Bluguitar Amp1??

rolls1392

Anyone tried one yet?

Seems like an interesting bit of kit

Progress?

steamabacus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToyS8oGexm0&list=UUcniHc5ivrNMY2HUocYmzAg

There's a review in the latest Guitarist magazine.

I spoke to Thomas Blug at the recent London Guitar Show and he was hoping it would be available by Christmas - the Guitarist review also says hopefully by Christmas (Thomas was just about to fly out to China to oversee the final production tweaks at the time of the review).

It was hard to make any accurate assessment of the Amp 1 at the LGS as it was extrenely hot and noisy and I didn't actually play through it myself. Thomas sounded pretty good through it, though. He was just playing it through the tiny Amp 1 cabinet (looks like a hifi subwoofer) and it was remarkably loud for such a small setup. I'm sure a 2x12 or 4x12 would have sounded even better. I'd still like to hear/play it in a better environment before I make up my mind but I do really like the concept and hope it lives up to the claims.

I wished Thomas success with it and he said he hoped it would do well as he'd put so much money into it that he'd be bankrupt if it totally flopped.

Guitarist gave it a "gold" review (for what it's worth) so it may do well.

Phil_aka_Pip

I read the review. I'd like to try it, but I don't think I'd sell one of my existing amps to get one. I'd like one as well as ...

John_A

It certainly sounds pretty good in the demo. There seem to be more and more alternatives to a big heavy and expensive valve amp. I'm currently leaving all my proper amps at home and gigging with a tech 21 Fly Rig and a EHX Magnum 44 which sounds just as good in with the band as my expensive valve amps, to the point I'm really thinking of selling some and sticking with this set-up. If the Blu guitar sounds as good with a band I might just have to get one. Even for those that don't want to give up their main amps this would be a great back-up

not_the_dj

Not heard about these at all. How much are they going to be?

EricTheWeary

IIRC about £500 ?

steamabacus

BluGuitar site says 699 Euros (pre-order). Guitarist says £589.

longshins

How much do you want to punch Michael in the face?

Kebabkid

I only heard about these the other day and Mr.Blug's YT demos certainly sound good.

I really like the concept and I believe the Amp1 (699 Euros) also has an in-built 100w Class D power amp, however, to really tap into its full potential for live use, I think you'll need the Remote 1 pedalboard (349 Euros) and if you want to introduce your own pedals into the chain, probably the loop kit too (249 Euros). This then means that you're getting into used Kemper and Axe Fx territory but obviously, they're not as compact or as straightforward to use.

I can't find anything on the net as to whether this will have a UK distributor or be available in UK shops.

TB extracts great tones from gear, namely H&K amps, so this shouldn't disappoint.

steamabacus

Kebabkid said:

I can't find anything on the net as to whether this will have a UK distributor or be available in UK shops.

At the LGS he seemed to be sharing a stand with JHS and their Fret King guitars. Would make sense if it's distributed through JHS, what with Thomas Blug's long association with Trev Wilkinson.

[edit] Just looked it up and JHS also distribute Hughes & Kettner, so seem like the obvious distributers for Amp 1.

slate

It does sound very good on his YT demos.
Does anyone know if it has tubes in the preamp ,in addition to the nanotube in the power section?
.EDIT- thanks @steamabacus - just watched the PG vid and he details the circuit on there.

steamabacus

The preamp is analogue solid state.

Kebabkid

thanks @steamabacus and that does make sense.

Cabicular

I want to like it
Nanotubes are a cool idea but based on that demo .... Ugh not a fan. It's a bit shrill for my ears

monquixote

I find this amp very interesting especially as it appears that you can use it in patch mode and there is a MIDI adapter so you can use all the features without all the addons (which to my mind make it too big and expensive). 

The only thing that concerns me is that the clean sound appears to be quite jazzy rather than funky and tight. The vintage drive sounds were pretty good to me. The high gain not so much, but I wouldn't use it anyway.

steamabacus

Run-through of the whole system - in German, unfortunately, but you can get the drift. The German for wah-wah is ....  Vah-Vah. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0nymkiAF_Y&index=2&list=UUywHV3OfufA4fQFndig-ALg

Cabicular

I  don't know how much of the Guitarist demo suffers from Michaels Elephant like touch. but it sounds a bit distorted and rattley like a realy cheap guitar amp would

monquixote

Ich bin oldskool

steamabacus

Total Guitar review.

I notice that the review pdf is hosted by jhs.co.uk, too. So it looks like JHS will be distributing it.

monquixote

That's an overwhelmingly positive review. 

Very interesting indeed.

Antique_Guitars

Doesn't sound great but i'm still very interested, I'm waiting for someone on here to get one then I can pick it up half price from the classifieds :-)