This month has been new amp month … just not the amp that I originally planned to buy.
Marshall JTM Studio 20W Amp Head
My original plan this month was to buy a Fender Tweed Bassman Tone Master amp. However, I’m currently not willing to buy new Fender products – and I haven’t been able to find a second-hand one anywhere – so I decided to get something else instead.
Marshall’s JTM Studio is a modern, smaller, lower-power take on their legendary JTM 45 amp. It sounds nothing like the Marshall JMP “plexi” amp. It’s warmer, darker, and cleaner. It’s an interesting new option for me to explore over the coming years.
I’m looking forward to learning how it differs from my Marshall Origin 20 amp head.
Blackstar TV-10A 10W 6L6 Amp Head
I recently plugged my really old Blackstar HT-1R amp into my hybrid rig … and realised just how much I miss that Blackstar clean sound.
Unfortunately, the HT-1R is just too underpowered to really work in my setup. I did look around for a second-hand HT-5HR; I just felt that, for the asking prices I saw, I might as well buy brand new and get a warranty.
I’m going to feature it in my upcoming Marshall Origin 20 long-term review. Which amp will be the better affordable pedal platform amp?