Looking for advice on bedroom amp

[Tremelow]

Hi dear fellow AMers,

I am looking for a small amplifier that I can play at a low volume and that still sounds reasonably well.
I am in the market for a Yamaha THR 10 II, but before pulling the trigger I thought I should ask you first.

Most important to me are
– sound quality
– ease of use
– useable for guitar and bass
– I want to be able to play backing tracks, so Bluetooth or line connectivity is needed

Built-in metronome or rhythms would be a plus, but are no deal-breakers.

Have I forgotten any features that you consider being musts?

From my research the Spark 40 sounds like an alternative, but I sense that it’s too complicated to use.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Cobalt]

I have a Yamaha THR10C that was one of the first to come out over 12 years ago I think. One of the few amps I have kept over the years.

50 Watt Boss Katana is a good choice but if you want to get into all the effects there is some figuring out to do. Or you could just use the amp models on the front of the amp and be happy. Another choice is to make up a couple of presets that you like and then all you do is press a button and you are good to go.

Fender Champion is another good choice. Has some effects that you can access on the front of the amp by turning a knob and no detailed software needed. Very easy to use.

For me I would choose something in same way of the Fender Champion. I have totally had my fill of amps with a million effects that you need to push 2 or 3 buttons to access and use software also. Lot of people like that but it’s kind of overkill. Vox has am amp or two that all the effects can be accessed by turning a knob on the front and you can actually see what you are choosing.

There are many more though. Youtube probably has a few videos on the subject.

[sunjamr]

It’s all just personal choice. But in my experience, tube amps are more versatile if you also play a bass, like me. Saves you from having to buy a separate bass amp. Mine’s a Blackstar HT5, but I think any tub amp will do the job.

Sunjamr Steve

[Tremelow]

I actually started out with a small budget 5 Watt tube amp. It died on me within the first hour. A popping noise and from then on just hissing. Perhaps I turned it on too early before it had warmed up enough, but I wasn’t too impressed with the tone anyway.
I have a 20 Watt Blackstar tube amp, however, and its sound is great. But even with its built-in attenuator, it’s too loud.
Interesting that you can use tube amps for bass, too. I didn’t know that.

[JFL]

I have the THR 10ii. I love it. It’s very easy to use, and I think it sounds great. Works very well with headphones, too, so you can be very quiet. Play along with backing tracks from phone with bluetooth is easy. Use it as a recording interface, too. No mics needed. Every video I ever posted on here was made exclusively with that amp. Built-in tuner works well. Has a Bass and Acoustic guitar setting that work well. The effects are decent. I only ever use the clean and lead settings. I don’t think there is a built in metronome. I would just use a metronome amp through bluetooth. Plus, I think it’s kind of cool looking, too. I recommend it.

JFL

[GnLguy]

I’ve not tried one yet but NUX has just released 2 amps that are getting good reviews
The NuX Mighty 40 MK2 sells for $209 and the Mighty 20 MK2 is $179

[Tremelow]

Thank you for your input, gentlemen.

It looks like I can’t go wrong with th THR, but the
NUX‘s are looking very interesting, too. The review got me thinking.

[JoeD1]

I have a Spark 40 I occasionally use. I just use it for different amp sims. I find the iPad app is quite easy to use. I wish it had more than 4 presets you can save to. But I wouldn’t call it a bedroom amp. It has no attenuator so you could just turn the master volume down or wear headphones (I usually wear headphones). I think it sounds just as good as a tube amp.

I’ve never used the NuX amps Keith mentioned but I do like my NuX MG-300 multi-fx pedal.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Tremelow]

Thanks Joe. The Spark 40 is a close contender, but the THR appeals to me particularly because it’s supposed to sound good at low volumes.
I am using my headphones with the DAW and with a Mooer multi-effects pedal. I use both, but now I want an amp that plays audibly for myself and others.

[Mark H]

Since you have a multi fx in your signal chain I would go for an FRFR (full range / flat response) amp/speaker combination. My reasoning is that if you like the output from the multi fx the amp and speaker should deliver a mostly flat response, with some reverb/EQ/master volume tweakability available to suit the room and other variables.

If you don’t like the output from the multi fx, throw it away immediately, or get an amp sim pedal to put after it.

I plug my clean, & also processed stuff, into class A 270 watt RMS amp/speaker combination with good EQ and a nice digital reverb as the only tweaks available at the end of the chain. Whatever you get, make sure it has balanced output feed(s), pre- and post EQ, available for FOH when playing out.

I also have a Deluxe Reverb 65 reissue tube amp. Sounds great cranked live, but I need to attenuate it at home which sounds uninspiring so I don’t use it at home.

It depends on what one needs to do, so stay flexible. Here’s a no brainer solution: get a Katana gen 3, preferably the 100 watt Artist unit. That’s what I would do, and will, when I can afford it.

[Tremelow]

Very interesting approach, Mark. Thanks for sharing. I haven’t thought about doing it like this at all, but it’s an interesting idea. I like to plug and play, so to speak. Plug in my guitar, keep fumbling with knobs and settings to a minimum and then that way have maximum time to play. But what’s unnegotiable is good sound at low volume. And line/Bluetooth connectivity.

[Mark H]

I’d recommend you audition the Katana and Spark amps, and others.

Get a sound you like at a ‘normal’ volume and turn them down to the volume you need for home use.

Then compare the available features, presets etc. One of them should jump out at you as the best.

[Tremelow]

Mark, ideally that’s exactly what I would like to do. Side by side comparisons on the same day.

[Alan L]

I don’t know if you decided yet but I’m blown away my the spark mini. I can only imagine the 40 sounds even better. Easier to use than I expected and the Bluetooth is very handy and great connection.

THR is great though, and I don’t think you can go wrong with either!

[JoeD1]

One thing I’ve found with the Spark 40 is the speaker is *very* heavily filled with bass. I’ve gotten the best sounds from it using headphones.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Jeff B]

blues Jr works good for me. Also, the Henrickson Bud is fantastic for playing jazz and acoustic.

[Jeff B]

blues Jr works good for me. Also, the Henrickson Bud is fantastic for playing jazz and acoustic.

[Tremelow]

Thank you all very much for your input! I would have thought I had made up my mind by now, but didn’t have time to visit a music store yet. Yes, I could ask my trusted online shop to send me yet another one, but I have a better idea: Thomann (European’s largest music store) has refurbished its shop a while ago and me and my buddy are going to make a trip down there as soon as possible. I am going to make a decision there and then. Will keep you posted 🙂 (NGD looming!)

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