Henriksen Blu vs Bud

**rpjazzguitar** · 11-11-2018, 04:31 AM

Do the Blu and Bud sound the same?

How would you compare either/both to the original Lunchbox amp?

Thanks in advance.

**sgcim** · 11-11-2018, 04:51 PM

One guy I know just bought a Blu as soon as he heard a friend of mine's Bud, and was told that it sounded just as good as a Bud, but only weighed 12 lbs.
He carried it into NYC on the subway, and sat in at Cleopatra's Needle. He thought it sounded great.

**MikeR** · 11-12-2018, 12:36 AM

I think the Blu sounds a touch better, though that is a subjective experience of course.
The Blu has the new Class D power amp and I found it a bit warmer sounding.
But still very clear sounding, definition is great.
It's a neat amp.

**Chazmo** · 11-12-2018, 01:54 AM

No comparison with the Bud vs. Lunchbox except they both are small. The Bud sounds like a full sized amp. My Bud quickly became my gigging amp. The Lunchbox sounds boxy and like, well, a little amp. I bought one from GC when they first came out and returned it a couple of days later.

**MikeR** · 11-12-2018, 02:28 AM

I agree with last post, the Blu and Bud are in a different league than the Lunchbox.
Check out some of the vids on the Henriksen website on what people are doing with the Bud and Blu.

**archtopeddy** · 11-13-2018, 02:40 PM

Last night I caught Gypsy Jazz vocal group Black Market Trust playing at the Henriksen factory in Arvada Colorado. The fellas in the band all used Henriksen amps for the show with the two guitarist and the violinist using Blu amps. The violinist commented his violin never sounded better; one of the guitarist said he was ready to sell his AER and get the Blu; and the bassist also wanted to get the Henriksen amp he was playing through. In all, they were very impressed and from a person sitting out front listening (me), it all sounded great.

I have a Bud so when I picked up a Blu, I was pleasantly surprised to see how little it weighed. It was like picking up a 6-pack of beer. Heh heh.

**Woody Sound** · 11-13-2018, 03:09 PM

On a similar note, anyone use a Bud or Blu in a big band setting? How abut a loud pit band? Is it loud/full enough?

**Gitpicker** · 11-14-2018, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by archtopeddy

Last night I caught Gypsy Jazz vocal group Black Market Trust playing at the Henriksen factory in Arvada Colorado. The fellas in the band all used Henriksen amps for the show with the two guitarist and the violinist using Blu amps. The violinist commented his violin never sounded better; one of the guitarist said he was ready to sell his AER and get the Blu; and the bassist also wanted to get the Henriksen amp he was playing through. In all, they were very impressed and from a person sitting out front listening (me), it all sounded great.

I have a Bud so when I picked up a Blu, I was pleasantly surprised to see how little it weighed. It was like picking up a 6-pack of beer. Heh heh.

Good to know!! I am actually thinking about getting a small amp that's light enough for getting around the city on my bicycle haha. The Blu might be perfect. It's long enough for a guitar trio gig I suppose? Guitar with bass and drums?

**archtopeddy** · 11-14-2018, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by Gitpicker

Good to know!! I am actually thinking about getting a small amp that's light enough for getting around the city on my bicycle haha. The Blu might be perfect. It's long enough for a guitar trio gig I suppose? Guitar with bass and drums?

Blu -- 12 lbs., single channel, 120 watts. Plenty loud enough for small club gigs. Comes in a nice, well-padded case; perfect for lugging around on your bike! (FYI: Black Market Trust had five members; two guitars, violin, bass, drums and some sax and clarinet. Should work just fine for trio with guitar, bass and drums).

**Stringswinger** · 11-14-2018, 02:09 AM

It sure is useful to have an extra channel. For 5 more pounds, the Bud offers more flexibility.

I have a two channel Henriksen Jazzamp head that I use with various Reazer's Edge cabinets and it does sound great. I have been thinking of replacing my 18 pound AER Compact 60 with a 17 pound Bud.

Has anybody here compared the AER Compact 60 with a Bud?

**rpjazzguitar** · 11-14-2018, 02:38 AM

I'm also wondering about the AER comparison. I've tried the AER, which didn't knock me out, but I really can't evaluate an amp without using it in a band setting for a few hours, at least.

But, I have a Bud anecdote. Last year, I was upstairs at Rudy's playing original D'Angelicos with Rudy and another player. Handing them around in a circle. I was surprised that the amp they were using to demo some of the most valuable archtops in existence was the Bud. But I never had a chance to do an A/B comparison.

**archtopeddy** · 11-14-2018, 02:41 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Has anybody here compared the AER Compact 60 with a Bud?

I have an AER Compact 60 Mobile and a Bud. Frankly, with the style of music I'm playing right now, I'm not using either amps too much. When I was playing more Gypsy Jazz, I preferred the AER. Guitar tone (at least the tone I needed) was about the same but the Bud has more room for tweeking. It was the vocals/mic channel where the AER excelled. I was using a Neumann KMS-105 phantom powered mic and it was superb with the AER -- noticeably fuller and richer.

I used my AER for 15 years of live performances so my ears might have been biased by it -- kinda like an old familiar pair of shoes. I had a friend who until he passed away last year used the Bud nearly exclusively. He was a straight-ahead jazzer and loved the amp.

**Stringswinger** · 11-14-2018, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by archtopeddy

I have an AER Compact 60 Mobile and a Bud. Frankly, with the style of music I'm playing right now, I'm not using either amps too much. When I was playing more Gypsy Jazz, I preferred the AER. Guitar tone (at least the tone I needed) was about the same but the Bud has more room for tweeking. It was the vocals/mic channel where the AER excelled. I was using a Neumann KMS-105 phantom powered mic and it was superb with the AER -- noticeably fuller and richer.

I used my AER for 15 years of live performances so my ears might have been biased by it -- kinda like an old familiar pair of shoes. I had a friend who until he passed away last year used the Bud nearly exclusively. He was a straight-ahead jazzer and loved the amp.

Ed,

My Compact 60 is one of the ones made with the solid oak cabinet. I had a couple of the plywood cabinet examples prior and did not like them as much (all three were version 2 models). I use magnetic pickups exclusively these days, mostly a humbucker. The Compact 60 does not have the 5 band EQ of the Henriksen, but with it's three band EQ and my guitar tone knob, I can make it work in almost any room. On some gigs, I do use the second channel and trading amps to save one pound makes no sense. But if the tone is more "Polytone" like with the Bud, I could have an interest.

Doug,

Go with the two channel amp. You will be glad you did when you need to make announcements or want to have a singer sit in.

Rick,

Forget about the lunchbox. It is not in the same league as AER, Henriksen or Acoustic Image. Not at the same price point either, but you do, most often, get what you pay for.

Cheers to all of you guys,

Marc

**Gitpicker** · 11-14-2018, 03:59 AM

Great to know ArchtopEddy! I have a Phil Jones Cub for a small amp but of course no reverb and I think the tone would be better for archtops with the Bud. I saw Bruce Forman play through a Bud during a guitar/sax duo gig and the tone was fabulous BUT then again it's Bruce Forman and his Sonntag is also a hell of a guitar

Than again I think Bruce could play a cigar box and sound amazing!

**Gitpicker** · 11-14-2018, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Ed,

My Compact 60 is one of the ones made with the solid oak cabinet. I had a couple of the plywood cabinet examples prior and did not like them as much (all three were version 2 models). I use magnetic pickups exclusively these days, mostly a humbucker. The Compact 60 does not have the 5 band EQ of the Henriksen, but with it's three band EQ and my guitar tone knob, I can make it work in almost any room. On some gigs, I do use the second channel and trading amps to save one pound makes no sense. But if the tone is more "Polytone" like with the Bud, I could have an interest.

Doug,

Go with the two channel amp. You will be glad you did when you need to make announcements or want to have a singer sit in.

Rick,

Forget about the lunchbox. It is not in the same league as AER, Henriksen or Acoustic Image. Not at the same price point either, but you do, most often, get what you pay for.

Cheers to all of you guys,

Marc

I agree Marc. It's rare but when the second channel is needed, I'm glad it's there.

Cheers to you too my friend!

**Stringswinger** · 11-14-2018, 04:25 AM

Doug,

I get the feeling that at some point, both of us are going to own a Bud. Bruce and a lot of other top cats are already there. It sounds like the Bud is the best small amp for jazz guitar yet. Polytones were great sounding, but were about as reliable as an old British motorcycle. Acoustic Image combos are too "sterile". The Jazzkat and Phil Jones stuff lack the fullness needed for jazz guitar. The AER is really voiced for piezo, though our friend Mimi convinced me that they are pretty viable for magnetic pickups as well. Of course, Mimi, like Bruce, would sound great with lousy gear. Tone is in the fingers.

I have played Bruce's Sontag and indeed, it is a superb guitar. And you are quite right about Bruce. He would sound great playing a Squire Strat strung with 8's through a Pignose.

**rpjazzguitar** · 11-14-2018, 05:34 AM

Marc,

I have the Lunchbox and I find it almost useless. I mentioned it in the OP because the speaker size is similar -- and I wanted to be sure that the Blu/Bud are much better than the LB - which is the consensus so far.

I heard Jack Wilkins play the Zinc Bar with a Comins GCS-1 and an AER Compact 60. Filled the room (which is small) and sounded great. Vic Juris also sounded terrific - using a Fuchs amp (didn't see the model) and what appeared to be an Earthquaker reverb box.

I'm intrigued by the idea of a useful 12lb amp. That's why I have the LB. I've reviewed on here before. I won't repeat it here except to say that my 12 watt Crate practice amp sounds far better and has more useful volume.

Rick

**marcwhy** · 11-14-2018, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

On a similar note, anyone use a Bud or Blu in a big band setting? How abut a loud pit band? Is it loud/full enough?

I used the Blu recently for a big band gig; first time ever with the band -- the guitarist was sick, and the leader called me that day for the gig! I didn't know the band nor the venue, so i brought a 1x8 extension cab with the Blu just in case; the rhythm section was placed on the back edge of the stage, but everyone could hear my "mini-stack" fine!

**archtopeddy** · 11-14-2018, 11:44 AM

I owned a Lunch Box once. Never really bonded with it. It was more of a novelty -- the Bud or Blu are truly, useful amps.

Also, agree with Marc, dual channels is the way to go unless you're dead certain you won't ever need a second channel.

Not trying to throw a fly in the ointment here, but has anyone directly compared the Bud to the Blu? When I was at the Black Market Trust show at the Henriksen shop, some of the talk was about how the Blu sounded a bit better, that it was an incremental, tweek that sounded a tad better. Frankly, in the live situation, I couldn't hear the Blu as sounding better -- but it sure sounded great! It wouldn't be something that I would trade my Bud for a Blu or sacrifice a second channel for, but it would be interesting if anyone here has actually compared the two side-by-side.

By the way, Marc and Doug, you both know Jeff Radaich with BMT. You could ask him what he thinks since he was just playing a Blu live for the first time just two days ago.

**snoskier63** · 11-15-2018, 11:50 AM

Being one that only needs one channel, and given that the new JazzAmp Ten weighs just 23 lbs I ordered the Ten. The Bud and Blu are certainly appealing and they both sound great, but when the larger speaker comes in such a light package I went with the larger speaker. The fact that Peter H was able to make small amps sound so good is a testament to his skills as an amp builder, and whether one chooses the Bud, Blu, Ten or 312 you can’t lose. I’m expecting to have my Ten soon and I can’t wait!

**Chazmo** · 11-15-2018, 01:46 PM

One interesting side note...I had the opportunity to use my Bud recently while playing with a group consisting of guitar, piano, bass, drums, and three horns (trumpet, sax, trombone). The Bud did just fine.

**coolvinny** · 11-15-2018, 04:01 PM

I have no doubt that both the Bud and Blu sound great, and I know this thread is aimed at the "Blu vs. Bud", but can anyone offer thoughts on the Mambo 8 vs. Bud or Blu?

I used to have a Raezer's Edge 6 cabinet which I powered with my Henriksen head - it sounded great and I would say "bigger" than the Mambo 8 despite only having a 6" speaker...but the RE6 itself weighed around 17 lbs (without electronics) whereas the entire Mambo 8 package is approx 15 lbs. The RE6 was also physically larger in most dimensions except maybe it was 1" shorter in height.

Thoughts?

**rpjazzguitar** · 11-15-2018, 06:46 PM

A question for Blu/Bud users.

How much does it matter whether the amp is on the floor?

Context: For the Lunchbox, it makes a major difference. It seems to need coupling to the floor to have any bass response at all. Put it on a shelf and it becomes "screechy", which is the kindest term I could think of to describe it. But, on the floor, the volume is compromised, and turning up the volume makes it sound worse.
That's not true, btw, of my Crate GFX15 with an 8" speaker -- it sounds fine off the floor, which is why I think that it has about as much usable volume at 12 watts as the LB has at an advertised 200 watts.

**Woody Sound** · 11-15-2018, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by rpjazzguitar

A question for Blu/Bud users.

How much does it matter whether the amp is on the floor?

Context: For the Lunchbox, it makes a major difference. It seems to need coupling to the floor to have any bass response at all. Put it on a shelf and it becomes "screechy", which is the kindest term I could think of to describe it. But, on the floor, the volume is compromised, and turning up the volume makes it sound worse.
That's not true, btw, of my Crate GFX15 with an 8" speaker -- it sounds fine off the floor, which is why I think that it has about as much usable volume at 12 watts as the LB has at an advertised 200 watts.

AND, the Henriksens have a downfiring port, making this issue even more important.

**Stringswinger** · 11-15-2018, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

AND, the Henriksens have a downfiring port, making this issue even more important.

Downfiring port? That is a deal killer for me. I think I will just stick with my AER Compact 60. It sounds fine on the floor with carpeting or up on a chair with slats.

I never liked the Acoustic Image combos because of the downfiring woofer. My Henriksen head, like my Acoustic Image head (and my Polytone head) will all be used with my Raezer's Edge cabs for all the tone I need.

For a lightweight combo to carry on the urban gigs (I hate pushing a cart), the Compact 60 does the job.