternative for a beginner, a low budget guitarist etc but Rob isn't one of those. Neither is Rabea who also went the sound proofing route too. Rob also suggested the Kemper - which as they demonstrated also works and again something that 'professional' musicians would use instead as it also works for studio and live performances - not so frivolous. If playing loud is more important, as it is to Rob, then the alternative is to change your approach and think about sound proofing or as a 'professional' get a Kemper so that it can be used in all situations with the same creativity options - not just something to noodle on because its too limited. Those Amps aren't really suited to beginners either - more for those who have decent amps but for what-ever reason, would prefer to buy something specifically for the home use - instead of an Attenuator or Katana because they already have a decent 50w amp. Its still better to buy a 'decent' amp and maybe spend a little less on the guitar for a beginner. That way, if they do want to start a band or gig, they don't need to buy a new amp and these amps are also more versatile in that they have a FX loop so you can put a looper in at the back end. These amps are more for 'musicians' that have decent amps already and want something 'niche' for the 'bedroom' or for taking on the tour bus and playing in motel rooms. When just playing loud isn't an option, then maybe they can do a job but for a beginner, a low budget guitarist etc, its still better to buy a decent amp that can be turned down. These are more niche and for musicians who already have decent amps for 'louder' situations - something to noodle on. I wouldn't recommend these as someones first/only Amp. Its a step up from those mini marshall stack amps or boss air but its still little more than a 'novelty' or 'niche' product for those that already own 'decent' amps.
I love the fact that Lee does personal stuff with this channel like this, It takes away a lot of the big corporate feel you get from a lot of these guitar gear demos and makes it feel more real
Sorry> 3 years later: Make no mistake, these videos are all about selling. Every one pitches a product and without it, the sales would not be as high as the success of Andertons clearly testifies. Why so in this particular video? because the vast majority of customers are at the bottom of the pyramid and will obviously go for the cheaper Vox every time !!!
@@WeyounSix umm right, ok, we agree then given that any perception that the corporate feel is suppressed is purely intentional as RUclips for andertons is one big marketing machine
Rob being a bit of a snob. We're not all rock stars with sound rooms. Sometimes we have to be quiet. And the suggestion of a Kemper for a quiet practice amp? Sheesh.
The Kemper IS a great practice amp at any volume. It just seems to be out of budget for most people (certainly not Lee). In reality it'd end up more as a jack of all trades amp for most people, as they won't need something JUST to play quietly in their office. But it's a very valid suggestion for people with volume constraints
Wagoo True, but it's an extravagant suggest. $2000 for the Kemper, $600 for a cab or FRFR speakers, and not exactly portable to bring out and put away. Just seems rather tone deaf to the theme of the video.
At those volumes a cheap set of monitors plugged into it would do the trick.. I doubt the toaster version is all that much bigger than the VOX.. and the rack version you can.. rack.. or just put things on :) Yes it's expensive, but it destroys on all other parameters and removes any doubts about "my amp isn't good enough". I also think it's a great way to see what valve amps you gravitate towards the sound of.. so you can buy the real versions someday down the line
I can easily afford the Kemper but that doesnt mean I am mad enough to use it for practice. It is not about the price or affordability it is about what is practical. I have a studio and I can play there as loud as I want and that is not what I need a small amp for. I play in bed before i go to sleep and I guarantee you the Katana Air looks great on the mantle nice and small and comfy.
I really like what Rob has to say.... normally....but he clearly lives in a different world to me and most of the other guitarist I know live in. I have to consider ( like most of us)..my family and the people living next to me ...so to get put out because you can't play at really loud volumes because you can't get inspired by the sound is ridiculous in my view...no offense Rob.
I think Lee is spot on personally. This is a real situation for a lot of players and the Vox does sound best at low volumes because it uses boombox-style speakers that give a full sound at low volumes. The other amps surely sound better at louder volumes, but that wasn't the goal.
£2000 to practice at your desk occasionally...or late at night when the kids are in bed...haha...Rob you are hilarious.Money,success and moderate internet fame never changed anyone did it lol.I'll def go and buy the kemper just as soon as my personal helicopter arrives...I hope Andertons have a landing pad.
Rob uses a Kemper for his main rig, so he has it already. In that case it makes total sense to put a pair of studiomonitors in front of your face (you can get a pair of decent JBLs at the price of the Vox) and you'll have a great low-volume tone. That is exactly what I do and it's a cheap solution in that situation. Also: the bitching about the price of the Kemper is also getting really old, if you buy any decent tube head and a couple of pedals you're at the same budget.
Lee's hinting at a problem most hobby musicians might be having: playing an electric guitar at low volumes at home so as to not make your neighbors run up the wall. Your options are: a desktop amp like the excellent Vox Adio GT, software emulation with headphones, an all-valve amp with the volume turned all the way down. Each has its own up- and downsides. Personally, I run the emulation and the valve amp options at home.
If you have time to answer a random question, since you run software emulation; what do you do against latency/lag? I've at times tried to play through my PC, but that couple millisecond/half second delay between doing the physical thing on the guitar and hearing it from the speakers is throwing me off so much.
This video should have been done with Pete or Rabea... Rob was completely missing the point about people with volume constraints. Disappointing as I'm in the market for one to avoid waking my two year old up in the evenings.
Richard Lawes Grab an Orange 1x8 cab (perfect for home use) then select from Hotone, Orange etc micro heads. I just switched to that set up and its so nice.
NoiseFeedMusic No, we didn't miss the point. Our point is that most guitarists can't play regularly at loud volumes and generally are almost always playing alone. Many never even jam in a band more than a couple times. The market simply hasnt been catering to this massive audience and are just now trying.
NoiseFeedMusic like Lee said, he just wanted an amp that didn't require him to wear headphones or need much rigging up ect. That might be where a software based amp would fall in this situation. Rob had his reasons but it was Lees scenario they were basing the reviews on.
What he said was that he didn't "feel inspired" at low volumes. Which is a perfectly fine thing to say. But, maybe wasn't that helpful all things considered, and it did come across a bit elitist and condescending. Playing consistently at high volumes requires that you either have the money for a dedicated space or room. It's a privilege, basically. And the premise of the video was finding an amp suitable for use in an office. So yeah, suggestion using a 2000 £ set-up did seem a bit ridiculous. This wasn't a main set-up kind of thing, it was for short breaks and having a jam. I guess if money was no option, but even then, would you really throw that much money at something you'd use occasionally mostly for practice?
"Rob, we're playing quiet today." "Yeah, but it goes to 11..." "Yeah Rob but this is for the average bedroom player" "But... 11.... Touring Rig... £1000s... Explosions..."
yeah, a 3000$ rigg just to play on bedroom levels,huuhhhh. if it sounds good it's good. i would go boss katana air or something and use an engl live, because kemper sound shit live "sorry kemper guys"nothing beats a tube amp and especially not something with more knobs then a space ship.
Just watched this video...an "older" person just taking up the guitar, looking for a practice amp that can co-exist with a wife and two dogs, on a limited budget. Thank you Capt. for staying your ground and keeping the video on track for people looking for an amp that sounds good at low volumes and is budget priced. This was very helpful. Love Chappers but he missed the mark on this one. Quite frankly, if we all had unlimited money we wouldn't need reviews, we'd just buy whatever when we wanted. Keep up the great work!
What is your problem with Rob? I love him in these vids, and he presents the valid counter-position that low volume amps aren't ideal for some people. Kemper (or other cheaper more affordable modeller) with headphones would possibly be a much better low volume solution for a lot of people
Ty Quinn you really dont see the problem? Rob’s complaining about low volume on a video thats about low volume amps. It’s not that hard of a concept to grasp. If low volume amps are an issue for some people, they wouldn’t click on the vid in the first place.
There’s obviously need for a lower volume solution for people who don’t want to include the neighbors in their practice session. I wish Rob could have gotten on board with the question.
@@sloebone7399 He did get on board with the question. He recommended that for quiet practice, headphones, or just listening to the completely acoustic unamplified signal was a more satisfying experience for him. He wasn't recommending that people crank a 100 watt amp everytime they practice. He was suggesting his own preferences for low volume practice. Admittedly a Kemper is not similarly priced but there are cheaper headphones+modelling alternatives
Ty Quinn He was not on board at all. Very obnoxious for him to say that the guitar sounds better unplugged than running through a low amp. I record all the time in my home studio with the Orange Micro Terror in low volumes and it sounds great. Rob was a poor choice for this video, very sarcastic and elitist.
Not to be disrespectful in any way to Rob but most none gigging guitarists play at these very low volumes. I suspect Rob is somewhat out of touch with this type of guitarist and volume level. We would all love to play at gigging volumes at home however it's impractical for most (the vast majority) of guitarists. Lee is clearly more in tune with his customer base and recognises this is where the vast majority of Anderton's business revenue comes from. This is also why overdrive/distortion pedals are the most popular pedals with none gigging guitarists. If this were a video about gigging amps, tones and volumes Rob would have been a much more effective presenter.
Gonz9 2 it’s like me coming in as a newbie guitarist and say “Hey Rob I’m in the market for a new amp but its for home use so I can noodle and mess around with” Rob: “sure thing mate over hear we have this double stack stage ready marshal that can handle 500 watts per channel and comes with a loudspeaker ideal for a gig up to 2000 people”. Me: “Cheers Rob thats not what I came in for”
WTF!?!?!?! Never EVER have I heard a handbag that sounded so good! The Vox knocks it out of the park at low volume. Could this be the amp equivalent of “A Boy Named Sue”?
Louis Vuitton makes amps? It does sound good though... and to the other points, I specifically searched for "practice amp home office" as that is what I need. Don't need to hear that its not loud enough, that wasn't the point of my search...
I couldn’t give two hooots what it looks like, it’s a good price and sounds great....and I’m not exactly a VOX fan at all, but it may well be the amp I get!! Hats off to you Lee Anderton \m/
Rob dragged this video into the ground unfortunately, I just couldn't enjoy watching him spend 15 minutes complaining about how he hated everything while Lee soldiers on trying to make a decent video. If it's not your 'thing' that's fine, but either sit out the video or state your position then at least TRY to be useful. Saying "oh I just wouldn't play guitar at this volume" isn't useful. Most of your audience won't have a choice, they don't have a special shed in their back yard to crank everything up - especially the people who came here for "the Best Guitar Amp For Low Volume Use". Saying "I'd use a kemper" is just straight up useless consumer advice because 95% of your audience who has to play in their bedroom in their parent's house or flat doesn't have $2000 to drop on a practice rig.
I've got an idea. You're videos are great and I really appreciate all the opinions and suggestions that have been given. But I think the selection of amps for this video could have been optimised a little. Now my idea is to let people online vote for amps beforehand. It might be a little effort and it would give away which video comes next, but the results and the value of the video would be awesome, I think. It's kind of like the Chapman approach of letting people vote for the guitar design. Whatcha think? For example: I would have included: Blackstar HT-1, Boss Katana 50 (attenuation), Marshall DSL1, Victory RD1. Basically anything that offers decent attenuation and/or cab simulation. Cheers guys! Greets from Frankfurt/Germany!
I play through my Katana 50 at *extremely* reasonable volumes and it sounds great! -that's why I bought the thing. I wish it had an effects loop, but aside from that, it's brilliant.
That is a really great idea. Most of the reviewers can't do this because they have just their personal gear and whatever they just got for review. But Andertons has the house full of gear and could compare the most requested things.
yeah man! They could provide a poll with stuff they think makes sense and then people could add things and vote. At the end, the guys at andertons can just select the highest voted things they have available.
I love Rob but he needs to realise a lot of kids play in their bedroom after school while their parents sit downstairs watching Coronation Street and their baby sibling is asleep in the room next door. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to play as loud as they'd like to. For what it's worth, I ended up buying a Roland Micro Cube and it's perfect at 'family level' volume!
The other thing to consider with volume is the amount of serious damage you can do to your ears if you play loud continuously. I've opted for plugs at all gigs now. It may be that some people have less of an idea of a suitable volume because their hearing is damaged....who knows. I use a Katana 100 on 0.5W at home. Perfect. BTW - That Vox sounds awesome. Way better than the rest at that volume (although I like the idea of the Boss Katana Air)....especially the larger tube amps. The Kemper....meh.
I'm wondering whether hearing damage is why Chapman wants ridiculous amount of wattage. I wear musician's earplugs when playing on a 4W tube amp, because it's painfully loud otherwise.
the kemper is overpiced and overpowered. i said this years earlier, in a room a kemper sounds fine, on stage it sounds as digital as any other amp. there is something in the upper mid that Always makes you hear if something is digital or not, there is a second option to make a kemper work and that is to compress it to hell and back with a tube screamer. I'm not a fan of these overprices toasters with to many buttons that don't sound like tube amps anyway. i honestly think that someone can make a boss katana 100 head or boss katana artist sound like anything kemper.
Craig Alexander I got the 112 because I think it broadens the overall flexibility, but yeah I agree - stick it on 0.5w and you don’t need anything else.
When Vox designed that amp they clearly had low volume in mind. The reason it keeps winning out against other amps is because it appears to be the only one specifically designed to sound huge at low volumes. The Vox likely takes design cues from lots of modern hi-fi portable sound systems. Where as most other amps take cues and inspiration from guitar amps.
Thanks to the Captain and Rob who have just about convinced me to part with a couple of sheets for what is possibly going to be the ugliest item in my entire house. I feel like I need to send a little message to all the trolling rob haters out there: 1. The amps were mic'd up so we don't really know just how loud they actually were in the studio, this seemed obvious to me especially as when the captain was saying he could talk audibly over the volume and we couldn't hear it due to the loudness of the playback, yet he appeared to be hearing himself fine. At one point the fender amp was so low it hardly engaged at all. 2. You heard them, it's the end of a 2 day shoot in this incredible heatwave, yet here they are putting on a good show as always, so cut a little slack. 3. Rob was just showing the top end option as these videos often do, of course it's not affordable or appropriate for everyone, but it's good to see. 4. Just chill out in general, have a beer and a Jam with some mates and hopefully we'll all get to enjoy the musical musings and offerings of the Captain and Chappers for many years to come- Rock on!
But that's not really true is it, Rob wasn't _"just showing the top-end of the options"_ at all. That would've been fine. Ridiculous, but fine. Instead he complained and shat on quiet guitar playing in general. Not even just tube amps at low volume. Even on the small modelling amps that are made to play at low volume he was complaining about how "uninspiring" it is to play that quiet, and how it's not really worth it and he'd rather just play his electric guitar acoustically. *A lot* of guitar players, probably most I'd say, aren't in a situation where they can crank a 150W tube amp head maxed out on 212 or 412 cabs. Either they are just starting out, live at home, live in an apartment with thin walls or roommates, or only play late in the evening/night after work, etc. etc. etc. Rob's message in this video to them was basically, play unplugged, or buy this £2000+ Kemper set up, or get fucked. That's just shit. Sure, maybe this was the final shoot after two days of hard work in a heat wave, but that's no excuse. Someone at the shoot or in the edit should've made the decision that this isn't the kind of message they want in a video, and either re-shoot it sometime when Chapman isn't cranky. Or just not put it out.
I also play at probably the same volumes. My attic is open and playing louder would disturb my household too much, even my neighbours (who complained about me practicing using the Blackstar Fly the other day... for real!). Especially since the little one wants to sleep every now and then. Headphones remove almost all pleasure, I rather play very low volume than wear headphones. Hdphns sound way more crap mostly (even on the Katana imo, and with the software I tried totally) and impede my physical freedom. Thanks for this test Lee!
I use my Boss GT1 through an old set of powered computer speakers when I can't play too loud. It sounds pretty decent at just slightly louder than speaking volume. I have all the effects I need plus a wah pedal built right in and all in stereo. The real bonus is that I didn't need to spend any extra money, I just used what I had laying around the house.
Thanks Rob for being utterly useless and putting a downer on this whole video. This is a real issue for a lot of people, including myself who lives in a suburban area here in Australia, and you completely missed the brief on the topic! Congrats for not appealing to the target audience! And also, I hope you learn one day to stop being a rude git and talk or butt in when Lee is speaking, and even worse, play over the top of him!
I’ve been watching Andertons videos for a long time. I’ve never seen Rob so blatantly, disruptively belligerent and counterproductive in a video. The majority of guitar players, myself included, have no choice but to play inexpensive amps at low volumes for 75%+ of our playing time. I have higher wattage tube amps that I use with the band that work the speaker and move air. At home, a Yamaha THR10 and Zoom G3 rule the roost. Rob is busy and stretched, and we all know that. Maybe it’s time for a little vacation to clear the mind and get a little perspective in order to understand why it’s a totally useless contribution to suggest a $2000+ Kemper and 1x12 cab as a practical quiet office practice rig that anyone other than a Victory-endorsed professional gigging musician would consider?
It's totally something someone who can afford his own life could consider. Sure isn't something everyone can, but hell. I know for sure that many guitar players have their own life, jobs, and play guitar as a hobby. Maybe they want something with quality without disrupting their family and neighbours? A Kemper and audio monitors are good idea for them. I totally would get it myself if i could afford it, and im not bitching on the comments am i? If you can't afford those, there are other options for sure.
Phelipe Costa there certainly are people who use a Kemper and FRFR solution for exclusively at-home, low volume playing. By this point we’ve all seen the half dozen videos proving how well the Kemper performs. But that wasn’t the point of this video. Captain brought in a selection of small amp options (which all happened to be budget friendly) and tried to compare and contrast them. Chappers added nothing to that conversation and Captain was visibly exasperated. No need for your apparently delicate sensibilities to be disturbed by my opinion. Move along.
Uh, no. Guitarists are not searching for novelty amps they are searching for glorious tone at lower volumes. Rob gave you the answer: Kemper with a 1x12 or a UAD plugin like their Fender Deluxe
I dropped 30 quid on a line 6 pod and 50 quid on a boss ME-80. IMHO, I can get so much great & vast tone for 80 pound sterling mate. And it's got a Looper. Plugs into any hi-fi or amp or headphones. Everyone I show this rig to is blown away by the tone one can achieve. In my apartment it goes into hifi and playing out it goes into a 100w fender 2x12.
z non I've just bought a pod 2.0 and I bought for that reason,only problem was it didn't come with a psu so I have one being delivered tomorrow and I'm glad to hear someone say they sound good
I’m with Lee all the way on this one. Volume (or lack there of) is extremely important for a low volume (bedroom) amp. Kemper? Really? The title of this video didn’t say low volume practice amps only doctors and lawyers can afford. When I used to work for a high end guitar manufacturer years ago I was a bit snobby myself. I built my guitars myself and they sounded and played amazing, but I was very fortunate to have been able to buy those guitars from my employer. Most people can’t afford $2000 to $3000 guitars or equally expensive amps either. The truth is most of your favorite players with guitar tones you admire were done on inexpensive to average costing equipment . I no longer have any of the guitars I built unfortunately. I play an Ibanez G10 and need an inexpensive great sounding practice amp that’s quiet. Thanks for the amp shootout guys.
I am with Lee on this. In my office there is barely enough space for a little katana Air. I have huge amps in the studio but thats not where i sit and noodle on my guitar 80 percent of the time.
Fender Super Champ X2 is the answer, and an awesome pedal platform too. And a disconnectable speaker cable so you can use it with di/attenuators like Torpedo Captor 8.
The Champ is a third of the cost of the Princeton and sounds very "true" and full at really low volumes . I like the wireless with recharge on the Boss but it sounded woeful .
I use Line6 G10 wireless system with my Super Champ and it's the same thing, looks almost identical and recharges in the docking station that is included etc.. no noticeable lagging of the attack (at least for me, and i notice 2ms lag of my Wall Of Sound plugin).
Tsnafu - I don’t know what a Louis Vuitton handbag looks like but I’m sure even that looks better than this amp which is such a shame because functionally it sounds great for my needs.
I bought my Vox Adio air GT on Lee’s recommendation from the last video and I have been extremely happy with it. I would love a software update with more effects (compressors etc) and longer chains available. Was seriously considering getting the Katana Air but I may just get a wireless unit for this (no wires in the living room for child safety). Great vid guys!
I'm with you Lee. I would love to play loudly, but my neighbors would raise hell and I am not a rude person. Rob is a gigging musician, and I sit in my apt. playing for my enjoyment. Just bought a Bugera G5, I play it through the 10" speaker in my Super Champ XD with the Bugera attenuated to .5 watts. I also replaced the preamp tube (12bh7) with a (12au7) witch takes less power to reach the sweet spot. I also enjoy the sound of my Blackstar Fly.
I don't disagree with robs opinion AT ALL on the matter of volume. However.... It was completely contradictory to the point of the video, and felt he was being a little bit unfair.
*For those interested, take a hard look at the Bugera V5 Infinium full tube. The built-in attenuator lets you set it to 5 watts, 1 watt, or 0.1 watts. On 0.1 you can get breakup on the damn thing with the volume on 3 and the next room will hardly be able to hear it. However, if you set it to 5 and crank it, you can make the paint come off the walls. Mind you, this IS a $200 tube combo. Yeah, I said it, it's a $200 tube combo. I have mine sitting on a 112TS 1x12 Bugera cab with another Turbosound in it, and it's amazing working with a Digitech RP360XP multi-effects pedal. Have funs.*
I have a suggestion: drop out and move out. There is your money. Education beyond reading and basic math is a scam. If you are student living in a flat, you are at an university. There is nothing that you will learn that you can't teach yourself, and most of what universities teach you'll never use. And, when you graduate, you will have no experience; I guess nobody told you. Start a business and move somewhere else where you have room. Then you hire the suckers that went to school. 🤣 Taking the time to write because I wish someone had told me exactly this. Cheers
This review is for new kit only, had they included all the great stuff that's been made prior to 2017 the answer could be. Line 6 pod - 30 quid used + Boss ME-80 - 50 quid used = Vast & wondrous tone for 80 pounds sterling Works with Hifi, headphones, or even any amp.
Literally came here to comment that my choice would have been (and was) the HT1-R head and the blackstar 4x8 cab. It sounds superb at the levels being used here
I remember the day I came home with a new Les paul, I plugged my shortest lead into my line. 6 pocket pod with headphones on I was completely free to move about.... And THEN there was a loud knock at the front door to which without thinking I turned straight around and went to open it, I walked straight into the living room door where the door. Latch took a big chunk out of the flamed maple top breaking my very soul. Sometimes a lead is better than being free.
Unless you really need something small enough to fit on a bookshelf, the Fender Mustang GTX 50 is fairly compact, affordable, has tons of tones, works great with pedals, has built in Bluetooth and WiFi, and has a foot switch jack that works with loopers, etc.
After waiting since February, when I paid for it, I finally got my Katana Air. I bought it to replace my Cube Lite which died on me. The Cube Lite costs less than half what the Katana Air does. Roland doesn’t even support the app for the Cube Lite anymore, and it doesn’t have any Bluetooth capabilities or editing software, so I thought the Katana Air would be a great replacement/upgrade. The Cube Lite is rated at 10 watts and the Katana Air at 30 when plugged in. The Cube Lite sounded way better and was much louder than the Katana Air. The sound out of the speakers on the Katana Air reminds me of a transistor radio. It is very thin and tinny, even with the bass dimed. Conversely, through headphones it sounds very boomy and I have to turn the bass down. The only thing the Katana Air does better than the Cube Lite sound wise is that when playing with high gain there is better note separation and clarity because it’s so thin and trebly. The Katana Air has quite a bit of digital fizz in its high gain sounds too. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are two separate Bluetooth connections for playing music through the amp and for controlling it via software. In other words, let’s say you’re connected to the audio and playing along with a song, and you want to change some of the settings from your phone. You have to disconnect from the audio Bluetooth connection and then connect to The midi app. After you change the settings and you want to go back to the song you have to disconnect from the app and then make sure it’s closed before reconnecting to the audio. There is also no volume control on the amp for the input signal from your phone or tablet or whatever you’re using as an external input device. The Cube Lite does have an onboard volume control for the input jack. The Katana Air sounds decent in RUclips videos but in person it really sounds like one of those Bluetooth speakers you get for sending in enough Pringles proof of purchase codes. I know this comment is very long winded but I thought it might help some people trying to make a decision on a small practice amp.
Richie Zuccaro I will have to try using both Bluetooth connections simultaneously again. I had difficulty connecting to the audio and when I called Boss support they told me I had to disconnect from the midi and close the app first. If you were able to do both at the same time though maybe I’ll be able to as well. I am seriously considering returning the Katana though and just getting another Cube Lite. The speakers on the Katana are pathetic.
Richie Zuccaro I don’t understand how the Katana amps are so popular. At NAMM in January I tried a Strandberg guitar and they had Katana mini amps at the booth to plug them into. It sounded like crap too (the amp, not the guitar). I thought maybe the air version would be better, but I think it actually sounds even worse than the mini. Maybe the large speakers in the combo amps make the Katana sound better, but so far the small ones sound horrible.
Rob completely ruined this video. If he did not want to do it, he should at least not have made Lee's work harder. There are people who have particular needs concerning volume and would like some help. I think Lee should try again with Bea, who would never behave like this.
Kemper!! For one I appreciate Rob's comments because he gave me that one nugget of gold that we are all seeking which is glorious tone at low volumes. These little novelty amps will never do that. He told us flat out: get a Kemper and a 1x12 or UAD plugin like their Fender Deluxe. There's your answer.
Yeah, I don't know that I actually play as loud as they do here. It's pretty common, at least for "home-only" players that aren't pros and don't plan to be.
Jesus Christ I wish lee just slapped Rob and told him that playing loud is not the point of the video and that most people don't have the money or the right environment to have huge stacks and play really loud.
he was beeing childish. volume inspires more ofc, on a stage or somewhat. but you don't need to play loud to get more or better ideas. he's beeing a bit of a spoiled bratt about it.
With the housing market the way it is, lots of men living in flats, apartments and units and other small houses. One of the reasons I'm watching this is because I'm one of them and this is helpful ,I could use that VOX, sounds great.
I gotta go with the Captain. I would say at the low volume the Vox sounds the best. I would disagree on the looks though I like the way the Vox looks. Great video guys. 🤠
I bought the little vox adio back in March and use all the time way more than my vox ac4 12. I work weird shifts and can only practice really early in the morning or late at night so the little adio was my only option and it's great. Plus I use it for listening to podcast as well. I would highly recommend the little vox adio if your neighbours are a nightmare or the Mrs.
sunlounger29 The pathfinder is not good at all, had one for practice, ended up getting a Laney VC15 all tube. Still too much power for quiet practice tho
Martin, I agree when you engage the boost it sounds terrible. Otherwise it has a great clean tone for pedals at a moderate volume level. That being said I don't know the Pathfinder 10 as I only own the Pathfinder 15r.
Rob was right about the comments section but for the wrong reasons. Sorry pal I'm with Lee on this one. We haven't all got the luxury of loud volume all the time
Think I’ve made my mind up, I’m gonna get the vox it’s perfect for bedroom practice and I love the way it looks! One for the girls makes a nice change from plain black 😎
Ffs not everyone wants or needs a full touring rig to play quietly in their own homes. Horses for courses maybe, but what the he'll. Let's all order £2000's worth of gear to jam along to an mp3 makes perfect sense to me. I'll stick with my ok tones from my THR10.
Also considering that the vox killed the kemper sound wise in this video imo, that could come down to mic'ing though, but I think that the vox speakers being specifically designed for this usage sound wayyy better on the low end, as rob pointed out you need to get those speakers physically moving, the vox ones probably move way easier.
RiffsNReviews Yeah, that's probably right. However Lee made the point well when he said it was just an amp to noodle with, just plug in and play with volume and gain. It's far too easy to get caught up with "tone chasing" when all you want to do is plug in and play. I think this is where these small amps come in to there own. They're not trying to out emulate Kemper or to sound like a cranked Marshall stack, but just sound near enough for now.
Completely agree with your "tone chasing" comment. I play on stage as well, but 9 out of 10 gigs I don't even bring an amp. There's a back line and you just plug into that. Doesn't matter what kind of junk they've got, making it work is half the fun! \m/
Patrick Mulder Absolutely, I bet your approached by audience members complimenting you on your amazingly organic tone when your plugged into a POD or something similar. Proves the point about tone being subjective and of course your tone has to change with the situation or song, so it's no longer just your tone, it's the sound if the song that the audience member recognises
With Lee on this one. Nice to have an amp that can be 'bedroom/office' friendly but then can be cranked. Blackstar ID60TVP shounds great at a low level and then moves some air at a studio. Would love a Kemper but playing with headphones removed the 'feel' if you ask me.
Please redo this type of test with Pete! I bet he has a more open mind to quiet home players who don't have the facility to boom a Rectifier through a 4x12 in their livingrooms!
I love videos like this, I travel the country working in construction and full time living in an RV and need a small amp so I don’t bother neighbors and take up a lot of space. These shootouts always help me find a new product I want!
I agree the VOX or THR does distort very well and are hard to beat at lower volume. I like my Fender Champ X2 with tubes and 16 amp settings and it will take your favorite pedal well. I like the Tumnus into the clean side - you can play quieter and get a good driven gain sound but it will also get really loud in small to medium (30x30) rooms if you need to!
Is it me or Rob has become quite "negative" and not so constructive in the last 10 videos or so? I have been following him for years but lately I feel like he has become a bit "less nice" than before. (even annoying in this video) We can all be in a bad mood some times. So maybe it is just temporary. Just my 2 cents. Cheers.
Well maybe it is because lot of people told him, he is too nice in reviews and that he likes almost anything, so now is maybe the pendulum swinging bit back ... Anyhow, I like him in this video, he make lot of good points, like actual amp needs to be driven to get all the frequencies etc ... play at low volume at home and then try crancked valve amp and you'll be for a surprise about your playing ;)
Well he can still be nicer in my opinion :) It is not about what he says but also how he says it. The video is about affordable home practice amps and he suggests a 2k Kemper rig. Of course Kemper will sound better! But this was not what the video aimed for.
If a particular amp needs to be driven to get all the frequencies, then obviously that is NOT the choice for a low volume amp. Doesn't mean someone should bitch about it, it's just a simple point to make along the lines of "horses for courses" that Lee spouts throughout the video
Is this an an amp review or Rob Chapman's opinion? If you removed the unnecessary elements from this video, we could all get the answer to the question of the info in the first place. I really wanted to know but it gets muddied here.
NoiseFeedMusic Sorry, offence most definitely not intended. Debate is great but I still feel in this review about quiet amps and practice, one party only wanted loud and could put some people off buying a quiet amp, maybe feeling that Rob is right. Sure, you want an amp to move you, but not away from your neighbours after an anti-social order against you. Am I also the only one feeling Lee's frustration on this point?
Johnny Moser Johnny Moser Again, apologies for any misunderstanding. This is an Andertons review but it's being diluted by an opinion that is different to what the title would suggest, quiet amps for quiet practice, but one party suggests you shouldn't do that. If that opinion holds true, then why would Anderton's list them for sale? This is only constructive criticism, meant to help, not annoy.
NoiseFeedMusic No problem, I just didnt want to come off as a troll or just someone who says something negative for no reason. There's too many on here as it is.
Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 or Deluxe 20 running at 1 watt into a 1x12 or into some monitors/headphones? All valve, simple controls Ps. put a strap on that Vox and I'll bet most people mistake it for a handbag
I‘m a tad bit late i know. I took about a 12 years break from electric guitars. Never had a clue of music theory, a bit like Lee, when he admits to be stuck in the blues pentatonic. I played tabulature songs on acoustic the last 10 years every niw and then. I live in an appartment (in Switzerland, sorry for my english). Now i decided to learn theory and take it serious again (with age 45). I just can‘t practice scales fir 3hours a day knowing my neighbours have to hear that. So i need a quiet amp. I bought a Blackstar ID Core Beam and it‘s very much what i need. Of course sometimes i daydream of a 412 cab and a massive loud tone. It‘s just not realistic now. I also bought a IrigPro interface. I use my old in ear headphones and amplitube (on the phone mostly). I don‘t record music. I bought the Dimebag pack and it feels like i‘m badass. Nobody hears me when i wake up at 4am and practice and jam on the scales until sunrise every day. It feels loud and raw but i know i‘m quiet. I enjoy that. In the evening i use the Blackstar or an old Vox AC4 on 1/4Watts and it feels almost too loud. Volume also can be very iritating. When i practiced today i played on the Blackstar amp. It felt loud, i thought i could disturb the neighbours. When i watched a guitar lesson on YT over TV i recognised that i‘m way quieter than my tv settings. But guitar frequencies can cut through buildings. I don‘t want to annoy my neighbours and want to enjoy learning guitar as much as possible. Maybe one day i buy software (but then i need a new pc). Or a kemper (or something cheaper) with a cabinet and good headphones. For now i have a solution that matches my budget. Rob was very unrelaxed in this video. Lee actually knows what 99% of guitarists reality looks like
While Rob can play like few can, it doesn't make his ear better than anyone elses. I've got a lot of friends who play better but we don't see eye to eye on what tone is best. To each his own and its personal taste. I think I'm more in the camp of Lee than Rob musically too.. Eventhough Rob is a much better player I also like Lee's taste in what he plays better as well. Been looking for a low 'volume' amp for my office and may have found it in the Vox.
12:58 I have seen avocados more inspired than this :D Thank you Lee for this vid. Rob, I love you and your professional view, and your amazing ears, but here you seem to completely have missed the point of the video (and you ruined it a bit). I'm totally with Lee on this one. FWIW, I have a little 20W Blackstar, which I will never crank up louder than halfway, because life is a bit different from playing live, but in practice I play through my laptop and small monitors, and that works perfectly for what I'm trying to do.
Princeton with the volume a fraction under 2, bass on 3.5, treble on 6. Strat on an inbetween setting with tone rolled back to 7.5 and volume on 6.5 and it’s glorious. Stick a Strymon Flint and a blues driver between them and you have killer tone that the person in the next room won’t be upset by... always input 1 though.... always....
The Princeton (and most Fender amps) has two inputs, with input 2 being about 6db quieter than input 1. Normally for a single coil guitar I would go into 1, but 2 is useful for hotter guitars.
@@benweekes2797 thanks for the reply , I’m kinda an older new player and didn’t know that so thanks for that useful information. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦 !
Oh where to start?! Loved it. Loved the differences in opinions that you guys had because they were real, there was almost a point where you seemed to forget about the camera and have a proper discussion. I get both perspectives, everyone saying Rob has forgotten that people play at low volumes, Rob clearly is used to playing louder and gets the feel from the speaker and uses that to inspire him, everyone having a go is clearly jealous that he has the lifestyle that allows him to play louder and they don't! Lee can't be arsed with hassle of rigging up a gig level set up to just noodle around and the Vox sounded the best for that. I'm pretty sure if Lee were to gig (make it so), he would go down the route of a Fender valve amp cranked up to a proper level, there are different options for different scenarios for different people, this hammered that home with a lump hammer so thank you, shame everyone else must have an outcome they agree with..or...else!
I've got the Blackstar HT-1 not even the HT-5 and my freaking neighbors are always complaining when I hit its front end with my little TC electronic spark booster. @mr Lee - 6:00: it's called accelerometer!
John Osborne agreed, I love the Core Metal preset that you get by using Sneaky Amps, and honestly, for low volume it's a wicked high gain sound, just crank up the mids to 60~80 depending on taste
I own a Marshall silver jubilee mini played through a 2X12, i live in an apartment with neighbours. What i do is i mic up the cab and play with headphones using a soundcard and it works amazing ofc the amp sounds best driven BUT it still kills all of these soundwise at low volume in my headphones when mic'd up. I do however play on the 5W mode. As always great video guys!!
This is a very interesting topic, which affects probably millions of bedroom guitarists. It's really sad that instead of taking it seriously, you get an annoying negative remark from the guy on the left every 3 seconds. I would love some more of this content, but with a serious guest next time. I often play with head phones, but also am looking for a new amp for low and high volume. I sold my last 100 watts ss amp, because I don't need that much headroom and it was taking too much space, but it's hard to find something actually testet at low volume. You'll never get that punch there, of course, but you still hear what you play with all effects, equalizers etc. which is still an improvement over pure unplugged (also, you hear bad playing for practice better).
Lee definitely knows better when it comes to really low volumes. His concerns are spot on for the target audience of the products i think.
Yeah. Also, maybe makes sense. I mean, he owns the store, and probably understands that most customers buy entry-level gear for low volume usage. It's simply good business sense not slacking of these products. Also, the premise was an easy amp to use in an office. Seems like he understood the potential sales in this product category and Rob couldn't give two shits about it.
Agreed.
It’s not hard to spot which of them is the guy who makes the gear, and which is the guy who sells them.
@Mark Lynch, pretty much all Rob does is shred, in every single video. Shred and shred and shred some more. I like the two other guys that wear the Hawaiian shirts, they actually play melodic and nuanced tunes, and often jam with each other. Sure, some shredding, but not Every.Single.Time.
@@lydmo8287 LMAO welcome to metal guitar. I enjoy some shredding when its warranted but my god, only playing shred licks would make me run out of inspirational steam very quickly.
Rob apparently unaware that apartments, roommates, family members, children, neighbors, and coworkers exist. No idea why he had such a hard time grasping the concept of this video. Made it almost unwatchable.
He has made Anderton's unwatchable.
agree rob needs to go back to his guitar teaching videos that is his best stuff- now he is just a blatant arrogant showoff.
he is a bit of a ego trip. but he is right about the volume thing. playing quiet sucks. its nice being able to feel a sonic punch shake your organs.. that said, i understand their are people who could never do that and rob seems to not grasp it.. i cant imagine playing p90s quietly. those pickups need the volume to do their thing
im not a great guitar player and havent done a proper gig since 2008. I took into acount my guitar volume needs when buildin my house.
I just found your comment after leaving mine (2 years after yours). I also almost found this video unwatchable. Rob was not quite combative, but his rigidity...on this video topic...was BEYOND annoying and unproductive.
Such a rigid man who seems to have little to no empathy for others. Can you imagine having to work with someone that rigid?
I'm totally with Lee on this one.....99% of the time I play at home and need to keep the volume down, and I want to plug in and play rather than sit editing patches.
Every second someone spends editing patches is a second he didn't spend playing. Full Stop.
I think Lee understands what life is like for quite a few of us. I think Chappers is a spoilt kid and when things aren't going his way he doesn't want to play. I think Pete would have provided a whole lot of insight and entertainment with Lee.
Yeah, he really acted like a kid at school trying to brag about something he "has at home." It's just sad, really, how he acted here.
It pisses me off to be honest because every guitar amp marketing department must be full of people like Chappers who think we should also be playing at 90db+……wake the eff up….!!! I would guess (based on a lot of responses to this video….that most of us are trying to grab half an hour to play after putting the kids to sleep after working 10-12 hours in the office. We want great tone but without causing a divorce or waking up the neighbors….its might not be exactly a ‘rock and rock’ attitude but its the truth for most of us ordinary humans. The first company that releases a 1w amp with the tone and features of Mesa Mk IV for less than a grand makes a fortune…
Are you f**king serious? Chap never did say or act like if "things aren't going his way he doesn't want to play" If Chapman prefers to play louder that is his damn right. If he prefers to just play a guitar acoustically rather than play at low volume, that is also his right. What it really sounds like is you are just jealous that you can't play loud so you want to spout off untruths about him in this video. You and some of the other replies to your comment come off as spoiled.
@@daviddenson3324 Yeah. Accepted. It is just a snap shot anyway.
If Rob can't play quietly he's wrong for the vid. Bring in Pete!!!!!!!!!!
Exactly its not hard to understand that people might be learning or playing guitar in their apartments or small rooms. Robs an idiot
Rob sounds shocked that people play quiet. I'd say the vast majority of his viewers can't play that much louder than that
Really, I’m totally with Rob. I have to play fairly loud, I just get my AC30 and put at around half way maybe a bit under.
Sure, but it's not really a preference thing, I think everyone would like to play loud, but for a lot it is just not possible for various reasons
I agree. I don't play in a band and just at home. Most of the time I even play with headphones. When I purchased a new guitar the other day, I was able to play a little louder and boy, that was an amazing feeling! I was so touched that I got goosebumps from my own playing. Sounds stupid. But it showed me that the amp and all around it kind of is part of the "instrument". However, at home I just can't play loud, because my neighbors would kick me in the nuts.
It was a test for quiet amps and he sat there like a spoiled brat complaining about how quiet they were. Well, dont be in the video then.
Get in a band. It'll blow your mind! Plus, it will make you a better player as volume reveals how clean (or not) your playing is so you can improve.
If this were about cars, this would be an episode of old Top Gear.
May: We're looking for the best solution for a small, budget friendly car for city driving. I brought a Mini.
Hammond: I brought a Smart.
Clarkson: I brought a La Ferrari
All three fail parameters:
May’s choice might be reasonable for someone who has “rainy day money” to spend on repairs but at least it’s said to be fun and you do see them around
Hammond has chosen a piece of junk that should be banned from all public roads
Clarkson has jobbed in the most spectacular fashion
Rob apologized for hearing his guitar playing acoustically. But actually I think it was good, because it gave me an actual relative sense of how loud an amp is in relation to the guitar acoustically.
No need to apologise for it, for those of use who have to play at low volume's it's something we live with daily. Sadly this is another of those comments that show's he didn't understand the goal of the video. (This is sad because he picks up a lot of bad press (just look at the comments here); Lee looses out because he doesn't get to make what should have been a very useful video; and viewers loose out because we don't get good reviews of these low volume amps.)
Rob being a snob in this video. And to be honest, i still kinda liked the sound of the vox better than the kemper.
The Vox was definitely the nicest sounding one to be honest at least for the sound Lee was going for.
So correct me if I'm wrong. But you make a video about what amp to get so you can play quietly in your room, and then you mic the amp, so we have no idea what it sounds like, in relation to the rest of the room. The audio I heard out of this, absolutely, sounded amazing. If your head was right next to the speaker. Just use the room mics, like you've done before, so we know what it sounds like sitting in the room at those volumes.
I really hope this gets a revisit
Explaining ‘playing quiet’ to Rob is like the ‘yeh, but these go to 11’ scene in Spinal Tap, absolutely doesn’t get it... Everybody would love to play loud but almost everybody can’t.
I laughed so hard at this comment. Well done.
NoiseFeedMusic No he isn’t, he’s saying there is no inspiration playing that quietly and suggests getting around it tone wise by buying a Kemper. The purpose of the video is to show customers and viewers what is available at Andertons if you are unable to play loud or need to play quietly....
NoiseFeedMusic I kinda get the comments. He’s not saying playing that quietly isn’t worth a tube amp, he’s saying that quietly isn’t worth it. Period. Even when they talked about the small amps that are meant to be quiet, he was faffing about volume. I can see both sides, but I think I’m think for the concept of this video, the complainers are right... especially since it’s meant to be small amps. Not big amps turned down.
Dude, this comment is so spot on! It was like the idea of the video went totally over his head :D
I'm happy that at least the music industry realized a huge part of their customers want nice tones and need them at quiet volume and on a budget. If all people were like Rob like "No man, you gotta go for that 2k pound Kemper!" - then the electric guitar would really be dead. Students can't play a cranked tube amp in their bedrooms. And they can't afford a Fender Custom Shop Tele. And if they still suck on guitar it is not justified to spend hundreds of pound on boutique overdrive pedals.
I am with the captain on this. People playing at home can't play loader than this.
i agree. The only time i get to play louder than "bedroom volume" is if my wife and kids are gone at the same time.
I think this is just too quiet. I live in an apartment. I would play at this level at night. Not early morning night, but just in the evening. Normal playing can be twice or even 3 times that volume.
While Chappers' comments are pointless to the purpose of this video, I totally agree with him. If my option is to play with the amp volume so quiet the sound of the strings rings is as loud as the amp or to play with headphones I'd rather just play unplugged. It loses the point of amplifying the signal, you lose articulation and you loose the oomph of the speaker pushing air which *is* the joy of playing electric guitar in my opinion. It just makes you want to turn it up, not very enjoyable. When it comes to low volume play you pretty much need a modeling amp. Tube amps have to be driven to sound good. Anecdotally, I only play at home, and I often play louder than they are in the video. When no ones home I crank my Marshall as loud as my ears will tolerate. Quiet overdrive never sounds good.
I am with Rob play loud I do
I can see it's already been said by others, but I've gotta join in cause I want to reply to this content. Rob, try imagining you're living in a cheap flat with thin walls, or with housemates / neighbours that are in close proximity. That or living back with your parents again. You need to remember that a HUGE amount of your customers are living in those types of situations and cranking an amp is a sure fire way to piss people off and cause problems that are frankly not worth it for a bit of playing guitar in the evening after coming home from work. Lucky you for being able to always have your amps loud every time you want to pick up your guitar.
In that situation I'd have to say the headphones are the best bet. You remove the influence of the "pick attack" from the sound so you have a more realistic feedback and you can turn it up to fill your ears. I think the best bet is an amp that has the ability to output to a cab. They both exist and are affordable. I have a Hugh's and kettner tubemeister 18 combo that does both, and has a midi output. Great tone, low output, and comparability with software. Also if you need to be loud the venue can mic you up. ;)
GuitarGary they have hearing protection that is flat response (or close to it) up to 25 db, that I have seen. It makes it safer. And amps, especially tube amps, need volume to breathe within.
That’s a good point
Lee: "Rob, I'm looking at getting a $100 bike to ride around the block."
Rob: "Why not get a car? It's faster."
Lee: "I don't want to spend thousands on a car, I just want an ok bike to ride around with and get some exercise."
Rob: "Here's a nice Nissan for $23K that would be better!"
Lee: "UGH....."
LMAO
Never trust the opinion of someone when they can't tune their guitar! :)
that basically proofs Robs IQ Level...
I have no idea why Lee did this vid with Rob, who has no concept of "quiet", rather than Pete, who clearly understands "quiet". Makes no sense...
Agreed (with hind sight) Pete would have been a far better choice.
It does sort of raise the question why issue it to the channel when the main artist doesn't understand what he's meant to be showing? Yes, it would have cost to re-shoot, but it would have been a far more useful video (although may have attracted less comments?)
I think Rob is there on purpose to provide the contrarian view: “but why not just play louder with a small tube amp?”. A lot of people want to play louder but simply can’t for logistical (and maybe legal) reasons.
It's all well and good Rob saying you should play loud. What if you are shit like me? People would hear.
Barkyshards LMAO !!!! Exactly my problem as well 🤣
LOL
NoiseFeedMusic thanks for the insight
Well said dude
Next on Andertons, "What Amp should I buy if I really dont want to be heard....." hint...its probably a Kemper.
Rob really doesn’t get it. Contrasting opinions are good, but only if both grasp the concept. Who would spend 2k on a Kemper just to practice in an office or bedroom? I love these videos but feel Rob is becoming increasingly out of touch.
Captain Lee isn't a 13 year old kid who can't afford a Kemper - I'm glad he brought it up, it's one of the solutions that doesn't compromise your tone
Wagoo maybe Lee can afford one, but it’s not realistic for what is essentially a practice amp. I’m not a 13 yr old kid but wouldn’t dream of dropping 2k on a low volume bedroom amp. The video wasn’t about getting the perfect tone, it was about getting a decent tone on a low volume amp!
Yeah. That bit just seemed silly. The premise was "an amp for the office". I mean, just the extra space the Kemper and cab would take up would be reason enough to go with the smaller option, not to mention the price. It was for a rig where you have a noodle around every once in a while. I mean, come on Rob. Come on.
A lot of people are volume restricted over their whole dwelling, and want more than JUST a practice amp.. so why restrict them to cheap practice amps. You don't need a cab for the Kemper, you can just plug it into studio monitors (or headphones which Lee rejected). Yes it is a bit over the top for Lee's boss office, but to extrapolate it to the masses who need to either practice/play at unsociable hours, or with sensitive neighbours.. it works great. There's also the valve head into Two Notes route, or using an isocab..
they both insisted on their standpoint: Lee does not want headphones and Rob does not want to hear the acoustic sound of the strings. The solutions are thusly limited to a 2k Kemper and the little Vox purse amp. lol
It's alright for you rob youre a guitarist for a living, for the rest of us who live in apartments or completely unsoundproofed houses or at their parents houses we need the quiet amps
Robs perspective is coming from the professional musician and the 'Kemper' is not that frivolous as it can be used in the home, in the studio, on tour etc. Sound proofing would be his approach which is fair enough rather than buy a 'niche/novelty' amp.
For beginners and low budget guitarists who also need 'quiet' amps for home use, the Amps like the Boss Katana is far more versatile as they can be turned down to 0.5w specifically for that purpose and they have FX Loops too. These are better than buying the amps like the Vox because you can also take them out for band practice and even gig with them - something the Vox can't do.
The 'quiet amps' as you put it, are not the 'cheap' option as you will need a decent amp as well - unless the only playing you ever do is in your bedroom at your parents house. Certainly not good enough for band practice alongside drums etc. As such, these are nothing more than 'niche' or 'novelty' items. A professional may want one for taking on the tour bus, warming up in their dressing room or playing on in their motel room - something reasonably lightweight and portable but they will still have Kempers, sound-proofed rooms at home etc. Like I said, beginners and low budget guitarists are better off buying a multi-purpose amp like the Katana as you can turn the power down for home practice but also use it for band practice and gigging too. The Vox for example is nothing more than an additional and unnecessary expense with very limited use.
BAMozzy I wholeheartedly disagree. I have a 90s Peavey bandit. 1x12 combo and a blackStar fly amp, and I am forced to use my blackstar to avoid disturbing anybody. You wanna talk about budget, try a gigging rig for under 200 quid with my Peavey and a Harley Benton; 80 watts solid state isnt playable at my home, so I need the blackstar to practice with any sound at all and it works. But for rob to shun these small amps completely seems slightly naive - I know in his line of work he had the ability to crank a tube amp at home and at work to his hearts content but the small amps still have merit in every sense of the word. Boss katanas are 250, these small battery amps are 50-150 and are a blessing for a huge range of players
BAMozzy How is soundproofing a viable alternative to a £200 low volume amp?? Also the assumption that low volume amps are only useful to beginners is ridiculous. Most of us have neighbours, kids, housemates or flatmates to think of, and "just playing loud" is not an option. That's what these amps are for and Rob's 'opinion' that you should just play loud is completely useless and irrelevant in this situation.
Dude we get it, (Are you Rob Chapman?) It is a video about playing quite. Rob is too damn spoiled to understand and whined the whole time. So shut the fuck up.
Sound-proofing is a viable alternative to any professional or serious musician. It may not be an alternative for a beginner, a low budget guitarist etc but Rob isn't one of those. Neither is Rabea who also went the sound proofing route too. Rob also suggested the Kemper - which as they demonstrated also works and again something that 'professional' musicians would use instead as it also works for studio and live performances - not so frivolous. If playing loud is more important, as it is to Rob, then the alternative is to change your approach and think about sound proofing or as a 'professional' get a Kemper so that it can be used in all situations with the same creativity options - not just something to noodle on because its too limited.
Those Amps aren't really suited to beginners either - more for those who have decent amps but for what-ever reason, would prefer to buy something specifically for the home use - instead of an Attenuator or Katana because they already have a decent 50w amp.
Its still better to buy a 'decent' amp and maybe spend a little less on the guitar for a beginner. That way, if they do want to start a band or gig, they don't need to buy a new amp and these amps are also more versatile in that they have a FX loop so you can put a looper in at the back end. These amps are more for 'musicians' that have decent amps already and want something 'niche' for the 'bedroom' or for taking on the tour bus and playing in motel rooms.
When just playing loud isn't an option, then maybe they can do a job but for a beginner, a low budget guitarist etc, its still better to buy a decent amp that can be turned down. These are more niche and for musicians who already have decent amps for 'louder' situations - something to noodle on. I wouldn't recommend these as someones first/only Amp. Its a step up from those mini marshall stack amps or boss air but its still little more than a 'novelty' or 'niche' product for those that already own 'decent' amps.
I love the fact that Lee does personal stuff with this channel like this, It takes away a lot of the big corporate feel you get from a lot of these guitar gear demos and makes it feel more real
Sorry> 3 years later: Make no mistake, these videos are all about selling. Every one pitches a product and without it, the sales would not be as high as the success of Andertons clearly testifies. Why so in this particular video? because the vast majority of customers are at the bottom of the pyramid and will obviously go for the cheaper Vox every time !!!
@@LeastTango I know, I said it takes away from the feel of it, its good marketing and good playing.
@@WeyounSix umm right, ok, we agree then given that any perception that the corporate feel is suppressed is purely intentional as RUclips for andertons is one big marketing machine
Rob being a bit of a snob. We're not all rock stars with sound rooms. Sometimes we have to be quiet. And the suggestion of a Kemper for a quiet practice amp? Sheesh.
The Kemper IS a great practice amp at any volume. It just seems to be out of budget for most people (certainly not Lee). In reality it'd end up more as a jack of all trades amp for most people, as they won't need something JUST to play quietly in their office. But it's a very valid suggestion for people with volume constraints
Wagoo True, but it's an extravagant suggest. $2000 for the Kemper, $600 for a cab or FRFR speakers, and not exactly portable to bring out and put away. Just seems rather tone deaf to the theme of the video.
At those volumes a cheap set of monitors plugged into it would do the trick.. I doubt the toaster version is all that much bigger than the VOX.. and the rack version you can.. rack.. or just put things on :) Yes it's expensive, but it destroys on all other parameters and removes any doubts about "my amp isn't good enough". I also think it's a great way to see what valve amps you gravitate towards the sound of.. so you can buy the real versions someday down the line
Rob is not a rockstar.
I can easily afford the Kemper but that doesnt mean I am mad enough to use it for practice. It is not about the price or affordability it is about what is practical. I have a studio and I can play there as loud as I want and that is not what I need a small amp for. I play in bed before i go to sleep and I guarantee you the Katana Air looks great on the mantle nice and small and comfy.
I really like what Rob has to say.... normally....but he clearly lives in a different world to me and most of the other guitarist I know live in. I have to consider ( like most of us)..my family and the people living next to me ...so to get put out because you can't play at really loud volumes because you can't get inspired by the sound is ridiculous in my view...no offense Rob.
I think Lee is spot on personally. This is a real situation for a lot of players and the Vox does sound best at low volumes because it uses boombox-style speakers that give a full sound at low volumes. The other amps surely sound better at louder volumes, but that wasn't the goal.
£2000 to practice at your desk occasionally...or late at night when the kids are in bed...haha...Rob you are hilarious.Money,success and moderate internet fame never changed anyone did it lol.I'll def go and buy the kemper just as soon as my personal helicopter arrives...I hope Andertons have a landing pad.
😂
You sir, I like you
They do. Ariels head. With even a windy landing you'll be far from danger.
Ha ha! Great comment.
Rob uses a Kemper for his main rig, so he has it already. In that case it makes total sense to put a pair of studiomonitors in front of your face (you can get a pair of decent JBLs at the price of the Vox) and you'll have a great low-volume tone. That is exactly what I do and it's a cheap solution in that situation.
Also: the bitching about the price of the Kemper is also getting really old, if you buy any decent tube head and a couple of pedals you're at the same budget.
Please redo this video for 2020 mid-to-post-quarantine with folks who appreciate that you need a quiet option!
plus the new yamaha thr10 came out right after this
"Just buy a Kemper."
LOL - someone is a BIT out of touch.
£200 v £2000
Kemper lol. Keep it.
Lee's hinting at a problem most hobby musicians might be having: playing an electric guitar at low volumes at home so as to not make your neighbors run up the wall. Your options are: a desktop amp like the excellent Vox Adio GT, software emulation with headphones, an all-valve amp with the volume turned all the way down. Each has its own up- and downsides. Personally, I run the emulation and the valve amp options at home.
If you have time to answer a random question, since you run software emulation; what do you do against latency/lag? I've at times tried to play through my PC, but that couple millisecond/half second delay between doing the physical thing on the guitar and hearing it from the speakers is throwing me off so much.
@@TheMrVengeance Use a Mac
@@justwinclassic or take the money you saved by not overpaying for an apple product and buy a better interface with less latency
This video should have been done with Pete or Rabea... Rob was completely missing the point about people with volume constraints. Disappointing as I'm in the market for one to avoid waking my two year old up in the evenings.
Richard Lawes Grab an Orange 1x8 cab (perfect for home use) then select from Hotone, Orange etc micro heads. I just switched to that set up and its so nice.
Hotone nano series amps are great
NoiseFeedMusic No, we didn't miss the point. Our point is that most guitarists can't play regularly at loud volumes and generally are almost always playing alone.
Many never even jam in a band more than a couple times.
The market simply hasnt been catering to this massive audience and are just now trying.
NoiseFeedMusic like Lee said, he just wanted an amp that didn't require him to wear headphones or need much rigging up ect. That might be where a software based amp would fall in this situation. Rob had his reasons but it was Lees scenario they were basing the reviews on.
What he said was that he didn't "feel inspired" at low volumes. Which is a perfectly fine thing to say. But, maybe wasn't that helpful all things considered, and it did come across a bit elitist and condescending.
Playing consistently at high volumes requires that you either have the money for a dedicated space or room. It's a privilege, basically. And the premise of the video was finding an amp suitable for use in an office. So yeah, suggestion using a 2000 £ set-up did seem a bit ridiculous. This wasn't a main set-up kind of thing, it was for short breaks and having a jam. I guess if money was no option, but even then, would you really throw that much money at something you'd use occasionally mostly for practice?
"Rob, we're playing quiet today."
"Yeah, but it goes to 11..."
"Yeah Rob but this is for the average bedroom player"
"But... 11.... Touring Rig... £1000s... Explosions..."
"And dont touch that Chapman....listen, its still sustaining! Its been sustaining for days....."
Don't even look at it!
Rob C lmao that comment got me haha
he also annoys the Captain you can see it visible on the poor guys face as he grimaces while Rob shows off
yeah, a 3000$ rigg just to play on bedroom levels,huuhhhh. if it sounds good it's good. i would go boss katana air or something and use an engl live, because kemper sound shit live "sorry kemper guys"nothing beats a tube amp and especially not something with more knobs then a space ship.
Just watched this video...an "older" person just taking up the guitar, looking for a practice amp that can co-exist with a wife and two dogs, on a limited budget. Thank you Capt. for staying your ground and keeping the video on track for people looking for an amp that sounds good at low volumes and is budget priced. This was very helpful. Love Chappers but he missed the mark on this one. Quite frankly, if we all had unlimited money we wouldn't need reviews, we'd just buy whatever when we wanted. Keep up the great work!
God Rob is unbearable here, Lee is totally on point, so many people can't just have loud amps whenever they want.
Lee, could you make this video again without Rob?
Ouuuch !
Danish Pete would be my choice
What is your problem with Rob? I love him in these vids, and he presents the valid counter-position that low volume amps aren't ideal for some people. Kemper (or other cheaper more affordable modeller) with headphones would possibly be a much better low volume solution for a lot of people
And then every video. Prob time to update a few anyway 🙂
Ty Quinn you really dont see the problem? Rob’s complaining about low volume on a video thats about low volume amps. It’s not that hard of a concept to grasp. If low volume amps are an issue for some people, they wouldn’t click on the vid in the first place.
Rob's "opinions" are quite out of place with the purpose of this vid.
Agreed. Why does Captain put up with him? He puts me off buying any gear. - Hint! Captain needs a NEW side-kick
You all sound like cry babies rob is just a quirky person
There’s obviously need for a lower volume solution for people who don’t want to include the neighbors in their practice session. I wish Rob could have gotten on board with the question.
@@sloebone7399 He did get on board with the question. He recommended that for quiet practice, headphones, or just listening to the completely acoustic unamplified signal was a more satisfying experience for him. He wasn't recommending that people crank a 100 watt amp everytime they practice. He was suggesting his own preferences for low volume practice. Admittedly a Kemper is not similarly priced but there are cheaper headphones+modelling alternatives
Ty Quinn He was not on board at all. Very obnoxious for him to say that the guitar sounds better unplugged than running through a low amp. I record all the time in my home studio with the Orange Micro Terror in low volumes and it sounds great. Rob was a poor choice for this video, very sarcastic and elitist.
Not to be disrespectful in any way to Rob but most none gigging guitarists play at these very low volumes. I suspect Rob is somewhat out of touch with this type of guitarist and volume level. We would all love to play at gigging volumes at home however it's impractical for most (the vast majority) of guitarists. Lee is clearly more in tune with his customer base and recognises this is where the vast majority of Anderton's business revenue comes from. This is also why overdrive/distortion pedals are the most popular pedals with none gigging guitarists. If this were a video about gigging amps, tones and volumes Rob would have been a much more effective presenter.
The point: I can't have anyone hear me.
Rob: I need people to hear me.
Gonz9 2 it’s like me coming in as a newbie guitarist and say “Hey Rob I’m in the market for a new amp but its for home use so I can noodle and mess around with” Rob: “sure thing mate over hear we have this double stack stage ready marshal that can handle 500 watts per channel and comes with a loudspeaker ideal for a gig up to 2000 people”. Me: “Cheers Rob thats not what I came in for”
WTF!?!?!?! Never EVER have I heard a handbag that sounded so good! The Vox knocks it out of the park at low volume. Could this be the amp equivalent of “A Boy Named Sue”?
With you on this one. Defo worth the 200 snots. And you could actually play it at home without being evicted.
Louis Vuitton makes amps? It does sound good though... and to the other points, I specifically searched for "practice amp home office" as that is what I need. Don't need to hear that its not loud enough, that wasn't the point of my search...
lmao it is truly a dreadful looking amp, but i love the sound
I couldn’t give two hooots what it looks like, it’s a good price and sounds great....and I’m not exactly a VOX fan at all, but it may well be the amp I get!! Hats off to you Lee Anderton \m/
You took that handbag comment right out of my head! It really does look like grandma's old victorian bag!
“im not wetting myself over two grands of tone here” - LOL
Rob so had that one coming here
18:00
Rob dragged this video into the ground unfortunately, I just couldn't enjoy watching him spend 15 minutes complaining about how he hated everything while Lee soldiers on trying to make a decent video. If it's not your 'thing' that's fine, but either sit out the video or state your position then at least TRY to be useful. Saying "oh I just wouldn't play guitar at this volume" isn't useful. Most of your audience won't have a choice, they don't have a special shed in their back yard to crank everything up - especially the people who came here for "the Best Guitar Amp For Low Volume Use". Saying "I'd use a kemper" is just straight up useless consumer advice because 95% of your audience who has to play in their bedroom in their parent's house or flat doesn't have $2000 to drop on a practice rig.
Damn right!!
Spot on.
Very true. Rob childishly trashed everyone who has to practice in the family home, with neighbours and doesn't have the funds to buy perfection.
Perfection? Pfffff
What would you buy if you had limitless funds? Your own version of Perfection. Most of us have an idea of that but most cannot attain it.
I've got an idea. You're videos are great and I really appreciate all the opinions and suggestions that have been given. But I think the selection of amps for this video could have been optimised a little. Now my idea is to let people online vote for amps beforehand. It might be a little effort and it would give away which video comes next, but the results and the value of the video would be awesome, I think. It's kind of like the Chapman approach of letting people vote for the guitar design. Whatcha think? For example: I would have included: Blackstar HT-1, Boss Katana 50 (attenuation), Marshall DSL1, Victory RD1. Basically anything that offers decent attenuation and/or cab simulation. Cheers guys! Greets from Frankfurt/Germany!
Actually, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. You could even apply this to pedal shootouts and other things.
I play through my Katana 50 at *extremely* reasonable volumes and it sounds great! -that's why I bought the thing. I wish it had an effects loop, but aside from that, it's brilliant.
This would be absolutely perfect for the "Sound Like..." series.
That is a really great idea.
Most of the reviewers can't do this because they have just their personal gear and whatever they just got for review. But Andertons has the house full of gear and could compare the most requested things.
yeah man! They could provide a poll with stuff they think makes sense and then people could add things and vote. At the end, the guys at andertons can just select the highest voted things they have available.
Lee should have just done this video on his own.
It wouldn’t have been as good tho. I think lee won the argument, it’s just how long the video went on for which was so entertaining
Boss Katana and headphones are perfect for an imperfect world
😂
I love Rob but he needs to realise a lot of kids play in their bedroom after school while their parents sit downstairs watching Coronation Street and their baby sibling is asleep in the room next door. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to play as loud as they'd like to. For what it's worth, I ended up buying a Roland Micro Cube and it's perfect at 'family level' volume!
The other thing to consider with volume is the amount of serious damage you can do to your ears if you play loud continuously. I've opted for plugs at all gigs now. It may be that some people have less of an idea of a suitable volume because their hearing is damaged....who knows. I use a Katana 100 on 0.5W at home. Perfect.
BTW - That Vox sounds awesome. Way better than the rest at that volume (although I like the idea of the Boss Katana Air)....especially the larger tube amps. The Kemper....meh.
Gazzy Burns I use my Katana 50 on .5w and I agree the Katanas are bad ass at low volumes too.
I'm wondering whether hearing damage is why Chapman wants ridiculous amount of wattage. I wear musician's earplugs when playing on a 4W tube amp, because it's painfully loud otherwise.
the kemper is overpiced and overpowered. i said this years earlier, in a room a kemper sounds fine, on stage it sounds as digital as any other amp. there is something in the upper mid that Always makes you hear if something is digital or not, there is a second option to make a kemper work and that is to compress it to hell and back with a tube screamer. I'm not a fan of these overprices toasters with to many buttons that don't sound like tube amps anyway. i honestly think that someone can make a boss katana 100 head or boss katana artist sound like anything kemper.
Boss Katana 50 at 0.5W?! That's what I use at home - has made my THR redundant.
Craig Alexander I got the 112 because I think it broadens the overall flexibility, but yeah I agree - stick it on 0.5w and you don’t need anything else.
Same here, Katana 50 at 0.5w, sounds great.
Jup, same! Works on this volume and bit louder. Complies with the 'plug and play' criteria as well.
Same with me, and I get a great sound. I love my Katana. .5 watt is great for at home, and 50 watts is plenty loud enough to play at small clubs.
Awesome. I think Boss did a great job with the Katana.
what's the lowest volume rob's mike can be set to?
I believe it is (and should be locked to) zero.
Hahahahahahaha, best comment on here!
China
What do people have against him?
@@rico4772 lets see.. arrogant, elitist, egotistical.... who the hell would be looking at this video and thinking "I'll just spend 2k on a Kemper".
When Vox designed that amp they clearly had low volume in mind. The reason it keeps winning out against other amps is because it appears to be the only one specifically designed to sound huge at low volumes. The Vox likely takes design cues from lots of modern hi-fi portable sound systems. Where as most other amps take cues and inspiration from guitar amps.
Exactly. Well said.
Thanks to the Captain and Rob who have just about convinced me to part with a couple of sheets for what is possibly going to be the ugliest item in my entire house. I feel like I need to send a little message to all the trolling rob haters out there:
1. The amps were mic'd up so we don't really know just how loud they actually were in the studio, this seemed obvious to me especially as when the captain was saying he could talk audibly over the volume and we couldn't hear it due to the loudness of the playback, yet he appeared to be hearing himself fine. At one point the fender amp was so low it hardly engaged at all.
2. You heard them, it's the end of a 2 day shoot in this incredible heatwave, yet here they are putting on a good show as always, so cut a little slack.
3. Rob was just showing the top end option as these videos often do, of course it's not affordable or appropriate for everyone, but it's good to see.
4. Just chill out in general, have a beer and a Jam with some mates and hopefully we'll all get to enjoy the musical musings and offerings of the Captain and Chappers for many years to come- Rock on!
Good words, dude \m/
But that's not really true is it, Rob wasn't _"just showing the top-end of the options"_ at all. That would've been fine. Ridiculous, but fine.
Instead he complained and shat on quiet guitar playing in general. Not even just tube amps at low volume. Even on the small modelling amps that are made to play at low volume he was complaining about how "uninspiring" it is to play that quiet, and how it's not really worth it and he'd rather just play his electric guitar acoustically.
*A lot* of guitar players, probably most I'd say, aren't in a situation where they can crank a 150W tube amp head maxed out on 212 or 412 cabs.
Either they are just starting out, live at home, live in an apartment with thin walls or roommates, or only play late in the evening/night after work, etc. etc. etc.
Rob's message in this video to them was basically, play unplugged, or buy this £2000+ Kemper set up, or get fucked.
That's just shit.
Sure, maybe this was the final shoot after two days of hard work in a heat wave, but that's no excuse.
Someone at the shoot or in the edit should've made the decision that this isn't the kind of message they want in a video, and either re-shoot it sometime when Chapman isn't cranky. Or just not put it out.
I also play at probably the same volumes. My attic is open and playing louder would disturb my household too much, even my neighbours (who complained about me practicing using the Blackstar Fly the other day... for real!). Especially since the little one wants to sleep every now and then. Headphones remove almost all pleasure, I rather play very low volume than wear headphones. Hdphns sound way more crap mostly (even on the Katana imo, and with the software I tried totally) and impede my physical freedom. Thanks for this test Lee!
sounds like
your attic might be an acoustic soundbox. it's projecting your sound to the neighbourhood !
What headphones do you use. I use Sennheiser, sounds OK to me
Petfix. I am with you on this. I use a little Vox set at 0.5watt and the man next door reckons he can hear me---and our houses aren't even attached!
I use my Boss GT1 through an old set of powered computer speakers when I can't play too loud. It sounds pretty decent at just slightly louder than speaking volume. I have all the effects I need plus a wah pedal built right in and all in stereo. The real bonus is that I didn't need to spend any extra money, I just used what I had laying around the house.
The only time I like using headphones is if I'm recording. Otherwise, nope.
Rob's not getting the point of this video at all. It's not about opinion - most of us would love to play loud as hell. But what if you just can't?
Thanks Rob for being utterly useless and putting a downer on this whole video. This is a real issue for a lot of people, including myself who lives in a suburban area here in Australia, and you completely missed the brief on the topic! Congrats for not appealing to the target audience! And also, I hope you learn one day to stop being a rude git and talk or butt in when Lee is speaking, and even worse, play over the top of him!
Totally with Lee. That Vox sounded great at that volume.
I actually like how the Vox looks, haha. And it sounds nice.
Captain Lee, I appreciate your vast experience. It certainly helps decide on products. You know your gear!
I’ve been watching Andertons videos for a long time. I’ve never seen Rob so blatantly, disruptively belligerent and counterproductive in a video. The majority of guitar players, myself included, have no choice but to play inexpensive amps at low volumes for 75%+ of our playing time. I have higher wattage tube amps that I use with the band that work the speaker and move air. At home, a Yamaha THR10 and Zoom G3 rule the roost.
Rob is busy and stretched, and we all know that. Maybe it’s time for a little vacation to clear the mind and get a little perspective in order to understand why it’s a totally useless contribution to suggest a $2000+ Kemper and 1x12 cab as a practical quiet office practice rig that anyone other than a Victory-endorsed professional gigging musician would consider?
Slashaholic Anonymous *triggered*
It's totally something someone who can afford his own life could consider.
Sure isn't something everyone can, but hell. I know for sure that many guitar players have their own life, jobs, and play guitar as a hobby. Maybe they want something with quality without disrupting their family and neighbours? A Kemper and audio monitors are good idea for them. I totally would get it myself if i could afford it, and im not bitching on the comments am i?
If you can't afford those, there are other options for sure.
Phelipe Costa there certainly are people who use a Kemper and FRFR solution for exclusively at-home, low volume playing. By this point we’ve all seen the half dozen videos proving how well the Kemper performs. But that wasn’t the point of this video. Captain brought in a selection of small amp options (which all happened to be budget friendly) and tried to compare and contrast them. Chappers added nothing to that conversation and Captain was visibly exasperated. No need for your apparently delicate sensibilities to be disturbed by my opinion. Move along.
Couldn't agree more with your comment SA. Very well said.
Yeah, I actually needed the information and Rob ruined it completely.
Another Rob in his own world review. Too bad because the other chair totally gets it when it comes to gear and guitarists.
Some village is missing its pub bore.
Uh, no. Guitarists are not searching for novelty amps they are searching for glorious tone at lower volumes. Rob gave you the answer: Kemper with a 1x12 or a UAD plugin like their Fender Deluxe
I dropped 30 quid on a line 6 pod and 50 quid on a boss ME-80. IMHO, I can get so much great & vast tone for 80 pound sterling mate. And it's got a Looper. Plugs into any hi-fi or amp or headphones.
Everyone I show this rig to is blown away by the tone one can achieve. In my apartment it goes into hifi and playing out it goes into a 100w fender 2x12.
Yup, Captain is just a sensible chap. Sure he is selling gear. But he is not painful unlike Chapman. Goodbye Rob!
z non I've just bought a pod 2.0 and I bought for that reason,only problem was it didn't come with a psu so I have one being delivered tomorrow and I'm glad to hear someone say they sound good
I’m with Lee all the way on this one. Volume (or lack there of) is extremely important for a low volume (bedroom) amp. Kemper? Really? The title of this video didn’t say low volume practice amps only doctors and lawyers can afford. When I used to work for a high end guitar manufacturer years ago I was a bit snobby myself. I built my guitars myself and they sounded and played amazing, but I was very fortunate to have been able to buy those guitars from my employer. Most people can’t afford $2000 to $3000 guitars or equally expensive amps either. The truth is most of your favorite players with guitar tones you admire were done on inexpensive to average costing equipment . I no longer have any of the guitars I built unfortunately. I play an Ibanez G10 and need an inexpensive great sounding practice amp that’s quiet. Thanks for the amp shootout guys.
I am with Lee on this. In my office there is barely enough space for a little katana Air. I have huge amps in the studio but thats not where i sit and noodle on my guitar 80 percent of the time.
Fender Super Champ X2 is the answer, and an awesome pedal platform too. And a disconnectable speaker cable so you can use it with di/attenuators like Torpedo Captor 8.
Yeah I've been using the X2 for the past 3 years. I'm glad I bought it. But I really want a Princeton.
The Champ is a third of the cost of the Princeton and sounds very "true" and full at really low volumes .
I like the wireless with recharge on the Boss but it sounded woeful .
Love mine. I have the FSR with the Greenback speaker and it kicks butt.
I use Line6 G10 wireless system with my Super Champ and it's the same thing, looks almost identical and recharges in the docking station that is included etc.. no noticeable lagging of the attack (at least for me, and i notice 2ms lag of my Wall Of Sound plugin).
Came here to post this. Fender Super Champ X2 is perfect small room amp -- the "#6 Princeton dirty/compressed" voice is my fav.
Nobody wants an amp that looks like a Louis Vitton handbag
Tsnafu i kept expecting a bling wearing chihuahua to poke its head out
Well unless you are Taylor Swift I guess...
I would put a strap and wear it as a purse 👜
Tsnafu - I don’t know what a Louis Vuitton handbag looks like but I’m sure even that looks better than this amp which is such a shame because functionally it sounds great for my needs.
I know some that use those 'mini' amps - like the marshall stack clipped onto their belt for a laugh...
The Vox gets it.... No question!
I think Rob looked like a fool when comparing the kemper to Vox. Vox killed the kemper
I think they both sounded about the same
I think everyone missed his point in he would just rather listen to a higher quality sound all the time
Vox sound fuller wider than the kemper! Love vox
I bought my Vox Adio air GT on Lee’s recommendation from the last video and I have been extremely happy with it. I would love a software update with more effects (compressors etc) and longer chains available.
Was seriously considering getting the Katana Air but I may just get a wireless unit for this (no wires in the living room for child safety).
Great vid guys!
I'm with you Lee. I would love to play loudly, but my neighbors would raise hell and I am not a rude person. Rob is a gigging musician, and I sit in my apt. playing for my enjoyment. Just bought a Bugera G5, I play it through the 10" speaker in my Super Champ XD with the Bugera attenuated to .5 watts. I also replaced the preamp tube (12bh7) with a (12au7) witch takes less power to reach the sweet spot. I also enjoy the sound of my Blackstar Fly.
Ive got a Princeton Reverb that I have for home use. Its 15 watts which is more than loud enough for playing "quietly". Its also a great sounding amp.
I don't disagree with robs opinion AT ALL on the matter of volume. However.... It was completely contradictory to the point of the video, and felt he was being a little bit unfair.
I play pretty quiet most of the time. So when I get a chance to play loud I really enjoy it.
*For those interested, take a hard look at the Bugera V5 Infinium full tube. The built-in attenuator lets you set it to 5 watts, 1 watt, or 0.1 watts. On 0.1 you can get breakup on the damn thing with the volume on 3 and the next room will hardly be able to hear it. However, if you set it to 5 and crank it, you can make the paint come off the walls. Mind you, this IS a $200 tube combo. Yeah, I said it, it's a $200 tube combo. I have mine sitting on a 112TS 1x12 Bugera cab with another Turbosound in it, and it's amazing working with a Digitech RP360XP multi-effects pedal. Have funs.*
Rob, how does a student living in a tiny flat afford a Kemper?
I have a suggestion: drop out and move out. There is your money. Education beyond reading and basic math is a scam. If you are student living in a flat, you are at an university. There is nothing that you will learn that you can't teach yourself, and most of what universities teach you'll never use. And, when you graduate, you will have no experience; I guess nobody told you. Start a business and move somewhere else where you have room. Then you hire the suckers that went to school. 🤣 Taking the time to write because I wish someone had told me exactly this. Cheers
+PlayerX XD I'm not a student and I don't live in a flat haha. It was just a hypothetical for all those students.
Then amplitube/BIAS/etc makes more sense if you have a budget, since you'll already have a computer
PlayerX agree 100%. That being said, I am a college student myself lol oh well
This review is for new kit only, had they included all the great stuff that's been made prior to 2017 the answer could be.
Line 6 pod - 30 quid used
+
Boss ME-80 - 50 quid used
=
Vast & wondrous tone for 80 pounds sterling
Works with Hifi, headphones, or even any amp.
Very helpful! This is the volume at which I play at home at night. Any louder and I won’t be able to play at all 😛
I can't even play through an amp where I live, so the emulated output on the Blackstar works best for me. Why didn't they try the ht1?
yep! what happened to the HT-1! I own one and it's grrrrreat!
I use my HT1 and can play it with everyone else watching telly downstairs. Great wee piece of kit
Agreed
Thats a rip
Literally came here to comment that my choice would have been (and was) the HT1-R head and the blackstar 4x8 cab. It sounds superb at the levels being used here
I remember the day I came home with a new Les paul, I plugged my shortest lead into my line. 6 pocket pod with headphones on I was completely free to move about.... And THEN there was a loud knock at the front door to which without thinking I turned straight around and went to open it, I walked straight into the living room door where the door. Latch took a big chunk out of the flamed maple top breaking my very soul. Sometimes a lead is better than being free.
Unless you really need something small enough to fit on a bookshelf, the Fender Mustang GTX 50 is fairly compact, affordable, has tons of tones, works great with pedals, has built in Bluetooth and WiFi, and has a foot switch jack that works with loopers, etc.
After waiting since February, when I paid for it, I finally got my Katana Air. I bought it to replace my Cube Lite which died on me. The Cube Lite costs less than half what the Katana Air does. Roland doesn’t even support the app for the Cube Lite anymore, and it doesn’t have any Bluetooth capabilities or editing software, so I thought the Katana Air would be a great replacement/upgrade. The Cube Lite is rated at 10 watts and the Katana Air at 30 when plugged in. The Cube Lite sounded way better and was much louder than the Katana Air. The sound out of the speakers on the Katana Air reminds me of a transistor radio. It is very thin and tinny, even with the bass dimed. Conversely, through headphones it sounds very boomy and I have to turn the bass down. The only thing the Katana Air does better than the Cube Lite sound wise is that when playing with high gain there is better note separation and clarity because it’s so thin and trebly. The Katana Air has quite a bit of digital fizz in its high gain sounds too. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are two separate Bluetooth connections for playing music through the amp and for controlling it via software. In other words, let’s say you’re connected to the audio and playing along with a song, and you want to change some of the settings from your phone. You have to disconnect from the audio Bluetooth connection and then connect to The midi app. After you change the settings and you want to go back to the song you have to disconnect from the app and then make sure it’s closed before reconnecting to the audio. There is also no volume control on the amp for the input signal from your phone or tablet or whatever you’re using as an external input device. The Cube Lite does have an onboard volume control for the input jack. The Katana Air sounds decent in RUclips videos but in person it really sounds like one of those Bluetooth speakers you get for sending in enough Pringles proof of purchase codes. I know this comment is very long winded but I thought it might help some people trying to make a decision on a small practice amp.
Richie Zuccaro I will have to try using both Bluetooth connections simultaneously again. I had difficulty connecting to the audio and when I called Boss support they told me I had to disconnect from the midi and close the app first. If you were able to do both at the same time though maybe I’ll be able to as well. I am seriously considering returning the Katana though and just getting another Cube Lite. The speakers on the Katana are pathetic.
Richie Zuccaro I don’t understand how the Katana amps are so popular. At NAMM in January I tried a Strandberg guitar and they had Katana mini amps at the booth to plug them into. It sounded like crap too (the amp, not the guitar). I thought maybe the air version would be better, but I think it actually sounds even worse than the mini. Maybe the large speakers in the combo amps make the Katana sound better, but so far the small ones sound horrible.
Rob completely ruined this video. If he did not want to do it, he should at least not have made Lee's work harder. There are people who have particular needs concerning volume and would like some help. I think Lee should try again with Bea, who would never behave like this.
Kemper!! For one I appreciate Rob's comments because he gave me that one nugget of gold that we are all seeking which is glorious tone at low volumes. These little novelty amps will never do that. He told us flat out: get a Kemper and a 1x12 or UAD plugin like their Fender Deluxe. There's your answer.
Spot on.
@@JimmyDevere Not everyone has over £2000 to spend on a bedroom rig though. That's ridiculous
Yeah, I don't know that I actually play as loud as they do here. It's pretty common, at least for "home-only" players that aren't pros and don't plan to be.
Jesus Christ I wish lee just slapped Rob and told him that playing loud is not the point of the video and that most people don't have the money or the right environment to have huge stacks and play really loud.
he was beeing childish. volume inspires more ofc, on a stage or somewhat. but you don't need to play loud to get more or better ideas. he's beeing a bit of a spoiled bratt about it.
Don't see Rob coming back. I hope Captain gets the message.
With the housing market the way it is, lots of men living in flats, apartments and units and other small houses. One of the reasons I'm watching this is because I'm one of them and this is helpful ,I could use that VOX, sounds great.
I’ve been using my twin reverb with my jc 120 lately. It’s awfully loud but the sound is great.
I gotta go with the Captain. I would say at the low volume the Vox sounds the best. I would disagree on the looks though I like the way the Vox looks. Great video guys. 🤠
I bought the little vox adio back in March and use all the time way more than my vox ac4 12. I work weird shifts and can only practice really early in the morning or late at night so the little adio was my only option and it's great. Plus I use it for listening to podcast as well. I would highly recommend the little vox adio if your neighbours are a nightmare or the Mrs.
Vox sounds real nice. Too bad they didn't have an Orange. Their small combos are lovely.
Vox Ac4tv!!!!!!!! 4 watts of class A tube goodness!
I don't know why it isn't pushed more in videos like this, given you need to get a pedal for reverb but that just means you get to try a new pedal! ha
The AC4tv or at least the Vox Pathfinder!
Very true it's still a marketing channel, I just want to see my little jet of an amp get some love ha
sunlounger29 The pathfinder is not good at all, had one for practice, ended up getting a Laney VC15 all tube. Still too much power for quiet practice tho
Martin, I agree when you engage the boost it sounds terrible. Otherwise it has a great clean tone for pedals at a moderate volume level. That being said I don't know the Pathfinder 10 as I only own the Pathfinder 15r.
Rob was right about the comments section but for the wrong reasons. Sorry pal I'm with Lee on this one. We haven't all got the luxury of loud volume all the time
Think I’ve made my mind up, I’m gonna get the vox it’s perfect for bedroom practice and I love the way it looks! One for the girls makes a nice change from plain black 😎
Ffs not everyone wants or needs a full touring rig to play quietly in their own homes.
Horses for courses maybe, but what the he'll. Let's all order £2000's worth of gear to jam along to an mp3 makes perfect sense to me.
I'll stick with my ok tones from my THR10.
Also considering that the vox killed the kemper sound wise in this video imo, that could come down to mic'ing though, but I think that the vox speakers being specifically designed for this usage sound wayyy better on the low end, as rob pointed out you need to get those speakers physically moving, the vox ones probably move way easier.
RiffsNReviews Yeah, that's probably right. However Lee made the point well when he said it was just an amp to noodle with, just plug in and play with volume and gain.
It's far too easy to get caught up with "tone chasing" when all you want to do is plug in and play.
I think this is where these small amps come in to there own. They're not trying to out emulate Kemper or to sound like a cranked Marshall stack, but just sound near enough for now.
Completely agree with your "tone chasing" comment. I play on stage as well, but 9 out of 10 gigs I don't even bring an amp. There's a back line and you just plug into that. Doesn't matter what kind of junk they've got, making it work is half the fun! \m/
Patrick Mulder Absolutely, I bet your approached by audience members complimenting you on your amazingly organic tone when your plugged into a POD or something similar. Proves the point about tone being subjective and of course your tone has to change with the situation or song, so it's no longer just your tone, it's the sound if the song that the audience member recognises
With Lee on this one. Nice to have an amp that can be 'bedroom/office' friendly but then can be cranked.
Blackstar ID60TVP shounds great at a low level and then moves some air at a studio. Would love a Kemper but playing with headphones removed the 'feel' if you ask me.
Please redo this type of test with Pete! I bet he has a more open mind to quiet home players who don't have the facility to boom a Rectifier through a 4x12 in their livingrooms!
I love videos like this, I travel the country working in construction and full time living in an RV and need a small amp so I don’t bother neighbors and take up a lot of space. These shootouts always help me find a new product I want!
I agree the VOX or THR does distort very well and are hard to beat at lower volume. I like my Fender Champ X2 with tubes and 16 amp settings and it will take your favorite pedal well. I like the Tumnus into the clean side - you can play quieter and get a good driven gain sound but it will also get really loud in small to medium (30x30) rooms if you need to!
Is it me or Rob has become quite "negative" and not so constructive in the last 10 videos or so? I have been following him for years but lately I feel like he has become a bit "less nice" than before. (even annoying in this video) We can all be in a bad mood some times. So maybe it is just temporary. Just my 2 cents. Cheers.
He's getting too comfortable. The Cap should pull rank sometimes.
Agreed
Well maybe it is because lot of people told him, he is too nice in reviews and that he likes almost anything, so now is maybe the pendulum swinging bit back ...
Anyhow, I like him in this video, he make lot of good points, like actual amp needs to be driven to get all the frequencies etc ... play at low volume at home and then try crancked valve amp and you'll be for a surprise about your playing ;)
Well he can still be nicer in my opinion :) It is not about what he says but also how he says it. The video is about affordable home practice amps and he suggests a 2k Kemper rig. Of course Kemper will sound better! But this was not what the video aimed for.
If a particular amp needs to be driven to get all the frequencies, then obviously that is NOT the choice for a low volume amp. Doesn't mean someone should bitch about it, it's just a simple point to make along the lines of "horses for courses" that Lee spouts throughout the video
Is this an an amp review or Rob Chapman's opinion? If you removed the unnecessary elements from this video, we could all get the answer to the question of the info in the first place. I really wanted to know but it gets muddied here.
Johnny Moser I agree but Rob's been taking the shine off a retail review.
NoiseFeedMusic Sorry, offence most definitely not intended. Debate is great but I still feel in this review about quiet amps and practice, one party only wanted loud and could put some people off buying a quiet amp, maybe feeling that Rob is right. Sure, you want an amp to move you, but not away from your neighbours after an anti-social order against you. Am I also the only one feeling Lee's frustration on this point?
Johnny Moser Johnny Moser Again, apologies for any misunderstanding. This is an Andertons review but it's being diluted by an opinion that is different to what the title would suggest, quiet amps for quiet practice, but one party suggests you shouldn't do that. If that opinion holds true, then why would Anderton's list them for sale? This is only constructive criticism, meant to help, not annoy.
NoiseFeedMusic No problem, I just didnt want to come off as a troll or just someone who says something negative for no reason. There's too many on here as it is.
Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 or Deluxe 20 running at 1 watt into a 1x12 or into some monitors/headphones? All valve, simple controls
Ps. put a strap on that Vox and I'll bet most people mistake it for a handbag
I‘m a tad bit late i know.
I took about a 12 years break from electric guitars. Never had a clue of music theory, a bit like Lee, when he admits to be stuck in the blues pentatonic. I played tabulature songs on acoustic the last 10 years every niw and then. I live in an appartment (in Switzerland, sorry for my english). Now i decided to learn theory and take it serious again (with age 45).
I just can‘t practice scales fir 3hours a day knowing my neighbours have to hear that. So i need a quiet amp. I bought a Blackstar ID Core Beam and it‘s very much what i need. Of course sometimes i daydream of a 412 cab and a massive loud tone. It‘s just not realistic now.
I also bought a IrigPro interface. I use my old in ear headphones and amplitube (on the phone mostly). I don‘t record music. I bought the Dimebag pack and it feels like i‘m badass. Nobody hears me when i wake up at 4am and practice and jam on the scales until sunrise every day. It feels loud and raw but i know i‘m quiet. I enjoy that. In the evening i use the Blackstar or an old Vox AC4 on 1/4Watts and it feels almost too loud.
Volume also can be very iritating. When i practiced today i played on the Blackstar amp. It felt loud, i thought i could disturb the neighbours. When i watched a guitar lesson on YT over TV i recognised that i‘m way quieter than my tv settings. But guitar frequencies can cut through buildings. I don‘t want to annoy my neighbours and want to enjoy learning guitar as much as possible.
Maybe one day i buy software (but then i need a new pc). Or a kemper (or something cheaper) with a cabinet and good headphones. For now i have a solution that matches my budget.
Rob was very unrelaxed in this video. Lee actually knows what 99% of guitarists reality looks like
While Rob can play like few can, it doesn't make his ear better than anyone elses. I've got a lot of friends who play better but we don't see eye to eye on what tone is best. To each his own and its personal taste. I think I'm more in the camp of Lee than Rob musically too.. Eventhough Rob is a much better player I also like Lee's taste in what he plays better as well. Been looking for a low 'volume' amp for my office and may have found it in the Vox.
12:58 I have seen avocados more inspired than this :D
Thank you Lee for this vid. Rob, I love you and your professional view, and your amazing ears, but here you seem to completely have missed the point of the video (and you ruined it a bit). I'm totally with Lee on this one. FWIW, I have a little 20W Blackstar, which I will never crank up louder than halfway, because life is a bit different from playing live, but in practice I play through my laptop and small monitors, and that works perfectly for what I'm trying to do.
That Vox sounds pretty cool!
I love all your reviews. Cheers!
Btw Coming to Andertons and buying a amp is on my bucket list.
Princeton with the volume a fraction under 2, bass on 3.5, treble on 6. Strat on an inbetween setting with tone rolled back to 7.5 and volume on 6.5 and it’s glorious. Stick a Strymon Flint and a blues driver between them and you have killer tone that the person in the next room won’t be upset by... always input 1 though.... always....
What do you by input 1 ?
The Princeton (and most Fender amps) has two inputs, with input 2 being about 6db quieter than input 1. Normally for a single coil guitar I would go into 1, but 2 is useful for hotter guitars.
@@benweekes2797 thanks for the reply , I’m kinda an older new player and didn’t know that so thanks for that useful information. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦 !
Oh where to start?! Loved it. Loved the differences in opinions that you guys had because they were real, there was almost a point where you seemed to forget about the camera and have a proper discussion.
I get both perspectives, everyone saying Rob has forgotten that people play at low volumes, Rob clearly is used to playing louder and gets the feel from the speaker and uses that to inspire him, everyone having a go is clearly jealous that he has the lifestyle that allows him to play louder and they don't! Lee can't be arsed with hassle of rigging up a gig level set up to just noodle around and the Vox sounded the best for that. I'm pretty sure if Lee were to gig (make it so), he would go down the route of a Fender valve amp cranked up to a proper level, there are different options for different scenarios for different people, this hammered that home with a lump hammer so thank you, shame everyone else must have an outcome they agree with..or...else!
I've got the Blackstar HT-1 not even the HT-5 and my freaking neighbors are always complaining when I hit its front end with my little TC electronic spark booster.
@mr Lee - 6:00: it's called accelerometer!
NoiseFeedMusic they are 😑
Im not a fan of Vox, but this one won here, imo. Makes me wanna play a VOX!
ouuu, I am actually looking for something new. Will check it out , cheers!
A Katana 50 can do a good sound really quiet and retain some dynamics
John Osborne agreed, I love the Core Metal preset that you get by using Sneaky Amps, and honestly, for low volume it's a wicked high gain sound, just crank up the mids to 60~80 depending on taste
Same here, I have a little Vox G3 mini and my Katana 50 kills it a low volumes and even gets quieter than the Vox to my pleasant surprise.
I own a Marshall silver jubilee mini played through a 2X12, i live in an apartment with neighbours. What i do is i mic up the cab and play with headphones using a soundcard and it works amazing ofc the amp sounds best driven BUT it still kills all of these soundwise at low volume in my headphones when mic'd up. I do however play on the 5W mode. As always great video guys!!
This is a very interesting topic, which affects probably millions of bedroom guitarists. It's really sad that instead of taking it seriously, you get an annoying negative remark from the guy on the left every 3 seconds.
I would love some more of this content, but with a serious guest next time. I often play with head phones, but also am looking for a new amp for low and high volume. I sold my last 100 watts ss amp, because I don't need that much headroom and it was taking too much space, but it's hard to find something actually testet at low volume. You'll never get that punch there, of course, but you still hear what you play with all effects, equalizers etc. which is still an improvement over pure unplugged (also, you hear bad playing for practice better).