BluGuitar amp

[IanD]

Does anyone have any experience with the BluGuitar AMP 1 (the later Mercury edition). Like a lot of us, I am finding hauling around a heavy valve (tube) amp to be a bit of a chore. For those unaware of the unit, the Bluguitar is a German made 100 watt self contained solid state amp which has a nanotube in the power amp side to warm it up a little. Can be used to record directly, into a mixer or used as an amp head straight into a speaker for live gigs (the application that most interests me). Its very small and light and seems to get universally good reviews. There were some comments on a bit of a high requency sizzle, but the was on the earlier model. Most of the reviews/videos are rock oriented, but there are some very favourable reviews by jazz guitarists.
Its quite expensive but seems to cover all styles of music, just put it with a 1 x 10” (for jazz gigs) or a 1 x 12” speaker for rock gigs and you have a light weight good to go set up.
Any comments would be very appreciated as I have been seriously considering purchasing one.

[jads57]

There seem to be a plethora of newer 100 watt smaller floor based amps these days. Hughes and Kettner, Victory Amps, Black Star, Two Notes, etc.

For me I’m really happy with my Quilter 202Tone Block head and various pedals.

[Gitterbug]

I had a very early version, which I returned because of a malfunction. The Chinese assembler was subsequently replaced. I've met Thomas Blug - a great person and fantastic guitarist - a few times at trade fairs, each time impressed by the amp's rock sound.

My interest was in the clean sound only. As I recall, the mid-EQ had a very strong influence on the overall volume. The louder, the more nasal. I trust that later editions are better in this respect. Several top rock players in Finland are quite happy with the amp. But, as pointed out by jads57, there are now many floor amps to choose from. I'm going to get a new Taurus model from Poland soon and will report my findings then. As I understand, Taurus pioneered the floor amp concept back in 2010.

[IanD]

Thank you for your responses Jads57 and Markku. Yes there are a lot of these types of amps around at the moment.
I do have a Quilter Superblock US which is good for a smaller gig or as a back-up. It's great that you are happy with your Quilter Jads, but I am one of those (probably rare) people who are not greatly enthused by the Quilter 'sound'.

Markku, the newer BluGuitar amp version does seem greatly improved. Its interesting that you mention you were impressed by the rock sound - that is a big part of why I was attracted to the Thomas Blug's amp as I seem to be playing blues and rock more than jazz lately....unfortunately.
I will be very interested in your review of the Taurus amp Markku as I greatly respect your opinion on all things related to speakers and amps. The BluGuitar unit does seem to be less complex than the Taurus (and that's important to one of advancing years like myself )

[Gitterbug]

Here's the link to the new Taurus. Quite a lot of features and, at 566€, not a cheapo either. No micro-tube in preamp.Taurus Stomp Head SH8, Stomp-Head SH8, Floor guitar amplifier SH8, Taurus SH8Qube

[yebdox]

[L487]

I was able to play my Gibson L4 through the Amp1, Mercury Edition and the Iridium at NAMM June 2022 and NAMM April 2023. The Amp1 and Mercury sounded amazing for jazz. The Iridium which is for metal sounded good too but I preferred the other two. It’s analog with a nano tube. I talked to Thomas and I asked him how long the tube lasts. He said 2014 was when they started selling the Amp1 and no one has had to replace the tube or have had any tube issues. He explained the voltage was not nearly as high as in a traditional tube amp so the tube life is VERY long. It’s as quiet as a solid state amp. I also play rock and blues and I’m waiting for the AmpX which should be available in the US by November according to Thomas Blug.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I am one of those (probably rare) people who are not greatly enthused by the Quilter 'sound'.

If you haven’t tried it, bridging the effects send Jack with a capacitor will darken the sound of a Superblock and cut the shrillness that many hear in its tone. Here’s my thread on this with sound clips of various values plus spectral analyses in the first post. After a lot of swapping, I settled on the 0.33 cap in mine and love it. My default gigging archtop has a Benedetto B7 in it wired for coil split through a push-pull pot. With the 33, the HB puts out a classic medium dark jazz tone. And in SC mode, it sparkles but doesn’t glare.

For blues gigs I just unplug the cap, cut the treble down, up the limiter to about 12 o’clock and balance gain & volume pots for a bit of smooth OD. Set that way through my 10” Toob with the 57 voice, the blues tone is actually closer to a Dumble than almost every Dumble clone pedal I ever heard.

[Gitterbug]

Ian, you have a PM from me. (The letter symbol should flash or something whenever there's a new PM. Sometimes they go unnoticed for weeks.)

BR
Markku

[IanD]

Thanks Markku, I have sent a response to your message.

David (Nevershouldhavesoldit), I have been following your thread on the plug/capacitor trick and agree there is an improvement. I will try your suggested settings next.

Ian