Hey all - this is a question I have been asked so often, when I finally got a chance to compare them I had to do it! Don't forget to Sub and Comment to have a chance at winning a Kingtone The Duellist when I hit 6,000 subs. Cheers!
@@hyperben1985 heya - thanks for the question! I have borrowed a few things recently and then not always made a video as it has to be something i instinctively feel I would use myself, like the Novo guitar I had recently. But really appreciate any offer of course! You could email me if you like, jamesonguitaryt@gmail.com
@@hyperben1985 cheers Ben never got the email 🤔 just writing the address here again in case i spelled it wrong the first time jamesonguitaryt@gmail.com
Dude I originally subbed for the gear you cover but every week the playing gets better and now I tune in to hear the stuff you’ve been working out lately! You have become an inspiration to me to push my own playing further. Thank you for continuing to put out consistently better material no matter the gear!
Hey James, you did an amazing job of capturing the nuance of the 100w version… and the tone# with the Strat and the sg at the end were stunning! You’ve reinforced my decision to have 100w CRS on order
You know what I have come to realize with my two rocks- the speaker you put them through makes a world of a difference. Was going to sell my CRS, SSS, and Bloomfield until I put them through a celestian Alnico cream
Cool demonstration, I noticed the most important thing that determines how loud an amp is, is the quality output transformer. I have a 18 W 6v6 amp that is way louder than my 50 W el34 amp played through the same cabinet. One has a real good transformer that can actually put the tube power through the speaker
Hi James. Wondering if you’d think differently about this in regards to the Bloomfield model. Perhaps the 40w version Bloomfield would help reduce the lead channel harshness you experienced with your 100w at low volumes? If that is the case and you ended up with a 100w CLRS and a 40w Bloomfield it might have been perfect... There is a 40w Bloomfield available near me and I’m mulling it over.
I remember discussing the 40 vs 50 vs 100w versions with you a year ago trying to make a decision. I took the same discussion to multiple dealers and while there is no right/wrong answer and all versions of the amp are loud, as soon as I mentioned I’ll use an attenuator, they all suggested going for 100w. I’m glad I did because I find the tone and feel of the 100w version sets it apart from the more traditional Fender vibe. I’d use ToneKing, Bartel or just original Fender amps if I wanted more of the same traditional playing experience. So if you want a Fender style but more dynamics and scale then it’s different enough to make it a more unique playing experience. I still think you need a high end attenuator like the Fryette PS100 to find your sweet spot with the 100w CRS while not being deafened. I appreciate it’s not the same experience at lower volumes, but the TR cabs & speakers combined with amp EQ switches are still very good at giving you feel and attitude at low volume (with a Fryette PS100). By comparison I have found the 100w Bloomfield Drive easier to dial in sweet spots while playing at low volume, when you don’t have an attenuator. Great playing James. You’re definitely developing your own voice now. 👍
Great video as usual ! I don't have a CRS, but the Studio Signature for gigging, and you've exposed quitte well that CRS + Shanks is a match made in heaven.
This is what I love about my 100 CRS in 50w. So enjoy your vids and was sad to see you selling your TR's however this vid has given me hope that you will pursue the 100/50 version. Inspiring playing....
I have the 100w and it’s amazing. I use it with a Rivera Rockcrusher. Tried it both with and without the attenuator and it’s miles better sounding with the attenuator and the gain at 10 o’clock and master at 2 o’clock with the Rivera taking out about 8-13lb. Without the attenuator the master needs to be quite low and it sounds stiff and just nowhere near as thick and juicy. Definitely use an attenuator. 6L6 tubes are just the best IMO.
That 100w vs the 40 was SO much better. The strat just sounds so much more clear and quacky and the 40 just hides the best sounding parts of the guitar. Man… I don’t need 100 watts of volume but at lower volumes, it just sounds much better than the 40. I wanted a combo for the size… but I will never be able to forget that tone you’ve got on the 100. Damn. I was looking at the Bloomfield, but honestly, I like an amp for a pedal platform for all my pedals on my board and it looks like the headroom on the 100 will just be a better match for me. Guess I’m looking at the 100 even though I listened to this video, hoping to be happy with a 40.
I have the 40 combo. Its a great amp and headroom for days. Havent tried the 100w, but its sounds a bit fuller. I gig it sometimes but play it mostly at home, where I can play it even lounder than at any gigs ive have played with it.
Having been down the amp/nos tubes/vintage/modern/features rabbit hole for too many years to count and £££'s. Found a rare hand built Cornell Custom 40 (10w/40w) for less than a mass produced Deluxe Reverb - simple direct circuit, Vol/Treb/Bass (no stuff), gloriously touch sensitivity, best possible components/transformers/point to point/Tone Tubby speaker/meticulous build from amp legend Denis Cornell. Nowhere to hide, you work to find your own sound (ignore it was once designed for Clapton).
Great video, I have the SSS and I’m addicted to the bloom 6L6s give. Simply the best. I’ve been watching you a while and feel compelled to say, your playing has come a long way!!! The time you’ve put in is obvious, very well done!
Yeah, ultimately that big sound and feeling unbeatable. Oh thanks 😃 one thing i love about guitar is if i keep this same level of learning for life i’ll still only scratching the surface 👌🏽
Of course it’s a matter of taste , but I generally find 6v6 compress easier and faster and therefore are more musical at lower volumes ( below 95db). If you can play above 95db 6l6 offer a different character, but for me are too sterile at low volume playing. I can get really convincing SRV type popping, hollow notes from my modded deluxe reverb at around 85-90db playing. All my 6l6 bigger irons don’t. They want to be turned up to do their thing. If you can though, it’s where the magic is, I agree. But who can except you 😜
The higher the watt the more headroom. But the 50wtt will give you that breakup faster. Same as the lower. 20wtt would be awesome for home. You get that breakup faster. Without the extra pain. They all sound amazing
The 100 is switchable down to 50 watts anyway right? mine was. so I'd get the 100 watt. Very true about the attenuator thing. I find that when I use it, it is still nowhere near as inspiring as the amp being loud without it. For me, the best sounds are when The volume is loud, the speakers have to be pushing air. That's where you get that bouncy reactive feel and energy from the amp IMO and is much more exciting.
James ,what’s your thoughts on the tube shortage? Hop, the war of course and the tube situation gets straightened out. It’s a chance for someone in the U.S. or the uk or anywhere other than Russia to come up with a tube factory but without the pollution it causes. Western Electric or wherever but the prices will go up for now.
Great video. I have a 50w CRS into TR 212 fixed with Celestion Cream Alnico's. Have you tried the 50w with switchable bias (fixed vs cold cathode)......some nice differences = >
So when you were playing on 50 watts was that the 100 watt amp set to the 50 watt setting? I take it you didn't have a third amp there right? Anyway I like your vibrato and playing. I also preferred the 100 watt amp all the way around. I heard it right away. Now I want the 100 watt Classic Reverb. Everytime I looked back at the screen because the tone was so good it was the 100 watt amp.
Depends on how the amp reacts and your preferences in your environment. It’s not a cop out answer, you just won’t know until you experiment yourself. If you want the best versatility and can afford one, the Fryette PS is the way to go. It has a real volume control because the Fryette is re-amping cleanly with it’s own power tubes, plus you have some EQ controls to bring back any life that gets lost through the process of attenuation. This is the reason the Fryette PS is top of its game.
So it says on their site you can boost the power of low power ‘lunchbox’ amps and then names things like princetons and ac15. So, would it work to turn a 40w up? 🤔
@@JamesOnGuitar Re-amping is a little different. Think of it like you already have the characteristics from whatever amp your playing and then you’re simply driving those characteristics with more power into your speaker cab. Sure you can get differences in tone and feel because of that, but it’s not the same as having the 100w head in the first place.
I recently picked up the 50 watt CRS. I don’t have a 100w to compare to but I can’t imagine needing more than the 50. It’s amazing. Definitely trade up.
@@JamesOnGuitar oddly enough the amp gets louder in the low power mode. It also has less head room. I’m terms of noticeable difference I’d compare it to the three gain structures on the front. It’s a bit like having a 4th mode. And it’s probably more noticeable the more you open the amp up and play loud. I think you’ll love the 50!
@@brianmonaghan6783 yeah so although i can’t remember which way around it is, that is the difference between fixed and cathode bias - one has more headroom, the fixed bias i think, and cathode bias is more spongy! Cheers!
Hi - yeah, i did lots of videos with two amps earlier on my channel. I find two rock with marshall type sounds great 👍🏼 i haven’t tried anything together with the bartel or matchless though so lots of fun to be had! Cheers
Having a new born at home and then watching this... is torture, ha! As a guy who always thought he’d get the 40w as an at home player primarily, you may have convinced me otherwise!
Extra headroom is great but who can play at those volumes these days. Seems like a lot if work to play too, very exposing, well it would be for me at least #bedroomguitargod
