A couple of basic guitar amp observations.

[Artie]

I'm not quite ready yet to do a full review of my new Hughes & Kettner Edition Blu 60, but I did want to make a couple of general comments. With the exception of an old Fender Sidekick, this is my first real guitar amp. The Sidekick doesn't count. Its "amp" section is one of those little IC's that can be literally hidden under a postage stamp. Sounds like poop.

The main thing I notice is that, (IMO), for a guitar to really sound like a guitar, it needs to be played through a purpose-built 12" guitar speaker. The H&K uses a real Celestion G12F speaker, and the difference between it and my studio monitors is profound. Using my mixing board and monitors, and using this, is like the difference between hearing myself on a CD, or hearing myself live. I didn't expect this great of a difference.

Thats really the main thing I wanted to say. I'll do a full review soon. I just want to separate out those things that are the amp, and those things that are my "first amp".

Artie

 

[Curly]

Re: A couple of basic guitar amp observations.

Artie,
I think the other factor is the feel of the amp.

modelers can sound good and record well now, but do they feel the same?

I've mentioned this before regarding clips. Someone with good ears can discern the differences in clips, but the one thing they can't tell you is the way the amp feels under your hands.

enjoy your new amp

 

[Artie]

Re: A couple of basic guitar amp observations.

Gary . . . you are so right. "Feel" is exactly the right word. There's just something about an amp. But whats odd is, even if I run the "J" through the amp, it still sounds better. I can recreate each of the modeler's sounds through the amp better than through the mixer. I haven't had this much fun with my guitar since I've had it. Its one of the reasons I'm not in the forum as much as usual.

I'm pickin' and grinin'.

 

[flank]

Re: A couple of basic guitar amp observations.

Finally , Artie . Have fun with it, it sure is fun when you love your amp and it responds the way you want it to.

 

[Artie]

Re: A couple of basic guitar amp observations.

Yup. The funny thing is . . . the modeler, I could play soft. The amp . . . I gotta crank!

 

[Animal]

Re: A couple of basic guitar amp observations.

Cool Artie. This kinda reminds of when I went back to playing a real amplifier after using a modeler so long awhile back. I forgot how 3D a real amp sounded, regardless if it was tube or solid-state.