I think every guitar/music store should have a blind testing room where the customers can go A-B 2 or more products blindfolded. I think a lot of us guitar players buy lots of gear based on premade assumptions. For example if one amp is 1k£ and another one 500£, lot's of people's brains will unknowingly sort of tell them "this amp is more expensive and therefore i should like it better". Could Andertons be the first blindfolded test store in the universe? Great vid guys!

@patrickford9615

9 жыл бұрын

Yes. This. I was thinking I would appreciate that next time I need a new amp.

@patrickford9615

9 жыл бұрын

***** yeah, I definitely have brand loyalty, but I'd like an objective way to evaluate my predilections.

@ErikSWE

9 жыл бұрын

Why risk that someone willing to buy a £1k amp would buy a £500 amp?

@patrickford9615

9 жыл бұрын

Because you are Andertons, and you grew so well because your first goal was to so completely satisfy the customer that they ended up buying ALL their gear through you? I am definitely loyal to my mom and pop shop that has time to listen and suggest based on what I want. I hate some big chains because they suck at serving my needs. They don't care what I want. They push things. They can't answer simple or complicated questions. An A-B room would go a long way in determining from which store I purchased from.

@CaptAnderton

9 жыл бұрын

Might have some health & safety issues setting up a room where you have to be blind folded before you can go in!! Ha Ha - however, you're always welcome to come to Andertons - we have 5 demo rooms & there is nothing in the rule book that says you can't just shut your eyes & get a friend to plug some amps in for you!

We have an overdriven version of this video coming soon - 3 different amps, but same concept. One modelling amp, one solid state amp & one valve amp. You should see that in Feb some time.

@myewgul

9 жыл бұрын

Psst! Do it with Orange! Crush, Cr 120,and RV please! :D

@AlexeyDyachenko

9 жыл бұрын

myewgul I approve of Crush. Real solid state amp out there!

@safetytfh

9 жыл бұрын

Try a crate flexwave. you might be pleasantly surprised

@AchyutMujoo

9 жыл бұрын

I guess there would be a Roland Cube involved?

@JoeAnton420

9 жыл бұрын

Orange 35ldx is a solid state sleeper. Like to see it get some air time

Honestly, I thought the Blues Cube sounded the best.

I'm glad they got it wrong. It just attests how good the Blues Cube does at emulating a tube tone

@SRHMusic012

6 жыл бұрын

The Mustang was really not good sounding to my ears (and speakers, etc.).

I'll reserve my judgment until the amazingly all knowing Scott Grove gives his opinion on the matter because as we all know, his is the only true and correct one and everyone else doesn't know what they're talking about.

@danieloliveiraog

9 жыл бұрын

Pahahah, this! xD

@orlock20

9 жыл бұрын

The vast majority of his music is through a solid state amp. PixxyLixx uses computer software. Intheblues uses the Mustang III in many of his videos where the amp sound fine.

@brownshit1

9 жыл бұрын

orlock20 Cool.

@MaggaraMarine

9 жыл бұрын

I know you are just joking, but why would Scott comment this? The only video that Scott commented was the "proof: wood makes a difference in tone" and that was because it wasn't a scientific test. And I agree with him - he had a good reason to criticize the video because the title was kind of misleading. This video is about what sounds the best and that's about personal preference. I understand the reason why Scott likes his Johnson modeling amp - it has so many tones in the same package. I don't think Scott hates the tone of tube amps. He just doesn't like the fact that they don't come with many different tones and sound different at different volumes and all that. And also the fact that guitarists are generally pretty conservative, which I agree with. For example look at the comment sections of videos about 7, 8 and 9 string guitars. Or if something has tubes in it, it must be great "because tubes". And if something is solid state/digital, it is crap "because solid state". That's just how many guitarists are. Lol, seems like he did comment. :D

@brownshit1

9 жыл бұрын

MaggaraMarine Don't take life so seriously mate.

I can tell you one interesting story from my childhood-teen age. Once I had a very old bulky heavy tube amp, not a guitar amp, but simple tube amp where I hooked up a vinyl turntable and very large speakers in the end. I was enjoying it so much that I couldn't stop listening, I was on it almost 24/7 like on drugs, listening to the Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Cream..., it sounded so great and alive. But there was a problem, it was blowing up once in a month accompanied by a dark nasty smoke)). So, my father's friend who was radioguru, he was fixing it each time. But after one of those fixes I noticed that amp became like few times less heavy than it was before. So, that guy just swapped internals to a transistors, cut out the unrequired parts and left tubes in it just for appearance. Probably he was pissed off, which I can understand, but really I didn't pay too much attention to it, no big deal or even better, no blow up's anymore, not so heavy anymore. But when I hooked it up as I used to do, I was surprised how it changed in a sound, it wasn't alive anymore, it was flat, it was not punching me into a chest. I was so disappointed that I almost cried, I though that my childhood just got ruined. Well of course that was probably 15 years ago, the progress made available a very good solid state amps out there. But hey that's how I learned the difference between tubes and solid state amps.

These are your best videos. Enjoy them so much. It is a proof of how honest you guys are with your preferences and reviews. Keep with the blindfold videos forever!

Thank you! The video a lot of people have been waiting for! Great as always fellas, keep it up.

Love these blindfold tests. So much fun! Thanks!

absolutely loving these blindtests lads, keep it up plz !!!

Brilliant video chaps! Nice to see people enjoying themselves! Made me smile!

Agree! Just discovered all these guys online (Andertons) from America looking for amp reviews about a week or so ago.... been completely obsessed and fully entertained by them all so far, the best I've ever seen! Cheers!

man this was a good one. that blues cube really does sound great!

These are my favorite videos to watch from your guys man! Always a lot of fun and educational thx again guys !!

These videos always put a smile on my face. Thanks.

I LOVE these blind tests. Please do more! MORE!

Love these blindfold episodes :)

You guys are a load of fun watching like your channel keep it up

love your videos, always good to see a bit of humor and the guitar skills into the mix!

thanks I just thought I would get the blues cube but was in doubt about valve vs tubes. now I'm definitely set on the cube.

I guessed 1. Kentucky, 2 Marlboro, 3. Pepsi.

@BlueLou974

5 жыл бұрын

3: Chrysler Valiant

@shaft9000

5 жыл бұрын

4. Darude - Sandstorm

That was great! Really fun to close my eyes and listen along. I guessed the same. The spring reverb was the dead giveaway for the deluxe. Great video guys!!!

As always, you guys are great fun!

Good stuff, gentlemen! That was a lot of fun.

I guessed it right! Great video guys! Keep'em coming!

Interesting and lots of fun! Thanks, guys.

Very well done and fun test!

Love u guys, after looking at many of your videos, It almost feels like i know u by now. Must say i really appreciate the work u guys do im a huge fan! It's just so fun experimenting with diff sounds, and ur both really got som soul put into ur work. And down to earth, couldn´t think guitar heroes were mortals. May the force be with you. Big cheers from SWE

C'mon guys, you two are very good at what you do and there is NO doubt that when you first sat down and heard that valve hiss in the room, you knew exactly where the valve amp was located. lol. Then when you hear the reverb while playing, it only confirms 100% what the line up was turning out to be. This in my opinion was the easiest test they've faced so far. Guitars on the other hand are a totally different story. Those tests are a lot of fun. But anyway, I need that damn STAX MASTER!

I wasn't looking while you played. I am actually blown away by the Blues Cube tone.

these guys never fail to make me chuckle, and they know thier shit too!

Any blind fold test videos are always great from Chappers and Captain!

Well that Blues cube definitely sounds bloody awesome! I'm getting one for sure!

These videos never get old!

My favorite part was watching you guys pass the cable back and forth and trying to plug in your guitars while blind folded. Pure comedy, mates! Good clean fun. I didn't really like any of the amps sounds, but I still always love watching your blindfolded comparison vids. Keep rockin!

Through my ears, the Cubes all have this really recognisable overdriven base tone, that really gave it away to me.

great video as always!

nothing beats these blindfold videos. extremely entertaining.

I did the blind version, so I had the window minimized. I had the modeled sound, then solid state, then the valve, looks like your video's audio was able to relay it, great post guys.

I really like the sound off that Blues Cube. I have the Fender Mustang IV and its a great amp too. Great vid guys!

I LOVE the Cap! Both of you really are so jolly! :D

IntheBlues does some Mustang comparisons that make it sound much closer to the tube amp the Mustang is trying to emulate.

Love you guys, soooo much fun, yeah the blues cube was to me the nicest sounding but hey a tweek on the tone controls can change a lot, by the way I got in wrong too, keep up the great work/fun guys, loving it.

Thanks for a great video. This is certainly entertaining. Having grown up in the SF CA Bay Area and playing Lead in a band in the 60's, I played mostly through a Bassman, I modified with a 12 inch horn for a higher freq. response, and projection. I also borrowed my Uncles 65 Twin. I rented several others, mainly Fender. My favorite was always Uncles Twin. We argued in those days that the reason the Twin sounded better could have been due to the soldering job, and capacitors. They were all tubes, but the 'crunch' at the high end always projected better through the Twin. My favorite transistor amp is my old Peavey 15 watt (yes 15 watt!) Champion battery powered. It is bright, clear, and has a great low end .To me it mimicked the sound of a valve Basemann, better than any including a (1979?) Musicman 112RP, tube amp. Remember though, I have certainly 'burned out' my ears over the years. Thanks again.

I got them right!! Happy with that. please make more of these what about amp distortion vs pedal distortion.

Great video guys, I really enjoy those blindfolded tests as it really shows the sound quality of the gears you are testing. A suggestion for a future test: cheaper guitar on expensive amp vs expensive guitar on cheaper amp...for ex a blues cube with a fender custom shop vs a hotrod with a squier, same test with a Les Paul and a Marshall-esque amp.

This was one of the best and most entertaining videos you guys ever made! I just have to say that BluesCube sounded best to me, closely followed by Hot Rod, which amazes me considering that BC is not a valve amp. In addition, I recently bought used Roland Cube 30X which I like better than my Ibanez Valbee 5W which is a valve practice amp in the same price range. Generally speaking, I think I'm becoming a real Roland fan and that they are doing an amazing job with their latest amps. Anyway, great job guys, I really had fun, thanks.

This looks like so much fun haha!

I've never been so excited to watch a video based on its title in my entire life

I've heard of comedians using "sight gags", but these guys "sightless" are hysterical! Over UTube the difference in amps is a no brainer. I have followed these two for three years, and hats off to the Captain for developing a smooth bluesy style that I will aspire to ( when I can get a MIA strat). Not to make excuses for Robb, but did you notice his blindfold covered his EARS!!!!!

I have a request: Please do a blindfold test with an HR Deluxe (1x12), a reissue Deluxe, and the hand wired and tube rectified EC Vibroluxe. That is a sub-$1000 everyday, extra-$1000 pro, and $2000 (I think) hand wired botique Fender of similar design. Is the money worth it? Do hand wired vintage components make a big difference? Also do a high gain version of the test described here. But I can't suggest which ones to compare. Long live the blindfold test.

@patrickford9615

9 жыл бұрын

Maybe a set of Marshalls?

@jakelus71

9 жыл бұрын

The EC Vibroluxe is a completely different circuit, tweed fenders are more similar to early marshalls than they are to blackface era fenders

@patrickford9615

9 жыл бұрын

That is totally not my understanding. I think the corre t name is EC Trrmoluxe, which is based on the 5E3 cuircuit, which is by definition a Deluxe. Anyway, I think you mean early Marshalls are similar to Fenders except for the tone stack.

@jakelus71

9 жыл бұрын

You are correct that it is by definition a deluxe. but a tweed deluxe is completely different than a silverface or blackface deluxe. silverface and blackfaces are hailed for their clean tones, and while they have decent overdrive sounds they are brighter and more brittle. tweed amps break up at much lower volumes, and the tweed deluxe is renowned mostly more is natural, compressed overdrive tones (think neil young).

@patrickford9615

9 жыл бұрын

So, I am wrong. The EC Tremoluxe is based on a 5E3, Tweed Deluxe from the 50s. The '65 and '68 Deluxe Reverb Reissues are based on Blackface amps from the 60s. And of course the HR Deluxe circuit has nothing to do with either. You are correct. I don't care. I still want a blindfold comparison. Three similar but not the same amps at three different price points and three different perceptions of quality. How do they compare, and can we pick out the quality in a blindfold test?

Please do more videos like this with other amplifiers!!! This was great and I hope to see many more amps so that I can get a better understanding of sounds.

Great video guys loved it! For me once the valve amp came on I knew, the other 2 not a clue. Only ever played through valve amps. More of these kind of videos please.

So I think this video has made me want a Hot Rod Deluxe more than the Rockverb I've been lusting over! Cheers fellas, you just saved me two grand!

Listened to this video and surprisingly preferred the sound of the Blues Cube.

I did the test blindfolded and I got them all right!! That means you did a great job with the mics. I am sure you will hear more differences on the video!

Hi guys, it was a brilliant idea to 'listen along' first time Cap, right up to when you said, on the third amp that you could hear it right behind you! For those of us who obviously watched the first couple of minutes and therefore saw where the amps physically were. I was really enjoying it though... I do think that this same test, with a Marshall, Blackstar and my personal fav, Orange would be really great... Just please don't accidently give away which amp is which! Nice one and keep up the great great vids, please do more of this and more of the challenges... They are by far the best ones for me. Whilst they are a bit 'top gear'. There is a reason that show does that kind of thing rather than just testing cars... Its because pretty much all new cars are perfectly good products. I think you could say the same about amps and guitars... Very rarely is a product not very good these days... In fact the cab clone is the only one I cab really think of that wasn't what we were expecting, i.e. a product turning out to be surprisingly rubbish!

The fact that they were so uncertain about which amp was which just goes to show how far modelling and SS amps have come!

Fun, because my old firefox at work is so ol that it cannot play youtube video, and only play the sound. So it was a great test for me as well. Thank you!

Great video guys. I got the mustang straight away. It sounded very digital to me and the way it clipped sounded ratty. The other two had me very confused and although i guessed right in the end it was just a guess and i could have easily got that one wrong. I think the blues cube has a bit more of a mid focus like a tweed deluxe, while the HR has a little more of a mid scoop. I actually preferred the blues cube, and i'm a comitted valve amp guy. I could be talking crap of course, but that's how it sounded to me.

Every single thing Scott Grove has EVER said in any of his videos has ended up being completely true, and I have verified it myself. I think he definitely is one if not the most knowledgable guitar geek and collector in KZread and I have nothing but the greatest respect for him.

totally blew it for me when lee said, the next amp is directly behind me!!! id already seen that was the hot rod. great fun though, good vid guys

this is certainly one of my favorite vids that you chaps have done. I was surprised at how nice the Blues Cube sounded! I've had a Hot Rod Deluxe for several years. I may have to nab me a BC. This demonstrated something that I've firmly believed for years...and that's this; a solid state amp can sound "bad"...or it can sound "good". I've also played tube amps that did NOT sound good. Sooooo....tubes/valves are NOT a guarantee of a good sound...and solid state is not a guarantee of a bad sound. The Stax Master was the biggest "give away" when the HRD was being played by Chappers. How the valves took being hit by the increased gain...was audible...even through KZread.

@sid35gb

4 жыл бұрын

cmonsterz I’ll agree with you on that one brought a lot of tube amps and realised that they don’t all sound amazing. And it’s the same with solid state there’s some amps that are cheap but have a lot of hype around them but are pretty flat and generic sounding with lots of effects and there’s simple ss amps that sound amazing.

Studios are my favorite Les Pauls, and that is the best looking Studio I've ever seen.

A great video lads, another of your best. 19'39 Lee called it correctly!

mentionning jeff healey in the video . that's the best thing you did captain , thanks to you ,i discovered this genius oO

Yes!!! Tysm i love this videos haha

As I've got two BluesCube Artist amps on order from Andertons specifically to facilitate a stereo amp option for my Strymon based fx board (with no reliability considerations) then this was a VERY interesting watch. Thanks gentlemen. It's worth considering that anyone using a Strymon pedal with a valve amp IS playing a modelling hybrid because the Strymon will digitally process the signal. I'd prefer to use two valve amps BUT I need instant on capability and short usage on/off too. That's a valve killer. My Mesa Mark V is available when I need pure valve sound (also from Andertons).

Now that was interesting! I got the first two mixed up too!

Nice video. I guessed the three :) I've heard quite the Fender models ... so I think it was easier for me .. :) Congratulations... very entertaining video and a good parameter to compare the models.

Nice vid, thanks! To me the Blues Cube sounded a lot better than the Mustang and it did sound best with the StaxMaster. Clean? Well Fender tube clean is just what it is ... lovely, but the Roland clean was very open and lively too. Clean winner: Blues Deluxe Pedal winner: Blues Cube

Thanks guys for doing these kind of reviews, as strips back the favoritism towards brands. I play through a Vox VT80+ and sounds greats on UK rock setting with pedals. Sold my tube amps, but I think I will get another tube amp soon but I now trying to find a non famous brand tube amp. As the competition among digital vs analog and brand vs brand is not only exciting but great for buyers too. Keep up the great work.

An excellent video.

Bought me a Mustang IV, i mounted a eq, super overdrive, and a blues driver pedal into the effects loop, played with a les paul it sounds very valve like, especially good for classic rock/ hard rock/ bluesrock.

I don't own a Mustang, but I've heard enough of them to know they're capable of sounding WAAYYYY better than this. It sounds like they went out of their way to find the worst settings possible with it.

@theconcreteslabs2972

9 жыл бұрын

The Mustang is a good solid state. But in my opinion. A 300 dollar solid State sound way better that a 300 tube. But once you step into the 1000 mark especially on tube heads tube all the way

@growtogether

9 жыл бұрын

+Charles Seper My thoughts also

@benlogan430

5 жыл бұрын

If you like tube driven overdrive or crunch then tube/valves is it. If not SS will do the do.

@gerrymcfarlane2615

4 жыл бұрын

Charlie , I think that too, I now own a mustang. My previous amp was a Boogie. I can manipulate the Mustang to sound really good. It weighs a fraction of the boogie. And I stuck £500 in the bank. It’s not got the power but stick a mic in front of it and away ye go.

I'm not surprised the Cube sounded so good. I have a regular Cube and all the models sound great.

Priceless.

Awesome video. Tough choice between the Hot Rod Deluxe and the Blue Cube. I could definitely see a gigging musician going Roland given the durability of solid state v. tube.

That was an awesome episode, made me laugh. Addendum: Jeff Healey is my step-mother's cousin. An awesome person greatly missed by our family. That man knew more than just guitar. ;)

I recognized that Hot Rod straight away. I've used a strat through a Hot Rod three nights a week for about four years now. I hear that wonderful tone in my sleep.

I love my super champ xd. Have to admit though that I didn't till the tube/ speaker swap... That changed everything. A speaker swap in these cheap amps are probably going to make a difference also. Great video guys thanks.

This vid inspired me to do some blind testing, through the same amp, blindfolded and checking guitar pickups. Had a guitar with EMG 81 and 85, EVH Wolfgang pickups, Dimarizio Super Distortion, a Het Set, a Crunch Lab and Liquifire, and a 707. A touch sad there weren't any blackouts in stock, but the Het Set ended up having a fantastic sound to it, for metal rhythm, which was what I was focusing on. Very clear, very responsive. Getting my current guitar loaded with 'em now. And to think I thought passive pickups were my preference before. The eyes lie, the ears don't.

I blindfolded myself and could tell a mile away the HRD as a valve, then again, I own and always plug into a HRD or JCM2000. The mustang is one I don't care for anyway so I guessed that was first, seeing as the blues cube had such a great review from you guys. The only thing about the blues cube was I couldn't tell if it was a *cheap* or *inferior* valve amp or a modelling one. For all purposes here, process of elimination. In real life applications, not so much. Great video!

Fun video, and also informative. I think you guys should do one where you test heads and run them all into the same cab. That way you'll eliminate any differences introduced by the quality of the speakers. You'll also have the sound coming from the same position each time.

Loved the video! absolutely amazing! Also, halfway through it I just randomly thought. . .Kenshi! >,

I closed my eyes and got the Blues Cube and HRD mixed up, that Roland sounds epic!

That's one of the better looking studios I've seen.

The blues cube sounded great

Last words said it all: "It doesn 't really matter if you love the sound". I do love valve amps, and especially the Fender Deluxe series... but I think it will be even more difficult to tell which is which within a full, busy mix.

Personally i think the blues cube sounds the best by far

@TMmodify

7 жыл бұрын

Lukestersim :3 Roland Cleans have always been the best cleans to me.

@saucysimpson259

7 жыл бұрын

They make incredible amps

@MICHEN3SEAkaFrank9

7 жыл бұрын

Mustangs are pretty great for the value, it has so many options and built in effects, its just incredible. You can play the intro to The Spirit of Radio or the Intro to Purple Haze just with the built in effects. It's really nice; I myself have a Mustang IV 2x12

Hated the blues cube with the les paul, but the hot rod had incredible head room. love that tone

I honestly thought that the Roland blues cube was the hot rod deluxe at first. Those two sounded so alike to me. And the whole time the video was playing I was on Google looking at old cars.

yay! got it right! I REALLY like the tone of the Blues Cube though. almost thought it was the tube until rob played the first note on the fender. Once i heard the fatness, I could tell it was the valved. But, I might end up looking into a Blues Cube now...

Well in the end it shows that with the newest modelisation amps, it's very hard to tell the difference between solide state and tube

Great video! I would love to see a blindfold test of natural tube distorsion vs. pedals since that is one of those heated internet debates in many forums. Maybe a cheap dist. pedal like the Boss DS-1 or similar vs. high-end distorsion like Wampler, vs. Tube pedal like Blackstar vs. real tube distorsion or something like that.

I have a Mustang IV (V.1) and let me tell you, the value you get for this stereo amp can't be beat. Half the weight of a Fender Twin and more benefits plus Celestions. Another benefit is, plug in another modeler like the Pod HD 500 or Eleven Rack to the Mustangs effects loop and you defeat the Fender modeling and just a great stereo amp. Valve amps are great but can be costly to maintain. For me the main difference is in a loud stage situation where you crank it and the tubes will obviously ring a lot differently then modeled which can be great or terrible depending on what you like. Love the idea of blind tests like this - keep it up gents and come visit me in Portland, Oregon!

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a guitar/gear snob and stay away from digital/solid-state/modeling/etc as much as I can, but the Blues Cube really surprised me. I knew the last one was the HRD, but wow...

Kudos for a fun, yet informative test. Perhaps lucky, but selected the amps correctly, even with headphones, KZread audio and thousands of miles separation (the "other" Birmingham, USA). Overtones and harmonic complexity help to distinguish the valve amp (or at least Fender's rendition). I must confess that my sons and I build amps (both SS and Tube) and that all valve amps are definitely not created equally - many do not deliver the organic complexity of the chain from pickup to speaker. Keep up the good work - we love that British humor!

Great test, I usually do bad on this, but I didn't look and I got them all right. I was pleasantly surprised that the Blues Cube sounded so much better than the Mustang II. I think modelling amps and technology improvements are getting there 'sound-wise', but the overall feel or responsiveness of tube amps to different intensity levels of picking is usually a dead give away to me if it's tube or not.

This could have been so good if they had volume matched them. Having the Hot Rod Deluxe set up much louder than the others invalidates the results. The players will usually prefer the louder amp.