Yamaha THR30II: The Most Versatile Desktop Amplifier? 

I own this amp after 30 years of using big heavy amps... This Yamaha makes me go out and play more because I can carry it with two fingers and line out to the PA! It's a perfect solution to an aging guitar player who doesn't want to drag around Roland JC120's or Fender Twin Reverbs

I think one of the best ways to stave off GAS is to watch reviews of gear you already own.

Now THIS is a Very informative video about a product, backed by a well timed demo, and a post usage review. And yes, BE Honest in the review. For better or worse, be honest. It really helps the audience. Kudos!

Thank you guys for this video. I own a THR 30II since last july and I really like it, though you have to spend some time to tweak it and find the sounds you want. I remember being a little bit lost in the beginning because of that and I don't use the presets in it. But once you know how to tweak it, you can get some really good sounds out of it. Don't forget the cabs in the app, which change the sound dramatically.

I really enjoyed this demo. You had mentioned the speakers, though briefly and this is what i believe makes this amp shine and other makers do not really pay attention to enough. Pairing speakers to anything audio is vital and because of the well thought out speakers in the THR, it makes dialing in much easier than you think compared to other amps like this. . My main amp is a fender machette combo, my blue tooth speaker is the marshall stanmore , love them both. I use the THR more ( at home ) because it is super convenient and just sounds great for any style guitar playing. For me, the variety of tones along with common effects to layer in and the esthetics / layout of this amp is 100% worth the $$ for these .

It’s my favourite amplifier own it for three years I’ll give it a five star

Everything you’ve said here about how versatility means you have to spend more time ‘finding’ the right sound is very true: I don’t have any of the THR models yet, but this description applies perfectly to the Boss Nextone Artist that I recently purchased.

Great demo guys. Phenomenal little amp. I love mine. The classic clean-tones are Fender Princeton-like. The App adds a new world of tonal options-too. oNe LovE from NYC

Awesome demo. Could listen all day ❤

Thank you Guys, I’ve had mine for nearly two years and it is Awesome, but learnt from you here re settings

This is one of the better reviews, maybe the best review of this amp on the YT. Great job.

THR stands for “THIRD” as it would be your third amp. 1st at studio, 2nd at the stage, 3rd in you home to practice

With the 4x10 cab, classic setting (Fender Blackface), a bit of overdrive and touch of reverb/delay, instant SRV tone with my 59 AVRI Stratocaster. Just stunning! Closest hot running Super Reverb emulation I've heard.

I bought this one a year ago. Excellent amp. My biggest complaint is the use of old laptop style proprietary charger. USB-C connector would be nice.

I have the first generation THR10 and I absolutely love it. I tried the newer one but didn’t pull the trigger since the 1st gen is still doing it for me. But as you described, you do have to spend some time tweaking each amp Sim EQ. I use the online editor and have created several excellent patches. I tend to like overdrive Marshall tones and have been able to really dial in those types of tones on the THR. I do think it’s better than the spark. The new one is pricey though

Thr10c owner here. These amps are incredible

This amp is terrific! Very versatile, but… will it make me play like Cooper?? Terrific demo! Cooper does a great job of showing what the amp is capable of providing for those looking for a “bedroom” amp to practice with. I was an early adopter of the original THR. In fact I like it so much I have no interest in switching to this new model. Can’t wait to try the acoustic model.

Thank you guys for the honesty towards the end. I didn’t care for any of the boutique sounds. But the classic and modern tones were doable.

I purchased one when they came out with the wireless module. Its expensive but has allowed me to practice and play more which is priceless to me. The only way it could be better is if they built in a looper.

I think the entire THX line is very decent. At home I pair a Yamaha THR5A with a Fishman Loudbox Mini for acoustic, and I pair a Yamaha THR10C with a Positive Grid Spark for electrics. All four sound great independently but for me I really like how I've paired them.

I own this lil amp..had it for about 12 months..I LOVE IT..O mainly use this amp as a training and solo jamming..I use ditto looper..and I'll add a backing tracks..then practice and jam out..its lot of fun..imo

You did a really good job communicating the benefits of this. When I clicked on the vid, I had little interest. Within a few minutes, you had me looking a bit more into it.

Cool to have a chance to say hi to you through Jon's txt session, and Cooler to have your reply. You rock, Cooper!🎸🎸🎸Good day!

I almost bought the Spark with its flashy “extras” funny enough all those extra and not rechargeable battery option deter me from it. Why? the more screens and buttons the more distracted you get and the less you play. The YAMAHA is SO much BETTER in all means, Sound/Tone to start, the app is very straight forward and easy to use, the rechargeable battery one has permitted me to have Jan’s outside with band mates and! Even busking! Is loud enough for it. Since 2020 this has been my most important investment, I don’t have an excuse to not plug and start playing, practicing and composing new music. I LOVE IT!

So I just pulled my old THR10 out of the closet and decided to plug my acoustic guitar and SM58 mic into my Boss VE8 and into the AUX input of the THR. The Boss handles my guitar and vocal preamp and processing while only the hi-fi power amp of THR gets used. It sounds fantastic enough for small rooms and spaces. The 30w version sounds dope for the obvious reasons.... MORE LOUD MORE GOOD! 🤟😎🤟

altho i haven't played a spark, i can honestly say the thr30 is the best piece of equipment i have EVER purchased. because of it, i play my guitars constantly now. i use the wireless exclusively and it is AWESOME!! my guitars stay on their stands beside my chair and the yamaha is within arms reach... you will not be disappointed.

I've owned the old thr's and I own this one it has a learning curve but if you use your computer software with the amp with a little patience it is a great portable. I like my 5 tube amps too but I spend more time with the thr30II than anything I own now!!!

I love mine, it is so valve like sounding ! I have the spark too, more fun and tweakable but less sound mojo .

Would love to see a video from you about the Spark Amps (especially paired with Accoustic Guitar)! ❤

Scottie hill, lead guitarist, used it to demonstrate the lead he wrote for the song “I remember you”. Have listen

I wish it had an optional foot switch with looper and a subwoofer out. Then it would be great for bass and watching movies and mixing music and could actually replace bigger amps.

Yamaha rep stated it stands for your “third” amp

Have this amp and its pricey, but great. It is super versatile yet fairly easy to use and the line outs mean I can use it direct to a mixing console (works decent for electric, great for acoustic) and the usb makes it a recording interface for a computer DAW scenario. Battery life seems to be at least a few hours, depending on volume. Only thing I don't love is the optional Line 6 G10T wireless I bought with it. I got the old version (the one with the potential battery fire issue) and even though I updated the firmware, it still has issues working with 4 of my 9 guitars (either buzzing, or not working at all in the case of an acoustic with a passive pickup system). So either get the updated G10Tii or don't bother with wireless. This works sweet as a bluetooth speaker too. The iphone app is ok and allows for deeper tweaking should you really want to. I'm hoping they update the app to allow you to use bpm and note subdivision for things like delay and time based effects. This box offers a lot, though if I could have had one more feature a simple built in looper and maybe some basic jam tracks would have been that one more thing (amongst a million things already). In the video it sounds like they are playing through a brand new amp where the speakers haven't been broken in. I played some loud music through mine for several hours once I bought it and it really opened up the sound (so that's my tip - break it in before you really decide if you like it).

Hi! thanks for the honest review. I have the THR10ii, and I find it hard to dial in a good hi-gain sound. Any pieces of advice? I tend to run a distortion pedal into the Classic or Modern Clean channels. The Classic Clean on its own is beautiful though - very Fender-like! And the chorus is really nice. Don't care too much for the tremolo. The app gives you more tonal options too. It's a good little amp if you can get it used for a cheaper price. Take care

I know Yamaha owns Line 6 but, I'd like to see them build some proper full-sized combos again.

thanks for the video - Hi from Bristol, UK - I have heard about Texas... thr just stands for 'third'

Hello Alamo, quick question. How much you all charge to slap together a warmoth build (if I bring in everything pickups, tuners, everything) plus a set up? Thanks in advance I live near SA in a town with no techs

I have one, it sounds better when you switch cabs using the THR app.

Was the acoustic guitar ever played through the actual acoustic channel or just the electric guitar settings?

Snagged one of these right before covid and it has been worth every precious penny. Its like a magic trick at parties before you even plug it in people are like "Cool whats that!?", (you'll see) then BAM shredding over any backing track on youtube people shit bricks its amazing.

Great interesting amp wish it had a foot switch looper

It my Favourite amplifier love it add up for three years play at concentrate five star

I saw many comments from those who prefer the Spark amp. I got one early on. I even signed up for it before they were released. I tried really hard to like it, but it has an awful mid-bass hump that you cannot get rid of. Even if you manage to mitigate it, the sound is still very unnatural. I would even say it is sterile, and perhaps harsh. Most of the time my Spark amp sits around collecting dust. Once in a while I get it out to try again, but after about an hour at most I give up. The Spark might be cheaper, but if it sounds bad who cares? I cannot vouch for the new THR30II, but I'd rather spend more to get something that sounds good. The amp I am most interested in trying the new Line 6 Catalyst. A small 60-watt combo for $300 is a much better deal, and it still would not take up much space.

"Oh Pa, that one makes me cry!" Charleen Darling - The Andy Griffith Show Cooper, quit making Charleen cry with your sad but beautiful acoustic guitar playing. ;)

Hi, great demo, can you play overdrive pedals into it ? It sounds good but I think it needs to sound more tube amp like. Thanks

This thing seems really cool can you use it as a pre amp together with a bigger speaker?

What are the settings for the acoustic guitar? I am really struggling to get good sound from my acoustic. Even when I use the acoustic presets of the amplifier

With the THR30: Can you use the line outs on the back to plug into a powercab like say Fender Tonemaster cab, PG spark Cab or other digital powercabs? For jamming with a loud drummer etc

This seems like it uses the control layout, and the tech, from the old DG Stomp. I really liked the less effected acoustic sound. For my use or taste, this type of "amp" tends to offer too many effects and amp profiles to be very inspiring or practical. If it was just a desktop amp that would sound good with the typical player's pedals, OR WITHOUT, it could be low-key revolutionary. I had an old Tech21 TM10 that was almost that. It's higher gain sounds tended to get hissy. And OD pedals didn't work that well with it. After a while I found it pretty possible to get a sweet spot where I could use it "tweed," "Calif" and "British" modes as levels of clean / lead etc. A Weber tweed Princeton eliminated the need for anything but a few pedals, for screaming gain of ambiance. Done. A desktop amp that simply loudens a guitar with tonal richness would just be incredible. Get lost in playing for hours, rather that tweaking and scrolling through effects settings.

The THR10ii is good also once plugged in the mains gives you 20W. It is a great amp but needs to be dialled in 100%

I can't seem to get my reverb to work. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Hello….. I am a 60 year old disabled vet with brain injury so I get easily confused at times when it comes to signal routing and trying to figure out a solution for adding a second THR30 for a volume boost as I like busking and playing blues over backing tracks. I have the THR30 with the Airstep YT bluetooth foot pedal so I can switch channels or add effects which makes using the THR30 a joy. I also have the Line 6 G10 transmitter so I am fully wireless. So trying to figure out a working solution to ideally still be wireless, play along with backing tracks and use the Airstep foot controller. So here are my questions and would be so grateful if you or one of your smart subscribers could explain if this would work or if you have another suggestion. 1.). Can I use the Line 6 G10 relay to simultaneously control both amps? I read conflicting views online if that can work. 2.). Can I simultaneously bluetooth backing tracks from my iPhone to both amps? 3.) Same goes for Airstep footpedal. Any idea if my Airstep pedal can simultaneously control channel switching on both THR30s? My other idea is if the above option does not work, is take line out from amp 1 into Aux on amp 2 to get the backing tracks and guitar sound from amp 1 and feed the sound into amp 2. I would keep amp 2 on a clean channel so backing tracks do not get distorted and just use the Airstep to switch guitar channels on amp 1 so amp 2 just be used for the extra volume. Not sure if I can use left or right line out or would I need a stereo out that converts to the 3.5 mm Aux in. This would be ideal if it works because both amps would have the same sounds when switching channels on Amp 1. The other option is going line out on amp 1 to the line in on Amp 2 instead of Aux. Again not sure if I need a stereo cable that converts into a single 1/4 inch or just use the left or right line out. With this setup I would use a splitter cable from my iPhone so I can send backing tracks to the Aux inputs on both amps simultaneously. But if I take line out of Amp 1 one into line in on Amp 2, wouldn’t that mean the backing tracks from amp one would be also be distorted when I switch channels on amp 2 so not sure if that solution makes sense. Ideally I would like both amps to have clean backing tracks and the same guitar tones when switching channels. I also know there are pedals that give you a stereo output with one line output going to each amps input and I could also add a overdrive pedal to front end the THR30s but the sounds of the Yamaha amp are so amazing this would just make more gear to carry around so hoping there is a better way. The last option is using an external powered speaker like a JBL Boombox 2. Has anyone tried this option and if so how did it sound? The JBL Boombox 2 costs the same as a THR30 so wondering if this makes more sense? I just like the thought of using two THR30s so I could jam with another musician if they have a keyboard, bass or guitar. Plus it’s nice having a backup amp. Sorry for long post and I thank you or anyone of your subscribers who took the time to read this and recommend a solution. I am very grateful🙏

19:56 is a very good point.

Can loaded presets & patches be selected with a foot switch?

OH YEA! COOPER! ROCK ON!!!!

I use it to record a lot of my RU-vid covers and it sounds grate. If you look in internet you can find the real amps and cabinets behind the Yamaha THR II (VOX AC30, JCM 800, Marshall Plexi, Mesa Boogie, Fender 65 Deluxe, 5150) This amp is too good.

What microphone are you using in the demo ?

I own this and the speaker cab is the deal in the app 4x12

Questions - 1. As far as having to tweak every time you make a change, couldn't you use the memory settings to save your five favorite setups and avoid a lot of that? 2. Was there some kind of mic modeling applied on the acoustic? I noticed a distinct lack of piezo quack in the sound.

Can someone help me out who has played this? Does this emulate tone breakup? What I mean by that is when youre on the edge of a clean/crunch tone how does it handle the dynamics of a stronger picking attack? Will it go into crunch from clean like a proper tube amp?

I find the THR10 II for $449 new, but the THR30 II is $499... Is there any reason I shouldn't pay an extra $50 to go from 20 to 30 Watts?

I have heard that the modeling can make an electric sound more acoustic on the acoustic amp settings, Could you try that out and just post a reply stating if you found it to be true or that it is just a urban legend.

F R E A K Y, was just watching a 2 year old vid from Peach Guitars on this bad boy……….Mckee, are you watching me?

one thing Yamaha should include a line6 g10 relay with the amp

What about a strymon iridium through e headrush frfr?

Cooper why did you have an acústico guitar in your hands through this video?

I really wanted to hear the bass amp setting. Why didn’t you demo the bass setting??

Cooper, you mentioned the GS Mini. I will be polite and not share my thoughts on that guitar. Since your reviewing a Yamaha product you should try a Yamaha CSF3M. It is at least twice the guitar that the GS is. Anyone looking for a parlor should check it out. I suggest you bring one into the store and review it. You will be impressed. My only complaint is Yamaha should have made it a 1.75 nut width.

Damn, Jesus can lay down some licks!

If you had to pick one amp for acoustic and electric Which amp would you pick?

You said thAT you done a series on this but you did not provide a link Can you please sort out this gross oversight

Hey c'mon guys, surely the Line 6 Pod Go is more versatile? This THR30II sounds like an old timey transistor radio, compressed to blazes?

The one correction that’s really important is: YES YOU CAN MAKE PRESETS WITH EQ, but you said you can’t set it and forget it, but actually you can that’s what the memory 1-5 was made to do.

I have the THRII20 and the Boss Katana Mini and I prefer the Boss. The app is much more complete and has pedals and better sounds. The Yamaha used it to listen to music over USB. The Boss is more complete and more modern.

According to all the reviews, this unit has an output of 15W with batteries and 30W with the power supply. Shall I experience a volume drop when I unplug the power supply? I hear no difference with my unit.

Is it digital or solid state?

Can plug in a looper it's great

Take the $500 for this amp, add a few bucks more buy a used Fractal FM3- and grab some decent stereo studio speakers to play it through (or just use headphones.) This solution will BLOW AWAY this amp. In full disclosure, I have an older THR10 and I do like it. One main perk is that I play it when I go camping. Battery powered amps are fun. I bring my JBL Flip speaker (backing tracks on my phone) and I am jamming nicely in the woods. The tone on these amps is really nice. If you need more volume, just mic it to a PA.

Why y’all got the amp covering Cooper’s tasty playing. So crisp.

Blackstar debut 15 is as good sounding the emulated out is unbelievably good and one sixth the price.

Have the older/first yellow one, without bluetooth, and its sounds amazing for its size. As a guitar amp that is, as a music player/speaker for Spotify or likes, I'm not that impressed. But I guess most guys will use it as a guitar amp and that's where it shines, especially when you need bedroom levels, however it can be pretty damn loud to.

I prefer my Spark 40. I tried both and found that the Spark has more tones to choose from and the Spark just sounds better. Also the spark is adding effects all the time. They update the firm ware from time to time to add more stuff like a looper and Jimi Hendrix pedals and tones and backing tracks. So try them both and see what you think.

THR stands for your third amp.

Very good video. I tried the Yamaha you demoed this morning. I found it limiting and somewhat difficult to use. I purchased the Spark amp and am much happier with it. It's constructed with a little more of a "bassier" footprint than the Yamaha but that can be adjusted. The Spark is not only much simpler to use, it's database of sounds is by far larger (because people can download their settings to the database and you can download it from there to your amp.) There are literally thousands of presets with Spark. The other big thing is the price...The Spark is in the mid $200's where the Yamaha is nearly $500. The only downside to the Spark is that it doesn't have a built in internal battery. I solved that by going to Amazon and for $70, bought a very powerful rechargeable battery and "velcroed" it to the back of the amp. Gives me 5 hours of amp time before recharging. For the money and what you get, the Spark is far superior.

So expensive though

San Anopeio

The line6 wireless jack sucks. It has a battery life ~ 45 minutes.

I generally appreciate Alamo Music’s videos, as they generally very informative and entertaining. This, however, is NOT one of those. It left me pretty confused because it conflicts with the information Chris put out a year earlier on a separate video: (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v7qxpIijMvI.html) From Chris’s own words in that separate video: “I see this question pop up a lot … Can you plug in your new acoustic electric guitar into your electric guitar amp? … Yes… you can do that. But like Dr. Ian Malcom just said: ‘Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.’ “ He then explained in detail the differences between an acoustic and an electric amp and why you shouldn’t plug in an acoustic guitar into an electric guitar amp. At one point, he suggested it could damage the electric amp if you turned the volume up too high when an acoustic guitar is plugged in. Late in the same video, he said there are some amps (the Rivera Sedona, for one) that can do both, but they tend to be expensive. So with that in mind, here is my question: Is the Yamaha THR30ii some new piece of technology that does both well or is it mostly an electric amp that can take an acoustic signal at a low volume and put out a mediocre sound?

If I had one complaint for Yamaha, do not engage the compressor and noise gate as a default and then not have it accessible, or acknowledged to the user, that it is engaged. Both are the worst features of the amp and they're hidden and engaged on every channel by default. Most people are immediately turned off by the amp because it sounds like garbage immediately until you open the app and realize that crap is on

I think the Spark came out much later and provides all the bass you need with a cabniet and specially designed speaker. So the question is, is that how this is, or is just some horrible small speakers? Also, some of the versions of this thing are incredibly expensive, some not so, so you wonder what your are actually getting. And, it's a lot of money for a portable solution. You can get a $80 power bank for the Spark, and the price of these banks are falling all the time. Not to mention all the competition for portable amps - include the Nux, Katana Air, Mini Spark, etc...

First comment,,, I rule

Kris Kringle Is That YOU

I found it funny that he played through every channel and make it sound the same. Nice playing but come on

good review but somewhat dissapointing due to long haired gentleman being too politically correct and afraid to speak his mind. He wants to hear the playback of the tones on the video to see how it sounds? wtf. come on man, you are playing the amp.

Is it true that acoustic players are people that suck at electric guitar and can only handle strumming a few chords up and down? And why is it so obvious that they suck?

Over 7 minutes in and he still hasn't played anything. DON'T TALK, PLAY!

yamaha is way better than spark!