Notes about the 'One Song' series: The idea for the 'One Song' series came about when I was trying to come up with a cool idea for my next EPIC/MEGA amp comparison with around 30 amps. So I came up with the idea of writing a song in multiple styles that would do a good job of 'testing' the versatility of an amp. It would start clean and end with metal. And I thought it could be interesting to use multiple guitars, so one for each section. Then I realised that it would be cool to release each amp's video individually first and when I'm all done I'll upload a compilation that would essentially be similar to all my other mega comparisons, including all the timecodes etc. This will be called: 'One Song, 30 Amps!'. So that's the plan basically! However, I'm also planning on running the song through some modeling platforms to also demo those and see how well they can work with all the material in the song. I've chosen to NOT use the same IRs for each segment this time because I want to use cab tones that the amps are 'comfortable' with. So don't view this as a direct comparison of the amps per say, but view it as an amp showcase that also allows you to hear how the amps function inside the song or inside the music, of course in comparison to one another in that sense! This will showcase the uniqueness of the amps more, which is more fun imho, and it also allows me to be a little bit more creative when reamping each amp. Plus: some of you guys will say 'they all sound the same' anyway and the different cab sounds will make the amps sound more interesting and unique! For the metal segment I'll very likely use a boost pedal for most of the amps, just so you metalheads or djentheads can hear how a downtuned baritone with a boost sounds with the amp. Anyway, I hope you guys will enjoy this series and I hope I made the song interesting enough to listen to it a couple times (because I don't expect anyone to watch all 30 or more amp videos lol). -Jon
mm, that hughes and kettner has those high frequencies that makes clean tones shine. Also, the attack on the satured tones is dynamic and clear. The fact that you use the same composition on those comparisons makes it easy to spot what you like or dislike on each amp, cool.
Super excited for this. I have recently come full circle on understanding solid state, tube and emulated tube tones (for lack of a better word for it) and now understand the appeal of something like the Fender tonemaster and H&K black spirit designs. This has got me kind of re-discovering my Katana and getting good saturated bassman-y and plexi-y tones out of it. I still love my angry light bulbs and am not 100% living in a post-tube world. I think one of the big steps for me was Texas Blues Alley's coverage of Quilter combo amps. That's why I'm excited for this video. All your content is aces, Jon. You never disappoint. Of all the gearheads I follow, you and Johann Segeborn are "drop everything and watch this first" creators.
I'd like to see you test and review all of these modeling amps like the Katana, Vypyr, and Code. You have a good ear and your explanation on how they sound to your ear is the best on RU-vid. Also, I got the ENGL Iron Ball SE. You're gonna love that amp!
I particularly like the clarity and balance in the clean tones. H&K has managed to carve out their own great Amp sound with amazing versatility. I really like this format in demoing the Amp. It covered just about everything I want to know about how the Amp behaves in different contexts and with different guitars/pickups. Are the pickups all "stock" for each model guitar? It would be nice to see information on the type/model of each pickup as it's being played, bring such a critical component in the sound. I also enjoyed your playing and the tune. What a great way to showcase so much important information about the Amp, and in such an enjoyable way for the viewer! 👍😎
I actually got the Black Sprit and sold my Grandmeister 40 Deluxe. They sounded pretty close but the GM40 didn't take pedals very well IMO. I know the amp was made to where you didn't need pedals but my band uses lots of different fuzz pedals. Sent the GM40 back to Sweetwater and got the Black Spirit. Also saved $600. Both are great amps though.
🤣🤣🤣...I did the same. Purchased both, and returned the GM40 Deluxe. After spending few days tweaking the knobs on BS200 I got it to sound identical to GM40 (I mean, even the feel when hitting a note, or a chord...that attack or mellow feel depending how hard / soft a note is hit). Having proven myself this, plus extra cabs on RedBox, it was a no-brainer to keep the BS200.
Cool I have the HK GM40 and thinking about getting the Black Spirit lol 😂 tube shortage and it’s hard to get EL84’s… mine are pretty much toast. Black Spirit sounds awesome ! How u liking it ?
Wow. That’s an amazing sounding solid state amp. I’m a Mesa MkV guy, and that HK covers all the ground my MkV does. Sounds so good. I don’t really play metal (I know, MkV is for metal, I just enjoy how flexible it is) but the clean and crunch sound awesome on that HK.
Sounds great, as always. I nearly picked one of these up not too long ago. On a side note: Id love to hear you demo some other Laney amps: The GH or VH series especially, as I've seen some people get them to sound like Dual Recs.
I've got the BS 200 myself and I've got the Ownhammer Revolution Ir Pack. Which of the cabs in the pack would your recommend to use with the BS200? Oh and did you use the DI Signal of the turned of RedBox to record the amp into your DAW? Thank you :)
