Practice amps that are worth the while?

[Einhander]

So when I transitioned to 7s back in 2014; the biggest issue I came across is finding a decent practice amp to support the extra string haha! I personally use a Orange crush 35rt which is perfect for clean style play and keeping chops up to par but when wanting to mimic certain tones and styles its a no go. It seems unless you dump into a decent processor or rack mount then you are limited a bit. Any thoughts out there for someone like myself who is either always traveling or deployed?

 

[KnightBrolaire]

boss katana or yamaha thr

 

[Leviathus]

2nd for the boss katana

 

[gnoll]

I hate Boss Katana.

 

[oracles]

Skip the Katana, the Yamaha THR is the best bang for the buck practice amp out right now.

 

[Einhander]

Skip the Katana, the Yamaha THR is the best bang for the buck practice amp out right now.

Thr 30tx or any? I see that there is 5 models.

 

[elkoki]

The Boss Katana mk ii sounds great and can be found cheap through craigslist and offerup. I picked mine up for $120 and couldn't be happier with it. Its easily one of, if not the best combo amp in the price range.. a problem with a lot of the older modeling amps from the early 2000s was how digital they sounded, Katana's don't sound overly fake and have enough tweakable options to play any style, can't beat it to be honest... it may take you a few minutes ...or days to figure how to fully use it and save tones but its worth learning. Its highly praised for a reason just have realistic expectations , its not a Axefx ..

 

[elkoki]

I hate Boss Katana.

Why?

 

[erdiablo666]

Try to get something used that has an effects loop. If ever you end up hating the sound in the future, you have the option of running a preamp pedal into the effects look for a fresh new sound. I'm personally a big fan of the Peavey Bandit. It sounds good on its own, takes pedals well, and you can always just go into the effects loop if you feel like it. Boss Katana will also accomplish this very well.

 

[gnoll]

Why?

I just don't like it, I don't think it sounds good, I think the speaker is scooped and bad sounding and the whole thing sounds mushy and doesn't feel right.

 

[wakjob]

My THR10x gets the job done...but the market is so saturated, the world is your oyster...choices...choices.
If you're near a computer most of the time, I think software is the way to go these days.

If you want something physical that you can take outside on a nice day and runs on batteries ect...
Yamaha, Boss, and Blackstar offer great options. I've used all three and rank them pretty much equal.

 

[CerealKiller]

A friend of mine has a Yamaha THR, its great for the price.

 

[High Plains Drifter]

My THR10X takes effects very well. Currently I've got 14 pedals running thru mine- no noise/ no interference. Very portable and surprisingly loud if desired. I would look at the THR10-V2. Also I believe that the THR110X has been discontinued.

 

[InCasinoOut]

My Yamaha THR10 and mini-pedals has been the best practice rig I've ever had. Currently, I do usually play with my Mesa Mk V:35 into my computer, and the THR is now my living room TV-noodling amp. Perfect for that situation as well.

 

[nightlight]

If you're always travelling, I'd recommend a modeller of some kind like a Line 6 Helix HX stomp. You can use it with headphones, or get a small powered speaker (plenty available) and it will give you good tones.

 

[MrBouleDeBowling]

Boss Katana
Roland Cube
Peavey Vypyr

 

[budda]

Pro tip: dont obsess over practice amp tone. You need to hear your mistakes. If you want a good compact rig, that is another thing.

 

[elkoki]

My Yamaha THR10 and mini-pedals has been the best practice rig I've ever had. Currently, I do usually play with my Mesa Mk V:35 into my computer, and the THR is now my living room TV-noodling amp. Perfect for that situation as well.

Does it have an FX loop? and do you have any tone samples of this rig? Phone camera quality alright by me if you do

 

[Einhander]

If you're always travelling, I'd recommend a modeller of some kind like a Line 6 Helix HX stomp. You can use it with headphones, or get a small powered speaker (plenty available) and it will give you good tones.

Yeah I actually take my old rp360 traveling, great to play headphones through and practice.

 

[USMarine75]

So when I transitioned to 7s back in 2014; the biggest issue I came across is finding a decent practice amp to support the extra string haha! I personally use a Orange crush 35rt which is perfect for clean style play and keeping chops up to par but when wanting to mimic certain tones and styles its a no go. It seems unless you dump into a decent processor or rack mount then you are limited a bit. Any thoughts out there for someone like myself who is either always traveling or deployed?

Price range?

And what exactly do you mean by practice amp? You mentioned traveling. Trying to figure out what kind of solution you're looking for:

• laptop, software, and headphones (and/or monitors)
• 1x12 combo
• mini head and 112 cab
• Kemper, Helix, etc