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Pulled the trigger on the Nextone Stage 40 listed locally. For $250 w/ the GA-FC footswitch, it was a no-brainer. Check out what they both go for new. First observation, this thing is LOUD! Damn. LOL. I like the different power levels, .5w,half,max. There's also standby that works like standby on a tube amp. It's not a tube amp but solid-state w/ tube amp emulation.
There's the ability to connect it to a computer and fiddle with things in the Nextone Editor. Version 3 added some cool stuff. The first thing I did after checking it out was upgrading the firmware in the amp to version 3 and resetting it to factory. After that I started messing with it in the manual mode and then fiddled with some of the settings in the editor. A lot can be done in there down to the tube emulation bias and sag. It's really easy to dial in good sounds. Four different power amp emulations; 6V6, 6L6, EL84 and EL34. Reverb, delay (w/ tap) and tremolo are built in. Tremolo is accessed by holding down the delay and tap button together (or some sequence like that). So far I've tried 3 different overdrives with it and they all sound great with it; tubescreamer clone, klon clone and 5150 overdrive. Haven't tried any of my other pedals with it yet. May try my 3rd Dimension in the fx loop. Touch sensitivity is there on both channels. Roll back the guitar volume and it cleans right up. Can get some nice controlled feedback too. There's a nice feel to it.
The footswitch is great. One nice feature in version 3 is the Solo function. On the clean and lead channel, tap that channel button again for solo mode. The LED will blink indicating it's in that mode. Nice for a volume push. Tap it again to exit solo mode. There's a couple jacks for expression pedals and a Boss 5U pedal can be plugged in to the switch to control the tap tempo (which I will get for sure). Any momentary switch will probably work. The footswotch can also turn on/off the delay, reverb, fx loop, enable/disable boost (gain boost) and tone (fat) for each channel. They can be on for the lead channel but off for the clean channel, and vice versa. That goes for everything. I can have delay and tone on for the lead channel and off for the clean channel. Pretty cool behavior. I like that the footswitch work with any TRS cable rather than it being one that is connected to the switch.
I think the 12" speaker isn't quite broken in yet as there is some harshness on the top end. From what I've read from other owners, it's normal and will smooth out.
Did I mention this thing is loud?
It's not a heavy amp. Maybe 5lbs more than my Vox AV30 so still less than 30lbs. Size wise, it's small. Not quite an inch shorter and narrower than my Vox. Depth is the same. Nice and compact. Partial open back design.
There's the ability to connect it to a computer and fiddle with things in the Nextone Editor. Version 3 added some cool stuff. The first thing I did after checking it out was upgrading the firmware in the amp to version 3 and resetting it to factory. After that I started messing with it in the manual mode and then fiddled with some of the settings in the editor. A lot can be done in there down to the tube emulation bias and sag. It's really easy to dial in good sounds. Four different power amp emulations; 6V6, 6L6, EL84 and EL34. Reverb, delay (w/ tap) and tremolo are built in. Tremolo is accessed by holding down the delay and tap button together (or some sequence like that). So far I've tried 3 different overdrives with it and they all sound great with it; tubescreamer clone, klon clone and 5150 overdrive. Haven't tried any of my other pedals with it yet. May try my 3rd Dimension in the fx loop. Touch sensitivity is there on both channels. Roll back the guitar volume and it cleans right up. Can get some nice controlled feedback too. There's a nice feel to it.
The footswitch is great. One nice feature in version 3 is the Solo function. On the clean and lead channel, tap that channel button again for solo mode. The LED will blink indicating it's in that mode. Nice for a volume push. Tap it again to exit solo mode. There's a couple jacks for expression pedals and a Boss 5U pedal can be plugged in to the switch to control the tap tempo (which I will get for sure). Any momentary switch will probably work. The footswotch can also turn on/off the delay, reverb, fx loop, enable/disable boost (gain boost) and tone (fat) for each channel. They can be on for the lead channel but off for the clean channel, and vice versa. That goes for everything. I can have delay and tone on for the lead channel and off for the clean channel. Pretty cool behavior. I like that the footswitch work with any TRS cable rather than it being one that is connected to the switch.
I think the 12" speaker isn't quite broken in yet as there is some harshness on the top end. From what I've read from other owners, it's normal and will smooth out.
Did I mention this thing is loud?
It's not a heavy amp. Maybe 5lbs more than my Vox AV30 so still less than 30lbs. Size wise, it's small. Not quite an inch shorter and narrower than my Vox. Depth is the same. Nice and compact. Partial open back design.
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