Nigel Price reviews portable jazz amps - YouTube video

[David B]

New to YouTube today.
Nigel Price puts 10 different portable (sub 10kg) amplifiers through their paces.

00:00 - Introduction
01:51 - 1 Yamaha THR 30ii
05:37 - 2 DV Little Jazz
09:00 - 3 Fishman Loudbox Mini
12:41 - 4 AER compact 60
17:15 - 5 ZT Acoustic
21:57 - 6 Mambo
26:24 - 7 GSS Jazz Cat
30:54 - 8 Quilter Tone Block 202
36:33 - 9 Henriksen Bud Six
42:49 - 10 Jaaz Acoustics 41B
48:10 - Summary

Backing tracks from the ‘Quartet’ app - https://www.quartetapp.com

More info on Nigel: https://linktr.ee/Nigethejazzer
Website: https://www.nigethejazzer.com

[Aiq]

I enjoyed this, thanks.

I realized I used to have a boot of a club gig of his that was totally spoiled by blabbermouths.

I will be checking his site out.

[GuyBoden]

Very good, thanks.

[Alter]

Well, one problem is that he's so good he's going to sound stellar through anything really..

[Christian Miller]

Last time Nigel was using the Henriksen, so my prediction is he likes that one best?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GuyBoden]

Last time Nigel was using the Henriksen, so my prediction is he likes that one best?

But, Henriksen's sound very, very good and are small too.

[Tal_175]

Any acoustic guitar amplifier with an effects loop can also be used with an amp-in-a-box pedal like Strymon or TC 65' preamp. They have neutral tones with FRFR type speakers. A pedal doesn't add much to the weight and size of the gear but can make a big difference in versatility.

[Rob MacKillop]

I realized I used to have a boot of a club gig of his that was totally spoiled by blabbermouths.

Aiq, it might be that I’ve just woken up from an afternoon nap, but your sentence is going round and round in my head, but I’ve still no idea if it makes sense. Does it make sense? Or should I go back to sleep, and when I awaken for the second time, everything will make sense?

[Aiq]

Aiq, it might be that I’ve just woken up from an afternoon nap, but your sentence is going round and round in my head, but I’ve still no idea if it makes sense. Does it make sense? Or should I go back to sleep, and when I awaken for the second time, everything will make sense?

Let me try again.

While viewing his amp video I recognized him as the guitarist on a bootleg recording I had a good while back. I took part in the live show trading hobby from the late nineties until streaming did away with that hobby of trading CDs of live performances,

Nigel’s performance on the recording, along with those of his bandmates, was first rate but was unlistenable due to the level of conversation in the pub, no doubts fueled by many pints.

[Christian Miller]

But, Henriksen's sound very, very good and are small too.

I mean … yeah

Probably the best of the bunch if you don’t want something voiced like a Fender amp and have a spare grand kicking around.

Surprising amount of bass on them too. (The Bud Six) Not the lightest available, but light enough for many. Nige seemed very happy with it, and most people who play them are. I like them.

I suppose I should watch the video but it’s kind of long.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bill C]

UK members - if you get a chance to see Nigel’s organ trio with Ross Stanley on Hammond B3 and Joel Barford on drums, be there!!

[Stringswinger]

I think his conclusion that the Bud 6 is the best small amp for jazz is spot on (for now at least), but as Christian pointed out, if you are after the Fender Blackface tube amp sound, the Henriksen won't do it, at least without a pedal in front of it.

The Quilter Mach 3 gets you the Fender sound, but it is not as small and light (it is more comparable to the Henriksen Bud 10 in regard to weight and size).

I have both the Bud 6 and the Mach 3 plus a 1X12 extension cabinet for when I might need to push more air than these small amps push. I feel like my amplification needs are well met, but I may add a pedal to put in front of the Bud 6 for when I want the Fender sound with extreme portability.

The truth is we are living in a golden age of amplification for those of us who are unwilling to carry a heavy amp.

[grahambop]

UK members - if you get a chance to see Nigel’s organ trio with Ross Stanley on Hammond B3 and Joel Barford on drums, be there!!

I did, a couple of weeks ago!

Had a good chat with Nigel and Ross afterwards.

[bozobreak]

For me the Mambo was the best, balanced and smooth, but not dull.
The HB6 is just to harsh, with unpleasant overtones, highs.
I really try to like the HB6, as that would be an ideal amp for me (size, weight, power etc) but somehow I just can't bond with it (I've tried it in person a few times).
(Now I use AERs, but always looking for something better...)

[Christian Miller]

The AER makes a great small powered PA speaker. Just go in through the FX return and plug any modeller you want into it.

The preamp section is quite coloured to me - suits piezos and dynamic mics, but electric guitars less well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ClassyTouch]

Henriksen for the win! I also really love the sound and feel of that Jaaz Acoustics amp! When he played along with the backing track it sounded like a mixed record! I'm surprised no one mentioned it yet.

[grahambop]

I did, a couple of weeks ago!

Had a good chat with Nigel and Ross afterwards.

I’m not sure what amp Nigel was using on the gig I saw, it was some kind of tweed combo thing, not one of the amps featured in the video (I couldn’t see it very clearly).

Incidentally I asked him how he developed his impressive chord-soloing ability and he said he never practised it at all or had any particular system, it just sort of developed over the years from playing loads of different tunes and incorporating chords into his solos.

Which I thought was interesting, given how much we obsess on here about different approaches, various youtube gurus, Barry Harris etc. Just play 1000 tunes and keep putting chords in your solos!

[Christian Miller]

I’m not sure what amp Nigel was using on the gig I saw, it was some kind of tweed combo thing, not one of the amps featured in the video (I couldn’t see it very clearly).

Incidentally I asked him how he developed his impressive chord-soloing ability and he said he never practised it at all or had any particular system, it just sort of developed over the years from playing loads of different tunes and incorporating chords into his solos.

Which I thought was interesting, given how much we obsess on here about different approaches, various youtube gurus, Barry Harris etc. Just play 1000 tunes and keep putting chords in your solos!

Yeah I mean Nigel can make up a solo arrangement of pretty much any jazz standard on the spot, fully fleshed out, not just block chords.

He’s very much a tunes guy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GuyBoden]

Just play 1000 tunes and keep putting chords in your solos!

[spencer096]

tremendous playing...AER was my fav.

[pingu]

OMG last heard Nigel a couple
of years ago ….. he was awesome then

He’s got even better now

(i liked the TB202 through both speakers)

[Stringswinger]

I think his conclusion that the Bud 6 is the best small amp for jazz is spot on (for now at least), but as Christian pointed out, if you are after the Fender Blackface tube amp sound, the Henriksen won't do it, at least without a pedal in front of it.

The Quilter Mach 3 gets you the Fender sound, but it is not as small and light (it is more comparable to the Henriksen Bud 10 in regard to weight and size).

I have both the Bud 6 and the Mach 3 plus a 1X12 extension cabinet for when I might need to push more air than these small amps push. I feel like my amplification needs are well met, but I may add a pedal to put in front of the Bud 6 for when I want the Fender sound with extreme portability.

The truth is we are living in a golden age of amplification for those of us who are unwilling to carry a heavy amp.

I bought a pedal to put in front of my Bud 6 to get a Fender tone with this amp. I got a UA Dream 65. It adds a VERY true (to my ears) Fender sound. So now, I can get two different amp sounds with the same super portable amp (plus I get vibrato).

To the forum members who posted that a pedal could get a Henriklsen Bud into Fender territory, Thank you!

[kris]

It is always the case that at home it seems that it will be fine, but at a live concert there is the best test.
I"ve been watching these portable amps for over a dozen years and I don"t see this favorite equipment.
When playing with a loud drummer, this doesn't work because of the small speakers.

[Stringswinger]

It is always the case that at home it seems that it will be fine, but at a live concert there is the best test.
I"ve been watching these portable amps for over a dozen years and I don"t see this favorite equipment.
When playing with a loud drummer, this doesn't work because of the small speakers.

A 1X12 extension cabinet is a must for those situations if using an amp with a 6.5 inch speaker.

[kris]

A 1X12 extension cabinet is a must for those situations if using an amp with a 6.5 inch speaker.

Of course, that"s how I use it. Apart from that, the sound is fuller.